Title: With 'This' Ring? 
Author: Cait N. 
Series: VOY 
Pairing: J/C 
Rating: PG 
Parts: 1/1 
Feedback: Yes, please. caitn@mindspring.com 
Website: http://www.asstr.org/~CaitN/voy/thisring.html 
Copyright June 2003

Disclaimer: Paramount owns the characters, but the words are
mine.

Summary: Janeway and Chakotay are going to finally tie the
knot, only there's a custom Chakotay forgot to mention. (Entered
in Voyager Talent Night "With This Ring" Contest:
http://voyagertalent.netfirms.com/wedding.htm)

- - - - - - - - -


The setting was perfect -- as perfect as you could get when you
were stranded in the Delta Quadrant, over 60,000 light years
from friends and family, never knowing what you were going to be
up against next. Yes, just perfect.

Neelix had decorated the mess hall -- yes, the holodeck would
have been easier, but the bride and groom were saving up their
holodeck rations for the honeymoon -- in layers of tulle and
fresh flowers of every size and color. He'd made enough punch
(hopefully not Leola!) to serve twice Voyager's crew, and
something he called Talaxian wedding cake, but looked
suspiciously like broccoli baked in carrot cake. Everyone who
wasn't on duty was gathered to see the long-anticipated, highly-
overdue wedding of the stalwart Starfleet captain and brave
Maquis commander. 

The couple had decided to forgo traditional wedding music in
favor of a clarinet solo from Harry. At the appointed time, he
began the lilting strains of Brahms' Sonata No. 1. 

The crew stood and looked toward the door as it slid open and
B'Elanna walked in on the arm of Tom. Both took their places in
front of Tuvok, officiating in his capacity as acting Captain.
All heads turned again as the doors opened once more. 

Kathryn and Chakotay had decided to walk in together, and made
an entrance like never before. Her dress was ivory, simple,
light blue ribbons wound in her hair. Chakotay was in a brown
suit so dark it was almost black with an ivory shirt to set off
his tanned skin. Everyone present could see the love reflected
in their eyes.

They stopped in front of Tuvok, and Kathryn handed her bouquet
of blue and ivory flowers to B'Elanna. Tom shot Chakotay a
knowing grin.

Tuvok read from the book in his hands, words older than time,
and to Kathryn's relief, everything went without a hitch until.
. . .

"Chakotay, I believe you have a ring for your bride," Tuvok
spoke.

Kathryn smiled. They'd decided on simple, latinum bands,
inscribed with her name on his, his name on her's. So it was,
her jaw almost hit the ground when instead of producing the
expected band, Chakotay took from Tom the largest, ugliest ring
she'd ever seen.  "What is that?" she blurted out.

"Your ring," Chakotay answered in all seriousness.

"That's not what we agreed on. That's huge. It's almost the
size of a bracelet!"

"Kathy, darlin'," Chakotay cajoled in a soft voice, taking her
hand in his. "I know we had agreed on the latinum bands, but I
decided I wanted to uphold at least one of my people's
traditions on this, our special day." He gestured to their
surroundings. "I let the mess hall be decorated any way Neelix
wanted. I let you choose your own dress. I didn't balk when
Tuvok wanted a more traditional service. We can still wear the
other bands, if you want, but please allow me this one
concession."

She couldn't resist when he looked at her that way. "Fine." She
stuck out her left hand, fully expecting him to slide the
monstrous thing onto her finger - or at least try to. "Um. . .
." he began, looking a bit uncomfortable. "It doesn't go on your
finger."

"It doesn't?"

"No."

"Okay, then slip it onto my wrist."

"It doesn't go there either."

She was getting the slightest bit annoyed. "Where just where
does it go?"

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, people sitting in
the front row straining to hear.

"<b>WHAT</b>?" she thundered. "You want me to wear it
<i><b>where</i></b>?"

"Kathy, honey, just calm down --"

"You tell me I'm supposed to wear it --" she broke off, unable
to finish her sentence. "And then you tell me to be calm?" 

"Kathy, you agreed -"

She snapped, "I'm not an idiot, I know what I said." She ran
her hands through her hair, dislodging a flower or two. "Just
give me a minute to think."

"Captain," Tuvok gained her attention. She'd forgotten all
about him. And the audience they had. 

"Yes?" She was snappier than she meant to be, but given the
circumstances, she didn't care.

"I think, if I am understanding the term right, that you are
being had." He rose an eyebrow in Tom's direction.

Kathryn took a good look at her number one helmsman. He was
almost doubled over with laughter. Her glare switched on
Chakotay. He was biting back a smile.  "You. . . ."

"Gotcha," he said, dimples out in full force. 

Tom's laughter bounced around the room.

"Chakotay!" she yelled, smacking him in the chest more than
once. "Of all the stupid, childish, embarrassing --"

He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her. "You have
to admit, I had you going."

She smoothed her hands down the front of his shirt. "You didn't
fool me for a second."

"I didn't?" His lips inched closer to hers.

"Nuh-uh." Her head shook gently and she closed her eyes in
anticipation.

Tuvok's "ahem" brought them back from the edge of the kiss. "We
have not reached that part yet, Commander."

"Right," Chakotay said, releasing his soulmate, a trace of
laughter still in his eyes.

"You're going to pay for that, mister, big time," she whispered.

"I look forward to it," he whispered back.


THE END ŠJune 2003
