Rated PG13 J/C
Disclaimer: Story-mine. Characters-not.
Summary: Tuvok is disappointed in the command team. Written for the Secret Spook ficlet exchange of 2007. I was given the first line…
"I am so disappointed in both of you," Tuvok glared at the command team.
Kathryn silently thanked the stars that he'd waited long enough for the ready room doors to slide shut before he began what was certain to be a tirade. Although Vulcans rarely show any sort of emotion, she'd been dressed down by Tuvok in the past.
"I don't know what you're talking about…Disappointed? How?" She wrapped her arms about herself realizing that he would recognize the defensive body language.
Chakotay walked from his place by her desk to stand behind her. She felt his presence and appreciated the support, but it likely wasn't going to do much good in this case. Surely Chakotay would have the grace to allow her to handle this on her own.
Tuvok strode further into the ready room, past the two, finally turning to frown at them, or as close to a frown as a Vulcan can get. Over his shoulder she could see the beautiful blue of Earth smiling at her. The juxtaposition nearly made her giggle.
"I am disappointed in your failure to choose a better time and place to consummate a sexual relationship."
"What!?" Kathryn choked on her own saliva. "What makes you think that we-"
Tuvok cut her off with a raised hand. "Do not insult my superior observational skills, Captain."
Kathryn could tell that he was indeed steamed as she glared back at him. "You realize that you're accusing me of something that could cost me my commission, don't you, Tuvok? You don't have any proof that what you're saying actually happened." She turned toward Chakotay for support but only saw poorly disguised mirth in his eyes. No help from him…
Tuvok began to tick off his proof methodically. "It was quite obvious from the timbre of your voice over your communicator when I attempted to gain entry for Admiral Paris and your mother."
"We were in conference, as I stated." It sounded weak to her own ears. She could only imagine how her voice must have sounded at the time.
"I am quite familiar with your habits, Captain, and I have never known you to erect a level 10 lockout during a conference."
"We didn't want to be disturbed," she shot back at him.
"For obvious reasons." Tuvok's eyebrows scraped the ceiling.
"So my voice sounded odd. I was emotional at finally seeing Earth after so long." That could have been the reason. After all, she was emotional…
"Indeed."
Kathryn came to stand right underneath Tuvok's face. "Besides a funny sound in my voice, you have nothing."
"Nothing, if you do not choose to account for the lingering odor of seminal fluid and the odd stain on the Commander's uniform slacks."
She heard Chakotay brushing at the material behind her.
Pacing over near the viewport, Kathryn gazed at her home. When she turned to face Tuvok again, she noticed that his expression had softened a bit. "You disapprove of the relationship?"
"Not at all. I only disapprove of the timing of the tryst."
"But why? We're finally home and he won't have to answer to me as my first officer. Why are you so upset?" She stopped short of a whine, but barely.
"That should be obvious. You put me in the uncomfortable position of making 'small talk' with your mother and Admiral Paris while you and Commander Chakotay had intercourse, keeping them waiting."
Kathryn cringed. "You make it sound as if everyone on the bridge knew what was going on. Surely you don't suggest…"
"The only way your actions could have been more obvious to our visitors, the bridge crew, and myself, would have been for Voyager's commission plaque to bounce on the wall."
Kathryn couldn't help the laughter from spilling over. Reaching her hand out to her old friend, she touched him softly on the chest, knowing as she did it that it made him uncomfortable, but needing the contact nonetheless. "I'm so sorry, Tuvok. You really were uncomfortable, weren't you? Resorting to humor?" Linking her arm in both his and Chakotay's, she led them to the upper level and together they watched the cloud cover swirl over Africa. "What's this going to do to my chances of making admiral?" She looked over at Tuvok.
"Nothing. Although your timing was uncomfortable for me, I'm certain that the admiralty will take into consideration your abstinence of the past seven years."
"What makes you think I've abstained?" She winked back at Chakotay. "We could have been at this all along, you know."
"That is highly unlikely."
"Oh? Why?" How was it that everyone on this ship thought that she was incapable of having a sex life?
"Your lack of…restraint…in this situation is proof of your abstinence."
Placing her hand on her hip, she lipped back at him, "How's that?"
"Your superior officer and your mother were waiting outside the door." "So?"
"The idea of waiting proved so uncomfortable for you because you had already waited 7.2 years."
Kathryn looked into his eyes as long as she could before shifting her gaze in defeat. "Ah."
The three of them turned back to the blue from the viewport. Kathryn pulled Chakotay's hand into her own and sighed with contentment. Leaning into Chakotay's side she murmured, "Only problem is that now I have to wait another 7.2 hours until I can get you alone again…"
Only Earth saw Tuvok smile.
((End))
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