In 1996, Malaika and YCD were both members of a group of online fans who slobbered over Robert Beltran and occasionally wrote fan fiction together. One of the other members, J/C fanfic legend L.R. Bowen, suggested that we write a group story in which we all got to take turns with Chakotay -- a giant Mary Sue epic. She started it off with a scenario based very loosely on The Thousand and One Nights. Your Cruise Director's contribution can be found here. This is Malaika's contribution.

Chakotay stirred and reached a lazy hand toward Soraya. His eyes flew open when he felt nothing but the cool sheet where she had lain. She must have slipped out while he was sleeping. With a sigh, he settled back against the pillow, unsure which had worn him out more--the battle with the Hortha or Soraya's enthusiastic show of appreciation afterward. Smiling at the memory, he rolled onto his side, wincing at the sudden twinge in his shoulder. He wasn't used to wielding a sword--or a candlestick. He'd probably be pretty sore once the stimulant wore off, but for now, he just felt tired and sated. Pulling up the light sheet, he closed his eyes, wondering what other adventures might await that night.

It was dark and quiet, and he was alone, not quite sure how he'd gotten there, wherever he was. Slowly, he turned in place, trying to get his bearings. There. Beyond that rise--a bluish glow. He'd taken no more than a few steps through the billowing mist when a silent shadow crested the hill, followed by a woman on a horse. Chakotay drew in his breath, his heart pounding at her sudden appearance. She was silouhetted against the light, looking much less ephemeral than her shadow had, but no less startling. She was slender and graceful, clad in what appeared to be nothing more than a cloud of translucent silk that fluttered in the light breeze and exposed the outline of her body. The spirited animal danced, trying to get its head, and Chakotay just stared as it quieted under her skillful hands. She said not a word, but gestured for him to follow her, then turned back down the hill. For a moment, he caught a glimpse of her profile, the curve of her breasts, the shape of her thighs against the horse's back, and his pulse quickened. Was this another test? As she disappeared, the muffled noise of hooves on soft earth echoed in his ears. He hurried over the hill to keep her in sight, but she was getting away from him. Determined not to lose her, he started running.

Suddenly, a piercing whistle cut the air and Chakotay woke with a start. He was in his bed, the sheet clinging damply to his body, his breath coming hard and fast, as though he'd been running. He rose and, pulling on a sleeveless tunic, walked out to the balcony. The full moon hung low in the sky, casting blue shadows across the courtyard below, where a light mist moved gently with the air currents. Paris and the two women were gone, and all was quiet and still. There was no sign the commotion he thought that kind of noise would cause. It must have been part of his dream, then.

The cool, pre-dawn breeze stirred the plants around the fountain and dried the sweat from his body, making him shiver. He glanced around the courtyard once more and turned back to his room. Halfway there, he stopped short and spun around. He hadn't heard anything unusual because there was no sound at all. The night was unnaturally still. Shivering again, he crossed to the rail and looked out beyond the city gates. Nothing was moving now, not even the breeze.

Then he heard it again, that eerie whistle, followed this time by the unmistakable sound of hooves and a single word, spoken sharply. The hoofbeats seemed to be everywhere at once, but there was still nothing to see. Chakotay closed his eyes and tried to pinpoint the direction the noise was coming from. Soraya had said the Hortha were dumb, but if they chose to come into the city in numbers, they could be a real threat. He jumped at the knock on his bedroom door, then berated himself for listening so hard to the outside that he hadn't paid attention to the inside.

"Who is it?" he called, heading for the door in a half-crouch, wondering if there was anything else in the room he could use as a weapon.

"My name is Johari." The voice was lilting and melodic, and sounded as though its owner was smiling. Chakotay relaxed slightly. "May I come in?"

"Please do." Maybe she would know what was going on. The door opened and a shaft of light from the hall slanted across the floor in a rectangle broken only by a woman's shadow. She paused in the doorway, and Chakotay sucked in his breath as he recognized the woman from his dream. For a brief second, he wondered if these people possessed any sort of psychic abilities.

"I thought you'd be awake, after all that noise," she said, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her. He hadn't bothered with a light, so she moved close enough to see him, placing a warm hand on his forearm. Her eyes sparkled in the moonlight, and a lock of long, wavy blonde hair shone out from under the deep purple veil she wore.

"The hak'nai are excited tonight," she said, playfully looking down, then back up as she trailed her fingers across the expanse of his chest revealed by the tunic's deep neckline. "They always are when the moon is full."

"The what??"

"Hak'nai. We use them for traveling in the desert," she said with a smile. "They're much better suited to it than we are, and even though they sound intimidating, they're really very friendly. I'm sorry if they startled you."

"Then that whistling noise wasn't--"

"No, it wasn't the Hortha coming back." She chuckled softly. "It's too close to sunrise--they only come into the city at night. By day, they keep to themselves." Her fingers had moved up to trace the dark lines on his temple and Chakotay's apprehension began to melt away. "Your battle with the Hortha was not part of our tests, but you were most impressive. You saved my sister's life, and for that, we are grateful." Her smile widened, and she stood on tiptoe to brush her lips against his, her breasts and thighs pressed into him briefly.

Her touch set off ripples that shot from his stomach to his groin and back, and he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer and bending his head to return the kiss.

"Ahhh," Johari stopped him with a finger on his lips, "but we are not yet finished testing you and your friends."

Feeling a bit guilty, Chakotay remembered Paris and Tuvok. He hadn't heard a sound from their rooms, so maybe they weren't even there.

"Your friends are in...good hands right now," Johari said in response to his unasked question. "And it's my turn to keep you company. I thought you might like a change of scenery. Are you feeling rested enough for a short trip?"

"I think I can manage it," Chakotay said, grinning. He did feel rested, and the warmth of her body against his was almost more than he could bear. "Where are we going?"

"Come with me." Without another word, she turned and led him from the room.

In the courtyard, Chakotay heard the whickering noises and stomping hooves before he saw the hak'nai. When he and Johari rounded the corner, he stopped in his tracks. If Voyager had brought horses from Earth, they wouldn't have looked much different than the...hak'nai, except these creatures had cloven feet, with hair-covered webbing connecting the two toes. One was light brown with a black mane and tail; the other was a dappled bay. They regarded Chakotay with dark, friendly eyes, and the lighter one stretched its nose out to sniff his chest. He reached up to feel the fur covering its face, but at his touch, the creature shook its head and whistled. Chakotay jumped back in surprise.

"She likes you," said Johari, grinning as she untied the hak'nai and handed him a set of reins. Chakotay tried patting the hak'na again, and this time she tilted her head and presented an ear for him to scratch. He laughed and indulged the creature, watching Johari swing up onto her hak'na.

As she settled onto the thin pad that served as a saddle, Chakotay gasped.

"Is something wrong?" Johari asked.

"I just...remembered a strange dream, that's all." Chakotay thought he saw a flash of satisfaction cross her face, but when he looked again, she was just smiling. He pushed the thought away and mounted his hak'nai. Together, they headed toward the gates.

Once outside the city, they turned toward the brightening sky. Finally, this long night was coming to an end. It would be good to see the sun again. Chakotay was still feeling the effects of the stimulant--potent stuff, that!--but his stomach had just growled a reminder that it had been a while since he'd eaten last. And watching Johari ahead of him, he realized that he wasn't hungry for just food. The way she sat her horse--hak'na--the memory of her lips on his, however briefly, the way her eyes had caught and reflected the moonlight... Chakotay shook his head and looked around.

The city was invisible behind a hill, and there wasn't much to see beyond rocks and sand, so he watched the sky as it lightened. The horizon glowed a pale peach that turned pink, then purple, then a deep blue where it was still night. A few stars winked at him, and he thought of Voyager up there in orbit, at home in the dark vacuum of space. One of the things he missed most on Voyager was being able to see the sunrise. The holodeck programs included some spectacular solar displays, but the simulations only went so far. They could never capture the air of expectancy, the sound of a world hushed and waiting for the joyous music of full light bursting forth onto the land. It was exciting, being outside this early in the morning. He could smell the approaching dawn, could almost hear the desert listening...

He never saw the lizard-like creature that skidded from under a rock and ran right under his hak'na's nose. But the hak'na saw it and reared up in fright. Unprepared, Chakotay slid off over the animal's rear end and landed on his own in the sand, watching helplessly as his mount turned and raced back toward the city.

Johari had heard his surprised grunt and was on her knees next to him, reins firmly in one hand, before he saw her coming.

"Are you all right?" she asked, unable to keep the mirth from her voice.

"Fine," he replied. "Nothing hurt but my dignity. I guess she didn't like me that much after all." It was embarrassing, being caught daydreaming, but Johari's laughter was infectious, and his frown turned to a smile as he stood up and dusted himself off.

"Will your hak'na carry both of us?" he asked, looking back at his hak'na's tracks.

"She could carry twice her weight all day if we didn't push her," Johari said. In a fluid motion, she was on the hak'na's back, holding out an arm to him. Chakotay took her hand and swung up behind her.

This far back, the ride was a little bumpy, so he wrapped his arms around Johari and held on. He was right up against her, chest to her back, the inside of his legs against the outside of hers, both of them moving gently back and forth with the motion of the animal between their legs. She had looked so small and frail next to him, but now he could feel her muscles working against his thighs and beneath his hands on her waist. He could also feel his body heating up where it touched hers.

The breeze was blowing her hair around his face, mingling her warm scent with the fresh smell of morning. The combination was arousing, intoxicating, and his body responded. He shifted so that his erection wasn't digging into her, but she wiggled her hips and pressed back against him. That was all the encouragement he needed.

He brushed her hair aside, holding its soft, heavy mass in one hand as he slid his hand from her ear to her shoulder, then around to cup her breast through the silk. She shivered when he nibbled along the back of her neck and her nipples hardened in response. She moaned and leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder while his hands wandered down her body, caressing her hips and thighs. With delight, he discovered that the pants she wore were open in the middle, and he slid a hand up underneath to explore between her legs. Using a single finger, Chakotay traced a slow line from where she touched the hak'na, gradually working his way deep into the cleft. He moved his hand up and down, spreading her moisture even as he spread her open so that he could tease her with his other fingers.

Johari was writhing against him. "Oh, Chakotay," she gasped, "my sisters told me you had good hands." A quiet command to the hak'na, and in a quick movement, she was facing him, lifting the edge of his tunic and throwing one of her legs over his so that the tip of his penis was pushing into her. Wrapping her arms around him, she pulled him toward her as Chakotay thrust forward and entered her. Almost immediately, he knew he wouldn't last long this way. He looked down and watched himself filling her, slipping in deep, then withdrawing almost to the end with the motion of the hak'na. Electric jolts of pleasure shot through him as he watched them moving together, then apart, and he grasped her bottom to pull her even closer, sliding his eyes up her body, noting her breasts swaying slightly as she moved. Further up, the curve of her lips and the flash of her tongue licking them was irresistible. He covered her mouth with his own and their simultaneous cries of ecstasy welcomed the sun, just edging over the horizon.

Afterward, they sat together, heads resting against each other's necks as their breathing slowed to normal. It was a few moments before either of them realized the hak'na had stopped.

When Chakotay looked up, he gasped in surprise. They had arrived at a breathtaking oasis, nestled among sand dunes, lined by what could only be described as palm trees. There were two pools, one full of bubbling, steaming water, the other cool and serene. Both pools were surrounded by lush vegetation bearing fruit and colorful flowers that were just beginning to open to the sun's warmth.

"What is this place?" Chakotay asked.

"It's a healing oasis. Those are mineral baths fed by springs. We keep a trunk of medicinal herbs and supplies here for use whenever anyone needs them. Do you like it?" Johari asked.

"It's beautiful," said Chakotay, sliding to the ground. He helped Johari down, enjoying the feel of her body sliding against his. His hands lingered on her waist, then they started toward the springs, hand-in-hand. She tied the hak'na near the cool spring, where it could reach grass and water.

"After your adventures this past night, I thought you could use a good hot soak. The drink you shared with the elders will only go so far in preventing muscle aches. And you're going to need some help."

They had reached the hot spring and with a smile, Johari shed her clothes and stepped in. Her body was just as beautiful without the veil of silk, and Chakotay needed no urging to join her. He removed his tunic and followed her in.

The bubbling water was hot, almost to the point of discomfort at first, but after a moment, the heat began to loosen his muscles and he didn't think about it. The warm bubbles across his back and shoulders felt good. Someone kept the pool clean and free of weeds--the bottom was a layer of sand over rock, and there were submerged seats carved along the bank. He realized that they had been placed so that bathers could sit and relax while the water bubbled up around them. Johari beckoned from one side, under a leafy overhang, and Chakotay swam over to her, then let her pull him up in front of her.

She wrapped her arms and legs around him and nibbled his ear for a moment, then started massaging him. She began with his scalp, then worked her way to his neck. Next, she picked up a handful of sand from a small depression next to the pool and smoothed it across his shoulders. The fine grains must have contained oils of some kind, because her hands slid easily over his back and down his arms. The natural exfoliate left his skin feeling tingly and fresh. Gradually, she worked her way down his spine to his waist, finding all the sore spots and kneading the knots loose.

By the time she finished his entire body, Chakotay was completely relaxed and more than half asleep. Her voice prodded him awake and he roused enough to follow her out of the pool, where he collapsed in a boneless heap on the grassy bank. Johari disappeared briefly, and came back holding a soft cloth. She urged Chakotay to lie back while she used her hands and lips and tongue to slick the water off his body. He was too far gone to be aroused, and her touch soothed him to sleep before she finished drying him with the cloth.

Some time later, Chakotay awoke to the smell of wood smoke and coffee. He stretched and yawned, feeling wonderfully refreshed. No sign of sore muscles anywhere. In fact, he felt almost as good as he had the night before. Johari was nowhere in sight, so he got up and followed his nose to where she sat in the shade near a tiny fire, over which hung a pot of "coffee." His mouth watered at the sight of the fresh fruit she had picked and split. Smiling, she got up and greeted him with a long kiss.

"How do you feel?" she asked.

"Incredible," he replied, then took a huge bite of the green fruit she handed him. It was delicious--warm and slightly sweet, and some of the juice dribbled down his chin as he finished. Johari leaned in to catch the drops with her tongue, then helped him lick the remaining juice from around his mouth. They wound up in each other's arms, kissing deeply until they had to come up for air.

A bit reluctantly, Johari left his embrace and got up to pour them each a cup from the pot, then she returned to settle next to him in companionable silence. Determined not to burn his mouth again, Chakotay blew on the steaming liquid until it was cool enough to drink. As the slightly gritty liquid slid down his throat, he thought he had never felt better. It was still very early--he must not have slept long--but the air was already warm, and the drink was making him extra-sensitive to everything around him, especially Johari's nearness.

He turned toward her and took her cup, putting it aside with his, then ran his hand up her arm. They were both still naked, and he watched, entranced, as her nipples tightened in response to his touch. He reached to cup her face in his hand and leaned forward to kiss her. It started as a gentle kiss, but quickly became urgent and open-mouthed as they surrendered to the influence of the drink and each other.

Chakotay let his hands wander across her body, wanting to touch her everywhere. The heat of her skin was driving him crazy and he let his mouth follow his hands, leaving behind a wet trail to cool in the air. She moaned when he took a breast in his mouth, flicking its hard tip with his tongue, while his thumb played with her other nipple. Meanwhile, his other hand had found its way to the tangle of hair between her legs.

She opened her thighs to give him better access, and he kissed his way down her body until he was probing her depths with his tongue and fingers, licking and sucking and teasing until she was twisting beneath him, crying out her joyful release.

When she was still again, he slid back up her body, letting her taste herself on his mouth. He was almost unbearably hot now, and he groaned when her searching hands found his throbbing erection. She pushed him onto his back and bent to plant a light, ticklish kiss on the smooth tip. From there, she nibbled with her lips and teeth along the underside of his penis, down to where her hand cupped his scrotum. She licked a trail of fire back up the length of his shaft, then took him in her mouth. He gasped as her lips and tongue caressed him. A shudder of desire swept through his body.

Her mouth was driving him crazy, but he wanted to be inside her more than anything, so he pulled her up and fastened his mouth on hers, rolling her over so she was beneath him. He parted her thighs with his knee and moved between her legs. She reached down to guide him into her, and they both cried out as he penetrated her. If her skin had been hot on the outside, it was sizzling inside, and Chakotay felt the familiar tension coiling low in his belly. She opened to him, tight and moist, giving way for every inch of him as he thrust deep, then clinging slightly as he withdrew. His thrusts took on a rhythm, and he felt her legs wrap around his thighs as she surged up to meet him. When she started to gasp and spasm around him, he couldn't hold back anymore, shouting as his release rushed into her body.

Minutes, or maybe it was hours later, they got up to swim off the sweat of their exertions. The water in the second pool was invigorating, and they played and splashed each other like giggling children until they were too tired to swim anymore.

After banking the fire and stowing the cloth and utensils, they mounted the hak'na and headed back to the city.

Click here for YCD's Arabian Nights story.