She'd never had to lay out a table for dinner before, Mark had always been the one to do that - along with the cooking. But here she was, without him, setting a table for her first dinner with her Commander. Kathryn Janeway had asked Chakotay yesterday if he would like to come to her quarters to eat, she didn't know what she was thinking, she had made a vow not to get too close to her crew. But technically, he wasn't really a part of her crew, even if she had made him First Officer, just over a week ago. He would be here soon, she had gone over things again and again, changed everything more then once - should there be candles, should she wear her uniform, hair up or down? She settled on no candles, but had the lights dimmed slightly, and thought it best to wear her uniform with her hair up in standard bun. Everything was set, why did she feel nervous? She thought about when he came aboard Voyager, in his Marquis uniform, how he had started taunting Tom Paris, she'd stepped closer to him, breathing him in, and something inside her stirred. She glanced at her bookcase, at her wedding photo. Her and Mark were so happy then, she couldn't believe that was almost 3 months ago, and now she'd never see him again.
Chakotay stood outside, his finger hovering over the door chime. He wasn't sure why the Captain had asked him to dinner, they talked about ship stuff either on the bridge or in her Ready Room, and he hadn't seen her socialise with any of the other crew. Taking a deep breath he pressed it.
"Come in."
The doors slide open and he stepped in. Kathryn was stood by the table, he was glad now that he'd decided to wear his uniform as well. "Captain."
She smiled, "Chakotay, please, I've told, call me Kathryn." She motioned for him to sit down, which he dutifully did. "Now, you're a vegetarian?"
"Yes." He answered, he'd told her yesterday when she'd asked him to dinner. She moved away from the table, to her replicator. Chakotay fidgeted in his chair, as he looked around. Her quarters were not so different to his, in size and furniture. The first thing he noticed was her bookcase, it was positioned in front of him, beside the door to her bedroom. It was mostly filled with books, of course, with trinkets and photos. One photo caught his eye, it was a full length picture of her in a wedding dress, he didn't even know she was married, but then why would he, he didn't know her. He study the picture, hearing her curse her replicator behind him, she was breathtaking. She had on a simple white dress that came down to the floor, her hair was long, down to waist and she was smiling like he had not seen before. The man beside her looked older then her, he had an arm wrapped around her waist, holding her tightly. Both of them looked so happy, something twanged inside him, was he jealous?
Kathryn stood in front of Chakotay, holding a tray of lasagna. "Chakotay?" She said, for the third time.
When he jumped she had to smile, "Captain? Kathryn? Sorry, I didn't hear you."
As she placed the tray on the table she looked over to where he'd been staring, but decided not to say anything unless he did. Which he did.
"I didn't know you're married." He commented as he opened the bottle of wine which had been sat on the table.
Slipping into her chair, Kathryn suddenly felt panicked, she didn't want to talk about her marriage, not really, not to him, after all, she was never going to see her husband again. "Yes, almost three months now." There, she didn't feel the need to elaborate anymore then that.
Chakotay poured her a glass, then filled his. "You don't wear a ring."
He made it sound almost as if it were nothing, making her feel more uncomfortable. "Starfleet don't really allow jewellery as part of their uniform. I keep it on a necklace, in my bedroom." She dished up their food, wishing this conversation would end, she said. "I made vegetable lasagna, I hope you like it."
He smiled, "I'm sure it's just fine, thank you."
Kathryn laughed a little. "You've never tried my cooking, or replicating." She was grinning as he took a mouthful. She watched as he chewed, slowly nodding his head. "Is it ok?"
Chakotay swallowed, still nodding. "It's very nice, thank you." He took a sip of his drink. "Is there and reason you asked me to dinner, Cap- Kathryn?"
What was her reason for inviting him to dinner? Lonely? Missed her husband and needed male company? That stirring feeling she had? The crews? What? "I... It was... I thought it'd be easier for the crews to bond, if their captain and commander are." Though that was one reason, she knew deep down it wasn't the first reason.
He smiled at her, the first time he'd smiled at her, a real smile, she noticed he had dimples. He seem to get more handsome every time she saw him. When she walked out onto the bridge and he was sat in his chair beside hers, she couldn't help but eye him up. She felt guilty, she was a married woman - even if she was half way across the galaxy. Smiling back at him, Kathryn watched Chakotay eat, this was her life now, here in the Delta Quadrant. With this man at her side.