Title: Can He Love Me?
Rating: MA - sexuality and explicit intimacy in future chapters
Characters: The Crew, of Course.
Relationships/Pairings: Kathryn Janeway/Michael Sullivan
Disclaimer: Space, the final frontier… a frontier that is owned by such as Paramount Pictures (At least I think paramount still owns it…) Regardless of who actually claims rights, it isn't me ;)
Summery: Kathryn Janeway has spent a lot of time thinking about her relationship with holographic personality Michael Sullivan. But, can he love her?
Kathryn Janeway never failed to be amazed by the crisp feel to the air and the cleanliness it provided her. The holodeck, after all, was just another part of the ship. It would seem to make sense that the air be just as stale, recycled at that. She pushed those thoughts aside, intent on enjoying her afternoon of holodeck privileges, she earned it. She allowed herself a chuckle as she realized Harry Kim had beat her there, having left the bridge the same time as she. He was deep in conversation with Maggie O'Halleran, both sitting on the curbside. Fair Haven… it was perfect. She closed her eyes as she stepped out from under the arch that served entrance and exit to the photonic world. It vanished as she did so and she slipped past Harry and Maggie, completely unnoticed as her period costume blended in with her surroundings. She smiled. Yes, this was what she needed. She continued her brisk pace through the streets, knowing exactly where to find him at this hour. She came up behind him and slipped her arms around his neck, breathing in his familiar scent.
"Hello, dear Katie." Michael turned his face to catch her lips in a passionate kiss. "How is the ship?"
She laughed. It had been nearly a month since the mishap that allowed the people of Fair Haven to become aware of who had been visiting their quaint town. "The ship is well, but I've missed you." The emphasis was intentional.
He smiled and turned around completely, one knee resting on the bench, his elbow casually bent as he leaned against the back of it. "Oh I've missed you too, Katie O'Claire." He chuckled softly. "Walk with me?" He lifted his elbow to her and she took it with a slight curtsey. He laughed again and carefully led her around the bench and pulled her to him. "Where than shall we walk to?"
"I don't care." She confessed, her voice sounding strange to her. She wanted him, she wanted him to be real, but that couldn't be. "Somewhere quiet."
He nodded, a small smile gracing his face as he complied with her request. He led her through the streets and off to a patch of woods. She knew the holodeck couldn't extend much farther and she eyed him carefully. He pulled back the branches of an old willow and allowed her to step behind it.
Her heart leapt at the beauty. Tom really HAD outdone himself with the last adjustments. The tree cover prevented most light from getting through giving a dusky glow to the sanctuary. Brilliant blue flowers opened up in a natural path leading to a rippling brook that tumbled along over rocks and around shoreline trees before bending around a thicker grove and vanishing. "Oh Michael!"
He smiled proudly as he let her arm go and watched her inch close to the brook, slipping her shoes off as she went.
The hem of her long dress dipped in the cool water as she stepped onto a large rock resting just below the surface. She placed a hand against a nearby low hanging branch to steady herself. Would it be such a shame to fall in? She smirked as she imagined Michael running to her to scoop her out of the water, picturing him slipping in after her and both looking completely ridiculous in the liquid perfection. She turned her head to let him see the sparkle in her eye and he followed, stepping onto the same rock and wrapping strong arms around her.
"The water is too cold for a swim, shall we find a clear place to rest?"
"Yes." She answered simply, suddenly concerned where this might go. She'd nearly given herself to him twice now, but resisted both times. The Doctor's words always echoed in her head though. He makes a joke, you laugh. Is that an illusion? He says something that makes you think. Does it matter how his molecules are aligned? What he said had struck her deeply. The Doctor always seemed to be right, and this time she'd had many months to consider his words.
Michael guided her off the rock and back onto shore before leading her behind some bushes that opened up into a more private cove, the trees and brush giving an element of secrecy to their little corner of the world. He sat and indicated she do the same.
Kathryn eased down next to him, her legs tucked beneath her. "What are you thinking about, Michael?"
"Us." It was a simple answer and the strong Irishman eyed her, intent on figuring her feelings out.
"What about us?" Kathryn ventured slowly.
"We've been together for a while, Katie…" He trailed off as he saw a flash of pain in her eyes. "Never mind." He wrapped his arms around her and pulled him against her, seemingly content to just hold her.
She fought tears back and scolded herself for being so reserved. She could have him, what difference would it make? She turned so her face pressed against his cheek and breathed deeply. "I'm sorry, Michael, I don't know why-"
"No excuses, Katie. It's not necessary." He pushed her back and smiled softly. "I would never want you to be uncomfortable."
She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Captain?"
Kathryn lifted her head and sighed.
"Someone is looking for you." Michael helped her stand.
"Don't leave… I will be back." She smiled and kissed him on the cheek before grabbing her shoes and hurrying out of the grove. "Over here, Harry!"
Harry laughed at the sight of her, bottom of her dress still wet, hair out of the typical bun she wore on the holodeck, smooth lying over her shoulders, shoes in hand. "Captain, Commander Chakotay tried to reach you."
She glanced down and realized her communicator wasn't in it's usual place. "Oh, I'm sorry, Harry, thank you for coming to get me." She moved to walk along side him as they made their way to where the arch would appear for them. "Do you know what he needs?"
"No, Captain, I was here as well when he called, but he seemed agitated."
She nodded as they exited the holodeck and continued to the turbolift. "Bridge." The turbolift complied, moving quickly upward.
"Uh, Captain… did you want the shoes on?" Harry fought a grin as he tried to remain professional while pointing at her bare feet.
She smiled sheepishly before dropping both shoes and slipping into them. "Given my attire, I don't think it makes a difference, Ensign." She patted him on the shoulder as the doors whisked open onto the Bridge.
"Captain, we've picked up a ship on long range sensors, it's Borg." Chakotay wasted no time with preliminaries as he reported to her.
*Following chapters to be added shortly*