Disclaimer: Paramount owns the characters, except, Natalie Perry, who belongs to Willow. Willow 
gave me permission to use her. Jordan Taylor is mine. I created him and he may not be used 
without my permission. The idea and story are mine as well. This is what comes from my warped 
mind.


       This story is dedicated to Lisa. She has been a constant source of support and understanding 
when life gets to tough! Thanks for all your concern and friendship. Also Lisa gave this story it’s 
title!
        Thanks also goes to Ute and Jen for pushing me to continue to write!


Conspiracy
Written By: Dreammaker_V


     Chakotay walked in to the Mess Hall, expecting a quiet lunch with the Captain. What he found 
as he entered was a different thing. Tom sat in a chair covered with some green goo. B’Elanna 
was standing next to him shouting, something about him being an insensitive pig, and Kathryn was 
trying to play peace maker.
     Strolling over to the counter, Chakotay stood next to Lieutenant Jordan Taylor. “Jordan, what 
happened?”
     “Tom said something that set her off. She threw that green stuff across the room. Perfect aim. 
Hit nothing but Tom.” Jordan laughed. “Commander, have you noticed they have been fighting a 
lot lately?”   
     “Yes, I have. They fight over stupid things. Yesterday on the bridge, she started on him, 
because he smiled at Seven. Maybe I should pull them aside one at a time and talk to them.” 
Watching the scene before him, Chakotay looked at his younger friend and went on. “The Captain 
seems to have a handle on this, why don’t you join me?”
     “Aren’t you having lunch with the Captain?” Taylor asked. 
     “She seems a little busy right now. She’ll join us when she’s ready.” Chakotay answered 
heading for the far corner, followed by the young Lieutenant. 
     The two men proceeded to talk about the tension between B’E and Tom. Trying to decide 
when it all began and what they could do about it. They decided to meet later after their shifts to 
see if they could find a way to help. As Jordan got up to leave the Captain came over. 
     “Good afternoon, Captain. I was just leaving.” The Lt. said standing.
     Sitting, Kathryn said. “Lieutenant, don’t leave on my account. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
     “It’s okay Captain. I have to get back on duty. “ Turning to Chakotay, Jordan remarked. 
“Tonight, your quarter! Nat and I will bring the wine. 2000 hours!” Chakotay nodded and Taylor 
turned and left.
     Stabbing her food, Kathryn looked up and asked. “What’s that all about?”
     “B’E and Tom have been at each other a lot lately. Jordan and I are going to see if we can sort 
out why. He and Nat are meeting us for dinner.” Chakotay replied, not looking at her. 
‘    “Us? Who said I was free for dinner? I might have a date?” She questioned, with a smile. 
     Raising an eyebrow, Chakotay said in a teasing tone. “Fine, go on your date. Jordan, Nat and I 
will decipher it out on our own.” Standing, his smile got bigger a he went on. “Have fun, Captain!”
     Reaching for his hand, to keep him from moving away, Kathryn laughed. “Smart ass! What 
time should I be there?”
     Chakotay responded. “They are coming at 2000 hours, why don’t you come earlier and we can 
talk or......!” Not finishing, he winked, then turned and left a very shocked Captain. 

     Kathryn arrived at Chakotay’s quarters at 1830 hours. Ringing, but not waiting for him to 
answer, she used the access codes he gave her when they started seeing each other. Upon 
entering she noticed he had the table set for four. Looking around she heard a noise coming from 
his bathroom. Stepping into the bedroom, she called out. “Chakotay?”
     His head popped around the door. “Hello, sexy. I’ll be right out. Why don’t you pick me out a 
shirt.” 
     Going to his closet, she inquired. “What pants do you have on?”
     “Black jeans.” Was all he said. 
     Kathryn knew exactly what shirt she wanted. Flipping through the clothes, she found what she 
was looking for, just as he emerged from the bathroom. Handing him a pale blue silk shirt. She 
loved him in this shirt. It fit very well and showed off his marvelous body. “I love this one.”
     “Somehow I knew this is the one you’d pick.” He said putting the shirt on and tucking it in. 
Taking her by the hand , he walked her to the sofa and indicated for her to sit. “What would you 
like before dinner. “ Chakotay asked as he walked to the replicator. 
     “Coffee would be fine. “ Kathryn answered, watching the way he moved. Loving the way his 
body affected her. He was so well built. 
     Handing her the coffee, he sat next to her. Kathryn put her cup down and leaned closer into 
him. Instantly his arm went around her shoulder. They sat like this is silence for a while. Then 
Kathryn said. “Tell me a little about Jordan Taylor. I don’t know that much about him. As Captain 
I should. All I know is that you and him seem to be becoming better friends.”
     Pulling her closer, he began. “Jordan came to the Maquis when he was only 17. His family had 
been killed by the Cardassians. He was seriously injured when we found him. He was angry, and 
scared. B’Elanna and I took care of him and taught him all he needed to know. He was a natural in 
tactics. He listened when I spoke, he learned. He retained every little bit of trivial information along 
with the important. He became a substantial asset to our crew. He was one of the first to get along 
with the Starfleet crew. He has the ability to adapt to any situation. Not to mention Jordan is a real 
fun guy to be around.”
     “When did he and Nat start seeing each other?” Kathryn asked. 
     “I’m not sure! I knew he wanted to go out with her a while ago, but I don’t know when they 
actually started. I think they will be good together. He is always the gentleman when he’s with a 
lady. I remember this mission when we were Maquis. He would always be polite and hold doors or 
chairs for B’E. She would get so mad at him. Telling him she was not helpless and could do 
things for herself.” Chakotay explained beginning to laugh. 
     Just as he was about to continue, the door chimed. Getting up to answer it, He said. “That 
should be them.”
     As the young couple entered, Nat was surprised to see their Captain relaxing on Chakotay’s 
couch. Oh, the whole crew knew that their senior officers were involved, but they were discreet. 
Never really showing their feelings in public. Keeping the personal relationship low key. 
     Kathryn got up from where she was relaxing and moved to the guests. “Good evening! May I 
get you something before dinner?”
     “No, thank you, Captain. “ Both responded in unison. 
     Motioning for them to sit. Kathryn chuckled. “Tonight, I’m just Kathryn! Not the Captain. So 
relax and enjoy your evening. You might even decide I can be somewhat fun to be around. “ 
     Placing dinner on the table, Chakotay held the chair for Kathryn. Placing a kiss on her temple, 
before sitting himself. Nat thought that was so sweet. She knew the Commander was a gentle 
man, but here in the privacy of his quarters he had a tenderness that most would never see. You 
could tell he loved this woman, and treated her like all women wished a man would treat them. 
Natalie watched them all through dinner. She also notice Jordan watching them. She could see him 
taking mental notes. In the short time she and Jordan had been dating, she had found him to be 
caring and the perfect gentleman. She knew he was learning from Chakotay as they sat eating 
dinner. After they had finished, Chakotay and Kathryn cleaned up, while their guests relaxed in the 
living area.

     When they finished, Chakotay and Kathryn joined Nat and Jordan. Kathryn sitting in the big 
chair with her feet up under her and Chakotay sitting on the floor in front of her chair, resting an 
elbow on her leg. Kathryn began. “Do any of you know when all this started with Tom and 
B’Elanna?”
     Jordan spoke up. “It’s been going on for a couple weeks now. Today was their worst though.”
     Looking at his young friend, Chakotay asked. “Start at the beginning. Tell us when you first 
noticed them. I know all couples have disagreements, but this seems to be more than that.”
     “Nat and I were to double date with them. It was only our second date and B’Elanna thought it 
might be easier on both of us if there was another couple around. When we arrived at the 
Holodeck, They were already there, but the tension was strong. Neither one said hardly anything. 
The next day when I tried to talk to Lanna, she said it was nothing and walked away. Later I tried to 
talk to Tom and all he would say was ‘That woman’.” Jordan said.
     It became very quiet in the room. After awhile Kathryn spoke up. Has anyone thought that 
maybe part of their problem might be that they need some time alone together. Haven’t they both 
been working a lot?”
      Getting up off the floor Chakotay walked over to his desk. Turning his console, he started 
pushing in commands. Soon, he scowled. ”Kath, you maybe right. Look here. In the last two 
months they have had little to no time off together.” At that point the other three had gathered 
around Chakotay’s desk. 
      Nat put her hands on her hips in a perfect imitation of her Captain, and said. “Now what are 
we going to do about it? We have to get these two back together, before the rest of us pay for it.”
      The other three began to laugh. As they quieted, Jordan said. “I may have a plan, but it will 
take all four of us to pull it off.” Turning to look at Kathryn, he went on. “Captain, we may need 
you to pull rank.”
      “I’ll do what ever it takes. Lets hear your plan.” Kathryn replied.
      The group returned to their spots in the living area and Jordan mapped out his plan. Stopping 
only when someone had a question. It wasn’t a difficult plan, but it would involve getting Tom and 
B’Elanna to agree to spend a weekend with the other two couples. They hoped that this time 
would help them see how much they needed each other and bring them closer together. Then 
Chakotay would revise the duty roster and give them a few extra days off together. Each were 
given their assignments. Chakotay and Jordan were to talk to B’Elanna and Kathryn and Natalie 
talk to Tom. 
      Jordan and Nat took the task of planning food and activities for the weekend. While Kathryn 
and Chakotay planned and programmed the holodeck. Kathryn talked to Tuvok and explained to 
him their plan. He agreed to make sure the ship was taken care of. Knowing he could call the other 
members of the senior staff if needed. Tuvok told the Captain that this would give some of the 
Junior officers extra bridge time.

      B’Elanna told Chakotay and Jordan that she would spend the weekend with them. She 
thought it would be fun. What they didn’t tell her was that Tom would be there as well. Kathryn and 
Nat had a harder time with Tom. He kept telling them that he was suppose to do something with 
Harry. Finally Kathryn had to pull rank and tell him that if he didn’t agree she would order him or 
have the EMH relieve him of duty until he relaxed. Both groups told their person, that the entire 
crew could see that they needed to rest. So the plan was set in motion. They were all to meet on 
the holodeck at 1900 hours, Friday evening. Chakotay would bring B’Elanna, while Kathryn would 
pick up Tom. Jordan and Nat would already be there to make sure everything was in order. 

       On Friday night, Kathryn and Chakotay met with Nat and Jordan at 1700 hours. They did one 
last check of the Holodeck to make sure everything was in order. Kathryn told Tuvok that they 
were not to be disturbed unless it was a red alert. He could handle small crisis’s. Chakotay and 
Kathryn had programmed a park that was near Kathryn’s home in Indiana. They were to stay in a 
family cabin inside the park. With two bedrooms upstairs, two couches in the living area that made 
into four twin size beds. There was a kitchen area where they would do all their own cooking this 
weekend. Across the living quarters was a huge fireplace, flanked on each side by sliding glass 
doors that lead to a terrace that over looked the forest. Chakotay changed the season at the last 
minute from spring to early fall. He knew Kathryn loved the fall in Indiana, and wanted to do this 
for her. He wanted the trees to be a spray of colors, and the weather to have a slight chill. He told 
Nat and Jordan he was changing it. They didn’t mind. Natalie remembered seeing the seasons 
change one fall in San Francisco. She remembered how beautiful the trees were. Nat was really 
looking forward to this weekend, but all of them needed to remember their reason for it. To bring 
Tom and B’Elanna back together.

        At 1850, Chakotay rang B’Elanna’s door chime, knowing that Kathryn would be on her way 
to the Holodeck with Tom. When B’E answered, she was waiting. Picking up her bag, he asked. 
“Ready to go?”
       “Yeah, I’m looking forward to a quiet relaxing weekend. I can read or hike or do whatever. 
Nobody telling me what to do or expecting anything from me. I haven’t had time like that in such a 
long time. I know Jordan will have Nat to occupy him and you and Kathryn will be all over each 
other, so I won’t have to worry about you. I think I’m going to love this weekend.” B’E said as 
she made her way out the door.
        As the pair walked to the Holodeck, they talked about ships business and gossip. When they 
arrived, the arch opened to admit them. Waiting for them was Nat. She nodded at Chakotay and 
smiled at B’Elanna. Once the arched closed, Kathryn came out of the cabin and said. “Computer, 
engage privacy locks. Authorization: Janeway 1, 6, 8, 3, Omega!” After which all four proceeded 
into the cabin.
       Once inside, Chakotay put B’Elanna’s bag down next to the rest. She was looking around 
when she stopped dead in her tracks. There at the top of the stairs stood Tom! Snarling at him. 
“What the hell are you doing here?” Not waiting for a response, she turned on Chakotay, slapping 
him across the jaw. “You son of a bitch. You lied to me. You said this was to be a weekend with 
friends. You told me there was no pressures here. You said I could relax and unwind. What is he 
doing here?” Turning to make her way to the door, she spat. “Chakotay, I trusted you. You are 
suppose to be my friend. I hate you. I’ll never trust you again. I’ll never forgive you for this.” She 
could see that his reaction was the one she was trying to get. Chakotay was speechless, but she 
could see the hurt in his eyes only briefly.
       As she reached the door, Kathryn grabbed her arm. “Where do you think you’re going? No 
one leaves here until I say they do. Now sit down, all of you. Tom, over here!” Nat and Jordan sat 
on the sofa, Tom in a wing back chair across the room from B’Elanna. She sat in a overstuffed 
chair next to the fireplace. Kathryn looked around and found Chakotay sitting on the counter. 
Looking at his feet. After a few minutes, he looked up at the group. His expression was 
emotionless, his command face firmly in place. Kathryn knew what B’Elanna said hurt him deeply. 
She also knew he would not let anyone see how bad he was hurt. She would deal with that pain 
later. Now she needed to put an end to all this anger before the whole weekend was ruined. 
       “Tom is here for the same reason you are. To rest, relax, and spend time with his friends.” 
Kathryn started to say. 
       Butting in, B’Elanna snapped. “He is an insensitive PIG and I will not stay here with him!”
       Glaring at her, Kathryn started again. “As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted. 
Everyone is here because we all need some rest. We all need to relax and enjoy each other.” 
Continuing to scowl at B’Elanna, she went on. “I don’t know what the problem between you and 
Tom is, but it will be resolved this weekend or nobody is leaving. Now do one of you want to tell 
me what is going on?” 
      Standing up and pacing B’E barked. “The problem is he is an insensitive pig. He only cares 
about himself.”
      Tom was shaking his head as he responded. ”B’E that’s not true and you know it. You know 
how much you mean to me. I had to work a double shift. “ 
      “A double shift? Then how come Seven saw you in the Mess Hall with Nat?” B’E yelled.
       “Nat and I were on our dinner break. I tried to reach you to see if you wanted to join us, but 
your commbadge wasn’t on. Nat wanted some advise so I gave it to her. Seven didn’t tell you that 
Harry and Chakotay were there also?” Tom questioned?
       Breaking into the conversation Kathryn asked. “All of the problems and anger is because 
someone saw Tom having a meal with Nat?”
       “NO!” B’Elanna said. “He broke a date! Again! That was the 10th time in 14 days and I have 
had enough of it. I want someone who will put me first once in a while.” Facing the Captain, “I 
want someone who will love me as completely as Chakotay does you!” 
        “B’E! Chakotay and I have our share of problems, but we talk them out and work on them 
together. We don’t just get mad and call the whole thing off.” She walked over to Chakotay, stood 
in front of him, and leaned into his warmth. Her back to his chest, he wrapped his arms tightly 
around her, as she continued. “Any relationship worth having is worth working to keep. You have 
to trust each other. What Chakotay and I have is based on the fact that we trust each other 
unequivocally. Did you two talk about why he was breaking dates? Did the two of you 
communicate? You have to be able to talk to each other. If you don’t then there’s no hope. I think 
deep down neither of you want to break off this relationship. I’ve seen, we’ve all seen the love you 
two feel. You can see it in your eyes. Now that’s all I have to say, but you two are not leaving here 
until something is resolved. Either you break up and find a way to get along as colleagues, or you 
kiss and make up!”
        Kathryn then turned in Chakotay’s arms and kissed him softly. Breaking their kiss, she 
looked at the others. Nat and Jordan were out on the deck talking. Tom and B’Elanna sat in their 
chairs looking at each other. As she watched them Tom got up and walked over to where B’E sat. 
Sitting on the floor in front of her he began to speak. Not wanting to intrude on them Kathryn 
turned her attention back to the man she adored. “Chakotay? I know the words B’Elanna said hurt 
you, but she was angry. She felt that you betrayed her. I’m sure once this is all settled, she’ll see 
how ridiculous she’s been and apologize. She loves you, you know?”
        Chakotay didn’t reply, he just pulled Kathryn closer and hugged her tighter. He was watching 
the other couple in the cabin with them. At first B’Elanna wasn’t listening to Tom, but as the 
minutes tick to hours, she began to soften up. Torres, began to talk back. The other couples 
could only hope these two were sorting out their troubles.
        Kathryn and Chakotay made their way to the deck with the food to cook for dinner. Nat and 
Kathryn got everything together, as Jordan and Chakotay cooked the steaks on the grill. Chakotay 
told them even though he didn’t eat meat, he loved to cook on a grill. Afraid to disturb the couple 
in the cabin, he needed to know how they wanted their steaks. Sticking her head in the door, Nat 
asked. “The Commander needs to know how you want your steaks?”
       “Medium!” Paris and Torres said in unison. Looking at each other they smiled, before 
standing and going outside to join their friends. Knowing they had a long way to go, but now they 
were at least talking.
        As the evening went on the six talked and joked. They relaxed inside. Paired off. Tom and 
B’Elanna were trying to put their differences behind them. B’Elanna asked Kathryn if they could 
talk for a minute. Kathryn told B’E to join her in the kitchen area while Kathryn got the coffee. 
        Once out of ear shot for the others B’Elanna asked. “Kathryn, Chakotay is being really quiet 
tonight. Is something wrong?” 
        Not sure she want to get into this Kathryn replied. “Maybe you should ask him!” 
        “With all due respect Captain, I’m asking you! What’s wrong with him?” B’Elanna pushed.
        “B’Elanna, I really didn’t want to get into this right now, but since you insist. What’s wrong 
with him is you!”
        “ME!?” B’E yelped.
        “Yes you. B’Elanna he loves you, and you hurt him deeply. He will never show it to you or 
anyone, but when you slapped him, and yelled like you did, that tore at his heart. He knows deep 
down you said those things in anger. And I think he knows you’ll get over the anger, but for now, 
it still hurts. Sometimes I think we all forget he has feelings, because he hides them so well.”
        “Oh Kathryn, I’m so sorry!” Torres sighed. 
        Turning to go back to the others, Kathryn said. “I’m not the one you need to say those 
words to!”
        The couples talked and played games for a few more hours. Finally Chakotay said. “I’m 
tired! I’m going to bed.” 
         Standing, Kathryn said. “I think I’ll join you. Good night everyone.” Taking Chakotay’s hand 
they went up the stairs to one of the bed rooms. They had not become lovers yet, but the pair 
enjoyed holding each other while they slept.  

        Down stairs Nat and Jordan made the beds they planned on using. Tom and B’Elanna went 
to the other room up stairs so they wouldn’t disturb anyone. They want to talk some more. To 
keep on working on their problems. They talked almost all night. Sifting out. Really listening and 
talking to one another. By dawn a lot had been sorted and cleared away. As the sun rose, Tom 
nodded off lying next to B’Elanna.
        Just about asleep, B’E heard the door to Kathryn and Chakotay’s room open. She could tell 
by the foot steps it was Chakotay. Getting up slowly, so she wouldn’t wake Tom, she creeped 
down stairs to find her friend and mentor making coffee. She knew he was making it, so it would 
be ready for Kathryn when she woke. Steeling up behind him, she whispered softly. “I’m sorry!”
        Turning to see who was behind him. He went back to making the coffee. “What are you 
sorry for? I don’t understand?”
         Taking the coffee out of his hand, she went on. “Chakotay, I shouldn’t have said what I said 
yesterday. I didn’t mean it. I was angry, not at you but at myself. I took my frustration out on you. I 
love you and I trust you completely. You have always been there for me. Please forgive me. I’m 
truly sorry!
          Wrapping his arms around her, Chakotay said. “It’s okay. I just want you to be happy. I 
think Tom does that, but you two have to work this out.”
           “Big Guy! We talked all night. We have sorted a lot of it out. It will just take us sometime 
to get back to where we were, but I have no doubt we’ll get there.” When she finished, B’Elanna 
grabbed two cups and the box of donuts. Then the pair sat at the table and talked quietly, until the 
others started to get up. One by one they join Chakotay and B’E. First it was Jordan, next came 
Kathryn. She sat on Chakotay’s lap and drank his coffee. Tom came down a few minutes later. 
Sitting next to B’Elanna, he rested his head on her shoulder. Nat was the last to wake. The only 
reason she woke when she did was Tom and Jordan, kept tickling her nose with a string. Once 
they were all awake, the ladies fixed breakfast, while the men, made the beds and straightened the 
cabin. 
      The next two days were spent exploring the woods, playing games and spending quiet time 
together. Tom and B’Elanna work on their problems. Spending many hours communicating. 
Talking over their issues. Working on them. By the end of the weekend they were almost back to 
the way they were before their disagreements. Tom knew B’Elanna loved him and she knew he 
loved her. They found, by watching Kathryn and Chakotay they could learn a lot. Those two not 
only trusted each other, but they had the utmost respect. 
       Nat and Jordan became closer. These two knew they liked each other, and enjoyed spending 
time together. They also watched their Captain and Commander, and tried to imitate them as much 
as possible. They found you could have intimacy without sex. 
       Jordan and Tom found through watching Chakotay that it’s the little things that mean so 
much. Like, a touch, a look, a smile, or even a small gift. Not something you purchase or replicate, 
but something you find. Such as a flower from the woods, or a colorful stone. They also found 
that it was okay to be a man and cuddle. That some of the most romantic times were when you just 
sat and held the one you love, or when you sat together, each doing their own thing like reading or 
painting. All 6 knew this weekend would change all their lives. All would find love, one couple 
would find new love, one would find their misplaced love, and the final would find that as each day 
passed they fell in love all over again. 
       Kathryn and Chakotay learned that they were ready for the next step in their relationship. That 
they liked teaching their younger friends. That even though they were older, it was okay to rest and 
relax with the crew once in a while, and it was okay to show the love they felt for each other.
       They all knew as they exited the Holodeck that their lives would change forever. What started 
out as a conspiracy, had turned into a learning experiences for all. Something none wanted to 
forget, but cherish forever.



The End.