Chapter 7: Aboard the Falcon

Summary: Kathryn and Chakotay are both quite lost, who can help? Perhaps an animal.

Kathryn integrated into the crew well. Chakotay had spoken to Starfleet command and they were happy for her to take a role within Chakotay's senior staff. The two talked and she leapt at the chance to work with the science department aboard. Three weeks on a Starship doing nothing had not in any way appealed to her.

On their 8th day, the crew received letters and some calls from home. Kathryn received a letter from Mark. She rushed back to her quarters to read it before her duty shift.

Dear Kathryn,

First of all I want to apologise. I cannot fully explain my actions, all you have ever done is work for your goal ever since we were children. I should know better, I am truly sorry, I suppose one of the aspects that really got on my nerves was the distance that was forming between us and your friend, Chakotay, was there and I threw blame to him. Please apologise to him on my half.

I have had time to think and to be brutally honest we were never going to work think about it: You are ambitious and goal driven and I am grounded and happy the way I am. My dear Kathryn I have loved you since you were 18 and when you needed me I took a chance. You know as well as I we were not meant for each other. I wish you the best and I hope we can still be friends and put thi behind us. I love you and you love me but not in the way that can stabilise a relationship.

All my best,

Mark

Kathryn sat back. She knew he was right and was a little glad he admitted it first. She tried to work out how she felt but it was no use, she didn't understand why she fet no heartbreak. Mark and her had been together for god knows how long and it hadn't gotten to the point where they were bored. Mark couldn't have put it better she loved him but was not in love with him. For now she was better on her own.

=/\=

Chakotay also got a letter, his from Mae.

"What's in your letter?" Kathryn asked as they ate breakfast in the mess hall. He smirked and handed the PADD over. A smile surfaced, then she smirked and soon the two were failing to hold in their laughter. Much to the surprise of the Falcons crew, who all looked up from their meals.

"I'm sorry, Mae is a little enthusiastic" Chakotay managed to say once they had calmed down.

"Hey, I was the one who paired them up. My poor mother seems to be having a wonderful time" she smiled stabbing the last of the mango chunks on her plate. Chakotay nodded, still weary of his crew staring at him. They hadn't really warmed to him yet and that disturbed him deeply.

=/\=

It had become tradition for Kathryn and Chakotay to have dinner so on the 14th night of their mission she turned up with a customary bottle of wine. However there was no answer when she rang the 'bell'. Waiting several minutes she let herself in and placed the bottle on the table.

"Chakotay?" she called out, he entered from his room clad in some black slacks and nothing else. "Sorry" she apologised her cheeks beginning to burn up.

"It's my fault I was…showering" he hesitated, he'd finished showering hours ago and had been visiting she-wolf for guidance on the crew's isolation of him. She nodded but he could tell she was deeply embarrassed.

They began eating and inevitably she needed the bathroom. Walking through his room to the toilet she spotted a bundle on the floor, she made a note to look at it better on the way back.

Kneeling down she looked at the brown and white animal covering, it was soft and in a way she felt instantly calmed by its presence.

"It's my medicine bundle, I use the contents to aid my Vision quests" he explained his sudden arrival making her jump away.

"I'm sorry, it was drawing me in. I don't mean to intrude." She apologised watching him relax.

"My animal guide did suggest you needed guidance, I be happy to show you how it works" she nodded and he fetched it off the floor. She followed him through mirroring his actions of sitting on the floor. Carefully he unwrapped the bundle, she looked intently at the contents. He placed the items around the light brown material explaining each briefly.

"Akoonah" she repeated as he placed her hand upon the device, and directed her to focus on the river stone.

"Ah-koo-chee-moya, we are far from the sacred places of our grandfathers…" he began to speak soft and calm, he continued to guide her to find her own animal guide. As he instructed she opened her eyes she is met with beach she went to as a child, with her father.

Kathryn looked around for an animal and spotted a gecko, crawling carefully as not to disturb him, or her.

"Hello little one." It spoke shocking her slightly. "You are troubled, talk to me."

"I feel so strange. It is hard to describe" she answered, allowing the creature onto her hand.

"Start from the beginning, search within you little one." She did as she was told and began to tell her gecko of her troubles, many included her heart.

"I feel something towards him…" she paused, could Chakotay hear what she was saying

"No one can hear you little one. Please continue" the gecko offered, he clearly was a special creature.

"But I don't know what. I think it is love but then I remember love so differently. Justin overwhelmed me with this undying wave I am so lost, gecko." She confessed.

"Your warrior is a man not a boy. He will teach you, as you have taught him" the gecko spoke as placed him onto the log behind her.

"What have ever taught Chakotay?" she asked.

"Like many warriors he needed his peace and you gave it to him. He will follow you as you follow him" the gecko offered before scuttling off into the rocks of the beach.

The wave of unsteadiness took her by surprise but not as much as the aide Chakotay was quick to provide. He lay a hand on her back and shoulder steadying her.

"How was that?"

"Therapeutic, thank you for showing that to me" she smiled, shyly laying a hand on his chest. They looked at each other for a while, admiring the tones of the other's eyes. He leaned in and his lips brushed against hers, it was sweet, chaste and innocent. She leaned into the kiss meaning it to move forward and it did.

"beep-boop" the door alerted them of someone else's presence. The two sprang apart, the doors opening revealing, the Falcon's first officer Commander Aaron Cavit.

"Here are the reports sir. Commander Janeway, how are you?" the greying man asked.

"I'm fine Mr Cavit." She replied "Well goodnight Chak…Captain and thank you" she smiled slightly and then left. Cavit following suit minutes later. Chakotay huffed packing away the medicine bundle, if only Cavit hadn't come in, who knows where that may have lead.

One thing that was clear was Chakotay, son of Kolopak, was undoubtedly in love Kathryn Janeway.

=/\=

Once in the safety of her quarters she sighed falling into the sofa. Damn Cavit! She had had him within her clutches and if that stupid dull man hadn't interrupted them. The door rang and Cavit entered.

"What is it?" she asked not looking to see who it was, her voice did not said the most pleased.

"I came to say that as a subordinate under his command you shouldn't engage in anything with him, Chakotay" Cavit informed her making himself at home in the chair beside her. She sat up upon hearing his voice.

"I know that, Cavit. There's nothing going on between us" she argued.

"Why are you so close then? Laughing over breakfast, dinners in his quarters" He continued.

"If you must know the captain was helping me contact my animal guide. As for breakfast he received a funny letter." She explained, she did not mention Mae, she felt it wasn't her place to go telling everyone about his personal life.

"Well, it's inappropriate and if it continues I'll be forced to detail it in my debriefing reports Commander Janeway." He threatened her, walking towards her slightly. "If you do want some company, of that kind, I am just down the corridor" his hand rested on her arm and she stiffened.

"I am not looking for any sort of company thank you Commander" she hissed, glaring at him. He left and she stormed into her room, evil, stupid, creepy and dull Cavit. She shivered thinking about him. Taking a breath she allowed her thoughts to go back to Chakotay's quarters, if only she dared go back there.

One thing was clear Kathryn Elisabeth Janeway was undeniably in love with Chakotay, son of Kolopak.

=/\=

Author's note: Finally a bit of lovey-dovey action. A few canon details in there. How was that? I hope you liked it, please leave a review as they are always appreciated.

That-Geek