Betrayal and Turkey.
Chapter Twenty Six.
By Hopping Hamster.
Trebus was more desert like than Kathryn had imagined and a lot hotter too. Somehow she felt slightly out of place and very overdressed. It had only taken her a few minutes to realise she was the only white person in this crowded street; all the people shared Chakotay's tanned skin. Looking around she sighed and thought to herself, if you could even call it a street but stopped that line of thinking right away, no she wouldn't think that way, this was Chakotay's beloved Trebus and it was really quite beautiful. The people were beautiful even if they had been less than welcoming at the transport station. Not one person had been inclined to give her any help or hint about Chakotay's whereabouts though it was clear they all knew him. B'Elanna's concerned word's filled her mind and Kathryn feared she might actually have to spend the night on the street as B'Elanna had warned. Trebus was primitive for federation standards but Kathryn supposed these people liked it that way. One thing she noticed was the buildings were elegant in their simplicity. As she found herself wondering what she could only assume was the main street of the settlement or town she realised how tired she was, it had been a long journey and Kathryn was really very tired but very glad to finally be stood on Trebus. Yet she still hadn't located Chakotay or somebody who might help her find him. She didn't know the local time but she did know it was getting late judging by the height of the sun in the sky. The young boy at the transport station could have easily been a fifteen year old Chakotay; the boy even wore the same tattoo above his left eye. Yet he had refused to talk to her once checking her papers and realising she was a retired Admiral of Starfleet. Feeling exhausted and slightly anxious that she might never find him Kathryn discarded her coat into her carry case and made her way towards what look like a market area where she hoped she would find somebody who knew where Chakotay was. Or at least somebody who could help her find a bed for the night. Kathryn was suddenly realising she probably should have listened to B'Elanna, this was a really bad idea,
(+)(+)(+)
Chakotay pulled out the chair in Trebus's only eating establishment and guided the beautiful woman to sit down. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" she smiled warmly at him running her hands through her long hair and watching him sit down at the table opposite her.
"Shhh" he smiled his dimpled smile placing the tip of his forefinger on her lips and leaning in to whisper "no words" before he claimed her lips with him.
She wasn't sure where his sudden change in their relationship was coming from and she pulled away slightly and whispered "Chakotay…."
Chakotay kept his eyes closed and asked softly "hum?" he was still deep in his imagination and didn't want it ruined by her talking "quite my love" he whispered as he began nibbling on her ear lobe from across the table.
"Love?" she whispered with question in her voice, he had never used such words before "aren't i the lucky one?" she smiled running her hands through his raggedly long hair.
"No words" Chakotay repeated softly, finally he was home, and finally his was with a woman who truly wanted him. Finally he could enjoy her touch. "I love you" he whispered softly as he began to let his hands run through her long silky black hair.
"I love you too" the woman whispered as she wrapped her tanned skinned arms around him. What had she done to deserve this brave and well-travelled man?
(+)(+)(+)
Kathryn Janeway lifted the carry case higher onto her shoulder and stepped into what looked like some kind of café or restaurant, the only one in the town. A she approached the bar the two serving men stopped their conversation and turned to stare at her. Taking a deep breath she asked casually "do you sell coffee?" trying hard not to seem nervous or aware of how out of place she was.
The older of the two stepped forward and looked her up and down before asking "coffee?"
"Yes, black" she nodded offering a slight smile in his direction. She didn't even know if the people of Trebus drank coffee or knew what it was.
She stared the older man in the eye for a few seconds before he turned and napped at the younger boy "one coffee for the white lady" it was then Kathryn noticed both these men wore the same tattoo as Chakotay. Not all the man were tattooed and Kathryn knew if there was any hope of finding Chakotay she would need to ask this man.
Turning back to her he looked her up and down and said gruffly "we don't take federation credits here you know" Kathryn sighed, did she really look the complete image of the federation?
"I know" she groaned digging in her jeans pocket and pulling out Trebus money notes.
The older man was impressed but tried hard not to show it as he smiled slightly and said "good" as he took the notes from her and returned her change in coins.
He still stared at her, looking her up and down as he stood with his arms folded "you wouldn't happen to know Somebody called Chakotay would you?" she asked trying to sound casual yet as the day wore on she was getting slightly worried she never would find him.
"Who wants to know?" growled the old man as he handed her the mug of coffee in a cardboard mug.
Inhaling the sent she had long missed she flashed her blue eyes at him and said deeply "I'm an old friend" before she took a sip of the heavenly drink.
The older man regarded her for a long while before asking "is he expecting you?" Kathryn's eyes looked up from her mug of black coffee to see he was looking over her shoulder
Kathryn slowly lowered her mug from her lips and regarded the older man before she gulped down the steaming liquid and admitted casually "no" and offered no more.
The older bar attendant smiled, he liked this little white woman very much. "I know Chakotay" he told her casually "everybody does"
Kathryn was feeling exasperated as she snapped "do you know where I can find him?"
The older man gave a little laugh before looking over her shoulder and shouting "Hay Chakotay!" Kathryn spun round, there he was, Chakotay, her Chakotay, the man she had loved for so long, the man she had hurt and let down sat in one of the seat at a candle lit table, his left hand on the knee of a beautiful young native American woman the other in her long silky black hair. Both her arms where wrapped around his neck and their lips were almost touching.
"What Larren?" Chakotay growled as he prized himself away from the young woman but didn't take his eyes off her.
Kathryn just stood there frozen to the spot; she had not imagined this at all. She had prepared herself for his onslaught of anger, his refusal to look at her or talk to her but she had not prepared herself for him being involved with another woman. Kathryn's eyes began to fill with tears as she slowly began to back away, this wasn't right, she should never have come, and she shouldn't interrupt his happiness with one of his own people. The old bar tender maneuverer around to Chakotay's side before Kathryn could stop him and asked "do you know a white lady?"
Chakotay looked angry, Kathryn knew that look. He was fed up and angry "Drop it Larren it's getting old" he hissed turning to the older man. The woman he was with seemed to want to stop Chakotay from becoming more angry but it wasn't working. Wheat ever had gone before between these two men Kathryn didn't know but it didn't seem good.
"What?" the older man raised his hands innocently and shook his head as though trying to call a peace between them.
The young woman ran her copper skinned fingers through Chakotay's hair and rubbed his neck seductively as she said firmly to the older man who was apparently called Larren "Stop winding him up because he's with Starfleet."
Larran just began to laugh as he looked from where Kathryn stood in shameful terror to where Chakotay sat in the arms of another man and he realised what was going on here. The next thing Chakotay was on his feet to meet Larren in the eye as he demanded "What are you on about and wipe that stupid grin off your face"
"she's about this tall" Larren said measuring Kathryn's height with his flat palm, if she wasn't so disorientated and confused she might have been put out he saw her as being so short "skinny, and quite a beauty if I do say so" Larren continued to which she only scowled "tight jaw line" he added which shocked Kathryn "sapphire eyes that sparkle with the light" Larren added which got Chakotay's attention and that of the woman he was with "locks of flaming auburn hair" Larren added.
The young woman stood to be beside him and asked "Chakotay?" as she ran her fingers over her back and arms.
Chakotay looked tense and seemed to tense even more as Larren "a deep husky voice that could tempt any man" Chakotay almost pounced on the man, his fists clenched, and his breathing heavy "hay back off Chakotay!" Larren pushed him back shaking his head and walking off back to his bar.
"What are you looking for this time Larren?" Chakotay growled angrily as the older man walked away. Kathryn found herself unable to move, she didn't know what else to do but stand there.
Kathryn watched as the tall slender woman wrapped her arms around Chakotay's neck and kissed him as she whispered "Chakotay, darling." Clearly trying to defuse his anger.
Chakotay stood the way he was and hissed at her "stay out of this!"
Kissing him again his beautiful new girlfriend asked softly "do you know this woman he was talking about Chakotay?"
"She's nobody" he hissed angrily "a pathetic wreck of a woman" Kathryn froze, she took a large intake of breath as she heard him say that but he hadn't finished "and not somebody I ever want to see again" Kathryn began backing away, her eyes filled with tears, Her heart pounding, she should never have come her "She's a long forgotten memory" he hissed "and one I am so glad to be shot of!"
The young woman kissed his forehead and whispered his name seductively to try to calm him "Chakotay" as he ran her hands over his chest she Kathryn watched as she met his eyes and asked "My love? Who is she?"
Chakotay let out a heavy hiss and shook his head saying "Somebody I once knew" before turning his attention back to his woman.
"But you don't anymore?" She asked wrapping her arms around his neck and keeping his eyes locked with hers.
"Not any more" Chakotay agreed with the sound that Kathryn could only guess was relief. Kathryn was about to turn and walk away but as she began to turn the young woman hugged Chakotay looking straight behind him. She froze as her eyes met with Kathryn's, Kathryn froze, her blue eyes awash with tears as she shook her head at the young woman and quickly turned to make her way out the door of the restraint. Chakotay sensed the woman in his arms stiffen and asked "Carissa?" as he drew from her to take her hands in concern for her sudden change in demeanour.
Carissa kept her eyes fixed on Kathryn who was frantically trying to get out of the café as fast she could "sapphire eyes" Carissa whispered confusing Chakotay "auburn hair" then with a nod towards the older woman hurrying away she looked into Chakotay's eyes and pulled away saying "looks to me like she's not glad to be shot of you"
Chakotay was shocked and confused as he let go of her hands and stared at her demanding "what?" as he did so Carissa turned back to where Kathryn was now almost out of the door. Chakotay followed the young woman's line of eye sight just in time to see the woman with the auburn hair of his still very real fantasies hurry out of the door as he stood ridges and confused and gasped "Spirit's Kathryn!"
