AN: Again, sorry for the short chapter, I just write them as they ask me to write them… as odd as that sounds.
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The team had returned to the ship in one piece and Chakotay had, yet again, found himself having dinner with Kathryn. It was another no uniforms affair, something that had slowly become more frequent. Chakotay secretly hoped this was a sign of things to come.
Dinner had been uneventful, as usual, they discussed the day, mostly their trip to the planet, which had proved suitably habitable. They eventually adjourned to the captain's couch.
"No more coffee for the day, Kath. You know the Doc'll have my head if you overdose on the stuff."
"I'm sure you can deal with the doctor, but I won't be denied my coffee, Chakotay," she stated tensely.
"See, Kath, only coffee could make you this tense," he stated, shifting so that he sat behind her.
"Chakotay," she started to protest, but stopped as he started to massage her shoulders.
He grinned as she stopped her argument before it started and continued his ministrations.
However, as was to be expected, she shifted away from the commander. "Thank you, Chakotay, I think I needed that."
"I think you did as well. You're much too tense, Kathryn."
"You're just using that as an excuse, aren't you, Chakotay?"
A mischievous grin stretched its way across his face. "Of course not, Kath, I'd never do such a thing," he stated in as serious a tone as he could.
"Nice try, Chakotay," Kathryn said, chuckling.
Chakotay chuckled as well. "Alright, you got me," he relented, "I'll use any excuse to get my hands on you," a wink was offered before he received a joking glower from his captain.
"If I didn't know you better, I'd think you meant that," Janeway stated, knowing he'd meant that, just like he had meant everything else he'd said, to one extent or another. Kathryn, however, chose to ignore this little nugget of knowledge.
"Ahh, but you do know me better, Kath, therefore, you know I don't," he played along, keeping his chocolate eyes on her.
"Lucky for you."
"I know, otherwise I'd be out the nearest airlock."
"Indeed," Kathryn yawned. "Now get to your quarters before there's a repeat of last night."
"As you wish," he stated, raising her hand and gently brushing his lips across her knuckles, causing a visible shiver to run up her spine.
"Now, Commander," her voice had dropped to a whisper by this point.
"Night, Kath, see you tomorrow," and with that he left her cabin, quickly making his way to his own.
As her door closed behind the commander, Kathryn stood still for a bit before shaking her head. The captain flexed her hand a bit, the feel of his touch still lingering. Finally she stopped her mind from running in circles and prepared to climb into bed. "This is going to be a long stay," she muttered, before finally dropping off to sleep.
TBC