Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures.

PROVIDENCE

CHAPTER 9

Before her dinner date with Chakotay, Kathryn took a soak in the bath. She had slept most of the day, still drowsy from the medication in her system, but was feeling much more like herself now. Her body felt more like her own too, the soreness and stiffness easing, and her head finally had hair again. B'Elanna had grown it for her, long over her shoulders, and it was presently clipped up while she bathed.

Bathed in a warm delight of soapy bubbles.

Heaven.

Except for the fact that she was on a Maquis ship in the Badlands. But, with the exception of Seska and her buddies, everyone was friendly. She had received a warm welcome in the lounge, where she'd been persuaded by Hazel to have a coffee, and had even been presented with flowers by a former Starfleet Ensign, called Essi Vale, who she had once taught at the Academy. The young girl had genuinely been sorry for all she had been through and wanted to cheer her up. Chakotay had paid her a visit too, while she was still in bed, and they'd talked for some time about Operation Crab. She had advised him to gather as much info as he could about the space around them, so they could best chart their getaway, and to have his best engineers explore the possibility of a cloak. If they could sustain one, just for a few minutes, it would help. Chakotay had been willing to listen and eager to act and this had impressed her greatly. He was not going to be hard to work with. In fact, they already had an amazing rapport. Too bad he was a Maquis. If he wasn't, she would love to work with him on a regular basis. Men of his integrity and intelligence were rare.

When she had finished bathing, Kathryn got ready for dinner with Chakotay. She was looking forward to it and was feeling quite hungry. Not wanting to use up resources unnecessarily, she replicated a simple dress of midnight blue and a pair of matching shoes. The dress had long sleeves, a shapely waist, and was a respectable length, reaching just over her knees. Then she brushed her long hair, gently as her scalp was still tender, and applied a little make-up.

Finally ready, she called Hazel over the comm, and the young woman promptly arrived to escort her to Chakotay's quarters. It was just a few doors down from her own and Seska, always with a scowl on her face and an insult on her lips, was just leaving as they got there.

"My, my," she said, looking Kathryn up and down, "mutton walks as lamb! But if you've set your sights on the sack, honey, he don't need no dressing. He'll eat a woman raw!"

With that she walked away, her heels echoing down the corridor.

"Don't worry," Hazel said when she was gone, "it isn't true. Chakotay's not like that."

"So I've discerned," Kathryn smiled. "But I appreciate the reassurance."

The girl smiled back and then rang Chakotay's doorchime. Seconds later, he called for them to enter.

"There's no need for me to go in," Hazel said. "I've done my job. But enjoy your dinner, Kathryn."

Kathryn put her hand on the girl's shoulder. "Thank you."

Then, as the doors opened, she stepped into Chakotay's quarters. It was bigger than hers, as expected, but just as inviting. There were lovely amber walls, all the cozier in lamplight, and along one was a long silver unit that housed several interesting objects including a chessboard. In the middle of the room there was a white sofa adorned with a gorgeous throw of many colors, and around the room were pictures of animals, powerful creatures like tigers and bears. There were orange blinds on the room's windows, which numbered three in all, and below the furthest left was a dining table of glass set for two. It was adorned with white plates, silver dishes, and tall glasses that sparkled in the light. Standing beside it, dressed in a black shirt over black pants, was Chakotay. He looked breathtakingly handsome in the copper light and Kathryn's heart skipped a beat.

"Hi," she smiled.

For a long moment, Chakotay was silent. All he could do was gaze. Gaze at the beautiful woman before him. A shapely woman with tumbling auburn hair in a dress that made her eyes sparkle like sapphires. She looked so different to the bruised and battered woman he had rescued and his heart, so heavy for so long, suddenly felt a lot lighter.

"Hi," he said. "Welcome...welcome to my quarters."

"Thank you."

"I hope you're settling in...as well as you can, I mean."

"I am," Kathryn replied, closing the distance between them. "You have a fine crew...for a bunch of rebels. Aside from one or two exceptions, everyone is friendly."

"Let me guess. One exception is Seska."

Kathryn nodded. "And her friend Jozelle."

"Wensona's cousin. He's the guy who..."

Kathryn interrupted. "You kicked off this ship because he liked my breasts a bit too much."

"Yes," Chakotay replied, somewhat embarrassed but having to laugh at the way she'd said that so matter of factly. "I see word's got around."

"It always does. On all ships. Always."

"Maybe I overreacted, Seska certainly thinks so, but he's crossed the line before, more than once, and this time...he hit a nerve. My sisters were..." he struggled to say the words, "raped by the Cardassians and...and when I think of it...I can't think of it."

Kathryn put her hand on his arm. "I understand. And, for what's it's worth, I think you did the right thing. Men shouldn't treat women that way. But I'm sorry...about your sisters."

"Thank you. But I'm sorry too...for everything you've been through."

"As I said before, things could have been worse for me. They let us go, all captives aren't that lucky."

"No. But Cardassian torture it's..." Tears filled his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Compared to what some have experienced, mine was mild. They were more interested in my colleagues. Call it sexism working to an advantage."

"You were beaten, burnt and whipped. That's hardly mild. And then there's the mental anguish and the filthy condition of their cells. They put you through hell and you don't have to pretend otherwise."

"It was," Kathryn conceded, "hell. But I count my blessings, you know? My fiancé suffered horrific torture when he was captured. It changed him forever. But when I fell into Cardassian hands...a long time ago now...he risked it all again to rescue me. He showed tremendous courage, a tremendous strength of will and spirit, and that...it inspired me. He wouldn't let them break him. No matter what they did, he wouldn't let them destroy him, and I promised him, promised myself, that I wouldn't let them break me either."

"He does indeed sound like a courageous and inspirational man. One who loves you very much."

"Did love me," Kathryn corrected. "He's dead. He was killed in a shuttlecrash ten years ago. My father too."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry about your family. Grief is...a cruel companion."

"Yes."

Their eyes locked, both feeling in that moment the others pain, even though they were just strangers. Strangers with a mutual heartache. And then, all of a sudden, there was a scratching sound, as though it was coming from the walls.

"What's that?" Kathryn asked, breaking their connection. "This ship doesn't have mice, does it?"

"No," Chakotay smiled. "It's Chancer, our cat."

"Cat? Then no wonder you have no mice! But why do you have a cat? And why is she in the walls?"

"It's a long story. But suffice it to say she's a stowaway who's shy."

"I see. Poor thing."

"She doesn't even come out for food. She just scratches on the wall to say she's hungry. I then open a hatch, put in some food and water, and she helps herself."

"But she must come out sometimes."

"Never, not in the month she's been here. We did, of course, beam her out and examine her...just to see she's healthy...but as soon as we left her alone she went into hiding again."

"What does she look like?"

"Black with white stripes."

"White stripes? Sure she's not a zebra?"

"No," he laughed. "She's a cat."

Kathryn went over to the wall. "Well, maybe she can be coaxed out."

"I doubt it. I've tried, Seska and B'Elanna too, but she won't come."

"With all due respect, neither would I for Seska. But what's the story with you two? Are you a couple?"

"No. We used to be, but it didn't work out."

"I can't say I'm surprised. You seem like polar opposites. But she acts like she owns you."

"I know. I crossed the line with her and am now paying the price. But she was a different person then...or so I thought."

Kathryn crouched by the hatch. "I'd like to try my hand at coaxing the cat out. May I?"

"Be my guest. I'll replicate her some food and open the hatch."

Chakotay did all that and then watched as Kathryn tried to talk the animal out of her hiding place. He didn't expect a result but, to his great surprise, after just a few minutes of gentle entreaty, the cat emerged.

"You see?" Kathryn smiled as the cat approached the food bowl and began to eat, "nothing to it!"

"I wouldn't say that," Chakotay replied. "You clearly have a gift. Animals don't respond to everyone." He then smiled. "But I bet she'll go right back in when she's finished eating."

"Of course she will," Kathryn said. "That's why tomorrow we'll move on to stage two."

"Stage two?"

"Getting to know you. Then we'll progress to stage three...getting to trust you."

"I see," Chakotay laughed. "Does that mean we'll be having dinner every night?"

"Yes. Unless you have an objection."

"None at all. In fact, I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too. I'm also looking forward to tonight's offering. So, what are we having?"

"Whatever you fancy. My replicator's cooking."

"In that case, I'll have a greek pasta salad with chicken."

Chakotay smiled. "Coming right up. " He then gestured to the table. "Please, take a seat."

Kathryn sat, watched briefly as Chakotay replicated their meals, and then turned her attention to the cat. The animal had almost finished eating now and, as soon as the last scrap was in its mouth, it dashed back into the hatch.

"Looks like stage one's complete," Chakotay said, approaching the table with their meals on a silver tray.

"Yes," Kathryn replied. "Which leaves only two hungry mammals in the room. That is, if you consider us mammals. Scientists and philosophers are still battling it out."

"They sure are, but you don't strike me as the kind to give philosophy much weight."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, you seem to me the perfect scientist, a woman of precision and method who prefers the tangible to the abstract."

"I am, in general, but my good friend Mark is a philosopher...an acclaimed one at that...and we have the most fascinating conversations. I pride myself on being open minded, I think a good scientist should always be so, and I find it both stimulating and challenging to talk about the unknown. There are so many questions about the nature of our existence that we'll probably never have answers to."

Chakotay put down the tray. "Agreed, at least not in this life." He smiled. "But there is one question you can give me a definite answer to, and that is what you'd like to drink."

"If your replicator makes it, cabernet sauvignon...synthesol."

"My replicator better make it as it's my favorite."

"Really? Then you're clearly a man of good taste." Her eyes then fell on a plate of red mash that was decked with green leaves and yellow berries. "Or maybe not. What on earth is that?"

"Kenchixa, a dish native to my tribe that is far more delicious than it looks."

"No offence, but I find that hard to believe."

Chakotay laughed. "I thought you prided yourself on being open minded?"

"Oh, I do, but my credulity has limits."

"Then I dare you try some. Because I'm sure you'll love it."

"Dare me? What's your wager?" She then smiled. "Only kidding. I'd love to try some. After all, I am an explorer." She picked up a fork, dug it into the mash, and then put a mound into her mouth. She expected it to taste awful and braced herself for the disgust, but to her surprise it truly was delicious.

"Well?" Chakotay asked, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

"You're right," Kathryn said. "My mind isn't open enough. It's scrumptious."

"I knew you'd think so."

"What's in it?" Kathryn asked, helping herself to another fork full. "I'm guessing tomatoes of some kind with lentils, spices, and noodles?"

"Almost. Tomatoes, lentils, spices...and earthworms."

At that, Kathryn's hand stilled. "Earthworms?"

"A staple amongst my people, as are insects in general. In fact, I think the dish contains some ants too and termites."

Kathryn shuddered, even though the ingredients were all replicated, and discretely pushed the plate away. "I see. I suppose it takes..."

She was going to say "all kinds", but Chakotay's sudden laughter made her laugh too.

"Oh, you rascal, you're joking!"

"I am," he confessed. "While some Native American tribes eat insects, mine never has. In fact, we're vegetarian."

"Well, you had me going there. Worms, ants and termites? Too gross...even if replicated."

"Agreed. Though I think I'd rather eat worms, ants and termites than cockroaches and wasps!"

"Oh, don't even go there! But what are the noodles? Noodles?"

"Yes, mixed with beans and herbs found only on Trebus."

"Really? Only on Trebus? They're too tasty not to share!"

"We share, but the Federation Food Authority has never really been interested."

"That's too bad. But I'm very interested. In fact, so interested...and impressed...that I'll have it for dinner tomorrow."

"Why wait? Have it tonight."

"Oh no, I couldn't. You've already replicated my dinner and I hate to waste resources."

Chakotay laughed. "A dinner will hardly make a difference."

"But it could. In a situation like ours, every last microjoule matters. It could be the difference between life and death. It has been to other crews."

Chakotay considered. "I guess you're right. But as you've made a start of my dinner, I think it's only fair that you finish it. I'll have your chicken pasta salad."

"That's a very kind gesture, but didn't you just say you're a vegetarian?"

"Yes. But I don't have a problem with replicated. I eat it often."

"Then we have ourselves a swop...if you're really sure."

"I am. In fact, I insist." He took the plate of chicken pasta salad and placed it on his side of the table. "Now, all that's left is for me to replicate the cabernet sauvignon!"

"And a slice of coffee cake," Kathryn said. "A meal is never complete without dessert and...well...I've suddenly got the urge."

Chakotay smiled. "Quite the coffeeholic, aren't you?"

"The Federation's greatest. But that's not only where I excel. I'm also a first rate chess player. So, if that board you have over there isn't just for show, I'd love a game after dinner if you're up for it."

"I'm more than up for it. But I'd better warn you, I'm a master. With a good opponent, my game is long lasting."

"So is mine. But we have nights, remember?"

Chakotay couldn't help but tease. "Black ones and white."

"Yes," Kathryn laughed. "And I'm guessing it's your favorite piece."

"Why do you say so?"

"Well, because you're quite the knight in my eyes. I mean, two rescues in one day, that's got to make you qualify."

These words touched Chakotay deeply. In her eyes he clearly was a hero. And that, for the first time in a long time, gave him a sense of self-worth. A sense that his life mattered. For so long he'd felt that it didn't.

"But you don't seem to agree," Kathryn said, observing his silence.

"Not entirely," Chakotay replied, teasing despite himself. "My armor's too rusty to be knightly."

Kathryn laughed. "Quite the contrary, it shows it's had good use. But get to the replicating, Sir. If you don't, our dinners will be stone cold!"

Chakotay smiled, dimples showing. "Yes, Ma'am."

END OF CHAPTER 9