A/N: See Chapter 1 for Disclaimer.
Chapter 2: Kathryn at Rest
Four weeks later, after everyone was done with all of Tuvok's physical training courses and all of the Jijon's sporting events, they were very sore and stiff, especially the Captain, who had to endure the most strenuous activities of all the crewmembers. The endurance and grit and determination Captain Janeway and her crew showed won the admiration and respect of the Jijons, and they gained them as an ally and they were also able to trade with them for the minerals they needed for Voyager's systems.
Unfortunately, the rigorous training and sporting events of the past month prevented Kathryn and Luke from spending much time together. Luke had gotten finished with his events over a week ago while Kathryn had to remain down on the planet. Now that all the events were over and Kathryn had made some successful trades with the Jijons, she beamed back to Voyager. Much to her relief, Luke was the one who beamed her back from the planet's surface. Had it been anyone else, she would've had to try to walk and move as if everything were normal when in fact, her whole body was screaming with pain. But since she was alone with Luke, she gratefully accepted his help when he rushed up to the transporter pad and supported her. He helped her walk down off the transporter pad and then he initiated a site-to-site transport and transported both of them into her quarters.
As soon as they appeared in Kathryn's quarters, Luke helped her over to the couch so she could sit down.
"I think someone needs a good massage," Luke suggested.
"I don't think so, honey. No offense, but when you give someone a massage, you tend to get carried away. Remember back when those aliens were conducting those brutal experiments on the crew and they kept cranking up my dopamine levels? I was so tense, my whole body was all tied up in knots, and you came to my quarters to examine me and you had me lie down so you could massage my back, and you weren't exactly gentle."
Luke knowingly laughed at himself, and he told Kathryn, "You're right. I do get too exuberant at times. Just give me one more chance, Katie. I assure you I'll be gentle."
"I'm going to hold you to that," Kathryn warned, and then Luke helped Kathryn to her bed so she could lie down. He then massaged her back, neck, and shoulders, and true to his word, he was much more gentle this time. When he was done, he could tell that Kathryn was exhausted, so he kissed her goodbye and let her get some well-earned rest.
The following evening, Kathryn and Luke were sitting together on the couch in her quarters after supper, just relaxing and enjoying each other's company. Kathryn was wearing a simple black dress and Luke was wearing a gray jacket with a black turtleneck sweater and gray pants.
"I know I told you this already, but you look wonderful tonight," Luke beamed, feeling more attracted to Kathryn than ever.
Kathryn smiled and said, "Thank you, darling. So do you."
"I know we're supposed to save sex for marriage, but frankly, that's going to be quite difficult."
Kathryn chuckled and told him, "I know. It will be hard. But we both agreed that it was the right thing. And anyway, I really like the idea of taking things slowly. It makes it so much more romantic. It's an unfortunate fact of twenty-fourth century life that everybody's always hopping from bed to bed. I think people take sex far too casually nowadays. I think that waiting until you've made a lifelong commitment makes it so much more meaningful. I didn't always feel that way, of course, but I do now."
"So do I. It'll certainly be a challenge, but it's worth it." Luke smiled, and then he leaned in and gave Kathryn a long kiss. Afterwards, Luke told her, "You know, you really are much more relaxed now than you have been in the past. You look as though you've had an entire planet lifted from your shoulders."
"That's basically how I feel. Thanks to the good Lord and thanks to all your help, for the first time in my life, I'm finally free to forgive myself and let the past go. You know, so much of my life, I was always working and striving so hard to be the best at everything, mostly so I could earn my father's approval or my instructors' approval or my C.O.'s approval. Now, for the first time in my life, I don't have to worry about that. I know now that I never have to worry about being good enough."
Luke knowingly smiled and said, "Jesus did say to come to Him, all who are weary and heavy laden, and He would give people rest for their souls."
"Yes, He did," Kathryn said with a smile. "My soul has never been at rest like it is now. And it feels good. It feels so good."
Luke then leaned in and gave Kathryn another long, warm kiss, and then he whispered in her ear, "I love you, Katie."
"Oh, baby, I love you, too," Kathryn whispered as they hugged. Gravity may have been holding them on the couch, but in those moments, their hearts were soaring.