Seven jerked awake, the screams of countless Borg victims ringing in her ears, frightened and disorientated she scanned the room rapidly, tension only releasing its tight grip around her shoulders when her eyes came to rest on the sleeping body of Chakotay lying in the darkness. Exhaling shakily in relief she stepped from her alcove, went to the bathroom and tried to rid herself of the lingering anxious feelings with a splash of cold water on her face. The Doctor did warn me that the removal of the emotional failsafe would mean these traumatic memories would continue to recur. A vision of her parents faces from her first dream; by now burnt into her conscious memory appeared again, she leaned into the wall, momentarily squeezing her eyes shut, a sudden longing for the relative simplicity of her life on Voyager coming over her. She went to the bedroom window, peering out in hope of seeing the stars which connected her somehow to her former life, but they remained hidden behind the oppressive cityscape. She allowed her head to rest on the cool glass with a sigh. Surely she couldn't fail in her resolution to fully adapt to life on Earth only five days after making it? According to Earth custom the start of a new solar orbit signified new beginnings, a time to make so called "New Year Resolutions". Everything had just changed so soon, that day they were planning to go to Flagstaff for Chakotay's interview, she had yet to tell him about her procurement of a position in that city's Lowell Observatory. The thought of how happy he would be when she informed him lightened her mood considerably, she glanced over at him, maybe he was right and she did put herself under too much unnecessary pressure?
This question was still in her mind as she climbed into bed with him, but as she settled on his chest and once more heard the soothing rhythm of his heartbeat, it was replaced by another. Would she ever give up the fulfilment that love gave her in exchange for a simpler more efficient life where she felt nothing? No, her heart and mind both answered as the warmth of his arms gently lulled her into sleep.
As that morning turned into afternoon, Chakotay completed his packing for the three day trip to Flagstaff and a certain matter which had been pressing on his mind since Christmas almost two weeks before returned to the forefront of his thoughts. Agitated, he sought out Seven, finding her kneeling on the living room floor, numerous belongings and a suitcase spread out before her. "Almost ready?" he asked her.
"Yes, my preparations will soon be complete."
"Good, I'm going to nip out for a bit and when I come back we'll go, okay?"
"That's an acceptable plan."
He was relieved that she didn't seem to notice his nervousness as he left the apartment with as much calm as he could muster and practically to the city centre jewellery shop he had begun to frequent unnaturally often. "Is it ready?" he asked the male shop assistant hurriedly.
"Oh yes, perfectly sized to your specifications sir." He pulled out a small velvet ring box and put it in Chakotay's outstretched hand.
Chakotay opened it apprehensively, exhaling in relief when he saw the platinum diamond and aquamarine ring which had so tormented him over Christmas. Getting Seven's ring size without alerting her had been a ordeal in itself, after several failed hints he'd had to resort to measuring her finger with a measuring tape while she regenerated, not as easy task as she wasn't exactly a heavy sleeper, but mercifully he had gotten away with it. "Thanks so much." He told the assistant gratefully.
"Good luck! How are you going to do it?"
"I was thinking of the edge of the Grand Canyon."
"Impressive! Famous but not too cliché."
That encouragement was still spinning around his brain as he returned to the apartment. What he saw shocked him, Seven had filled two suitcases and was rapidly packing data pads into a third. "Wow, the stereotype is true! All women over pack! Surely this isn't very efficient Seven? We're only going for three days!"
Seven reacted unusually badly to his teasing. "I am not over packing! It would be inefficient of me to forget something I may require."
Chakotay picked up two of the data pads and read their titles. "Atmospheric Phenomena Unique to Section 32.7 of the Beta Quadrant…Supernovas and Their Known Consequences…Seven, we're going on vacation not an astronomy conference…" Seven lowered her head and bit her lip and unease shot through him. "What is it?"
"I…I have procured myself a post at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, they asked to see some of my research."
"You have a job, that's wonderful!" He knelt down to kiss her deeply, as he was pulling back he eyed the other two suitcases suspiciously and opened them both to reveal meticulously stacked data pads and only the bare minimum of clothes. "I should have known!" he laughed. "They won't be expecting all this, just take one case for your clothes and some research."
Seven frowned and decided to bargain. "Two." She said stubbornly, kissing him to weaken his resolve.
Chakotay was, of course, the first to cave in. "Okay, okay! Two it is! Let's just go!"
They arrived in Flagstaff in the early evening, just as the sun was setting and were able to admire the golden light as it dipped below the snow capped San Francisco Peaks which hugged round the city. Seven knew she was going to like the place as soon as she inhaled her first breath of cool clean mountain air and observed the twinkling stars above them.
They checked into their hotel and filled the couple of hours until dinner leisurely. The popular penthouse restaurant Chakotay had booked for them was full to capacity, so they had to struggle to see the famous views over the city. Seven couldn't help noticing his increased agitation as the meal wore on and he himself knew he wasn't being natural as the ring hidden in his pocket weighed heavily on his mind. He finally managed to turn the conversation round to his way of thinking by making a suggestion. "Why don't we go to the Grand Canyon in the morning?"
"I thought we wanted to see the sunrise? We will be late for our work meetings if we do it tomorrow, it can wait until Wednesday."
Damn, I wanted to get this over with! I know I'm going to be like a nervous wreck around her until I ask, good God it's like our first date all over again!
Just then the question he was thinking about was asked by the man in the table across from them, Seven watched, unsure of what was going on as the man got down on one knee and the whole room burst into applause. Seven blushed, feeling awkward at the display of what she considered intensely private, almost sacred emotions. "Isn't that a question that should be asked in private?" she whispered to Chakotay.
Chakotay felt as if he was sinking into the floor with embarrassment at the uncanny coincidence and took some time to respond. "It depends on personal taste, I suppose." He replied awkwardly. Well no one will bother us at the Grand Canyon.
The next day was spent almost entirely at their respective job interviews and they both went so well that they were immediately accepted, their move to Flagstaff was now a certainty. Chakotay was in such a good mood that he managed to behave relatively naturally and Seven was too full of excitement over her new duties to be very observant of his manner.
Seven was woken by the sound of the sonic shower at 0430 hours the next morning. Chakotay's overly excited behaviour was very abnormal and she confronted him with, "I thought you told me it was unnatural for a human to be awake so it early in the morning."
"It is…" he said, caught out. "…but I'm just so excited to be taking you to the Grand Canyon." Whew, good recovery, he thought deeply relieved. Unbeknownst to him Seven had seen through the feigned innocence but trusted him enough to let it go.
He practically dragged her out of the hotel lobby in his eagerness to go, but Seven stooped him in his tracks with, "Wait! We need to wait for the rest of the group!"
Chakotay stared at her blankly. "Group?" he echoed.
"The tour group." Seven stated.
"Exactly why do we need a tour group?" Chakotay was starting to get that sinking feeling.
"It is against National Park regulations to go to the Grand Canyon without an approved group and registered guide." Seven explained; worry entering her consciousness as she saw how pale Chakotay suddenly looked. "Are you unwell my love?"
Chakotay was pulled out of his stupor by her concerned tone and felt guilty. "No…no, I'm fine, don't worry."
Seven wasn't fully convinced but saw the other members of the group and turned away. Chakotay also saw them, a large babbling group; there was no way his plan would work now.
They rode on a rather rickety bus until they reached the drop off point and they were all piled off and walked to near the edge by torch just as the sun was beginning to rise. Chakotay was for a time transfixed by the beautiful scene as a rainbow of colours flooded the canyon, with all its magnificent crevasses formed over millennia. Just as the spectacle was reaching its peak Chakotay gripped Seven's hand tight and decided to ask her anyway. "Seven…"
"It's fabulous, isn't it?" asked a man who suddenly appeared next to them at the worse possible moment.
"Yes, it is." Seven replied courteously, glancing over at Chakotay, who had an unreadable look on his face, gripping her hand so hard it hurt and kissed him impulsively.
Chakotay forgot all about the swear words he'd had been on the brink of saying to that unfortunate man as she kissed him. "What was that for?" he murmured as she pulled back.
"For loving me." She whispered simply, resting her head on his shoulder.
Oh Seven, you have no idea how much I needed to hear that.
He was in a much more relaxed state of mind that night when the perfect idea finally came to him as he looked up at the clear sky in reflection. "Excuse me" he asked the hotel valet, "does this hotel have a roof terrace?"
"Yes, of course, sir." He replied.
Seven watched this exchange in confusion as a beaming smile crossed across Chakotay's face. "Come on!" he cried exuberantly, pulling her upstairs by the hand.
"It's minus six degrees Celsius outside, what reason can you possibly have to bring me up here?"
"Just trust me, you'll like it!" he responded. Seven was unable to argue with that and allowed him to lead her.
When they reached the roof terrace, Chakotay ordered her to lie down, she shot him a look and he laughed and laid down first, as she joined him, she realised what he'd meant, there was a glorious carpet of stars hanging above them. She huddled under his arm. "You were correct, I do like it."
After several minutes of quiet contemplation, Seven was brought out of it with a jolt when Chakotay murmured "Marry me" into her ear.
"What?" she asked shakily and tried to sit up, but he prevented her, it was then that she saw the ring and was utterly silenced. Finally after many long seconds of him watching her anxiously, she managed to croak out, "Are you sure?"
"Yes! Of course I'm sure!" he exclaimed his eyes burning into her.
Realising the significance of his behaviour of the last three days, she stroked his face. "You…you…tried to ask me at the Grand Canyon didn't you?"
"Yes…yes, I did." He responded with a crimson blush spreading across his features, until he noticed the tears running down her pale cheeks. "What? What's wrong?"
"I…love…you…so much…please…forgive me…if…I fail as your wife…"
Chakotay uttering something between a sob of relief and a sigh of exasperation rubbed her tear stained cheeks with his thumbs and slid the ring onto her finger, giving her one of the most loving and passionate kisses they had ever shared.
A/n: So what do you think? Please send me any ideas you have for the wedding, honeymoon etc. I particularly need help with where to set the honeymoon. If I like an idea I'll put it in and credit you! Review as always please! I'll update soon.