It was just minutes shy of 2100 and Kathryn had found herself standing outside of Chakotay's quarters. She tugged a little, trying to smooth out non-existent wrinkles before she rank the bell.
"Come in," his voice echoed into the hall just moments before the door slid open, allowing Kathryn entrance.
"Comm… Chakotay," she greeted, stumbling over the automatic use of his rank.
"Kathryn, come in, have a seat," he handed her a cup of hot liquid, which Kathryn took with a smile.
"You know me too well, Chakotay," the woman noted before settling onto the couch.
"I just know you can't function without your coffee, Kath," he gave as he put the final touches on dinner.
It was then that Kathryn noticed the attire of the commander. Brown pants, a lightweight tunic and a leather vest, much like when she'd first laid eyes on him.
Chakotay turned in time to catch her gaze but elected not to make a comment on it. "Dinner's on," he set two plates on the dining table and pulled out Kathryn's chair for her.
She chuckled a little at Chakotay's mannerisms, certain that he'd do this for any female friend. "Thank you, it smells, good."
"It was my mother's recipe, one of her favourites, actually," Chakotay noted as he finally sat down. "I was lucky to have had them before we got here," he gave her a grin, revealing his dimples.
"Indeed," Janeway raised her cup in a toast, to which Chakotay reciprocated.
The two then fell into a comfortable silence until they'd finished their dinner and retired to the couch.
"I have a feeling that I'll be visiting you a lot when we colonize," Kathryn noted.
"Why do you say that? Afraid you'll burn down the house?" he questioned, only to receive a playful slap on the arm.
"No, I know I'll burn it, and then I'll end up bunking with you, which wouldn't be any good."
"I know, I'm such a terrible neighbour, who'd want to live with me?" he questioned, receiving an eye roll and a smirk from his captain.
Chakotay grinned as Kathryn finished her coffee in a gulp. "Are you planning on sleeping tonight, Kath? I'm sure you've just gone over your coffee quota for the day."
"No, I've got at least five more cups left in my quota."
"That's too much caffeine to sleep on. Even if there's no real caffeine, it builds up, maybe you should go visit the doctor to see to that," he knew that he wouldn't get a positive response on this.
Indeed, he simply received a glower, causing him to raise his hands in surrender.
"You do know that coffee will only make you more tense…"
"Coffee is relaxing, Chakotay, you should try it sometime."
"Not thanks, I've seen you on coffee, I think one caffinated commanding officer is quite enough for this ship."
"Two wouldn't hurt, I'm sure the crew wouldn't mind," she offered with a smile before stifling a yawn.
"Ah hah! I knew you where tired!"
"Am not, just need to give my eyes a rest," Janeway replied and promptly permitted her eyes to slide shut, only for a moment, she told herself.
Unfortunately, it didn't take long for Kathryn to be in a dreamless slumber on Chakotay's couch, and he knew this.
On noting his captains state Chakotay carefully moved her into a laying position before settling a blanket over the pantsuit-clad woman. After attending to her he quietly tidied up the room and went to his room to follow Kathryn's lead.
TBC