Scene: Mess Hall
The mess hall's lights are dimmed. Kathryn is looking out of the window. She is disturbed by the sound of the doors opening.
Chakotay
(off-screen)
Thinking about something?
Kathryn
Yep.
She extends an arm towards the seat next to her. Chakotay sits down.
Chakotay
What about?
Kathryn
Life. Or the lack of it.
Chakotay
What do you mean by that?
Kathryn
I know my heart beats, I know that I breathe, I
kow that I eat and drink, but I'm not sure if I
*live*.
Kathryn notices Chakotay looking at her blankly.
Kathryn
B'Elanna's engaged to the man of her dreams,
and she's having a child with him. She's
less than two-thirds my age, but has done so
much more with her life than I have with mine.
Chakotay
Did you set a plan for your life?
Kathryn
What kind of question is that?
Chakotay
One that doesn't answer another one.
Kathryn
Who doesn't?
Chakotay
B'Elanna didn't.
Pause.
Kathryn
I get the point. But isn't it a little too
late for fixing the problem?
Chakotay
Problem?
Kathryn stands up, buries her face in her hands, sighs, and drops the hands in a defeatist manner.
Kathryn
Yeah, problem. My personal life is practically
non-existant.
(mini-sigh, mini-smile)
Heck, I thought I'd still be engaged when we got
home.
Chakotay
There you go again. Always seeing negative
situations as defeat.
(pause)
Remember?
Kathryn sits down again, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Kathryn
Yeah, I remember. I couldn't forget it. It's...
She sighs once more.
Chakotay
You never know what your life could turn out
like. I never planned for being back in
Starfleet - I didn't even plan for the Maquis.
But, that's how my life ended up, and I'm
happy with what I've got, what I've done...
(smiles)
Who I've met and cared about.
Kathryn
Well, I admit it hasn't been *all* bad...but I
feel like little's changed.
Chakotay
That's understandable...sometimes I feel the
same way.
Kathryn
Then we'll be stagnant together, huh?
Chakotay
I think I'd like that, for some reason.
He extends his hand.
Chakotay
Would you like to join me?
Kathryn
Where?
Chakotay
Holodeck. We could go fishing...
Kathryn
Doing nothing?
Chakotay
Who said holodecks couldn't be like real life?
Kathryn laughs and takes Chakotay's hand.
Kathryn
(deadpan)
Seven said.
Chakotay
Well, there you go then.
They start to walk out.
Kathryn
(light, teasing)
Who knows - I *might* be engaged before we get
home.
Chakotay
(chuckling)
Like that's ever going to happen.
Kathryn sighs as the doors open. They walk out, still holding hands. (What can I say - I liked the UZ J/C!)