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THE REAL YOU

CHAPTER 2

Beneath a warm Californian sun, Kathryn walked with B'Elanna and Tom to tennis court number 4 where they were to meet Chakotay. She was wearing a blue t-shirt over white shorts and her hair was tied back from her face. On her left shoulder she was carrying a silver bag, in which was a towel, a big bottle of water, and some snacks, and in her right hand she was carrying a racquet she'd had since high school. In those days she'd been a good player, fast and quick-eyed, but it really had been years since she'd played and at 45 her energy levels weren't what they had been. But she exercised every day, swam a lot, and was fitter than most people her age. As they approached the court, butterflies filled Kathryn's stomach and she wondered if she was doing the right thing. What if Chakotay didn't like her or she didn't like him in person? His hologram she had liked, very much, but how much of him was Chakotay and how much was Tom's invention?

"I didn't know you ladies were so fond of tennis," Tom said as they walked onto the empty court. "When was the last time you played, B'Elanna? Aged 10?"

"Very funny, Tom," B'Elanna replied. "You know I play all the time."

"Really? Let me see. You played twice last summer and once last fall. That's definitely all the time."

"I've played more than that, just not with you. And even if I haven't, how could I play pregnant? Would you want Miral born with a tennis ball in her mouth?"

"Fair point. And I'm not complaining. There's nothing I like more than playing tennis with my wife. Even if it is only three times a year."

"If you don't shut it, Tom," B'Elanna cried, "it won't be Miral with a tennis ball in her mouth, it will be you!"

Chakotay walked onto the court now, casually dressed in white shorts and t-shirt, and Kathryn gasped at the sight of him. In person he was every bit as handsome as his hologram, although he didn't have a tattoo on his forehead, and when he smiled her heart skipped a beat.

"Hi, everyone," he said.

"Hi, big guy," B'Elanna replied. "I'm glad you could make it. This is our friend, and former Captain, Kathryn Janeway."

Chakotay smiled at Kathryn and held out his hand to her. "Hi," he said. "I'm Chakotay. It's nice to meet you."

Kathryn dizzily took his hand in hers and felt her knees buckle at his touch. "You too," she smiled.

They held each others gaze, both immediately captivated by the other, and Kathryn could hardly breathe.

"Shall we get started?" Tom asked. "Girls against boys?"

"And have you two thrash us?" B'Elanna cried. "I don't think so! It's you and me against Chakotay and Kathryn."

"Since when have you believed in male prowess?" Tom replied.

"Did I say anything about male prowess?" B'Elanna argued. "You and Chakotay play all the time, me and Kathryn not as much. Let's share the skill and keep the thrill!"

"Sounds good to me," Chakotay said. "Kathryn?"

"My racquet says yes," she smiled.

Chakotay smiled in return, dimples showing.

"That's three against one, Tom," B'Elanna said. "You're beat!"

"Not yet I'm not," he teased.

B'Elanna kissed his mouth. "Smart ass." She then got out her racquet. "Ok, let's get this show on the road! Kathryn, Chakotay, get yourselves to the other side of the net. Tom, get ready to play!"


Two hours later, the match was over and it was game, set and match to Kathryn and Chakotay.

"It's all your fault we lost," B'Elanna said to Tom as she wiped her sweaty brow with a towel. "If you hadn't of missed that last shot we'd still be in the game."

"Don't blame me, B'Elanna," he replied. "I'm not the one who kept hitting the ball out."

Sweaty and breathless, Kathryn picked up her soft racquet cover and gently hit B'Elanna over the head with it. "Don't be a sour loser," she laughed. "You lost, we won, and that's that."

"Easy for the winners to say," B'Elanna smiled. "But congratulations. It was a great game."

"It sure was," Chakotay agreed. "You're quite a player, Kathryn."

"Thank you, Sir," she replied. "But credit for our win has to go to you."

"Good and modest," he smiled. "I'm impressed."

Kathryn smiled back and their eyes locked again.

"If I don't eat soon," B'Elanna said, "I'm going to die of starvation. Coming to the cafe with me and Tom, you two? They do a mean pizza."

"Count me in," Chakotay said.

"Me too," Kathryn smiled.


After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Kathryn and B'Elanna met up with Tom and Chakotay at the club's cafe. It was a grand cafe, spacious and chic, and from its many windows the north Californian coast could be seen. The cafe was bustling with people and most of the tables were taken, but Tom managed to find them one in a quiet corner. But to Kathryn, the cafe may aswell have been empty as the only person she noticed in it was Chakotay. He had changed into a black shirt over brown pants, and in the flattering light of the cafe he looked even more handsome than he had on the court. As they sat at the table, Kathryn could hardly take her eyes off him, and when he looked into hers, which he did often, the world around them seemed to stand still.

"It's never usually this busy here," Tom said as he sat. "Something must be going on."

"A swimming gala, I think," Chakotay replied. "But I don't know who's competing."

"Oh no!" B'Elanna suddenly exclaimed. "Is that the time? Man! I didn't know it was so late! We'd better be off, Tom!"

"Off where?" Tom asked. "It's only 13:10 hours. We're not..."

"To pick up Miral from your mother, of course! We promised her we'd be back by now!"

"We did?" Tom asked in surprise.

"Yes. Because she's going to the hair salon."

"She is?"

"Don't you remember? How could you forget? Chakotay, Kathryn, I'm so sorry about this but we really have to get our butts out of here."

"My father's home," Tom said. "He can..."

"Your father's playing golf in Florida, remember?"

"He is?"

"What's the matter with you, Tom? Don't you listen to anything anyone tells you?" She yanked him to his feet. "Say goodbye, Tom. We're out of here."

"Looks like I have no choice," Tom said." Bye, folks. Thanks for the great game!"

B'Elanna then dragged Tom away and Kathryn and Chakotay laughed.

"Am I being paranoid," Chakotay asked, "or was that little exhibition B'Elanna's not too subtle attempt at leaving us alone?"

"Definitely B'Elanna's not too subtle attempt at leaving us alone," Kathryn smiled.

"How do you feel about that?"

"Well," she smiled. "I'm still here, aren't I?"

"Yes," he smiled in return. "And so am I."

A pretty young waitress with long brown hair approached their table. "Are you ready to order, Sir, Ma'am?"

"Not yet," Chakotay answered. "But I will have a glass of fizzy water with lime. Kathryn?"

"The same," she replied.

"Ok, Sir, Ma'am," the girl said. "Two glasses of fizzy water with lime coming right up."

With that, the waitress left to get their drinks.

"Not having the much praised pizza?" Kathryn asked.

"No offence to B'Elanna," Chakotay smiled, "but I fancy something classier."

"Me too," Kathryn confessed. "Any suggestions? I gather you've been here before."

"The Spaghetti Delight is good. It's a mix of spaghetti, vegetables, lentils, and cheeseballs covered in broccoli sauce."

"Then it's Spaghetti Delight for me. Unless they've got a Coffee Delight on the menu. I'm totally addicted to coffee."

"In that case, you must have the CC Cake for desert. That's Coffee Cream. It's a coffee lovers heaven."

"Then I can't wait to try it," Kathryn smiled.

The waitress returned with their drinks and asked again if they'd like to order.

"Yes," Chakotay answered. "We'll have two Spaghetti Delights and two CC Cakes."

The girl noted this down and then left.

"A coffee lover yourself?" Kathryn asked when she was gone.

"Not quite," he answered. "But I'm partial to it."

"With cream and two sugars?"

"Yes. How do you know?"

"Courtesy of Tom's holo-novel."

"Ah, I see," he smiled. "What do you think of it?"

"Tom's holo-novel," she teased, "or coffee with cream and two sugars?"

"Tom's holo-novel," he laughed.

"I totally love it. The concept is amazing and the stories he's come up with are fantastic. I'm not keen on the ending, I have to admit, but it's certainly dramatic."

"Tom tells me he's based the captain on you."

"Yes. Captain Katie Janey, I believe I'm going to be."

Chakotay smiled. "I'm going to be Commander Pakaday."

"Really?" Kathryn asked in amusement. "Pakaday?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure of what. I hope it's not vit-pack-410."

"No," Kathryn laughed. "It tastes awful."

"But tell me," Chakotay said. "What did you think of my character?"

Kathryn's eyes twinkled. "Interesting enough to have lunch with."

Chakotay laughed softly.

"B'Elanna tells me," Kathryn went on, "that you really were in the Maquis. That you were a Maquis leader."

"Yes, for a while," he replied. "But like her and Tom, I was captured and thrown into jail. When I got out, the rebellion was over and Starfleet offered to reinstate me, but I left Starfleet on principle and for the same principle I wasn't going back. I teach Planetary Archaeology now at a college in Oregon."

"Enjoy it?"

"Love it. Planetary Archaeology was always something I wanted to pursue but never had the chance. It's good to be doing what I always wanted to do." He took a sip of his drink. "What about you? Do you enjoy being a captain?"

"I did when I used to captain, but I don't anymore. I teach at the Academy instead. I'm nothing as heroic as Tom's Voyager captain."

"I disagree," Chakotay said. "You helped B'Elanna and Tom turn their lives around. That's heroic."

"I only gave them the chance. They did all the hard work."

"Maybe, but if people don't get a chance to help themselves, they never will. Not many captains would have taken a bunch of ex-Maquis into their crew. Even today it can be difficult for ex-Maquis to get posts. Were you a sympathizer?"

"I sympathized, certainly," Kathryn answered. "If I was from a planet in the demilitarized zone and the Cardassians had killed my family, then you bet I'd have joined the Maquis." She paused. "I'm sorry, about your family."

Chakotay's eyes dulled and he gazed into his drink. "Thank you."

This was clearly a painful subject for him so Kathryn changed it.

"B'Elanna tells me you captain field-trips. What do they involve?"

"Mostly taking a bunch of students to an archaeological site in space. We go for six weeks every spring semester. It's one of the highlights of my job. I love teaching, but the field-trips give me a chance to get to the nitty and gritty of things. What about you? What made you give up space for teaching?"

"A little red haired girl with freckles," Kathryn smiled.

"Your daughter?"

"Yes. The one and only Justine Tighe-Janeway. When she was a baby, I would either leave her with my mother while I captained or take her with me, but once she started going to school it wasn't so easy. And I didn't think it was fair to her, you know? My husband, her father, died nine years ago so a mother is all she has."

"I'm sorry," Chakotay said, "about your husband. How old was Justine when he died?"

"She was actually a four week old embryo. I didn't find out I was having her until after my husband died."

"I see. That must have been devastating but euphoric at the same time."

"It was. Having her really got me through it. She's a part of him so it was like a part of him was still with me. I don't know what would of become of me without her. My father had died of a stroke not long before and it was a very dark time in my life. Justine was my only ray of light. When she was born, I considered leaving Starfleet altogether, as I didn't know how I was going to juggle motherhood and space on my own, but Admiral Paris, Tom's father, got me a promotion to Captain. That helped for a while because it gave me more freedom to choose missions than being First Officer did." She paused. "I like teaching, it's very rewarding, but it doesn't excite me the way space does. When Justine's older, I'd like to return to captaining and get enough experience under my belt so I can move into the admiralty."

"The Admiralty," Chakotay said, "ambitious."

"Yes," Kathryn answered. "I'm an ambitious lady."

Chakotay smiled and then looked at her with a gleam in his eye. "Ambitious enough to come skiing with me sometime? There's a great resort near my lodge. Real snow in winter, holographic in summer."

Kathryn leant forward flirtatiously. "Are you asking me on a date?"

"I am," he said.

"Then yes," Kathryn smiled. "I'd love to come skiing with you. But I'm warning you, I'm a much better skier than I am a tennis player."

Chakotay laughed and gave the perfect rebut. "So am I."

END OF CHAPTER 2