Disclaimer: Star Trek: Voyager belongs to Paramount and CBS. The story and errors are mine.
A/N: Thanks to the wonderful KJaneway115 for the beta. Since I tend to re-write and fiddle after she reads it, any errors or glaring oddities are solely mine.
He breathed deeply as he walked across the park, the fresh air off the bay a delight after the recycled mixture on the shuttle. He had lived in stale air for over seven years aboard Voyager, but a mere few days back on Earth taught him to appreciate the difference. Now, each time he made the transition from outside to shipboard air, the contrast was far more distinct than it had been before his unintentional Delta Quadrant exploration.
He heard the faint calls of birds as they rode the breeze overhead, watched a squirrel scamper over the limb of a tree, and followed a grasshopper as it topped the rise of the low hill and leapt over. Three more steps brought him to the hilltop, as well, and he surveyed the gentle downward slope on the other side.
The sun glinted off a head of chestnut hair, and he knew her beyond a doubt, as he would know her from any angle, at any distance, in any lighting even without the telltale uniform. A slow smile lit his face as his steps quickened and a half-skip hitched his duffel bag higher on his shoulder. He could see her delicate fingers where they rested along the back of the bench, her spine straight and shoulders squared in perfect posture even in her repose. He veered slightly to come up beside the bench rather than approach her directly from behind so he wouldn't scare her. Surprise was one thing, but he tried very hard not to startle a woman of her experiences, seeing that he valued his own life.
He paused and said, "Kathryn?"
She turned her head, and he watched the brief second it took her to register his identity. She sprang up and gasped, "Chakotay!"
"Hello, Kathryn." He dropped his bag from his shoulder and took two long strides to her, pulling her into a hug. She threw her arms around him, and they stood in a tight embrace for several moments. He loosened his grip and leaned his head back. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. I'm good. What are you doing here?"
"I just got back. Three months on Trebus was more than enough. I missed everyone." He laid his hand on her cheek. "I missed you."
"I've missed you, too." He hugged her again, and she spied his bag on the ground behind him. "You did just get back, didn't you?"
He chuckled. "Yes. I wanted to see you first, and your office said I would probably find you here."
She backed out of his arms and tugged him down by the hand to sit with her on the bench. "I come here every afternoon. The staff have been very indulgent so far."
"It is a beautiful view," he said as he looked out over the vibrant, neatly kept park. Their hands were still clasped between them, and he squeezed her fingers. "I'm glad to hear that you take some time away to do something you enjoy."
She laughed, the sound widening his grin. "Would you believe I haven't worked a 16-hour day since my first month here? I received a stern talking to by Owen Paris before my brain finally accepted that I was not living in perpetual red alert mode anymore. It took a while, but I'm learning to relax again."
"That's great. I'm sure the Doctor is pleased."
"Oh, yes, he is. He seems to think I might live past 60."
"Give him time. He'll find something else to worry over."
She gave him a light shove with her elbow. "Don't even say it. You'll jinx it."
His eyes twinkled and he said, "You look beautiful."
She smiled softly. "Thank you. You look good, too. Trebus agreed with you." He was fitter, more muscular, than he had been the last time she saw him. He had trimmed down and toned up, and his skin was sun bronzed.
"I worked outside from dawn until dusk almost every day. I helped repair and build housing and worked with the growers in the fields to increase their yields and improve the food storage. It was tough, but rewarding, too."
"I can imagine," she replied. "Sometimes I miss getting my hands dirty, getting to do the real grunt work. Now, I just sign off on a PADD that sends other people to do the hard work. I've found myself wishing for a light cell to blow just to have something to do."
He chuckled and leaned over to kiss her temple. "You must get very bored at times. It's not always that bad, is it?"
"No, not always. I do enjoy my work, but it's a lot different from Voyager."
"Everything is a lot different from Voyager," he said. "I think that most of the time, we tended to block out exactly how unique a situation we were in out there. I tried talking to my sister and others in the colony, telling them stories or funny anecdotes. It didn't take me long to realize that nobody really understood. I couldn't seem to connect with anyone."
"I've found the same thing. That's why the crew who are able to have started meeting every Friday night for pizza and drinks. I guess it's akin to informal group therapy. I don't go every week, but I try at least once a month. As a matter of fact, today is Friday. Would you like to join me and see some of the crew?"
"I'd love to. I should go figure out where I'm staying so I'll have time to clean up and get rid of my bag."
"You haven't made arrangements yet?" she asked, a bit surprised.
"No, not yet. I thought I'd stay in a hotel for a couple of days until I can find something better."
She squeezed his hand. "You're welcome to stay with me. I have two spare rooms."
"I thought you were living in quarters?"
"I bought a house about a month ago. I was ready for something not decorated in Starfleet drab."
"I don't want to impose. If it's really okay, though, I'd love to stay with you until I can find something."
"It's no imposition, Chakotay. I have plenty of room." She stood and looked back up the hill. "Why don't you come back to the office with me? I need to check in and pick up a couple of things and then we can go to the house."
He picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder as he rose from the bench. "Lead the way, Admiral."
"Don't you start. I've had a hell of a time getting the rest of our old crew to call me Kathryn. If they hear you call me Admiral, all my work will be for naught."
His dimples brought her smile back. "I'll try to remember, Kathryn."
She tucked her arm through his and he held it tightly against his side as they walked back to her office.
***V*V***
Chakotay held the door to Tommaso's open for Kathryn and put his hand on the small of her back as she walked through. She was wearing a calf-length gray dress with a low, square neckline, fitted long sleeves, tapered waist, and softly pleated skirt. Her rosy red lips had been catching his gaze since she emerged from her room at the house, and he was catching himself by surprise taking every opportunity to touch her. She hadn't shown the slightest sign that she was uncomfortable, so he stopped worrying about it and simply enjoyed being near her again.
She led him to a long table toward the back that was their regular Friday night spot, and he could see that several seats were already occupied by Tom, B'Elanna, Harry, the Doctor, the Delaney twins, Ayala, Andrews, and Wildman. B'Elanna was the first to spot Chakotay, and she was on her feet in a shot. "Chakotay!" She grabbed him up in a hug, and he kissed her on the cheek. "What are you doing here?"
"I just got in today." Before he could say anything else, he was surrounded by the others, shaking hands and being startled by hugs from the Delaneys. Kathryn looked at him with her eyes sparkling and half smile on her face. The crowd shuffled seats and made room for Kathryn to sit at the head of the table with Chakotay on her right. He pulled her chair out for her and made sure she was settled before he sat down. B'Elanna smirked at Tom and Harry.
The waitress came to get their drink orders, and Chakotay nodded for Kathryn to order first. "Your recommended red wine this evening will be fine," she said.
"I'll have the same," Chakotay told the waitress. "Bring a bottle and a couple of glasses." When the waitress left, Chakotay turned to B'Elanna. "How are you, B'E? How's Miral?"
"Growing too fast," B'Elanna replied. "She's with Tom's parents tonight. Naomi is there, too. She's fascinated by the baby and wanted to sleep over to help out."
Chakotay grinned at Sam. "From captain's assistant to babysitter. There's nothing Naomi can't do, huh, Sam?"
Sam laughed. "No, there's really not. Give her a little longer and she'll be smarter than I am. I think spending her early years on Voyager gave her a resiliency and abilities far beyond her age. She's curious about absolutely everything and will go to any lengths to learn. She could probably be a crewman by the time the ship's refit is completed."
Kathryn said, "Naomi could probably help with the refit. Give her and Miral a couple more years together, and they'll be taking Voyager out all by themselves." B'Elanna and Sam both groaned, and everyone laughed.
The waitress returned with the wine, and Chakotay thanked her before pouring Kathryn's glass and then his own. He watched her sample it and asked, "Is it okay? Would you like something different?"
She laid her hand on his arm on the table. "It's fine, thank you."
The waitress returned again and handed out menus. Chakotay looked it over, but he had never eaten at this restaurant. He leaned over to Kathryn, resting his arm on the back of her chair. "What do you recommend?"
She scooted closer to him and slid her menu where they could both look at it as she pointed out her favorites. In the end, they decided to share a vegetarian pizza. "No onions," he said as he looked up at her and winked.
She giggled, and then they both laughed at her giggle. She clapped her hand over her mouth and said, "I don't know where that came from."
He rubbed his thumb up and down her spine and tried to stifle his laughter as he said, "I like it." Her cheeks flushed and he lost control of his chuckle. He pulled her hand from her face and kissed her fingers. "You don't know how much I've missed your smile."
Her blue eyes sparkled, and she stared at his dimples as she said, "I think I do." His eyebrows arched and set off another round of giggles until she glanced up and realized all eyes were on them.
"Ah, Chakotay," she said loudly enough for them to hear. "I think we're being watched."
He looked down the table and cleared his throat. "Yes, I believe we are. So, the vegetarian pizza is good?" he asked innocently. They crowd grinned and went back to reading their menus.
He turned back to Kathryn, realized he was still holding her hand, and expected her to pull away. Instead she clasped his tighter, tilted her head slightly and blinked at him. The look was both innocent and fiery, and he could swear his heart stopped beating for a moment. He took a deep breath and felt butterflies in his stomach as all the deepest feelings he held for her rose to the surface. His thumb was still resting on her spine, and he slid the rest of his hand from the chair to her back. He knew there was a table of full people sitting with them, and he all could think about was how much he wanted to kiss her. Luckily, the waitress returned for their orders and broke his reverie before he did anything to embarrass himself or her in front of their crew.
After he gave their order, he let go of Kathryn's hand and picked up his wine glass. He took a long drink from it and was setting it back down when he heard his name. Turning, he saw Jenkins approaching with Billy Telfer only a few steps behind her. He stood up to greet them, genuinely glad to see Billy out in a public restaurant and participating in a social function. The young man had changed after his experience on the away mission with Kathryn as one of her "lost sheep," and it seemed he was continuing to improve his social skills and overcome his hypochondria.
Chakotay refilled his and Kathryn's wine glasses, the conversation around the table picked up again, and soon the food arrived. He settled comfortably into the group but remained acutely aware of Kathryn at his side. He served her pizza, kept her glass filled, and grinned and handed her an extra napkin when he noticed sauce on her chin. She crossed her legs under the table and rested her calf against his shin, and he wondered if she could feel the heat from his body through his slacks.
Kathryn asked Jenkins about the advanced piloting class she was taking, Chakotay talked to Mike about the work being done on Trebus, and the others quietly conversed during the meal. When Kathryn finished eating, she excused herself to go the restroom.
B'Elanna stared at Chakotay and asked, "What's with you two, anyway?"
Chakotay tugged his ear and said, "B'E, I haven't been back a whole day yet. Can we please just leave it for now?"
B'Elanna opened her mouth, but Tom interrupted. "Of course we can," he said as he looked at his wife. "As long as you're happy, that's all we need to know."
B'Elanna looked like she was going to contradict him, but then stopped herself and nodded her head. "You're right. I won't ask. She missed you, you know."
"I missed her, too, B'E. I'm glad I went to Trebus, but I was ready to come back after the first week."
"Where are you staying?" Tom asked.
Chakotay paused for a second, and Kathryn's voice spoke up from behind him. "He's staying with me." She was smiling, but the look on her face was both challenging and protective.
"That's great," Tom said without missing a beat. He looked back to Chakotay. "What do you think of the Captain's – uh, Kathryn's – new house?"
Kathryn slid back into her seat and put her hand on Chakotay's thigh under the table. He placed his hand over hers and winked at her before answering Tom. The waitress brought out two more pitchers of beer and another bottle of wine, and soon the talk around the table turned to memories from their time on Voyager. Chakotay felt good being able to share in the stories with people who truly understood what they had gone through, and as the drinks drained, the walk down memory lane got funnier and more relaxed. Everyone lounged back in their chairs, the Delaneys teased Harry about his luck with women, and Jenkins had them all in stitches with a tale of trying to fend off the amorous attentions of the Chez Sandrine holograms.
Chakotay felt Kathryn's foot slide up his calf and then rest on the rung of his chair, her shin pressing against his leg. He turned to her in surprise, she flashed him her mischievous smile, and he grinned as he fought the urge to shiver. He traced small circles over her knee and slipped his fingertips under the hem of her skirt. He returned to the conversation, trying very hard to concentrate on what was being said instead of her silky skin. It took every bit of his control to stop from sliding his hand up her thigh, but he kept his feathery touch to her knee and lower leg.
Tom was sitting beside Chakotay and glanced down, able to see just enough of Kathryn's leg to deduce what was going on. His eyes widened, but he hid his reaction with a cough and quickly turned back to the rest of crowd. It was obvious things were just fine between his former commanding officers now that they were free of the ship. No two people deserved to find love more than Kathryn and Chakotay, and he'd be damned if he was going to make them uncomfortable.
Almost three hours passed in what seemed like no more than one. Chakotay carefully slid Kathryn's leg from his chair and got up to visit the restroom. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, "When I come back, I'm going to settle the tab and then take you home to find out what else is under that dress." He let his gaze wander down the low front of her bodice to her cleavage and then back up to her blue eyes. The spark that passed between them sent a tingle down his spine and a faint flush over her pale skin.
There was no hesitation, no questioning what was happening between them or what would happen when they arrived back at her house. There was only the surety born of seven long years together and the joy of rediscovered love. He knew he was exactly where he was meant to be with Kathryn.