Chapter 2: At work
Summary: Once again Chakotay and Kathryn meet
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Lieutenant Commander Janeway was awaiting Admiral Palmer's arrival. She had given him all her reports of her previous mission so she was a little confused to why she had been called to his office. She was trying not to succumb to annoying habits but soon found herself twiddling with her combadge.
"Lieutenant Janeway. You are probably wondering why I called you here." He got straight into business as he headed for the desk. She smiled nervously and sat in the chair in front.
"Was there something wrong with the debriefing, or the reports?" she asked sitting forward slightly.
"Calm down Lieutenant. It is quite the opposite. We have been reviewing your work over the last 3 years and believe you are ready for a promotion to Commander, we also have a first officer post ready as soon as we secure the Captain" he leaned forward reassuringly. Sitting back Kathryn breathed deeply.
"Thank you, sir" She got up shaking his hand, receiving a PADD on the mission and then leaving.
=/\=
Commander Chakotay was waiting for Admiral George Carson. He hadn't been looking forward to it, he knew for a fact that it was to give him a post, which meant that he would have to leave Mae for however long Starfleet decided or needed him too. The admiral entered and sat down.
"Commander." He addressed him, before offering Chakotay a seat in front of him. "I called you here because we have a deep space mission for you. Its 4 weeks long and it is as Captain of a new ship, the USS Falcon." The older man explained, sliding over a PADD documenting the mission in detail. He took it and stared for a while.
"Thank you sir." He took the PADD and left.
=/\=
Now Kathryn had a lot of thinking to do. She was supposed to be getting married in a month, almost a week before the wedding was scheduled. She sat in a quiet corner and drank her coffee. Looking up she saw the tall tattooed man, Mae's father, Chakotay. When he looked in her direction she smiled at him.
"Hello again, you looked a little lost." She greeted automatically pouring him a coffee from the large pot she had ordered, and drank most of, he took the coffee but grimaced after tasting it.
"Wow! That's strong" getting up he returned with sugar and milk. She watched as he put 3 sugars in the cup and a good dose of milk.
"I have a lot to think about. I hope you realising you're destroying your coffee" she teased taking a sip of the warm black liquid.
"I am only improving it, I too have lots to think about. Maybe we could help each other." He offered.
"I've been offered a promotion" she stated simply, he could tell by her expression she did not want to be congratulated. "First officer, launching a week after I'm supposed to get married" her shoulders slumped and while he tried hard not to show his disappointment he felt his shoulders slump too.
"I'm sorry. I guess leaving him would be hard. I'm the same with Mae, I've been offered a captaincy, on USS Falcon" he slowly stirred the coffee watching her as he did. She was staring at him, then she picked up a PADD and scanned it.
"That's excellent. I assume Mae understands why you have to go?" she asked
"Sometimes, when she was really little she didn't understand and made it harder to go but she's eight now and I think she is just beginning to get the hang of it." He answered "What about you? This promotion of yours" he nudged her elbow a small smile appearing.
"It's a diplomatic mission, a colony is doing some trades and there are orphans my new ship is going to collect them, the USS Courier" she briefly explained. They sat in silence for a moment until Chakotay began quizzing her over Molly and thus the two adults began a long and insightful conversation that would ensure their friendship for the future.
"Oh my look at the time. Mae will be out of school soon." Chakotay exclaimed looking at the clock on the wall, he got up and she mirrored him, they ended up walking together until they reached the court square outside headquarters.
"I had a nice time, you're very nice" she repeated what Mae had said about a week ago, when they had first meet. They both laughed a little before snapping back into reality. "You should probably go get Mae but…well my mother is having a party for my sister and you might want to come. Being new to Earth, get some friends I suppose" she explained the information before smiling and then watched him dash in the direction of Mae's school.
=/\=
Chakotay made it to the school grounds just in time for the children coming out. He spotted his daughter instantly and waved to her.
"How was your day, daddy?" she asked once in his arms, her face having lit up.
"Brilliant. I met your friend Kathryn again." He told her as they walked home.
"Was I right? She is a beautiful person inside and outside" She nodded eagerly
"You are the cleverest 8 year old I know." He kissed her forehead and told her all about his day.
Author's Note: This was supposed to be up earlier but my laptop decided it need 5 hours to restart so it's a little late. Anyhow I hope you enjoyed it.
That-Geek
P.S Shoutout to everyone who has already reviewed I say a 'Thank You' to you and also have a brownie (Virtual, of course)
