Wedlock

By Katie, aka Doec

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek, otherwise it would have been quite different. I am but a humble ficcer, cowering at the feet of legitimate authordome. Please accept my lowly offerings in the spirit of entertainment.

Note to the reader: its called suspension of disbelief! This is an answer to a challenge given by my sister, please take your complaints to her. To her I also dedicate this fic, to Maggie

Chapter 1 The M-R-S Directive

Seven of Nine buzzes the door of Captain Janeway's ready room. She waits awkwardly, the cryptic request in her hand. Finally, she receives a "come in." Seven enters, PADD in hand.

Once inside, she cuts right to the chase: "Your presence has been requested in Astrometrics tomorrow afternoon. I just received this in the latest communication from the Alpha Quadrant."

Janeway takes the PADD, slightly perturbed. "From Admiral Paris? Strange it doesn't shed much light on things..." she trails off, lost in thought. With her usual directness, Seven cuts into her captain's reverie. "Then you have no clue to his intentions?"

"None, "she replies, distracted, "only the subject line seems to carry any hints, 'Loophole'."

The next day at the appointed time, Janeway enters Astrometrics, and is surprised to see Lt. Paris there as well. They stare at each other but do not have time to question one another. Seven of Nine is in her usual position to dial up Earth while Icheb looks on. This is obviously doubling as lesson time for him. She nods to them both in cool greeting as Starfleet Command flickers into view. Admiral Paris appears on the screen, clearing the Starfleet logo screen saver. (hey, it beats flying toasters!)

"Ah, good, you're both here. Now let's get to business. I'll try to get through this as quickly as possible because of the limited time this connection lasts. I am not technically here in an official capacity, so please, relax." Once he is contented that they are, he continues, all formality dropped. "Tom, Kathryn, tell me: how are you?"

Tom clears his throat, trying not to look as paranoid as he felt, "Oh, you know, same as usual. A little singed around the edges but all in all good, wouldn't you say, Captain?"

"Well enough. But I doubt that you would waste a call like this just to ask after our heath. What is it you need to say 'in person', as it were?

"I'm surprised at you, Captain. I assumed you understood my last message." The elder Paris takes on a concerned look.

"You can be difficult to decode, when you choose to be secretive. We have very little time left so if its not out of line I'd like to know what exactly is going on."

Admiral Paris holds up two hands, silencing his old prized pupil. "I've known you a long time, Kathryn and I believe I know what you need. Hopefully, this will make things easier." He pauses and turns to his son, "Take her hand, Tom. Go on, she won't bite." Awkwardly, they hold hands, giving each other looks that clearly doubt his present sanity. "Promise you'll continue to take care of one another." Disarmed, they both answer "I will."

"Perfect! Then with the authority vested in me by the United Fedaration of Planets, I know pronounce you man and wife." And with that, the transmission ends and the screen goes blank.

"What!" they chorus noneffectively at the dark screen, too shocked to process what had just happened.

A/N: Okay, its silly, I know, but bear with me! And don't take it too seriously. Constructivecritisism I can take, but no flames please!