by Dakota

"Captain Janeway, welcome to GentSea."

"It's a pleasure to meet you face to face, Premier." The captain turned to indicate Chakotay. "This is my first officer, Commander Chakotay."

"Welcome, Commander."

"Premier." Chakotay nodded his head respectfully.

"We're all ready for the negotiations, Captain. If you'll come this way."

"I can't begin to express how grateful we are for your assistance in repairing our ship."

"It's our way. Assisting travelers in need is an honor. It also provides us with an excuse to celebrate our own good fortune. Now, the negotiations are merely a token, a ritual if you will. You will offer us something and we will regretfully decline to accept it, but as a show of good faith, we will make you a gift of something on the list of items you need. There is a great deal of ceremony involved but all our people will enjoy it.

"Now, the first thing that we will ask is that you confirm you are married. When asked why your husband is not in attendance, simply respond that his duties kept him on your ship."

The captain stopped cold in her tracks. "Premier, I have no husband."

The Premier turned back to face the captain. "Oh dear. This does pose a problem."

"If you'll forgive me for asking, why is it a problem if the negotiations are merely ceremonial in nature? Couldn't someone other than the captain conduct the negotiations? Tuvok perhaps? He's married."

The captain shot a grateful look to Chakotay for asking the obvious questions.

"That's precisely why it's a problem. In ancient times, unmarried women had no status. A married woman carried her husband's status and could negotiate in his stead. If we were truly doing business, the question would not even come up. As for someone else handling the negotiations, that's not possible for similar reasons." The Premier looked stricken. "I'm not sure what to do now."

"What if the captain and I married?"

This time the look the captain shot at Chakotay was not one of gratitude.

"I'm afraid a marriage of expediency would not be recognized by our laws."

Chakotay stepped closer to the captain and pulled her into his arms. The kiss was long and leisurely and completely sensual. Just when Kathryn thought her knees were ready to buckle, Chakotay lifted his head and turned to the Premier.

"Does she look like it would be a marriage of expediency?"

The Premier chuckled. "Not at all, Commander. Many of our officials are authorized to perform the ceremony. Are there any formalities that are required by your laws?"

"Our laws will accept as valid any marriage that complies with your laws."

Kathryn knew Chakotay could feel the glare leveled at him as he blithely continued rearranging her life.

"Wonderful. Shall we continue?" The Premier turned to enter the audience hall where literally thousands of people had gathered to witness the negotiations. "The wedding will be an extra cause to celebrate."

"Chakotay!" Kathryn hissed at her first officer and unexpected fiancé. "What the hell do you think you're doing??"

"It's an emergency." Chakotay's voice lacked the confidence that had been present when he was speaking with the Premier.

Kathryn stared for a moment at her first officer before reaching out to stroke his cheek. "How long is this 'emergency' that you've declared going to continue?"

"Fifty or sixty years, maybe more."

His voice sounded more hopeful and Kathryn could see a hint of a dimple as she turned to lead the way into the audience hall.

"I think I'm going to enjoy this emergency measure of yours, Commander."