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"What's the occasion?"
"A quite lull," Janeway said softly, and meant it. "I felt so awkward being home at first, but now things are settling down. I've found a rhythm again."
"Miss your chicks?"
He was referring to her as the 'mother hen' again. "Of course I do. But they seem to be doing just fine."
They discussed Icheb and his reacceptance into the Academy, and the Torres family's move to the Klingon holy planet. And then the Doctor's new novel, Photons, Claim Justice and the fact that Chakotay hadn't dared to look at his copy yet.
"Apparently Seven has been critiquing it quite severely," he commented.
Janeway wondered how he felt about the Doctor's growing relationship with Seven, and if there was any jealousy. "I'm surprised he'd show it to her," she said, throwing the bait.
"Maybe she's just down the hall and it's convenient."
Well, there's my answer. He's in denial. Either that or he really doesn't care, which I find hard to believe. Janeway decided her former XO needed to forget about his attachment to the tall blonde, and concentrate on a certain petite redhead. That's why she'd invited him to dinner, after all.
"Speaking of working together, how's the class you're teaching with Tuvok?" he asked quickly.
Hmmm, nice subject switch.
She told him about the Vulcan's insistence on dry and factual, against her 'juicy and interesting' and how she believed they'd find a way to teach somewhere in the middle. Kathryn was enjoying teaching, more so than she thought she would, especially the scientific aspect of the courses. She was also looking forward to an addition to the faculty. Janeway eyed Chakotay sharply. "Which now leaves just you for this mother hen to worry about."
He smiled at her, revealing those adorable dimples. "Then you don't need to worry. I've decided to rejoin Starfleet."
"Well, in that case-", she said rising and returning with a bottle of champagne. "We really do have something to celebrate."
He laughed and shook his head. "I hardly think my going back to Starfleet warrants a bottle of champagne."
"Oh, it's more than that." She gave him a mischievous look. "At least, I hope so."
Chakotay's heart suddenly skipped a beat. He didn't dare hope that this might finally be the moment, so outwardly he remained unaffected. "After all these years," he said calmly, "You continue to confound me. What now?"
Janeway expertly popped the cork and poured them two flutes, grinning wickedly at Chakotay's open shock. "I have been authorised to be the one to offer you a captaincy."
"A captaincy."
"If you'll take it."
He seemed stunned. Obviously, he hadn't been expecting this. Finally he asked, "What ship?"
She waited, savouring the moment, before giving him the most wonderful news she could possibly imagine.
"Voyager."
=/\=
Chakotay was indeed stunned, and a little disappointed. It was wonderful news, and he was happy, but when she had said 'she hoped so'… He hadn't dared to hope.
The mischievous look returned, and he watched as she placed both glasses back on the table. "There's more, Chakotay."
"More?" he asked incredulously. "How can there be more?"
She grinned that gorgeous crooked grin that he loved so much and leaned closer, her lips brushing his ear. He fought the urge to shiver. "I love you," she whispered. "And if you'll have me…?"
Chakotay knew then there was nothing he could possibly want more. He'd been kidding himself with Seven, he realised, and he had known somewhere inside that the relationship would never have lasted.
He pulled back to look at her, saying nothing, just taking it in. The experience was surreal. After all this time, she had finally admitted her feelings for him, and they were, at last, in the perfect situation to pursue a romance.
She was staring at him, and when he didn't reply, she became uncomfortable.
It's too late, Janeway thought, I really have lost him. Insecurity and fear had made her blind to what everyone else could see. Chakotay would have said yes in and instant for years, if she had so much as crooked a finger, even if he hadn't known it himself. She stood, and started to move away. "I'm sorry, Chakotay. I shouldn't ha--"
His hand shot out and snagged her wrist and Janeway looked down at it with surprise. "Kathryn," he began, shaking his head in exasperation and smiling widely. "Yes."
Her eyes widened. "Yes?"
"Yes."
"Oh Love," she gasped, and threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding him tightly, knocking him prone on the sofa. "I thought I'd lost you."
"Never, love, never."
They held each other for a few moments, until Janeway shifted her face from the crook of his neck to meet his eyes and said softly, "Marry me, Chakotay."
"What?"
"You heard."
He stared at her. Then grinned. "Sure."
"What?"
"You heard."
They laughed, both in relief as well as joy, each squeezing the other tightly as though they thought they might disappear. Chakotay tipped Kathryn's head up gently, cupping her face in his hand.
"I love you," he whispered, and kissed her.
Kathryn was melting. Never before had she been kissed like this. He was tender and sweet, but as his tongue met hers, it fuelled within her an urgency she didn't know she had. She'd always imagined their first time to be slow and sensual, each exploring and learning the other. But that could just as easily be the second or third time. Right now was not for sensuality. Right now was for satisfying seven years of anticipation, frustrated attraction and hunger. Pure hunger.
His hands were everywhere, running up and down her back, caressing her sides, and then cupping her butt and pulling her over him, and she was no longer under any illusions as to how she could affect him. His arousal pulsed hot and hard between them, and Janeway felt herself respond deep inside. The kiss seemed to last forever, but ended all too soon when they discovered they needed to breathe. She sat up, stripping first her sweater, then turtleneck, but stopping at her bra. Her nimble fingers made short work of the buttons on his shirt, and soon she was kissing his warm bronzed chest, and licking a flat nipple. He groaned, grabbing her hips and shifting her to grind down on him in just the right place.
Chakotay was in heaven. But the waiting was making it hell. He pushed her down a bit to rest on his thighs so he could sit up and get rid of his shirt. Janeway took the opportunity to undo his pants and her own skirt. She pulled it over her head- she really didn't want to stand. The next moments were a blur as Chakotay shoved the rest of his clothing off, and then removed her bra.
Spirits, she's beautiful, Chakotay thought in wonder. And she's mine. He took a moment just to gaze, enjoying the blush that crept over her at his scrutiny. The urgency was broken, if only temporarily as he worshiped her breasts with his lips, teeth and tongue. The onslaught had her writhing on him, and the consuming passion returned with more fire than before. Janeway shifted on him and he moaned into her skin, needing more than ever to be inside her. With a sudden forceful rip, there were no longer any barriers between them. He wanted so much to have her, but he knew she'd been celibate since Jaffen, and that was months ago.
"Kathryn, are you sure you're ready?"
"Plan on teasing me, Chakotay?"
"I don't want to hurt you."
In answer, she took his length in her hand and positioned herself. "I want you so much, I'm so ready for you, there's no way you could hurt me."
That was all the encouragement he needed. In one movement, he'd grabbed her hips and pulled her down onto him, while surging up to meet her.
Despite her assurances, the shock of penetration still registered in Janeway and made her gasp. But any discomfort was soon chased away by Chakotay's skilful fingers on her clitoris, massaging back and forth, driving her pleasure inexorably upwards.
She was perfect. He had never inexperienced such a connection with a woman before, and Kathryn felt fantastic. He didn't know if it was the emotion of the moment playing tricks on him before, but he couldn't remember loving ever feeling this good. He kept touching her, wanted to see her shudder and gasp above him before he lost what remained of his control.
"Oh yes. Oh God yes." Her bottom lip was caught between her teeth, her face a mask of concentration as she rocked on him, getting closer and closer to her climax.
Only moments later, Chakotay chose just the right second to press his thumb to her with a bit more pressure, and she exploded, shuddering around him. His name was almost screamed as she threw her head back and gasped for air, riding waves that just kept getting stronger. Her contractions destroyed his reserve, and triggered his orgasm.
Chakotay's rhythm broke, and he surged into her. She could feel his hot spurts as he came, and revelled in it, collapsing onto him. She'd never believed she could find this kind of intimacy and complete emotional connection again, but here it was, right underneath her, and she was beyond happy.
He was finding it hard to breathe, the orgasm had been so intense. She was lying along him now, breathing deeply herself. "Wow," she whispered, stroking his chest.
"Oh yeah." He kissed her temple. "I promise we'll take it slow next time. I want to know you."
"I love you, Chakotay," she murmured as her body drifted towards sleep, the past week's events and the amorous lovemaking catching up with her.
He smiled, feeling drowsy himself, but not willing to fall asleep yet. He was enjoying holding her in the afterglow too much. And somehow they had to get to the bed. "I love you, Kathryn."
=/\=
Much, much later, as sunlight streamed through the windows, Janeway returned to their bed with a fresh cup of coffee to find Chakotay propped up on pillows, waiting for her. "Where's mine?"
"You can have some of this if you're desperate."
"Now I do feel privileged."
"As you should." She laughed. "Not everyone gets some of my coffee without risking dismemberment". She made herself comfortable beside him, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I never finished telling you."
"About what?"
"The captaincy. It has certain… options."
"You mean terms."
"No. I mean options. Stop being paranoid." She paused to sip. "Voyager is a science and exploration vessel. She was never meant to be a long-term residence, and wasn't designed for extended missions. Which is why the Academy has also offered you a professorship."
"Go on."
"If you accept, you teach the Advanced Tactics and Anthropology classes for 4 months and command Voyager for 4 months. On science and exploration missions, of course."
"Oh, I see. Sounds very… accommodating, of Starfleet." He ignored her rolled eyes. "But there's more to this, isn't there? What about you?"
She smiled and kissed his shoulder. "You know me too well."
"It's my job." A large tan hand stroked lazily up and down her thigh.
"My classes run on the same schedule as yours. I'm a scientist… I think you can tell where this is heading."
Chakotay's eyes widened as it dawned on him. "You'll be running the science team on Voyager, won't you?" It was just too perfect.
"Smart Boy. I knew there was a reason I kept you." She snuggled into his side, sipping her coffee. "While we're on Earth, I'll be a regular Admiral with a desk job, bossing poor Jean-Luc about, and then we get to warp away and study stuff."
"I should have known you'd never be happy with a desk job." Chakotay took her coffee, stealing a sip. Janeway laughed at his grimace. "That's toxic! No wonder you got headaches- it's this sludge."
"Bite your tongue!" she laughed, taking back her mug. "This is almost the only thing that kept me going."
"Almost?"
Janeway's expression softened. "There was you."
He pulled her tight, kissing her forehead. "Glad I could help," he said softly in a voice laced with emotion.
The Admiral tilted her head up to meet his eyes, and kissed him gently. "I'm sorry, Chakotay."
"Kathryn? What for?"
"I'm sorry for treating you so badly for so long, and making already hellish circumstances even worse"
"You were doing what you thought was right, and I respect that"
"But you don't agree with it"
He thought for a moment, finding the best way to say what he felt. "I believe we could have been happy out there, together. We could have made it work, even in such 'hellish circumstances.'"
"I don't know, love. I suppose there were reasons for doing what I did, but I don't want to think about them now."
"Then let's not." He took the now empty mug out of her hand and sat it on the nightstand. "I accept, by the way."
"Pardon?" She'd started playing with his hands, measuring them against her own and massaging his fingers.
"Voyager. And the captaincy. As long as I'm not your First Officer, and you're not the captain, we'll be fine."
"Good." Kissing his palm, she drew a finger into her mouth, sucking and then very slowly releasing it, being rewarded with a growl and a darkening of her lover's eyes.
"And we get a really big bed."
"We're doing just fine in this- Oh, oh, Chakotay…"
Fini
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On Shore
