Chapter 4
Kathryn
Voyager would be beaming us up any minute. I hoped Chakotay
understood as well as he claimed to. I was willing to continue our
relationship, but wanted to keep it secret from the crew for the time
being. Not being able to openly love him was killing me inside.
Chakotay
Kathryn and I beamed aboard. On the Bridge, no one would have ever
guessed the passionate love affair we had begun on New Earth was going
to continue. We treated each other like virtual strangers. It was so
hard. I loved her so much. I hoped someday she would be comfortable
with the two of us having a public relationship. I sounded the chime
for entry to her ready room. It was time for our 1800 meeting. The
door slid open. I walked in PADDS in my hand. After the door slid
closed, she quickly walked over and embraced me.
"Oh, Chakotay," she sighed. I pulled her closer nuzzling my face into
her hair. After a few kisses, we reviewed the reports and planned to
spend the evening in my quarters.
Kathryn
Later that evening I quickly entered Chakotay's quarters. I had
waited till the corridor was empty so that no one would see me. His
smile lit up the room. He pulled me close, and I reveled in the
warmth of his embrace. This first day back had been so hard. Except
for those few minutes in my ready room, we had not been alone.
"Chakotay," I murmured, as I rested my cheek against his strong chest.
"How are we ever going to manage to keep this a secret?" I felt his
arms tighten around me.
"I still think the crew would accept this," he whispered softly.
I began to tremble, and he rocked me gently. How could the crew ever
accept the Captain and First Officer as lovers, I wondered.
Chakotay
I knew I had to do something, or she would break off our relationship.
After the joy we found in each other on New Earth, I would not let
that happen.
"I have a suggestion." I raised her face to look at mine. "Let's go
on a vision quest. Let's see what our Spirit Guides advise us to do."
She nodded at me, so I got my medicine bundle and we performed the
ritual.
Kathryn
I opened my eyes startled to see Chakotay there with me. That had
never happened before. At his feet was a wolf. I looked down and
saw the lizard at my feet. The place was strangely familiar.
I gasped as I realized it was New Earth.
"Chakotay," I began, my voice shaking. "We've never been together
on a Vision Quest before.
The wolf lifted her head. "You are here together because this is
where you both felt the most peaceful."
The lizard nodded in agreement. "You are two souls entwined as one."
Chakotay and I stared at each other wordlessly as our spirit guides
spoke to us.
The lizard began again. "You allow your fear to control you, Kathryn.
There is no need to fear your feelings for Chakotay. He will stay by
your side. You fear your crew will not accept their commanding
officers in a romantic involvement. That is not so. Look around you,
my child."
I looked and saw other animal life in the area. Animal life that did
not belong on New Earth. A black panther, sleek and strong, peered
from the bushes. Above an eagle soared through the skies. A panda
bear sat lazily in the sun. An owl blinked sleepily from a tree
nearby. A duck billed platypus waddled up out of the river. The last
animal I spotted was a small kitten purring happily.
The lizard continued, "These are all their guides. Some have been
revealed, others have not. However, all know that their companions
want both of you to be together. Your behavior towards each other upon
your return has disappointed many. They had hoped your isolation
would have drawn you together."
The wolf nodded in agreement. "Yes, many were saddened upon your
return. You both know what you must do."
Slowly, our awareness of Chakotay's quarters returned. I stared at him
questioningly. "Did we just share the same vision quest, or have I
gone insane?"
He shook his head, "We were both there, Kathryn. I did not expect
that either."
"Well, we know what we need to do now." My voice was barely a
whisper. He drew me into his arms. We would not let our crew suffer
anymore.
As I relaxed in Chakotay's embrace, I pondered what we had just
experienced. Even when we had begun a vision quest together, we'd
never seen each other. This joint quest gave me the answers I had
sought. Our spirit guides and those of our crew saw as one. I lifted
my lips to his. The kiss was sweet and tender.
"I guess I was wrong," I whispered softly.
He smiled at me. "I guess so." He stood, drawing me to my feet along
with him. As I stared into the depths of his dark eyes, I knew that
home was only home with him. Sliding my hands to his cheeks, I pulled
him down for a kiss again. This one was intense and passionate. I
wanted to seal our relationship here on Voyager. I couldn't think of
any better way to do that, than by making love to him tonight in his
quarters.
We continued kissed as we stumbled to his bed. We paused only long
enough to quickly undress each other before tumbling down onto the
soft covers. I sighed as he nuzzled my neck. Tomorrow, we would let
the crew see just where we stood.
Chakotay
I lay there holding her in my arms watching her sleep. She was so
beautiful. Tomorrow, Neelix was throwing a "Welcome Home" party for
us. After the party, the crew would know without a doubt that our
relationship had changed dramatically. We had talked for a long time
after the passionate lovemaking we'd engaged in. We would not make
spectacles of ourselves, but we would allow the crew to see we did
indeed have a relationship.
She wanted me to share her quarters with her. I had readily agreed.
Besides from watching Tom and B'Elanna, I knew that soon they would
need bigger quarters. They were in love with each other just as much as
Kathryn and I. It would only be a matter of time. At first, I had
not been pleased with the idea of Tom being with B'Elanna, but now I
have to admit that he has grown up a lot. She is very happy with him,
she has told me this on many occasions.
I was getting sleepy, so I pulled Kathryn a little closer and drifted
off to sleep.
A reveiw or two would make my day