Disclaimer: Paramount owns all the characters, I'm just taking them and as much as I hope it's where no one has gone before I really don't think I've managed to escape any of the clichés.
Author's Note: Thank you very much for all the reviews, please keep them coming! A slightly shorter chapter this time, and if things seem a little vague, don't worry, you'll see where all this is heading. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy!
Kathryn Janeway huffed impatiently as she stuck a last pin into her hair as the door chime sounded for the second time. "I'm coming!" She called, knowing full well that Chakotay (on time as usual) could not hear her. She regretted now, as a loose strand of hair worked its way out of her bun and curled down the nape of her neck, refusing the help of the make-up artist and hair-dresser that Starfleet's PR department had offered. Huffing once more, she decided to abandon her efforts, deciding that as much as it might irritate her, some might consider the slightly dishevelled look quite fashionable.
"Chakotay," she greeted warmly as she answered the door. Her exasperation having abated at the sight of her dashing First Officer clad in his best suit. "Well, don't you look charming!" she exclaimed in the slightly brash manner her officers had sometimes come to expect of her.
"You look divine yourself," He grinned, tugging embarrassedly at his earlobe, nodding towards her emerald green evening gown that offset her hair and eyes.
"Thank you. I just have to grab my earrings and I'll be set. Wait a minute?"
"Of course."
As she disappeared into the bedroom of the hotel suite that was adjacent to his own, he scanned the room and spying the wine glasses and bottle they had abandoned out on the patio earlier in the afternoon, decided to busy himself in the five or ten minutes he knew he'd be waiting and tidy them up. Slipping out onto the balcony, he quickly gathered up the glasses, tucking the bottle under his arm to save him an added trip. He smiled remembering their effortless conversation just hours ago. They had initially agreed to arrive ahead of the occasion to give themselves a few hours rest, allowing themselves time to adjust to the climate and get over their jet lag, but having overcome the tension that had pervaded their relationship just hours ago, on board the shuttle, both Kathryn and Chakotay had been eager to spend that precious time together reminiscing and recovering their old camaraderie, worried that it would be a while before they would be alone together like this again. He had been surprised at just how easy it was to ignore the last few months on Voyager and joke about stuffy Admirals who nit-picked over the trivial and ignored larger, more pressing issues that plagued Voyager's return home. As he looked over the terraformed horizon of the once barren Red Planet, he realised that he would be lying if he said that he could completely overlook his love for Kathryn, but he welcomed her friendship and was sure that with time it would come to be enough.
As he turned back to enter the lounge, he noticed someone in the block of rooms opposite their own starring at him through the blinds. Being some distance away, across the ground floor swimming pool and bar, and hidden in the shadows, Chakotay was hard-pressed to make the figure out. He, or she, watched a moment longer and then was gone, leaving a twitching curtain in his wake. He shivered, not because the figure had appeared menacing, although that had been his initial worry – one he quickly and foolishly brushed off as residue anxiety from having had to be on constant alert in the Delta Quadrant – but through worry for Kathryn's safety. If the press knew she was here, he was convinced that they would be relentless in their quest for a newsworthy story, perhaps even going so far as to try and create one themselves. He knew there had been an instance where a reporter had shoved Kathryn into a wall in an attempt to provoke a response from her, having failed to do so by civil means - but having foolishly carrying out this malicious act so close to Starfleet grounds, he had quickly been apprehended by a passing Lieutenant. Chakotay feared that the incident though a trivial one, could soon escalate to involve more dire circumstances and scenarios – some even life threatening. Owen Paris had let it slip that Kathryn had been receiving inauspicious - even threatening letters from people who were still upset over events which had occurred more than seven years ago – people who were outraged that Kathryn had so readily and willingly, without exhausting all the other options available to her, banded together with a group of rogue Maquis outlaws. He was certain her close and much talked about friendship with him did nothing more to help the matter.
However, it quelled his fears somewhat to know that Starfleet was taking steps to protect his Captain. The Admirals had taken to insisting that Kathryn transport directly to HQ from the officers quarters she had temporarily been assigned and though she had lamented over the loss of fresh air that the short walk usually afforded her, she had agreed. She had also reluctantly acquiesced to be accompanied on this short visit by the security detail who had met them at the docking bay, insisting that the same protection be afforded to her First Officer, who she believed was "in as grave a danger as she was" – and though she had looked at the Lieutenant seriously at the time, later on she confessed to Chakotay that her motives had been quite selfish – knowing her request had forced them to spread out their resources, resulting in fewer bodyguards tailing her wherever she went.
"Chakotay?" He heard Kathryn call from inside, interrupting his reverie and when he did not respond immediately; she repeated her call, her voice slightly more agitated.
"Out here," he called and at once she appeared at the glass door.
"What are you doing?" She laughed and all thought of forewarning her of the suspicious journalist disappeared from his mind. No need to worry her needlessly, he reasoned, especially as she was just beginning to relax and wind down after months – no years, of hard work – besides there was a security detail just outside her door and he himself would be nearby if need be. Undoubtedly, "the phantom" was but a curious guest who had looked out the window at an opportune moment and was fascinated at having caught a newly appointed celebrity doing something as mundane as chores.
"There really is no need for you to do this," Kathryn said, taking the bottle from under his arm. "I could have tidied this up later, or," her voice dropped to a conspirational whisper, "Left housekeeping to do it!"
"Kathryn!" He admonished as he followed her in, taking care to lock the sliding glass door behind him, "I'm beginning to think all this fame is getting to your head. There really is no need to abuse your privileges!"
"You're right, Chakotay. Best to keep grounded." Kathryn nodded solemnly, before laughing at his gentle teasing and swatting his chest lightly, ushering him out the door.
"And don't you forget that!" He called after her, following her out the hotel room.
He bumped into her just outside the threshold to her suite. "What's wrong?" He asked wondering why she had stopped midstride.
She shook her head, "Nothing," she said cautiously, staring blankly down the corridor. Chakotay turned to follow her gaze but saw nothing there. "I just thought I saw B'Elanna round that hallway. Well, the woman – whoever she was – was dark-haired and carrying a baby. I just assumed..." her voice trailed off and the shook her head as though to clear her thoughts. "Must have been someone else. You didn't see anyone, did you Ensign?" She asked the boy who couldn't have been more than twenty who stood at attention just to the left of her door.
He paused, as though unsure of what to say, "No, ma'am." He finally responded.
"Captain, will do."
"Yes, Captain." The boy saluted.
"Now there really is no need for that." Kathryn laughed. "Well, thank you. Have a good evening."
"You too, Captain."
And as Kathryn and Chakotay walked down the corridor, the Ensign overheard the renown First Officer teasing his Captain lightly, asking: "Do you really think he's going to have a good evening Kathryn? Standing there guarding your door, with nothing but to look at but an uninviting beige wall?"
Ensign Robert Maloney couldn't hear the response, but judging by the laughter that wafted back to him and the Commanders slightly slumped shoulders, he figured that whatever she said, the Captain must have got him good.
To be continued...