Voyager - Spirit World
Chapter Two - Needs of the Few
by Carissa Horton
Rating: PG13 for sensuality (duh)
Summary: Set immediately after episode Sacred Ground in Season Three. Kathryn is struggling with her scientific side after her encounter with the spirit world on Nechani. Not knowing where else to go, she turns to Chakotay for guidance, little knowing her trust in him might develop into more than she anticipated. Throw in a pinch of adventure, a dash of Vidiian evil, and a smidgen of danger and we've got ourselves a story.
Thanks for your reviews everyone! That always helps inspire me to continue writing. I confess to being unsure where this chapter would lead. I'm one of those writers that permits the characters to create their own stories. I just go along for the ride, sort of a biographer. So you might be surprised, and hopefully pleased, by the result of this chapter. Then again, you might hate me for the end. My bad! We'll have to wait and see what happens. I'm as clueless as you! Let me just say that I can hardly wait for chapter three to manifest itself. I have a suspicion it'll be a humdinger!
Chapter Two
The following morning, Kathryn treated Chakotay as she had always treated him, with affectionate detachment. He handed her an engineering report, which she accepted with a smile, and a calm, "Another report, Commander? As if we didn't know every nuance of Voyager already. That happens when you've been away from home as long as we have."
"We may know Voyager thoroughly, Captain, but reports still need to be read."
"Indeed. Thank you, Commander."
There was no indicator, no flash of uneasiness between them, to alert the crew of Kathryn's tension. She had always been a superb liar, even in grade school when Billy Boyd had accidentally lost their teacher's favorite bracelet down a storm drain and Kathryn had taken the blame upon herself. It had been worth it though, to see Billy's relieved and appreciative face grin at her before leaning in to kiss her cheek. She had been 11 at the time. Still, there was a certain tightness to the muscles of Chakotay's back. His uniform usually fit a little looser than it did today. Either that or she was becoming more aware of his mood swings and was merely imagining the unusual fit of his clothes.
Chakotay focused his breathing in the seat beside Kathryn, watching the galaxy flash past in a haze of indiscernible stars. Even at Warp 6, the highest warp they could safely maintain, it would take them at least two generations of crew to reach home. Miracles were possible, but Chakotay didn't hold out much hope for one. He had almost dared to believe they would reach Earth safely when that wormhole opened up two months ago. But the conniving Ferengi had completely ruined their chances of escaping back into their quadrant. Not normally a violent man, Chakotay would have gladly wrung their necks had he the opportunity. At this very moment, he was sure, the two misfits were safely secluded back on their home world, boasting of their success over the lost Federation ship, Voyager.
It felt like forever, the hours slowly ticking by, until Chakotay calmly excused himself from the Bridge. His next two hours could be spent off duty and Chakotay wanted nothing more than to visit the Holodeck and continue a seagoing holonovel he'd begun two months after joining Voyager. But an agreement was an agreement and he could not escape his memory of the captain's desperate pleading.
So it was that Chakotay found himself outside Kathryn's quarters at 1300 hours, seriously questioning his mental judgment and choice in attire. A crewman hurried past, not even glancing his direction, but Chakotay still felt conspicuous. Never mind that he visited the captain's quarters weekly to provide a full status report, even more often if she was in need of advice concerning treatment of the crew. But this was different. He knew it and so did she. Still, no going back.
He rested his hand on the keypad to her door, which swooshed open immediately. She stood at the window, dressed in Starfleet garb, a steaming cup of coffee in her hand, the strong blend permeating her quarters. She didn't face him, merely sipped her coffee before murmuring, "I almost thought you wouldn't bother coming, Commander."
"I gave you my word."
She chuckled sardonically, "And your word is your bond, eh, Chakotay? Yes, even if it means doing something you find distasteful. Such as now."
Chakotay knew his actions the night before had genuinely hurt her, a fact blatantly obvious by her self-protective stance. He'd never locked her out before, though he'd been locked out of her thoughts many times. It pained her to have the tables turned and even though Chakotay hated to cause any emotional injury, he also felt a slight comfort in knowing he had the power to reciprocate her indifference. It gave them an even playing field.
But now was the time to make amends. "Kathryn," he spoke evenly, stepping further inside her quarters, dropping a packet onto the coffee table, moving until he reached her side, "you caught me off guard last night. I'm not accustomed to sharing personal moments with you and I was unsure of how to respond. But my badly executed reaction was not meant to. . .What I mean to say is that I apologize. I'm glad that I can of service to you. And I'm pleased you felt you could trust me enough to speak honestly."
Kathryn's internal wall crumbled. Still clutching her mug, Kathryn turned slightly to gaze at him. The gentle compassion reflected in his eyes sent the rest of her wall tumbling down and she had to restrain a sigh of relief. He was Chakotay again. "Thank you, Chakotay. I know, you'd rather I stayed on a single emotional track. Honestly, I wish I could, but being out here, so far from Starfleet, sometimes I feel overwhelmed and unsure of my choices. But I'm quite in control now. You won't have to fear any more emotional outbursts that penetrate your comfort zone."
He smiled crookedly at her, "Thank you. I think. Although to be fair, I hope you still indulge in the occasional emotional outburst at Lieutenant Paris. Otherwise I'm afraid you might crush his spirit."
"We can't have that, now can we." She finally faced him directly, feeling almost shy and uncertain, a sensation most disconcerting. "So, what now?"
"Now." Chakotay paused then grinned, "Now, you let me lead."
Gently he guided her to sit cross-legged on the floor, no support for her back. Reverently, he laid the animal skin packet on the floor, settling across from her, also in the lotus position. "Now, I want you to just relax. Allow all conscious thought to drain from your mind. As if you're trying to sleep."
"Easier said than done. But I'll try." Clasping a hand to each knee, Kathryn inhaled a few deep breaths, watching steadily while Chakotay unwrapped the skin. He tenderly handled each item it contained. First there was a scientifically advanced item which he placed on the smooth skin. Then a wing of some sort, undoubtedly a black bird, he set tenderly beside its brother, and finally, Chakotay fondled a smooth river stone, marked by the language of his people.
Chakotay rolled the rock between his palms for a few moments, warming it, preparing it for the touch of another. He looked up an extended his hands palm upward, the rock nestled securely in his left hand, towards her. No hesitancy lingered in her gaze. Trustingly, she lowered her hands, palm down, onto his own. His heat melded with hers.
Chakotay's eyes, his pupils dilating, sent Kathryn's heart throbbing painfully in her chest. They barely touched, waiting for the electricity of their shared connection to the stone to dissipate. Slowly, she felt it become a part of her, melding with her synapses, flooding every pore with energy. It was more than Chakotay now. He felt it too, she knew it, this strange exhilaration overflowing her senses. Like sex but oh so much better, so much more fulfilling. It made her want to weep for the joy of it.
He barely needed to urge her next moves, she was so attuned to the stone and to him. Together, they drew their hands together until he no longer touched the stone, until it was encased by her hands which were then encased by his. Leaning over the animal skin and ancestral elements, Chakotay met Kathryn halfway, their foreheads caressing, eyes naturally closing, encompassing the heat of the stone. It pulsed through him as it had never done before, almost overpowering his voice.
But speak he must and so he traversed the familiar words, "A-koo-chee-moya. I pray on this day of memories, to speak to my father - the one whom the wind called... Kolopak. Though I'm far from his bones, perhaps there is a spirit in these unnamed skies who will find him, and honor him with my song. I bring with me a woman, seeking spiritual guidance, in need of wisdom that only the spirits can provide. A-koo-chee-moya."
Kathryn wasn't sure what she expected but it certainly wasn't the sudden panic of Chakotay's absence from her side, from her thoughts. She felt cold and terribly, terribly alone. The stone was no longer in her hands, Chakotay no longer grounded her to the spiritual plane with which she was most familiar. Her legs collapsed under her and her eyelids refused to open.
Finally, she forced one then another to crack, peeking out from under her lashes.
The world was dark.
Ink black.
She couldn't breathe.
Sleep, sweet slumber, seduced her.
"Kathryn!"
Who dared interrupt her rest?
"Kathryn, open your eyes!"
Why? There was nothing to see.
A sudden sting attacked her cheek.
Eyes flying open, Kathryn lashed out.
Chakotay struggled with the wild woman in his arms. He'd never considered fingernails lethal until they scraped across his face, removing a hunk of skin along his left cheekbone. She was strong as a wild cat. And he should know, having unwillingly wrestled one in his youth. But that was many years ago and he was in no mood to be mauled to death by the panicked woman writhing about the room. With a magnificent grunt, he rolled her onto her back, straddling her body, anything to keep her still.
"Kathryn, it's me!"
The snarl broke through her subliminal fear. Her senses thundered back into her body and she found herself starring into Chakotay's dark eyes. Moisture dripped onto her cheek. Color slowly returned to the room and she realized the color was red, blood red. It dripped from Chakotay's mutilated face. He pressed her down into the unyielding carpet of her living quarters, his hands firmly wrapped around her wrists. But the moment she met his gaze directly, he lessened his grasp. Not caring that he still straddled her, the heat of his body perfectly aligned to her own, Kathryn slid her hand free and touched his face, the blood on his face mirrored on her fingertips. Tears slid down her cheeks. His chin wobbled, just the tiniest bit, before he enfolded her in his arms, still sprawled on the floor.
"Oh, Chakotay, I'm so sorry." She choked out.
He didn't even bother to respond, just clung to her, rolling onto his side and taking her with him. Now he could touch her hair, loosened from its French Roll in their struggle. He was almost afraid she would pull away from him, straighten herself, become the captain again. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his waist, wriggling one underneath his torso so she could clutch him more solidly. His chin rested perfectly atop her head, nuzzling her soft hair.
"I'm the one who needs to apologize, Kathryn. I've never tried contacting the spirit world in conjunction with another person before. I had no idea the spirits would object so strongly to the connection." He straightened, pulling her up with him. Hands framing her face, he brushed the lingering strands of hair away from her lips and eyes.
Kathryn thanked the fates for every breath she inhaled. Each one was precious and each one reaffirmed her belief that she had survived the dreadful loneliness. A schism of desire wound through her body, emanating inward from every part of her skin that touched Chakotay. That desperate solitude had engulfed her. All she thought now was to touch him, to caress him, to feel his presence, to know she wasn't alone. She inhaled his musky scent, so uniquely Chakotay. How desperately she needed him now.
Chakotay's entire body stiffened at Kathryn's kiss. She straightened just enough for her lips to connect with his, warm and passionate. She pulled back slightly only to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him again. His mind fuzzy, all Chakotay could think was to return her caress. Chakotay stroked her lips with his tongue, urging hers to part for him. A low groan of desire escaped her, the sound sending a pulse of longing straight to his groin. Their tongues embraced, dancing across one another, lips easing together then apart until Chakotay felt reason fade. He wanted nothing more than this, just this. Kathryn's hands found the opening to his uniform shirt. The zipper slid slowly down his back, rasping his already sensitive skin.
"Captain, you're needed on the Bridge immediately. A Vidiian ship is on an intercept trajectory with Voyager!"