Kathryn tipped her head up to the morning sun and imagined she could feel its warmth in the cold air. Four months, and still she raised her face each time she was outside. She wondered if the sun would ever again feel ordinary and mundane. Her fingers tightened around the handlebars of the Harley, one booted foot lifted to the peg, and she slid her hips forward until she was lying back on the seat. The systems check on the bike was completed, so she may as well bask while waiting for Chakotay.
Jetta looked back and wagged her tail at Chakotay when the gate swung open. She had spent the last half hour trailing her way across the open sands beyond the fence while Kathryn readied the motorcycle. Chakotay sighed at the layer of dust clinging to the dog's nose and face. He would have to clean the car after Jetta rode in it.
He spotted Kathryn lying on the Harley in the sunlight, and his knees threatened to lock in place. He took the opportunity to study her riding outfit. Sturdy, square-toed boots, masculine in construction, looked dangerously feminine on her narrow feet. Black leather pants hugged the slope of her hips and toned thighs. The black and red jacket curved over her full breasts, tapered at the waist, and stopped at the top of her round buttocks.
In the Delta Quadrant, Chakotay had often been amazed when Kathryn managed to convey both delicate beauty and deadly, iron will at the same time. For a moment, he indulged in a fantasy of her standing on Voyager's bridge as she was dressed now, with her hands on her hips, feet shoulder-width apart, chin raised in defiance, and blue eyes sparking.
She would lean on the conn, her auburn hair tumbling forward over her shoulder. He would move in behind her, skimming his hands over her leather-clad body. His lips would find the back of her neck as he bent forward and pressed against her.
Chakotay forced his mind back to the present before he got carried away. Maybe she would keep the outfit when she returned the motorcycle. He approached, and her smile told him that she knew he was there although her eyes remained closed. Leaning over with his nose to her chin, he kissed her and slipped his hands down her arms to her sides. He curled his fingers over her hips and rubbed his thumbs along the crease of her thighs. Kathryn's hands tugged on his shirt, pulling him hard to her before letting go.
"I love you," she breathed as she opened her eyes.
He smiled down at her and moved to her side, helping her sit up on the motorcycle. "Promise me you'll be careful." He had always suspected she was a bit of an adrenaline junkie. Her unconventional methods, and at times blatant disregard for own safety, had gripped his heart with fear for her on more than one occasion.
Kathryn grinned at the concern behind his smile. "I'll see you in Phoenix. And, I promise I will be in one piece."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Not quite the same thing, but I'll take what I can get." He hugged her, and then watched as she pulled on the gloves and helmet. "Jetta, come!" he called. The dog trotted to his side, stopping once to snuffle a dip in the sand and adding another layer of dust on her muzzle.
When Chakotay had a firm grip on Jetta's collar, Kathryn started the Harley, winked at him, and slapped the faceplate down. Man and dog barely escaped the spray of gritty sand when the tires dug for grip and the bike sped away. Shaking his head when Kathryn bent low over the bike, he gazed down at Jetta. "We'd better get going. Something tells me she'll be there in record time. Ready to go for a ride?"
He chuckled at the excitement on Jetta's face and tried not to trip over her as she bounced around him, following him back into the house. He had loaded the bags into the hover car earlier in the morning. After forwarding his comm to the one in Kathryn's apartment, he gathered Jetta's blanket and a couple of toys, and settled her in the backseat for the hour drive north to Phoenix.
With the car on autopilot and a book in his hand, Chakotay passed the time reading and watching Jetta in the mirror as she turned from one window to another trying to see everything racing past. She finally tired halfway through the trip, and sat with her nose resting over the back of the passenger seat. He smiled when she yawned, and absently rubbed her ears. He had a feeling the dog would be spoiled rotten by the end of the two days at the beach with the crew.
Just over an hour later, the dealership lot came into view, and Chakotay took control of the hovercar again. He pulled in and parked while searching for Kathryn's Harley, knowing it was too soon for her to have arrived, but also that he wouldn't be surprised if she had. The fact that she wasn't there yet put him more at ease. The wheeled bike and desert route should, if she rode at some modicum of a safe speed, take her another thirty to forty minutes. He wouldn't start worrying until then.
As it turned out, Kathryn was only fifteen minutes behind him. Chakotay had introduced himself to the business owner and then walked Jetta outside. He was rounding the corner of the building toward the front entrance when he saw the leather-clad rider and vintage motorcycle make a low turn into the parking lot, her knee almost scrubbing the ground. He told Jetta to sit, and stood at the edge of the grass by the door with his hands low on his hips as Kathryn skidded to stop in front of him.
When she flipped up the helmet's faceplate, he asked, "Do you ever just roll to slow stop?"
"Now what would be the fun in that?" she grinned.
"I'm surprised you and B'Elanna never figured out a way to make Voyager leave tire marks when we jumped to warp."
She laughed and pulled the helmet off as she dismounted. "I'll have to ask her. Surely we can come up with something."
Jetta seemed surprised to see Kathryn and ran to her side, making puppy squeaks and wagging her hind end. Kathryn bent down to greet her before heading inside.
After turning in the Harley Davidson and leaving the hover car in storage, Kathryn, Chakotay, and Jetta transported to the public station a block from her San Francisco apartment. He followed Kathryn, stepping down off the platform, but felt a tug at the leash band around his wrist. Looking back, he saw Jetta crouched down on the pad, her ears flat to her head and eyes wide. She looked terrified.
"Kathryn, wait," he called out as he returned to the young dog. "What's wrong, girl?" he asked, alarmed at her demeanor.
The transporter attendant's voice cut through the din of the crowded area. "Her first transport?"
Chakotay glanced at him as he rubbed Jetta's back. "I don't know. I've only had her a little over a week. I didn't think about it."
Kathryn spoke up from behind him. "I imagine to her, it's a bit like suddenly finding yourself in the Delta Quadrant."
The man laughed. "I imagine so, Captain. She'll probably be skittish for a little while, Commander, but she'll adjust."
Kathryn looked down at Chakotay and shrugged. "I forgot about that part of having a dog, too. Is she okay?"
Even in his concern, he couldn't help the flush of heat when he remembered her saying those words after their first time making love. He held Jetta's collar and gently led her off the platform. "I'm sorry for the delay," he told the attendant, glancing at the line of people waiting and noticing them all smiling indulgently at the frightened animal.
"It's no problem, sir. Have a good day."
Kathryn and Chakotay led Jetta to the far end of the sidewalk closest to the buildings, trying to keep her out of the bustle of people. It was the first time the pup had shown any sort of fear, and Chakotay felt bad for her. They reached Kathryn's apartment without further incident, and Jetta seemed to welcome the quiet when the door closed behind them. Although she had spent the last few days staying close to Kathryn, she now pressed against Chakotay's leg with his every step. When he sat down in a chair, she jumped up in his lap and pushed her head under his arm.
"Wow, she really is scared," Chakotay remarked. He ran his hands over the red fur and spoke quietly to her, telling her she was okay and soothing her with his voice. One back paw was digging into his right leg, but he let her stay and attempted to calm her.
Kathryn carried their bag to the bedroom, then knelt down by the chair and peeked under Chakotay's arm. "We have a couple of hours before we are supposed to be at the beach. Why don't I arrange for a car?"
Chakotay looked down at the dog, who had pulled her head out when she heard Kathryn. His voice was uncertain when he said, "She has to get used to it. I just didn't realize she had never transported before."
"She will get used to it, but she's going to have a lot to take in today. The crew, whom she has never met, the beach, and the excitement of being outside all day. Not to mention a city she has never been in. I don't want to upset her too badly." Kathryn rubbed Jetta's ears and finally managed to coax her out of his lap, much to Chakotay's relief as he rubbed his deadened leg. "We can work with her at Mom's house with the transporter there." Jetta had rolled over in front of Kathryn for a belly rub, her tail beginning to wag in small circles.
Chakotay nodded. "That might be best. You arrange for a car, and I'll see to Jetta." He paused and glanced at Kathryn, wary of saying what was on his mind but knowing he needed to. He breathed deeply and plunged ahead. "Kathryn, love. While you're on the conn, would you do something else for me?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"Call the Doctor and arrange for a check-up while we're here."
Her eyes widened as she stared at him. "Why? Is something wrong?"
He leaned forward and caressed her cheek. "Not for me, for you. Your headaches worry me, and I know your neck has been tensed up this morning. I could tell when you got out of bed. I want Doc to make sure you are getting better." She was still kneeling beside him, and he noticed that when she lowered her head, the movement was not as smooth as it should have been.
Kathryn looked back up, and the concern in Chakotay's eyes made up her mind. "All right. I'll call the Doctor and arrange for something the day after tomorrow." At his look of surprise, she asked, "What?"
He smiled softly. "Nothing. I guess I expected more of a fight."
She leaned her cheek into his hand. "This is obviously bothering you more than it is me. If an hour with the Doctor will help you stop worrying, then I'll do it."
He leaned forward and cupped her cheeks with both hands, pulling her into a gentle kiss. "Thank you."
She pushed herself up and squeezed his shoulder before going to the terminal to place the calls. Chakotay retrieved Jetta's squeaky targ from the bag and carried it with her blanket back into the living room. Sitting on the couch, he played with Jetta until Kathryn returned. He tossed a large pillow onto the floor between his feet and directed Kathryn to sit down between his legs. A quick massage helped loosen the muscles in her neck, and then they set about getting ready to leave for the party.