Disclaimer: Star Trek and everything related is owned by Paramount/Viacom, this is just a not-for-profit fun fic.

Dedicated to: Mordhena, the ATPS listmom, who issued the following Easter challenge:

Write a story up to 1000 words long staring our darling TP and use the following words.

foil
eggs
Easter buns,
hot cross buns,
lent
holiday
religion
kisses and candy

However you must *not* mention the word "chocolate." References to chocolate can be made but don't use the words Chocolate Choc or Choccie, just think it makes it more interesting trying to describe chocolate without *saying* it is chocolate.

EASTER BUNNY CAPERS

Tom stood in the middle of the mess hall, where he had been helping Neelix and Harry get the Easter party details completed, when Neelix emerged grinning from the kitchen, holding out a costume to Tom.

Tom looked at his outfit in askance. "Why," he asked plaintively, "do I have to play the Easter Bunny?"

"I believe the Commander said something about getting even with you for making him play Santa Claus, Tom," Neelix said as he held out the floppy feet to the pilot.

"I think Chakotay decided it was your turn this HOLIDAY, Tom," said Harry as he helped Tom get his bunny feet on. "He said something about having to participate in a holiday -- excuse me, a RELIGION he doesn't believe in," Harry said, grinning. "I definitely think he is getting even with you, Tom."

"Well, what do I have to do? And do I have to wear the ears?" Tom asked, deciding he had better make the best of it, or Chakotay would just find another way to get even with him. Tom didn't think Chakotay would have waited this long to get even, but every so often, the big lug surprised him.

"So what do I have to do, pass out EGGS?" Tom asked as Neelix firmly fixed the ear headpiece on him.

"KISSES AND CANDY too, Tom," Harry said, grinning.

"I thought he liked being Santa Claus," Tom said, still with a plaintive tone of voice.

"I don't think he liked it when half of Engineering sat on Santa's lap to tell him their Christmas wishes, Tom," Harry said, grinning, remembering too well the Christmas Eve party, and how Tom had almost been strangled by his new lover before the night was over. Dalby and Vorik on his lap had just been a bit too much, even for their composed Commander.

"But then the Captain and I did -- I thought he liked that part --"

"But I'm not sure our then forcing Tuvok on his lap was a big hit, Tom," Harry said grinning, unsure of who hated that encounter more, the Vulcan or the fuming ex-Maquis.

"Time to go to the holodeck, Tom," Neelix said, joyfully dragging his erstwhile bunny volunteer behind him.

Later, Chakotay grinned at the Easter Bunny. He knew that it would pay to wait to get even with Tom. What was the Klingon expression? -- that was it, 'Revenge is a dish best served cold.' And he had to admit that Tom was very, very cute in the bunny suit. Neelix had picked out a perfect pink outfit, bunny feet, large ears and all. With Tom's fair face and blue eyes, he was simply adorable -- as most of the female crew had obviously noticed, from the fawning that was being done over the Easter Bunny, especially by the Delaney sisters.

Chakotay smiled to himself. He was secure enough now, after almost six months into their relationship, to know that Tom was just flirting with the women, and, indeed, seemed a bit embarrassed by all of it.

Actually, Chakotay admitted to himself, Tom had been a very good sport about all of it, helping Naomi find the hidden eggs, giving out candy and eggs to the crew members attending the party, and even dispensing a few chaste kisses to the Captain and Naomi and few of his female admirers.

Finally catching his favor squeeze by himself for a moment, Chakotay sidled up behind the Easter Bunny and, squeezing some adorable EASTER BUNS, whispered into his large bunny ear, "having fun, Tom?"

"Oh, Chakotay, you are going to pay for this!"

"Oh, don't worry, Tom, I'll find a way to get even and FOIL your evil plot," Chakotay said, grinning. "You're paying for Santa Claus now, aren't you?"

"The suit is pink, Chakotay!"

"Oh, but Naomi is enjoying having a real Easter Bunny so much, Tom!" Chakotay said, grinning. "And besides, I'll make it worth your while tonight."

How?" Tom said, suspicious.

"Hmm . . . I believe there is a certain creamy brown substance you gave up for LENT," Chakotay said.

"Yeah . . ."

"And . . . I believe I could dribble it across certain HOT CROSS BUNS," Chakotay grinned.

"Just how are someone's buns going to get in that condition?"

"Oh, don't worry, I'll bet I have them hot already," Chakotay said, giving another squeeze to the firm buns in his hands, "and well, it is Easter -- isn't a cross a Christian symbol? I did tell you I was going to dribble something back there . . ."

"How soon can we leave the party?"

"Soon, Tom, very soon," Chakotay said, knowing his revenge was complete -- because he intended to make Tom wait several hours for his buns to be hot and crossed.

He just knew the bunny costume would be fun for both of them.

THE END