Being So Close

Chakotay and Seven return to Earth and begin their lives together. In Ohio.

2 weeks had passed since Voyager returned to the Alpha quadrant. The majority of the crew got to see their immediate family. None of the crew were allowed to travel off world. And if questioned by the press they were to give no comments. Most of the crew were under Starfleet protection from the press. The Maqui however were still being questioned.

Seven had followed Chakotay to his cousin's house in the outskirts of Ohio. Seven had only seen a little of the planet since she arrived, and so far she still saw the planet as irrelevant.

She and Chakotay had gotten in an argument as they left Starfleet headquarters and headed toward the shuttle station. She remembered what had triggered her sudden mood change. Wind.

Wind was an awful thing she had discovered. It whipped across the bay, threw her hair out of place and was very loud. She had never experienced such an icy blast in her whole life and she hated it.

Chakotay sheltered her from it placing his jacket over her face. When they finally reached the shuttle Seven's hair was a mess and so was her newly applied make-up. She stared out the window from her seat, crossing her hands in front of her and pouting as if she were 12.

Chakotay took her hand, and gently caressed it. "Don't worry Seven; everything is going to be just fine."

Seven sighed loudly. She looked at her fresh manicure, and noticed a scratch on one of her newly painted nails. She stared at the imperfection for over an hour before finally looked back at Chakotay.

As they were landing, Seven noticed how flat Ohio was. There were no mountains, no valleys. But as she got off the shuttle, she recognized something from an hour ago. Wind.

"Chakotay is it always so windy in Ohio?" Chakotay smiled at her and exposed his dimples. "We are not in Ohio yet Seven. This is Chicago, also known as the windy city."

Seven grunted as they boarded another shuttle. "You mean to tell me people on Earth actually live in a city that is always windy."

"Yes Seven, some people actually enjoy the weather here."

"Those humans must be malfunctioning, or not care about their hair."

Chakotay laughed making Seven angry. For the remainder of the trip she gave him the silent treatment.

When they reached Ohio, Chakotay got directions to his cousin's home.

Seven was more determined to find a day spa so that she could re-beautify herself. Chakotay was worried about her and didn't want her to go off alone. She turned around and told him that being worried was illogical.

He shook his head and gave her directions to his cousin's home. She smiled and told him that she would catch up with him later.

Chakotay wandered down one of the main streets. He spotted a small restaurant on the corner and decided to go in. He took a seat at the bar and casually looked at one of the menus. He was startled by a familiar voice behind him. He turned and saw Kathryn Janeway with a man he didn't know.

He wanted to say hello. But they had not spoken since Voyager landed. He made his exit silently without causing suspicion. Or at least that's what he thought.

Chakotay had only walked to the end of the street when he heard her call his name. He figured that he would keep on walking and pretend that he hand not heard her. After all he was with Seven now. They were on intimate terms. His mind tried to grasp the fact that he was in a relationship with someone that he hadn't trusted in the beginning.

His thoughts were interrupted by a pat on his shoulder. She was out of breath when she smiled at him. "Chakotay I thought that was you, I called out to you but I guess you didn't hear me."

"No, I heard you I am just in a rush." The minute he had said that, he had regretted it.

She stiffened slightly by his reaction. "Well I am sorry to bother you." He gave her a smug look and under his breath he murmured, "No your not."

She turned at that instant. "What is that supposed to mean Chakotay?"

He stood tall in front of her now. "It means Captain that I am surprised you even noticed me after that display you made with that man inside the restaurant.."

"Your kidding right, that man is my sister's boyfriend. We are planning a surprise party for her in a few weeks!"

"Look Kathryn I'm meeting my girlfriend and I'm running late it was nice to see you but maybe we should keep our distance from one another. He began to walk away from her, but instead she walked in front of him and gave him the captains stare.

"You know Chakotay their was a time that I thought we might end up together. That we would be a couple. But I see now that the man I fell in love with years ago, the kind, and compassionate, thoughtful one is really just an ass! And I consider myself fortunate for never sleeping with him!"

Chakotay grabbed her arm before she could turn away. He leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear. "If I had had made love to you Kathryn you would have begged for me to continue and the only ass their would have been, would have been you for waiting so long to be with me!"

At that moment, Kathryn began to shiver.

TBC