Part II

Chakotay stepped out onto the verandah, and looked out at the clear night sky taking a deep breath of the night air. He heard the soft foot steps of his sister, Sekaya, before he felt her arm slide through his.

"Enjoying the quiet?"

Chakotay softly chuckled, "Isn't that why you followed me out here? For the quiet?"

"Guilty," Sekaya chuckled. "You know mom made it look so easy."

"It will get easier as Micah gets older." Micah was Sekaya's two-month old son.

Sekaya rolled her eyes, "Not if he is as contrary as his Uncle Chakotay."

"Not a chance." Chakotay retorted.

"So what were you thinking about before I interrupted?"

"What makes you think I didn't just come out here to enjoy the quiet for a moment?"

Sekaya nudged him with her shoulder. "Because you've been moody ever since you got that communication from Starfleet."

Chakotay leaned over and kissed Sekaya on the top of her head. "I'm sorry." Chakotay sighed, "I have to report for duty in two weeks."

"I thought you wanted to stay in Starfleet?"

"I do, but we're finally back together as a family and I feel like I'm deserting you."

Sekaya wrapped her arms around Chakotay. "We'll miss you big brother, but it's only Earth not the Delta Quadrant. We can talk by sub-space. Plus, you can visit us when you take leave, and we will come visit you too."

Chakotay chuckled, "When did you become so wise?"

"While you weren't looking." Sekaya laughed.

"Obviously."

* * * * * *

Chakotay ran across the San Francisco grounds of the Academy towards the Officer's Mess Hall trying not to become completely soaked by the spring rain. Reaching the dry entrance of the building, Chakotay started brushing the rain droplets off the front of his uniform while heading for the mess line. He gave the dinning area a quick glance before turning towards the chow line then stopping suddenly. 'Great,' he thought seeing the long line of people getting their lunch. He sighed and headed towards the small bank of replicators, if he'd had known he was going to end up replicating his lunch he could have stayed in his office and skipped the impromptu shower on his way over here. Grabbing his Vegetable Stew from the replicator Chakotay started looking for an empty seat when he heard his name over the chorus of voice in the dinning area. Turning towards the sound of his name he spotted Tom Paris waving him towards his table. Reaching Tom's table Chakotay saw that Paris was not alone. As he set his tray down the woman setting with Tom stood up and smiled at him. Chakotay recognized that smile.

"Chakotay you remember Phoebe Janeway, Kathryn's sister?"

Chakotay smiled, "Yes I do." He reached out his hand and shook Phoebe's. "It's nice to see you again Ms. Janeway."

Phoebe laughed. "Please call me Phoebe, no one calls me Ms. Janeway."

Chakotay tried not to look embarrassed. "If you'll call me Chakotay?"

"Deal," Phoebe said shaking his hand firmly before they took their seats.

"So Chakotay were your ears ringing before you got here?" Tom enquired.

Chakotay looked at Tom incredulously. "What are you talking about Paris?"

"What Tom is trying so inarticulately trying to say is that he and I were just talking about you before you showed up here." Phoebe clarified.

"I see," Chakotay said giving Tom a warning look.

"No you don't Chakotay, but you will." Phoebe continued, "Kathryn's birthday is in two weeks and Tom and I are throwing her a surprise party. I was just asking Tom how to contact you to invite you when you walked in."

"She'll never see this one coming, Chakotay." Tom injected.

"Oh boy!" Chakotay stated.

Phoebe sensed the irony in Chakotay's reply. "I get the feeling you think a surprise party is a bad idea, Chakotay."

Chakotay reached up and started tugging on his ear. "Well not exactly."

'What do you mean 'not exactly', if memory serves me correctly you helped Neelix every time he tried to throw her one." Tom reminded him.

"And Kathryn figured it out every time." Chakotay countered.

Phoebe started laughing uncontrollably causing both men to look at her. "What's so funny?" Tom asked.

Phoebe stopped laughing and looked at Chakotay. "I just remembered Kathryn writing me about the first birthday that Neelix tried to throw for her and how Kathryn had inadvertently stumbled across Neelix's plan and managed to foil the surprise."

Tom gave Phoebe a confused look, "What does that have to do with our party?" he asked.

"Because, my dear Thomas, after that first attempt by Neelix my cunning big sister enlisted a spy and made a packed with said spy," Phoebe paused and turned to look at Chakotay. "Didn't she Chakotay." She stated looking him dead in the eye.

Tom looked from Chakotay to Phoebe then back to Chakotay again before his eyebrows rose in realization. "I'll be damned," he chuckled. "You were a double agent, why?"

"Simple Tom, Kathryn did the same thing for me when it was my birthday."

"So does this mean you are going to tell Kathryn about the party we're throwing for her?" Tom wondered.

"No he won't, Tom." Phoebe answered.

"Oh?" Chakotay retorted.

"I happen to all so know a certain story about a computer malfunction that-"

"Alright, alright." Chakotay interrupted. "You have my word."

"I thought I might." Phoebe chuckled.

* * * * * *

Chakotay sat staring at the view screen reading the communication over again. The communication was from Dr. Hayden head of the Anthropology Department at Indiana University requesting a meeting to discuss having Chakotay give a guest lecture for the Anthropology students on the various Delta Quadrant species.

"Hayden, Hayden, why is that name so familiar?" He asked himself out loud.

"Because Kathryn's mother's last name is now Hayden." The female voice in his office door answered.

"B'Elanna!"

Chakotay got up from his desk and greeted her with a hug. "This is a nice surprise, what brings you all the way over to the bowels of the Archeology department."

"I'd hardly call a third floor office with a window view the bowels, Chakotay." She laughed.

"Point taken. So did you get bored in that engineering lab of yours, and had to come see the exciting life of digging up ancient civilizations?"

She laughed, "Hardly, I came by to invite you to dinner tonight. Miral would like to spend some quality time with her Uncle Chakotay."

"She would huh," B'Elanna nodded her head. "What time do you want me there?" Chakotay asked.

"1830 hours."

"I'll be there."

"Good. Now what's all this about Gretchen Hayden?"

"Dr. Trenton Hayden, actually."

"Ooookayyy," She said needing more information.

"He wants to meet with me at the end of the week about giving a lecture at Indiana University."

"That sounds exciting. I'm sure you'll see Kathryn while you're there, so remember your promise to Phoebe."

"You don't have to worry about that B'Elanna. Phoebe is just as formidable as her sister, so you don't have to worry about that."

* * * * * *

Trent quietly descended the dark stairs, as he reached the landing he saw Kathryn sitting in the overstuffed chair in the living room with a book laying open in her lap as she looked out the window at the inky night. He stood in the shadows at the bottom of the stairs with his arm leaning on the banister watching her. He and Gretchen had been worried about Kathryn since the incident with the dress. He suspected that Kathryn hadn't been sleeping much the last few days, but never voiced his suspicion to his wife as not to give her more worry. He had been waiting to find a moment alone with Kathryn to talk to her, but the opportunity had yet to present itself until now. Trent pushed away from the banister and quietly approached Kathryn when he was half way to her he spoke. "Katie do you know its 3:30 in the morning?" he whispered.

Kathryn turned to look at him. "I guess I lost track of time."

Trent walked over the where she was sitting and sat on the edge of ottoman studying her for a moment. "Katie you know that your mother and I are here for you, right?"

Kathryn reached out and patted Trent's hand giving him a warm smile. "I know," she said softly.

"Your mother and I just want you to be happy."

"I am happy," she declared trying to mask her emotions.

"I see," Trent replied. "Is this where I'm supposed to take your word for it and leave you alone?"

Kathryn gave him a guilty look. "Something like that."

"I'm not that naïve Katie."

Kathryn studied him for a moment. "No, no your not." She said softly.

Trent frowned then leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. "I can see that you are unhappy about something, and keeping it locked away like this is tearing you up." Kathryn opened her mouth, but Trent held up his hand and kept talking. "I'm not asking you to confide in me. That's up to you to decided, if you do I'll sit and listen objectively and help you the best I can, but until then I won't say anything to your mother about this. Okay?"

Kathryn was touched by Trent's concern for her. "My mother is very blessed to have you in her life." Kathryn's eyes became moist as she spoke. "I see how much you love and care for her. Thank you."

Trent chuckled softly, "I care for you, Phoebe, and Elle too. You're my family."

Kathryn gave him a watery smile. "I know."

Trent took a deep breath and stood up. "Well, I've interrupted your solitude long enough. Try and get some sleep, Katie."

"Wait." Kathryn jumped up and gave Trent a hug. "Thank you."

Trent gave her a warm smile and patted Kathryn on the shoulder before heading back up stairs.

* * * * * *

Chakotay's hovercraft pulled up to the old brick building. He thanked the driver and stepped out of the vehicle taking in the view of the campus. Spring was in full bloom and it was exactly like Kathryn had described spring in Indiana to him.

"Professor Chakotay?"

Chakotay turned to find a young man who looked to be in his twenties standing behind him. "Yes, I'm Professor Chakotay."

"Hello Sir, I'm Paul Dr. Hayden's Assistant." The young man extended his hand.

Chakotay shook Paul's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Paul."

"If you'll follow me I'll show you to Dr. Hayden's office."

The two entered the building and went down the corridor to the rear of the building. They entered a suite of offices and Paul stopped in front of the door marked Dr. Trenton Hayden, Director of Anthropology and knocked. A muffled reply of enter was heard and Paul opened the door.

Entering Dr. Hayden's office Chakotay took in the beautiful paintings and bookshelves before his eyes settled on the gentleman standing behind a very elegant oak desk. Trent Hayden was Chakotay's height, medium build with salt and pepper hair.

"Professor Chakotay, it's a pleasure to see you again." The two men shook hands.

"Thank you for the invitation, Dr. Hayden."

"Please have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?"

Chakotay took a seat. "No thank you, I'm fine Dr. Hayden," Chakotay replied.

"Please call me Trent. Dr. Hayden makes me sound old and stuffy."

"Alright."

"The University and I are very pleased you accepted our offer. The students are very excited about the lecture."

Chakotay smiled, "I'm glad to hear it, but I must admit that I'm surprised you asked me instead of Kathryn."

Trent leaned back in his chair. "Kathryn isn't the one who is teaching Anthropology and Archeology at the Academy."

Chakotay chuckled. "I see your point."

The two went on to discuss the particulars of the lecture and a half hour later they had every thing finalized. Trent sat up straight and looked at Chakotay very seriously. "Chakotay there is something I would like to discuss with you on a personal note."

Chakotay creased his brow. "Does this have to do with Kathryn?"

Trent took a deep breath and let it out. "As a matter of fact it does." Trent reached over and opened the side drawer of his desk and removed a photograph from the drawer. Trent placed it on the desktop and slid it a crossed the desk to Chakotay.

Chakotay reached out, picked up the photo, and looked at it. His eyebrows immediately rose to his forehead. "Did Kathryn give this to you?"

"No, she doesn't know that I have it. I found it on her bedroom floor." Trent cleared his throat, "If I'm not mistaken that is a Mayan Bonding Ceremony, isn't it?"

"Yes it is," Chakotay whispered as he stared at the photo of himself and Kathryn.

* * * * * *

Chakotay paced back and forth in his living room, his mind still whirling from his conversation with Trent Hayden. He walked over to the coffee table picked up the photograph that Hayden had given him and stared at it remembering the day it was taken.

It was the evening before Kathryn was to be assimilated to save the borg in Unimatrix Zero and Chakotay had asked Kathryn to meet him on the holodeck. Kathryn had arrived right on time to find Chakotay standing at the holodeck door. He gave her a full dimpled smile when she appeared. "You look lovely, Kathryn."

She blushed slightly, "Thank you. You look very handsome yourself."

Chakotay's grin widened as he extended his arm to escort Kathryn into the holodeck. "Shall we?"

Kathryn took his arm, "lead the way."

As they entered the holodeck Kathryn was taken aback by the beautiful forest, "We're having dinner out side?"

Chakotay quietly chuckled, "we're not having dinner." He said cryptically.

"But I thought-"

"I only told you to meet me at the holodeck, I never said why."

"So what are we going to do?"

"Just be patient a moment longer and you'll find out," he chuckled.

A few moments later they reached a clearing in the forest with some stone ruins. Chakotay walked into the center of the ruins and stopped. Kathryn looked around, most of the stones had vines creeping along them with the most colorful flowers on them. Kathryn noticed the fragrance they gave off as she inhaled deeply.

"Oh Chakotay, its lovely, where are we?"

"Trebus."

Kathryn ran her hand along one of the stones. "It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen. What kind of ruins are these?"

Chakotay walked up and stood beside Kathryn. "It's an ancient temple, hundreds of years old."

"A temple for what?" she smiled at him.

"Eternal Bonding." Chakotay reached down and took a hold of both Kathryn's hands. "Kathryn I have loved you for so long. I no longer want a life separate from you."

Kathryn took a step closer to him. "Chakotay I'd hardly say we have separate lives living in such close quarters here on Voyager."

Chakotay took a deep breath, "Kathryn we have seen the worst of each other and the best. You and I have been through good times, bad times and some pretty awful times. I need you to know that I am very serious about us." His eyes became warm as he looked deep into her eyes. "Kathryn would you do me the honor of marrying me tonight?"

"Chakotay, I love you," she murmured returning his smile, "but I am due to be assimilated in the morning. Neither of us knows the future and things can change in the blink of an eye and I can't help but feel cautious."

"I love you Kathryn, and I'm no longer willing to sacrifice today for a tomorrow that may never happen." He leaned in and captured her lips in a hungry kiss. Her gasp of surprise was lost in the kiss as Chakotay expertly coaxed her mouth open beneath his. One of his hands moved to her shoulder, the other wrapped around the back of her neck holding her close to him while he nibbled and sucked at her lower lip. One of Kathryn's hands tangled into his thick soft hair as her other gripped his hard bicep.

Chakotay slowly broke the kiss and pulled back looking at Kathryn's face. Her eyes were closed and tears trickled out the corners. "Kathryn," he whispered. She slowly opened her eyes, and Chakotay was lost in those beautiful blue eyes that had turned his life up side down for the last seven years.

Kathryn saw the depth of Chakotay's love for her in his eyes and it was like sunshine to her soul. "I knew it would be like this with you," she whispered.

Chakotay caressed her tear-streaked cheek. "I love you more then you know Kathryn."

"Chakotay," the warmth in her voice wrapped around his name. "I've wanted-" He kissed her again, as if his need could find no other voice.

His mouth lingering to make up for all the times he had wanted to touch her and couldn't. "I know," he whispered as his lips followed the curve of her jaw down her throat nipping lightly as he felt the pulse of her heartbeat.

Kathryn felt the familiar tingle run through her body. She took a hold of Chakotay's head with both her hands pulling him away, and quickly looked into his eyes. "Yes." At his slightly confused look she elaborated. "I want nothing more then to marry you, so…yes."

Chakotay shook the memory out of his head and sat down on the couch putting his head in his hands. He knew he couldn't ignore the situation any longer.