~ Kathryn ~
Kathryn surveyed the group as everyone got into his or her own sleeping bag. They were all uncharacteristically quiet, but after the long day she was sure they had, it was understandable. She walked around the mass of bodies towards Tuvok, who was also observing the cluster of people get ready for sleep. Kathryn had changed out of the remains of her dress into a vibrant red one that made her feel incredibly obtrusive in the darkness of the night. The last thing she wanted to do was draw attention to herself, although she did feel so much more confident after Chakotay's help. Her angry warrior…that had been unexpected.
"Captain!" Tem meters from Tuvok and B'Elanna popped up in front of her, a haggard Tom and bewildered Chakotay in tow. Janeway drew a breath, blinked, and carefully said "Yes, B'Elanna?"
"We need to talk to you."
Kathryn arched an eyebrow.
"Alone?" B'Elanna pleaded.
A single nod from Kathryn and she found herself following B'Elanna from behind Chakotay and Tom. Away, farther and farther from camp. What did B'Elanna want to talk about that was so sensitive?
"Surely, Lieutenant, whatever you want to say is not so secretive as this?" B'Elanna came to a halt, Chakotay crashing into Tom who fell into his wife. She didn't seem to notice. The soft look on B'Elanna's face unnerved Janeway. Tom, recovered from his collision, was standing at his wife's side, looking peculiarly at her and…
…Chakotay.
He had edged toward her now, eyes shifting between his Captain and the Paris couple. Kathryn tried to meet his eyes, to see what he knew.
Nothing.
Now they focused on Tom and B'Elanna, who were eyeing them with equal suspicion. B'Elanna stepped forward, bathed in the green moonlight, giving her an eerie glow. Her eyes were now fixed on the command team, determined.
"Captain, Chakotay, permission to speak freely?" Janeway found it humorous that she was just now asking, or even at all, and a smile flitted across her face as she nodded permission. B'Elanna drew a breath.
"Captain…"
"Please, call me Kathryn."
"Kathryn, Chakotay. We heard about you guys, and Tom and I just wanted to offer and help, in case you have any problems." Again, Kathryn eyed Chakotay, who wore a blank expression. She turned towards B'Elanna, who looked hesitantly at her.
"Well, B'Elanna, thank you both for the offer, but I'm sure Chakotay and I can mend and rifts that may come up in our friendship." She turned to go.
"But, what about last night?" Janeway looked over her shoulder.
"What about it?"
"Tuvok told Tom that, well…" She was being uncharacteristically hesitant. Again. Kathryn looked over B'Elanna's shoulder at Tom for an answer. His eyes widened at her glare.
"Well, he said you guys were…you know…" Tom started fidgeting with his hands. Why couldn't they just say what they meant? Janeway looked at Chakotay, who's eyes had widened in understanding.
"No."
"B'Elanna and Tom were now looking at Chakotay, who had finally spoken for the first time since being dragged on this escapade. Kathryn was glad he was covering for her. He spoke again, his hands and voice slightly shaking.
"No, we didn't. You guys should know that."
Oh my! Where did they get that idea? Kathryn hoped the darkness hid her reddening face. Apparently, it wasn't sufficient, as B'Elanna's eyes were sympathetically looking at her. And try as she might, Kathryn couldn't find her voice, so for the hundredth time that night, she looked at Chakotay for support, but he wouldn't look at her.
And the solitary tear tracing his cheek told her why.
With the instinctive touch of a mother, Kathryn reached up and let the glistening bead trail her fingers. It burned her hand, but the soft breeze quickly quelled the fire. She drew her hand away at the sensation. In the background, Kathryn could hear B'Elanna saying something.
"…leave you guys alone."
Retreating footsteps.
Her thudding heart.
Waning confidence.
What to do now?
Chakotay was still staring ahead, his eyes glazed over, dumbstruck, so Kathryn turned to walk away.