August 2012
Author's Note: Sigh. The truth is, "Resolutions" didn't resolve anything! A rather generic vignette exploring the possible J/C angst. Don't forget to leave a review!
The New Earth early morning was beautiful. There was still a very slight dawn chill in the air, and their boots were wet with dew. The little grey box that Chakotay had slowly been transforming into a home was now packed. Janeway had recycled the flowing dresses she favored in order to replicate a crisp new uniform, which she now wore; her hair, which she had usually styled loose and long was pinned up in a tight chignon. Chakotay saw that within minutes, she had gone from relaxed and tranquil Kathryn to the tense, focused Captain Janeway that Voyager needed her to be.
"Ready for transport," acting-Captain Tuvok's voice rang out from Janeway's commbadge.
The command team assumed their transport positions: the captain in front, her executive officer behind to her right.
Chakotay waited for Janeway to give the order for transport but there were only several moments of heavy silence. Impulsively, Janeway slapped her commbadge. "Janeway to Voyager, standby."
She turned to face Chakotay. Wordlessly, she placed a slender hand, fingers splayed, on his chest. The familiarity of the gesture was overwhelming-she had done it so many times: at first, tentatively, hesitantly, the night he told her the legend of an angry warrior; later, much later, when they were entwined together in his bed, she had pressed her hand to his bare skin as though fascinated by the feel of his beating heart; and the time they had sat beneath the darkened heavens, just a man and a woman and millions of stars, wondering if Voyager was seeing the same sky.
And now at this moment, the last they would share on this new world that had been a home to them. Chakotay closed his eyes-could Janeway know that his heart was breaking beneath her touch?
"Chakotay," Janeway finally said, sadly and softly. "We can't."
His deep brown eyes met her watery gaze. Janeway withdrew her hand and slid away. Chakotay considered pulling her into his embrace, savoring the feel of her lips on his one last time, but why prolong their torture? They were already reverting back to their roles of Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay, Voyager's larger-than-life, intrepid, by-the-book leaders. There was no room for hopelessly-in-love Kathryn and Chakotay in the command team's lives.
Janeway cleared her throat. "Janeway to Voyager," she said tonelessly. "Initiate transport."
Sigh. Don't worry, we all know that once they finally got to Earth, J/C totally happened. Right?! Pleeeeeease leave a review, you know you want to:)