AN: Alrighty this chapter took me awhile to get done because I had other stuff to do lol that took up a great amount of time. I hope you like this chapter and always remember I have SAD grammar... lol

The cabin on lake George…

It was nothing more than holding hands for the first week and a half. He could sense that that was the way she wanted it. At night he would shake his head. She was more open then she had ever been before but it still wasn't enough. He had only scratched her surface but inside he knew that was probably as far as he would get. He would bet money on the fact that she didn't know herself all that well either especially the part about what she wanted.

He decided that if he were going to scratch any deeper he would have to make the first move. He decided after along amount of thinking and pondering about the possibilities, which by the way where in his favor… that he would ask tonight about lake George. Hopefully and by the luck of the gods she would accept.

~

Chakotay served her half of the contents on the serving plate before heading back to the kitchen. When he had equally served himself he reached for the wine bottle and popped it open. Tonight they were having white wine at Kathryn's suggestion due to the dish. Since it was obviously apparent that she knew a lot more about wine than him, Chakotay followed her suggestion and obtained a bottle of white merlot year 2228. Chakotay grinned inwardly. There was a lot to say about having Tom Paris for a friend… sometimes that is.

While pouring the wine slowly into the deep glass he watched the liquid fall into the cup gracefully. He smiled as the wine sparkled in the candlelight. That same sparkle was in her eyes. It wasn't a rare occurrence but it was a happy one, especially at a time like this.

"So Kathryn… I was thinking." She grinned with the soft candlelight brightening her smile.

"Thinking about what?" Chakotay shrugged as he settled into his seat at the other end of the table. He searched for away to voice his idea without sounding too forward.

"About a trip… maybe to Lake George." Kathryn picked up her wine glass and began to swirl its contents. Chakotay grinned as he saw how much more interested she seemed in the wine glass than the subject. But he waited obediently. He learned quickly to never assume things in life, especially when it comes to Kathryn.

"Hmmm… when might that trip be?" Chakotay picked up his fork and played around with the food on his plate.

"As soon as possible." Kathryn jerked up her head in surprise. She quickly caught the look on her face and changed it to something subtler. She tucked her hair behind her ear instinctively. She noticed how Chakotay looked at her with a pleading look in his eyes. She couldn't say no, besides when was the last time she had a real vacation… 8 years ago?

"Uh… I'd love too." Chakotay smiled instantly and pushed his fork into the middle of the plate. After devouring the contents on his fork he tried desperately to change the subject. Apparently she had the same idea.

"Have you heard…" "Did you know…" their sentences collided in a clumsy manner. Kathryn smirked and looked back down at her wine glass. She spoke with a bit of humor evident in her voice.

"Please, you first. After all you are my guest." Chakotay shook his head.

"Whatever you had to say is probably more interesting than what I wanted to." She arched an eyebrow curiously. Sighing she continued.

"Well B'Elanna says that Miral is starting to mumble now days with a lot more control." She paused and laughed lightly.

"She thinks she starting to connect sounds with objects. Tom suspects that she's going to say her first word soon." Chakotay smiled as he watched the smile on her face. She always beamed with pride when she discussed the children of Voyager. She had taken to a special bond with Miral. Seven was independent and Icheb and Naomi where taken so it was only natural she would take to Miral. Besides the child was named after her favorite aunt that spoiled her to death. Then again who wouldn't indulge her? He was nudged from his thoughts softly as Kathryn continued.

"She's a bit young, but she's a smart girl. In fact I'm not the least bit surprised." Chakotay nodded agreeing.

"It's the B'Elanna in her. But then again that makes me question her first word…" Chakotay laughed as she sent him a mock disciplinary look.

"Watch it, that's my goddaughter you're talking about Chakotay." Chakotay laid his fork down and became a tad bit more serious.

"Well if she's anything like her Aunt Kathryn then she'll have nothing to worry about at all." Kathryn chuckled and watched as Chakotay contently took a sip from his glass.

"Nice save mister." Chakotay cleared his throat.

"I find that impersonal. How bout Big strong commander." Kathryn stifled a laugh.

"That'll you have to earn." Chakotay laughed before their playful banter veered away from its original direction.

"Well it looks like it will be just Chakotay for a long time." She smiled and picked at her food. Chakotay watched her sigh and push away her plate after awhile. He had to admit she didn't eat much but he noticed that she tried. Kathryn yawned tiredly. Chakotay shook his head in a reprimanding way. Chakotay wished she would get more sleep.

"I think its time for you to get some rest." Kathryn looked up at him amusingly.

"We just had dinner, its still early." Chakotay shook his head.

"Must you be reminded that our so called evening meal was more of a nighttime snack. Its 12:30 now." Kathryn clapped her hands.

"Well then I bade you goodnight kind sir. Maybe I am actually tired tonight." Chakotay smiled.

"I'll do the dished for the sake of your hopefully peaceful sleep." Kathryn rose from her chair and pushed it in.

"By the way Chakotay, I washed the sheets on your bed. They're in the chair by the desk." Chakotay nodded.

"You shouldn't have done that. I thought we agreed I would keep my own room." She shrugged.

"It's my place Chakotay. What I say goes and I say that I'll wash your sheets when I want too." Chakotay shook his head.

"You really are something Kathryn." She smiled.

"Appreciate the compliment." She walked over to Chakotay and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"That's for the dishes." Chakotay looked at the glass he was holding in disbelief.

"That's it Kathryn I'm doing the dishes for the next ten thousand years." She walked away waving off his comment with her hand. Slowing her step to a complete stop, when she reached the doorframe of the living room, she spoke.

"Goodnight Chakotay." She said carefully enjoying the way his name was so easy to say and how it so easily rolled off the tongue. She turned away and kept a slow pace down the short hall to her bedroom.

Chakotay sighed heavily.

"Goodnight to you too Kathryn." When the goodnight reached Kathryn's ears she sighed much like Chakotay did seconds earlier, though she's never know it. She filed her glass with water from the sink and placed the pill on the back of her tongue. She downed the water and dropped the glass in the recycler.

Call in now! If you're the 23 reviewer you'll be rewarded with another chapter...