Title:
Red Wine and Black Satin
Author: Angela Drews
Rating: G
Codes: C/T
Author's notes: No infringement intended. Challenge response. Yes...it's
fluffy. Definitely different from my usual angst, that's for sure.
SUMMARY: Chakotay gets an invitation.
He
had the distinct feeling that something was going on, though what he could not
tell. Not that he wasn't completely flattered - who wouldn't be?
But the question in his mind was whether or not that flattery was being wasted
on someone's joke. Tom Paris had watched him pick the card up with a
glint in those devilish blue eyes and that was enough to make Chakotay a little
hesitant towards putting much faith in this little invitation.
Still,
it would be a pleasant surprise if this turned out to be real. He
certainly could use a distraction from the monotony of life. A little
romance was welcome to him at this stage in his life.
He
turned the card over in his hand, wondering who had placed it in his chair, who
wanted his attention. It's soft surface was matte black with shiny red
letters - his name written across the front in a beautiful script. The
back sweetly informed him that there would be another little card in his
quarters after work and that to tarry in retrieving it would make the sender
very upset. He wouldn't that now, would he? Certainly not.
His
mind's eye toyed with a few ideas, images of who this mystery person could
be. Of course there were a few preferences, who wouldn't have
those? One in particular had the focus of his imagination right now.
Of
course she'd always held his fascination. They were friends.
They did things together and had even kissed once or twice. Those kisses
he remembered fondly and wondered if tonight would offer him further insight
into what could develop.
Time
passed entirely too slowly for Chakotay's tastes. Kathryn seemed to pick
up on his distraction, offering him her ears and if need be, her mind as
well. Her amusement at the black card made him smile. In the end he
could see she was genuinely glad for him, that someone was "finally
getting what she deserved".
For
a little while he pondered the meaning of that. She seemed to have an
idea as to who might be behind this little note of his. Of course she'd
never tell him that, so he didn't bother asking. He could wait until the
proper time to find out. Besides, he liked surprises.
The
day wore on, business was business as usual. Not every day offered up
some terrible disaster or capturing adventure. Today hadn't - at least
not ship wide. Yet he supposed in a way he was on his own little
adventure tonight.
When
Chakotay's shift ended he left the bridge with anticipation, wanting to find
his next card and hopefully learn the great secret of the day. His
quarters greeted him with soft music that had an upbeat tempo, something very
his style. His secret admirer had even took the time to light incense and
the intentions behind it's scent wasn't lost upon him.
Upon
his bed clothes had been laid out, all black and flattering to his
physique. And beside his wardrobe for the night was his next clue.
Another black card that read: Hungry?
With
a smile the first officer picked up his note and turned it over. He could
nearly hear the tone behind her words as he read the next set of
instructions. Almost there, Chakotay. Are you curious
enough? Don't keep me waiting. Engineering.
Engineering.
The crew there was sparse, most crew members engaged in dinner activities at
this hour. Lieutenant Vorik was the high ranking officer on duty and his
expression was bemused. With one eyebrow raised as he spotted Chakotay,
he approached and stretched out his hand. Another black card, another
command.
The
front was again covered in only one word, this time telling him to
follow. The other side was a little more detailed. You saw them,
right? Look down.
Of
course he'd noticed them before and after entering Engineering. Scattered
rose petals littered the floor, a trail that lead from here to wherever she
was. Chakotay smiled and followed the trail. He was gathering quite
the collection of little black notes.
B'Elanna.
The pretty petals had lead him to her door and he smiled, tapping the
buzzer. She called him in immediately and he was all to eager to
obey. He wasn't disappointed. There was no joke, only she and
dinner and a sparkle in her eyes.
"What
took you so long?"
He laughed and drank in the sight before him. B'Elanna had always looked particularly good in black satin and her lips were stained as red as the wine before her. A vision of what any man that wasn't blind would consider beauty. Chakotay sat in the chair provided for him and smiled at her impatience to have him here. He really couldn't say what had taken him so long to realize, or to take action on what he wanted when he finally did know it. All he could reply with was, "I'll do better next time."