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Chapter Text

Chakotay was part of a Starfleet crew again. Second in command of it, actually. A few weeks ago, if someone had told him this would happen, Chakotay would have scoffed and dismissed the idea as crazy. Yet here he was, stranded 70,000 light years from home, the First Officer of a Starfleet vessel.

Chakotay understood how important it was for the two crews to work together seamlessly. Their survival depended on it, and he would set an example for his people to make sure they understood.

As the weeks after their capture by the Caretaker passed, Chakotay began to learn the individual habits and idiosyncrasies of the people he now served with. In particular, he found himself noticing a lot about Captain Janeway.

He noticed the way she liked to stand with her hands on her hips, and the way her smile came out lopsided whenever she was amused by something. He noticed the way she sipped her coffee, rolling the beverage around in her tongue to savor its flavor before swallowing. He observed how much of it she drank, too, but she tended to be quite grumpy in the morning without it. She had a taste for fine wine and an appreciation for classical art and music.

And she was incredibly smart, especially when it came to stellar phenomena, and she had a stubborn streak a mile wide. Yet she cared a great deal about her crew – all of her crew. Whether they were former Maquis or not, she treated them equally with respect and kindness. And she was a natural leader.

As those early weeks went by, Chakotay experienced an inner peace he hadn’t experienced in a very long time. He felt compelled to follow her, to do things for her – little things, but important ones to keep her ship running smoothly and to make her burden lighter.

For her part, Kathryn discovered a lot about the man she had instated as her First Officer. Chakotay was soft-spoken, deeply spiritual and somewhat enigmatic, yet he would vocally defend what was important to him and he didn’t back down once he’d taken a stance. He loved animals and would delight in watching the natural world, even if that world was wholly alien. He was also way too chipper in the morning, sometimes without any coffee at all, and he had sweet tooth to rival her own. He was surprisingly athletic and played a mean game of Parises Squares. He was also a great cook, which she discovered quite by accident one day.

And he was attentive to the needs of his former crew, yet he would not allow them to undermine her authority or to jeopardize the welfare of the ship by not following Starfleet protocols. Even though they’d only been on Voyager a few weeks she already admired his candor and valued his opinions a great deal. In many ways she felt drawn to him, a strong leader and a wise person, and she only grew closer to him as the days went by.

Chapter Text

“Come in,” called Kathryn from her desk in the Ready Room. Her heart fluttered with excitement to find Chakotay there with his medicine bundle, ready to fulfill his promise to lead her in another vision quest to speak with her animal guide. She’d already made first contact, but she had yet to speak to it.

She took a seat on the floor in front of the table, and Chakotay joined her, seating himself beside her. He carefully unwrapped the river stone, the blackbird’s wing and the akoonah, an amused smile playing on his face. “You’re ready, I see.”

“I told the computer not to accept interruptions unless it’s an emergency,” she said. “I’m eager to actually speak to my animal guide this time.”

“Well then, let’s get started.” He placed her hand gently on the akoonah. His fingers were slightly calloused and warm. “A-koo-chee-moy-a,” he intoned. “We are far from the sacred places of our grandfathers. We are far from the bones of our people. I call upon the powerful being who embraces this woman and ask that it give her the answers she seeks.”

The Ready Room with its sterile grey walls dissolved in a burst of white light as Kathryn closed her eyes. She opened them on the beautiful white sands of a beach where she’d spent many days as a child, playing and listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean lapping on the shore. It was a very special place.

She strolled along the shore, breathing in the fresh salt-laced air. She didn’t have to wander long before she spotted the animal who had chosen to be with her. The little reptile basked on a sandy log near the water among the tall marsh grass looking for all the world like he was asleep.

Somehow Kathryn knew he was male, and as she approached, she realized he wasn’t a lizard like she’d thought the first time around. He was a gecko, tan-colored with intermittent white splotches. He looked up at her and raised his tail, then waddled lazily a few inches to the left.

“I see him,” she told Chakotay, still seated beside her on the Ready Room floor.

“Ask him what you want to know. You can speak to him with your mind, and he will hear you.”

Hello, she tried tentatively. I’m Kathryn.

The gecko turned its head. You have come seeking guidance? The words were spoken directly into Kathryn’s brain in a deep, resonant voice incongruous with a creature so small.

Yes, I… I want to know… did I do the right thing?

Her animal guide was silent for a long moment. Then at last he spoke, rolling his eyes toward her and the sky. The right thing. A complicated question. Was it wrong to help a people in need? Was it wrong to integrate a crew of rebels and misfits into your own? Was it wrong to make their leader your second in command?

Kathryn didn’t know how to answer.

Search yourself, and you will find the answer. The gecko’s tongue darted out to taste the salty air. I sense another question, one you do not wish to speak. The answer is yes, your second command is trustworthy and wise. He will not lead you astray. I sense he could be a wonderful friend, if you let him.

With another flick of his tongue, the gecko hopped off the log and began to walk away from the waterline, disappearing beneath the marsh grasses under the setting sun. The meeting was over. Kathryn blinked, slowly coming out of the trance, startled when Chakotay’s hand brushed unexpectedly against hers. The touch set off a cascade of feelings that Kathryn was unprepared for.

“Did you find what you were looking for?”

Kathryn considered her animal guide’s answer to the question she’d asked him aloud, and the one she hadn’t, which he’d somehow heard anyway. She met Chakotay’s questioning eyes and, with his help, rose to her feet, offering him a warm smile.

“Yes. Yes, I believe I did.”

Chapter Text

The away team waded through a crunchy carpet of dead leaves on the latest M-class planet that Voyager had detected. They were here to gather edible supplies, as many as they could, to save on energy. The planet was covered in a beautiful old-growth forest. Colorful leaves drifted down from the sky, landing on the heads and shoulders of the crew.

Kathryn watched Neelix squat excitedly near a gigantic tree and start digging. He stood a moment later triumphantly brandishing some kind of rubbery brown lump. “It may not look like much,” he said, “but Galcatta has lots of excellent nutrition.”

“Neelix… this isn’t anything like leola root, is it?” asked Tom Paris with distinct trepidation.

Neelix laughed. “Not at all. It has a more acidic taste, which goes great with Alfarian hair pasta. Dig near the base of the largest trees - I’ll bet they’re abundant in this forest.”

He and Kes went further into the forest while Tom Paris and Harry Kim began to dig like Neelix had done, each wearing looks of uncertainty. Kathryn felt a presence behind her and turned to find her First Officer hovering nearby. Chakotay placed a gentle hand on the small of her back. “Shall we pick a tree, Captain?” he said with amusement.

Now, what could he possibly be smiling at? Then Kathryn became aware of the expression she was making, and shrugged with a smile of her own as she gave in to the inevitability of having to muck around in the dirt. She gestured for him to precede her. “Lead the way.”

He led her over to a beautiful flowering tree with brilliant red leaves and knelt beneath it. Kathryn followed suit and they began to dig together near the base of it. The soil was moist and light and easy to move, and soon a brown lump became visible, poking through the dirt.

Chakotay’s fingers made unexpected contact with hers as they worked to unearth the Galcatta. A spark shot down her fingertips, like a static shock, and pulse of… something… thrummed through her body. She met his dark eyes, now quite unreadable, then looked away and awkwardly cleared her throat and rubbed her hands together.

The branches above them suddenly quivered, breaking the moment. Neelix’s off-key singing wafted down from above, along with a shower of bright red leaves, followed by a cascade of apple-sized purple fruits, which hit the ground with a hefty thwack.

Kathryn shielded her head.

“Watch out!” Chakotay warned, pulling Kathryn up by her arm and steering her away from the falling fruits.

“Thank you, Commander,” said Kathryn once they had escaped, noticing that Chakotay was still holding her arm. He seemed to realize this too, and soon released her. Tom and Harry began to help Neelix and Kes pick up the fallen purple fruits.

“We’d better give them a hand,” said Chakotay, his eyes twinkling.

“Well at least those look more appetizing than Galcatta.” Kathryn gave him a pat on the arm and they ventured back under the tree together.

Chapter Text

Before his shift began, Chakotay went in search of his captain. He found her eating breakfast by herself in the mess hall: a plate of eggs and bacon, a glass of orange juice and a mug of coffee with a half-empty pot beside her. She glanced up at him with a welcoming smile when he approached. “Commander. What have you got for me?”

“Reports from the department heads from last night,” he said, handing her a stack of PADDs. “I didn’t want you looking at them yesterday; you were too tired.” There was something else he’d hidden in the stack, but he was going to let her find it on her own.

“Thank you.” She rifled through the PADDs, giving each one a cursory glance. Chakotay knew immediately when she’d found his little surprise. She paused, looked more closely at the item, then raised questioning eyes toward Chakotay. “What’s this?”

“It’s a book called Don Quixote. On more than one occasion, I’ve heard you mention liking to read classical literature when you’re off-duty,” he explained. “I don’t believe you’ve read this one, and I thought you might like it. I decided to replicate a physical copy because personally, I like the feel of real pages between my fingers.”

The captain looked flattered. “This is very thoughtful, Chakotay, thank you.”

“I’ve recently started reading this book myself. I wondered if you might like to discuss it with me, let me know what you think, and I’ll share my opinions as well.”

Kathryn raised her brows in mild surprise. “You want to start a book club with me?”

“Something like that. I thought it might be fun.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” she said, giving the book a little pat. “How does two days from now at 19:00 hours in my ready room sound for our first discussion?”

“I’ll be there. See you on the bridge.” Chakotay turned to go, observing her pour herself another cup of coffee over his shoulder. He saw her pick up one of the PADDs, then put it down and pick up the book instead. She flipped to the first page and started reading, sipping her coffee, a relaxed smile spreading across her face. Chakotay found himself smiling as well and looking forward to spending time with her in two days.

Chapter Text

Neelix had outdone himself this time. Bright decorations hung over the entrance to the mess hall and Neelix’s cooking area. Centerpieces in the shape of little Christmas trees with real working lights lit up the middle of each table. Neelix’s loud, jovial voice rose above the general chatter in a lively conversation with Crewman Chell.

Glancing around the room at her crew gathered in celebration, Kathryn spotted most of the senior staff. B’Elanna argued with something Tom was saying while Harry smothered a smile. At the other end of the room, Kes listened politely, hands clasped behind her back, while the Doctor told some medical tale of woe. Tuvok stood by himself next to the huge window that afforded them a terrific view of the star field at warp. Her observations were interrupted by the newest guest to arrive at the celebration.

His dress uniform was immaculate and it accentuated the lines of his muscular body in a very flattering way. His strong hands rested at his sides and his hair looked newly washed. Chakotay strode gracefully into the mess hall and accepted a glass of champagne from Lieutenant Ayala with a polite nod. His dark eyes roved around the room, taking in the decorations, the people, the music, and the food, which Neelix had set out buffet-style.

Kathryn blinked, and in the tiny microsecond it took for her to refocus, she found that his eyes had connected with hers. A beam of white-hot plasma seemed to arc between them, as if they were physically connected by that one look. Chakotay’s whole bearing changed: he stood up straighter, his shoulders easing back, and a warm smile spread across his face. Kathryn swallowed thickly and tracked his motion across the room. He seemed drawn to her as if by some inexorable force that he could not, or did not want, to control.

“Excuse me,” he said when Lieutenant Cary tried to intercept him, and somehow Kathryn picked out his voice over the loud chatter. His eyes were still connected to hers as if by a tether, and they remained locked together as Chakotay came within arm’s reach.

“Captain,” he greeted, his tone not quite familiar, but not quite formal either.

“Commander.”

“Quite a party Neelix has thrown.”

“You could say that. It’s nice to see the crew letting down their hair and relaxing for a change.”

Chakotay’s eyes sparkled. “It’s nice to see their captain do the same.” He graced her with another little smile that revealed the dimple in his cheek.

She returned the smile. “A captain has to set a good example for the rest of her crew, you know.”

“Indeed she does.” Amusement colored Chakotay’s voice. His eyes strayed from her face and settled toward her hands, which were both wrapped around stem of her champagne glass. He offered her his arm, bent at the elbow, and nodded his head toward the food tables. “Care to join me?” he invited. “I’m going to get something to eat”

Kathryn half smiled, half grimaced. “As long as you’re with me, I won’t be too afraid to try whatever Neelix’s cooked up.”

Chakotay chuckled softly. Kathryn hooked her arm in his, together they went to sample Neelix’s party food.

Chapter Text

The noise of the door chime startled Chakotay out of a light doze. The chronometer informed him that it was almost midnight. Wondering who could possibly be calling at this hour, Chakotay rose, wrapping himself in a robe, and went to answer it.

He was surprised to find Kathryn standing outside his door. Stress lines marred her face. Her eyes were red and bloodshot, as if she’d been crying. She certainly hadn’t been sleeping. Her long hair was down, and her clothing was not crisp and neat like it usually was. She glanced downward at her shoes in an uncharacteristic show of vulnerability, and when she spoke, her voice was soft and subdued. “I couldn’t sleep. Would… would you mind if I came in?”

Chakotay stood aside. “Of course, Kathryn. Please, sit down.”

She followed him tentatively into the room, seating herself stiffly on the couch at his direction. He took a seat beside her. “What’s on your mind?”

Kathryn didn’t speak right away. “Chakotay… do you trust me?”

“You know I do. With my life.”

She stared for a long moment at the hands clasped on top of her lap. “I’m not sure you should.” Her voice was quiet and resigned - not at all the self-assured captain he was used to.

Chakotay let out a breath, understanding her feelings and flattered that she would come to him seeking comfort and advice. “It wasn’t your fault.”

She turned to meet his eyes. “Wasn’t it? I should have realized the anomaly was unstable, but I was so blinded by the possibility that studying it could help us get home. Now three people are dead and B’Elanna is severely injured.” She shook her head in disgust. “Some scientific endeavors are not worth the risk. I should have recognized that this was one of them.”

Chakotay placed his hand on her arm, detecting the slightest tremor. “Kathryn… I know you feel responsible. But there’s no way you could have known. Even with all our fancy censors, we still couldn’t predict that the anomaly would flare up like that. Sometimes bad things happen despite your best-laid plans, especially out here in uncharted territory.”

“It doesn’t change the outcome, Chakotay.”

“The away team knew and accepted the hazards of space exploration before they signed on, and they agreed to go on the away mission. None of the crew blames you for this, and neither do I.”

Kathryn didn’t speak for a moment while she rubbed her face with trembling fingers, then let her hands slide into her lap and dropped her gaze while she processed Chakotay’s words. At last, she lifted her face to find him waiting patiently for her to respond. “Thank you, Chakotay, I needed to hear that, even if it doesn’t change how I feel. It helps to know that the crew still trusts me.”

“Of course they do. We’re all in this together.” He drew her close, draping one arm around her shoulders in a comforting embrace, and was rewarded when she moved closer. She let out a long sigh and relaxed against him, the stiffness going out of her posture, then placed her hand on his thigh and smiled by way of thanks. The action sent a pleasant tremor coursing through him. She withdrew the hand and closed her eyes, resting her head against the back of the couch.

They sat in silence for almost an hour, with Chakotay rubbing her shoulder and stroking her hair in a soothing rhythm while she breathed deeply and calmly, in and out, until her breaths grew even and regular and the worry lines on her face smoothed in slumber. He continued to hold her close and run his hand absently over her back even after she was asleep, until his own eyelids grew heavy and he too nodded off, content to have her there in his arms.

Chapter Text

The turbolift ground to a halt. The lights went out. When the emergency lights didn’t come on, Chakotay knew they were in trouble. “Computer, open turbo lift doors.”

Nothing happened. Kathryn began to work the control panel. “I’ll see if I can engage the manual override.”

The ship shuddered, and Kathryn stumbled right into Chakotay’s arms. They stood there for a moment, him gripping her shoulders, her holding onto his waist, neither of them willing to move until suddenly there was an enormous jolt that knocked them to the floor. Then, without warning, the turbolift plummeted down the shaft. Down and down and down they fell, slaves to gravity as Voyager’s damaged systems failed to respond.

“Chakotay—”

“I know! Hang on!”

They clung together, hearts pounding, until suddenly the turbolift jerked harshly to a dead stop. There was a sickening crack of impact, and Kathryn went lax in his arms.

“Kathryn!” He lowered her to the floor and inspected the goose egg forming on the side of her head. He tried opening the doors again with no luck. Kathryn soon stirred and attempted to rise. “Hey… take it easy. You bumped your head.”

She stifled a moan. “I’ve had worse,” she said, her voice a little shaky. “What’s our status?”

“The turbolift is offline - the computer won’t respond and the manual overrides aren’t working. I’d say you’d better get comfy, we’re going to be here a while.”

Kathryn sat up gingerly, fingering the lump on her head, and leaned against the wall of the lift. They played trivia while they waited for the rescue that Chakotay knew would happen eventually, yet he found it hard to concentrate. Kathryn had begun to feel nauseated from the concussion and she shivered with the beginnings of shock. Chakotay drew her close and wrapped his arms around her.

“You know, sometimes I can’t help thinking that the universe is conspiring to kill us,” she remarked with dry humor.

The ship trembled beneath them. “I’m beginning to think you may be right,” Chakotay answered.

“The next time somebody attacks us, remind me to—” She broke off with a wince and a grimace.

“Hey, don’t try to talk. Just keep still.” Chakotay silently urged someone to hurry as Kathryn turned a couple shades paler and closed her eyes. His thoughts were answered half an hour later by Harry and B’Elanna.

“She’s hurt,” said Chakotay immediately, conscious of the way he was holding Kathryn against him with her head leaning on his shoulder.

“Are you okay, sir?” asked Harry with concern, helping Chakotay to stand while B’Elanna steadied the captain.

“Yes, Ensign.”

“What happened?” B’Elanna wanted to know.

“The turbolift decided to drop us a couple of decks with no brake.” He shifted Kathryn’s weight from B’Elanna onto his own body. “I’ll take her to sickbay.”

B’Elanna still looked concerned, for both commanding officers. “You sure you’re alright, Chakotay?”

“I’m fine. Continue your search for anyone else who might be injured.”

B’Elanna nodded. “Right. Come on, Starfleet.”

B’Elanna and Harry disappeared down the corridor to carry out his orders, and Chakotay ushered his unsteady captain to sickbay. As he helped her onto a biobed and the EMH swooped over with his tricorder beeping, Chakotay was surprised when Kathryn grasped his hand between both of hers and gave it a squeeze. “Chakotay… thanks. There’s no one I’d rather be stuck with than you.”

Chapter Text

If Chakotay’s thoughts were in a turmoil just now, he could only imagine what Kathryn was thinking. It wasn’t every day they met an entity like the caretaker, so coming across a second one had been quite a surprise. Chakotay was sure their recent encounter still weighed heavily on his captain’s mind. It was why he was on his way to her quarters at this very moment.

The door swished open to reveal Voyager’s captain dressed in her Starfleet issue blue shirt with her uniform jacket draped over a chair. She cocked her head to one side, her eyes appraising him. The slight upward tilt of her lips announced that she was pleased with what she saw. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Commander?”

“Oh, I was in the area, so I thought I’d drop by.” said Chakotay casually, returning her smile. He unclasped the hands from behind his back to reveal the item he was holding.

“What’s this?”

“It’s called a Lidellian tulip,” Chakotay explained. “Kes decided to start a small garden of non-edible flowers in the Aeroponics bay after her experience with Tanis. She was kind enough to let me have this.”

Kathryn examined the thin curved petals, which were wider at the bottom than their pointy tops and colored a deep burgundy that faded into pink toward the center. “It’s beautiful. Is there any particular reason you’ve come calling with a Lidellian tulip?”

“Well, according to the Ocampans, this flower is a symbol of good luck and prosperity.”

Kathryn took the blossom and inhaled deeply before depositing it into a vase. The scent was fresh and mild, with just the right amount of sweetness. “Sounds wonderful.”

“More importantly, it symbolizes hope,” Chakotay continued. “I know how much you hoped that the second caretaker would help us, since she has the means to send us home. I’m giving you this flower to remind you that, even though this opportunity didn’t pan out, that doesn’t mean we’ll never get Voyager home. It’s my way of saying, don’t lose hope.”

Kathryn’s eyes had become suspiciously bright by the end of Chakotay’s speech. She reached across the table and grasped his hand, her lips curved into a sad, yet grateful smile. “I appreciate it, and I’ll try very hard to remember.”

Chapter Text

“Chakotay, you have the bridge.”

As he watched Kathryn rise from her seat and enter the turbolift, Chakotay noted how sad she looked, how resigned. Not at all the playful, happy woman he had spent time with on New Earth, the woman who had taken baths without a care and chased wily primates through the forest. The lift doors closed, and with it another door seemed to close as well.

Chakotay sat there, staring vacantly at the viewscreen for half an hour, fists clenching, contemplating what to do. He wanted to talk to her. Not to convince her to change her mind about picking up where they had left off, or exploring what they might have had while they were marooned on that planet.

No, Chakotay respected her too much to do that. Even though he wanted nothing more than to gather her into his arms and hold her tight, to run his hands through her long auburn hair and watch her close her eyes in bliss as he massaged her shoulders, or to watch her lying in the dirt, pulling weeds with the sun shining and not a care in the world beyond crafting things with his own two hands to make their lives better. Things would have been so much simpler if they’d been forced to stay on New Earth. Chakotay sighed inwardly, knowing it wasn’t meant to be.

Over the next few days, Chakotay hardly saw Kathryn. She would report to the bridge, then retreat to her ready room, or come up with what Chakotay believed to be some excuse to help B’Elanna in Engineering, or visit Kes in the Aeroponics bay. After four days of this avoidance, Chakotay could stand it no longer. He had to speak with her. He waited a couple of moments after she excused herself to the ready room before crossing the bridge to ring the door chime.

“Come,” she called.

Chakotay entered, suddenly aware of the sweat coating his palms and how dry his mouth had gone. Kathryn’s eyes tracked his progress into the room, but she refrained from speaking. That was fine. He already knew what he wanted to say. He stepped up to the desk and planted his hands down on it. “Kathryn, we need to talk.”

“About?”

“You’re avoiding me.”

Her eyes meandered back toward the laptop on her desk. She didn’t deny it, which he appreciated. “Being near you… is too painful,” she admitted, her voice a small, hesitant whisper, and when she looked up, Chakotay could see moisture sparkling in her eyes. “I keep thinking about what we had… what we could have had… on New Earth. But I have a duty, Chakotay, to this ship and her crew. I need to be sure that my personal feelings won’t get in the way.”

“I understand. I’m not here to talk you out of doing what you feel is right. I just want you to know that I’m here, and I will always be here, waiting… for as long as it takes.”

Kathryn remained silent for a long moment in which time seemed to stretch to its breaking point. Then she laid her hand on top of his and gave it a gentle pat. “I won’t forget.” She seemed to make a decision then, and stood up straighter. “Let’s get back to our bridge. I wouldn’t want the crew to start any rumors.”

They left the ready room side by side. Chakotay could already tell that her mood was lighter, which made him feel better too. Kathryn’s words had convinced him that the door he’d thought had closed and locked forever was merely closed for now. She hadn’t said never, only that the time wasn’t right. And when she was ready, he would be there.

Chapter Text

“You need a break.”

Chakotay’s stern voice interrupted Kathryn’s work. She was seated at her Ready Room desk with the computer partially obscuring her face, deep in concentration, and by the looks of it, deep in frustration as well.

“I’m busy.” Her response was curt, annoyed.

“Come on, Kathryn, you haven’t eaten all day.”

Kathryn propped her cheek up on the palm of her hand, elbow resting on the desk and glared at him around the computer, her expression one of pique. “And how would you know? Are you keeping tabs on me?”

“I’ve been watching enough to know that you’ve been working all day without food or rest. Please, come with me to the mess hall and we’ll grab a bite.”

“I’m not hungry.”

Chakotay huffed with frustration. Sometimes Kathryn could be stubborn enough to try the patience of a saint. “Please. Just take a break. A short one. Then you can go back to your work.”

Brooding, Kathryn tapped her finger repeatedly on the desk for a moment before rising abruptly and shutting off the computer with a somewhat aggressive punch of her fingers. “Alright. Fine. You win. Just a small break.”

They arrived at the mess hall to find it deserted with Neelix nowhere in sight, just like Chakotay had arranged. The few people who wanted to eat at this late hour had already been served. A lone table near the window was set with a tablecloth and a single plate of food.

“Is that…?” She went over to the table.

“Dinner. I made it myself.”

“Oh Chakotay, I couldn’t possibly… you made this for me? From scratch?”

“Yes. Please accept it, Kathryn. Besides, if you don’t eat dinner, you won’t get to taste dessert.”

Kathryn’s hands flew to her hips. “Is that so?” she said with feigned petulance.

“It is.”

Kathryn shook her head in amusement and sat down, draping the napkin over her lap. “Smells delicious.” She speared some vegetables with her fork. “Is this dinner for one?” she asked.

“Nope.” Chakotay brought over a second plate from the cook station and sat down across from her.

Kathryn put the bite into her mouth and her expression melted. “Delicious! Where did you learn to cook like this?”

“My mother. She was a wonderful teacher. Aren’t you glad I convinced you to take a break?”

“Very,” she responded around another mouthful. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Starve, most likely.”

They ate, chatting idly about the day and the recent goings-on around Voyager. When they finished the meal, Kathryn folded her hands together on top of the table while Chakotay cleared their plates and brought them over to the recycler. “So, what’s for desert?”

Chakotay grinned fondly. She was like a little kid eagerly awaiting her reward for good behavior. “Tiramisu. Your favorite.” He brought over two slices topped with whipped cream and coffee ice cream.

“Ohhh, Chakotay,” Kathryn moaned with pleasure, positively salivating. “Did you make this from scratch too?”

“Sadly, no. My cooking skills don’t extend to baking. But I got the recipe from your replicator files.”

She took a bite, closing her eyes in delight. “It’s wonderful.”

Chakotay hadn’t taken his seat yet while he brought her the final item on the menu. She opened her eyes as he set a cup of espresso down in front of her, the steam curling around her face and releasing a rich aroma into the air.

“It’s one of my personal blends, something I picked up off-world. Not the replicated stuff.”

“Oh Chakotay, I could kiss you. Thank you so much… for all of this.”

Chakotay smiled with sincere pleasure at how much she enjoyed the meal he had put together for her and patted her arm while she ate the dessert, then picked up his fork to do the same. “Anytime, Kathryn, it was my pleasure.”

Anytime at all.

Chapter Text

Kathryn scrambled out of the wrecked shuttle onto the rocky surface of the alien planet followed closely by Chakotay, their arms laden with the equipment necessary for survival while they awaited rescue. Kathryn hurried, knowing that the shuttle could explode at any moment from the hydrazine leaked into the cockpit from the damaged engines.

“We should see if there are any caves near those rocky hills,” she directed as they sprinted away from the downed shuttle. Chakotay followed her lead, memorizing the landscape and scanning the horizon for bodies of water and other things that they might need for survival while Kathryn made her own mental survey.

The shuttle exploded suddenly with a sonic boom and a gout of orange flames that shot upward a mile high. Kathryn instinctively stopped running and flung her arms over her head and ears. Chakotay curled his body protectively around her to shield her from the shockwave and any flying debris. When the smoke cleared, Kathryn glanced backward at the now-charred spot where the shuttle once stood. “Damn.”

“I’ll say. You did get the homing signal, right?”

“Yes, and all the tools I need to set it up. Did you get the blankets?”

Chakotay patted the kit he carried. “It’s all here: blankets, rations, medical supplies… the only thing we’re missing are soft beds and pillows.”

Kathryn blew on her hands to warm them. “We’ll have to make a fire.”

Chakotay beckoned. “This way. There’s a sort of path over here.”

They walked in companionable silence for a while, until Kathryn spotted an ideal location to set up camp. There were no caves, but a large overhanging cliff provided adequate shelter against the elements. Night was falling now, and if Kathryn had thought it was chilly before, it was downright frigid now. Chakotay set everything down and proceeded to light a fire while she fiddled with the homing signal. She was very thankful for the blaze, because her fingers were fast becoming numb as she tinkered with the tiny electronics. Still she shivered, rubbing her arms and hands together to generate warmth.

“Come closer. We’ll conserve more body heat that way,” said Chakotay.

Kathryn wasn’t going to argue. She nestled eagerly into Chakotay’s chest and sighed as his strong arms encircled her, suppressing her shivers and initiating a flood of warmth in her chest and a wild fluttering of her heart. She felt his hands begin to work slowly up and down her arms, painting broad strokes of heat along her forearms all the way down to her wrists and fingers.

Eventually Chakotay shifted so he could prepare the rations. Kathryn frowned. She would much rather have stayed in Chakotay’s arms, but they had to eat. The temperature dropped even further as they finished their meal, and soon Kathryn was shivering again. Without a word Chakotay draped the thermal blanket around them and pulled her in close once again and began to rub soothing patterns on her thigh with his palm. “How’s the homing signal?”

Kathryn swallowed thickly as his breath tickled her ear, acutely aware of the repetitive motion of his hand sliding along the fabric of her uniform. “It’s transmitting.”

“What do you want to bet Voyager doesn’t rescue us til morning.”

Kathryn turned to Chakotay with a playful grin. “A day’s worth of replicator rations. And I’ll bet you that they come in the next five hours.”

Chakotay raised his eyebrows but grinned and shook her hand solemnly. “You’re on.

Kathryn continued to sit, content, huddled in Chakotay’s arms. Both were too alert to sleep, so they talked and watched the stars together until at last, Tom, B’Elanna and the Doctor arrived to rescue them… four hours and twenty minutes later.

Kathryn folded her arms across her chest, arched a brow and grinned triumphantly. “I win,” she declared.

Chapter Text

“Happy birthday.”

Kathryn glanced up, startled, to find Chakotay standing in front of her desk in the Ready Room holding three fragrant red roses in one hand and a soft smile playing about his lips.

“Awww.” She accepted the flowers. “You shouldn’t have.”

“I wanted to. Besides, what kind of First Officer would I be if I neglected my captain’s birthday?” He helped her put the flowers into a replicated vase. “I’m also here to tell you that Neelix has set up a little party in the mess hall. He’ll be expecting us to attend in a few minutes.”

“Well… that’s certainly better than last year’s serenade on the bridge.” Kathryn shuddered.

Chakotay chuckled. “That was uncomfortable for all of us. I made sure it wouldn’t happen again.” He stepped a little closer to the desk somewhat shyly, and Kathryn wondered what else he had up his sleeve. “I’ve got one more thing for you.” Chakotay handed her a piece of professional-looking artist’s paper. On it was a depiction of Voyager making a flyby over a ringed planet painted in sepia tones.

Kathryn gasped and covered her mouth with her fingers, overcome with surprise and delight. “You made this for me?”

“Yes. I used coffee to paint it. You inspired my choice of medium.”

“Really?”

“Uh huh. Don’t worry. I used that awful new stuff Neelix brought back from Telsus Seven. It’s so much better as paint than a beverage. The less of that stuff we have to drink, the better.”

Kathryn snorted a laugh of agreement. “I’ve never had anyone make me art as a gift before. I appreciate this more than you know.”

Chakotay blushed and shuffled his feet in modest acceptance of her compliment. “I’m glad you like it. To tell you the truth, I don’t really think of myself as an artist.”

“Are you kidding? Of the two of us, I’m far more hopeless. But I assure you, this is amazing. And even if it were just a scribble I’d still appreciate it, because you were thoughtful enough to make it for me.”

She patted Chakotay’s shoulder and met his eyes. She saw happiness reflected within his gaze and her stomach swooped with a corresponding leap of pleasure. He moved subtly closer until their faces were nearly touching, and Kathryn could feel the gentle puffs of his breath caressing her cheeks. His lips had parted slightly, enticing her to make a thorough exploration of his mouth.

Chakotay seemed to sense her studying him and licked his lips. “It’s almost party time,” he reminded her softly. “Neelix will come looking for us if we’re late.”

Kathryn swallowed and took a step to the side to put some distance between them lest she exhibit conduct unbecoming a Starfleet captain. “Then I guess we’d better report to the mess hall.”

Chakotay offered her his arm and they left the Ready Room linked together in more ways than one.

Chapter Text

“What did you want, Chakotay? I’m very busy arranging things for our meeting with the Wal’tenna.”

Kathryn looked frazzled, bouncing from one task to the next, seeking to make sure their second contact with the new alien species went as well as their first, while trying to run a starship at the same time.

“You have to learn the Dance of Welcome.”

Kathryn closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then let it out slowly, pushing away the hair that had escaped her clip, her shoulders sagging under the strain of yet another task that demanded her attention. “Remind me what this dance is for?”

“Well, the Wal’tenna require that you and their First Minister perform a ritual dance during their Welcome Ceremony. We’ve got to go through this before they recognize us as a potential ally. I knew you were busy, so I took the liberty of studying the dance so you could practice with me. And…” Chakotay gave a little shrug. “I wouldn’t mind an excuse not to have to listen to Neelix talk about all the times his oven malfunctioned before an important event.”

Kathryn scrubbed a hand over her face and heaved a sigh, but as their eyes connected, her lips curved upward in a smile. “Alright. Give me ten minutes, then meet me on Holodeck 2.”

Kathryn showed up right on time. She found the holodeck arranged to look like a stone patio and a beautiful garden with arbors full of flowers. Petals drifted down from a night sky alight with a multitude of stars.

“I know this isn’t what the Wal’tenna homeworld looks like,” Chakotay said, “but I find that beautiful scenery helps me loosen up.” He placed one hand on her shoulder and the other around her waist. Kathryn did likewise. “Now, we’re supposed to take a step to our left… like this.” Chakotay guided her. “And then we twirl and face each other, and we put our hands together, like this.” He grasped her fingers gently and placed her palms flat against his.

For the next three hours Chakotay guided Kathryn in the Wal’tenna Dance of Welcome, spinning her and moving with fluid motions from one sequence of steps to the next, until she knew the dance by heart and could anticipate every placement of Chakotay’s hands on her shoulders, hips, palms, back and chest.

At last, it came time to perform the dance for real. The First Minister of the Wal’tenna bowed solemnly to Kathryn, who reciprocated. She assumed the first pose, just as Chakotay had instructed. She found the Wal’tenna planet rather barren and dreary, but as she pictured the holodeck scenery in her mind, she felt her body loosen up. She closed her eyes, and began the dance, imagining that she was dancing with Chakotay, that the Minister’s hands were Chakotay’s, and that they were dancing alone together under a blanket of stars with flower petals raining down from the sky.

Chapter Text

“Come.”

Kathryn’s strong voice rang out from inside the ready room. Standing outside the door with hands clasped behind his back around a hidden object, Chakotay activated the door mechanism, squared his shoulders and walked as casually as he could into the ready room.

The hammering of his heart when he saw her nearly betrayed his calm. He hadn’t seen her for five days while the crew enjoyed some much-needed R-and-R on shore leave. But of course, Voyager’s captain had not come with them, citing the need to catch up on some work. She smiled warmly when his eyes met hers, and rose from her desk to cross the room. Her arms enveloped him in a warm hug, and he leaned into her touch, inhaling the flowery scent of her hair while her fingers grazed the back of his neck with a feather-light touch that sent a thrill of pleasure down his spine. When she pulled away from the embrace, her hand moved to pat his arm before she let it fall to her side.

“Welcome back, Chakotay. Did you have a good time?”

Chakotay gave a casual shrug, resisting the urge to reach for her hand. “Would have been better if you’d come with us.”

Kathryn took a seat on the couch and tucked one leg beneath her in a very un-captain-like posture. “Oh? Tell me about it.”

“You’d have loved it. Beautiful weather, beautiful scenery, delicious food to rival the cuisine on Risa… there wasn’t much not to like.”

She quirked one eyebrow upward in a fair impression of Tuvok. “You’re not exaggerating to make me jealous, are you?”

“I’d never do that to you,” he chuckled. “Besides, all of that was nice, but the best part was a body of water that reminded me of Lake George. We could have gone sailing.”

Kathryn’s face fell in genuine regret. “Sounds lovely. I’m sorry I couldn’t join you, but there was too much for me to catch up on and repairs to oversee.”

Chakotay took a seat beside her on the couch, brushing against her leg as he sat, noticing the way she responded to the accidental touch. “You better not have worked too hard while I was gone.”

Kathryn shrugged one shoulder. “I may have burned the midnight oil a couple of times.”

“Well in that case…” Chakotay revealed the item he had been concealing. “You’ll probably appreciate this.”

Kathryn’s eyebrows rose momentarily as she accepted the container. She lifted the lid to release the fragrant aroma of—

“Coffee,” she exclaimed with excitement, her face lighting up in a grin, a sight that Chakotay drank up like a parched man dying of thirst.

It was, in fact, the finest, most expensive blend of Ardanian coffee he could find, sold from a street vendor who specialized in exotic coffees. The moment he’d tasted a sample he’d known that his captain would love it.

Kathryn patted him on the chest, her hand lingering as if she was reluctant to break contact. “You know me too well, Chakotay.”

He didn’t contradict her. It was his duty and great pleasure to know everything there was to know about her.

Kathryn leapt with enthusiasm from the couch and made her way back to the desk. Her head ducked below as she rummaged around for something, then bobbed back up. Gripped in her hands was an antique coffee maker, retro-fitted to operate on 24th century power. “Would you like to have a cup with me?” she invited.

Chakotay rose and joined her, swelling with happiness that he’d brought her a gift she enjoyed, but more so because he could spend this moment alone with her. “I’d love to,” he responded, and together they brewed two cups and enjoyed the scent of coffee that permeated the Ready Room.

Chapter Text

Three days.

Three days Chakotay had spent in this alien prison due to a cultural misunderstanding. He knew Kathryn was trying to negotiate his release, but he had a bad feeling about her chances. His head ached. Hunger and thirst battered at his senses, demanding attention he did not want to give them. Chakotay pressed the heel of his palms into his eyes, then pressed them over his ears to block out the cries of the other prisoners.

Suddenly he heard a voice, one he would recognize anywhere, a voice that filled him with hope and heralded the end of his torment. He stood shakily, licking dry, chapped lips and craned his neck toward the sound of his salvation.

And then he saw her. She came barreling around the corner leaving downed prison guards in her wake. Behind her was Tuvok, firing on any guards Kathryn had missed, but Chakotay only had eyes for his captain, her bare arms covered in grime, her tank top stained unevenly with sweat, hair askew, expertly wielding a phaser rifle and dodging any shots fired upon her.

Damn, she was beautiful.

Her eyes blazed with anger, her movements were those of a practiced fighter: swift and graceful and very effective. Her biceps stood out as she fired again, fully capturing Chakotay’s attention.

Kathryn’s path to Chakotay was now clear. She drew up to the cell door, her expression softening as soon as their eyes connected and she looked him up and down. “Chakotay are you hurt? Can you walk?” Her voice thrummed with tension and concern.

“Just a bump on the head,” he downplayed, fingering the dried blood caked on the side of his face. “I can walk.”

Tuvok changed the setting of his phaser and began firing a sustained blast at the door’s locking mechanism, heating it into useless slag. Movement caught Chakotay’s eye: a guard, creeping stealthily behind them.

“Kathryn!”

Like lightning she spun in response to Chakotay’s warning and aimed with deadly accuracy before the guard could harm them. Meanwhile, Tuvok had gotten the door open. “This way, Commander,” the Vulcan instructed.

Kathryn supported Chakotay’s unsteady steps with sturdy arms back the way they had come while Tuvok covered their retreat. I’ve got you, you’re safe, her touch proclaimed, and I’m not going to let you go.

Later, when Chakotay was finally released to his quarters from sickbay, he found Kathryn standing outside the door. The image of her hurtling to his rescue on the planet in a sweaty tank top wielding a large gun came vividly to mind, and in that moment, he decided he very much liked her out of uniform.

“How are you feeling?” she inquired.

He moved aside to allow her entry. “Much better, thanks.” He noticed she was carrying something. “What have you brought me?”

Kathryn uncovered a plate of food. “I thought a little dessert might lift your spirits.”

Chakotay found himself looking at a rather generous slice of chocolate mousse cake. Chocolate. His favorite. “That’s very thoughtful. The Doctor isn’t going to like this.”

Kathryn smirked. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

Chakotay grinned back and cleared a place for them to sit. “Is this all for me?”

“Mm hm,” she confirmed. “After three days of being interrogated and injured and given barely edible slop, I think you’ve earned a treat.”

“Share it with me.”

“Chakotay—”

“I insist.” He divided up the mousse cake. “After rescuing me you deserve a treat as well.”

She chuckled at that, and sat down across from him and took the proffered dessert. “I guess when you put it that way, how can I refuse?”

Chapter Text

“When this mutation crisis is over, I think I'll spend a few days in renaissance Tuscany. There's a little inn outside Siena I've been wanting to try.”

A warm breeze swept across the countryside and the cobblestone roads of renaissance Tuscany. The little inn outside of Siena was nestled in a gently-sloping valley with mountains in the distance. Kathryn had spotted it during her first visit to this program, and as she drew closer to the quaint little holographic building, she admired its architecture and the sculptured artwork surrounding it.

“This is a slightly different venue for our weekly dinner,” remarked Chakotay, walking beside her. A bell tinkled somewhere when he pushed the door open and held it for Kathryn to enter first like a perfect gentleman.

“I thought you might like a change of scenery. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I like to forget about the 24th century and alien devices drilling into my skull for a while.”

“That’s fair,” Chakotay agreed.

Glancing around the inn, Kathryn found herself in a foyer with two cozy rooms off to either side and a set of stairs leading up to the rooms above. Soft music from some stringed instrument played in the background, and the scent of woodsmoke and something faintly flowery completed the relaxing atmosphere.

“How many rooms?” asked the innkeeper from behind his big wooden desk near the entryway.

“Two, please,” answered Kathryn, unaware of the way Chakotay was looking at her and ignoring the tiny little voice that would have loved to say, ‘one’.

They followed the innkeeper up a narrow set of wooden stairs toward a series of small, rustic rooms. Setting down her things, Kathryn glanced around at the lacy floral décor. She could easily envision she and Chakotay sharing this space: admiring the view from the window, sitting with her at the desk, laying next to her on the bed, curling up under the covers—

Kathryn cut off her line of thought before it could go any further. She met Chakotay in the hallway, and together they descended the narrow stairway to have some dinner. The innkeeper ushered them into the cozy dining room, where a fire was burning in the hearth. Hand-made wooden tables and chairs were set up with candles for centerpieces, and Kathryn could see a smattering of holographic guests eating and drinking and talking. The innkeeper led them to a small table by the fire set with a simple white tablecloth. Kathryn’s heart flooded with warmth when Chakotay pulled the chair out for her to sit, then pushed her up to the table.

“Computer, remove patrons,” he said as soon as they were seated, and the people disappeared, leaving the two of them alone. A waiter came to take their order. “We’ll have a bottle of your finest red,” Chakotay requested.

“It’s nice to see everyone returning to their normal selves,” Kathryn remarked while the waiter returned with the wine and some water. They ordered their food and Chakotay poured the wine.

“I’m glad too. Not feeling the urge to send Voyager through any more binary pulsars, are you?” he teased.

Kathryn gave a short bark of laughter and sipped her wine. “No. And you’re looking much better.”

“Surprising how much you improve when your aging genes aren’t being hyperstimulated.”

“Chakotay…” she leaned forward, clasping her hands together to search his eyes. “You really are okay, right?”

“I feel fine,” he assured her. “The Doctor gave me a clean bill of health.”

“You do suppose they’re gone… that none of those aliens are still hiding on Voyager?”

“Seven and the Doctor swept every deck. They’re gone.”

Kathryn felt more relaxed hearing Chakotay say it. Their meal arrived and they moved onto other topics of conversation. As their laughter and discussion filled the snug little room, Kathryn gave an inward sigh of contentment, wishing the night would never end.

When at last they had finished, stuffed to the brim with delicious food and wine, Chakotay offered her his arm. They left the dining room and ascended the narrow stairs with arms intwined.

“Well… goodnight.” Kathryn smiled, lingering awkwardly outside her room. She fiddled with the key in her pocket while Chakotay leaned casually against the doorframe.

“Goodnight.”

Neither of them moved, unless it was closer together, their faces slowly bridging the space between them. Chakotay’s nose brushed against hers, and that was all it took for their mouths to connect. The kiss was tender and tentative, an exploration of one another, a prelude to something much larger and deeper, and from that moment on, both were irrevocably changed.

They parted slowly, and Kathryn retreated into her room and closed the door. Though neither ever spoke of what had happened, it remained a permanent bond between them and neither ever forgot the transformative moment.

Chapter Text

//That old black magic has me in its spell. That old black magic that you weave so well.//

Mademoiselle de Neuf’s beautiful voice rang out over the bustling establishment of Le Coeur de Lion, with its patrons and its staff, all busy pouring drinks, delivering food, lighting cigarettes and taking orders. Katrine glided smoothly from table to table ensuring that everybody was satisfied. The bell at the door jangled to signal the entry of another customer, but Katrine was busy talking with Monsignor Toulouse; the newcomer would have to wait a moment. Katrine finished her conversation, winked and smiled, looked up and—

And then she saw him. A man with dark hair and eyes and a spiraling tattoo above one eye wearing light colored clothes and watching the hustle and bustle of activity. He stepped into the building as if he were taking command of it.

// Those icy fingers up and down my spine… //

An icy thrill of destiny shot up her spine. There was something about him, something alluring and mysterious, like the call of a faraway place visited once long ago that you only half-remembered but which left such an strong impression that you longed for another taste of it. Mademoiselle de Neuf continued to sing, but Katrine was not listening.

//The same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine. //

The man looked straight into her eyes from across the room, and Katrine felt the full force of that gaze. The world around her seemed to dissolve as if only the two of them existed. Then the moment was broken when one of her staff came by, blocking her view.

The man claimed a table and Katrine approached, her mouth suddenly dry in uncharacteristic nervousness. “Welcome to Le Coeur de Lion,” she introduced. “I’m Katrine.”

“Charles Miller.” He held out a hand. She shook it, tentative and formal, the touch lasting just a few seconds too long on account of their mutual hesitation to let go.

“This your establishment?”

“It is.”

//The same old tingle that I feel inside. And then that elevator starts its ride…//

“I’ve not seen you here before. This your first time in Sainte Claire?”

“I’m here on business,” Miller confirmed. “You’ve got a beautiful town.”

“I am rather partial to it.” Her eyes swept the length of Miller’s body and came back to his face. “Would you care for a drink?”

“No thank you. I…” Miller broke eye contact to gaze beyond her. Katrine turned to find a number of couples gliding across the dance floor to Mademoiselle de Neuf’s music. “Would you care to dance?” he ventured.

Katrine offered him a crooked smile, and her hand. Miller stood and like a perfect gentleman ushered her toward the dance floor with his arm curled lightly around her back. It felt perfectly natural, thought Katrine. She couldn’t explain it, but she felt like she’d known this man for years, possibly her entire life.

Miller placed one hand on her shoulder and wrapped the other around her waist and they began to sway slowly to the song. They stepped in perfect sync with the music and with one another as if they were meant to fit together like two jigsaw puzzle pieces.

//And down and down I go. 'Round and 'round I go. Like a leaf that's caught in the tide…//

He twirled her around expertly and dipped her with his arm supporting her back. When she came up, laughing, she found herself gazing directly into Miller’s eyes. They sparkled with amusement and latent desire.

//I should stay away but what can I do. I hear your name and I'm aflame…//

Charles Miller’s heart was aflame. He was dancing with a beautiful woman, being swept up in the tide of love at first sight. She swayed with him, her lips hovering around his own as he leaned closer, and they began to share the same breath.

//Aflame with such a burning desire, that only your kiss can put out the fire.//

Their lips made contact like an explosion of artillery shells. The world fell away, as did the knowledge that he couldn’t stay, that come morning, he had to go. Yet for this single instant in time, none of that mattered.

The kiss took Katrine by surprise, and she leaned into it wholly. She didn’t care about the other patrons, nor the wait staff carrying on without her help, nor the movement of the other couples on the dance floor.

They parted slowly; Katrine had to attend to business again. It was closing time, and as the people spilled out into the street, their hands finally separated, though their eyes remained locked together. Miller offered her a little salute, then walked out into the night.

She never saw him again.

Months later, war broke out. Katrine put into place the plans she’d made and formally set up a resistance, her little cell doing everything it could to thwart the Germans. She thought often of Charles Miller and the kiss they’d shared, and when rumors of the Americans being near whispered across secret channels she couldn’t help thinking of his hands on her waist, gently guiding her in a whirling dance.

Then one day, the Americans arrived and blew up Nazi Headquarters. As Katrine and her people ran from the exploding building, she stumbled. A pair of strong hands helped her up.

She continued running. Once they were safe, Katrine turned to thank her helper, and froze. “Charles?”

//'Cause you are the lover I have waited for, the mate that fate had me created for…//

“You two know each other?” said Miller’s companion.

“Let’s just say that you’re not the only one who spent time in Sainte Claire before the war,” said Miller.

“And you are?” asked Mademoiselle de Neuf of the soldiers.

Miller recovered from his shock. “Captain Miller, Fifth Armored Infantry. This is Lieutenant Davis.” He turned to Katrine and offered her a smile, and that smile was like an embrace between lovers. “So you’re the leader of the local resistance.”

He wasn’t surprised, and she loved him all the more for it. “That’s right. We’re glad you’ve come, but we have to hurry. Your attack exposed a secret Nazi compound. We think it’s an advanced munitions lab.”

“That’s a good bet. Come on, let’s check it out.” Miller called for the rest of his company over the radio and started back toward the ruined building and the strange flickering that surrounded it. Katrine followed with Mademoiselle de Neuf.

//And every time your lips meet mine, darling, down and down I go, 'round and 'round I go-//

The neural interface cut out suddenly with a zap of electricity. “Ouch… Seven?”

“Captain.”

Kathryn shook of the cobwebs in her memory to try and figure out what had happened. “Looks like the Hirogen have been busy.” They were on the holodeck, walking behind a couple of soldiers dressed in 1940’s American military garb. One of them turned. “Katrine, are you coming?”

Kathryn found herself face to face with Chakotay. He was looking at her intently, as if the moment he looked away, she would disappear. Kathryn didn’t know it, but her expression mirrored his.

//In a spin, lovin’ the spin that I'm in, under that old black magic called love.//

The inkling of a memory tickled her synapses, like something had transpired between them that was outside the normal confines of time and space. Then she smiled and said, “I’m right behind you.”

Chapter Text

“Alright, listen up. Here’s what we’re going to do.”

Kathryn stood on the bridge in front of the viewscreen and addressed the crew, outlining the plan she had come up with to outsmart the Uash, who, from what they could tell, had illegally claimed this region of space and were preventing Voyager from passing through on their journey home.

As she spoke, Chakotay’s eyes strayed to her lips, watching them move as she outlined their plans. His thoughts began to stray as well, imagining how soft they might feel against his own. Reality fell away and fantasy took hold.

He steps toward her as she speaks, those alluring lips inviting him to make first contact. She sees him approach and cuts off midsentence, allowing him to grasp her shoulders and run his hands down her arms, down, down along her slender hips and waist, coming to rest on her lower back. The bridge falls away and they are alone together in his quarters lit only by flickering candlelight.

She caresses his face, inviting him to come closer. His breathing accelerates and his fingers trace her parted lips before his mouth claims hers in an exploratory kiss. He trails nibbling kisses down her face and neck, and before he knows it, she’s grabbing at the fabric of his jacket, tugging it off his shoulders. It falls to the floor as they kiss again, more frantic and passionate this time, his fingers threading through her beautiful auburn hair. Her jacket joins his, and their shirts and pants follow.

She purrs with need low in the back of her throat. Naked, their lips still entwined, he bears her down onto the bed—

“Chakotay?”

Chakotay’s head snapped up. The sound of Kathryn’s voice jarred him abruptly back into the present and the fantasy evaporated in a flare of warp plasma. “W-what?” he asked rather lamely, wetting his lips with the tip of his tongue.

Kathryn’s eyes flickered toward his mouth and her brows inched upward in a suspicious expression. One hand strayed to her hip. Why did he sometimes have the impression that she knew exactly what he was thinking? “I said, are you ready?”

Chakotay let his breath out and squared his shoulders, and the last of his daydream vanished. “Let’s do it.”

Chapter Text

“Look, this is all just a big misunderstanding.”

As Harry stood with Tom in a crowded alien street, weaponless and surrounded by guards with obnoxiously large guns, his first thought was, why me? His second thought, at least I’m not in trouble alone, offered him a small amount of comfort.

“What’s going on here, gentlemen?”

Captain Janeway had arrived, along with Commander Chakotay. Her demeanor was a mild yellow alert, yet she was fiddling with her comm badge and her hand hovered over her phaser. Harry listened to Tom explain how the shopkeeper believed they were trying to steal his wares.

“This sounds to me like a misunderstanding,” said Commander Chakotay, echoing Harry’s words. Harry noticed that he had moved into a subtle position to shield Captain Janeway if things got ugly. Not that she needed protection; the captain could handle herself, but Chakotay was pretty protective of her.

“No misunderstanding,” argued the vendor. “They were stealing. They must be taken into custody and have their fingers removed immediately!” The menacing alien guards shuffled and raised their weapons higher.

Now the captain transitioned into red alert as it seemed diplomacy was about to fail. “I’m afraid I can’t allow that. None of your merchandise is missing, by your own admission.” She addressed the guards. “There was no harm done. Now, please lower your weapons and we’ll be on our way.”

The guards didn’t listen. They moved in on Harry and Tom, and fired a couple of warning shots at the captain and the commander.

It was a big mistake. Janeway drew her phaser in a flash and launched into action. She lunged and stunned three of the guards before they had time to react. The rest of the guards fired back, in earnest this time, with weapons that would kill. The commander darted out of danger and said something to the captain, who moved into a different position and laid down a continuous stream of phaser fire.

“Paris to Voyager, four to beam up!” requested Tom, but he received no response. It seemed that the alien energy weapons were interfering with the comm system.

Harry’s attention snapped back toward Captain Janeway and the commander. The two of them moved in unison as if performing some kind of intricate dance, each covering the other and successfully stunning the guards, while they failed to harm the command team at all. Janeway and Chakotay seemed to be on exactly the same wavelength, as if they could read each other’s minds and anticipate how the other was going to move.

Commander Chakotay nodded his head. The Captain nodded back, as if they had their own secret language, and with that wordless communication they took down the rest of the guards in a complicated maneuver that left Harry very impressed. He glanced at Tom, who looked equally impressed. As they beamed back to Voyager, Harry found himself wishing he could share that kind of bond with someone.

Hours later, Kathryn sat in her quarters sipping champagne with Chakotay and reflecting on the trouble they’d had with the P’tar’tamanga that day. Fortunately no harm had come to anyone – Tom and Harry still had all their fingers, and the alien guards might wake up with a headache, but they’d live to see another day. All in all, not a bad day, considering.

“Something amusing you?” asked Chakotay, refilling his glass.

She snorted. “I was just thinking that Tom and Harry seem to attract trouble, whether or not they go looking for it. At least they have a captain and a commander who are able to get them out of it.”

Chakotay nodded thoughtfully. “That’s certainly true. We make a pretty good team.”

“That’s exactly what we are, Chakotay: a team. I hope you know that I will always be better and stronger with you at my side.”

Chakotay met her eyes with a look of sincerity and lifted his glass toward her in a toast. “Likewise.”