Curse of The Banshee: Guinness, Brawls & 'Riverdancing' [Part 10]!

by ALM_Voyager

It was 0640 hours and Chakotay's head was still throbbing. 'The Morning after . . . St. Patrick's Day,' his mind laughed to itself. How was he going to survive the day, after last night. He turned his attention to his door which he hadn't heard ringing. "Come in," he said quietly and started to pull his uniform jacket over his head, not bothering to unzip it for lack of time.

"I was beginning to think you still had a concussion," a female voice said from outside his interior of the shirt.

Chakotay pulled at the material quickly, dragging it recklessly over his combed hair to see . . . "Kathryn . . . good morning," he said awkwardly. "I didn't hear you . . . I'm sorry," he reached down, with a feigned calm gesture, to pick up his combadge and put it on his uniform.

"I won't waste time with you, Commander," she stated and walked closer, holding her arms behind her back in a strong stance.

Chakotay came to attention slightly, knowing full well Kathryn had to cite him for reckless behavior.

"What you did last night was, reckless," she said, as if reading his mind. "Fighting a hologram Chakotay? Whatever possessed you. Don't answer that I know what possessed you . . . that damn Guinness," she stated.

Chakotay almost interrupted her to tell her that it WASN'T the Irish alcohol but rather a certain Irish lass/ Captain, but she went on.

"As a consequence for your actions I have had to consider some sort of reprimand and the best one I could come to was this," she pushed a small chip to his chest. "Take it, it's yours."

"What is it," Chakotay asked, almost afraid to know. Directions for cleaning the filters? Recipes from Neelix's kitchen that he was supposed to cook up for his lunches for the rest of the long voyage home?

"It contains a full viewscreen compatible account of the events last night. I expect you to watch it in full detail and report to me at 0500 hours tomorrow morning."

"0500 hours?!" Chakotay blanched. Even Kathryn Janeway rarely got up early. He was in deep shi--.

"You have some time left before your duty shift to view it," she nodded at the chip and then sighed. "See you on the bridge, Commander," she stated and left.

Chakotay placed the small chip in his small module that was on his table and waited for last night's horror to replay itself . . . he sank back against the sofa as images came on the screen . . . images of himself and Kathryn . . . dancing together . . . the focus shifting from their fast moving feet, that were preforming intricate Celtic moves, to their smiling faces and clasped hands. He found himself laughing, as he realized Kathryn had edited the replay to just the dance. He was greeted with her smiling face at the end of the dance with a complete message to him:

"By now you should have that damn *beginner's* reel down, Chakotay. 0500 hours . . . holodeck one for your next lesson."

"I don't understand . . . why . . ." Chakotay asked her, as she sat on the sofa in her readyroom, gazing out at the stars.

"Because, I *do* understand, Chakotay," she turned and smiled.

"I didn't want you to find out this way . . . that I still . . . that I hadn't . . ." he started but was unable to finish.

"That you hadn't given up on 'us' yet? Oh, I'd known that for a while . . . but I'd always felt . . . after New Earth . . that it was hopeless," she said glumly.

"And now?" He asked . . .with hope.

She went to him and stood looking into his eyes before reaching out her arms to allow him to envelop her in his own, "Let's just take it . . . one step at a time."

He smiled and kissing her on the lips felt his heart come to some peace. He pulled back slowly, letting his lips brush gently against hers, "one step at a time," he echoed, "I just hope I don't trip you up," he smirked and she laughed knowing it was only just the beginning.

ERIN GO BRAGH! IS MAITH AN SCEALAI AN AIMSIR!!!

Where in the JC UNIVERSE do you want to go next?

return to JC NOVELLAS by ALM_Voyager
return to VOYAGES HOME main index page

Email: ALMcKenzie@aol.com