by ALM_Voyager
© September 10, 2000
Disclaimer: Voyager belongs to Paramount Pictures. No infringement intended.
"Commander," Kathryn looked at the man who stood across from her, the next day, where she was seated at her ready room desk. "I am going to make you my priority."
"I beg your pardon?" Chakotay had answered after only what was a demanded moment of hesitation.
"A priority?" she tried again. "You and I . . . well, we know each other only on a superficial level . . but, in order for us to be a top Commanding team, utilizing and drawing on each other's skills at 100% efficiency," she paused thinking, "I think we'll have to get to know each other a little better than that. Do you agree?"
Did he agree? Did he agree to getting to know her better? Wait . . .wait-wait-wait . . . did that include the personal *personal* or just the personal. "Of course, Captain," his mouth blurted out for him.
"Great," she smiled with the word. "May I suggest we have lunch together then? Today?"
His head whirled at how fast their command relationship was moving. Wasn't it just yesterday she was trying to apprehend him as a renegade outlaw? And now she was apprehending him for lunch? In public? On a get-to-know you basis? "Lunch sounds good," he smiled back. Oh stupid, stupid stupid stupid! Wait, smart.
"Well, then," was she softening her voice for him? Did her vocal cords and lips do that intentionally? "see you when the Leola root calls."
Kathryn Janeway had cracked a joke. A small joke, but a joke nonetheless. Chakotay felt the corners of his mouth turning upward as he stepped out onto the bridge and, he was pretty sure, *floated* back to his commanding chair.
"Status report?" he murmured for the heck of it, not really caring.
Tom turned in his chair, "We've cleared that nebula . . . no sign of radiation or hostile aliens or," he paused with a grin, "any M-Class planets to vacation on. Wouldn't you like a vacation, Commander?"
Chakotay blinked, lifting his gaze slowly up from the console, located between the chairs, that he had been studying. "A vacation hardly seems an appropriate scan, Lieutenant."
Tom pursed his lips together in resignation and started to turn around. Stopping halfway there, he turned back, he was used to taking chances, "When was the last time you had a vacation? It must've not been recently, Chakotay, what with your Maquis expeditions."
"I've taken some time on the holodeck, Mr. Paris. Return to your work," he suggested more than commanded.
Tom was getting frustrated. His first idea was some holodeck vacation program . . . but for the life of him, after several risk-taking questions he had posed to the other man, he hadn't a clue if Chakotay would like even *that*! Shrugging, Tom returned to piloting the ship.
The ready room doors slid open and Chakotay glanced down at a PADD that was sitting neatly on top of the console beside him. Noting the time, he realized it would be another 2 hours before lunch came along. '*Lunch*' his mind drooled.
Kathryn Janeway walked toward Chakotay, but didn't sit beside him. "B'Elanna's run into a few problems with those recalibrations."
"Still locked out from those override codes?" he asked, careful with his choice of words.
"Seska did one hell of a job," Kathryn glanced around at the stations as she muttered the words. Everyone seemed to be fulfilling their duties. "I'll be in Engineering."
"Understood," Chakotay swallowed, pushing away the memories of another 'wrong woman.'