At 2200 hours, Chakotay arrived at Kathryn's quarters with his akoonah. She thanked him for it and quickly said goodbye. She contemplated telling him what she intended to use it for; some instruction on the technique might be helpful, but decided against exposing her plan. She liked Tuvok's idea, but her scientific mind demanded a few tests, before making a decision that could radically change her life.

Finishing her cup of chamomile tea, Kathryn picked up the akoonah and lay down on her bed. Doing her best to repeat the incantation she once heard Chakotay say, Kathryn drifted off to sleep.

In her slumber Kathryn conjured up scenario after scenario. All were various occasions where she pushed Chakotay away. Only this time as she dreamed, she let the desire she felt for her first officer surface. Kathryn awoke enamored by the possibility of a romantic relationship with Chakotay.

Groggily, she rubbed her eyes and realized that she overslept, but quickly remembered the need to prepare Voyager for shore leave had preempted her regular duties. Kathryn got up, ordered her coffee, and immediately began pouring over the diplomatic customs of the Davasiyans.

The door to her quarters chimed. Kathryn smiled. Chakotay was as prompt as ever. Briefly she considered her attire but playfully chose to say, "Come."

Chakotay entered and saw the captain standing behind her desk with a coffee in hand. His breath caught in his throat as he beheld Kathryn in her satin nightgown. Fixing his eyes on the floor, he coughed into his hand.

Kathryn looked down at her gown and apologized, "Oh, I'm sorry, Commander; I was so engrossed in the customs of the Davasiyans that I lost track of time. Please excuse me." Pointing back at her desk, she added, "But you should look at that."

He called after her, "I've found some interesting information of my own that I'd like to share."

"Can't wait," Kathryn replied from her bedroom as she got her uniform on.

Chakotay was seated and reading from his PADD. Invigorated, she walked over to his chair. Placing a hand on his arm, she looked at the PADD from over his shoulder. "What have you got?" she asked in a husky voice.

Chakotay was glad that from her vantage point, Kathryn couldn't see the effect she was having on him. Using every bit of will power to focus on the PADD in front of him, he said, "This… this." Pushing the image of Kathryn in her nightgown out of his mind, he continued, "It's… there is a planet in the star system. Chaitava, it's unique. The Davasiyans have colonized the whole system except for this planet. It's the seventh and last planet, the size of a small moon and covered in oceans of a chemical similar to antifreeze. Crystalline structures jut out of the oceans. Supposed to be one of the most beautiful sights in the galaxy."

"Really?" Kathryn sat down across from Chakotay and listened.

"Yes, and the best part of it is that we are catching it at the perfect time. Chaitava just came out of its turbulent season, and it isn't crowded with sightseers because the Davasiyan economic and education cycles keep it from being busy this time of year."

"You said it couldn't be colonized. Can we go there?"

"Yes. We can take the Flyer. It doesn't have an oxygen atmosphere, but the locals often take shuttles. There are even specially designed hovercrafts that ride the surface for tourists to use, but they aren't running yet. Because Chaitava is such a small planet its sunrise and sunset takes place every seven hours. People travel light years to see the crystalline structures refract the sun over the ocean. It's supposed to be pretty spectacular."

"I bet none of these visitors have traveled as far as we have. We better not miss it."

"Agreed. At 1600 hours then. You and I can take the Flyer. That should put us in orbit about an hour before the sunset and give us plenty of time to get back to Voyager before it arrives at the fifth planet." Kathryn agreed, "Yes, Tuvok told me our arrival time at the Chancellor's home world will be 2100 hours, but it will be quite late on the planet. The Chancellor has requested a reception to welcome us for the following morning. We agreed on 0700 hrs." Kathryn frowned and asked, "Did Tuvok give you this information about Chaitava?"

Chakotay looked puzzled. "Uh…yes he did. Why do you ask?"

"Maybe I'll explain later. We need to go over these protocols."

At 1600 hrs they met in the shuttle bay, both were dressed in civilian clothes. Chakotay smiled at Kathryn as she arrived, the green dress clung to her figure almost as nicely as the peach nightgown.

As Chakotay piloted the Flyer, they chatted easily. When Kathryn saw Chaitava on the view screen, she gasped. At a distance it shone like a brilliant lavender gem. "That is it?"

"That's Chaitava."

"Amazing."

Kathryn remained silent for the remainder of the journey in awe of both the natural beauty before her and how quickly her dreams had come true. She was alone with Chakotay under peaceful circumstances.

Chakotay brought the Flyer into orbit.

Kathryn adjusted some controls and put the planet's sub-harmonic frequencies on audio so they could hear the ocean and atmosphere beneath them. They listened to the primal rhythm of the waves and the jazzy counterpoint that reverberated off the amethyst looking structures.

Adjusting their orbit with the thrusters, according to the Davasiyan instructions to tourists, Chakotay synchronized the Flyer with the ocean. Changing the Flyer's internal gravitational controls, they felt the ebb and flow of the waves.

Wanting to be closer to him, Kathryn stood behind him, and put her hands on both of his shoulders. "Thank you, for bringing me here. It is incredible." Almost unconsciously, Kathryn massaged his shoulders. He leaned back against Kathryn and relaxed completely. Both watched the surreal surroundings and rested in this long awaited intimate moment.

Chakotay sighed and remembered time was passing while Kathryn stood behind him. "Please," he said as he rose from the pilot's seat, "You sit down."

Kathryn smiled as they shifted positions. "I'm surprised Paris didn't try to work a bench seat into the Flyer's design."

"I'm glad he didn't. I'd be kicking myself now. I was the one that finally vetoed Tom's bells and whistles.

She laughed, and then moaned as his strong hands began to work her shoulders.

Chakotay inhaled a deep unsteady breath. "Déjà vu."

"I've been rethinking some old decisions."

"Sshh. Show me, don't tell me."

Kathryn rose from the seat to kiss him.

Chakotay returned the kiss gently and then turned her to face the view screen. "But first, watch that."

Chaitava's sun was at its horizon. Rays of light broke through the crystalline structures and splayed out in multi-coloured streams, filling the atmosphere. The royal blue ocean became more turbulent and crested lavender. Even the natural music reached a crescendo, as Chakotay held Kathryn tightly and peppered her neck with kisses.

Turning to face Chakotay, Kathryn kissed him passionately. Colours from the view screen engulfed the lovers' embrace, but Kathryn was lost in him before the sun disappeared behind the dark waters.

Janeway awoke in her quarters. She could still feel the sway of the Flyer, like one who had been in a boat for many hours. It was the most peaceful way to wake up. Sleepily she tried to remember how they got back to Voyager.

Then she smiled. What was she thinking? Chaitava must have been her lucid dream. It was too perfect. Feeling for the akoonah, she was startled awake when her hands found a leg. Sitting bolt upright, Kathryn stared at Chakotay asleep in her bed.

"Chakotay!" she spoke in an urgent whisper.

He awoke and saw her surprise. He grinned at where he found himself. "Don't worry I think you're still dreaming."

She pressed her hands to her eyes and then stared at Chakotay's bare chest. "If I'm dreaming then how do you know that?"

He laughed. "Somehow last night I was drawn into your lucid dream. I'm not here physically," patting her bed, "but somehow we shared the same dream last night. You did try lucid dreaming?"

She nodded, and was momentarily speechless at the consequences.

"You should have told me. I could have given you some pointers."

She shook her head and stared at him. "How did you get here? How did you become more than a dream?"

"I don't fully understand the science of it, Kathryn. You wanted me here. You're extremely strong-willed. You were using my akoonah in relatively close proximity to me, while I was also sleeping. I was having some mundane dream about gamma shift complaints," he smiled and raised an eyebrow, "when I walked into your quarters and found you in that adorable nightgown."

Kathryn blushed at the realization that they both shared the memory.

Chakotay added, "What I don't understand is how you were studying the Davasiyan system when I walked in?"

"Why? Is it real?"

"Only in my dreams. It's the place I dream of spending time with you. But you were there and you even changed parts of it. You brought music to Chaitava. I'd love to see what you'd to the fifth planet. I'm glad to share it with you. But remember, Kathryn, keep the dream in the heart, until you are certain it's what you want."

"Chakotay, it was so romantic!"

He shrugged, "With years of interstellar experience and a solitary dream of one lady, what do you expect?" Then he frowned, "But I couldn't figure out why you wanted to give Tuvok credit for the idea?"

"It was Tuvok who suggested I pursue a relationship with you."

Chakotay laughed.

Chakotay awoke in his quarters laughing. The dream was so real and completely believable until Kathryn said that bit about it being Tuvok's idea.

He sat on the edge of his bed and thought about it. 'She had dinner with Tuvok… Nah, she couldn't have access to my dream world… but she has my akoonah… nah…Wow. Kathryn, that was amazing.'