SECRET MISSION
by Camryn, 7/07

 

Chakotay milled about the busy street, and was very aware that his own mounting frustration was matched by that of the nearby alien vendors.  They had surmised he wasn’t interested in their wares and their yellow-eyed glares made it clear that he should move on.  Any other time he would've been glad to accommodate them, but his current position amidst their carts was necessary to carry out the secret mission Kathryn had assigned him.  Failure to complete the mission was not an option.  Not if he wanted to continue his intimate relationship with her.  That thought greatly reduced the intimidation factor of the glares aimed at him, and he focused on the task at hand.

 

For over an hour, he had watched the crowd for any sign of the other members of the away team as well as keeping a sharp eye on the little shop across the street.  Each time he'd thought the coast was clear and started toward the shop, either he had spotted one of the away team members, or quite simply, chickened out.  He was to rendezvous with the rest of the away team soon, and the closer the time drew the more anxious he became.  It didn’t help matters that of all the people Kathryn had made apart of the mission, Tom Paris one of them was.  If Tom got wind of Chakotay's additional mission...he shuddered at the thought.

 

When Kathryn had finally decided it was time to alter the parameters of their relationship, Chakotay had of course been overjoyed.  Their first weeks together had been wildly passionate, their appetites for one another equally ravenous.  He'd been delighted to find Kathryn a very enthusiastic and imaginative lover.  Gradually, however, a problem surfaced.  She remained almost insatiable while he began to experience a bit of trouble keeping up.  Kathryn had been very sweet and understanding, and suggested a simple solution to the problem.  Although his male ego was a touch bruised, he could see the merit of her idea and agreed, assuming she would take care of securing the.. solution.  His assumption had been wrong.

 

Once again an opportunity presented itself.  There was no sign of Starfleet uniforms up, down or across the street.  Chakotay drew a deep breath, squared his shoulders and marched toward the little shop with a silent mantra; 'I can do this, I can do this'.  His momentum built with victory in sight as he lifted a hand toward the door handle.  Unfortunately, in his excitement at finally reaching the target, he forgot a minor detail he'd noticed earlier during his observations that the door opened out rather than in.

 

All hopes of slipping inside unnoticed were dashed when he crashed face first rather loudly into the glass door.  Mortified and angry at himself for the foolish mistake, made worse by the snickers from the aliens nearby, Chakotay grabbed the handle and jerked the door open forcefully.  So forcefully that the bell attached to the inside which alerted the proprietor to a customer's arrival broke loose, flew over his head and bounced loudly into the street.  Even before it came to a stop, raucous laughter broke out and completed his humiliation as he stepped inside.

 

Chakotay paused just inside the door and did a quick visual scan of the store revealing no other patrons present.  In fact, there was no sign of anyone.  He was soon caught up in the merchandise surrounding him.  There were racks and racks of sexy lingerie. A large table covered with various bottles and jars. Alien mannequins wearing strange contraptions and costumes the likes of which Chakotay had never seen, and really did not want to see now.  His attention was drawn upward to something which hung from the ceiling over his head and his mouth fell open.  Somehow, it had never occurred to him that aliens might practice the...kinky.

 

He jumped when a female voice came from the rear of the store, and jerked his head in that direction.  A tall female approached from a back room he hadn't noticed before and smiled pleasantly at him.  The glitter of amusement in her yellow eyes told him that she had likely witnessed his collision with the door and retreated into the back room to gain control over her laughter.  He felt the heat of a blush starting to form at his neck and tugged an ear.

 

"I'll gladly pay for the bell," he said weakly.

 

Her smile grew as she waved a long fingered hand, the many bracelets on her wrist clinking with the movement.  "Nevermind.  It has happened before."  She gave him a quick once-over then leaned toward him a little.  "However, you, my friend, have broken the record."

 

"I beg your pardon?"

 

"For the longest time spent working up the courage to come into my fun little establishment."  With a conspiratorial wink, she added.  "All my first timers are nervous."

 

Chakotay relaxed slightly under her friendly teasing manner and managed a small smile.  "Is it that obvious?"

 

She laughed softly but didn't answer his question, asking one of her own instead.  "What may I help you with today, kind sir?"

 

Chakotay quickly glanced around to make sure they were still alone since there was no longer a bell on her front door. He swallowed then whispered a single word to her.  Her smile faded and it became clear she did not understand.  It occurred to him that that particular word must not have translated.  With a grimace, he leaned in and whispered, "A device to...enhance...sexual pleasure."

 

The woman stared at him for a few heartbeats then burst into laughter.  Chakotay frowned in confusion.  "Sweetie, that describes almost my entire inventory!"  she stated holding her arms out wide before crossing them.  "I'm afraid you'll have to be a little more specific."

 

He'd been afraid of that and withheld a groan. Chakotay glanced around, yet again, then began to describe the item he wanted.  Before he'd gone very far her eyes lit up and she clapped him on the back.

 

"Why those are my biggest sellers!" she exclaimed and turned away.  "Follow me."

 

Chakotay's eyes grew wide as they approached a huge glass display case which literally ran the entire length of one wall.  Stunned, he gaped at the seemingly endless variety and his palms began to sweat.  Gradually he became aware that she was speaking again.

 

"...the widest selection on the continent and I'm sure you'll find what you want."  Chakotay gave an absent nod with his eyes still glued to the case.  "This is a very personal decision," she went on.  'No shit', he thought.  "So I'll leave you to decide.  I've got some work to do in the back, but you just call me when you've made your choice.  The card by each one will tell you each one's different functions and the price, but if you have any questions..."

 

"I'll be fine," he blurted.  He already knew he didn't understand a single word written on the cards, but he'd be damned if he'd ask any questions.  He just wanted to pick one and get the hell out of there.

 

When the woman was gone, Chakotay quickly checked the crowds beyond the one-way glass window up front and breathed a sigh of relief.  Still no sign of anyone from the away team.  With a determined expression, Chakotay turned his attention back to the display case.  Although he’d personally never been in a place like this, he'd heard plenty of talk, and had a pretty good idea of what to expect.  He'd thought wrong.

 

There were small and discreet ones, large and colorful ones, some with straps and others with extra appendages.  There were plain and smooth ones, nubby ones, and ...scaly ones?  Glass, rubber, even polished stone.  There were even several of a size and circumference that would, at least for humans, prove impossible. 

 

A somewhat comforting thought occurred to him as he examined the massive selection.  If they came in such a mind-boggling variety and were, according to the shop owner, her biggest seller, perhaps having one was not an affront to his masculinity after all.  Besides, if Kathryn was happy, he was happy.

 

Chakotay finally chose one of the simpler models in as neutral a color as possible (he just could not see the point of neon green or fuchsia for crying out loud) and summoned the owner.  "Here.  This one," he said and pointed.  "Wrap it up, please.  I'm in a bit of a hurry."  He handed over the alien currency with fumbling hands and saw her eyes light up.  When she started to give him some of it back, he held up a hand and shook his head.  "Keep it.  For your trouble...and the bell."

 

When she retreated to the back room again he breathed a sigh of relief.  He was almost safely out the door. He turned to look out the front window again and gasped.  Across the street stood Tom, Harry, and Neelix in conversation.  Though he knew they couldn’t see him, he crouched behind one of the racks of lingerie and watched them.  When Neelix pointed straight at the shop, Chakotay bit his tongue, but that didn't stop a strange noise from escaping his throat as Tom and Harry started to cross the street.  He looked around frantically for another exit but came up empty and was seriously considering joining the woman in the back room when the front door opened and he heard Tom's voice.  He ducked down quickly to avoid being seen and held his breath.

 

"What difference does it make?"  Tom said.  "Neelix said Chakotay came in...whoa."  The last word told Chakotay that Tom had become aware of exactly what sort of place they had entered.

 

"Oh my," Harry squeaked.

 

"Harry, I don't think you're old enough to be in here."  Chakotay silently released his breath and discovered a tiny space between the garments through which he could watch them.  He hoped they would notice he wasn't present and leave, but it appeared they were too caught up in the merchandise.  Tom looked up at the contraption which hung from the ceiling and added, "Hell, I'm not sure I'M old enough to be in here."

 

"I don't want to KNOW what that's for,"  Harry said when he had followed Tom's line of vision.

 

Tom glanced around then moved to a nearby rack to look through the garments.  He lifted one for closer examination and a wicked smile spread across his face.  It consisted of a very sheer baby-doll gown and g-string.  When he noticed Harry ogling it as well, Tom frowned and quickly replaced the item.  "You're creeping me out, Harry."

 

"What?"  Harry asked innocently.

 

"That look on your face.  You were picturing my wife in that thing."

 

"I was not!"  Harry said indignantly then shook his head.  "Look, Chakotay's obviously not here, and he's probably looking for us.  Can we please get out of here?"

 

"Good idea," Tom said and they headed for the door.

 

Chakotay quickly devised a plan.  If he could slip out the door and mingle with the crowd while Tom and Harry crossed the street, they'd never know he'd been in the store.  He waited until they were halfway across the street then dashed to the door and stepped outside.  He'd barely taken two steps when the door opened behind him and the woman called to him.

 

"Sir!  Oh, sir!"

 

Chakotay froze.  Tom and Harry both turned around just in time to see the woman approach Chakotay and hold up a small, very brightly colored gift bag with curly streaming ribbons tied to one of the handles.  She smiled brightly.  "You forgot your..."

 

"Thank you!"  Chakotay said and snatched the bag from her hand.

 

"Package," she finished then gave an exaggerated wink.  "Enjoy!"

 

Chakotay turned his head to watch her go back into the store then slowly and reluctantly turned to look at Harry and Tom.  Harry suddenly seemed very interested in the toe of his boot while Tom slowly crossed his arms and met his CO's gaze straight on.  Chakotay knew without a doubt that he had to take control of the situation immediately before Tom got any ideas about using this to his advantage in the future.  "Lieutenant!  Ensign!"  he barked and approached them with a hard expression.  Harry snapped to attention, but Tom was not intimidated.

 

"That's quite an interesting little store there, hey Commander?" 

 

Chakotay leaned toward him.  "Almost as interesting as that joint where you picked up Benarri groin warts from that.."

 

"Point taken," Tom interrupted as he snapped to attention.

 

Not that he owed either of them an explanation, but Chakotay thought it might be wise to put a different idea into their heads than the one they already had.  "I expect to be able to do an errand for a member of the crew without having to deal with innuendo and juvenile behavior from the two of you."

 

"No, sir.  Yes, sir,"  Harry and Tom said in unison.

 

"To the Rendezvous point. Now."

 

"Aye, sir!"

 

The threesome made a rather comical sight to the aliens as they hurried away, the two in front with frightened, pale faces and the larger one hot on their heels wearing a deep frown and carrying a pretty little bag from Omoura's Pleasure Emporium.

 

Neelix appeared relieved to see them as they rounded the corner of a building and walked toward him.  He held a container of spices he was quite happy over acquiring and was about to tell them of the lovely dish he planned to prepare for the evening meal when his eyes fell on the package hanging from Chakotay's wrist.  Before Tom got close enough to shut him up, Neelix said, "A little something for the Captain, Commander?"  Harry groaned.

 

Chakotay ignored him and slapped his combadge and called for beam out.

 

As soon as they materialized on the platform, Tom held a finger to his lips to silence Neelix.  Chakotay stormed from the transport pad and out of the room while behind him, Tom and Harry each grabbed one of Neelix's arms to hold him back and give Chakotay a head start.  When they stepped off the pad to follow, Neelix looked first at one then the other in confusion.

 

As luck would have it, Chakotay was still waiting on the lift when they approached.  The others stopped, keeping some distance between themselves and a still very angry looking Chakotay, and kept their mouths shut, though Neelix still had no idea what was going on.  As they looked on, the lift doors opened and Chakotay blanched.  He opened his mouth to speak but before he could make a sound, the captain's voice came from inside.

 

"Did you get it?"

Chakotay's chin hit his chest and he slowly lifted the bright little bag.  A small hand came from inside the lift, gathered a handful of his jacket and dragged him inside.

 

Tom and Harry gaped while Neelix looked back and forth between them, more confused than ever.

 

"I may not know what's in the little bag, God forbid," Tom muttered, "But it doesn't take a genius to know some maaaaajor changes have taken place around here."

 

"I'll say," Harry agreed.

 

Neelix frowned.  "What?  What changes?  I wasn't informed of any changes."

 

"How did we miss it, Harry?"

 

"Beats me."

 

"Miss what?  Will you two PLEASE tell me what's going on?"

 

"How are we going to figure out who won the pool?"

 

Harry turned to look at Tom over Neelix's head and beamed.  "Does it really matter?   I mean, as long as it's finally happened?"

 

Tom considered that for a moment and finally grinned.  He moved around Neelix to drape an arm around his friend's shoulders and they walked away.  "You're right.  I couldn't be happier for them."

 

"As long as WHAT's happened?  Happy for whom?"  Neelix asked, but Tom and Harry ignored him.
"And what this pool.."  Tom and Harry continued talking as they reached the end of the corridor and disappeared around the corner.  Neelix frowned.  "Well!"

 

~end~