Captivity
Disclaimer: Star Trek Voyager, its characters, etc. belong to Paramount.
Chakotay found her right where he knew she would be. In the farthest recesses of the cave, where the radiant heat from the multiple small blazes was barely tangible in the air.
Chakotay sighed, shaking his head at her even though she couldn't see it. Always the captain. She had made sure that her crew was safe and warm for the moment, insisting that little Naomi was close to one of the fires and ensuring that several officers were standing guard just outside the entrance to the cavern. She had met with him, Neelix, and Tuvok for hours, discussing the situation and planning for the next day, the next step. And then finally, finally, she had allowed herself to rest.
She was curled up on her right side with her head pillowed on her folded arms, and even in her sleep, she was shivering. He watched her for a long moment, feeling his heart pounding in a way that wasn't unexpected. He realized he missed watching her sleep, the way he had every night on New Earth. He had fallen into the habit of checking on her before he made his own way to bed, or some time in the middle of the night if he had retired first. He would stand, still and quiet, for just a minute or two beside her, observing the rise and fall of her breathing, the soft fluttering of her eyelashes on her cheeks, the way her hair, freed from its captivity of the daylight hours, spilled across her shoulders and down her back, brushing her face and pillow in its meandering waterfall.
She was always beautiful. But there was something vulnerable, unguarded about the way she slept, and it gave him hope.
He walked quickly to her side and knelt down. He removed his uniform jacket, gently tucking it around her shoulders, his fingers whispering against her cheek, her hair, as he performed his ministrations. She sighed contentedly at the sudden warmth and snuggled deeper. He half-rose to go, to find his own place to rest for the night, but something held him. So he gave in and carefully arranged himself on the rocky ground beside her, close enough to be an outline against her back so she would share his warmth. But not firmly enough that she would be disturbed from her slumber.
He felt himself relax, sinking into the ground beneath him and the woman beside him. The horrors of the day receded, leaving only the peace that was like a companion to her presence. His breath rose and fell to meet hers, and soon he too was asleep.
Chakotay woke to a dim gray light filtering through the entrance to the cave. Around him the air was quiet, with only an occasional muffled breath or rustle of clothing to indicate that he and Kathryn were not alone. He rose, stretching to relieve the tightness that had infiltrated his muscles from holding himself so very still throughout the night. Kathryn remained asleep, her breathing deep and even, soaking in the comfort of rest that would have to carry her throughout a day that would undoubtedly prove to be very long and very demanding.
He watched her for precious seconds longer, then, before he could stop himself, leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. She did not awaken, but she murmured in her sleep, and a slight smile curved across her face. He closed his eyes for a moment, wishing that he could remain with her, wishing that she would let him be something more.
But when she woke up, his jacket would still be there. And for now, that was enough.