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(PG-13) (March 2007) by Camryn
Seven finally spoke up. "You wanted to see me, Captain?" "You lied to me." "Captain?" Kathryn slowly turned around and though her expression was one of calm, her eyes revealed simmering anger. "When I questioned you about spending so much time on the holodeck, you lied about what you were doing." Seven averted her eyes and folded her hands behind her then looked back at Kathryn. "Yes, Captain. I am prepared for any disciplinary measure you see fit." "It's not that simple," Kathryn said as she approached the railing, uncrossed her arms and leaned on it with both hands. Her eyes were narrowed slightly and she leaned menacingly toward Seven. "I do not understand." "You will make a formal apology to Commander Chakotay." There was a brief flash of surprise in the young woman's eyes. "Commander Chakotay is aware of this matter?" "He is, and he's quite angry, as well he should be! I'm not sure you grasp the seriousness of your actions, Seven. What you did was an invasion of privacy as well as a complete disregard of regulations." "Yes, Captain." "I expect you to follow those regulations like anyone else on this ship. Do you want to explain to me why you so blatantly chose to ignore them?" She was aware of Seven's discomfort past the stiff, cool exterior. "I wished to improve my social skills and prepare for a possible...romantic relationship." "I see." Kathryn straightened and crossed her arms again. "You could have done that without using anyone on this crew to create a…a partner." When Seven did not respond, she asked. "Was there any particular reason you chose Commander Chakotay?" Seven's discomfort became more apparent and she shifted her gaze away from Kathryn's eyes. "I prefer not to answer." "Oh, but I insist." Seven looked up sharply. Her posture stiffened and defiance clouded her eyes. "Very well. I find the commander an attractive male. He has been very kind to me and I am… comfortable with him." "You are attracted to him." Seven gave a curt nod in agreement. "Why not just tell him?" The question clearly put Seven off-balance and she stumbled over her words. "I… I have… difficulty... expressing..." "Instead you broke regulations," Kathryn interrupted sternly. "Creating a hologram in the likeness of not only your crewmate but one of your commanding officers, abandoned your post repeatedly, endangering everyone on this ship, and lied about it." "Aye, Captain," came the soft answer. "Wouldn't it have been less trouble to simply approach Commander Chakotay?" "I could not. I needed more… practice." Kathryn leaned over the railing again with a glare that put all those before it to shame. "I think you've had quite enough PRACTICE! From what I saw, you've moved far past practicing an approach!" Seven now refused to meet her eyes. "Until the three of us can meet, we will not discuss this further." She moved down to stand before her, forcing Seven to look at her. "In the meantime, you will prepare the formal apology which you will present to Commander Chakotay at that meeting. Your holodeck privileges are revoked until further notice." She stepped even closer. "Do I make myself clear?" "Yes, Captain." "Dismissed!" Kathryn watched her leave then slowly began to smile. Chakotay peeked out from the powder room and grinned before going to join her. "Do you think you may have enjoyed that just a bit too much?" he asked. "I did, didn't I?" Her smile turned to more or a sly grin. She turned to go to the replicator and added. "She's lucky I didn't throw her in the brig." "That would've been a little harsh." Kathryn turned to on her way to the replicator to approach the railing instead and pointed down at him. "You are the one who insisted I handle this." "You actually considered giving her brig time?" he asked with mild surprise. Her mouth twitched with a smile that nearly escaped and she started toward the replicator again. "Believe me, the brig would've been kind compared to the first thing that came to mind." She ordered coffee, and Chakotay climbed to the upper level to wait for her by the sofa. When she turned around with head bent forward and cup poised to drink, she looked at him from beneath her brows. "For a while, I was convinced this ship wasn't big enough for the both of us." Chakotay chuckled but there was a hint of surprise in his eyes as well as amusement. Kathryn took a sip of coffee then moved to sit on the sofa and he joined her. "What changed your mind?" She stalled, taking another sip of coffee. "Despite the arrogant attitude and defiance, we do need her expertise." To admit it didn't bother Kathryn. What did bother her was that Seven had crossed the wrong line. Not the one between obeying and breaking the rules, but the one between respecting and going after the Captain's property. The thought made her smile and she looked over at the man she had for so long thought of as hers. "I do not, however, need it badly enough to give her free access to you." She allowed herself a moment to enjoy the surprise on his face before turning her head forward to drink. There had been wonderful changes between them since the discovery of the secret holoprogram. While both had been angry at Seven's deception, Kathryn also saw it as a wake-up call. If Seven Of Nine had seen Chakotay as up for grabs, it was only a matter of time before the less bold women on board took notice. Surprisingly, it didn't take her long to come to a decision and once made, she wondered what she'd been so afraid of all those years. Chakotay was obviously delighted with the reappearance of the 'old' Kathryn. The distance that had grown between them was soon no more than an unpleasant memory. They had quickly resumed sharing meals in her quarters and even engaged in playful flirting. Still, she sensed he was holding back and couldn't blame him at all. He was wise to protect his heart where she was concerned. It was time to let him know he didn't have to do that any longer. From the corner of her eye she saw him tug at his ear and turned to smile apologetically. "I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable." "I'm just not sure where I stand with you," he said honestly then turned to look at her. "I thought I'd sent out the right signals." "I'm going to need more than signals, Kathryn." His voice was gentle but the words held a firm truth. "Alright." She leaned forward to set her cup on the coffee table then settled back and crossed her arms. She found it easier to focus on his rank bar rather than his eyes. "I was very angry when I found the program, as you know. Not just because she'd broken rules or because she'd put us all in danger by not being at her post, or even because she'd lied to me." Kathryn forced her eyes up to meet his. "I was jealous." "Of a hologram?" "Not just any hologram. A hologram of you." The revelation pleased him yet he waited for more. She smiled and tilted her head a little. "Right now Seven may be the only woman aboard with the nerve to make a play for you, but I asked myself how long it would be before others stepped up." Chakotay managed to conceal most of a grin. "The nerve?" She'd known the moment those words left her mouth that he would pick up on them, and she didn't regret them in the least. "Anyway," she grinned, "I thought I'd best throw my hat in the ring before it was too late." Her smile disappeared and tears pricked her eyes at the look on his face. She had seen love there many times before, but she knew now they were only glimpses. Now he hid nothing and it nearly took her breath away. He reached for her hand and gently squeezed it. "Don't you know yours is the only hat I'm interested in?" "I had my suspicions." Chakotay watched his thumb stroke the back of her small hand for a moment then looked up at her. "We have a lot to talk about," he said softly. Kathryn nodded. "But, we ARE on duty." His smile broke through. "We certainly wouldn't want to set a bad example for the crew by spending our shift discussing personal matters." Kathryn drew back and frowned a little. He was teasing her, and she supposed she deserved it. He had waited for years. She could wait a few hours. "I guess you'll just have to come to dinner," he went on and stood up. "Where are you going?" "I have to relieve Tuvok for lunch." With a sly grin he started for the door. "Dinner, my quarters, eighteen-thirty." Kathryn got up and rushed to the railing. "Chakotay!" He stopped short of triggering the door and turned around. The now smug grin on his face told her he'd known she would stop him. He put his hands on his hips and tilted his chin out. "Yes, Captain?" Low blow that it was, Kathryn ignored the use of title and looked down to watch a fingernail run along the railing. "I've been known to bend a rule now and then." "Your point?" he asked as he approached and looked up at her. She lifted her eyes and saw the mischief in his. "You're guilty as well, you know." He moved even closer, his chest brushing her fingertips. "Where are you going with this?" Kathryn worried her lower lip for a moment as they gazed at one another then slowly reached up to hold his face. "Just here," she whispered and leaned down to kiss him. The kiss was very tender, not meant to excite but a first sweet touch and taste of lips. When she straightened, Chakotay's eyes remained closed for a moment before he swallowed and looked at her. He lowered his hands from where they'd come to rest at her waist during the kiss and softly cleared his throat. "Permission to leave, before I decide to let the Vulcan go hungry." Her shoulders shook with silent laughter as she lifted a hand toward his face. He quickly backed away beyond her reach and moved toward the door again. "Chakotay, wait!" "If I don't leave now..." "But I need to tell you," she said urgently, and watched him pass through the doors. She grinned and finished, "That you have lipstick on you mouth."
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