Disclaimer: none of the following is mine

Disclaimer: Paramount is god or something else…

Note: It's not mine. Originally it's a short story by someone who's name I forgot. I thought it would be perfect for J/C. If your interested in the original, mail me and I start looking for it….

"Winter" ( ã by veggie DANA)

When Chakotay was in the Delta Quadrant, he always thought they had been in love.

They had spent so many shifts together at the bridge. Many nights they had spent walking through the ship, or just talking. So many times on the holodeck... together.

Then something important for her had come between them. They had reached the Alpha Quadrant after all this time and somehow lost sight of each other.

Impulsively she had married a divorced man she thought she still loved. Chakotay had heard about it and went away, bitter about women.

Yesterday, walking across the HQ she saw him for the first time in years.

"Chakotay," she said.

He stopped. At first he did not recognize her, to him she looked so old.

Then he saw the blue eyes he had loved so much and would never forget.

"Kathryn! Where did you come from?"

Unconsciously she lifted her face as though wanting a kiss, but he held out his hand.

She took it.

"I live in San Francisco now, " she said.

"Oh," smiling politely.

Then a little frown came quickly between his eyes.

"Always wondered what happened to you, Chakotay."

"I went back to Dorvan. I'm a teacher now."

"Ever got married?"

"Sure. Lovely woman, twins."

"Oh," she said, looking at her hands.

The noises of the people were getting louder. A great many people. People they didn't know and who didn't know and care about them. She started to shiver. Slightly. It was late afternoon in December. The sun almost gone.

"What about you?" he asked her. Knowing that he didn't want to know.

"Mark and I have one child and two dogs." She chuckled softly but he didn't move a muscle. "I'm doing office work right now."

"Your looking very..." old, he wanted to say, "...well," he said instead and shrugged.

She understood. Under the cold eerie light of the sun she wanted nothing more than going back into the DQ. She had been older than he but never felt this way. Now she was not young at all and was feeling it as well. It seemed Chakotay was still young.

"We live near Golden Gate Bridge," she said. "Come and see us sometime."

"Sure," he replied. Not very convincing.

"You and Mark must have dinner with my family some night. Any night during the next two weeks. Asi and I'd love to have you."

"We'd love to," she whispered.

They stared through each other. Lost in their own thoughts about a long time ago. Chilly wind came up and made her shiver once more. She felt cold and sick and the weather wasn't the only reason. Suddenly the street lights came up. Everything was bathed in surreal light. It didn't make her feel better.

Maybe it was just one of those dreams again after all.

They had reached the shuttle bay by now.

"There is my shuttle," she said.

He held out his hand... again. "Good bye."

She took it... again.

When... she wanted to say but did not. The shuttle was ready to take off. The lights blurred and twinkled and seemed to laugh at her. She was afraid to open her mouth as she entered the shuttle, oblivious to anything else. Afraid it would be impossible to utter a word. Suddenly she turned around.

"Good bye!" But the door did not answer.

When the shuttle took off, she could see Chakotay standing there. Looking up. But her heart sunk like a stone to thrown over the abyss. His face was sober, not even showing the attempt of a smile. She sagged back. She had lost sight of him.

Then she remembered she had forgotten to give him her address- or to ask him for his- or tell him that they had agreed to name her son Chakotay, too.

*** Finis ***

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