Title: In The Rain

Author: Yarb

Rating: PG-13

Author’ Note: Sort of an episode addition. Continuing from “Night” Feedback, please?

Disclaimer: What do you mean they’re not mine?!? Hehe, we all know Paramount would never give Star Trek to anybody. Especially not the fans, though we would have fun. BTW I’m making no money from this.

*~*~*~*~*~*

    Kathryn’s boot splashed through a small puddle as she walked down the dark street. The rain had stopped for the moment. But she could tell by the thunder that it wouldn’t last long. She didn’t know how long she had been walking. But she was relieved to find solitude. But she didn’t notice the figure in the shadows behind her.

    He had been following her for well over an hour. He didn’t want to interrupt, but he also found that he couldn’t leave. He had a deep feeling that he should be here for her. It took him a long time to finally decide that he should make his presence known.

    Kathryn noticed something odd. The instinct now pushed it’s way past her dismal state. Someone was following her. She scanned the street in front of her, and saw an alley to her left. She disappeared into the darkness.

    “Computer, one mid-twentieth century handgun.” She intended to scare the hell out of whoever had the nerve to follow her.

    Chakotay saw her step into the alley. He made his way along the street slowly. He turned the corner, and came face to face with the barrel of Kathryn’s gun. He froze. Looking at her face, he could tell she was not happy.

    “Kathryn.” He spoke softly.

    She lowered her weapon, and sighed. Her eyes showed how tired she was, and the dark circles under them gave further proof.

    “Why are you following me?” she asked wearily.

    “I came looking for you. I thought you would want to talk.” His eyes searched her face. “And I was worried.”

    “I’m perfectly fine, Chakotay.”

    “Kathryn, you’ve been hiding almost as much as when we were in the Void. I haven’t seen you on the Bridge in three days.”

    She sighed again.

    “I really don’t want to talk about it right now.”

    “I can be just as stubborn as you. You need to talk to somebody.”

    She could tell that he wasn’t going to give in any time soon. His eyes told her that, looking into them, she could see determination, and unspoken love.

    She stepped past him, and continued down the city street. She walked slowly, so he would know that she wasn’t angry.

    “So what have you been thinking about for the past hour and a half?” he asked as he fell into stride beside her.

    She looked up in surprise. He’d been following her for that long?

    “About what I told you that day in my quarters. And what you did on the Bridge…I’m glad you didn’t let me leave.”

    “Well the crew has become slightly attached to their captain.” He smiled down at her, “As have I.”

    She returned his smile with a small one of her own.

    “But you can’t always be Captain Janeway.”

    Kathryn stopped, she lowered her gaze to the ground in front of her. She didn’t want to hear this. Not now, and certainly not from him. Then she felt his fingers on her chin. He pulled her face up, forcing her to look at him.

    “You can’t keep that mask on all of the time. I’ve seen Kathryn, and I would like to see her more often.”

    “You know I have a ship to run. This crew looks up to me. If I’m not a good captain, then what’s the point?”

    “Kathryn, you’ve always been a good captain. I don’t think you know how to be a bad one. You do everything you can for this ship and crew. But what about you? What do you get out of it?”

    “I shouldn’t expect anything out of it! I decided to stay in this damn quadrant, I need to show them that it wasn’t in vain.” “And kill yourself in the process?”

    “The crew takes precedence. They come first. What I want isn’t important.”

    “But it is. When you’re happy, the crew is happy, despite the reasons.” Before he thought the words slipped past his lips. “I could make you happy.”

    She turned and was about to walk away, but she didn’t she the curb. The toe of her boot hit the edge, and she stumbled.

    Acting quickly, Chakotay grabbed her arm before she fell. He helped her regain her balance with his other hand on her waist.

    In the moment that his arm was around her, he had the urge to pull her to him and kiss away all of her inhibitions.

    He forced himself to drop his hands from her body, but her fingers gripped his.

    His words had angered her at first. But when she started to fall, he had caught her. Every time she had stumbled on this journey, he had been there for her, even if he didn’t agree with her choices.

    As she looked up into his eyes, she felt the rain starting to fall again.

    “Thank you.” She eased her arms around him in a hug.

    Chakotay was surprised for a moment, but then returned her embrace, wrapping his own arms around her.

    They stood there awhile, in the rain. As Kathryn’s head leaned against his chest, she realized how much she wanted to be held by him. She didn’t want him ever to let go. In that moment, Kathryn decided to make a leap of faith. She had told herself time and again that she would wait until they were home, but they might not have that time, and his words did make sense to her. The crew were happy when she was.

    “Let me make you happy.” she whispered as she pressed her body against his. She ran her fingers up the back of his neck, then pulled his head down so she could reach his lips.

    As Chakotay had been holding so close to him, he had told himself that he wouldn’t take advantage of her. But now, she was the one making the move. The kiss started out gentle, but he just couldn’t control himself. He parted his lips to explore her mouth. One of his hands found it’s way into her hair, damp from the rain. While the other pulled her to him, closing whatever space there had been between them. He pushed her gently backwards until her back was up against the wall of a building. He moved one hand up to her chest, causing her to moan into his mouth.

    Being slowly driven crazy with something that had been suppressed for years, Kathryn was enjoying this immensely. She pushed one of her knees in between his legs, making him gasp.

    His mouth moved along her jaw, and down her neck, leaving her skin hot from his touch. He reached behind her to pull her all the more closer, if that was possible.

    Kathryn paused, listening.

    Chakotay noticed her hesitation, and looked into her eyes.

    “What is it, Kathryn?”

    “Someone’s coming.” She whispered the reply.

    He sighed, something always came up. As the footsteps became slightly louder, the two straightened their posture. Chakotay stepped back, releasing her from his grip. Then the figure appeared around the corner. Whoever it was, they were dressed in 20th century clothing, just as Kathryn was. As the person neared them, he nodded, then continued down the street.

    Kathryn and Chakotay turned to watch him disappear around another corner.

    Chakotay looked at her expectantly.

    “How am I supposed to know? I just chose a program of early earth, something quiet so I could think. Maybe there’s a plot to the program.”

    Chakotay turned to her, and started to button up the long jacket she was wearing. Her pulse quickened at his gentle touch.

    “Well my dear, what do you say we continue this somewhere a little drier?” he asked.

    “And a little warmer?” she looked up at him, then traced the side of his face with her fingers. “Thank you.” She whispered, giving him a quick hug, before they started back up the street.

    “Don’t thank me just yet,” he grinned. “Computer exit.”

FIN

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