So my friend challenged me to write this and it has been in the works for some time. Enjoy :D

~Cissa

CHAPTER 1: LOST IN AUSTEN

Kathryn walked into the ball, her eyes shining. Netherfield was at it's finest tonight: lights shining, music playing, dresses rustling. The Bingley's had outdone themselves this time.

"Kathryn!" she heard someone behind her call. Turning around she saw her friend Elizabeth walking towards her with a smile on her face. "Lizzie!" she called, walking over to her friend and kissing her cheek, "It's so good to see you. You look beautiful! Wickham will drop at the sight of you or I'm a simpleton!" Kathryn didn't trust Wickham's appearance of goodness, but she knew Lizzie was fond of him so…

"That's the general idea" Lizzie replied, her eyes twinkling, "If only I could find him. He doesn't seem to be here…"

"I'm sure he's around here somewhere. He obviously wanted to dance with you," Kathryn winked, causing Elizabeth to laugh. The two friends linked arms and walked into the ballroom together. They were soon joined by Mr. Denny who greeted them warmly.

"Miss Elizabeth, Miss Kathryn, you both are looking lovely tonight," he said with a bow.

"Thank you Mr. Denny," Elizabeth replied as they both curtsied.

"Miss Elizabeth, I'm afraid I have some bad news. Mr. Wickham has been called away to the north country and won't be back until tomorrow."

"Oh no," Elizabeth said, with a dismayed look on her face.

"Just between the two of us, I don't think he would have had to leave so quickly if he wasn't trying to avoid a certain gentleman we all know…"

"Oh, I'm sure. Thank you Mr. Denny for telling me."

"You're servant Miss Elizabeth...Miss Kathryn…" he bowed again than was dragged away by Lizzie's sister Lydia.

"I'm sorry Lizzie," Kathryn said, "There will be another time, I'm sure of it."

"I know," Lizzie said with a sad smile, "I was just really looking forward to dancing with him. And to know that my chance was lost because of Darcy! That odious man!"

Suddenly a shadow appeared as a tall, handsome form towered behind them. Speak of the Devil, Kathryn thought as they turned around and came face to face with Mr. Darcy. His face wore his customary hard expression, completely unreadable. Though Kathryn wouldn't admit it out loud, he did look quite handsome in his suit and coattails.

"Miss Bennett, would you do me the honor of dancing the next with me?" Mr. Darcy said.

"Why...I couldn't...you see...I...I thank you, yes." Lizzie replied, eyes darting around, trying to find some excuse to reject him and finding nothing. The music started and he offered her his arm, which she reluctantly took. As he led her to the floor, she looked back at Kathryn and made a face, showing her dislike with the arrangements. Kathryn just smiled, feeling sorry that her friend had to dance with such an un-likeable person.

Suddenly she saw another tall form walking towards her and her smile widened. This man was also tall, dark, and handsome with kind dark eyes, a great smile, and a tattoo over his eye. In his suit and coattails, Kathryn couldn't remember a time he looked more handsome.

"Kathryn. You look stunning this evening," he said, coming in front of her and giving a little bow then taking her hand and kissing it. And indeed he was right. Her empire wasted, smoky grey muslin dress complimented her eyes perfectly and accentuated her slim waist. Her hair cascaded down over her shoulders in waves with a few well placed flowers to accentuate her look. Chakotay thought she looked like an ethereal goddess, and the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life.

"Thank you Chakotay," she said, smiling at the compliment, "You don't look too bad yourself. I think I'll change your uniform to a suit and coattails."

Laughing, Chakotay held out his hand to her "Dance with me Kathryn?" he said.

"Of course." she said, taking his hand and allowing him to lead her to the floor. Soon they were dancing, weaving in and out in the intricate figures of the Boulanger. Every once and a while they would catch each others eye and smile enjoying each others presence. Chakotay cut a handsome figure on the ballroom floor and Kathryn's ethereal beauty caught the eye of more than one single man much to Chakotay's chagrin. During an especially tricky sequence, Kathryn lost her footing and stumbled into Chakotay's arms, causing a couple of the old biddies nearby to cluck their tongues disapprovingly. Looking up into his brown eyes, Kathryn felt a wave of something wash over her, just what she couldn't say. Suddenly she wanted to lean into him, feel his arms wrapped around her, feel his lips against hers…

"Tuvok to the Captain." suddenly came over her combadge, causing her to snap back to reality.

"Janeway here," she responded breathlessly, taking a step back from Chakotay and blushing furiously.

"Captain, you and the commander might want to come to the bridge."

"On our way," Kathryn said nodding to Chakotay, "Computer, end program Austen 1" she called as they exited the holodeck.