Betrayal and Turkey.

Chapter Fourteen.

By Hopping Hamster.

Sorry to all my readers for the delay, internet issues and life problems got in the way… but here it is now, back on track, thank you for all the great reviews and support!

"Chakotay..." Kathryn found herself pulling away slowly. This wasn't right; this wasn't what she had wanted. How could they do this after all this time?

"It's ok Kathryn" Chakotay tried to softly reassure her by taking her working hand in his. She met his eyes and tried to offer a crooked smile as he ran his thumb over her knuckles.

"But I don't think I can do it again" she whispered firmly as her eyes filled with tears. All she had ever wanted was for him to love her again and now when he offered her that love she was pushing him away. She couldn't make any sense of it in her mind.

"What?" Chakotay ask unsure what she meant. Lifting his hand to her face and wiping away her falling tears.

"Lose you to Trebus" her voice was cracked and quivering slightly as she took a deep breath "I don't want to just have a quick kiss and then watch you walk away"

Chakotay felt pain for their separated relationship. "Kathryn its ok" Chakotay urged "I won't anywhere without you" he meant it. He had forced her away five years ago and had felt incomplete since. He wouldn't lose her again.

"But I thought you were happy on Trebus?" she questioned softly. She would never ask him to leave Trebus. Not for her after all this time.

"I am" he told her then closing his eyes and shaking his head he admitted "I was" Kathryn just looked really confused until he smiled and told her "Kathryn that was when I thought you wanted to end our relationship, when I thought you were unhappy with me" at this she turned from him in shame as he said "I went to Trebus because I didn't want to be near you"

"Oh" she spat out through gritted teeth "right"

"Kathryn" he sighed hanging his head. Spirits he loved this woman. He didn't want their lack of communication and miss understandings five years ago break them again.

"I think we should go" she said firmly as she began to struggle to put her coat back on.

He stood up from where he had been kneeling beside her and returned to the seat at the table opposite her. He didn't stop her trying to put her coat on but he didn't help her knowing full well she needed the help. After several times of unsuccessfully trying to slip her not working hand into the arm hole she swore loudly and slumped back in her chair. If Chakotay was honest that surprised him but he said very little about it. "Kathryn" he said gently reaching out seemingly to assist her but it was too late, he had removed what of the coat she had managed to get out before she realised what he was doing.

"Damn Chakotay take me home" she yelled slamming her hand on the table before her "now!"

"No" he said simply and calmly without taking his eyes from her.

"Please Chakotay" Kathryn whispered turning from him in shame, this is exactly what she had feared. She was helpless and hadn't seen this man in over five years. They didn't know each other anymore. She was breathing deeply and her body trembled but she knew she was stuck, there was nothing she could do.

"Kathryn its ok" Chakotay whispered "you know I won't hurt you." she didn't reply, he hadn't expected her to. "Please can I stay on your ranch?"

Kathryn stared at him. Her eyes were wide as she searched his face for sincerity. She saw in his eyes only deep love and concern. Raising an eyebrow she asked "why?"

Chakotay had expected to ask that. Reaching out across the table he took her hand in his and whispered "I gave up one love for another five years ago but being with you again has shown me how much I miss you. Kathryn please let me into your life again."

"Chakotay..." Kathryn whispered taking a deep breath and looking into his eyes her head was shaking but her face was smiling "you don't want to go back to Trebus"

"I have to go back" he nodded and she looked hurt. "My things are there, my dog" at that she laughed "but right at your side is where I want to be"

She smiled at him and asked "you would live on my ranch? A ranch funded by the pay I got for being captain of Voyager?" taking a deep breath she added "for completing the mission we have always known I was sent to do."

"I was wrong to say what I said Kathryn" Chakotay admitted.

Kathryn smiled at him and said with a slight shrug of her shoulders "my ranch is always open to anyone from Voyager. No of it is ever closed to the Voyager family, apart from my den, that's invite only"

Chakotay looked at her before he smiled. Slowly she reached out to give his hand a reassuring squeeze and she smiled "really Chakotay you're always welcome"

Chakotay smiled a beaming smile and whispered "well we better get you back or Sam will have me for keeping you out late."

Kathryn just snorted at him and shook her head with a crooked smile. Chakotay knew there was a long way to go, five years was a long time but he was sure he saw that spark in her. She was going to let him stay at her ranch, even if that meant he saw her once in a while, even if it meant she employed him as a work man he was happy and he would take it. He would see her well and happy again even if it was the last thing he did.