Chakotay woke up alone on Kathryn's sofa early the next morning. Sometime after he'd fallen asleep, she had covered him with a blanket and slipped a pillow under his head. He also noticed the absence of his shoes and wondered how she had managed to remove them without waking him.
He searched the darkened room, the starlight barely bright enough for him to see the low table in front of his makeshift bed. At a noise from the direction of her bedroom, he sat up and quietly ordered, "Computer, lights one quarter."
Kathryn walked into the room in a pair of loose pajamas and a long robe. "Good morning," she smiled.
"What time is it?" he asked as he rubbed his face and combed his fingers through his hair.
"Almost 0500. Did you sleep well?"
"I did. How about you?"
"I went to bed a couple of hours after you fell asleep. That sofa wasn't designed for two people."
He raised a brow and asked, "I didn't push you off on the floor, did I?"
"No," she laughed, "you never moved. I'm the restless sleeper."
"I'll have to remember that." He stood up and folded the blanket, laying it atop the pillow. When she stepped up behind him and slid her hands over his shoulders, he turned back around and clasped her waist. "Kathryn, I believe something is changing between us, but I need to know that you want this. I'll respect your wishes whatever they are."
Saddened that his concerns ran so deeply, he offered to walk away even with her in his arms, she firmly held his gaze. "I started it, Chakotay, and I wouldn't have done so if I was unsure. I have certain expectations, such as being able to separate our work from what happens off duty. I have to be your captain; there is no changing that. You have to be my first officer because this ship needs you."
She spread her hand over his heart and moved in closer. "For six years, we have lived and worked together, and we have loved each other. It's time that we allow ourselves to show it."
He kissed her, briefly and chastely, and caressed the soft robe over her sides. "I should go back to my quarters while the corridor is quiet." Looking down at his wrinkled shirt and slacks, he remarked, "It's obvious that I haven't just come off duty."
She smiled and took a step back to walk him to the door. Although she wanted him to stay, he deserved time to think things through as she had done the day before.
Chakotay pulled on his shoes and said, "I would like to see B'Elanna before I go to the bridge this morning. I need to tell her that I'm okay."
"She would appreciate that. I'll see you in a couple of hours. Don't forget about dinner."
"Not a chance."
Chakotay made it back to his quarters without being seen. He sat down on his bed and watched the stars streaking past as Voyager stayed the course for home. The estimated thirty-year journey seemed less daunting with the knowledge that Kathryn wanted to begin a real relationship.
He wondered how taking the next step could be so easy after years of reasoning why they shouldn't. When Kathryn had said, "I love you," without question or concern, their previous justifications no longer mattered to him. Their command structure was firmly in place, their crew had bonded as a family of friends and colleagues, and their quest to reach Earth was more attainable than ever. Starfleet protocol remained on the books, but Chakotay had never agreed with the one that urged Kathryn to remain alone. He assumed that she must have reached the same conclusion.
Chakotay washed, shaved, and donned his uniform. After shining his boots, his mind wandered to planning that evening's dinner. He straightened up his rooms, breaking out in a smile with each thought of Kathryn, and hummed to himself while he changed the sheets on his bed. The dark memories of the past slid away as he imagined new ones he would create that night.
His chores completed, he straightened his jacket and left for the messhall to grab a piece of fruit before contacting B'Elanna. While Chakotay picked through the bowl on the counter deciding which fruit to choose, Tom and B'Elanna entered the messhall. She spotted Chakotay and smiled hesitantly at him.
"Lieutenants," he acknowledged the couple with a nod. "I was about to contact you, B'Elanna. Do you have a minute?"
She gave Tom her breakfast order and then followed Chakotay to the far corner away from Neelix's counter. He stood in front of her with his back to the room, effectively hiding both of them from the few others present. "B'Elanna, the captain and I spoke last night about her talk with you. If I had told her before how you and I met, I could have saved you from having to do it. I'm sorry."
"I didn't mind, Chakotay. I mean, that's not a story that I tell in casual conversation, but I have shared it several times. I felt like she needed to know. I still don't understand why you were upset enough by the away team report to think of me, though."
He shrugged and replied, "I was tired from covering part of Harry's night shift, and I overreacted to a comment the captain made. You know how I feel about certain things because of our Maquis days."
"Yeah, I do. You look better this morning, at least. I take it you got some sleep?"
Chakotay had to suppress a grin at remembering waking up in Kathryn's quarters. "I did," he answered neutrally, "and I'm fine. Thanks."
"Are you on your way to the bridge?"
"As soon as I eat something."
"Would you tell the captain that the relays on deck 6 are fixed? I'll send up my report later this morning."
"I'll let her know. Enjoy your breakfast." He moved aside to let her pass before he returned to the fruit bowl and snagged an apple. He ate while he discussed the food stores with Neelix, all the while trying in his mind to decide what to serve for dessert that evening.
When Chakotay arrived on the bridge, Kathryn looked up from her command chair to greet him. "Good morning, Commander."
"Captain." Their eyes locked for a second as he took his seat. "Lieutenant Torres wants you to know that the relays on deck 6 have been repaired." A slight nod told her that the rest of the conversation had gone well, also.
"I'm glad to hear it. Let's hope for a day of smooth sailing."