SIMPLICITY AND JOY

The next day moved slowly for Chakotay on the bridge. He did not hear from the captain at all, but Tuvok checked in regularly saying all was going well with the negotiations. As the day progressed, he wondered if it was his imagination or whether Tuvok was becoming increasingly strained, as much as a Vulcan could get. However, Tom piped up after one of the communications. "I wonder what's eating Tuvok? He almost seemed human there."

Chakotay answered, "I'm sure Tuvok would consider you're insulting him saying that."

It was very shortly before the end of Alpha shift when he heard a familiar husky voice over the comm. "Janeway to Voyager."

"Chakotay here, Captain. How are things going?"

"Splendidly, Commander. Better than we could have hoped. Dilithium is so common here, it's used as decoration. They have many other minerals we need and in fact, some of their, uh, by-products are actually valuable to us."

He wondered at her hesitation over her words. "Captain?"

"Well, Chakotay, let's just say that it's like that old Terran saying, 'one man's fish is another man's poison'. In truth, one of their, uh, by-products forms a perfect replacement for our beleaguered gel packs."

He wished he could see her face. "Really?"

"Yes. I'm transmitting a full list of the items we are acquiring and what they would like in return." He glanced at Harry, who nodded that he was receiving the list. He saw Harry's eyes widen as he saw something on the list. He returned his attention to the captain's voice. "They really are a lovely cultural people and they would like our library and some of the stories of our journey." Harry reached over the railing to hand Chakotay a padd with the downloaded items. As he glanced at them he saw what had caught Harry's eye.

"The sanitation department, Captain?" he queried.

"Well, the chemical combination they are looking for exactly equals, well…"

He studied the list, "You're kidding?"

"Like I said, Commander. One man's fish…"

"…is another man's poison," Chakotay finished for her. "Got it. So they are as friendly as they first seemed?"

Tom glanced around at him with a grin.

"Oh, my yes," she replied "And then some. Neelix is in his glory. Although their own foods and habitat are very different, they get so many visitors that they've developed technology to be able to adapt to any culture. Hence, the food is wonderful and the quarters we've been given are quite beautiful. They call it a cottage, but that's a total misnomer in my books. Which brings me to another point."

Chakotay was pleased that she sounded so upbeat after the long day. She continued. "I would like to hold a staff meeting tomorrow here on the planet at this cottage, starting at say, 0900 hours. Casual dress will be fine. The scenery is really lovely and after lunch together, everyone could go off on shore leave. I'm transmitting the coordinates to you now. I'll need you to draw up a schedule for leave, Commander. I'm thinking a week here would be sufficient. We've been given permission to mine whatever minerals we require, and Neelix will handle the gathering of the food supplies. We can determine how all that will be accomplished in our meeting tomorrow morning."

"Captain, shouldn't one of the senior staff remain on…"

She interrupted him, "Tuvok will be returning so the rest of you can transport down. The cottage has a viewer so we can communicate with him from there."

He wanted to join them, specifically her, on the surface, but he had to offer. "Captain, I'm already here. What about Tuvok staying there…"

Again she cut him off. "Chakotay, have a heart. Tuvok hasn't said anything, but I know today's been difficult for him. Imagine a Vulcan with an entire planet of beings all as enthusiastic and chatty as Neelix." Chakotay grinned at the thought and Tom laughed outright.

"Is that Mr. Paris I hear?"

"Aye, Captain. Paris here." He wondered if he was in trouble again.

"Mr. Paris, that missing item that we discussed yesterday morning?"

"Yes, Captain?" he said cautiously, looking around at Harry.

"It seems that personality is not all that Neelix has in common with the Tenaren. Although they accommodate off worlders' food choices, they have, how shall I say…" She paused momentarily, "Strong tastes in food. It would be very beneficial for all concerned if that missing crate found its way among the other items being transported in our exchange, perhaps labeled to the attention of the prefect? He's really been very sweet to us."

Tom grinned at Harry. "Consider it taken care of, Captain."

"Very good. Commander, I'll leave all the arrangements of the actual trade and notifying the staff to you. Anything to report?"

"All's quiet up here, Captain. Only thing of note is that the Captain's Assistant sprained her wrist this afternoon playing on the holodeck, but the Doctor took care of that."

"Ah. Well, somebody be sure to give Naomi a hug from me. If that's it, then I'll see you all in the morning."

Chakotay took a breath, and said deliberately, "Good-night, Captain." There was a distinct pause. Chakotay worked at keeping his expression neutral. Her reply was a little lower than before, "Good-night all. Janeway out."

As Chakotay turned the bridge over and entered the lift, the thought that kept ringing in his head as he headed to his quarters was, 'You're going to pay for that, old man.'

The next day saw the entire senior staff except Tuvok, who had already returned to the ship, beamed down to a site at the foot of a hill looking up at a gorgeous two-storied house. The captain was there to meet them.

Tom whistled at the sight of the building. "That's a cottage? Wow!"

Harry echoed his sentiment. "I wonder what their mansions look like?"

"Their buildings are all very beautiful and very, very impressive," the captain answered. "Well, folks, let's get started. We'll get our meeting done, have some lunch together and then you can all go off and play wherever you like. The Tenarens have opened the entire planet to us."

The other senior staff picked up their belongings and headed up the hill toward the cottage. That left only the captain and first officer. He had bent to heft his own bag to his shoulder when he realized she had not moved. When he glanced at her, he knew his time of reckoning had arrived.

She was standing in the same spot where she had addressed the staff, only her arms were now crossed and her expression was stern. At least, attempting to be stern.

He waited. She said nothing. He waited some more. She still said nothing. 'All right, I give,' he thought. "What?" he blurted, pretending not to know exactly 'what' this was about.

She tortured him with her silence a moment longer before growling at him, "You know perfectly well, 'what.' Don't play Mister Innocent with me."

He couldn't stop his grin, but shrugged in what he hoped was a nonchalant manner. "I missed you yesterday. I was just saying good-night to you."

His mention of missing her was having the effect he hoped, because although her arms remained crossed, she couldn't hide the twitching of her lips. "And you call me wicked. It's a damned good thing that communication was only audio, because if it had been visual, the entire bridge crew would have seen their captain's bright red face and her jaw lying on the floor."

"Now that would have been an interesting sight." There was something electric about having this kind of a discussion standing ten feet apart, touching only with their words and their eyes. His eyes dropped to her lips. Her tongue flicked out and she licked her lips. He nearly groaned as the sizzling tension in the air went directly to his groin. His eyes lifted to hers and he saw the look on her face. She'd done it on purpose. His voice was a little strained. "I want to kiss you so badly."

Her eyebrow raised and she addressed him seriously. "Now why would you want to kiss me badly when you can do it so well?" She calmly turned and began walking up the hill. Her words had strangled his breath in his chest and now he was going to have to walk up that hill behind her, watching the sway of her hips. She glanced over her shoulder to where he was still standing gaping like a fish out of water. "Coming, Commander?"

"I wish," he muttered. The sound of her laughter told him she'd heard him. She'd truly won that round.

Although the setting and their civvies lent the meeting a casual air, it was still very productive as they planned how to mine all the minerals they were allowed, plus the storage arrangements of both them and the food supplies Neelix was in charge of acquiring. Neelix was delighted with his many finds, and the only concern he and the Engineering department had was where to put everything once it was all on board. They planned how to ensure that while the work progressed quickly, that both the food foraging teams and those doing the mining had equal opportunities for shore leave. The commander arranged the roster such that everyone had three full days off, including Tuvok. Although the security officer demurred, the captain insisted he take his days off as scheduled, even if he chose to spend them on the ship. The Tenaren had also provided them with charts of the surrounding space, as far as their travels had recorded, including the upcoming planets, races and space anomalies. The Tenaren were an exceptionally hospitable and non-judgmental race, but they were still able to list certain areas to avoid, which the captain especially appreciated, always eager to steer clear of unnecessary conflicts and dangers to her ship and crew.

Their meeting concluded at 1330, and Neelix happily produced a picnic, which gave everyone a full sampling of the bountiful food supplies they would be gathering. The captain was thrilled with the coffee substitute that Neelix had discovered, which was the closest to the real thing she'd had yet in the Delta Quadrant. Everyone was impressed with the meal, even Seven. After lunch, she and the doctor went on a tour of the Tenaren's flower gardens before returning to the ship, insisting they would be happiest there. Neelix eagerly went off in pursuit of the food gathering team. Tom, B'Elanna and Harry remained with the command team at the cottage to enjoy the large natural swimming pool. It was good for the captain to see her staff playing like children in the water, relaxing. Although she and Chakotay joined them briefly, they preferred to sit in the sunshine watching, knowing it was important to take the opportunity to relax and enjoy the peaceful quiet while it was possible. One never knew what the future would bring and when another chance might appear. It was after dinner when the younger three transported off to their own plans of meeting up with other friends.

Kathryn and Chakotay stood together on the verandah looking over the valley before them. Although they were very close to the region's capital, the way the cottage had been built lent an air of isolation. They stood in silence watching the sun sink, casting the sky in a multitude of colors, much like the Tenaren themselves. Stillness settled on the area and the scents of the flowering bushes became stronger as the cooler night air descended. Finally Kathryn looked over at him. She extended her hand to him and he clasped it. "There's a natural hot spring in the backyard of the cottage. You interested?

Chakotay knew what kind of attire a natural hot spring usually called for, but he was uncertain whether Kathryn would feel that way. Her expression was open, but neutral in the diminishing light and he couldn't read anything there. He aimed for an equally neutral reply even though his blood was humming in his veins. "Sounds fine." Chakotay stood in his darkened room looking out the window. He felt a little voyeuristic, yet it was the only way that he could think of to be certain. He could easily have changed and been outside and settled in the pool by now, but he waited. Then he heard the soft sound of a door shutting and his heart began to pound.

Kathryn was wearing a white knee length terry cloth robe and had her hair pulled up in a ponytail. When she reached the hot spring, without hesitation she undid the robe and dropped it at the side. Chakotay's breath stopped in his throat. She was naked. Just as she was about to follow the natural steps into the water, the moon came out from behind the clouds to light up the yard. She stopped with her hand on the railing, one leg bent on the first step and looked up at the bright night sky.

She was exquisite. Delicate, but not frail looking. Trim hips and thighs with dark curls at her center, tiny waist and flat stomach, small pert breasts. A breeze tossed the leaves of the trees causing her to shiver slightly and her nipples reacted to the chill. She quickly descended the steps into the hot water.

The sizzling that had been increasing in his blood all day plummeted full force into his groin and he groaned. He was annoyed at his body's reaction - he wasn't a kid any more. He didn't want to offend her or presume anything, and he sure didn't want to embarrass himself in front of her. He closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths and let each one out slowly. Then he tried to think of slipstream mechanics and mathematical algorithms to calm his erection. Moderately under control again, he pulled off his clothes and wrapped a towel around his waist. He grabbed a couple of water bottles for them and took one more deep breath. "Here we go," he muttered.

Just as he exited the door to pad barefoot across the patio, the breeze swept the clouds back over the moon, and he hurried to take advantage of the cover. He quickly dropped the towel and slid into the water on the opposite side of the pool to her. He rested his arms along the rim of the pool and tried to relax away the tension oppressing him in the heated water.

"There you are," she greeted him. "I wondered what was taking so long, if you'd gone to sleep."

He handed her one of the bottles of water by way of answer. As their hands touched during the exchange, he felt his small measure of control begin to slip. He watched her undo the top of the bottle, tip it up to her mouth, and felt his body go directly to red alert. The movement had brought more of her breasts out of the water and he watched her throat muscles as she swallowed.

"Thank you," she smiled at him.

"Hmm?" his voice sounded hollow to him.

"For thinking of bringing the water. The spring is very hot."

You don't know the half of it, he thought. Suddenly everything got a lot hotter when she moved through the bubbling water to sit beside him. Right beside him. Her hip touching his. He closed his eyes, trying to will his body under control, probably more uncomfortable than he'd been in his life since being a hormonally charged teenager.

"I don't mind, Chakotay."

He turned his head to her, not understanding. She was closer than he'd thought and he found their faces only inches apart. He felt almost disoriented. "What?"

She smiled her crooked half smile at him. "I said, I don't mind. That you're aroused. In fact, I'm relieved."

"Relieved." His embarrassment that she'd noticed already was somewhat overtaken by his confusion. Relieved was not a word he would have expected at this point.

"Yes." Her head was tilted to one side and she looked a strange combination of teasing and a little shy. "After all, the last couple of days, it's been a trifle, how shall I say, evident that you found me attractive, so what would I think if the first time you saw me naked that you didn't react? That would say to me that you found the sight of my body to be a turn off."

As her smiling words registered, something snapped in him, so clearly it was almost audible. Just like that, just that simply, the heavy oppression was gone and the joy was back, even though his erection was a strong as ever. Now there was pleasure in the very fact that he was aroused. His arms were still along the rim and he curled his one arm around her shoulders, drawing her against his side, reveling in the feeling of her body against his. He bent his head to press a kiss against her hair and murmured into her temple with a rueful grin, "There's no worry about that."

He scanned her face, taking in the delicate cheekbones, arching eyebrows, curved lips. He deliberately lowered his gaze to her slender throat and he wondered if she liked to be kissed there. Who would think that something like a collarbone could be a thing of beauty, but here was proof before him. The waterline was just above her nipples, affording him the sight of an enticing amount of cleavage. The rest of her body was only hinted at under the water, although he could feel her against him. He drew back enough to meet her eyes, "You're very beautiful, Kathryn."

She shrugged slightly, "I don't know about that, but I'm glad you think so."

Chakotay brought his other hand around to tilt her chin up and brushed her lips with his. "I definitely do, but I'm not the only one."

Kathryn looked at him quizzically, "What do you mean?"

He grinned at her, "I can't believe you haven't noticed every man on the bridge is enthralled with you." He laughed at her shocked expression. "Every time you squeeze Tom's shoulder he has to shift in his chair right afterwards. And Harry blushes and fidgets any time you lean over his shoulder or pat his arm. Even Tuvok seems to brighten up the rare times you put a hand on his arm."

She brought wet hands out of the water to cover her mouth. The wide eyes and mortified expression made him laugh again. "You've got to be imagining things about Tuvok, and Tom's married, and Harry's just a kid…" she trailed off as she took in his amused head shake.

"Believe me, Kathryn, I'm not imagining things. Tom's married, not buried, and Harry's definitely not a kid any more. With both of them, it's part idol worship, but face it, you are a very sensual, sexy, attractive woman. You're powerful, brilliant, intimidating as hell, got the sexiest voice in any quadrant and you're beautiful on top of all that. It's a pretty potent package."

She closed her eyes and groaned, "Oh, God, I'll never be able to touch them again."

"Don't you dare stop," he admonished her, "or you'll surely kill us all. Every single one of us would miss it so much, we'd probably shrivel up and die." He took pity on her blushing face and kissed her temple again. "All I'm saying is, Kathryn, you really are beautiful. And for me to see you like this, here with me right now is nothing short of amazing."

She was still blushing but saw the truth of his words in his eyes so she turned a little in his arm and slowly laid her hand on his chest just like she did on the bridge. Only this time it was his bare chest and this time she didn't take her hand away. She studied his face carefully, his eyes dark, watching her, deep with desire. His eyebrows, broad forehead, tattoo on the left side, nose that had been broken more than once, strong jaw, full beautiful lips that kissed so well. "Chakotay?"

"Yes?" It had been powerful feeling her study him like that. Right now she looked a little uncertain, almost shy. "What did you want to ask me, Kathryn?" he encouraged.

"Could I…" She hesitated, licked her lips nervously, then plunged on, "could I touch you?"

Could she touch him? Spirits, all the years he had yearned for that, dreamed of that and here she was asking his permission to do what he'd longed for. So many others in his past had only wanted to take from him. Could she touch him? He really would die if she didn't. He couldn't speak so he just nodded his consent.

She had seen the surge of desire in his eyes at her request. At his nod she slowly began to move her hand on his chest, up to his shoulder, over the collarbone and the thick muscle above it. She slid her damp hand up his strong throat to his jaw, then back along his arm still stretched across the rim of the pool as far she could reach, feeling the well-defined muscle. When her hand returned to its original spot, she paused and looked at his face. His eyes were closed and his expression was one of complete repose. Feeling her pause, he opened his eyes and smiled. Just that simply, her nervousness was gone, and the lightness, the excited peace was back. He took her hand, kissed its palm and placed it back on his chest at a slightly different position. He pressed her hand for a second and then removed his, telling her by his actions he wanted her to continue.

So she did, lightly but slowly skimming her hand over him, not a touch intended to inflame, but to gently pleasure. When her fingers passed over his nipple she heard his sharp intake of breath and felt his chest rise. Her hand slipped down under the water level, over his ribs, his side to his hip, along his thigh to his knee then slowly back up. With her eyes on his, she slowly trailed her fingertips over his erection, up his muscled stomach and back to his chest. His breathing had become rapid and his lips parted. He never broke eye contact with her, but allowed her to share in the effect of her touch on him.

It was a powerful sharing and Kathryn's breath was quickened. She was satisfied, yet yearned for more. "Chakotay," she breathed, "would you…?"

"Yes," he murmured, knowing what she was asking for. "Yes," and brought his arm from the rim of the pool and slowly began to touch her, where he had looked earlier. The slender throat, delicate collarbone, across the tops of her breasts, sliding his hand down between them into the water to skim his fingers lightly along their soft underside. He let his fingers and thumb gently draw together over her nipple, heard her small gasp, felt the peaking of her nipple. His hand followed the soft skin of her narrow waist to her hip, then out along the slender thigh, feeling the trim muscle as he drew his hand back up to her center.

He'd meant to touch her as she'd touched him, softly, not with the intent to stimulate but to pleasure. But as his fingers brushed over her curls, she moved her leg outward, inviting him to touch her intimately. She'd not looked away from him, not hidden her desire from him. His fingers moved down and she made a small sound.

Kathryn leaned into him further and tilted her pelvis, giving him even more access to her. She was making herself open and vulnerable to him in a way that touched him deeply. He began to explore her softness, lightly touching, then stroking, feeling the slickness of her arousal that was different from the wet of the water. When his finger circled her nub she cried out and grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

He'd been watching the expressions intensify as they flickered across her pinkening face. He was alarmed he'd hurt or offended her, but she shook her head at the concern evident on his face. "Too hot," she murmured. "Need to get out of this pool. Let's go inside."

He watched her openly as she rose out of the pool and put on her robe, her body slender and beautiful, skin pink from the heat of the water and her arousal. He wrapped his towel around his waist again, glad he'd managed to grab a large one. Hand in hand they returned to the cottage.

Once inside, she turned to him with a sensual smile, "Now, where were we?"

The joy began to encircle them again, and with one hand on her shoulder he playfully pushed her backward toward the wall. He tugged the sash of her robe so that it fell open to his gaze and she answered by pulling at his towel and tossing it away. With the wall behind her, he pressed his nakedness fully against hers for the first time and they both groaned at the contact. His hands moved inside the edges of the robe to slide up the sides of her body, lightly stroking the soft outside curves of her breasts. Her arms around his neck drew his head to her and he took her mouth, his tongue mimicking the press of his pelvis against her.

When he drew his body slightly away from her, he heard a small sound like a protest come from her until his hand skimmed over her flat stomach and down between her folds to stroke her. "I think we were right about here," he murmured against her throat in answer to her earlier question as he again circled her clitoris. He was rewarded with a gasp of pleasure from her and she arched her neck. He found out that yes, indeed, she did like to be kissed there. He kissed and licked at her throat and felt the erratic pounding of her pulse while his fingers pleasured her. One finger slid inside her heat while his thumb continued to circle her center.

The sounds coming from her throat increased as he marveled that she was near so soon. Her responsiveness to his touch was almost his undoing. He separated them enough to view her full length, pressed against the wall, legs spread, his hand moving between them, her head thrown back, mouth open. The sight was incredibly erotic. She tilted her pelvis into his hand and arching her back, cried out as the spasms of climax took her. He felt her inner pulsing around his finger and dropped his head to her shoulder. "Oh, Kathryn, my love."

When he raised his head she was just opening her eyes. The most beautiful smile he'd ever seen spread across her flushed face. "Chakotay," she breathed, "so amazing." She touched his face. "I want you. I want you inside me. I want to be one with you."

Her bold words were like a plasma charge to him. As he drew her away from wall, her robe dropped down her arms to the floor. Her pale body shimmered in the night light. "Kathryn, you are so beautiful."

There were six bedrooms to choose from in the cottage, yet they came together right there on the soft rug in front of one of the couches. It seemed to Chakotay that his whole past and his future had all coalesced into this one moment in time. All his experiences, all that life had brought him, all that lay ahead of him were connected to the joining of his life with this remarkable woman, she who had changed his life so completely. It was beyond comprehension to him that this woman, to whom he'd been attracted since first seeing her, this one he had quickly learned to admire and respect, and then to love with a depth and intensity he'd never imagined possible, should now be making herself so vulnerable to him, inviting him, welcoming him into her body. He wanted to explore her more, taste her, but she wanted him inside her and he could not deny her, would never be able to deny her. That was impossible.

He couldn't resist touching his mouth to her breasts, licking lightly at them while sliding his hand down over her flat stomach, through the dark curls. He heard her gasp as he lightly stroked and then probed her to ensure he would not be hurting her. Her legs widened, inviting him and he moved between them.

It was too amazing.

He looked down into her beautiful face, smiling at him and she reached between them to position him, her hand cool on him.

It was too incredible.

The tip of him entered her and he began shaking inside, fighting for control.

It was simply overwhelming.

He felt like he couldn't get enough air in his lungs as he began his slide forward into her heat.

Their eyes were locked until the moment of fullest penetration when Chakotay felt something explode within him, as though he himself had been penetrated. His head fell back, eyes closed and a groan pulled from his throat. He heard her cry out and felt her body arch beneath his. He knew that somehow his soul was now joined to hers and he would never, ever be whole without her. He opened his eyes and saw a tear trailing from her eye back into her hair and she was biting the corner of her lower lip. He was suddenly desperately afraid.

"Kathryn," he whispered urgently, "did I hurt you?"

Her eyes opened and the love that shone out of them was like a beacon of light dissolving the fear from him. "No," she assured him huskily, "I just don't know how to feel so much."

Overwhelming peace descended over them. He stayed still inside her, feeling her body adjust to him. There was no hurry, just a savoring of their unity, their oneness. His hands were beside her head and he brushed away the tear from her face. "Feel me inside you, Kathryn, filling you. Feel our bodies together, our souls together. Feel our skin against each other, your hands on me, my hands on you." He cupped her face with one hand while his other hand slid down her shoulder, her breast, her waist to her hip and back up to cup her breast. Her hands were on his waist and moved up over his back and down to his buttocks.

"I love you, Chakotay." The words he'd longed to hear for so long.

"I love you, Kathryn." The words he'd needed to say for so long.

They began moving together, encouraging one another, pleasuring one another, murmuring their delight to one another, hiding nothing. The joy spiraled upwards and their eyes remained open, sharing everything, their sensations augmented by the sight of each other's pleasure right up to their explosive release.

All that was left was the joy, the peace. Everything else had been incinerated. He didn't want to move, ever. It took forever for him to find the energy to speak. "Am I too heavy for you?"

Kathryn felt like she was slowly coming back to herself. She would never be the same, could never be without this man. "No. Don't leave me."

He smiled down at her, "Never."

They finally made it to one of the bedrooms where he got to learn and taste her all he wanted. It seemed she would deny him nothing. They gave and gave and gave to each other, seeking ways to physically express what seemed impossible for mere words.

They spent their days talking and exploring the planet and their nights talking and exploring each other. On their last evening together at the cottage before returning to the ship, they sat together at the table after dinner. Kathryn had been especially quiet during the meal and he wondered what was on her mind. He hoped it wasn't going to be a return to protocol and parameters. He knew he'd die if she insisted on that. He took a deep breath and picked up her hand. Might as well get it over with. "What are you thinking about?"

Those blue eyes raised to meet his and he felt despair beginning to creep in at the sight of the uncertainty in those eyes. She looked down at their hands. She licked her lips nervously. "I was wondering…"

He felt his stomach clench. Here it comes.

"I was wondering if you would marry me, Chakotay." She was biting the corner of her lip as she looked up at him.

There it was again, the rush of joy washing away all the fear, the uncertainty, the nervousness. Not a slow spiral this time, but a detonation of it. His smile filled the room, filled her heart. He dropped her hand to take her face in both his hands to kiss her again and again until she laughed out loud. "I take it that's a 'yes'."

So simple, so easy. He punctuated each word with a kiss. "Totally. Definitely. Absolutely. Positively. Yes. When? Tomorrow?"

Kathryn just held onto his wrists by her face and laughed for the joy of it.

The End

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© Brianna Thomas, November 2001 Please email me to post/distribute elsewhere.