Chapter Two
The day seemed better somehow. The company remained the same. Young bucks, overly enthusiastic digging through the dust. They all believed that they would make some great discovery that would change the world. He had already changed the world and knew that that was not what life was about. Life was about whom you came home to at night. Tonight he hoped to come home to a message.
As they began to pack up for the day he heard shouting in the outer quadrant of the dig site. He found his hand reaching for a phaser that was not there. He ran over with the rest of his men expecting a melee. In the pit, men were hugging and laughing.
Rahan was motioning frantically to him. "Chakotay come see. We found a pot. The design matches. We struck gold!" his assistant yelled.
He jumped into the pit to view it for himself. Then he began to shout orders. It was easy in all the excitement to do damage. Everyone was reminded about the fragility of the ruins and each man was given a task to work on. They worked long into the night under intense lights. Once the pot was unearthed he ordered the area closed for the night. They would examine it tomorrow. As he walked to the transport he still felt excited about what they had found. As he beamed home the thought occurred to him that he had no one to share this news with. No, changing the world had lost its appeal since he returned from the Delta Quadrant.
Wearily he turned on the shower and let the hot water cascade down his body. He stood there until the water turned cold. Pulling on clean underwear he headed to the kitchen. The light blinking on his terminal caught his eye. Quickly he remembered. The idea of her answering him had danced throughout his head most of the day. Caught up in the day's discovery he had almost forgotten. He went over and sat down. Scrolling down he searched for the name that would make him sleep much better tonight. There it was, Kathryn. She had not sent a video message, just written text as he had.
Dear Chakotay,
A month from this Saturday.
Betazed
Will Riker
Wedding: Informal
Reception: Formal
Love,
Kathryn
As he read the words he could hear her voice saying them in his mind and a thrill ran down his spine. He replied.
Dear Kathryn,
Will Riker! How did you manage that invitation? Of course I'll go. Tell me where to meet you and when.
Love,
Chakotay
p.s. What does informal mean?
Gretchen found her daughter sleeping in the chair in her husband's old office.
She shook her gently. "Katie wake up."
Slowly she stretched and began to emerge from the hazy fog. After four months she had lost the reflex of bolting up when awakened. There were no life and death crises in Indiana. Gretchen left the study and headed for the kitchen. A nice cup of coffee would do the trick. As she got the mugs she felt the old familiar threat of tears rise in her throat. Her Katie was home. She was looking better every day. When she first saw her daughter she had wept tears of joy. Since then she had shed bitter tears as she listened to the terrible things her daughter had endured. She was an admiral's daughter and admiral's wife so she understood the dangers of Starfleet but as a mother it tore her heart apart. After four months and a lot of home cooking Katie was starting to become her old self. The only thing missing was the spark. As she poured the steaming liquid into the cup she thought about the look she had noticed in her eyes when she was at the computer terminal last night. Something was there. Shaking her head she picked up the mugs and headed to the study. No sense in wondering about it. Katie would tell her when she was ready and not before.
When she walked into the study she found her daughter in her usual spot sitting at the computer. "I thought we could share some morning coffee." When she didn't answer Gretchen became concerned. She walked to her and placed the mugs on the desk. As she looked at her daughter she saw the tears softly rolling down her cheek. Gretchen turned to read the screen to see what was making her baby cry.
Dear Kathryn,
Will Riker! How did you manage that invitation? Of course I'll go. Tell me where to meet you and when.
Love,
Chakotay
p.s. What does informal mean?
She placed a hand on her daughter's back and gently rubbed in circles. Speaking very quietly she asked, "Katie are you crying because this Will Riker is getting married?"
Kathryn turned in her chair smiled up at her mom, "No mom. I am crying because he is coming to the wedding with me."
Not quite understanding. "Who is he?"
"Chakotay."
"Ah, your first officer."
"He's more than that."
Her mother bent down and hugged her as only a mother can. "Oh, Katie that's wonderful. I was so worried about you. At first I thought you were dead. Then we found out you were alive and I heard that Mark had gotten married and sent a message to tell you about it." Now Gretchen was crying. She picked up her apron and wiped her eyes. "Well let's just say I am glad you had someone."
"It's not that simple. It's complicated."
Gretchen backed away and watched as the spark went out of her daughter's eyes once again. "Why don't we go in the living room and you can tell me this complicated story."
"Okay but first I want to respond to his message."
"I'll meet you in there." Attempting to give her privacy she started leaving. But Kathryn grabbed her hand. "No stay." She stood at her daughter's back and watched her write her response. It struck her that Katie was typing very slowly, thinking about each word.
Dear Chakotay,
I knew Will briefly when we were at the academy together. It is a funny story. I will tell you when I see you. You will enjoy it. We can meet where ever is convenient for you. After all you are the one working not me. We could meet at Betazed that morning if you like. I am going to go Thursday and stay the weekend. You can come on Thursday and sight see with me if that is better for you. If you really feel like leaving the dust behind you can come to Indiana early in the week. We can catch up (maybe even take a sail on the real Lake George) and travel together to the wedding. The choice is yours.
"I take it you do not know where you stand with this man." Gretchen said after watching her daughter carefully construct the message."
Kathryn quietly responded no.
Placing her hands on Kathryn's shoulders in a manner that was strangely reminiscent of Chakotay her mother told her that in that case it was perfect. She watched as she finished it.
Love,
Kathryn
p.s. Informal means nude.
Gretchen gasped audibly. "Katie!"
Kathryn stood up and headed to the living room. She raised her hand as she had a million times on Voyager when she wanted silence and then she spoke, "Trust me mom it is another long story."
"Well by my calculations you have a minimum of three weeks to tell me everything."
