Disclaimer: Star Trek and all of its characters are obviously not mine. I simply enjoying writing for them and seek absolutely no monetary gain from this.

Notes: Fear not weary readers, this is a finished story that I plan to update daily until it is all posted. It will not go uncompleted (barring world/internet disasters that I have no control over) And this one is definitely for QS!

Warning: Nothing too explicit in this but we will be following some adult themes.

A Virtuous Masquerade by Cheshire

Ch. 1

*Two months after Endgame*

"So when do I get to officially meet this guy?" B'Elanna asked.

"Don't know," Kathryn grunted and backhanded the tennis ball, angling it towards a corner, "...what you're talking about."

"Oh, I see," B'Elanna smirked, easily handling the back-serve, "so I guess that guy whose arm you've been hanging on in all the latest holovids is a total stranger."

"Guess so." Kathryn smacked the ball off the top side of her racket.

B'Elanna smiled at the weak return and pummeled the ball back towards her former captain. "Cause he looks a lot like Victor Monaster."

Kathryn missed the ball completely at the name. Frowning in its direction, she put her hands on her hips and blew hair out of her face. "When did you get so good at tennis?"

"Don't change the subject."

"I didn't know that I was." Kathryn replied, walking slowly towards the ball.

"Come on, Kathryn," B'Elanna said, exasperated. "The Mondalay battle was one of the worst ones of the entire Dominion war. The hero of that battle, one Victor Monaster, is kind of hard to miss."

Kathryn's shoulders slumped slightly when she turned to face her friend. "You know how many times I've heard that about us since we've returned. How we're some sort of heroes?"

The half Klingon scoffed. "You, maybe…the rest of us were just trying to hold on for the ride."

"I'm no hero, B'Elanna. I was just doing my job and trying to take care of my people. The same thing goes for Victor." She bounced the ball a single time against the court.

B'Elanna grinned and saw the perfect opening to turn the conversation away from the maudlin direction it was taking. "So, you do know Victor?"

The signature half smirk tugged at the corner of Kathryn's mouth. She tossed the ball at her friend. "Game point to you, B'Elanna."

"Good." She caught the ball easily. "Now," she said, practically gleeful, "spill."

Kathryn rolled her eyes. "We're dating."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Kahless, you are impossible!" B'Elanna's eyes narrowed. "How long has this been going on?" she asked before sucking in a sharp breath. "Does Chakotay know?"

Kathryn laughed. "Yes, Chakotay knows."

B'Elanna's jaw dropped. "And?!"

"And…nothing. We're adults and we're friends." Kathryn shrugged. "He said he was happy for me."

B'Elanna made a noise low in her throat and received a raised eyebrow in return. She blushed a little. "It's just we always thought…you know…that the two of you would get together."

Janeway continued to stare at her.

"Eventually," she frowned, twirling her racket in her hand. "You know...one day."

"Maybe we will," Kathryn allowed then smiled mischievously. "Chakotay had his chance at the blondes, now it's my turn."

Torres laughed out loud. "Serves him right! What the hell was that thing he had with Seven anyway?"

"Don't get me started," Kathryn muttered. "Let's just be thankful it's over."

B'Elanna nodded agreeably. "So you and Victor aren't serious?"

"I just got back from seven years of exile, Lanna. Do you really think I should marry the first guy I date?"

"No, not necessarily," B'Elanna said, packing up her gear. "But I do think you should sleep with him."

Kathryn threw her towel over her shoulder as they walked off the court. "What makes you think I haven't?"

It's short I know...but they'll get longer as we get going. Thank you sooo very much QS for giving me not just the idea but for lending yet again your superb beta skills as well!