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Chapter 5
The buzzing in her ears was making its way into her subconscious mind. Louder and louder until Kathryn Janeway realized it wasn't in her head but someone at the door. From her groggy, sleep filled state it was hard to tell. She rolled off the couch and staggered to answer the incessant buzzing. "Hold on, I'm coming." Her voice was even louder in her ears than the buzzing. She made it to the door without falling on her face and opened it only to find two-dozen pink and yellow roses staring at her.
"Captain Janeway?" The young man at the door peered over the top of the bouquet. "Are you Captain Janeway, Ma'am?" A bit tongue tied she answered in a squeaky voice.
"Yes, but please, call me Kathryn." She smiled weakly at the young man.
"Well, Kathryn, someone must love you." He handed her the large vase of flowers with a note attached. "Have a nice evening, Kathryn." He smiled brightly at her and turned to leave.
"Wait! Who sent them?"
"I don't know, Ma'am, you will have to check the card." The young man gave her another smile.
"Well, thank you." Kathryn called out before she closed the door. Putting the fragrant flowers to her nose, she inhaled their intoxicating aroma. They were the most beautiful roses she had ever seen. Setting the vase down on the coffee table, she took the note over to the couch to read it. She didn't have to open it to know who it was from, but her heart was pounding just the same. Slowly she opened the note and read the words Chakotay had written.
Dearest Kathryn,
I trust you are feeling a bit better and I hope the flowers will help. I'm sorry that I left you alon,e but there was something very important I needed to do. I know we have much to talk about and I don't think I will ever be able to apologize enough for hurting you the way I did. I would like to start by asking you if you would have dinner with me tonight. I know you said you were never going to eat again, but I think you will like this and I know it will be good for you. If your answer is yes, I'll be waiting for you at Starfleet Command, outside in the gardens. Hope to see you soon, Kathryn.
All my love, Chakotay
The pulchritudinous smile on Kathryn's face could have been seen clear back to the Delta Quadrant. Just what are you up to, Chakotay? With that thought and others, she headed for the bathroom to get cleaned up. She had every intention of meeting her former first officer as soon as possible. This day was going to end much better than it had started; that was one thing she would make sure of.
With one last look in the mirror, Kathryn Janeway was as ready as she would ever be. She had dressed in another light sundress she had brought with her. This one was white with tiny blue flowers along the bottom. The dress was a soft flowing shape that came just below the knee. She left her freshly washed hair brushing softly around her bare shoulders. Not bad, for an old woman, she thought as she took one last glance and headed for the nearest transport site.
~~~~~~
When Chakotay first spotted Kathryn coming up the walk his heart skipped a beat and his dimples busted out in full force. She looked absolutely gorgeous and even more endearing; she was carrying the large vase of roses in her arms. His shaking legs propelled him toward her. "Kathryn, you look beautiful. How are you feeling?" Her own dazzling smile was all the answer he needed.
"I'm feeling a bit better and thank you for the lovely flowers, but you didn't need to." She stuck her nose in the big blossoms breathing in their sent again. Chakotay started laughing.
"Sure hope you aren't allergic to roses, the way you've got your face stuffed into them it could be deadly." Now she was laughing with him.
"I'm not and you know it. So why did you want me to come here? I didn't think you wanted to hang around Starfleet these days."
"I'm not going to tell you why and I'm not hanging around for Starfleet, I'm hanging around waiting for you." The warm evening breeze blew wisps of Kathryn's hair on her cheeks and Chakotay couldn't resist brushing it away. The slight touch made Kathryn shutter. "I have a surprise for you and we better get going if you want to see it."
"Just being here with you is the best surprise I could ever want Chakotay. Yesterday I wouldn't have thought it possible." Chakotay took the flowers from her and put his other arm around her bare shoulder.
"Oh, it's possible, Kathryn, and the big surprise is yet to come. Let's get going, we have a shuttle to catch."
"A shuttle! Where are we going?" She had her arm wrapped around him as they headed for their destination.
"I'm not saying and you're not my captain anymore so I don't have to tell you. All you have to do is trust me, I've taken care of all the rest."
"Hmm, well I do trust you, Chakotay, I just don't like surprises, that's all."
"This one you'll like, now no more questions, you'll find out soon enough." They continued in silence to the shuttle. It was all ready to go when they got there. The shuttle-bay workers were in on this too, Kathryn, could see it in their expressions. Chakotay handed one of the attendants the vase of flowers and told her to take good care of them. He gestured for Kathryn to climb aboard and he followed her in.
"You know, Chakotay, it occurs to me." She took the seat next to him and started on the pre-launch checks.
"What would that be, Kathryn?" He was doing the same from his seat at the helm.
"That nothing good has ever come out of you and I in a shuttle together. Are you sure this is such a good idea?" She smiled wickedly at him.
"Well, if you'd rather I took that cute little crewman out there." He pointed to the pretty young lady over by another shuttle. "I'm sure she would trust me enough to take a little ride." His return smile was just as wicked.
"You mean the one with her nose in my flowers, I don't think so, Commander. I'll just risk it, if it's all the same to you." Now Chakotay was in full laughter.
"It's your life… Captain!" He just had to emphasize her rank like she had done to him. "But you can trust me, I won't let you down, not again." His smile faded slightly as he continued the pre-launch check.
"I do trust you, Chakotay, and always have, but if you call me Captain again I may just have to reconsider."
"Noted, Kathryn."
"Shuttle-craft Ranger, you are cleared for launch."
"Acknowledged." Chakotay looked over at Kathryn with his biggest smile. "Are you ready?"
"Of course I'm ready, I'm dying to know what you're up too." Their conversation was light and anything but serious as they made their way toward the surprise. When the destination was in sight, Kathryn's jaw dropped in shock. "Utopia Planitia! What… " She stopped in mid sentence when she saw the real surprise. "Voyager! Chakotay, what are we doing here?" He was laughing almost too hard to answer.
"It's your surprise, Kathryn. A quiet dinner for just the two of us on the ship that was our home for the past seven years." Kathryn Janeway was speechless.
"Voyager to the shuttle Ranger, you are cleared to dock. And may I welcome you both back to Voyager."
"Thank you, Ranger out." Chakotay guided the shuttle into Voyager's shuttle bay just as he'd done so many times in the past. As he powered all systems down, he noticed the tears that had collected in Kathryn's eyes. She had yet to say another word. Reaching over he took her hand in his. "Kathryn, are you ok? I thought you would like to see your ship again." She blinked several times to clear her vision.
"Chakotay, I'm very touched and I love it, but how on earth did you manage this? They wouldn't let me near my ship since we got back."
"Hey, you aren't the only one who knows someone who owes you a favor. I have my ways and they were more than happy to oblige." He stood up pulling her with him. "We just have to make sure we are out of here before the first work crews arrive in the morning."
"Oh, I see, this isn't exactly Starfleet Command approved then."
"Well, I'm not exactly in Starfleet anymore so… nope." They both started laughing as they headed for the door to the shuttle-bay.
"You don't have to worry, your secret is safe with me, at least until they decide what they are going to do with my ship."
"Well I couldn't get that answer for you, but from what I've gathered, it's going to be good news." Her eyes lit up at, good news.
"You really think so, you think they will let her live?" Chakotay put his arm around her as they walked down the corridors of their ship.
"I can't promise, Kathryn, but from what I've heard, the word is good. I don't think Starfleet would have the courage to dismantle the galaxy's most famous Star Ship, especially when it belongs to the galaxy's most famous and loved captain."
"I don't know about the famous and loved captain part, but Voyager deserves a chance. She's been through a lot in the past seven years and was home to all of us. It just wouldn't be fair to tear her apart just because she's seen better days. I don't know if I could stand the thought of a life without her."
"Regardless of what happens we all owe this ship a great deal, even Starfleet,and I think they know that." Chakotay stopped and pulled Kathryn into his arms. "There is one thing I do know for sure Kathryn, and that is that you will never have to live a life without me. I'm not going to leave you, I'll always stand by your side, no matter what." Chakotay leaned down and sweetly touched his lips to hers. Just a feather-light kiss that left the promise of more to come and left Kathryn Janeway longing for that to happen. Chakotay stepped onto the turbo-lift first and turned to see Kathryn hadn't followed. She was just standing with a smile on her face. "Kathryn Janeway, your lift awaits you." Her smile melted into his heart as she entered the lift. That smile that would live in his soul forever, the one he could never forget. "Computer, bridge." The lift started to move to their destination.
Stepping off the turbo-lift onto the bridge was an unsettling feeling for Kathryn. The once so busy command center of her life; was now an eerie quiet memory. She lovingly brushed her hand across the upper railing as she walked down to her command chair. Everything looked just at it had the day she walked off her ship onto Alpha Quadrant soil. Chakotay just stood back watched her silently communicate with her ship. It was true what they said; captain and ship were bonded in a way that not many could understand. Kathryn took her seat in her old chair with more than a single tear in her eyes. Just being back on her ship was more overwhelming than she would have expected. Chakotay slowly walked down and took his own seat by her side, just as he had done for over seven years. Reaching her hand out, Chakotay took her hand in his and they just sat holding hands for several minutes. No words were need between them to convey their thoughts and feelings.
After a few more minutes, Chakotay stood up, pulling Kathryn to her feet as well. "Are you ready for the real surprise?"
"Absolutely, where is it?"
"Where else!" He pointed to the ready room. "The one place you spent the most time over the last seven years." He led her to the door and let her enter first. The gasp and the hand over her mouth was just the reaction he was hoping for.
"Chakotay! How did you… when did you?"
"I told you Kathryn, I know people too, just helps to know the right people." He was softly laughing as she looked around the room. The ready room was filled with vases of beautiful roses, of all colors. There must have been two hundred or more. There was a table set with one single red rose in the center and candles burning off to each side. Soft music was playing in the background, and the smell of something delicious waiting on the table made Kathryn realize she was really hungry.
"Chakotay, it's just beautiful, you are so sweet." She turned to face him. "I'm so touched that you would do this for me. Thank you."
"This is just the beginning, Kathryn. I intend to spend the rest of my life doing everything I can for you." She placed her hand on his cheek and smiled sweetly.
"You already have, Chakotay. You have been my best friend for seven years. You've been by my side even when I kept pushing you away. I've been so foolish and I'm the one who owes you the same kindness you have shown me. I didn't realize just how much I would miss you in my life until you were gone. I know now that I can't imagine my life without you. You are my life, Chakotay, and I love you with all my heart and have for so long." With a light brush of her hand, she gently wiped the tear from his cheek that had escaped. The magnetic pull between them was impossible to resist and neither would have wanted too. Their lips met in a fiery passion that burned right through to their very souls. Chakotay parted her lips with his own as he took in every taste of her. Kathryn wrapped her hand around his neck, inviting him even deeper into her world. All sense of reason had been completely lost, and only when the need for air became increasingly apparent for both of them did they break apart. Kathryn moved her mouth down to the apple of his throat, never missing an inch of flesh with tiny, hot, kisses. Her warm, heavy breath on his skin was enough to send him into cardiac arrest. Chakotay felt his knees begin to weaken and subconsciously wondered if he could withstand his own weight, when he felt her loosen her grip just a bit. In a deep, husky voice, she spoke just above a whisper.
"Chakotay…"
"Yes?"
"I'm hungry." Kathryn Janeway pulled herself from her former first officer, smoothed her dress and walked over to the table, leaving a still stunned Chakotay standing in complete confusion. She smiled devilishly at him as she pulled her chair out and sat down. "Are you coming?" Her words were innocent enough, but in Chakotay's current state of mind, they were anything but. At his tongue-tied expression, Kathryn started laughing a bit embarrassed at her own choice of words. "I guess that didn't sound quite right, sorry." She continued to laugh anyway. Chakotay slowly made his way to the table, making sure his legs would hold him up.
"The answer is yes, either way." He managed the answer as he took his seat across from her. He reached for his water and quickly took several large gulps before he could say anything more. "I'm glad you are feeling hungry, that's a good sign that you have made it over the worst of LC poisoning." He smiled deeply at her.
"Thank God for that, maybe I'll even let Mr. Paris live after all." She started to dish up their plates with the wonderful smelling pasta casserole, green salad and warm bread.
"I'm sure B'Elanna and Miral will be glad to know what a saint you are, for not killing husband and father."
"Gee thanks, you are so kind."
"You're very welcome, and for tonight, we will be drinking only water, don't want any sort of repeat performance from earlier."
"You won't get any argument form me." She held up her glass of water. "To good old sparkling clean water, the best drink in the galaxy, well except for coffee that is." Chakotay tapped his glass to hers in a toast and they both started laughing again. The intense passionate mood had lightened a lot.
"You don't get any coffee tonight either, Kathryn, you will just have to live one more day without it. Do you think you can manage?"
"I think so, I will just have to find some different after dinner entertainment, or dessert." The wicked smile was back as she started in on the salad. Chakotay matched her smile with one of his own, the dimpled version.
"I take it back, Kathryn Janeway, you are not a saint, you are evil."
"I can be both, Chakotay." The laughter and light conversation continued all through dinner. The most relaxed and comfortable Kathryn had felt in a very long time. It was so nice to be able to talk so openly with her best friend and the man she was so much in love with.
"Kathryn, would you dance with me?" Chakotay got up from the table and took her by the hand pulling her to her feet.
"I'd love to. I've always wanted to dance in my ready room, just never seemed to be very appropriate when I was the captain." Chakotay laughed softly as he took her in his arms.
"Maybe not, but it's nice to know you even had thought about dancing in the ready room."
"You would be surprised at just what I'd thought about doing in this room." She buried her face in his chest and wrapping her arms around his waist, sliding her hands a bit lower than waist level. Chakotay pulled her as tightly to him as possible and lost himself in her lightly, peach scented hair and the feel of her body pressed so tightly against his. He knew exactly what she had thought about doing in the ready room because he had dreamed about it on more than a few occasions. They continued to sway slowly back and forth to the soft music, just holding each other and enjoying some very passionate and loving kisses. Chakotay's hands had managed to wander over parts of Kathryn's body that he had only dreamed about doing for years. She was not in the least bit intimidated by his caressing and even enjoyed a bit of her own wanderings. It was the perfect moment, the perfect time and the perfect place, so they thought.
The time is now 0300 hours
"What the hell?" Kathryn had pulled her lips away from Chakotay's earlobe, a bit surprised to hear the computer's voice announce the time. Chakotay was laughing at her shocked expression.
"Sorry, Kathryn, I had them program the computer to tell us when it was getting late. We have to get out of here before the work crews show up. I don't want anyone who can't be trusted to catch you here or they just might find that excuse to boot you out of Starfleet."
"How thoughtful of you, but right now I don't give a damn if they boot me out, I'd rather spend the rest of my life right here in your arms." Chakotay leaned down and kissed her again.
"I'd like nothing better myself, but we do have to leave, Kathryn. I promised the powers that be we would be out of here so they won't get into trouble either."
"Fine, we wouldn't want that, I guess I'll never get to live my dream of… " She was stopped by Chakotay's mouth over hers again, a very welcome interruption.
"I promise to make all your dreams come true, Kathryn, just not right here at this moment."
"I'll hold you to it, Sir. Now lets go before I change my mind and put a security lock on this door." She released her hold on him and smiled sweetly as she headed for the door.
"You are amazing, Kathryn Janeway." He followed her to the door and stepped through as it opened.
"Wait, I forgot something." Kathryn ran back in and grabbed the single red rose from the table. Chakotay was so touched by her sentimentality, all he could do was smile at her as she took his hand and they headed for the shuttle.
