A/N: Something else that's been sitting around waiting to be posted - an established J/C moment for the episode "Prophecy". Hope you enjoy it :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Not The Couch

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that my replicator likes you more than me," Kathryn commented drily as she stepped into her quarters.

Chakotay shot her a grin over his shoulder, "Try not to take it personally," he counselled, turning back to where he was programming in the recipe for dinner. "It could just be lulling me into a false sense of security," he added.

Kathryn gave a noncommittal "hmm" as she moved to sit on the couch, discarding her jacket and boots as she did so.

"Wine?" Chakotay offered as he finished typing the last of the commands into the replicator.

At her nod he poured two glasses and carried them over.

"Thank you," Kathryn said as she accepted the glass. She took a sip as she watched him take a seat beside her, "So, how did we end up as bunk mates?"

"You didn't restrict the arrangements to single-sex only," he reminded her, feigning innocence and taking a sip of his wine.

She cocked her head to the side as she regarded him, "No…"

He grinned as he set his glass aside, "You've caught me," he admitted, "Neelix was looking for a roommate and there was only you and Tuvok left."

"I knew there was a reason I made you First Officer," she commented, taking another sip of her wine.

Chakotay shrugged a shoulder, "I just didn't fancy sharing with Tuvok."

He chuckled as she threw a cushion at him, "Just for that, no back rub," he told her, catching it neatly.

"Spoilsport," she grumbled in mock annoyance; even as she shifted, at his invitation, to rest her feet on the cushion he'd settled in his lap.

She closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh as he started to massage her feet, "Did you have any difficulties with the arrangements?" she asked after a moment.

"Not really," he replied, concentrating on massaging one of her calves, "but I don't think it will last indefinitely."

"Oh, I have no intention of transporting two hundred Klingons all the way back to the Alpha Quadrant," she assured him.

Chakotay nodded, swapping to massage her other calf, "Let's hope that when the time comes they're willing to go."

Kathryn smiled, "I have every confidence in B'Elanna's persuasive abilities." She paused, "Still, I don't think I'll be comfortable until they're all safely off the ship."

"Shall I take first watch tonight?" he quipped, finishing his ministrations and resting his hands lightly on her shins.

She opened her eyes to look at him, "That might be difficult from the bedroom."

"Bedroom?" he repeated.

She raised an eyebrow, "You can't honestly tell me that you'd be comfortable on the couch."

"More comfortable than kicking you out of your bed," he countered.

"It's fine, Chakotay," she assured him, "besides, I don't sleep much these days anyway."

He still looked doubtful, "All the same, I'll take the couch."

"Chakotay…"

"It's that or the floor, Kathryn," he told her seriously, "I'm not taking your bed."

Kathryn shrugged a shoulder, "We could share."

He blinked, "I'm sorry?"

"We could share," she repeated, "I know we haven't taken that step yet," she continued at his dumbfounded expression, "but half the crew think we're sharing a bed already-"

"Kathryn…"

"-and the other half will think so after tonight," she continued, ignoring his interruption, "at least this time the rumours will be true."

"I don't think this is a good idea," he said simply.

"Well, I'm not sharing the couch," she deadpanned.

He sighed, "We've put off taking this step so that we don't rush into anything," he reminded her, "if we share a bed tonight…I think…I know," he corrected himself, "that it's something I could get used to."

"Would that be such a bad thing?" Kathryn asked quietly.

"I might not want to leave," he warned her.

"Did someone ask you to?" she countered. "You said I had 'plenty of time'," she continued before he could respond, "and, quite frankly, I think I've wasted enough of it." She caught his eye, "You can interpret it in any way you like and you can stay for as long as you want," she added softly, "just…don't stay on the couch."

"You're sure?"

"Perfectly."

He hesitated, "About dinner…"

She smirked and set her wine glass aside, "I'm happy to skip to dessert."

His answering smirk was the only warning she got before he lifted her off the couch and carried her towards her bedroom.

In the end, dinner was put off indefinitely but dessert was a resounding success.