Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures

Dreamers

Epilogue

Trebus, Three Months Later

A blazing summer sun beat down on Kathryn as she walked through a tropical rainforest to a gushing waterfall. She was wearing her Starfleet uniform, her rank still captain, and her hair was tied up in an elegant bun. Beneath the waterfall, swimming in clear water, was Chakotay. He didn't see her approach and Kathryn didn't alert him to her presence. She just sat on a red rock and watched him. In the dream she had told him he reminded her of a bear, but it was a dolphin she thought of now as she watched him move through the water with masterful skill. When at last he saw her, he raised his hand to his brow as though he was uncertain of what he was seeing, and called out to her.

"Kathryn?"

"The one and only," she smiled as she got to her feet.

Chakotay swam to the bank and climbed out of the lagoon. Only trunks adorned his wet muscular body and his manly beauty took Kathryn's breath away.

"This is a surprise," Chakotay said. "Welcome to Trebus. It's good to see you."

"You too," Kathryn replied.

Their eyes locked and Chakotay stepped closer. "I've missed you," he said quietly.

Tears filled Kathryn's eyes. "I've missed you too."

"What brings you here? I gather from the uniform this isn't a social call."

"No," she said. "At least, not officially. Voyager is now back in service and I've been asked to captain her on a two year deep space exploration mission. I've accepted the charge and am now selecting my crew. So far I've recruited Tom Paris as my chief pilot, B'Elanna as my chief Engineer, Tuvok as chief of security, and The Doctor as chief medical officer. Harry Kim, his fiance Libby, Seven of Nine, Neelix and Kes are also coming along. There's only person needed to make our family complete and that's you. So, what do you say, Chakotay? Will you be my First Officer?"

For a moment Chakotay said nothing, then he smiled, dimples showing. "I will."

Kathryn smiled happily in return and held out her hand to him. "Then welcome aboard."

Chakotay took her hand and they shook on it. Then, when they parted, Kathryn unpinned her hair and shook it loose.

"Now that's settled," she said, "shall we swim? I'm very good."

"I don't doubt it," Chakotay smiled, "but aren't you a little overdressed?"

"Not at all," she answered. "I'm wearing my birthday suit."

Chakotay laughed and then jumped back into the water while Kathryn stripped.

THE END