All right people, this is an epsiode addition to Night. Gilly from 13 offered the temptation, and I couldn’t resist. It’s a spoiler so if you don’t want any epi info, leave now.
Standard disclaimer’s: Paramount owns all, I just wish I did.
Night to Remember
Chakotay has entered the Captain’s quarters to give her a detailed report on Seven and Tuvok’s findings. The atmosphere is tense, hesitant. Janeway is in a reclusive mood, and Chakotay is worried, but he finishes his report.
"If that’s all, Commander…?"
"Actually I’d like to make a request. I’ve been saving up my holodeck rations and I’ve got almost three full hours coming. Any chance I might persuade you to join me in a game of Velocity? It’ll clear your mind."
Kathryn barely moves, she still faces away from him, staring out the viewport. "My mind is perfectly clear."
"And what if I told you I’m not leaving until you join me."
"I’d say ‘have a seat, it’ll be a while."
"Then I’ll be blunt. You’ve picked a bad time to isolate yourself from the crew. This ship needs a Captain, especially now."
She turns toward him, hand on her hip. "Would you be satisfied with ‘I’m just catching up on some reading’? I’ m not sure I understand it myself. It started when we entered this… What does the crew call it?
"The Void."
"Charming." Her hands reach up to swipe at her face, as if she could wipe the problem and mood away. "Oh what I wouldn’t give for a few Borg cubes right now… Anything for a little distraction. Strange as it sounds, I almost long for the days when we were under constant attack. No time to stop to stop and think about how we got stranded in the Delta Quadrant…" She turns to him again, almost confrontational, entering his personal space. "How did we end up here, Chakotay? Answer me."
"We faced a difficult choice. We had a means to get home but usuing it would have put an innocent people at risk, so we decided to stay."
"NO…No, no. I decided to stay. I made that choice for everyone."
Worry etched his brow, desparate to change her train of thought, he added "We’re alive and well, and we’ve gathered enough data about the Delta Quadrant to keep Starfleet scientists busy for decades. Our mission’s been a success!"
"Very same words I’ve been telling myself for the past four years. But then we hit this void and I started to realize how empty those words sounded."
"Kathryn…"
"I made a judgement in error, Chakotay. It was shortsighted and it was selfish and now all of us are paying for my mistake! So if you don’t mind, Commander, I’ll pass on that little game and I’ll leave shipboard morale in your capable hands. If the crew asks for me tell them the Captain sends her regards." With that she turned from him and continued her study of the endless dark.
A rush of fury shot through him. "No!" He moved toward her as she spun around.
He caught her arms and pulled her to him.
"What do you think you’re doing, Chakotay?"
"Taking morale into my own hands, and giving you something else to think about."
Before she could do more than blink, his mouth had captured hers in a warm, possessive kiss. She struggled momentarily, then, she was swept up in the passion of his embrace. He held her for a while, his mouth working it’s own brand of magic. After several moments, he broke the kiss. "I love you, Kathryn Janeway, and I’ll be damned before I allow you to wallow in self-imposed guilt. You are not alone, and I intend to stay here and prove it." With that, he pulled the startled woman onto the counch, and into his lap. He continued to hold her and encourage her to talk about the things bothering her. Together, the entered a new phase in their relationship, a new beginning.
Yeah I know I always leave ‘em hanging.