Chapter Text
“She does have your legs,” Chakotay teased with a sly smile.
Kathryn rolled her eyes and swatted him on the shoulder with the back of her hand. “Behave yourself, Commander.”
Chakotay knew that her use of his title was meant as a warning.
He wasn’t sure exactly what it was; whether it was the sunshine and fresh air, or the fact that they were out of uniform, or that they were truly alone for once, but he was feeling brave.
“Kathryn,” he responded, one eyebrow arched up in amusement and that sly smile turning into a full on grin. It was only one word but it spoke volumes.
Kathryn slowed to a stop, and Chakotay followed suit. Their eyes met as the boardwalk around them melted away, leaving them both feeling as if they were the only people on Earth. Standing there in the LA sunshine, no command red in sight, they could almost have been on a different planet; one where they really were the only humans.
As sense memory took over, Kathryn stepped closer and reached her hand out as if to cup his cheek…
The moment ended abruptly when another out-of-control rollerblader skated right between them, forcing them to separate.
Back in the real world, Kathryn shook her head and began walking again at a brisk pace. Chakotay had to make full use of his long legs to catch up to her.
“Wait!” he called after her, “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean anything…”
His words trailed off when he reached Kathryn’s side and saw that she was crying.
“Hey…” he started softly, as he gently pulled her to him.
Kathryn struggled half-heartedly before giving in and burying her face in his shoulder and allowing her first officer to hold her close. She knew it was wrong, knew they didn’t have time for any of this if they were going to find a way back to their own century. But she was exhausted and frustrated that she had gotten Voyager even more lost than before… and to be honest, she missed him. So for just one moment, on a boardwalk in 1996, in a city that had sunk to the bottom of the ocean before she was even born, she allowed herself to be comforted by Chakotay’s warm embrace.
“It’s just so hard,” she mumbled into his chest, “and… lonely.”
“It doesn’t have to be.”
The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them and he mentally kicked himself for breaking the rules. Kathryn looked up at him, her eyes clear now, if a little red.
Chakotay tensed, preparing for the usual lecture about command structure and Starfleet regulations and parameters. But when he looked into her deep blue oceans, he saw a vulnerability and an openness there that had been hiding beneath the surface for months. He reached up and tucked a stray lock of hair back behind her ear. His hand stayed, cupping her cheek and she leaned into his touch, just a little.
“Kathryn, you know I would never pressure you into anything. But you know how I feel. And I am here for you. In whatever capacity you need me.”
Kathryn blinked back tears, refusing to allow herself to cry again. She looked down at her hands resting on his chest, trying to decide if she should use them to push him away or to pull him closer. Stalling for time, she noticed the tear stains on his shirt and pulled at his sport coat to try and cover the damp spot. She smoothed down his lapels and with a sharp pat of approval, she extricated herself from him.
Chakotay couldn’t help the disappointed sigh that escaped from his lips. He had been so close to getting through to her but now, here was Captain Janeway to lock Kathryn away again.
Kathryn surprised him, though, by looping her arm through his and giving a little tug to indicate that they start walking again.
She smiled up at him with her blue eyes shining. “Come on, Chakotay. We have a time ship to track down!”
Chakotay smiled too and followed her lead, down the boardwalk and into the future.