Kathryn awoke quickly, almost complete darkness surrounding her save for the flickering fire across the room. She closed her eyes and scrubbed her hands over her face as she sat up, the overwhelming dryness in her throat telling her she wouldn't get back to sleep without some water from the kitchen. She pushed the blankets back and shivered as the cold air in the room came in contact with her bare legs. Her feet landed on her slippers and she put them on, already reaching for her robe at the end of the bed.

Bundled up as much as she could be in her nightgown and robe, she lit a candle and held it close as she left her room. The stone hallways were completely silent and Kathryn decided she liked the castle better like this instead of filled with people. As she passed by a window, she glanced out to see the crescent moon high in the sky with no sign of the sun.

She quickly made her way down to the kitchen, stopping short when she saw a moving shadow. She turned back and hid against the wall, quietly blowing her candle out and holding her breath. No one else should be awake and definitely not in the kitchen without light. Growing bold, she adjusted her grip on the candle and stepped back into the kitchen.

"Who are you?" The shadow jumped and turned, but she couldn't make out any features, even as it moved closer. "Stop and tell me who you are," she demanded.

"It's late." The shadow had a deep voice with a slight accent; he wasn't from her father's kingdom. "You should be in your bed."

"You shouldn't be here at all," she retorted.

"Go back to bed before you get hurt."

"Not until you leave." She took her own step forward, lifting the candle higher in defense.

She heard the strike of a match and the shadow lit another candle in its hand, holding it close and allowing her to make out some features. He had a strong face and jaw, and a skin tone confirming her belief he was from far away. Strange, dark markings covered his left forehead and she felt a strange urge to trace her finger along them.

"You're not a kitchen maid," he finally said and she huffed.

"No. Princess Kathryn Janeway of Voyager." She raised an eyebrow and lit her candle off his, drawing a surprised noise from him. "Will you finally answer my question?"

A smirk crossed his lips and he leaned against the table next to them. "Chakotay."

"Chakotay?" She arched her eyebrow higher.

"Captain Chakotay of the ship Val Jean, if you must know," he drawled.

"You're a captain?" She couldn't keep her curiosity out of her voice and inwardly cringed. "What are you doing here?"

"Your kingdom borders the ocean, your highness." He used her title sarcastically and she rolled her eyes. "Surely, you're used to seeing ships and captains."

"I am, just not in the middle of the night in the kitchen." She leaned against the table and tilted her head so her braided hair fell over her shoulder. "Which, by the way, I'd love to know why."

"Ran into some hard times." He shrugged and crossed one leg over the other, moving her attention from his face to his clothes.

He wore leather pants and a vest over a striped long-sleeved shirt, gold adornments following the deep curve of the vest over his covered chest. She forced her gaze away from his attire and back to his face and the questioning expression he wore.

"Why haven't you called for help?"

She shrugged and set the candle down to cross her arms. "I have yet to catch you doing anything illegal. We're an open castle, so technically your presence is welcome. Even in the middle of the night."

He straightened up and grabbed a bag off the ground behind him, dropping it on the table by her candle. He pulled out a half-eaten loaf of bread and a few pieces of fruit before he returned them to the bag.

"Stealing," was all he said.

"I don't know that those came from this kitchen." She wasn't sure why she was giving him an out, but something drew her to him and her week had been boring enough for her to explore her curiosity.

As she watched, he leaned over and stole an apple, tossing it into his bag while locking eyes with her. She pointedly held his gaze and avoided watching his hand.

"Still haven't seen anything." She smirked and straightened up, trying to gain every bit of height she could. She was still a head shorter than him.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Are you trying to get caught?"

"No, I just don't understand why you're doing this."

She didn't respond for a moment and instead jumped up to sit on the table, daintily crossing her ankles. She could hear the kitchen staff scolding her in her head, but she tried to ignore those thoughts and focus on Chakotay.

"You must have plenty of adventures sailing," she finally said. "No two days are the same?"

He grunted in response.

"Every day is the same here. Slight variation in the diplomat I had the pleasure of socializing with, but generally it's the same." She sighed and shook her head. "And the suitors are the dullest part of it all."

"So, you're not having me arrested because you're bored." The incredulous look he gave her matched his voice.

"Yes," she answered, giving a small shrug.

"You're nothing like the rumors say you are, Princess Kathryn." This time, his use of her title didn't hold any of his previous sarcasm.

"I should think not."

"The rumors say you're an obedient, rule-following, well-behaved princess." He grinned and looked her over. "You don't seem to be any of those."

"I'm not." She huffed and rolled her eyes. "But if I have any chance of holding the throne after my father's death, I need to at least pretend."

"Smart and pretty." His grinned widened and he started to sit on the table beside her, but a noise outside caught both their attention.

"Shit, sunrise." He grabbed his bag and Kathryn jumped down.

"You need to go. If anyone catches you, say you're running a private errand for me. Make something up about not waking me and you'll be fine," she told him quickly. "Now go."

He looked at her for a moment and then turned and headed for the door. She watched him go, surprised when he looked back. "Will I see you again?"

She couldn't help the small smile that formed. "Meet here tomorrow night, two hours after sunset."

"I'll be here, your highness." With that, he hurried out the door.

She slowly turned and took one step before the kitchen door thudded open and the head cook rushed in. She immediately fixed Kathryn with a firm glare and crossed her arms. Kathryn pursed her lips and cleared her throat.

"What in the world are you doing up, your highness?"

"Thirsty.," she admitted, trying to ignore how her heart pounded. Chakotay had provided her the most excitement she had seen in months.

"Goodness, child." The elderly cook shook her head as she found a clean cup and poured her a glass of water. "Hurry up and get back to bed."

"Thank you." Kathryn smiled genuinely and sipped the water, her fingers tangling in her robe as she hurried back to her room.

She finished off her water and crawled into her bed, the early sunlight starting to trickle through her window and across her bed. As she pulled the blankets over herself and rolled to put her back to the light, she found herself picturing Chakotay and his strange face markings. She had no hesitation about seeing him again; her emotions were the exact opposite as she found herself longing for the day to begin and end so she could see him.