Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures

THE LOST YEARS
(R)

CHAPTER ONE

2379

The air was cold, crisp like the soft falling snow. Beneath a twilight afternoon sky, the former captain and first officer of the USS Voyager walked arm in arm towards a grand hotel that was set high in the Austrian alps. Behind them on a frozen lake, a number of guests skated, all wrapped up in thick winter clothes, and the happy shouts of children mingled with the merry music of a folk band who were playing in an elegant wooden bandstand.

"I'm so glad we came," Kathryn said, looking around at the white wilderness as she spoke. "It's such a beautiful place here and everyone respects our privacy." Since returning to Earth, she had found there to be immense public interest in her life. Having always been a very private woman, she found the invasion of privacy difficult to deal with.

"I think a lot of celebrities come here," Chakotay replied. "So I think the guests are used to famous faces."

"I just wish we didn't have to leave tomorrow. A weekend doesn't seem half enough time to enjoy this place...or each other. I've enjoyed having you all to myself the past couple of days and don't want it to end."

Chakotay stopped walking and turned to her. "Then why don't we stay longer? I have nothing to rush back to and I'm sure you could take a week or two off from work. Hell, you put in enough hours on Voyager to take a year long vacation if you want."

He waited for some characteristic protest, some excuse about having to go back to work, but to his surprise Kathryn smiled happily. "I would love to stay longer. And you're right, I have stacks of vacation time to take. How does two weeks sound?"

Now it was Chakotay's turn to smile. "Wonderful," he replied. "Just great."

They happily gazed deep into each other's eyes for a moment, and then Chakotay gently lowered his lips to hers in a tender kiss.

As they drew apart, Kathryn took his arm. "Come on. Let's see if we can extend our reservation."

"I'm sorry," a friendly young male receptionist said as he checked the hotel's reservation system, "but both your rooms are reserved for the next two weeks."

"What about other rooms?" Kathryn asked.

The receptionist quickly searched the database. "All communicating rooms are reserved aswell. This is our most popular season and most people book well in advance." He continued to search. "We only have three rooms that are not yet reserved. Two wedding suites and one single room. All twin rooms are fully booked."

"What about neighboring hotels?" Chakotay asked. "Are they likely to have vacancies?"

"I doubt it. You may find a double room or one single, but communication rooms and twins are likely to be reserved." He began to work the system again. "But I can do a quick check for you."

In seconds he had the result.

"As I suspected, they're all fully booked. There's one single and that's it."

Chakotay continued to question. "You say you have one single room vacant. Would it be possible for us to share it? I can sleep on the floor."

"I'm sorry," the man replied, "but it's hotel policy to not allow more than one occupant into a single room...safety regulations and so forth."

Disappointment filled Chakotay's eyes. "I understand," he said sadly. "It was worth a try."

"If you're willing to take a random vacation in northern Europe," the man suggested, "I'm sure I can find a hotel that will satisfy your requirements."

"We'd really like to stay here," Kathryn interrupted. "What about the wedding suites? Could we reserve one of those? They're clearly for two occupants..."

"I'm sorry," the receptionist answered, "but it's hotel policy to only give them to newly weds." He smiled, joking. "But we do have a registrar who performs civil unions threeevenings a week and tonight's a night..."

Chakotay smiled at the joke and then turned to Kathryn. "Shall we look for another hotel? It will only be a transport away..."

"I have a better idea," Kathryn said, her eyes sparkling. "Why don't we get married?"

Chakotay stared at her, unsure if she'd really said those words or if he was dreaming. "Did you really just say what I think you did?"

Kathryn nodded. "We've wasted too many years already. Let's not waste another second. Let's get married."

Chakotay was a moment in answering, still not quite believing this was happening. "But I thought you wanted to take things slowly...?"

"I've changed my mind," Kathryn smiled. "It's a woman's prerogative after all. So, what do you say?"

"Yes," Chakotay laughed. "Yes, yes."

He gathered Kathryn in his arms and they held each other close.

"Well," the receptionist said as they drew apart. "Looks like I'll be reserving a wedding suite then."

Chakotay turned to him happily. "Looks like you will."

"Oh, how lovely," Kathryn said as she and her bridegroom entered a luxurious wedding suite, followed by a young man who had the duty of transferring their luggage and showing them around. Kathryn was wearing a knee-length dress of sumptuous white velvet and on her feet were matching white velour high heels . Her now shoulder length hair was swooped up in an elegant bun and a gold chain decorated her neck. Chakotay was also very formally dressed in a white suit with a silver waistcoat and bow tie. Even though they had only invited her mother, sister, and Aunt Martha to be guests and witnesses, they had wanted to dress for the occasion. Her aunt hadn't been able to make it due to ill health, but her mother and sister had attended and joined them afterwards in a celebratory meal.

Kathryn walked into the center of the room and looked out through a long window that overlooked the valley below.

"I'm sure in daylight the view from here is quite spectacular," she observed.

"Yes, Ma'am," the young porter said, depositing the luggage by the door. "It's quite something. You can see right down to the town ."

Kathryn looked around the room and quickly absorbed her inviting surroundings. A few replicas of ancient gothic romance oil paintings adorned pine colored walls and opposite the window was a cream colored sofa that had a heart-shaped back. Rose-pink cushions decorated it that matched the rose-pink carpet beneath her feet, the rose-pink curtains at the window, and the rose-pink lamp shades that were evenly placed throughout the room.. Before the sofa was a heart-shaped crystal table and there was a bunch of red roses on it, a bottle of champagne, and two crystal glasses.

The porter pointed to a cream-coloured replicator that was in the far left corner of the room. "The replicator yonder should give you everything you need, but if you have any problems, don't hesitate to contact reception."

"Thank you," Kathryn smiled.

The young man then pointed to a closed cream door at his right. "The bedroom is through that door."

Kathryn went over to the door and opened it, followed by Chakotay. When she stepped into the room, she gazed around in delight. There was a large four poster bed to her right that looked out upon the same magnificent view as the living room, and it was beautifully decorated with rose-pink curtains, heart shaped cushions and shimmering cream satin sheets.

"It's wonderful," Kathryn said, smiling happily. "Your hotel sure has good taste."

"We aim to please, Ma'am," the young man smiled.

Kathryn saw a door in the far left corner and went over to it. "Is this the bathroom?"

"Yes," he replied. "Fully ensuite with jacuzzi and sonic shower."

"Sounds heavenly."

Kathryn opened the door and stepped inside. There was a large heart shaped jacuzi, a separate shower enshrined in crystal glass, and a very soft looking bundle of rose-pink towels in the corner.

"Perfect," Kathryn smiled. "Just perfect."

"Pleased you're satisfied, Ma'am," the porter replied. "Again, any problems, contact reception." He smiled warmly and then glanced at Kathryn and Chakotay in turn. "Congratulations, Sir, Madam. I hope that you will have many happy years together."

"Thank you," Chakotay replied.

The young man gave a nod, and then left, leaving Kathryn and Chakotay alone. As the main door closed behind him, Kathryn went over to Chakotay and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I can't believe this is happening," she said happily. "It's all like a dream...a beautiful dream..."

"Well," Chakotay smiled. "If it is a dream, I never want to wake up."

"Ditto."

Chakotay then gazed deep into her eyes. "I love you, Mrs Chakotay."

"I love you too...Mr Janeway," Kathryn teased.

They laughed softly and then kissed tenderly.

"How about you run the jacuzzi while I open the champagne?" Chakotay suggested as they drew apart.

Kathryn smiled. "Right after another kiss...or two..."

Without a word, Chakotay obliged her.

The water was soapy and warm and Kathryn lay back against a soft cushion and closed her eyes momentarily as she sunk lower into the watery delight.

"Bliss," she said to Chakotay, who wasreclining beside her, "pure bliss."

Chakotay picked up a now half empty bottle of champagne that lay on a silver rack behind him and held it out to Kathryn. "More champagne?"

"Not for me," Kathryn replied. "Any more and I'll be drifting..."

Chakotay smiled, put down the bottle, and then turned his attentions to his bride. He gently brushed his fingers against her cheek and then ran his hand sensually down her neck. "You're so beautiful, Kathryn Janeway."

Kathryn gazed into his kind eyes, the love she was seeing in them taking her breath away. "You're mighty fine yourself."

Chakotay smiled again and lowered his lips to her in a soft kiss. His lips then moved to her cheek and he kissed his way from her ear to her chin before finding her lips again.

After a while they drew apart and gazed at each other, both slightly breathless.

Kathryn put her finger to Chakotay's tattoo and absently traced the course of it. "Shall we go...somewhere more comfortable?"

Chakotay understood her meaning. "I think that would be a good idea." He took her hand in his, kissed it, and then climbed out of the jacuzzi. He then put a super large pink towel around himself and held it open to Kathryn. Seconds later she was inside it, and Chakotay wrapped it around her as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'm so happy, Chakotay," she said, her eyes moist. "I can't remember when I was this happy. I don't think ever."

"Neither can I," Chakotay replied. "All these years of loving you, all these years of hoping... and now..."

"I know," Kathryn whispered. "I know." She raised her lips to his and kissed him tenderly. Then Chakotay began to dry her and she returned the gesture.

When they were both dry, Chakotay gently lifted Kathryn up and carried her through to the bedroom. He carefully lay her down on thesoft bed and then lay down beside her. Kathryn gazed up at him, her eyes sparkling, and Chakotay gazed at her, his eyes taking in every feature, every freckle. Slowly, exquisitely, their lips met and they kissed as though they were kissing for the first time. Then Chakotay moved his lips to her neck and began to make tender love to her.

Kathryn lay in a haze of ecstasy as Chakotay's lips and hands kissed and caressed her body. His touch was so gentle, so sensuous, and his kisses so tender. She sighed at the sensations he was evoking, but then, unexpectedly, she went as rigid as iron in his arms and cried out fearfully.

"No. Please, no..."

Chakotay instantly drew away from her and looked down at her. She was panting in distress and there were tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," Chakotay said quietly, tears filling his own eyes. "Did I hurt you?"

Kathryn made no reply. It was almost as though she couldn't hear him...as though she was lost in another place, another time.

"Kathryn?"

At the sound of her name, Kathryn's eyes began to focus and she looked up at Chakotay, her body visibly trembling.

"I'm sorry," she said tearfully. "I'm so sorry..."

Without waiting for a reply, she scrambled out of the bed, picked up her nightdress from a chair, and hurried into the bathroom.

Chakotay sat up and called after her, but she was gone.

END OF CHAPTER ONE