She was always the captain. Even here on the holodeck. Perhaps even moreso here since this was all her creation; the sailboat, the water, the stars, all of it her own design. This was not the first time she'd taken Chakotay sailing. He was not as experienced as her, but was more than competent. That didn't stop her from giving a few orders, though. Didn't stop him from teasing her about it, either.
They were drifting. That's one of the nice things about sailing on the holodeck, no need to drop anchor. But either would have gladly traded the holodeck safeties for fresh air.
They were lying side by side on their backs, looking at earth's sky. Chakotay had just mentioned that he could never grow tired of these stars. They were as comfortable and familiar as an old quilt. She responded by saying that she spend many a childhood night lying in a cornfield, wishing she were among the stars. That cornfield looked pretty good right now.
Chakotay turned to her and propped himself on his right elbow. "Your glass is empty."
She turned towards him and raised herself to her elbow. "Yours too. You want some more?"
"No." He was glad that she had programmed a full moon. The light played on the black water and illuminated her face. They were close, close enough for him to notice a faint line of blue, just around the right side of her mouth. He reached out and lightly traced it with his finger. "You have a bruise. I must have done that when I was giving you CPR." He continued his gentle caress. "Does it hurt?"
"No."
His stroked his fingers back and forth, then his caress extended from the small bruise and his finger ran over her lips, tracing first the top, then the bottom. She shivered. He leaned over and brought his lips to the bruise, barely touching her skin before pulling back. She smiled.
"Doc says you cracked a couple of my ribs, too." She brought her hand to her torso to show him.
"Here?" He moved his hand resting it on her side.
She nodded.
Leaving his hand on her side he began to stroke the ribs gently, his thumb grazing the underside of her breast. "I'm sorry I hurt you."
"Don't be. You saved my life."
"Mine too," he whispered. His hand was becoming bolder, firmer on her side. His thumb creeping up the swell. She trembled.
"Chakotay," she managed finally. He froze, but did not pull away. His thumb still rested on the soft curve of her flesh. He would not push her. He knew this was true. Any lingering doubts were crushed when he held her lifeless body in her arms. When he tried to force the breath of his own life into her. But he would wait. His life was hers. It should have been the other way around since he saved her life. But it wasn't. In saving her he had given himself to her completely.
He expected a rebuff. He doubted she was ready, but wanted her to know that he was. He could see her hesitancy. He could have made it easier for her, pulled away, but he wanted her to think about it. To consider it for at least a few minutes. He watched her; her eyes closed, breathing deeply, she gave a sigh and smiled. She opened her eyes and traced her finger across his forehead.
"Chakotay," she repeated. "Did you lock the door?"
"Yes."
"Good." She cradled his cheek in her palm and drew him to her.
He paused just before kissing her to savor the smile in her eyes, then sliding his hand behind her head he pulled her to him. Tiny kisses at first, again on the bruise and on her cheek and forehead and nose, returning again and again to her lips. She tightened her grip around his waist and rolled so that he lay on top of her. They deepened the kiss and could taste the champagne on one other. So much sweeter that way. He pulled back after a while and rolled to his side looking down at her while she remained on her back.
"You really are beautiful."
"No. Not really."
"Yes you are. You have no idea."
"That's an odd thing to say, don't you think? Calling a man beautiful?"
"You *are* beautiful, Chakotay. No other word would do."
"You're embarrassing me," he smiled. "Besides, I'm supposed to be the one telling you that." He leaned over and kissed her. "*You* are beautiful."
"I feel that way when I'm with you."
He moved his hand from where it was resting still on her side and began a tentative exploration of her body. Her hair first. She'd worn it down which allowed him to brush loose strands back from her face. Then he traced her cheek, the line of her jaw and her neck. This distracted him and he had to kiss her there. He ran his hand down her arm and when he got to her hand she held his and squeezed it. He moved it to her hip, mostly on her hip. He stroked the back of his fingers quickly over her flank, but wasn't ready for that yet. Up her torso he paused just before reaching her breast. His hand rested on her rib cage and was heavy there when he kissed her again.
"Kathryn," he wasn't certain what to say. He needed reassurance. She covered her hand with his and brought it to cup her breast. He left his hand there while they kissed. It was not the most comfortable position for him, but he could not have moved that hand for anything. When he pulled back this time he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her on top of him. She could feel him pressing against her thigh. He held her close, running his hand up and down her back.
"Not here, Kathryn." He was saying it to himself as much as he was to her.
"Yes. You're right. Not here."
"Do you want to end the program?"
"No" She turned in his arms, her head on his shoulder. They both watched the sky. "I want to lie here with you for a while longer. We have plenty of time don't we?"
"The rest of our lives."
"That's a pretty long time." She crossed her fingers in perfect imitation of him. "At least I hope so."
He laughed and kissed her temple. "Not long enough. Not nearly long enough."
-finis