Disclaimer: Star Trek: Voyager and all characters are the property of Paramount. Events and errors in this story are mine.
He watches the light dance and flirt over the strands, auburn shadows giving way to golden flares and all the spectrum of hues in between darting forth and retreating. He approaches her quietly from behind, the pale, smooth skin of her bare back drawing his hands toward her as the world fades from view. His heart, his soul, the infinitely surprising beauty that is his Kathryn spellbinds him in waves of color. Fingertips dare to reach out to her with the lightest of caresses, trailing up her spine to the curve of her long neck, pinpricks of sensation following the wake. A slightest shiver, a tip of her head, and new wisps shine softly to life. Gently, he finds a pin and slides it from its hiding place, searching with the greatest of care for its mates and releasing them. As the last one is eased forth, a twist of flame cascades down her neck to kiss her delicate back. His eyes follow as pale skin and auburn fire collide in a rolling cascade, lengthening as she tilts her face to the light. He slips his hands under the sea of tresses, faint tingles whispering up his arms to quicken his heartbeat.
"Commander!"
Chakotay jumps, his hands gripping the arms of his command chair. She is standing in front of him, hands on hips, and raises her eyebrows. "Where were you?"
"I'm sorry, Captain." His eyes roam over her uniform to the auburn halo atop her head. "I was thinking how much I miss the hues of color across the red deserts on earth."