Chapter 5
Kathryn
Waking up in Chakotay's arms in the morning in his quarters was heavenly.
He was still asleep, so I lie quietly and watched him. He was such a
tender, sensitive man. Today, we would go to breakfast together. If
he wanted to hold my hand or put his arm around me as we walked down
the corridor, I was going to allow it.
The vision quest had taught me a great deal. Yes, we were a
Federation Starship, but we were also a community. We could not put
our lives on hold, hoping to get home one day. I hoped our example
would encourage those in the crew with fledgling relationships to move
on to deeper commitments. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my
life with Chakotay. I felt sure he wanted the same thing.
I felt him stirring in my arms, and then two deep soulful eyes stared
back at me. "Good morning, love." he whispered softly. I moved to
kiss him, and our lips met in a tender caress. Oh, I wanted so much
just to stay here and make love, but we had duty this morning.
Regretfully, we got up and dressed. As we walked out of what would
soon be our quarters, he slid his arm around my waist as he'd often
done on New Earth. I snuggled against him happily. We strolled
down to the turbolift. Tom and B'Elanna stood there, both with
satisfied smiles on their faces as they saw us together.
"Good morning, Captain, Commander," said Tom with his warm, friendly
smile.
"Good morning, Captain, Chakotay," said B'Elanna with a glow of
happiness.
We both replied together, "Good morning, Lieutenants."
"I see our spirit guides were right, B'Elanna." said Tom with relieved
smile. He turned to us. "We were worried about the two of you. You
were behaving like strangers."
"Well, we had a vision quest last night ourselves, and it clarified a
number of things for us." I said softly.
The lift doors open and we all boarded to head to the mess hall.
3rd person
Tom and B'Elanna walked behind the Captain and Chakotay. Upon exiting
the turbolift, Chakotay had withdrawn his arm from around her waist
and taken her hand instead.
Tom and B'Elanna could hardly wait to see the expressions on the faces
of the crew when the Captain and Chakotay entered the mess hall hand
in hand. The door to the mess hall opened, and they walked in. Tom
and B'Elanna hesitated inside the door, watching their fellow crew
mates react. The buzz of conversation stopped and smiles broke out on
all the faces as they saw their Captain and First Officer walk up to
the serving line hand in hand.
"I think we've made a very clear statement to the crew,Kathryn."
whispered Chakotay.
Nodding her head, she answered, "I know we did." She turned to scan
the room with a smile.
The crew suddenly aware that the two deserved privacy, resumed their
meals and conversations. They did not want to make the happy couple
uncomfortable. Everyone had hoped for this to happen for so long
now, no one would dare risk ruining it for them.
Tom and B'Elanna moved next to them in line. As they accepted their
portions, Neelix beamed at them.
"So Captain, is there anything special you would like at the party
tonight?" he asked.
"Just do the usual luau, Neelix." she answered softly.
"Certainly, Captain," he answered promptly, catching a warning glimpse
from Tom. "I'll see you tonight then."
They took their trays and walked over to an isolated corner to eat.
Later that evening, as she dressed for the luau, Kathryn turned to
Chakotay. "I can't believe how well the entire crew has accepted
this." Her eyes shone with immeasurable joy.
"I knew they would, Kathryn. This crew is totally devoted to you.
They want you to be happy."
"I know," she answered softly. "And, I am happy." She walked over
and slid her arms around him. "With you, I'm truly at peace with
myself." She kissed him tenderly.
He held her closely for a few moments. "I think it's time for us to
leave for the party."
She nodded at him. "Let's go."
This time as they traversed the corridors, he kept his arm
possessively around her waist. They had talked about decorum in her
ready room earlier. They had decided that Voyager was more than just
a Starfleet vessel. It was their community. They would be the ones
to set the example. It was acceptable in a community to touch
chastely in public. They were going to be on Voyager for a long time.
Barring any outside help, it would be a long 60 something years.
They would have to build their community here.
The doors to the holodeck slid open. Crew members were scattered
about the resort. Some were dancing, others stood or sat about
talking. They spotted Tom and B'Elanna sitting at a table.
"Let's ask to join them." whispered Kathryn to Chakotay.
He nodded, "Let's go."
They walked over to the table where the couple sat. Both smiled as
Kathyrn and Chakotay approached. This was what they had hoped for,
the two of them together.
The Captain's happiness meant a lot to Tom. If it hadn't been for
her, he did not know where he'd been now. When she'd taken him out of
Aukland, he would have never dreamed that he would have ended up with
a second chance. After they had become stranded here in the Delta
Quadrant, she had given him a comission. He would do anything for her.
Chakotay had rescued B'Elanna from the Cardassians. She would always
remember that. She had learned so much from him. She knew how much
he loved the Captain, and was so happy to see them together.
"May we join you?" asked Chakotay.
Tom stood up. "Certainly, it's our pleasure." He beamed at them.
They all sat down and watched the crew interact. A slow sultry song
began playing. Giving Chakotay a meaningful glance, Tom stood up and
took B'Elanna's hand.
"Let's dance," he whispered softly.
As he led her away, Chakotay took Kathryn's hand.
"Do you want to dance with me, my love?" he whipsered huskily.
Smililng tenderly, she nodded and allowed him to lead her to the dance
floor. He cradled her against him as they danced together. They
could both sense the warm approval and joy of the crew at their
intimacy. She knew that they had make the right decision. The vision
quest was confirmed by the crew's reaction. For the first time since
Voyager had picked them up on New Earth, she felt truly at peace and
sensed Chakotay did too. Tilting her head up, she kissed him softly.
"You're no longer my angry warrior, you're my peaceful warrior, and
you've brought peace to my heart as well.