Rated NC17
 

Chakotay watched as Kathryn wandered the perimeter of 'their' property.  It was a beautiful, clear, night with a gentle warm breeze, stars that shone brightly and a moon was huge and silvery, almost as bright as the daytime sun.  Nights like these he wondered what she was thinking.  He hadn't expected her to adjust to their circumstances as quickly as she had.  From the Captain he expected more of a fight, but Kathryn had settled quickly into the gentle quiet life of their new home.

They had been here on the planet they had dubbed New Earth for only three weeks and although Kathryn continued her research, she was not the driven woman he was accustomed to dealing with on Voyager.  Most of the time she was upbeat, she kept herself busy with her planting and research, but was quick to take him up on the offer of a hike or a picnic.  Chakotay knew she cried; he had heard her those first few nights, but she confined her down time to when she was alone and he had been unwilling to intrude. He understood the need to let go of the past, to release the memories of people and places they would never see again and he sought to do most of this alone also.

In the short time they had been here, Kathryn had come to think of this little patch of land as home; she had grown to love it.  She still had her research, it was her tiny hold on the exciting world of scientific discovery and she had her garden.  Chakotay had helped her break the ground for it, but after that it was hers.  As she wandered the edge of the woods, she laughed to herself.  Who, she wondered, would ever believe that Captain Janeway would be satisfied with such a quiet life?  Who, of her friends and especially her family would recognize her with her hands in the dirt?  She surprised herself with the amount of satisfaction she derived from that little patch of dirt.

It had been hard, those first weeks, to let go of her other life.  Giving up her ship and her crew had been painful, but knowing she would never see her family again was worse. Then there was Mark.  It hurt to think of him, but she wasn't sure it was because she had lost her love, it felt more like losing a dear friend.  It seemed Mark had always been her friend as long as she could remembered, she loved him and she would miss him, but she hadn't been in love with him for a long time; maybe she never was.

Kathryn wandered back toward the shelter, taking her time and enjoying the feel of the soft grass as it tickled between her bare toes, the warm breeze and the peaceful night air.  Chakotay was sitting out side the door, his back supported against the wall; Kathryn joined him.

"Hi." She slid down next to him accepting a drink from his container of water.

"I heated your bath water, but you seemed to be enjoying yourself out there, so I didn't want to disturb you."  He took back the container.

"Thank you.  You are too good to me."

"Can I ask what you were thinking about out there?"

"A little of everything. The things we left behind, the things we have.  Just general stuff." She dug her toes into the cool sand of the pathway.

"I miss it all, the ship, our crew, the hope of reaching home."  He leaned over, his fingers drawing designs in the dirt next to her foot.

"Me, too."  She watched the delicate patterns he made in the sand.

"Do you think you can be happy here?"

"Oh, I already am."  She watched him out of the corner of her eye.  "Aren't you?"

"Mostly, but I didn't expect..." He hesitated unsure of whether he should finish.

"What?"  After a minute, she looked up at him and smiled.

"I didn't expect you to acclimate so quickly."

"You expected me to go down fighting?"  She laughed.  "I'm still fighting, but there are other things in life.  Space is a wonderful adventure and I loved my life as a Starship captain, but there is more to me than that."

"I know you're more than just the captain.  I didn't mean that.  I just, well, I guess I got to see a whole different side of you-- not a bad side mind you-- just different."

"A side I should have let you see more of on Voyager.  The Captain lost track of Kathryn for a little while, but she's back now."

"And they balance each other out?"

"Usually.  The last two years have been hard, and this is quite an adjustment, but it could be a lot worse you know."

"I know.  This is a beautiful planet.  We are very lucky to be here instead of some awful desert or ice planet."

"Yes, and just suppose how awful it would be if I had been stuck here with ..." She smiled and shrugged. "someone who wasn't you."

He smiled a slightly confused smile but didn't answer.

"Well, do you suppose that water is still hot?  I would really love that bath."

"Err yeah.  I left the warmer on." He chuckled.  "I figured you would get around to it."

Chakotay could hear Kathryn moving around inside; he knew her routine by now.  She first went into her room, in his mind he pictured her striping off her clothes, dropping each item in the basket she used to collect her soiled clothing.  He wondered if she would observe herself in the full-length mirror before slipping on her bathrobe.  He didn’t imagine Kathryn to be too critical of her body but she clearly didn’t understand how beautiful she was or at least how beautiful she was to him.  Once in her robe she would sit and pin up her hair, then gather her bath items and slip out the side door that led to the bathtub.  It was a large wooded bathtub, large enough, by far, for two and deep.  When he made it for her, Chakotay had had no idea just how much she cherished a good long soak; he quickly learned.  He imagined her arranging her soap and wash cloth on the small rim and hanging her towel on the tree limb nearby.  She always dropped her bathrobe at the foot of the small steps he had built on the side to help her into the deep tub.

Chakotay had observed her before relaxing in her tub, not voyeuristically but the tub was visible from the kitchen when the side door was open.  The white of her shoulders rising above the surface of the darkened water was a most inviting sight.  On a night like tonight, she would be illuminated by the silver moonshine making the contrast all the more striking.  Feeling himself stirring in reaction to his thoughts, Chakotay decided to occupy himself with something a little more constructive.  Returning to the shelter, he turned on the terminal and brought up his plans.  He wanted to explore the river and Kathryn had suggested he that design and build a boat.  After all she had said, the bathtub holds water in, so she was certain he could build a structure sturdy enough to keep water out.  He chuckled to himself remembering her exuberance.

Chakotay was distracted several times from his thoughts by the gentle splashing sounds Kathryn was making. Concentration is difficult when the woman you long for is playing naked in the water only a few meters away.  The warm scent of jasmine drifted in the door; Kathryn had obviously scented the bath water.   Chakotay’s concentration was totally lost.  Instead of being on the boat his mind wandered to their earlier conversation.  Kathryn enjoyed their life here and if he wasn’t mistaken she has said it was due, at least in part, to being here with him.

Chakotay got up and wandered closer to the door.  He had been right about the moonlight.  From here he could see her arms as she raised them to pour silver water on pale white shoulders.  Bathed in the platinum light she was almost glowing against the dark background of the water.  Chakotay adjusted his tightening trousers and started to back away.

“Chakotay, I know you’re there.  Why don’t you come out and talk to me?”  Her voice was soft and quiet but it startled him just the same.

“I’m sorry.  I wasn’t spying on you.  I..” He remained just inside the door.

“It’s all right.  I heard you walk over.”  She was facing him now, her arms across the top of the tub her chin resting on her hands.  “Something on your mind?”

“Actually, yes.”

“Want to talk about it?”  He nodded and she extended one hand to him.  “Come talk to me.”

“I was thinking about our conversation earlier.”  He leaned against the tub.

“Oh?  And not about the fact that I am out here naked?”  Her mouth turned up into that crooked smile that always made his knees weak.

“Well, honestly?  That too.”  He laughed.  “In fact, that a whole lot.”

She splashed him and moved away from the side, knowing he couldn’t see below the water line with the moonlight shining on the surface.

“So? What else was on your mind?”

“Earlier when you said it would be awful to be here with someone who wasn’t me, what did you mean?”

“Chakotay, if I have to be stranded on a primitive planet in the middle of a strange quadrant.”  She grew more serious and moved closer to the side.  “If I have only one person to be with always, there is no one I would rather be with then you.”

“And if you didn’t have to choose only one?”  His fingers traced her jawline, tilting her head slightly.

“I would still choose you.”

Kathryn’s eyes left his and focused on the soft succulent full mouth as it slowly descended to hers.  One wet hand came up to touch his cheek, sliding damp fingers into his hair.  Kathryn licked her lips, standing on her toes as she slowly stretched up to meet him.  His lips brushed lightly against hers; she pulled him closer parting her lips in invitation.  Chakotay accepted her invitation, his tongue snaked past her parted lips to taste her, his heart pounding wildly. Kathryn was losing herself to the amazing sensations produced by a simple kiss.  'Sprits' She thought.  'if he can do this with one little kiss.."  and then his hand slid across her naked back and she lost her ability to think at all.

The wild screeching startled them, forcing them abruptly apart.  The monkey had visited a few times but never before had he come so close.  He stood now jumping up and down on Kathryn’s robe waving his arms and screeching.

“You scared me.”  Kathryn tried to keep her voice calm as she made her way to the other side of the tub, reaching her hand out slowly.  The monkey squealed until Kathryn was almost in reach of it. Spinning around, he headed for the woods turning back only once more to rant at them before climbing a tree and vanishing into the night.

“I think your friend is jealous.”  Chakotay came around and picked up her robe, shaking it out.  “Maybe we better go inside, just in case he was warning of another storm.”  He handed Kathryn her towel, draped her robe over the side of the tub, and ducked back inside the shelter.

Kathryn dried off quickly, wrapped the short robe loosely around her and joined Chakotay in the shelter.  Chakotay was in the kitchen making them tea the old fashioned way-- brewing it with leaves he had found growing down by the river. It had a spicy mint flavor that was quite unique and very relaxing.  Kathryn sat by the monitor examining his latest revisions to the boat plans.

“So what do you think?”  Chakotay put the tea on the table and stood behind her examining the plans over her shoulder.

“Interesting.  Will it float?”

“You’re the engineer, you tell me.”  Chakotay idly pulled the pins from her hair.

“It looks good. If we use the same sealant you used on the bath tub we should have no problems.”  Her eyes drifted closed as his fingers combed through her hair.

“Good, we’ll start on it tomorrow.”  He kissed the top of her head breathing deeply of the soft jasmine scent.  Pushing the robe slightly off her shoulders, his hands softly kneaded the muscles of her neck and shoulders.  “Someday soon..” his efforts were rewarded, with a sigh. “we can explore the river.” He bent closer to talk to her.  Kathryn leaned into him, the position allowing him a clearer view of her breasts, as the robe fell softly across them just barely concealing her nipples from his eyes. “We can travel the planet, making love in all the exotic places we discover.”  His fingers gently grazed across the swell of her breasts.

“Chakotay.”  Kathryn arched slightly; his name sounded almost like a purr coming from deep in her throat.

“Ummm?”  His fingers reached beneath the edge of the material brushing against her nipples, feeling them tighten.

“We are alone.  The only two people on a lush green paradise of a planet..” She arched higher forcing her breast into his hands with a moan.

“Yes.”  He moved the robe aside, needing to see her react to his touch.

“How much more exotic do you need?”

Kathryn reached her arms above her head to touch him, the movement pulling her robe free of its tie and allowing it to fall completely open. Chakotay’s breathing quickened, looking down at Kathryn, almost unbelieving of the bounty before him.  Kathryn’s body was fully exposed to him, back arched, legs slightly spread, her raised arms forcing her breasts to jut out, clearly offering herself to him.

“Don’t need exotic locations at all.”  His tongue danced across the sensitive place just behind her ear, his words blowing softly against her neck.  “I just need you.”

Chakotay bent over her shoulder, his lips capturing a taut nipple, his hands moving lower, fingers trailing across her ribs.  Kathryn tugged his shirt lose.  His position allowed her only to reach his back, but she needed to touch him.

“Chakotay, stand up.”  Kathryn gently pushed him away, instantly regretting the absence of his touch.

“What’s wrong?”  Standing he move around in front of her, his concern for her as evident on his face as his desire was straining against his trousers.

“Only that I can’t touch you.”  She stood allowing the robe to drop to the floor as she did.  Her fingers swiftly opened the fasteners on his shirt and disposed of it. “Better.”  She kissed the golden skin of his almost hairless chest while her hands sought to free him from the rest of his clothing.

Kathryn knelt sliding the trousers down his legs and discarding them quickly as Chakotay stepped out.  “Much better.”  She murmured as her hands slid up his legs.  “And nothing underneath. Mmmmm a nice surprise.”  Kathryn smiled up at him, her tongue slipping out to moisten her lips, her fingers already exploring the length of him.  “You are beautiful.”  He groaned in response as she rubbed her nose in the short coarse hair enjoying the hot musky scent, as her hands caressed him.  “Chakotay?”  Her warm breath against his groin caused him to moan in response.  “I want to taste you.”  Kathryn rocked back on her heals, her palms stroking him, she waited for his response.  “May I?”

Chakotay could only nod his consent, that she had sought his permission had rendered him speechless; that Kathryn wanted to do this took his breath away.  He watched as the delicate pale fingers drew him closer to her.  Kathryn was studying him, seemingly mesmerized as both hands stroked down his penis, velvet soft skin drawn tightly over solid steel.  The first touch of her tongue, as it lapped at the escaping fluid, almost caused his knees to buckle.  Her lips closed around him and his hips jerked forward, forcing her to take him deeper into the rich velvet warmth of her mouth.  She sucked him deep into her throat; one hand massaging his tightening sacks, the other softly tracked between his cheeks.  Chakotay was lost; in all his imaginings nothing had ever come close to the sensations her ministrations were producing.  He was a tightly wound coil threatening to spring at any moment.

“Kathryn.”  He hissed through his teeth, needing her to stop, wanting her to continue.  “I won’t last like this..”  His hands were in her hair holding her to him as he thrust more erratically against her hot mouth; she made no effort to stop.  “Kaaaathrrrrryn.”  Her name ripped from deep in his throat.  His hips jerked, his hands reached back gripping the table for support, with one last deep thrust he emptied himself in a hot rush. Kathryn gulped to accommodate the sudden spurting, drinking in every drop and licking him clean before releasing him.  Standing she embraced him, soothingly stroking his golden skin while he regained his breath.

“Oh, Kathryn.” He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against him.  After a minute he eased back raising her chin to look at her.  He meant to apologize but her look told him it was unnecessary.  “I never knew you were such a wicked woman.”

“Is that a complaint?”  Kathryn ran both hands up his chest as she stretched up to kiss him, pressing the full length of their bodies together.

“Not at all, more like a very pleasant surprise.”  He ran his slightly rough hands over the smooth skin of her back, pressing her closer to him.  “I was on a mission of my own before you sabotaged me.”

“It must be the command training.”  Her laughter tickled his neck.

“I’ve had command training too; I must have missed that class.”

“Too bad, it was one of my favorites.”

“Really, I thought you were into the more cerebral classes.”

“Ahh, woman does not live by quantum theories alone.”

“You’re something else.”  He laughed and hugged her tighter.  “Are you planning on surprising me everyday for the rest of our lives?”

“I plan on trying.”

She stretched again to kiss him and he returned it lifting her gently is strong arms and carrying her to his bed.  Chakotay gently positioned her in the center of the bed and stood back just to capture the sight.  Kathryn smiled when she lost her hold on his eyes.   She could feel the heat rising, as his dark eyes hungrily swept the length of her body, devouring each curve and each delicate line.

Kathryn felt an almost unbearably fire surge through her body, when Chakotay began to actually touch her.  Slowly, steadily his course fingertips bushed her cheeks, tracing her jaw line, smoothing down her neck.  She watched him through hooded eyes as he studied each movement of his hand, smiling at the growing effect he had on her.  His hands ran down her chest, the slightly rough texture of his palms grazed her nipples; her breath quickened.  Gradually moving lower, Chakotay’s hands caressed her belly, stroking her hips as his lips sought to suck the darkened pucker of her nipple.  A small gasp escaped as she arched toward him.  With deliberate languor, he touched every part of her, fingers stroking curves, teeth nipping, lips and tongue lavishing attention on all her most sensitive parts, while he enjoyed the small whimpers and low moans she emitted.  As their passion grew, touches became more demanding.  Kathryn reached out for him but he slipped from her grasp as his mouth continued spreading intense heat down her body until she could feel his hot breath across her aching mound.  Chakotay nuzzled his face in the thick auburn patch, breathing in her gently musky scent.  Kathryn spread her thighs in invitation, rewarding his efforts with soft moans, her breath catching as his tongue tentatively explored her soft lips.  Slowly, he began to lick her slick folds lapping at the abundant flow of juices.  Kathryn gasped, bucking as he rolled his hot tongue across her swollen bud, her hips rising up against his mouth, her fingers finding a tight grasp on his hair.  One hand caressed her firm breast,  while two fingers rolled and squeezed the erect nipple, as his mouth savored her wet hot pungency.   Chakotay's fingers eased into her, his lips sucking on her hot over sensitive nerves sending white hot flashes of electric heat shooting through her.  Kathryn writhed helplessly whimpering as the tension built to unbearable levels.  Her mind no longer functioned, her body surrendered knowing only the pleasure of sensation.  Chakotay raised his head to watch her, as his fingers plunged into her, his thumb stroking her clitoris; his own need becoming pressing at the sight of Kathryn's sweat soaked body shuddering in response. A husky garbled version of his name suddenly tore from deep in her throat; her body convulsed, inner muscles clenching his fingers as she rode the waves of pleasure.

Chakotay moved up to hold her, stroking her damp satin skin as she slowly returned to him.  Kathryn opened her eyes, smiling she reached to draw him down to her. Eagerly, their explorations began again, hands sliding over taut muscles, caressing, stroking, kissing, savoring the taste of one another, a quick intake of breath, when finally her fingers closed around him. Rolling her beneath him, he moved between open thighs, his mouth sucking a taut nipple; Kathryn arched trying to draw him nearer. She raised up lifting her hips to him; he slid one finger along her and she shuddered. He eased lower, sliding his length along her slick folds, positioning himself just outside her opening and stilled until she opened her eyes.  Holding her eyes, he allowed himself to slowly slip in until he buried himself fully.  He struggled for control as her tight walls closed him in a vice like grip, than began deep steady rhythm until Kathryn writhed beneath him once more. Kathryn bucked up against him her short nails raking a trail down his back.  Her body  was suddenly consumed with wild spasms, her inner muscles rapidly gripping and releasing him. Chakotay grabbed her hips, slamming into her with several short thrusts. Her name became a deep guttural cry as he joined her, spilling deep within her then collapsing on her as they both gasped for breath.  Rolling to their sides they drifted to sleep securely wrapped in each other's arms.

The sun rose early on New Earth and the lovers awakened to reaffirm their love with this new day, vowing to face every dawning together.  Life was good though sometimes difficult in their private paradise.  The days were filled with hard work and the nights were filled with love.  Together they carved out a good life, helping each other deal with the things they couldn't have and enjoying the things they could.

Although they both desperately wanted a family, the idea of bringing children into this solitary existence and the possibility of leaving them all alone in the end was unthinkable.  Surprisingly, this was a more difficult reality for Chakotay to accept then Kathryn.  Kathryn had spent years postponing her children; the timing had never been right and there was always her career to consider, the possibility of never having them had long been on her mind.  Chakotay, on the other hand, had always dreamed of having children.  He considered finding the right woman to be their mother his primary obstacle. Now, he had Kathryn, his perfect woman.  To accept that they would never experience a child produced of their love was almost intolerable.

Kathryn still had her research, although after a time she turned her talents to more practical discoveries.  She had learned a way to protect her crops from insects and what plants to combine to repel biting insects.  Chakotay had his wood working, after the bathtub and the boat he carved them a bed and most of their standard issue furniture had been replaced with hand worked wood.  They worked hard but there were times when they would take days or even weeks and travel the river, exploring their private paradise.

Chakotay often worked on secret projects, little surprises that he delighted in presenting to Kathryn upon completion.  He spent weeks on one such project, driving her crazy with the secret until he finished.  It was on one of their nightly after dinner walks that he gave it to her.  They had waked to the river in the silvery white light of a full moon when he presented it to her.

“Kathryn, do you remember the first night we made love?”  He moved in front of her, but still held tightly to her hand.

“Of course I do.”  She smiled at the memory which seem so long ago although if had only been a few months.  “There was a big silver moon, just like tonight.”

“Yes, there was.  That’s why I chose tonight to tell you I’ve finished my latest project.”

“Really?”  She tried to keep a straight face and pretend it didn’t bother her not to know what he was working on.

“Well, if you’re not interested.”  Chakotay shrugged, turning away slightly.

“I’m interested.”  Kathryn said with as much indifference, as she could manage, but then she couldn’t hold back any more and she laughed.  “OK, OK!  You know I’m dying to know.  Please tell me.”

‘Well, if you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.  Please.” She tilted her head and gave him her best little smile.

“Kathryn, I know there is no one here but you and me and it doesn’t matter to the universe.”  He fumbled in his pocket.  Finally finding what he wanted, he smiled and slowly drew out his hand, extending it fist up toward her. “Kathryn.”  He slowly opened his hand, revealing two intricately carved rings.  “Will you marry me?”

“Oh, Chakotay!  They are beautiful!”  She picked up the smaller one and examined the detail.  Then she looked up into his solemn face.  “Yes.”

They married themselves right there, under the silver moon by the side of their river in the sight of what ever powers look down on stranded travelers. In their own simple words of love they pledged each to the other for as long as they would live.

It was almost a year since Voyager had left her two most senior officers behind on an uninhabited planet.  Eight and a half long months of searching, had paid off and Voyager made record time back to that planet with the new found cure.  They had been within hailing range for days, but Tuvok waited until they were in orbit to try to communicate.  After another two days of unanswered hails, an away team beamed to the surface, expecting to find the worst.  Tom led the away team, B’Elanna insisted on going as did Harry and Tuvok indulged them.  Tuvok himself found it surprisingly difficult to remain on board even though it was the only logical decision.

They materialized in the clearing, which now strongly resembled a lawn.  Crossing the lawn toward the shelter, they found the garden.  Surprisingly, it was well tended, giving them their first glimmer of hope.  The shelter looked sound and well kept and the huge bathtub was clean and empty; there were no signs of disrepair.  There were no signs of life either.

Tom entered the shelter.  The living area was one big room shared by kitchen workstations and a sitting area.  He entered the second room.

“One bed?”  B’Elanna stood behind him.

“Well, that means they shared it or only one of them survived.”  Tom looked around for any sigh of life.

“Closet has both sets of clothes, looks like they share it.”  B’Elanna smiled.

“Or did share it.”

“Tom, knock it off.”  B’Elanna went back into the kitchen and Tom followed. “Look. Two cups in the drain.”

“Yeah and fresh food over here, fruit and stuff.”  Harry was feeling hopeful.  “Some one has been here in the last few days.”

“OK.  They can’t go too far so I’ll check in with Tuvok and we can have a look around.”

By the time Tom had finished, Harry had determined the most likely path to take.  According to the earlier survey, it led down to a river and it looked well worn.  They followed the path for over an hour before the tricorder beeped.

“Life signs, human!”  B’Elanna called out.

“Signs?  As in two.”

“Yes!.”  She hugged Harry who happened to be next to her and jumped into Tom’s arms when he turned back to her.  “Yes, two thank Kahless—two!”

“Where?”

“About half a kilometer that way.”

“Let’s go.”  Harry was off at a trot.

Harry reached the bluff over looking the river first and was stunned by what he saw.  A woman, a human woman, with light golden red hair and berry brown skin was just emerging from the river.  She was slim and tan and beautiful and very naked, but she sure wasn’t the captain.

“Harry, what is it?”  Tom didn’t like the pale sickly look on Harry’s face.

“It’s – it’s not her.”  He pointed toward the woman on the shore.

“What?  It has to be.  They are the only two humans here.”  Tom squinted.  “B’E, give me the field glasses.”

Tom raised the glasses and started to laugh.

“What?”  B’Elanna grabbed the glasses for a look.  “Ohmygod.”

“Harry, it’s her all right.”  Tom slapped Harry’s back.  “And she does look good.”  He jumped away from B’Elanna’s swing.

“Would you look at him!”  B’Elanna smiled behind the glasses.

“Damn, he’s darker than Tuvok.”

“Oh, yea, that too.”  B’Elanna laughed as she packed away the glasses.  “Well let’s go.”

‘We can’t go down there!”  Harry was no longer pale; now he was bright red.

“Harry, they look comfortable enough.”  Tom smiled as Harry’s cheeks got brighter

“Tom, they weren’t exactly expecting company.”  B’Elanna had second thoughts about going down there.

“OK, but we have to get closer, so they can hear us.  Obviously, they don’t have communicators on.”  B’Elanna laughed with Tom, but Harry was getting even more uncomfortable.

They worked their way down toward the river.  Chakotay and Kathryn were now stretched out on a blanket, enjoying the afternoon sun.  Tom yelled three times, getting closer with each, before he got a response.

“Kathryn, did you hear that?”

“Yes, sounds like some one calling us, but…”  She sat up and spotted the three uniforms in the distance.  “Ohmygod, Chakotay!  Look!”  She pointed toward their visitors.

Without a thought they jumped up to greet their visitors, wearing nothing but the almost unnoticeable wooden rings, on their left hands.

“What are you doing here?”  Kathryn asked.  “God, it’s good to see you!”

“I missed you guys.”  Chakotay grabbed B’Elanna up in a hug.

“We—Err ..”  Harry turned away.

“Harry, are you OK?”  Kathryn reached out to him, but he moved away.

“Err,  Captain?”  Tom rolled his eyes toward Harry and gestured toward their naked bodies.

“Oh, sorry, we don’t have much need of clothing.”  She ran back to the blanket and grabbed two towels.

“Hey, it’s OK by me.”  Tom called after her.

“Been out of civilization for too long I guess.”  Chakotay laughed as he wrapped himself in the towel Kathryn gave him.

“It’s OK, now, Harry, you can turn around.”  Kathryn laughed, tossing the long red gold hair over her shoulder, as she secured the towel.  “It’s so good to see you all.”  Kathryn fought with the lump in her throat.  “Why are you here?”

“Captain,..”  Tom stopped at Kathryn’s laugh.

“I’m sorry Tom.  I’m just Kathryn now; it sounds strange to be called captain.

“I hope it’s not too strange.  We came to take you home.”

“What?!”  Kathryn’s eyes snapped toward Chakotay, he reached out and steadied her with a hand on her shoulder.

“You have a cure, Tom?”  All the joy seemed to drain from Chakotay’s face.

“Yeah, took a while and doc had a rough time adapting it to human physiology, but we are 99% sure it will work.”  The excitement of their reunion quickly dissipated.

“Why don’t we go back to the shelter and talk about this?”  Chakotay put his arm around the now silent Kathryn and led the way to the path.

“OK, sure.”  Tom shrugged at the others behind Chakotay’s back.

“What about your stuff?”  Harry gestured toward the blanket.

“It’s OK.  No one here to disturb it.”  Chakotay smiled and continued walking.

The walk back was mostly silent.  The three uniformed clad officers trailed behind the couple in front, the image of the couple bringing to mind the old biblical tale of Adam and Eve.  Although they didn’t speak, the occasional looks they exchanged were clearly a well-understood communication.  When they reached the shelter, Kathryn continued straight to the bedroom.

“Give us a few minutes?”  Chakotay spoke quietly.  “Please, make yourselves at home.”  He chuckled and gestured toward the kitchen.  “We’re not used to company but you can replicate yourselves a drink or anything else you want while we get dressed.”

“Sure.  Thanks, Chak.”  B’Elanna ordered them cold drinks from the replicator.

“I’ll contact Tuvok.  I’ll just tell him you are alive and well and we will contact him when the shock settles—OK?”

“Sure, Tom.  We won’t be long.”  He disappeared into the other room.

“Well, that didn’t go well.”  B’Elanna sat at the table.

“I thought they would be happy.”  Harry was totally confused.

“I think they just need time.  It’s a shock.”  Tom took a drink; it tasted good what ever it was.  “These uniforms were not designed for this climate, guess they had the right idea.”

“Yeah, not a bad life they have here.”  B’Elanna looked around at the comfortable little shelter.  “Almost a shame to make them leave.”

“We can’t make them leave, B’E.  We can only offer them the choice.”

“You don’t think they will stay here?  Do you?”  Harry was liking this less by the minute.

“I can certainly see why they would want to stay, but no I think they will come back.”  Tom drained his glass.  “I’ll go outside and contact Tuvok.”

Kathryn stood facing the closet as if choosing an outfit, actually she just stared ahead lost in an avalanche of thoughts.  Chakotay came up behind her, wrapping his arm around her, kissing her head.

“I have to go back.”  Kathryn sighed.

“I know.” He held tighter, waiting for her to sort it out.

“I don’t want to, but it’s my ship, my responsibility and they went to a lot of trouble to find that cure I’m sure.”

“I know all that.  I know about obligations, responsibilities and even a touch of guilt.”  He turned her around and tilted her chin up to see her face.  “Now tell me what you are feeling.”

“Scared.”

“Of taking on all that responsibility again?”

“No, well it is a little daunting, but I know I can be the captain.  I can handle that.”  She reached up, tracing the line of his jaw.  “We have a good life here.  I’m afraid of changing that.  I’m afraid I’ll lose you.”

“Kathryn, I love you.  Here or on Voyager it doesn’t matter.  We have a wonderful exotic playground here, but I told you in the beginning, I don’t need exotic locations, I just need you.”

“Oh, Chakotay, can we keep this alive?  We have a very different relationship now.  Can we work together like before and still have this?”

“I can’t promise it will be easy, but I want to try.”

“Me, too.”

“Things will be different but somethings will be better.  On Voyager, we can have those children we couldn’t have here.”

“Do you really think so?  I’m the captain.”

“Captain’s are entitled to lives too, remember?”

“If I forget, you will remind me, won’t you?”  Kathryn had tears in her eyes, but she smiled now also.

“I’ll remind you.”  He hugged her quickly and smacked her bottom.  “We better get dressed, before they wonder what we are doing in here.”

“Oh god and poor Harry will have a stroke if Tom starts to speculate.”  She laughed as she broke away and yanked a loose dress out of the closet, slipping it on with nothing underneath.  “God I won’t be happy with that uniform, that’s for sure.”

“Spirits help us, we will have to dress like civilized people.”

They were both suitably covered and laughing when they returned to the central room.  Kathryn wore a simple blue dress, her long golden red hair hung loose down her back.  Chakotay was dressed in shorts, his shirt, like both pairs of their shoes remained behind in the bedroom.

“Can I get anyone anything?”  Kathryn was pouring a clear reddish brown liquid into two large glasses.  “This is a native tea, we brewed it and iced it, if you’d like to try it.  It really is very good.”  She laughed at the faces they made.

“No, thanks.  B’Elanna just got us something.”  Although he didn’t really know her yet, Tom thought he liked this woman who used to be his captain and he wondered if she would be coming back to Voyager with the captain.

“So tell us, what the procedure for this cure and how will it be long before we know whether it’s effective.”  Kathryn handed Chakotay his tea and sat beside him.

“First, I will send scans and a blood sample from each of you back to Voyager.  It will take the doctor a few hours to send back the correct dosage.  Once we have that, I will give each of you a hypospray and in 24 hours we will send more scans and blood samples to the doc.”

“Sounds simple enough.”  Chakotay placed a relaxed arm around Kathryn.

“It is, but don’t be alarmed if we have to repeat the procedure before it works.”

“So we will be here for a few days yet?”  Kathryn sounded relieved.

“Yes.”  Tom glanced at B’Elanna and she nodded.  “We want to be sure you understand that even if the cure works, the choice is still yours.  You can choose to stay here.  We, all of us will understand.”

“And if we choose to go back and keep our current relationship intact?  Will the crew understand that?”  Kathryn sipped her tea to cover her nervousness, as she watched the other glance back and forth.

“Captain, I know definitely that I can speak for every member of the crew when I say that we all want you both back.”  Harry spoke first.  “I think that if this relationship makes you happy, and you sure look happy to me, then no one on Voyager will object.”

“Thank you, Harry, that’s nice to hear.”  Kathryn smiled at Chakotay and looked back at the others.  “I hope the crew is as open about this as you think they will be, because I love this man and I have no intention of giving him up.”  She watched their smiling nodding faces and to her relief, not even Harry, was shocked by her statement. “I think we should speak to Tuvok now.  Then, Tom, you can do your scans.”

“Paris to Tuvok”

“Tuvok here Mr. Paris”

“Tuvok I have someone here who want’s to speak with you.”  Tom handed his comm badge to Kathryn.

“Tuvok, It’s good to hear your voice.”  She swallowed hard to hold back the tears the sound of his voice had stirred.

“I am please to hear yours also – Kathryn.”

“I missed you too, Tuvok.  When I get back we will have a lot of work to do.  You will have almost a year to brief me on but before that happens there are two things that you must do for me.”

“Yes, Kathryn?”  His continued use of her name nearly broke her.

“I know it goes against all your training, but in view of our long standing friendship I’m certain you can indulge this small whim of a silly human female.  Be prepared, Tuvok, because when I see you I intend to hug you.”

“It will be my honor to be hugged by my old friend and Kathryn, it appears to be only logical that I should return the gesture.”  There was a short silence.  “Kathryn, am I to assume the second thing is to return your ship to you?”

“No, Tuvok.  Returning my ship will be the third thing.”  Kathryn took Chakotay’s hand and a deep breath.  “My second request is that before you relinquish command, you marry Chakotay and me.”

“It will please me greatly to officiate at your wedding.  Congratulations to both of you.”

“Thank you, Tuvok.  Now, we have some medical tests to do and our very first house guests, so I will speak to you in the morning.  Good night, Tuvok.

“Good night, Kathryn, and welcome home.”

The End
 

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