The Challenge: Words and Wishes
by Cat and Kadith
Rated NC-17

Disclaimer: Do we really have to go through this again?

Note: This was spawned by a Challenge issued in JetC14, to write a story revolving around these words, “What would you do if I backed you into a corner right now and kiss you.” This is how Furball and Dragin chose to answer it :)

Kathryn looked up from the data padd she was studied and arched a brow ather companion, "What's wrong?" The corners of her mouth twitched as shewatched him squirming in his seat at the other end of the sofa. They were inher quarters doing the usual, crew evaluations.

Chakotay looked at her for only a minute, "Nothing, just can't getcomfortable, been sitting all day."

"Uh huh, well stop it, you're making *me* want to squirm." She shook herhead and went back to the data padd.

He snorted and mumbled, "Believe me, if I were making you squirm we'd bothknow about it."

"What was that?" She glanced at him again, a definite glint in her eyes.

"I think you heard me, and I also think you know exactly what I mean." Hewinked at her.

This time Kathryn snorted, "Please, you wouldn't so lucky, stophallucinating or I'll be forced to notify the Doctor."

"Mm-hm," he continued studying the padd in his hands, only pretending toread it now. "I think you'd have to notify the doctor if *you* ever got thatlucky."

"HA! Talk about delusions of grandeur, tell me Chakotay, are you conceitedor just convinced?" She rose from the sofa and walked over to thereplicator.

"Believe me darlin', conceit has nothing to do with it. It's been so long,you probably wouldn't know what to do with a man if he stripped down infront of you and danced butt naked around your quarters." He leaned back onthe sofa and propped his feet up on her coffee table, a smug grin spreadingacross his face.

"Oh please..."

"That's what you'd be saying, only in these breathless little whimpers."

Kathryn laughed, she couldn't stop herself. This was decidedly fun and it had been a long time since she had engaged in harmless sexual banter. She should nip it in the bud. However, after a moments thought, she decided to play a while longer. "Well, I happen to think that at over 40 I have a little bit of knowledge under my belt, and its not like you forget that sort of thing."

He stood and moved behind her, placing one hand over her head as he leaned over her by the replicator. "So you think you remember all the details on how to handle a man?"

Kathryn bit back a grin and looked up at him through her lashes. She reached out, lightly touching Chakotay's chest and allowing her hand to trail down to the waistband of his trousers. "Seems I remember enough to get a rise out of you."

"Mm-hmm," he caught her hand before it could go any lower, "that's what youthink babe, but contrary to popular belief it’s going to take a whole lotmore than guileless claims to get a 'rise' out of me." He backed off andcrossed his arms, there was a challenge written into his features now.

Her eyes narrowed, "Oh really? You think so? And what would you do if Ibacked you into a corner right now and kissed you? Hmm?" She walked pasthim, brushing against him as she did so, "I don't think you could handle itChakotay, I honestly think you'd die of sensory overload. And then wherewould that little blond in Stellar Cartography that likes you so much be."

"Well, knowing you like I do, I wouldn't have to do anything. Seeing asyou'd never do it, because I know something that no one else does, themighty Kathryn Janeway is really a coward." His eyes sparkled with laughter,this was a side of her he saw too seldom, the real Kathryn, the one thatwasn't afraid to play. The one he loved. He had to be careful, he couldn'tlet this go too far, he didn't want to hurt her or regret anything, but itwas just too damn irresistible.

She turned on him, "Is that so?" She had him by the shoulders and pressed upagainst the bulkhead before he knew what was happening. Before he couldrespond or say a word her mouth was on his, she'd intended it to be a quickkiss, but ended up driving her tongue into his mouth--this was a lesson sheintended him to learn well.

Chakotay stood in shock for a moment, then his arms went around her, pulling her flush with his body. With a quick roll, he reversed their positions, pinning her to the wall. They became absorbed in the kiss, their passion expressed in the wild meshing of their mouths. Chakotay shifted again, swept away by his emotions. He lifted Kathryn, his knee sliding between hers, and pressing against her center in a slight rocking motion.

Kathryn clung tightly to him, soft sounds of pleasure barely squeezing their way past their lips. "Oh Gods Chakotay... What have we gotten ourselves into?"

His hands caressed downward, finding her breasts and molding them into hishands, as another moan left her lips he growled, "Tell me stop, right now,throw me out, because if you don't there's no going back."

Her hands gripped his shoulders tightly, her knuckles were white and sheknew the pressure of her nails biting into his flesh had to hurt, but heshowed no indication of it. Her body was moving of its own volition,grinding against his knee, "See, I told you I knew what to do with you." Shepulled his mouth back up to hers, biting and suckling on his lower lip,"Question is, do you know what to do with me?"

Chakotay growled and lifted her, moving her to the near by table. There hepushed away padds, the center piece, and anything else that happened to bein his way. He lifted her up onto it and pushed her backward until she was lyingthere, legs dangling off the table on either side of his. "This is your lastchance," his hands poised themselves at the collar of her blouse, when shesaid nothing he gave it one precise tug and tore it down the middle.

He groaned as he exposed a scarlet red bra, in delicate lace. "If I had known you were wearing this kind of stuff underneath your uniform all these years, I never would have made it this long."

"Mmmmm, come here and let me return the favor." He obliged by nudging her thighs apart and moving forward until his lower body was flush with hers. Then he leaned forward so that she had access to his jacket. Her fingers moved swiftly, efficiently, removing first the jacket, and then the turtleneck. Finally divesting him of all his upper garments, Kathryn pushed herself up on her elbow and stroked his chest with one hand. A grin flitted across her face and she leaned forward to suck a proud male nipple into her mouth.

She grazed her teeth across it, catching it between them and biting downbefore letting it go, and all the while her eyes never left his. She looped ahand behind his neck and pulled him down to her level, capturing his mouthand seducing it with a long kiss. She ground her hips against him, elicitinga deep grown from him, her hands swept down his back, nails lightly scrapingthe smooth skin. When she reached his waistband she moved them back aroundto his front and unfastened his trousers, he stopped her before she couldsnake her hand inside.

"Not just yet," his voice was deep and husky, a tone she'd only dreamed ofhearing before. "First I want to hear you beg," his lips turned up into asmall grin.

Her neck arched to allow him access, "You're welcome to try."

Chakotay slid his hands down to the waistband of her pants and slowly unfastened them, ignoring the not so subtle hints of her body to hurry. Kathryn bit back a groan as he pulled her trousers down, stopping long enough to remove her boots before continuing to slide the material down her legs. As the pants fell to the floor, his hands slid back up her thighs to lightly caress the skin there. His eyes feasted on her damp sex, barely covered in matching red lace panties. Unable to resist, he bent down and bit gently on the swollen mound.

Her back arched off the table, a deep husky cry escaped her throat and vibrated off the walls of the cabin. She moved her hips against his mouth as he teased her with his tongue, lightly flickering it over the lace covered area. She bit down on her lip to stop the urge to beg, still, anxious sounds made their way past her throat.

His eyes taunted her, they sparkled with desire and mischief, a warning that the sensuous torture wouldn't come to an end any time soon. His hands splayed across her hips, holding them in place. Slowly, he moved beyond her aching center and trailed a string of kisses up her torso. He stopped just above her heaving chest, "Tsk, tsk, Kathryn, it fastens in the back," he referred to the scarlet bra. "Well, you can sit up, or I can do this the other way." When she made no attempt at moving he grasped the front of the bra and ripped it apart, effectively baring her to his hungry eyes.

Her head was tossed to the side, she bit down on her fingers as another cry was ripped from her throat. He was pulling her nipple into his mouth, holding it with his teeth and running his tongue over it. It was almost more than she could stand, "Chakotay," she managed to whisper.

He toyed with it for a while, completely aware that she was arching beneath him, urging him to move on. Chakotay looked up and gave her a devious grin, “What’s the magic word Kathryn?” She whimpered and bit down on her lip to keep from crying out. She wasn’t ready to give into him, yet. He lowered his head again and took her other nipple into his mouth, repeating his torture, still she didn’t say it.

Chakotay moved further down her torso, nipping and licking his way past her abdomen. When he reached the scarlet red panties he glanced up at her. She was watching him, her eyes pleading what her mouth wouldn’t say. Slowly he pulled the offending garment down her legs and tossed it aside. His hands slid back up her legs and gently pushed her thighs further apart. He leaned forward and gave the inside of her thigh a gentle bite then positioned himself above her.

He parted his lips slightly and blew out across her damp sex, eliciting a sharp moan from her. Her hands reached down to grasp the edge of the table as she thrust up toward him. Chakotay avoided her, continuing to lightly caress her swollen flesh with his cool breath. When she was shuddering his tongue snaked out and barely brushed the swollen lips. Her response was immediate, “Chakotay...”

“Say it Kathryn,” his lips brushed lightly across her as he spoke the words.

"I... Gods... Cha-ko-tay! Please!"

Her anguished plea was all he needed to spur him into action. One hand slid between the damp folds of skin as the other adjusted his trousers. He worked quickly, his fingers sliding teasingly into her, preparing her for him. As her body bucked welcomingly against his hand, soft gasps echoed through the room. Unable to wait any longer, Chakotay slid his damp fingers over her sensitive bud as he plunged into her. Kathryn stiffened against him, a soft squeak escaping her lips. he froze, his hands coming up to once more stroke her clit as his mouth captured hers. "I'm sorry Sweetheart, I wasn't thinking."

Her hands came up to cup his face as she lovingly nuzzled his lips. "It's okay, I wasn't either." As her body adjusted to his, she began to move against him, encouraging the racing tingles of pleasure coursing through them. Their pace increased until they were both left gasping and shaken on the table as their climax soared through them.

He shifted himself over her shuddering body, suddenly realizing she wascrying. "What did we just do? Oh gods Chakotay.." He pushed himself off ofher and fell back into one of the chairs, then pulled her down to curllimply into his lap.

"Shhh, sweetheart," he stroked her bare back, "look at me." He lifted herchin until he was gazing into her eyes--beautiful though they were red withtears. "We're adults, we got carried away. It's alright, I understand." Buthis heart was screaming at him in protest.

"No," she shook her head. "Don't do that," she pulled away from him andstood on shaking legs. "Don't just slink away and try to be brave andsupportive. We've been so careful for so long, and we did get carried away,but don't slink away from me like you're ready to pretend this neverhappened."

"Then what do you want me to do?"

She looked at him sitting there, apparently as confused as she was. "I don't know, but I can't pretend it never happened."

He dropped his head and rested his palms on his thighs. "Neither can I. I'm sorry things got out of hand, but I really can't regret this Kathryn. I've wanted you for a long time, and it just happened. I understand how you feel, and we will play this any way you want to, we always do." When he looked back up at her, his gaze was carefully blank.

A brief flash of anger washed over her. "How can you be so bloody calm about this? This is our future on the line Chakotay, our friendship. Arrgggghhh! You make me so angry I could just kick you."

Chakotay stood and began straightening his clothes. "Frankly Kathryn, I don't care how you deal with this as long as you do. When you are ready to discuss this like an adult, let me know."

"That's what I'm trying to do you son of a bitch. I'm laying it out in theopen for you, but I guess I was wrong to ever think--" She stopped abruptlyand bit down on her lower lip. "To ever think that you could possibly everlove me as much as I love you." She turned away from him and felt around onthe floor for something to cover herself with. "It's typical of you, toexpect me to handle it, that's the way you always play it, isn't it." Shefound her tunic and pulled it on, it was ripped down the front but offeredsome sense of cover and comfort. "I don't know why everyone always thinks Ihave all the answers, because I don't. I don't know what to do Chakotay, Ican make life or death decisions for the crew, yes. But this is different, Ican't make a decision like this by myself. I was trained to take care ofthis ship and its crew, I can't just decide what I'm going to do about this,about us." She met his gaze, "Damn it Chakotay, don't just stand therestaring at me, say something!"

He crossed to her in three quick strides and took her face in his hands, heclamped down on her mouth in one fluid motion and explored it thoroughly.When he pulled away they were both breathless, "I love you Kathryn, and I'vewanted you from almost the first moment I laid eyes on you. But every timeI've approached you about this you have pushed me away, you've definedparameters and put that wall up between us. A man's heart can only bestomped on so many times before he stops laying it out on the line. I won'tpretend I never made love to you, but I won't let you destroy me either."

She reached up and took his wrists in her hands, "I never meant to hurt you,but I can't trust myself when I'm with you. I can't think, it's all I can doto keep myself from falling into your arms. There's too much at stake hereChakotay, I can't let how I feel about you get in the way of how I feelabout this crew and its mission. I won't jeopardize them for my own needs,you've known that from the beginning. But I can't keep going like this, I'mnot made of stone, I need you, but I don't want to lose what we have. It'sfar too important."

Chakotay sighed and leaned his forehead against hers. "Why do we have to make this harder than it is? Why do we have to drag this out and get so cerebral anyway. Damn it Kathryn we've been fighting these emotions for years. Why does this acknowledgment of our feelings have to play a part in that. You are my love and now my lover, but you will always be my Captain, and I will always respect that. I won't allow this to change our relationship." He kissed her forehead and tipped her face up to his. "Can't we just go with the flow on this one. Let's play it by ear and see if we can work it out. I love you too much not to try."

“Oh Chakotay..." She let her eyes drift closed, "Take me to bed," shewhispered, "hold me." She smiled up at him, "You're right, we don't have tofigure it all out right now, we can muddle through as we go along. I don'twant to lose you, but I can't deny you any longer either."

He scooped her up, "I'll hold you for the rest of my life if you'll let me."

Her arms went around his neck, "I'm not stopping you." She leaned into himfully, going limp in his arms.

He lay her gently on the bed, “Good, because I’m not going to let you. From this moment on, you’re stuck with me. I want it all Kathryn, lock, stock and barrel. And I’m no longer going to be taking no for an answer.”

She pulled him onto the bed and rolled atop him, “Awful demanding aren’t you? I guess its just a good thing I’m willing to give you everything you want. And more importantly, everything I want.”

“Just do me one favor.”

“What’s that?”

“Say yes.”

“To what?”

“To everything, I’ll fill in the questions as we go along.”

Kathryn lifted her head and brushed a gentle kiss across Chakotay’s lips, “Yes, to everything and more.”

Fin!