"Slowly, Chakotay," He syllabled his name traditionally. "You're going too fast!"
The young boy threw down the primitive tools and walked away. "What's wrong with the way that I'm doing it?"
The older man smiled patiently as he walked around the large piece while he ran his hand over the rough, splintered surface. "Each cut of wood is unique, and each piece tells its own story," He patiently explained. "And it's the job of the carver to tell that story."
He rolled his eyes, wiping his clammy brow in the sweltering heat. "It's just a piece of wood."
"No," Kolopak shook his head, picking up the petulantly discarded tool as he handed it back to his son. "Now, slowly."
Chakotay smiled at the memory as he scrubbed the piece in front of him with the small segment of sandpaper, watching the calculated movements of his hands as they moved over the nubby surface.
For a moment, he thought of the bathtub. He made it in secret, at a location hidden from her insatiable curiosity. It was large and unwieldy, so when he had finished all of the components, he had taken them back to the cabin one by one and assembled the monstrosity while she was out setting traps. Elation was the only word that described her features when he presented it to her. "Oh Chakotay. It's perfect." Then he remembered the headboard he'd made her for her mattress."Almost as good as the bathtub," She'd laughed when she entered her room that evening.
He tried to remember back to the last time he had carved something since New Earth. For a moment, his mind came up blank until he remembered Naomi's cradle. It had been the first time he'd created something of that sort. Armed with a plain chunk of wood from an unnamed planet, he'd set himself to work before and after his duty shifts. Larger, more unwieldy, tools hollowed out the arid log and gave him a blueprint for the final structure. And once he was satisfied with the shape, he'd set to the rocking base. Rudimentary screws and hinges placed, he could see the final result coming together. For the last part, he'd set to carving small planets, the largest of which was Ktaris and her sun, which occupied one whole side. On the other half were planets that he'd taken note of during their time in the Delta Quadrant.
"What's this?" He hadn't seen her come in until that familiar voice shattered his reverie.
"A project," His breath was heavy with effort.
"Oh?" She looked at it. "Is it a secret?"
"Yes," He laughed.
"Can I take a guess?" She gleamed.
"Of course," He took off the heavy jacket revealing a soaked shirt underneath and, proudly, drawing a look from her.
"Is it a bathtub?"
"No," He shook his head with an amused grin curving shapely lips.
"Shame," she frowned. "I miss my old one."
"One day," He promised. "Maybe."
"Are you coming home soon?"
He let his gaze drop. "Yes," He picked up his jacket and followed her out of the barn.
"Do you think," She took his hand as they made their way. "That there will be a one day?"
"I can't answer that, Kathryn."
"I know," She nodded. "I try not to think about it."
"Me too," He drew her close as they went inside. "Me too."
