INTO THE BREACH

Title: Into the Breach, 1/1
Author: Jaye (Copyright October 2003)
Codes: VOY J/C NC-17

Disclaimer: Star Trek and all related characters and concepts 
are the property of Paramount. No infringement is intended or 
profit made. This is NC-17 for angst, adult themes, language, 
and sex. If you aren't interested (or aren't old enough), 
don't read it.

Archive: Drop me a note first so I know where it's going. 
Please keep the text (especially the disclaimer) intact.

Feedback: Sure, but if it's not kind let it at least be 
constructive. E-mail is reader8901@fastmail.fm

Summary: What might have happened if there had been no 
distractions in the Void?

Note: A non-canon treatment of "Night". Written for the 2003 
Blue Alert Contest.

***************

Funny how easy it was to slip into a routine. Actions, 
feelings, thoughts, they all start out as choices that become 
habits until eventually one day seems very much like the 
next, only the star date changing.

This was the 53rd day in the Void, and here was Chakotay in 
her cabin with his usual schtick. And Kathryn was once more 
simply enduring the conversation until she could be left 
alone with her thoughts.

She was half-leaning on the viewport in her quarters, staring 
at the endless starless night. Chakotay had delivered his 
typical report, made his customary suggestion that she join 
him on the holodeck, in the mess hall---anyplace that would 
get her out of her quarters. And she had declined and 
dismissed him, already sinking back into the morass of 
regrets that kept her endlessly occupied as Voyager continued 
her solitary journey through the sea of darkness.

Kathryn started when Chakotay's reflection suddenly appeared 
behind her own.

He too kept his eyes on the viewport, his tone reflective as 
he said quietly, "I understand what's going on here."

She didn't respond.

He didn't seem to expect her to as he mused, "I've felt the 
lure of the Void myself. With no stars for distraction, the 
mind turns inward for contemplation, closing in on itself for 
protection. But there's no silence in the darkness. Waiting 
to sting you with a thousand sharp words of recrimination is 
every bad call you've ever made, every untaken path in your 
life."

Kathryn could have agreed; he had described the situation 
perfectly. But she wanted to be left alone, so she said 
nothing. If she gave him the slightest sign of weakening he'd 
take it as encouragement and keep at it, quietly tenacious as 
always.

He was a stubborn cuss, no doubt about it.

But so was she.

Stalemate.

Kathryn had lost all sense of time in the Void. She didn't 
know how long they remained at their silent impasse. But she 
knew immediately when Chakotay decided to end it. His 
expression, reflected in the transparent aluminum, seemed to 
ripple with unidentified emotions that eventually settled 
into determination.

She had some vague notion that this did not bode well for the 
immediate future, but couldn't bring herself to care.

"Enough," Chakotay said, and stepped closer.

Kathryn tensed at the warmth at her back, the almost-contact, 
but again said nothing and refused to turn. She did met his 
eyes in the viewport, startled by the mix of weariness and 
anger in his voice.

"Enough, already," he repeated with a kind of pained 
frustration, and Kathryn could see his hands clench into 
fists. "There is a point when healthy self-reflection becomes 
unflattering self-absorption, and you passed it weeks ago."

She turned at that, not annoyed enough to climb out of her 
funk, but feeling the insult could not pass uncontested. 
"Excuse me?" she said, her warning tone clear.

"You heard me," Chakotay snapped. He shifted into standard 
parade-rest, as if he were about to deliver a report.

It turned out to be an ultimatum.

"We are in the midst of the greatest crisis this crew has 
ever faced. They need a captain who will lead them by 
example, not one who hides and sulks and spends her time 
wallowing in the past." He paused for breath and met her 
eyes. "You don't feel like being in charge anymore, fine. 
Resign and clear out of these quarters to make way for 
someone who does."

Kathryn came alive at that, anger stiffening her spine as she 
shoved her face into his. "Neither you nor anyone else is 
going to pry me from this cabin until I am damn well ready to 
go," she sneered. "Consider yourself on report for 
insubordination, *mister*. If I choose to take a little time 
for myself after *years* of being on duty, then I sure as 
hell am going to do it."

"This isn't vacation, it's clinical depression." Chakotay's 
retort was as implacable as the line he was drawing. "Since 
you choose to retain your title, I'm giving you three 
choices, *Captain*: report to sick bay for treatment, show up 
on the bridge and do your damn job, or get yourself ready to 
face a court-martial on charges of dereliction of duty."

Kathryn certainly didn't feel apathetic now; she was 
bristling with fury and wounded pride. She wanted to punish 
him for it. "And who's going to take my place, you? You're 
always far too ready to give up or give in---that's the mark 
of a follower, not a leader. When have you ever made the big 
decisions, the tough ones?"

Chakotay rarely lost his temper---this time he did. Kathryn 
gasped as she was seized by the arms and shaken, staring into 
wild dark eyes. Chakotay's hands were clamped around her 
biceps, his breath hot in her face as he snarled, "Don't 
think I can't make them, Kathryn. You've never seen me with 
my back against the wall---you have no idea what I can and 
will do to protect my people."

He pushed away from her, stiff with anger. "You've spent the 
last seven weeks in here, bemoaning all your alleged sins, 
starting with stranding us in the Delta Quadrant. Well maybe 
you should reconsider what would have happened if you'd used 
the Caretaker's Array and landed back in the Badlands."

"We'd have been home safe, after days in the Delta---not 
years!" Kathryn snapped.

He snorted. "I'm sure you've had rosy visions of Carey 
reuniting with his family, Naomi knowing her father. Maybe 
even you marrying Mark, puppies playing at your feet."

Chakotay's laugh was filled with scorn. "Forget it. Do you 
really imagine I'd have just meekly let you bring in the 
Maquis? Let them be sentenced to a Federation prison---or a 
Cardassian POW camp? If so, you really do need to see a 
doctor."

He closed in on her again, dark and menacing. "You'd have 
been in a pitched battle for this ship---even for your life. 
Because I promise you it would have been a fight to the 
death. We had nothing left to lose."

Her hand flew up on instinct, intending to force him away, or 
to strike---some grand gesture to prove she wasn't 
intimidated. Her mouth opened to spit venomous declarations 
of ownership: *her* ship, *her* crew, *her* rules, *her* 
reprisal for such a blatant threat, even if it was in the 
past.

The look in his eyes stopped her.

Chakotay had never been very good at outright deceiving her--
-she sometimes suspected that in truth he neever really tried. 
But he was a private man who often kept his reactions to 
himself.

Except for his eyes. They truly were windows to his soul, 
openly displaying emotions his expression only hinted at.

Now that the flash of anger was gone, she could sense what he 
was truly feeling. She had never seen him so bleak, so 
utterly defeated. It shocked her to the core. "Why are you 
doing this?" she whispered, her action vastly different from 
her original intent.

He blinked, looked down. She waited, silent, as he seemed to 
debate with himself what answer to offer her. Perhaps 
deciding how much truth she could take.

Finally he sighed and met her gaze, the devastation of his 
eyes at odds with the calm of his face and voice. "Because my 
responsibility to the crew is all that's left."

"I don't understand." Kathryn spoke the words, but didn't 
entirely mean them. Comprehension hovered just beyond her 
reach, yet she was almost fearful to grasp it.

She had a premonition that many things left unsaid would no 
longer be so.

Chakotay's eyes roamed her face as he admitted, "I loved you, 
once upon a time. You were intelligent, strong, graceful, so 
full of life, and that made you irresistible to me. I waited 
for years for some hint that perhaps you could feel the 
same." He shrugged. "But you didn't seem to want anything 
from me except friendship."

His mouth quirked ruefully. "The poets always portray 
unrequited love as something grand and noble, but it's not. 
It's just..." He glanced away, out into the Void. "...lonely. 
So I gave up on love; I would only be your friend."

Kathryn's breath stilled. She had known. On some level, she 
had recognized what his tale of the ancient warrior had 
meant, and she had been aware when that dream was set aside.

She had never pondered her own response. Never dared, too 
uncertain of herself and him and Voyager's situation. She 
knew her chance had come when Mark's letter set her free from 
her engagement, but she'd done nothing. And as the days, 
weeks, months passed, the possibility faded into the 
background of Voyager life.

When Chakotay's gaze returned to her he nodded in silent 
acknowledgement, then continued, "But after a while my friend 
no longer seemed to need me. My ideas had no merit, my 
opinions no weight. My company and counsel were no longer 
requested...or required. Just my obedience as first officer." 
The lines on his face deepened as his voice dropped. "And 
that's what I was reduced to: a first officer serving my 
captain and crew."

He chuckled, but the sound held no mirth. "But now you've 
decided you can't even be bothered to do your share. So I 
figure it's time to cut the last tie. At first I thought I 
would resign, but in all honesty I don't trust Starfleet. So 
staying in this uniform is the best way I can protect the 
Maquis part of my crew. Besides, why should I be the one who 
gets docked rations and living space? I'm actually doing my 
job."

Kathryn didn't have time to formulate a reply, because 
Chakotay waved away his confession like it was immaterial and 
got back to business, saying, "So that's where we stand. 
Bottom line: Voyager needs a captain. So either be one or 
appoint one---or face the consequences."

With a last unreadable glance, he turned and left.

************************************************************

Kathryn spent the next 12 hours running a gamut of emotions 
and a gauntlet of memories. At first she gave vent to her 
fury at Chakotay's presumption, convinced that she should 
call his bluff---by resigning or letting him just *try* to 
make a criminal case against her.

Then she fell onto her sofa, depressed that her first officer 
had so obviously lost respect for her. That led to worry that 
the entire crew were whispering about her behind closed 
doors. Which sparked resentment for their obvious lack of 
appreciation of all she had sacrificed for them.

And that, of course, brought her back to the Caretaker's 
Array. Chakotay had been right: she'd been a bit naive in her 
picture of a happy alternative Alpha-Quadrant existence. In 
her self-flagellation she'd overlooked the fact that the 
Maquis would have been whisked off her ship in shackles the 
moment they reached port.

It was jarring to realize she'd have never known them: fierce 
B'Elanna, somber Ayala, sweet Gerron, brusque Henley, earnest 
Tabor, wary Hogan and all the rest---even Seska and Suder.

And, of course, Chakotay. Looking back at the crafty, 
dangerous man Starfleet had targeted, Kathryn could well 
believe his original plans for the takeover of Voyager.

Would he have succeeded? Who knows? As far as she was aware, 
the rebels hadn't beamed over with any weapons. But the 
Maquis were nothing if not resourceful, and Chakotay's 
battle-hardened crew were certainly better prepared to fight 
than her own in those first shaky days.

Besides, as Chakotay had admitted, the Maquis had nothing 
left to lose, and most of them would rather have died than 
end up in enemy hands.

There would have been other casualties as well. If she had 
used the Array, the Kazon would have seized control of the 
Delta. Not only the Ocampa would have suffered under their 
rule.

So did she truly regret her choice? The price for stranding 
them all halfway across the galaxy had been high indeed---
she'd certainly weighed every lost life and missed loved one 
in the last few weeks---but in the final balance, the 
decision was the right one.

Kathryn sighed, almost regretful. Chakotay had shaken her out 
of her fog of regrets, forced her to face the fact that all 
this mental hand-wringing was irrelevant. Now she had to 
rejoin the land of the living. It was never an easy task.

She wondered if she should thank Chakotay or demote him.

Or perhaps just ask him to be her friend again. He had gone 
out on a limb for her today. It couldn't have been easy, 
speaking of his own what-might-have-beens. Handing such 
powerful emotional weapons to someone he no longer felt close 
to. Kathryn hadn't missed the fact that he'd referred to 
*his* people.

It was time she reminded him that *our* was the proper term. 
That Chakotay could at least still count on her for that 
much.

She wasn't yet ready to deal with the implications of 
everything he'd said, but now that she was made aware of it, 
she keenly missed his warm presence in her life. Even if in 
the end they couldn't salvage their old bond, she *could* be 
the kind of captain he could put his trust in.

He---all of Voyager's crew---deserved nothing less.

Kathryn smiled to herself as she started making plans.

************************************************************
************************************************************

It was the 89th day in the Void, and oh, what a difference a 
month could make.

Where the bridge had once been empty save for a pair of bored 
officers, it was now bustling with people. Junior crewmembers 
stood at unfamiliar consoles, brows furrowed as their mentors 
explained each screen's function.

Neelix chattered happily at the Tactical station, Tuvok 
supervising him with vaunted Vulcan patience. Sam Wildman 
cautiously made course changes under Tom's tutelage. Gerron 
peered at the readings at Ops while Seven and Harry 
demonstrated experimental scans. Celes Tal wandered the 
bridge, running inventory on the medkits secreted here and 
there. The EMH crouched beside the young Bajoran, explaining 
each instruments' purpose and optimal condition as they went 
through the packs.

Kathryn lounged in her chair, padd in hand, the blackness on 
the viewscreen no longer so frightening.

They were doing something about it. The science and 
engineering teams were experimenting with new ways to use 
their sensors, a kind of echolocation that at least confirmed 
that they weren't going to run into anything while they were 
cruising at high warp.

The sense of empowerment had energized the crew. Kathryn had 
emerged from her self-imposed exile armed with Chakotay's 
suggested implementation of Neelix's cross-training 
suggestions. She had not only endorsed the plan, but threw 
herself into it, helping with training, running battle sims 
with rookie bridge crews.

Her own self-confidence had returned full force. Once she had 
again accepted her choice to be in the Delta, Kathryn became 
determined to make the best of life aboard Voyager, for 
herself and her crew.

The process had included some changes on a personal level. 
She found herself more willing to listen, to take the time to 
interact more with her colleagues. After such a prolonged 
isolation, the company was refreshing, and welcome.

Re-establishing her friendships with B'Elanna, Neelix, Sam, 
Tom, Harry, the Doc, Seven and Tuvok had given her a renewed 
sense of kinship, of family.

But most profoundly altered was her bond with Chakotay. She 
had seen the relief in his eyes when she'd walked into the 
conference room the morning after their confrontation.

The fact that he'd left her chair empty had spoken even more 
eloquently of his hopes.

They never really discussed his insubordination or her 
return. He had smoothly inserted her back into the duty 
roster, supporting her adjustments to his plans with his 
usual grace.

Her overtures of friendship had been more warily greeted, but 
Chakotay seemed willing to give things a fair chance. Kathryn 
didn't miss his flash of surprise when she once more began to 
invite him to discuss ideas privately before presenting them 
in staff meetings.

It was ironic; early in the journey she and Chakotay had just 
automatically clicked. No effort---the friendship just seemed 
to be there. This time, they both worked at building the 
connection, step by careful step. Small confidences they'd 
stopped sharing years ago were restarted. They sat together 
at group meals or events on the expanded social calendar. It 
was natural again for him to perch on the arm of her Ready 
Room chair to share her computer screen or for her to touch 
him lightly in passing.

They were more playful with each other. Chakotay assigned 
Kathryn to kitchen duty for a week; she retaliated by having 
him teach Chell administrative tasks.

Kathryn glanced to her left, her breath catching at the 
brightness of Chakotay's dimpled smile as he caught her 
exuberant mood. Her own grin widened in reply.

Life aboard Voyager was good.

************************************************************
************************************************************

Kathryn paced her quarters, more nervous than she expected. 
It was the 200th day in the Void, but tomorrow would mark the 
end of their time there.

Weeks ago, the ingenuity and hard work of Voyager's crew had 
gifted them with sensors that could penetrate the theta 
radiation causing the blackness. With the enhanced capability 
of mapping their surroundings, fresh data began pouring into 
the computer banks, leaving the scientists happy.

Seven had been manning Astrometrics yesterday when they found 
the wormhole. Probes determined that the spatial phenomenon 
was stable, safe, and that it exited far outside the Void, in 
an uninhabited region of space.

It was wonderful news. People were practically humming at 
their stations, eagerly anticipating the return of the stars, 
even unfamiliar ones.

But tomorrow also marked the return to a normal existence, to 
pre-Void life. This was what concerned Kathryn.

She didn't want to go back. It would be all too easy to fall 
once more into old routines, her sense of isolation, her 
obsessive drive for home.

To forget the journey when she could once more see her 
destination.

But this time she vowed it wouldn't happen. For Kathryn had 
begun to walk a new path, one that she thought had been 
closed to her forever.

She was in love with Chakotay.

The feeling had crept up on her gradually, taking her 
unawares. They had been spending more and more time together, 
enjoying each other's company. One night, they'd been sitting 
with the bridge crew at Sandrine's, no big thing. B'Elanna 
and Tom had been teasing Tuvok about Neelix's Tactical 
performance. She'd glanced over at Chakotay, and...

His dimples were in full bloom, white teeth flashing as he 
joined in the laughter. Then he'd looked her way. He was more 
than attractive or handsome or sexy---he was utterly 
beautiful to her. And his eyes were alight in a way she 
hadn't seen in a long time.

Her breath had whooshed right out of her in a shock of 
realization. She wanted very much to have him truly by her 
side, in all things, in all ways. For always.

Before, such thoughts would have sent her skittering for 
cover. Because she wasn't sure of her own feelings, or his, 
or how the crew would react.

But the past was not the present. Kathryn had come to grips 
with her choice at the Caretaker's Array. She was committed 
to this ship, this crew, this life. And this man. She felt 
the love and hope rise tingling from her toes to flutter in 
her stomach to finally blush on her cheeks.

She'd looked away before Chakotay could guess at her change 
of heart. That night, however, marked a new phase of their 
relationship. She made overtures she'd never have 
contemplated years ago. Quick goodnight kisses that moved 
from forehead to cheek to lips. Brief embraces that lingered.

Chakotay had obviously been cautious in his responses. 
Kathryn couldn't blame him. He'd been disappointed by love 
enough times.

He'd been disappointed by her.

But not anymore. *If* she was reading him right.

She couldn't be absolutely sure. Hence, her nervous pacing.

The chime startled her to a stop. She called the door to 
open, unconsciously smoothing down her casual tunic and 
pants.

Her stomach started fluttering again as Chakotay glided in, 
gorgeous in dark green and black. He'd spent some of his time 
in the Void giving boxing lessons, and looked more fit than 
she'd ever seen him.

But it was the glimmer of his eyes that really caught her 
breath, hope surging almost painfully.

She swallowed. "Hello, Chakotay."

He smiled at her. "Reporting as requested."

Kathryn walked over and clasped his hands, drawing him to the 
viewport. She stopped beside him, staring at their 
reflections. "Chakotay, I asked you here to---we never really 
talked about things."

She could see his brows draw together a moment, but he 
answered easily enough. "No, we didn't." He cleared his 
throat. "Kathryn, I---"

Kathryn turned to him, releasing one hand to press a finger 
to his lips. "I wanted to thank you." She nodded in response 
to his disbelieving stare. "You gave me quite a new 
perspective on things." She dropped her hand to let him 
speak.

His voice held an undercurrent of amusement. "You make 
insubordination sound positively genteel."

"I try," she chuckled, then sobered. Taking a deep breath for 
courage, she raised her hand again, laying her palm against 
his chest. She could feel the warmth of him through his 
shirt. "You told me then that you once loved me, but you knew 
it was best to let those feelings go."

Chakotay just nodded, holding her gaze.

She swallowed, glanced down and up again. "This is tougher 
than I expected," she admitted. After biting her lip a 
moment, she continued. "You said that you'd lost the dream of 
love, then your friend, and finally your captain."

"Not quite the captain," Chakotay corrected with a shrug. 
"She came back pretty quickly."

"And the friend?" Kathryn asked carefully.

His eyes warmed. "She showed up soon after. Though not quite 
the same as I remembered."

Her fingers trembled as she shifted her hand to cradle his 
cheek. "And what about...what about the dream?" The question 
was quiet, hope and fear swirling within her. Kathryn was 
honest enough to admit she didn't want her feelings to be 
unrequited.

Surely they'd both been lonely long enough.

Chakotay closed his eyes and tilted his head, leaning into 
her touch, turning his face to brush his lips against her 
palm. Then he looked at her again, both rueful and wistful. 
"What do you want me to say, Kathryn? I told you what made 
you so attractive: a vitality of mind and spirit, toughness 
and warmth in equal measure."

His eyes roamed her face as he acknowledged, "Everything 
you've been and become since our conversation. Again, not the 
way you were, but just as compelling." He met her gaze, and 
again she could see the mix of wariness and hope.

Kathryn slid closer, her hand sliding around to the back of 
his neck to draw his head down. She rose up to meet him. "I 
was hoping you'd say that."

"Why?" The question was just a whisper, his breath a caress 
against her lips.

"Because I wanted you to know that if there was ever any 
chance you could find that dream again---" His lips on hers 
stopped her words, then her thoughts, then her breath.

Kathryn made a low sound of relief and joy at the back of her 
throat as his lips coaxed hers into parting for him. His 
hands settled at her waist as he pulled her closer to deepen 
the kiss.

Her hands slid into his hair, feeling the soft strands 
feather through her fingers. She leaned into him, darting her 
tongue into his mouth to tease and explore, letting him take 
her weight, pressing their bodies close together.

She lost track of time once more, knowing nothing except the 
sweetness of his mouth and the solid weight of his body 
underneath her hands. She shivered as his fingers splayed 
across her back, stroking, sliding her shirt tantalizingly 
against her skin.

When they finally drew apart, panting, Chakotay cupped her 
face in his palms. He stared at her as if plumbing the depths 
of her soul. "I have to know, Kathryn."

"What?" she asked.

He swallowed. "What are we doing here? Celebrating the end of 
the Void?"

"No," Kathryn admitted, her fingers rising to carefully trace 
his tattoo. She focused on the indigo lines, then dared to 
meet his waiting gaze. "We're marking the beginning of a new 
life. Together." She paused. This was the moment of truth. 
"If you'll join me."

His smile was tender as he said quietly, "I do love you, 
Kathryn."

The simple statement settled deep into her blood, her bones, 
her mind and heart and soul. She was ready now to hear it, to 
acknowledge it, to accept it.

And to return it. "I love you too, Chakotay. So much."

He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to hers. His sigh 
whispered against her skin.

She drew back and caught his hands. Without a word his query 
and her response decided them. They were ready for the next 
part of the journey.

A few steps brought them into her bedroom. Kathryn turned and 
moved into Chakotay's embrace, feeling his arms close around 
her, letting the hunger she sensed in his touch spark her own 
desires.

Kathryn reveled in the sensations Chakotay evoked, his mouth 
sliding across hers, his tongue mating with hers as they 
sealed their bond with a kiss. She quickly began unbuttoning 
his shirt, splaying her fingers across his chest, exploring 
eagerly.

Hard muscles and bones were covered with warm, soft skin. She 
used her fingertips to just brush against his small dusky 
nipples, hearing his groan as she teased them to hard peaks, 
then teased them again, rolling, pinching.

She gasped as he broke the kiss to latch on to her throat, 
his mouth sliding open and hot along its length, sucking the 
vulnerable skin between his lips and teeth. When his warm 
hands slid under her tunic to stroke her back again she 
moaned and raised her arms for him to lift off the garment.

When Chakotay tossed the shirt away she reached out to his 
shoulders, curving her hands around them and sliding his own 
top slowly down his arms to let it drop.

She slid her palms along his torso, tracing the gentle 
undulation of his ribs, and down along his abdomen. Then up 
again, watching his eyes dilate and darken further as she 
continued to caress him.

Her own flesh felt exposed, despite her bra, as his heated 
gaze roamed her, looking his fill. Then his fingers 
delicately slid the straps down her shoulders. She leaned 
into him so he could reach behind to undo the clasp.

The touch of his skin against hers was shockingly hot. She 
slid back a moment to let the bra slip from her body to the 
floor, then pressed them together once more, reaching up to 
pull Chakotay into another kiss.

He went eagerly enough, his arms closing tight around her as 
their bodies slid against each other. His hands drifted 
across her skin, tracing her spine, spanning her waist.

Then Chakotay pushed her back slightly. She shivered under 
his predatory gaze. Then he lowered his lips to her 
collarbone, kissing the length once before returning to tease 
her skin with tiny licks that rose gooseflesh everywhere.

She moaned as her nipples hardened instantly, pebbling almost 
painfully erect. She rubbed one against the inside of 
Chakotay's arm as he clasped her shoulders.

He growled---growled!---approvingly and descended to taste 
them. His first hot breath against her skin forced another 
gasp. His teeth closing around one peak earned him a moan as 
he bit, gently, then suckled.

Kathryn's fingers tightened around his back. She ran her 
nails from his shoulders to his waist, sensing him shudder. 
Then her fingers slid around to meet at the fastener to his 
trousers.

It was hard work to open them when her body kept distracting 
her. He was kissing his way to the other breast, taking a 
scenic route that kept discovering nerve endings she didn't 
remember she'd had.

But finally the cloth parted and she slid her hands past the 
pants and briefs, wanting to reach skin. She gently worked 
both layers over his erection, then quickly pushed them down.

His head lifted as he grinned at her eagerness, then just as 
swiftly bared her lower half.

They stood in the puddles of their clothing a moment.

Kathryn ran her eyes down her lover's solid frame. Every 
curve and angle perfectly formed, courtesy of the boxer's 
dance in the ring. He looked like one of her old anatomy 
textbooks, where each muscle of the body is perfectly 
defined.

Or more like the ancient sculptures that had first made her 
aware of men, and herself as a woman. With one notable 
difference: erect and straining toward her was a beautifully 
formed cock that made her juices flow with anticipation.

Chakotay reached out and ran the very tips of his fingers 
through her pubic hair, hunger clear in his gaze. 
"Beautiful," he murmured.

Kathryn grinned at him, slow and seductive, then turned and 
sauntered to the bed. She settled across it, leaning on one 
elbow to watch him make his way toward her.

It amazed her that she had been able to ignore him for so 
long. He was magnificent.

Then he was sliding up her body, taking his time to let their 
skin touch everywhere as he pulled himself up her frame. When 
Chakotay lay fully across her he rested his weight on his 
elbows and smiled down at her, dipping his head to press 
quick kisses against her skin. He wandered along her jawline 
and flicked his tongue against the sweet spot under her ear. 
She arched against him, groaning, her center throbbing, 
wanting more.

Kathryn reached upward to do her own exploring, her hands 
gliding and exploring his chest as she nibbled at his neck. 
She cupped his buttocks, fondling them, then slid her hands 
around.

His length was slick with precum, easing the glide of her 
fingers as she explored the shaft, her thumb rubbing against 
the head. He groaned and dropped his head to watch her 
movements.

Eventually Kathryn released him and shifted under his weight, 
parting her thighs. She could feel the tip of his cock 
teasing at her clit. She bumped against it, each brush a 
shock along her nerves.

Chakotay caught her eyes once more, and Kathryn felt the 
desire and love in his gaze surround her, encompass her. 
Embrace her.

So she embraced him, opening her legs wider to grasp his 
hips, wrapping her arms around him. Nudging his cock toward 
her waiting center.

They moved as one, mouths diving for each other even as he 
sank into her welcoming flesh. Kathryn felt Chakotay's moan 
in her mouth, his breath and tongue filling her even as her 
body stretched to make way for his possession. She urged him 
deeper, shifting her legs higher so she could take all of him 
into herself.

He broke the kiss to groan against her neck, "Kathryn." It 
was a question.

"Yes," was all she said in return as she moved to match his 
tempo. The feel of him sliding in and out of her was 
electrifying, each push into her body giving her a jolt. She 
arched, rubbing her turgid nipples against his chest, her 
hands on his hips urging him faster, harder.

Chakotay's fingers tangled in her hair as he tilted her face 
up for his kiss. Their tongues mated as hungrily as their 
bodies, primitive rhythm pounded out in the slaps of their 
flesh as they came together with each stroke.

Kathryn's nostrils flared as the scent of sweat and sex 
permeated the air around them. She growled low in her throat, 
nipping at Chakotay's tongue, pushing her hips even faster 
into his.

His grunt of surprise became a low sound of pleasure as he 
surged into her, his one hand holding her head in place while 
the other roamed her body, teasing her breasts, pressing his 
palm to her belly, and finally, finally, reaching the place 
they were joined.

Kathryn instinctively dug her nails into his shoulders, 
lifting herself into him as his fingers teased her. He spread 
their moisture into her curls, never losing his rhythm. They 
were fucking now, each driving toward release, desperate to 
get over the edge.

Finally his fingers closed around her clit, massaging the 
swollen bud with sensual intent.

She screamed, her whole body curving like a bow, only her 
heels and head left on the mattress as she arched in release. 
She was blind and deaf with ecstasy---she could only feel the 
sizzle of her nerves and the hard clench of her cunt around 
Chakotay's cock. Again, again, the pleasure became part of 
her pulse, part of her breath. She clutched at her lover, 
holding on.

Chakotay growled her name and thrust into her relentlessly, 
urgently, then groaned, low and long, as the hot pulses of 
his seed shot deep within her. He collapsed against her, 
panting, their sweaty foreheads pressed together a moment 
before he rolled to the side, pulling her with him into a 
loose embrace.

They stared at each other as their heartbeats slowed and 
breaths quieted, hands tenderly caressing, soft smiles 
sharing promises of all the days ahead.

Kathryn stayed awake even after Chakotay's eyes had closed in 
sleep. She looked out into the Void, no longer uncertain.

Though she couldn't see them, she knew she had made her place 
among the stars.

THE END