Official Business: This story is my entry for Gamma Group, Second Round of the JC Cutthroat Fiction Competition. Due Dec 30, 2017.
The prompt was: "Members of the Voyager crew encounter someone or something ancient."
Thank Yous: This story never - ever - would have succeeded had it not been for my incredible friend and ever-patient beta, MiaCooper. She put hours and hours into this for me, often with no end in sight. She is a true gem in this fandom and I'm so glad I have her in my life. Thank you, Mia. (Her story is amazing, be sure to read it.) I also need to thank Miss_Mil for brainstorming with me very early on; the numerous people that I called upon for help/ideas on various sections; the ladies that preread and commented. Espcially Klugtiger, who was so very helpful. But they all helped me form and polish this and I'm so grateful - you all know who you are and I love you! Of course, this story wouldn't have even been imagined had it not been for Talsi74656 and her wicked competition, so in reality, this is for her. Thank you, marvelous person.
Author's Note: When this round started, I never thought I'd end up with a story that was so involved. This plot consumed me for two months and ended up almost three times longer than anything I've done before. It seems fitting that it will be the last piece published in my first year of writing, as it feels like a final paper. Thank you to all my faithful readers and fandom friends. This year has certainly been memorable. I hope you enjoy!
1: Speak your truth quietly and clearly
The curtain of night descended upon them, darkness punctuated by the lights of the San Francisco skyline and innumerable stars above. Though it held their attention briefly, the outside world quickly disappeared into ecstasy wrapped in satin lace, that moment extended in his strong embrace, exhausted on a heated breath, dissolved shortly after into an unending, soft caress. "I love you," he vowed as she shuddered around him.
The side of her neck was soft and warm under his lips. He felt her approval rise as vibration from a chuckle born deep in her chest, drifting upward to end on a sigh. Trapped in a mutually passionate grip, he drew his hand, rough and large, against her pale flesh, down the center-side of her, brushing past breast and stomach, hip and thigh, coming to rest near where they were as one.
"I love you," he whispered again into that most delicate part of her pulse, repeating once more, "I love you," in case there was any doubt.
She turned her head sharply, devouring his words with her kiss. He hoped that the intent behind her act was an affirmation of her own feelings for him and not a distraction from them. He was given little chance to consider the matter as she thrust forward and around, pulling him over the edge along with her to a chorus of their own names.
"Stay," he pleaded as she fell back against the pillow. She rolled and tucked herself around him and the shade of night drew close as covers, beckoning him into blissful dreams.
"Stay," he whispered just before sleep claimed him.
But, as always, she failed to obey.
When he woke, she was gone.
Kathryn was halfway through her third cup of coffee by the time that expected chime rang at her door. Hastily, she folded the last of her clothing, tucked it into her carry bag, and went to answer, tossing her uniform jacket onto the couch as she strode past.
"You're running late today, Chakotay," she chided with a teasing smile. "Did I wear you out last night?"
His arm found its way around her waist and he answered her with a kiss. "That must be it," he admitted, licking away the remains of her coffee from his lips. He eyed her trademark pristine appearance, crisp uniform pants and a perfectly fit crimson shirt with bars on the collar. Even her shoes seemed to have been recently spit-shined. "Or I didn't wear you out enough. In any event, you're up too early for my taste."
"This is nothing compared to the mornings we used to pull on Voyager," she reminded, leading him to the kitchen.
"We're not on Voyager anymore."
"Obviously." She raised an eyebrow at him, allowing her gaze to wander a trail from his dark eyes, past where his tongue was still enjoying the taste of her, and down his long torso. After a year it no longer took her off-guard to see him dressed casually as it had when he first resigned his commission. Button-down shirts and khaki trousers suited him quite well, she had decided. Though as it had when she was with Mark, it made her oddly uncomfortable to be in uniform while in his company.
Pulling herself away, she pressed a button on the replicator and a mug of steaming water appeared. Into it she dropped two generous helpings of tea leaves from a canister on the counter.
"You know, you didn't have to run out on me." He slid onto a stool at the high-top bar which surrounded the kitchen. "It was our last night together for a while, I rather hoped you'd stay."
"Oh, I thought about it but then I'd just be up early to get back here and pack anyway," she waved him off. "I didn't want to wake you, I know you have to wrangle all those eager cadets later."
"Kathryn…"
She sighed, bringing her own mug to her lips. "Yes?"
"Look, I know we haven't discussed this before, but you wouldn't have to leave if you just lived with me."
At this she nearly choked on her drink and then laughed uncomfortably. "Lived with you?"
"I didn't make the suggestion to be funny."
"I'm not laughing because I think it's funny."
"Good, because the only thing funny here is that we spent seven years unable to be more than three hundred meters apart, but not allowed to be together, and now that we can be together –"
"We're apart. Yes. Well, I'm trying to be practical. We lead very different lives on very different schedules, Chakotay. Besides, I've lived alone for a long time. For the last year since we've been home, seven before that and even before Voyager I lived in my own house away from Mark. I just…"
"You don't like to share space?"
She wagged her head back and forth. "That's not exactly it."
"Then what?" he asked. Sensing his frustration rise, he quickly tempered it back down. "Okay, forget that I asked you to move in. Can you just wake up in the same bed with me in the morning? We've been, well, whatever we are, for six months and not once have you stayed."
"I –" Her response was cut short when an incoming communication bleeped its interruption. "I have to get that."
Chakotay sighed and watched her hastily depart the kitchen. He took a biscuit from the platter on the bar and broke it apart, watching the crumbs scatter on the countertop. He pressed them together with his thumb.
"I'm sorry," she said, leaning her head into the room from the doorway. "I have to leave."
"Already? I thought you had until this afternoon."
"Admiral Nechayev has called an all-hands briefing. I have to attend before we depart."
"Oh."
"We'll discuss your… suggestion when I return. I promise," she said, heading toward her bedroom to gather her things.
He diverted his eyes back to the mess he had made by absentmindedly picking at his food.
"I'll be back in six weeks, seven at the most," she shouted down the hall. "The time will fly by, you'll see."
"It always does," he lied, looking to his mug. The steam rose in swirls then dissipated into the air.
"You can let yourself out?" she asked, hurrying by the counter once again. Bag swinging over her shoulder, she stopped only briefly to kiss him on the cheek before heading toward the exit.
"Yes. I'll let myself out," he replied to the back of the door.
