"How does that sound?"
"Like something worth living for"
The smile on her face as they left the bridge was so rare, it was a true smile, a genuinely happy one. He couldn't take his eyes off her even in the turbo lift. She didn't seem to notice though, or if she did she didn't mind. She just kept talking about Lake George, and he was more than content to let her. She said something about going to their quarters so they could both change and he just sort of nodded and smiled.
When he was alone in his quarters he took a deep breath, still not fully comprehending that she was alive and smiling, and was going to be okay. He sighed again and then started to get ready.
When Kathryn stepped into her quarters she realized that she was smiling like an idiot. "What the hell is wrong with me?" She silently cursed herself. "I'm acting like a giddy school girl.. and Chakotay was so accepting of my crazy emotions..." Before she could over think the situation any further she walked into her room with a shake of her head to find something comfortable to wear.
When Kathryn stepped out of her quarters Chakotay was already there waiting. When he saw her, one of his soft slow smiles spread across his face, she blushed under his loving gaze. Before she could say anything to distract them, he held out his arm. She eagerly took it and they started their journey to the holodeck.
Chakotay couldn't seem to stop grinning now, he had his captain on his arm and she was relaxed, casually talking about her trips to lake George as a girl. Their walk to the holodeck could have lasted forever and he wouldn't have minded. Chakotay could remember few times when Kathryn had been so comfortable simply being with him. And he never wanted it to end.
After all, she had rarely looked so alive. Her lips were flushed and red from being in a continuous smile, which so juxtaposed how they had looked when he was trying to save her... When she had left him.
"Chakotay?"
Her voice broke the silence that he just realized was surrounding them. They were standing outside the doors of the holodeck and her hand was on his chest, the way she always put it when she was concerned about him. He shook his head trying to rid his mind of the images of her lifeless body.
Kathryn knew exactly what he was seeing in his mind as his eyes looked back at hers but seemed to be looking through her. She could remember standing over them, watching him fighting to keep her alive. She put her hand on his chest and he seemed to snap back to reality and she said his name.
"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" He asked somewhat bashfully.
"I was just asking what time of year you would prefer for the program."
"Oh..." He said with a deep breath. "How about spring, its time for life and new beginnings."
"I think that's perfect" said Kathryn.
She stepped up to the panel, punched in a few codes and then the door opened onto a warm spring evening at lake George. She took his hand and they walked into the holodeck, doors closing swiftly behind them.
