Two Voyager Pairings That Should Have Been and One That Was
Author's Note: Basically my attempt at telling the writers how it should have been done. My own opinion, I am a Chakotay/Janeway shipper so I'll start with them.
Janeway and Chakotay
This was not turning out to be Captain Kathryn Janeway's evening. Then again, it never was when she was eating from the replicator in her own quarters. Normally, she would choose to eat in the Mess Hall but it wouldn't be proper for the crew to see her and her first officer eating alone. Besides, this had turned into something of a ritual. Nothing like a malfunction to break the ice. Not that it exactly needed breaking anymore. She had a good mind to replace that glorified toaster that burnt everything except black coffee. That was at least something she could be thankful for…
As if in a response, or retort, to her thought, the steak she was 'cooking' fizzed sharply. She threw up her hands "alright, you win, again!". Then the door bleeped. Chakotay.
He came in, carrying yet another family recipe in a stew pot as an inevitably-needed backup. They talked and laughed as they ate and drank. Janeway couldn't help feeling wistful, after all, under any other circumstances; she and Chakotay would make what her aunt would call a 'fine match'. But this was not ordinary circumstances. They had a duty to have a professional relationship for the sake of the crew. Still, she enjoyed these evenings together. All too soon it was 23:00 and Chakotay was standing at the door.
"See you on the Bridge" he said with that warm smile of his. And with a suddenness that surprised even her, he kissed her. Just a short brush on the cheek, but still, a kiss. And she, of all people, had no response. She nodded after a while, "Yes…huh…well, remind Harry to scan for dilithem and get B'Ellana to assign someone to fix those replicators in the Mess Hall. Neelix is running low on supplies" she said with emphasis. Nelix's creativity and enthusiasm as a cook knew no bounds but when supplies were low, that was not necessarily a good thing .
Chakotay smiled again and closed the door, little knowing he had opened another one on the other side.