Snowball Effect

The three years Kathryn had already spent on Voyager had taught her one thing: There was nothing more valuable than a hiding space aboard where no one could find her, not even one over-eager First Officer.

Kathryn had chosen hers carefully. Masking it from sensors had not been a problem, since her engineering skills were not as rusty as she liked to pretend. This was the time of year she had always felt like hiding most.

Once again, Christmas was approaching rapidly and with it Neelix's plans to bring everyone into the spirit of things. This year he had organized baking afternoons and many parties in the holodecks in beautiful snow-covered sceneries. Last night he had insisted on inviting the crew to what he called "the traditional felling of the Christmas tree".

Still, the efforts were lost on her. She preferred staying in her little hiding place, reading a good novel while relaxing in the hammock she had fastened from one wall to the other. No one but her had ever seen this junction of the Jeffrey tubes. Located behind her own quarters it would not take her long to get to the bridge should she ever be needed. The computer still recognized that part of her ship as part of her domain, so whoever queried would get the announcement that the captain was in her quarters. Only Kathryn knew better.

Before long, Chakotay would be on his way to her quarters to bug her about coming to some social event with him. It was another of the snowball fight nights, wasn't it? He would try her chime several times and when she didn't answer, Chakotay would contact her via the comm system.

And as expected, her combadge chirmed that very moment. "Chakotay to Janeway."

"Janeway here. Chakotay, just leave me be," she sighed.

"Let me in, Kathryn, please?" he asked. "I'm worried about you."

"And why is that? Seriously, I just want to have a nice long, quiet soak in the tub, which you are pretty much disturbing right now," She lied.

"I don't hear any water splashing," Chakotay announced.

Kathryn held out her hand and splashed a little water from the bucket she had strategically placed next to her hammock. "Happy now?" She asked.

"Okay. Sure you don't need any help in there? I mean, I could wash your back," he trailed off.

"Don't push your luck, mister," Kathryn smiled. "Just because you built me one of those things not long ago doesn't mean you are entitled to do that," she teased.

"So, I gather you're not going to help me wipe that smug look off Tom's with a few snowballs?"

"No," she answered.

"What does it take to get you into the Christmas spirit, Kathryn?" Chakotay sighed.

"My mom, my sister, my home, baking my mom's cookies and a huge real Christmas tree," Kathryn stated. "I am afraid that's not going to happen anytime soon, so I need to cope and ignore this specific holiday as good as possible."

"Then maybe we can be miserable together? Neelix does all he does because Christmas is an especially hard time for the crew. Most are in danger of getting seriously depressed over missing their loved ones and not being likely to see them again in a long time, so Neelix keeps them busy."

"I don't need a distraction, Chakotay, I am perfectly happy where I am."

"Okay, can I visit you later?" He asked with a smile.

"Maybe," Kathryn answered.

"See you later then, Chakotay out."

Shaking her head, Kathryn went back to her book, carefully drying her hands before she touched it. That man really could be annoying at times. Of course, she had to admit that it was mostly because he genuinely cared about her well-being. She sighed. Why did he have to be so darned sweet sometimes?

*

"Later" turned out to be a lot sooner than she probably expected, but Chakotay was a man on a mission and the mission was to get Kathryn Janeway to enjoy herself. Not an easy task by any means, but someone had to do it. A melancholy Captain wasn't good for crew morale and certainly not for his moral. So he carefully opened the Jefferies tube hatch and slipped inside. He knew this one lead directly to Kathryn's hiding place. It wasn't a long way to crawl, but his knees were killing him. He hoped it would be worth the effort. He was getting too old for this.

When he rounded the corner, he saw her lounging in the hammock, reading. He was relieved that she hadn't noticed him yet. It gave him the opportunity to study her some and prepare himself for the difficult task that lay ahead. He wasn't entirely sure how she would react to being disturbed in what she likely considered her private place.

While he silently watched her, he saw the bucket of water next to the hammock and nearly let the cat out of the bag by chuckling. He had figured something like that when he had heard the splashing water earlier, but her strategic planning amused him all the same.

"Mind if I join you?" he heard himself asking, startling both her and himself. What happened to his plans of preparation?

Kathryn's head snapped up and around, her eyes meeting his. There was annoyance in them, but also something else. Something he couldn't place. "What are you doing here?"

'Damned if I know,' he thought. What was it about this woman that made his brain shut down? It took him all of five seconds to find his voice. "I know you, Kathryn. And I found this place not too long ago when I asked the computer for your exact position in your quarters." It was a lie, but it was the safest answer, too. How was he to tell her that he had heard her cry herself to sleep on occasion? The first time had shocked him pretty badly. He had not known where the sound was coming from, seeing as their quarters were soundproof. The Jefferies tubes weren't, though. It had taken him all his will power not to go to her, no matter how much he had wanted to. But something had told him that at that time, shortly after they had been rescued from New Earth, she wouldn't have appreciated the hug he so desperately had wanted to give her.

"Sneaky," Kathryn growled, bringing him out of his reverie.

Searching for safe ground, he gestured to the bucket. "Nice diversion."

"Yeah, thought so too." She grinned. "The only way you wouldn't insist on coming in."

He raised a brow at that.

"You're not going to tell anyone, are you? If you do, I might have to kill you."

It seemed as if he wasn't the only one searching for safe ground. They both knew he wouldn't tell a soul, even without the threat. "I value my life."

Something caught her attention then. "What are you hiding there?" she asked, making an attempt to get out of the hammock.

He followed her gaze, finally remembering the small box he'd brought along. "Just a little something for you."

"Why does that sound scary?" Kathryn muttered.

"I don't know. Maybe because it might have something to do with Christmas?"

"Please, spare me," she groaned, glaring at him.

He chose to ignore that and held the box out for her instead. Curiosity got the better of her then, as he hoped it would, and she crooked her index finger, gesturing for him to come closer. He carefully came closer, still holding the box in front of him almost like a shield. Did she even realize how suggestive her gesture was? She probably didn't, because as soon as he was within range, she grabbed the box and busied herself with the content. He didn't know whether to be hurt or grateful.

"Scented candles?" she asked with a smile. At his shrug, she dug deeper. "What's this? Cookies?"

He revelled in her broad smile as she unfolded the napkin he'd placed at the bottom of the box. "Baked by yours truly," he offered. "Most certainly not as good as your mother's, but hopefully edible."

"Thank you, Chakotay." Her eyes were shining brightly as she tried a cookie. "They're edible," she told him with an evil gleam in her eyes, which made him wonder what she was up to. "Are you desperately trying to rehabilitate this Scrooge?"

"You're not a Scrooge, you just have to get your mind straightened out a little." And he was going to help her do just that, come hell or high water. "You wait here a second, I'm going to get something else." With that he turned and hurried back to his quarters - that was, in the narrow space of the Jefferies tube he was barely faster than a snail, but he tried. The hard part was yet to come, though. Back in his quarters, he grabbed the small Christmas tree he had replicated last year and a quilt, and moved back into the Jefferies tube, only to realize that it was a dangerous endeavour at best and a downright suicidal one at worst.

It was worthwhile, though, he decided when he presented the tree to Kathryn. Her eyes grew to the size of saucers when he placed the tree next to her hammock. "Don't worry, it's artificial. Won't drop needles." Not giving her the chance to object, he put the quilt around her shoulders, effectively tucking her in. Then he placed the scented candles he'd given her next to her coffee cup and lit them.

Stepping back, he critically eyed the result of his efforts. There was one totally baffled looking Kathryn Janeway covered in green and red watching him with a mixture of astonishment and hostility.

"Now please tell me you won't start singing, Chakotay," she sighed.

He burst out laughing at the ridiculousness of that thought. "I have to see to Tom Paris next. Still don't feel like joining me?" he asked, tentative hope in his voice.

"I am just going to stay here, now that I am warm and cosy. And I have food and coffee. Everything I need. Thank you, Chakotay."

"You're welcome, Kathryn," he answered with a small smile. "Am I allowed back in here later?"

"Yes, you are."

With a nod and a smile, he carefully turned around a left. Kathryn never saw the triumphant gleam in his eyes.

*

As soon as he was out of sight, she wrapped the quilt tighter around her form, inhaling deeply as his scent invaded her nostrils. This blanket certainly wasn't freshly replicated, she decided. It was well worn and seemed handmade. Kathryn was sure that it had been part of the things he had managed to save from his ship.

Smiling to herself she imagined his arms wrapped around her under the warmth it provided. It was so easy to give into this mental image. The two of them relaxing in front of a small fireplace in their own little shelter while the snowflakes fell outside, making it seem even warmer and cosier inside. These were the times when she once again wished for the opportunity to spend a winter with Chakotay on New Earth. In the small shelter they would have needed to share body heat at night. But there was not much sense in dwelling on the what ifs, was there? She was glad to be back on Voyager because it meant there was at least a chance that she was going to see her family again one day. Until then, she would have to cope just the same as every other person aboard Voyager. Chakotay had been right after all, she had to admit.

She was not the only one close to wallowing in their own misery this time of year. How hard had it to be for the ones who had children at home? She was moping, wasn't she, Kathryn wondered. Maybe it was time for this captain to grow up and face the world and the Christmas spirit. Her jaw set with determination, Kathryn smiled at the irony of it all: she would stop acting like a spoilt sulking child to join her crew in a snowball fight. A contradiction in itself.

As Kathryn crawled back into her quarters to put on some warm clothes, she marvelled at how well Chakotay could manipulate her. He had known exactly what buttons to press to make her come to the event after all. He had made her believe that he accepted her choice not to go, probably knowing full well that his actions would make her think about it again until she would finally join him.

Dressed in a white winter jacket, white trousers and equally white boots, Kathryn left her quarters. There was nothing better than camouflage clothes when you had a snowball fight to win. What had he said? He was going to bombard Paris. A nice mission indeed.

*

Chakotay was shielded by a tree from the general action. Dressed in adequate winter gear, he crouched down and seized the momentary solitude to gather some ammunition. It was only a matter of time before Kathryn would show up and he wanted to be prepared. There wasn't a shadow of doubt in his mind that she would come. He'd seen her face, seen the curiosity and mischief in her eyes, and just knew she couldn't let this opportunity pass her by. It also meant that he'd better be ready.

While he was forming yet another snowball for the ever-growing pile to his left, he heard her approach. She was a quiet one, he had to give her that, but without the element of surprise on her side, she was easily located. "Kathryn, I don't think you want to do that."

Silence reigned. Realizing what that meant, Chakotay ducked - too late. Something cold hit him squarely on the back of his head. A growl escaped from the back of his throat as he turned around and lunged at her. Before she knew what had hit her, he had her pinned effectively to the ground, using his weight to keep her immobilized. "War, Janeway?" he asked sweetly, challenging her with his eyes. "You can have war."

With that he opened the zipper of her jacket, pinning her hands over her head with his other hand. As soon as it was halfway opened, he took a handful of snow and generously covered her sweater with a layer of it, watching in fascination as it instantly melted. Happy with his actions, he carefully rezipped it, patting it a few times to insure that her clothes were thoroughly soaked.

After he was done he looked down into her face, and regretted it immediately. Kathryn had given up the squirming since it didn't have any effect; instead, she concentrated on killing him with a look of steel. He shuddered slightly and turned sideways, just to feel her hot breath tickling his earlobe.

"That was not nice, mister," she whispered dangerously low before catching his earlobe and nibbling gently on it.

Her bold move made him shudder with delight and the sensations it caused momentarily distracted him. As soon as she noticed his grip on her hands loosening, she freed herself, rolling them around until their positions were reversed. "Not nice at all," she whispered with a low growl.

Chakotay knew he could easily gain the upper hand, but he wasn't even going to try. It was far more fascinating to let her have her revenge, to watch her forget about everything else and have fun.

Grabbing a handful of snow, Kathryn spread it across his face and neck, seeing to it that some drops of the melted snow disappeared underneath his jacket, then took another bit to spread it across his stomach. The moment realization dawned on him, though, it was too late. His eyes widened in shock as she smiled wickedly at him.

"Gotcha," she laughed, but quickly got serious, as he toppled her over again. None of them was willing to give the other a chance at another assault so their battle for supremacy had them rolling through the snow, felling whatever crewmember happened to be in their way. They finally ended up bumping against a tree, both panting heavily with exhaustion and cold.

"You're shivering," Chakotay said as he looked down at Kathryn who was pinned underneath him. Again. He could get used to this.

"Oh, and you had nothing to do with that fact, right?" she replied acidly, the laughter in her eyes betraying her voice.

"Well," he began, "I am pretty sure I know how to handle that one."

"And that is?" she challenged.

*

Kathryn held her breath, anticipating his next move. He grinned at her wickedly before closing in on her. Would he dare kiss her? As his lips moved closer to hers she closed her eyes, waiting. When the moment his lips should have touched hers had passed, she reopened them, wondering what had happened. When she saw his expression she realized she'd been had.

Damn that man. He was hovering mere inches above her, smiling at her with a gleam in his eyes. Then suddenly, he jumped up. She resisted the urge to protest as the cold once again hit her body where it had been sheltered by the warmth of his body a moment before.

Then just as suddenly she felt herself be lifted off the ground. Before she knew what was happening she found herself facing his backside. He had had the nerve to fling her over his shoulder and was now on his way to one of the cabins.

She struggled the best she could but she only succeeded in causing him to grab on tighter and increase his pace. She growled in frustration knowing there was nothing she could do to stop him.

As soon as they entered the cabin, she was grateful for the warmth that greeted her. It was as comfortable inside as it looked from the outside. It occurred to Kathryn that she was still suspended upside down, with a delightful view of Chakotay's posterior. Patting Chakotay's behind with her hand, she said, "Are you going to put me down?"

He chuckled. "Do you promise to be a good girl and not hurt me?"

She snorted at that, "Will you feed me coffee and cookies? And give me warm, dry clothes?"

"Yes," he answered, "So, will you be good?"

"Okay," she sighed, feeling his grip on her loosening some, as he let her slide down along his form until her feet once again came into contact with the floor.

"You're still shivering," he said, as he wrapped his arms around her tightly once again, encasing her in his warmth.

"And I will be until I get out of these clothes," Kathryn answered against his neck.

"Need help with that?" He asked, innocently enough to make her snort.

"No thank you, mister. Maybe some other time. Right after I let you help me take a bath." She chuckled.

"I'm sure these cabins have a bathtub somewhere." He manoeuvred them towards the towels and dry clothes that were waiting for them on the counter. 'Bless Neelix,' Kathryn thought, as she saw that those were actually hers. 'He must have known I would come after all.'

"Smooth, Chakotay," she replied, disentangling herself from him and grabbing her clothes before disappearing into the bathroom.

"No, thank you for bringing my clothes, Chakotay and for knowing I would come after all*?" He hollered after her.

"So that was you? I thought it was Neelix," she unfolded one of the packs to reveal a gown she hadn't seen in quite a while. "How did you find these? I haven't seen them in ages."

"They somehow found their way into my luggage after New Earth," he answered sheepishly.

"And you didn't see any reason to return them until today?" She asked while towelling her hair dry and walking back towards him only to see him quickly slipping on a fresh pair of trousers. She definitely could get used to that view.

"Well, I don't remember you returning my favourite pair of pyjamas, Kathryn," he stated, "And for that matter, haven't seen my beige sweater in a long time either."

"Well, they were comfortable," she explained with a small smile. "Now don't you tell me you have been wearing this," Kathryn added gesturing at the gown she was wearing.

Chakotay laughed out loud at that and shook his head. "Now, we've both holding the other's clothes hostage. What does that tell us?"

"That we're pathetic," Kathryn stated while gradually inching closer towards him. He was mimicking her moves, and before long their toes were touching.

"Pathetic, hmm," Chakotay pondered, inching even closer towards her until he was hovering mere millimetres away from her face.

"You'd better go for it this time, or I might have to drag your sorry behind out into the snow again," Kathryn growled.

And she had her response. As soon as the words left her mouth, his lips brushed against hers in a gentle kiss that soon turned more and more passionate. When the need for air grew too strong they broke apart slightly panting for breath. "Wow," Kathryn smiled. "I could get used to this."

"Now, am I allowed to share your hiding spot... and bathtub, among other things?" He asked with a smile.

"The vote is still out on that one," she grinned wickedly, teasing him mercilessly.

"Oh yes?" He answered. "Oh well, I'll have to live with that." He turned away from her, and started walking toward the door.

"Oh no, mister, you're not getting away that easily," Kathryn smiled, watching him turn around. "You come back here and we will talk. Negotiate terms for the bathtub."

"I like the way you think, Kathryn," he smiled before heading back her way.

Kathryn couldn't help the butterflies in her stomach. For once, she felt that she'd gotten it right. Maybe Christmas away from home wasn't that bad when you had someone to spend it with. Someone who would go into the extreme to make you see the light after all. She could get used to spending Christmas like that, standing toe to toe with her First Officer, engaged in mutual fraternization. She could also get used to spending every other day of her life like this.

THE END

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