Disclaimer: Star Trek and its characters don't belong to me. I just take them out to play and promise to have them home at a reasonable time.
Author's Note: This poor story's been woefully neglected and I apologize most heartily for that. I logged in this morning and saw the most wonderful message from a reader and it truly touched my heart. MrsFancyPants, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and offer this chapter, in all of its silliness, as a gift for your kind words. This is unbeta'd so all mistakes are, as always, my own.
"Hot date tonight?"
Kathryn chokes on her coffee and glares up at her best friend, her eyebrow rising to dangerously Vulcan levels. Chakotay looks entirely underwhelmed, a smugly unrepentant grin plastered on his face. They're sitting in her living room drinking coffee, the remnants of their weekly dinner on the table, and Kathryn isn't quite sure where he'd get the idea that she's got a date, even if he's right. Wiping the coffee from her knees, she makes a face at him.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she says, rolling her eyes even as her mind goes to a certain redheaded doctor and their plans for the evening. Chakotay just laughs, shaking his head as he leans back against the couch.
"Don't try to deny it, Kathryn. I know you, remember? Plus I've got sources that tell me you've been seeing a lot of Doctor Crusher lately."
"I'm going to kill Tom Paris," she gripes, cursing both her former helmsman and the blush that's creeping up her neck. Lifting her chin, she meets Chakotay's gaze again. "So what if I have a hot date tonight?"
"I'm happy for you, Kathryn. You deserve the happiness," he responds and she relaxes at his genuine words. "Beverly is a great person and she's very lucky to have your attention."
Kathryn laughs and nudges him with her shoulder before settling against his side so she can rest her head on his shoulder; their friendship, forged through seven years of incomparable struggles and triumphs, is the closest she's ever had and she's so grateful for his steady presence in her life. They thought, a long time ago on a little planet in the Delta Quadrant, that they loved each other and she recognizes that she does love him, though it's familial and not romantic. He's her best friend, the closest thing she has to a big brother, and they're comfortable together in a way she's never had with anyone before.
"How's Elizabeth?" she asks, laughing at his goofy grin. Elizabeth Lang served in Voyager's ops department. When the ship returned to the Alpha Quadrant and the crew was set up in quarters for six months of debriefings, Elizabeth and Chakotay found themselves as neighbors and started spending time together. Kathryn was surprised, but incredibly happy, when they approached her after the debriefings ended and asked her to perform their wedding. Chakotay is happy, she knows, which is all that really matters.
"She's good, though I suspect she's getting anxious to start teaching at the Academy. She met with Admiral Nechayev today about the curriculum she has planned and she said she'll get to start teaching next week," he says, making Kathryn grin.
"What's the name of her course?"
"Keeping Your Captain Safe From Their Penchant For Running Headfirst Into Danger: A Step-By-Step Guide," he recites, that smugly unrepentant grin back. Kathryn squawks and smacks him in the shoulder, huffing and puffing. Chakotay just laughs, clearly enjoying her discomfort.
"Please tell me that's not the actual title of her course!" she splutters, mortified when he nods and confirms that it is. She flops backwards, covering her eyes with her hand. It takes her a moment but she finally joins him in laughter. "Oh god, I never realized I was bad enough to make others want to warn future security officers about captains like me."
"Tuvok was always so high-strung when you got a crazy idea in your head and decided to lead away teams," he says. "He tried to hide it but I could always tell he was nervous."
She groans, shaking her head again. She's about to point out that she's not the one who kept crashing shuttles but the sound of the door chime interrupts her and she stands, shocked that she's lost track of time so completely. Glancing down at Chakotay with an apologetic smile, she motions to the door.
"That'll be Beverly. I didn't mean to lose track of time," she says, flustered. Chakotay just smiles and shrugs.
"I'd best be on my way," he replies with a smile. "Elizabeth mentioned something about going to get ice cream."
Kathryn goes to answer the door, Chakotay trailing behind, and greets Beverly with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Chakotay and I were having our weekly dinner and chatting and I lost all track of time," she says. Beverly waves her hand and pulls her coat off, smiling up at Chakotay.
"Captain Chakotay, it's a pleasure to see you again," she says. Chakotay laughs and shakes his head, holding a hand up.
"Please, just Chakotay. I don't have to be captain on the weekends, thank you very much."
Beverly chuckles and nods, turning to smile at Kathryn next. "Our reservations are in an hour so, while you won't have time for a bath, you should be able to get ready in time. The great Admiral Janeway can manage that, right?"
"I'll do my best, Doctor Crusher," Kathryn replies, mock saluting before turning back to Chakotay and giving him a hug. "Tell Elizabeth we'll all get together for lunch next week so she can tell me all about how her first class went." He laughs and nods, kissing her on the cheek and winking as he leaves. Kathryn rolls her eyes and turns back to look at Beverly, who has an adorably confused look on her face. "His wife is teaching a class about how to keep a danger-seeking captain safe."
"Sounds like she has the experience to teach that course," Beverly teases. Kathryn just grins and slides her arms around Beverly's waist, pulling her close.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she mocks a pout and then leans in to press a soft kiss to her date's lips. When she pulls away, she licks her lips and grins. "I don't seek danger. I'm more into seeking tall, redheaded doctors."
"Smooth talker," Beverly says, rolling her eyes as she laughs. She kisses Kathryn's nose and then pats her butt. "Go, get ready. The shuttle leaves in an hour and I really don't want to have to explain to Jean-Luc why we couldn't make it to France in a timely manner."
Kathryn sticks her tongue out and hurries up to get ready, excited for the weekend trip Beverly planned. They're staying at the Picard family vineyards in La Barre, utilizing a guest cottage offered by Marie Picard. The Enterprise's senior officers are all taking shore leave there and it's the first time Kathryn will have the chance to get to know them on a personal level. She's excited, nervous, and a little apprehensive at the thought of meeting the legendary officers but Beverly promised her there's nothing to be concerned about. According to her, they know that Beverly likes her and that's good enough for them.