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THE CAPTAIN'S GAME
(PG-13)
In the sixth year of our journey in the Delta Quadrant, Captain Janeway began to act very strangely. The whole thing was very unsettling for me because she was the strongest, most capable woman I'd ever known. What followed were the most bizarre and scary few weeks of my life, but to tell you the truth, I wouldn't change a thing. It began with the funny little smile over dinner one evening in her quarters. I sat there for a moment trying to decide if my eyes had deceived me or if I'd actually witnessed Captain Kathryn Janeway crinkle her cute nose. She went on talking about some modifications B'Elanna wanted to try while I was considering having the doctor take a look at my eyes. Just when I decided an eye exam might indeed be in order, she did it again. In a teasing manner I asked if she was practicing a new smile. She looked at me as if I'd grown a second head and said she didn't know what I was talking about. Puzzled and more than a little paranoid, I dropped it. Next came the staring at me on the bridge. I knew those pretty blue eyes were on me, I could FEEL it, but no matter how many times I tried to catch her in the act I failed. Frustrated, I ignored her. That's when she made a tiny little moan that only I heard. At least, I thought I'd heard it. Great, I thought to myself, the ears are going right along with the eyes...or is it my mind? Looking over I found her concentrating on a padd, appearing to be totally engrossed in whatever she was looking at. That's when she made the soft little moan again. Suddenly a thought occurred to me with complete clarity and I swallowed a gasp. That moan, the one meant for my ears only, was a lovemaking moan! Of course, I actually had no personal experience in that department with Kathryn, but I just knew she made that sound in bed. That was one of the longest duty shifts of my entire life. I spent a good portion of that evening trying to decide whether I should have the doctor pay a visit to Kathryn, or me. I could clearly picture that strange little smile but had no clue what it was supposed to mean. Worse, I could hear the soft moan over and over in my head. The more I thought about it, the more my imagination took over, picturing her beneath me... A rather sleepless night after the longest shift I'd ever put in made for a fairly grumpy First Officer the next day. A few days passed with no behavior out of the ordinary from Kathryn and while part of me was relieved, the greater part was once again wondering if I'd imagined the whole thing. With my annual physical due in less than a week, I told myself I'd get some answers then. I didn't have to wait that long. During a briefing while Tuvok outlined a new program for his security teams, Kathryn placed a hand on my thigh under the table. After covering a gasp with a cough and noting that she didn't even flinch, I watched her from the corner of my vision. She was very good at her game, pretending to be engrossed in Tuvok's presentation. Never once did she move her hand. She didn't have to. It's mere presence and proximity to my groin brought an immediate response. Kathryn Janeway knew exactly what she was doing. I would've bet a month's replicator rations on it. That is, if I'd had any left. A certain nose crinkling, moaning, roaming handed Captain had relieved me of my rations after depleting her own in her never ending need for coffee. She was some piece of work. When the meeting ended I made up some dim excuse for remaining behind, staying seated to hide my...condition. Kathryn merely nodded and left me there, following the rest of the staff from the room without a backward glance. Although I was a bit miffed with her I found myself shaking my head at her flawless performance. No one suspected a thing. No, this little game was meant for me and only me. What I couldn't figure out was... why? My heart wanted desperately to believe Kathryn had finally decided to change the nature of our relationship but her behavior was so completely out of character, I couldn't help but worry about her. She had always maintained a safe emotional distance between us and over the past several months we had grown even farther apart. It simply did not add up! After the incident in the briefing room Kathryn became quite expert at avoiding being alone with me. Rather than asking me to dinner or accepting my invitations, she claimed it was high time she began taking her meals in the mess hall with her crew. When I tried to catch her in the ready room she always seemed to know it was me, meeting me at the door as if she'd been on her way to the bridge. The one time she granted me entrance, I found her having tea with Naomi. It was maddening! The beginning of the end was the day Kathryn and I were having lunch in the mess hall (it was the only way I could spend time with her lately outside the bridge) and she trained her eyes on my lips. She watched every morsel of food go into my mouth and seemed oblivious to the fact that we were surrounded by crew. Thankfully no one seemed to notice but I knew that could change at any moment. In fear of that and because I couldn't stand it any longer, I dropped my fork and pushed my plate aside. Leveling an angry glare at her, I was certain my most stern, no-nonsense expression made the message crystal clear. Enough was enough. I had no intentions of continuing with this game, trying to carry out my duties while Kathryn unmercifully played with me. I didn't know if she'd plotted a course toward her own insanity or mine but I was getting off right here, right now. She just smiled and made that little moan. It's very hard to stay angry when your heart's bouncing off your chest walls, alive with a love you thought was dying a slow death. Despite all she had put me through, I knew one thing for certain. I was still in love with Kathryn Janeway. Obviously she didn't get the message that day because the game continued and I began to feel like hunted prey. At times I fantasized about what would happen when she 'caught' me and as entertaining as that was, my patience was running a little thin. I'd had more than enough of playing and was anxious to get on with...well...serious stuff. With this in mind I formulated a plan. It could very well blow up in my face but with any luck I'd finally have what I'd wanted for years. The plan was so simple I scolded myself for not thinking of it sooner. I could've spared myself weeks of torture. I had the computer alert me when Kathryn was about to pass my quarters. I merely reached into the corridor and pulled her inside. She didn't even have the decency to act surprised! I backed her against the wall and peered into her eyes but she made no attempt to escape, instead lifting her face toward mine in defiance. I pressed against her, hard, our bodies meeting in places they'd only met in my dreams and fantasies. I was in control now. After informing my captive that her little game was up, I asked her how it felt to be prey instead of hunter. I waited. And waited. She stared at my lips and I slowly ran my tongue over them looking for a reaction she wasn't about to give. With a sly grin she looked me square in the eye and told me that I was quite mistaken. As a knot formed in my gut telling me I'd made a grave error, I waited for her to elaborate. She informed me that I had fallen right into her trap. I had to stop and think on that. My brain was a little fuzzy due to the fact there was more blood below my waist than above it but gradually the words registered. She was right. I gripped her waist hard making it clear she wasn't going anywhere. It was completely unnecessary because not once since I'd put her to the wall had she resisted, but I had to at least try to save face. Very slowly I leaned in to kiss her but she headed me off at the pass and pressed her lips to mine ruining my dramatic approach. She didn't even allow me the satisfaction of forcing my tongue past her lips and sucked it in almost before I offered it. That was Kathryn for you. Always in control. Well, we'd just see about that. I peeled her from the wall and began to unfasten her jacket as I turned her around and backed her toward the bedroom. Not to be outdone she quickly began unfastening my jacket. With eyes locked we slowly made our way across the lounge all the while undressing one another until we stood naked by the bed. My plan had been to take her into my arms and gently lower her to the bed but I had forgotten this wasn't my show. In one swift move she threw her arms around my neck, spun me half a turn and sent us both tumbling onto the bed. Straddling me, she raised up and smiled victoriously. I might've known she'd have to be on top.
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