Disclaimer: Voyager and its characters are property of Paramount, as is the episode Workforce.

Workforce Rewrite

Summary:

The crew are captured and their memories altered to forget their lives on Voyager to become part of the workforce of an alien planet. Whilst on the planet Chakotay and Janeway discover feelings for one another which on Voyager they had denied.

Note:

This is a rewrite of Workforce and has basically replaced Jaffen with Chakotay, which in my opinion would have been a much more interesting episode. I've tried to keep it in line with how an episode might have panned out (although perhaps a little more explicit) including the ending, so let me know how convincing it is!

Anyway, not much more to say, erm... except that I've avoided bad language, but there are adult themes so this might be unsuitable for some younger readers. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Stood at the station he had been assigned, Chakotay found himself distracted from his work as a quiet but urgent alarm began to sound on a console a short way across from him. Leaning round his station for a better view of what was going on, he noticed one of the female workers tapping away frantically at buttons on the console, before seemingly giving up on her attempt… he raised an eyebrow as he witnessed the woman begin to talk to the equipment. Thinking that she may require some assistance, he automatically began to cross over the short space to where she was stood, but he hadn't taken two steps before he watched as she straightened up, squared her shoulders, and tapped in a command to the computer with such authority he wasn't sure if the alarm muted from receiving the correct sequential input or out of fear of non-compliance. Neither would have surprised him he decided as he continued his approach, and was able to see the determined and yet relieved look on her face.

"You almost started a core overload," he noted, coming up from her side and causing her head to snap in his direction in surprise of having been observed.

"I corrected it," she replied, almost defensively.

Chakotay smiled easily with the intention of putting her more at ease, "by talking to the machine?"

She rolled her eyes, "it's an old habit."

"Does it work?"

He found her narrowing her eyes at him ever so slightly, as if trying to decide the intent of his question, then she shot him a guilty smirk for having been caught talking to the console. She shook her head, "I'm not sure the control panel and I speak the same language just yet."

Chakotay grinned, taking a moment to subtly study the woman before him. She was the same species as himself, which he hadn't known before his approach, but now he was in closer proximity to her he could appreciate her subtle yet stunning attractiveness, the paler complexion of her skin compared to his, her auburn hair and dazzling blue eyes, and finally her flirtatious smile as she realised his examination of her. "You're new here?" he asked.

She nodded, "it's my first day."

"Then you're in good company; I only started here yesterday."

Rolling her eyes she looked at him with something close to desperation, "then please tell me I'm not the only one having disagreements with my machine?"

Although wanting to agree, he didn't want to lie, instead he tugged at his ear a little sheepishly, "I think it might be just the two of you to be honest." She took his admission with good humour, "I'm Chakotay by the way."

"Kathryn," she introduced herself.

"I work just over there," he pointed over to his own station, "so if the two of you require any mediation… I'll be close by."

Her smile widened, "I appreciate the offer."

Opening his mouth he found himself interrupted by the voice of another woman, "this station does not require two operators." They both turned to see a blonde worker with metal blemishes on her skin marching towards them, and looking less than pleased at having caught them not working.

"I'm sorry," Chakotay immediately apologised, "there was a problem, I just came over to investigate."

The woman barely acknowledge his excuse as she glanced down at the padd she held, "employees 8559 and 8584," she read off their numbers from the profiles displayed before her, "since you're both new here, you may not be familiar with the labour protocols, however you should be aware that fraternising is not permitted during work hours."

"What's your position here?" Chakotay pressed, annoyed by the interruption.

"I'm the efficiency monitor," she stated.

He raised an eyebrow defiantly, however he noticed Kathryn physically retreat somewhat, as if recognising the other worker's authority over them, "we weren't fraternising," she defended their conversation, "and he was just leaving."

The efficiency monitor hesitated, but thinking that she had made her point clear, she realised that to linger would be inefficient. Noticing another worker shirking out of the corner of her eye, with nothing more than a curt nod of her head, she left the two of them alone.

"I thought we were fraternising," Chakotay commented as soon as the efficiency monitor was out of ear shot.

Kathryn laughed lightly at his words, but decided not to indulge him as she attempted to turn back to the work before she was caught out again.

"I heard some of the other workers talking about a bar near here earlier, perhaps you'd consider joining me after our shifts to get acquainted?"

Kathryn hesitated, torn between a desire to keep a professional stance with her colleagues and the appeal of his offer. Glancing over the strange tattoo on his forehead, and then looking up into his deep brown eyes she felt herself momentarily transfixed by the man before her. Finally, reasoning that perhaps she could use a friend she gave in, "I finish in a couple of hours."

Then suddenly two gorgeous dimples appeared on his face as his grin widened, "I'll see you later then," he said shooting her one final dispelling smile, before walking back to his own station and returning to work.

V

As promised Kathryn had found Chakotay waiting for her at the shift turn-around to escort her to the bar. Although during the rest of her shift she had considered many excuses to get out of what was more apparently becoming a date, when she had seen him standing near the exit, and his smile had widened to reveal those dimples again, any resistance that had been building to that evening melted away, and she decided to allow herself to enjoy whatever that night turned out to be.

What she hadn't banked on however was how much she truly did enjoy his company, and not just because he was dashingly handsome and charming, but also because something between them seemed to click. It was almost like they had known each other for years as they chatted away over dinner, talked about their work place, colleagues, the efficiency monitor and the city which was also new to them both. The banter between them felt natural, as did it to share a couple of drinks with him after they'd eaten, and to then accept his offer of a late night walk to explore their surroundings.

"So you never mentioned where you're from?" Chakotay said as they walked through the deserted city, accompanied by only the street lights to combat the darkening sky.

"Earth," she told him, "yourself?"

"I'm from a planet called Dorvan," he replied, "but obviously my family originated on Earth."

She looked up at him, having to lean back slightly, as with her arm looped through his, they walked very closely together, "it's strange that we're the same species, but have come from such far away places and then managed to end up here, together."

Chakotay glanced across at her, gracing her with a small smile, "it's not so strange," he offered, "perhaps it's fate."

Chuckling lightly at his very obvious attempt at a romantic cliché, any response either of them had been about to make was cut short as two security officers came by and reminded them of the impending curfew. "It's okay," Chakotay said, wanting to be rid of them quickly, "we both live across in this block."

The moment the two men were gone the couple continued with their meandering, Chakotay only glancing over his shoulder to ensure that the officers believed his excuse and were paying them no further attention.

"I can't believe you've kept me up so late," Kathryn lightly scolded him as the two security officers had reminded her of the passing of time.

"I'm sorry," but his genuine smile belittled his apology, "I suppose I lost track of time."

She hesitated a moment before replying, "me too."

This time Chakotay paused, although he didn't want their night to end so soon, he was reluctant to push her to stay up with him any longer as he worried that he might scare her off. However, when he turned to meet her gaze and found a smouldering desire in the blue depths of her eyes, he realised that there was little chance of that happening, so decided to take a small risk. "My block really is just round the corner," he said at last, "I have a wonderful view of the river from my living quarters if you'd like to join me for a night cap." Kathryn looked suddenly hesitant, and he felt her pull away from him slightly at the suggestion, "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable," he said quickly, wanting to rectify the situation and resolve their easy tone.

"You didn't," she assured him softly, then grumbled with a short and exhausted laugh, "but I really need to be getting some sleep, I have an early start tomorrow."

Chakotay considered telling her that sleep was what he had in mind… eventually. He could explain the magnetism he felt for the woman beside him because her beauty and charisma were easily evident, however the protectiveness he felt for her and how natural and right it was to be close to her was something he was at a loss to understand. He'd had his share of flings, had bedded women on first dates before, and although he was confident that he could do the same with her, he didn't want to. What he realised he wanted from her as he met her intense blue eyes with his brown, was something more meaningful, solid and emotional. "Another time perhaps?" he asked hopefully.

Much to his relief she shot him a knowing smile and nodded, "I hope so," she said, and he realised her invitation for him to pursue her, one which he was keen to accept.

V

Over a week had gone by and Kathryn had found herself becoming fast friends with Chakotay. She didn't know what it was that made it so easy for her to be with him, to eat dinner with him as if she had never eaten a meal without him, and to chat with him endlessly into the late hours of the evening afterwards, but whatever it was, she was determined to allow herself to explore it. After having had him cook her a string of meals at his apartment, she had finally convinced him to spend the evening at hers so that she could cook for him.

She had only considered that the invitation was probably a mistake several minutes after he had arrived, as she had gone to check on the dinner only to find that it had been over cooked. As she flustered about the kitchen, opening the window and turning on the fan to vent the smoke which was quickly filling the room from the oven door, she didn't realise him standing watching her until she heard soft laughing coming from when he stood.

Kathryn turned to shoot him a glare, before he jumped into action and began to assist in her attempts to clear the smoke before the alarm sounded.

"Is this an Earth way of cooking that I'm unaccustomed to?" he asked with mirth held clearly in his expression when they'd got the situation under control.

She rolled her eyes at his joke, unable to see the funny side whilst the failure of her cooking attempt still hung close over her head. "Not exactly," she said, hands on hips as she considered her next actions.

Chakotay stood looking over the burnt remains sat in the casserole dish, and lifting a fork began to prod at it, "we could probably cut away the charcoal," he suggested, rather unhelpfully with a low chuckle.

"Well," she said, sounding like she had a plan. He turned to face her, "I promised you dinner, so I'll just have to take you out."

Kathryn began to move off with the intention of grabbing their jackets, but she found herself rooted to the spot and looked down to see her elbow in his loose yet firm grip. Moving her eyes up further to meet his, she was struck by the sudden desire she found lingering there. He took a couple of slow and deliberate steps towards her, never releasing his grip as he closed the gap between them. She realised that his actions indicated his willingness for her to pull back if she wanted to, but to her surprise she found she didn't want to.

"Dinner can wait," he told her, with such a low and seductive growl she was momentarily mesmerised.

Placing a hand on his chest was an action which came to her automatically, and whilst it signalled for him to back off, she realised as she did it that that was the last thing she wanted him to do. Slowly, she moved her palm up to his shoulder before lifting her hand completely to place her fingers to his forehead, delicately tracing the lines of his tattoo with her fingertips whilst his confused frown lifted into confused wonder. They were both thinking the same thing, that somehow, for what ever reason, this felt like the right thing to do, and any resistance would only prolong the inevitable.

He lowered his lips to hers, sending shivers down her spine as she eagerly responded. Although in the short time since they had met they had both sensed that it was leading to this moment, when it did happen, the only regretful thought was why they hadn't bridged that gap sooner.

Everywhere he touched her, she felt sparks of electricity, his hands at first placed delicately above her hips, but then gaining confidence to explore her back and snake up her side. Kathryn acted with a vigour and carelessness she'd never known herself to poses as she moved the arms she had wrapped around his neck and pushed him against the door frame, undoing his shirt buttons with haste and skill without having to break contact with his lips.

Chakotay allowed her to lead, repressing his strong desire to have her there and then, and even as she took him into the bedroom he forced himself to remain on her terms, to discontinue if at any point he sensed that it wasn't what she wanted. When they reached the side of her bed he finally pulled back a little from her, forcing her to stop, an uncertain look clouding her eyes as he took time to study her in the soft moonlight.

Without her heels, which she had kicked off when entering the bedroom, he noticed for the first time her small stature, and wearing only a thin knee length dress he was reminded of her fragile and elegant frame. Admiring the curves of her hips, and lusting the cleavage exposed from her low cut dress he finally returned his gaze to meet hers and he shot her a reassuring smile before lowering his head to her neck. She bent her head to one side to give him better access, gasping quietly as he caught the sensitive area behind her ear as if he already knew it was there, then she felt his fingers on her shoulder, his lips following in the path of his fingertips along her collarbone as he pulled back the strap of her dress.

As she felt him reach for the zip at the back of her dress again she was frustrated to find his hands still as he stopped his advances. She looked at him and found him waiting for her attention.

"Are you sure…?" he started, "if this is too soon…" Chakotay didn't know why he felt so apprehensive of what they were about to do, it wasn't as if any of this was new to either of them. It was as if he had wanted her his entire life, and now that it was about to happen, he was so worried that this final act would cause him to lose her.

Kathryn however was far from concerned, although she had only known this man a short while, she already felt that she knew him inside out, that she could trust him with not only with her life but also her heart. She nodded slowly, smiling up at him with appreciation for his consideration and a certainty that he was all she would ever want.

V

Tbc... let me know what you think!