"I need you to listen to me." he pleaded. " Seven and I are not now or ever getting married to each other. I made a mistake in thinking that it was possible to move on from loving you" He reached out for her and lifted her face so that she was looking at him. "I love you," he said as her eyes teared up. "You and I are going to make an attempt at whatever this is between us and I can tell you without hesitation that once I convince you to give us a chance I am never going to let you go." his tone turned possessive.
Kathryn couldn't comprehend what was happening. Chakotay was standing in front of her telling her he loved her and that he wanted a life with her, when just a few hours from now he was suppose to be marrying Seven.
She felt a sea of emotions welling up inside of her. Sadness, that Seven had been hurt in this debacle. Worry, that Chakotay and her had been dreaming of this moment for years, what if once they became he realized that it wasn't her that he wanted. Happiness, at the chance to freely love and be loved by the wonderful man standing in front of her. Fear, over what the crew's reaction would be. But overall, Kathryn found herself feeling selfish. It had been so long since she had put herself first. She had almost lost Chakotay because of it and she was unwilling to do so again.
He was looking at her frozen, unable to breath. He was afraid that once again she would choose to deny them. That she would sacrifice them both to living a life of loneliness. Just as he was about to once again make his plea, he saw her quirk a small, teary smile at him and nod her acceptance and he was once again able to breath. Just like that Kathryn had made him the happiest man in the quadrant. He was momentarily frozen, but as was always with Kathryn once she made up her mind she took charge. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought his lips down to hers.
The feel of her warm lips against him brought him out of his stupor. He wrapped his arms around her lifting her off the ground. He felt her smiling and he smiled back pulling away he was faced with a matching grin. "What are you smiling at" he asked before planting a small kiss on her lips.
"We are really going to do this?" she sounded so shy, she melted Chakotay's heart once more. His strong, confident Captain, unsure about a relationship that had been meant to be since the moment she was sent out to capture him. He ran his hands up and down her back reassuring her and he was once again reminded at how small and fragile Kathryn actually was compared to the Captain's persona she usually wore.
"Oh yes Kathryn" he paused and tighten his grip on her before setting her down on her own two legs. He needed her to understand that this was forever that they would not hide or apologize for what they felt. "I have loved you from the moment I met you. And we have been fighting our feelings for almost that long. We sacrificed our love for a wonderful, loving friendship that I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate. But this" he paused to kiss her "you and me, together is all I have ever desired and I won't ever let you go again." He pulled her tightly against him, and buried his face in her hair "We won't be sorry, ashamed or apologetic." he pushed her away gently so that he could look her in the eye "We gave them our whole lives while out there and I refuse to do it again" he paused letting her absorb the words and the expectation behind them.
Her eyes brimming with tears she attempted to speak but the lump in her throat made it impossible. She looked up at him, needing him to know that she was all in. Having had a taste of Chakotay, it would be impossible for her to go back to not having his arms around her, his lips on her, his warm voice whispering his love for her. Without words she lifted her hands and place them on either side of his face. She ran a finger over his tattoo, something she had always wanted to do and was now free to.
He closed his eyes at the sensation of her small hands on his face. Slowly she cupped the back of his head to bring his lips to hers. His hands glided gently up and down caressing her ribcage. He felt his heart pounding in his chest at the emotions that were quickly overwhelming him. She was so warm and pliant in his arms as her kissed her, a small gasp escape her as his tongue invaded her mouth. Her mouth was warm and sweet and he struggled to not hurt her as he tighten his hold on her. He felt his lungs struggling for air. He pulled away and moved on to her neck where he gently nipped at the soft skin that connected her neck and shoulder. Her sweet, soft skin enticed him and he felt himself needing to touch more of her. He made his way slowly across her collarbone and reached for the zipper on the back of her dress.
Kathryn found herself unable to think about anyone or anything except for the strong, gentle man that was kissing her into oblivion. Her confused mind was unable to process all of the emotions that his warm lips and gentle hands were creating. In the back of her mind she recognized the need for air but was loath to break away from the kiss. She groaned at the loss of his lips but moaned when he replaced them on her neck. His hands were slowly moving up and down her ribcage causing her to shudder. She tilted her head back as she tightened her hold on his hair. She needed to feel his warm skin against her. She pulled away from him and started pulling his shirt from his pants needing to feel his skin.
Chakotay pulled the zipper down and started pulling at the straps that were holding her dress up. The dress fell in heap at her feet. He felt torn at what to do, he wanted to continue kissing her but he needed to look at her. His need for to see her won out and he pulled away. She looked at him confused, arousal coloring her now steely blue eyes, "I needed to see you" he said shyly. He grabbed her hands and gently ran his lips over her knuckles. "You are so beautiful" his voice husky from the emotions he was feeling. He took in the green slip she was wearing and that it was the sexiest thing he had ever seen. He wondered for a moment if maybe Kathryn would be willing to walk around their home in a slip for the rest of their lives. His grinned widen at the thought.
"What are smiling about" she asked shyly.
"I was just thinking of you an me together, forever" he blushed at his admission.
"Marry me"