Debt 6

Chakotay could tell by the expression on Kathryn's face that she was really steamed. In fact he could honestly say that there had only been a few times that he had actually seen her this irate. He knew what it was about, and it was about her, not about him. She was embarrassed to be seen in this situation. Her pride or what was left of it was hurt. What he didn't understand was why.

"So know that you have fully embarrassed me Chakotay what is it that you want?"

Chakotay studied her carefully. The situation was delicate and he understood that if he pushed to hard that she would never come clean.

"I just wanted to talk to you Kathryn. I haven't seen you in ages and frankly I wanted to thank you."

Kathryn looked puzzled. "Thank me for what?"

Chakotay grinned. "For giving me the pleasure of remembering how much I hate Starfleet. And reminding me of why I quit to begin with. I honestly didn't know that you would continue being part of an organization that is very poorly run."

Kathryn bit her lip. She knew what he was doing. But she was to smart so she did what anyone in her situation would do. She evaded the issue.

"I am sorry to hear that Chakotay. So how long have you an Emily been together?"

Darn, he thought. She saw that coming a mile away.

"We have been together for a few months. So do you have a nice view from your top corner office or did you settle for something a little less grand, say a condo by the bay?"

Kathryn could begin to feel her blood boil. He was being coy with her. He knew something was wrong and he wanted to get to the bottom of it. She thought for a moment and something jarred her mind.

"So Chakotay, since you are no longer in Starfleet what are you doing?"

He grinned, and for a moment she wished that he was with her and not with Emily. "Actually I own my own tactical company; I am a professor during the winter semester. I also do routine classes around the country for colleges."

"I am very happy for you Chakotay. I really need to be getting back now, so if there are no more questions I would like to get back to work."

Chakotay looked at Kathryn and spoke. "Just two more questions Kathryn, and then I promise you may go, as long as you are honest with me."

She sat back and sighed.

"Why are you working here Kathryn, if Starfleet paid you very well after Voyager returned to the Alpha quadrant?"

Kathryn sighed. "You want to know fine I will tell you. I quit Starfleet Chakotay. Yes the mighty queen of Starfleet quit. And do you want to know why I quit? Because they asked me what kind of affair I was having with YOU! I told them that we were colleagues and that I thought of you highly. But they thought that their was no way that nothing happened between us for 7 years! So they told me that I would have to take a liar dictator test. I refused and they garnished my pension and everything so I told them to shove it!"

Chakotay's eyes were rounder than the moon as she continued.

"The reason that I am here Chakotay is to pay off my mother's doctor's expenses so that my sister and I can stay in the house that we were born in. Because Captain Kathryn Janeway couldn't get a job anywhere else! And do you know why? Because Starfleet blacklisted me! That's why!"

In that moment Kathryn got up and proceeded to leave the table. Chakotay grabbed her arm. "Kathryn I have one other question for you."

Kathryn turned her head determined not to look into his eyes.

"What is it Chaktoay?"

"Do you love me?"

Chakotay got up and faced her. He remembered how small she was compared to him. And everything that he had felt for her for years began to re-emerge as they were close.

Kathryn shook her head no.

Chakotay continued to hold her arm. He put his hand up to her chin and held it up so that he could see her face. "You never were a good liar Kathryn." And then he kissed her. Deeply. Passionately. The way that he had wanted to kiss her for years.

Emily had just walked into the restaurant to see what was keeping Chakotay when she saw them. A part of her just knew and so she quietly went back up to the suite to leave.

When the kiss finally ended Kathryn's tears feel effortlessly down her face.

TBC