all the times she thought she made the right choices and how they affected the crew of her ship. She sipped her Coffee and remembered the time when she and Chakotay where on New Earth and all that time they
spent together because of the disease they had contracted, and she thought of how much she needed him, Not just as her first officer, but as her friend also.
He Touch the Door Chime again,
and when she didn't answer he asked the Computer to open the door. The door slid open and there she was sitting on the couch looking out the view
port deep in contemplation
"Kathryn?" Chakotay spoke
softly so as not to frighten her " Kathryn" he moved closer to her, she
still didn't respond, finally he sat down next to her and touched her arm
lightly "Kathryn" She jumped slightly
"Oh Chakotay I didn't hear
you come in" She smiled at him still somewhat in her daze " I noticed,
I rang the chime twice and when you didn't answer I had the computer open
the door, are you alright?"
She smiled again " Yes I'm
fine Chakotay, what can I do for you?" she looked at him, he was hansom
with his dark eyes and strong features, her heart skipped a beat everytime
she saw him. She couldn't become
involved with her first
officer, it was dangerous and against Starfleet regulations, as much as
she wanted too, she wouldn't jeopardize the future of her ship and crew
for her own feelings, she couldn't be that
selfish.
" I was bringing you the
Crew's new Work Rotations for you to look over, but it looks like you need
to talk" Chakotay spoke softly as he always did towards Kathryn,
it always seem to calm her and comfort her
and that made him feel wonderful,
because he loved her, he loved her from the first moment he laid eyes on
her. She was beautiful, her hair was a golden auburn color, like copper and it was so soft he had to
resist the thought of stroking
it, she smelled like cinnamon and cherries all rolled into one, but she
made it clear that she didn't want him, she made it very clear that becoming
involved with him wouldn't be in the
crew's best interest, and
he understood this, but he couldn't help but love her. He watched
as she nodded and gathered her thoughts.
" I was just thinking of
New Earth" She broke the silence quickly " I was thinking about the time
we spent together there, and how much I enjoyed your company" she was nervous
all of a sudden, she didn't want
to reveal her feelings but
she did, she wanted Chakotay to hold her, to run his fingers though her
hair, She wanted to tell him that she loved him, but her mind wouldn't
let her heart tell him.
He listened to her talk
about the time they shared on New Earth and how she enjoyed him being with
her, He smiled " yes I enjoyed that time too" He said in a smooth voice.
She continued " I was just thinking
about what would have happened
if the doctor never found a cure for the disease, what would we be doing
right now? she smiled "Maybe having a chat with that monkey"
She laughed and Chakotay Laughed
with her. " who knows what
might have happened if we had stayed on that planet, we could be parents
by now" Chakotay looked deep into Kathryn's eyes, he knew that he shouldn't
have said that but he couldn't
stop himself, he couldn't
hold back his feelings any longer. She looked into his eyes and saw how
much he loved her, her heart skipped a beat again when he spoke, She had
to tell him... she had too!
"Kathryn" Chakotay wanted
to hold her
"Chakotay" Kathryn spoke
softly " I want to tell you.." Chakotay took her into his arms "Kathryn..
I can't keep my feelings a secret anymore"
"Chakotay.. I love you..
I have since New Earth... but I couldn't let my feelings get in the way
of my job...But now I can't hide my feelings any longer... I love you Chakotay!
He was stunned... he couldn't
believe that those three little words come from her beautiful lips... "Kathryn
... I Love you too! I have since the first time we met!" Suddenly he noticed
a tear falling down her cheek
" Why are you crying Kathryn?"
he asked with all the tenderness in his voice. She smiled at him and wiped
the tear away " I'm happy for the first time in a long time" She hugged
him tightly and kissed him
passionately on his soft
lips "I love you Chakotay"