In the silence of her ready room Kathryn read the unofficial report from her first officer in disbelief. While she had met with the Coturi High Chancellor Chakotay had been discovering the social aspects of the culture, including the reason for the locked room the night before.
‘They seem to believe that contentment is the most important part of society. In order for all the roles to function there must be contentment. That contentment appears to be gained through close relationships with loved ones. Ancient myths tell of Coturis who traveled the galaxy in discontent until he found a beautiful woman to spend the rest of his life with.’
Kathryn shook her head. All that for contentment. And, she realised, the Coturi guide must have decided that they were content enough to meet with the Elders.
She continued to scroll down the rest of the report on the PADD. Near the bottom there was a personal message.
‘Don’t forget about the puppet show tonight in holodeck 1. If you don’t put in an appearance, Neelix will kill me and I’d rather kill him first.’
She laughed. Naomi had found references to puppet shows in the database and had managed to persuade Neelix to put one on. The captain had agreed, providing that Chakotay, who was a master storyteller, lay out the story. That way, she thought, at least there would be no obvious references to any of Voyager’s crew. Tom had created a suitable holodeck program, referencing his knowledge of the twentieth century. Kathryn smiled to herself. Chakotay wouldn’t have t worry about Neelix killing him; she wasn’t going to miss this event if she could help it.
Later that evening she cheerfully relinquished her place of honour on the holodeck to young Naomi, who could barely sit still in excitement. Of her senior crew Kathryn saw no sign. She wondered if they had all had a hand in the production. The Tuvok appeared by her side, followed closely by Seven and the Doctor, and she hastily amended her assumption.
Chakotay had chosen his story well. The narrator, voiced by Tom, told the tale of a lone wolf, searching for peace and happiness. The wolf, growled wonderfully by B’Elanna, eventually found his home with the hero and heroine, whom he had first tried to kill. Kathryn recognised Harry as the hero but it took her a few moments more to realise that the falsetto of the heroine belonged to her first officer.
She glanced around at her viewing companions. Naomi was completely enthralled by the performance and Icheb was looking interested as well. Even Seven and Tuvok were managing not to look completely bored. The entire audience gave a standing ovation when it was all over and the puppets took their bows gracefully.
“So what did you think, Naomi?” Kathryn asked the young girl.
“I loved it,” was the enthusiastic reply.
“You loved it, did you?” a high-pitched voice came from beside Kathryn’s ear. Naomi started to giggle and the captain spun her head around to find herself face to face with the heroine of the story, peeking out above the chair next to her. “Did you love it when I was nearly killed by the wolf, hmm?”
“Well, no,” Naomi admitted.
“Good. I didn’t like it either. And did you enjoy it, Captain?”
“I thought it a perfectly wonderful story,” Kathryn replied.
The puppet took a bow. “Why, thank you. Now, are you staying for the party?”
Kathryn shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”
“Wimp” was the accusation leveled at her.
Naomi looked a bit shocked to hear the captain called that but Kathryn just laughed. “I know. But a captain’s work is never done. If you see my first officer will you make my apologies for me?”
“He’ll be disappointed,” the puppet warned.
“I know.” She patted the puppet on its head. “But I’m sure he’ll understand. Will you tell him?”
“All right, I’ll find him. Bye Captain, bye Naomi.” The puppet disappeared behind the chair.
Naomi giggled. “That was funny.” She turned to look at the captain. “Do you really have to leave?”
“I’m afraid so, sweetheart.”
The child sighed. “Okay. Well, thank you for coming.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it.”
After making her goodbyes, Kathryn began the walk back to her quarters. During an event such as this the ship’s corridors were always unnaturally quiet. Those who weren’t on the holodeck enjoying the festivities were either overseeing essential systems or fast asleep in their quarters. The events, as usual, would have been recorded, and the file available to all crewmembers for playback at any time.
Her quarters were softly illuminated when Kathryn opened her door. The light came from the table where a bottle stood waiting. Kathryn crossed the room and picked up the container. A note was attached to it, handwritten – the writer had left a beautiful wooden fountain pen on the table beside it.
‘Kathryn, take it you saw my report. Figured we should celebrate foiling another of Tom’s crazy plots. Will be back shortly. C. P.S. don’t worry, I used MY rations. P.P.S. Get changed out of that unform. First officer’s orders.’
Kathryn smiled, put the note back on the table and crossed over to her bedroom to change.
Chakotay didn’t take long to arrive.
“That was devious, mister,” she laughed as she let him in.
“I had to act fast. Couldn’t believe it when you said you were leaving so soon.”
“You do look a bit exhausted.”
He slumped down on the couch. “Transporting takes a lot out of a person. Especially that many times in so short a time. B’Elanna now officially thinks I’m nuts, not to mention poor Ensign Meares who’s manning the transporter station tonight.”
Kathryn looked down at him, hands on hips. “All that for a bottle of champagne? I’m impressed.”
“Not just any bottle either. That’s a Picard.”
“Okay. So, I’m now I’m impressed even more. I wasn’t aware we had that pattern in the replicator.” She continued looking down at him. “You going to open it, then?”
He held out a hand. “Bring it over. ‘Cause I’m not moving.”
The bottle was opened, the champagne poured, glasses were clinked together in salutation. The conversation continued to flow smoothly.
“Mmm,” Kathryn sighed, a short time later after taking a sip from her glass. “Lovely. But Chakotay, why are we celebrating?”
“Why not?” he replied. “Actually, it was either this or recommend the entire lot for promotion. It was certainly more ingenious than the old stalled turbolift tactic.”
Kathryn laughed. “I have to agree with you there.” She turned serious. “But I do have a confession to make.”
“Oh?”
“I don’t know that I deserve this champagne. After all, I nearly blew it last night.”
He turned to face her. “Kathryn, the chair was fine for me Really.”
“I noticed. You fell asleep so easily after declining my offer to share. I tried calling across to you but you didn’t answer. The thing is,” she swallowed. “I was hoping to get you to change your mind.”
He blinked. “What?”
She put the glass down on the table and turned her whole body to face him. “Last night I was ready to throw protocol completely out the window.”
“And tonight?” There was no answer. “Kathryn. Don’t get me wrong when I say this but I’m glad that didn’t happen. In another time, in another place, maybe. But not now. I’ve been a captain and I know all about the problems you get when you become involved with a member of the crew. Been there, done that, remember?” She nodded and he noticed the tears appear in her eyes. “Hey,” he said gently. “I’m flattered and, quite honestly, I’m relieved that you do feel something for me. Sometimes it’s been hard to tell.”
“Oh, Chakotay. I do,” she burst out.
“Good,” he smiled. “And you can bet that when we get home I am going to come after you. You won’t be able to get rid of me.”
“I’d like that,” she gulped.
“Good.” He put his glass down on the low table in front of them. “I better go, don’t you think?” He stood up and turned. “I’ll leave you with this thought. You read my report, right? Saw that the Coturi place great emphasis on contentment. That was a test they put us through last night. They wanted to make sure we were at a certain level of contentment before we got that audience with the Chancellor. I’d say we passed that test.” He bent down and kissed her on the forehead. “Goodnight, Kathryn.”
Kathryn didn’t know if she’d get any sleep that night. But she slept well and woke up in the morning feeling refreshed. It was good to get her feelings toward her first officer out in the open.
The smile on her face lasted all day. At times, on the bridge, she would catch Chakotay’s eye and he would wink at her, making her grin even more. There was no tension between them, no awkwardness.
After her shift she returned to her quarters. They were due to meet Tom and B’Elanna for dinner shortly, and Kathryn wanted to change out of her uniform first.
Entering her bedroom she stopped in surprise. Sat on her bed, nestled in front of her pillow, was a small black teddy bear. Close inspection revealed a key hanging from his neck. Attached to the same ribbon as the key was a small card.
‘Kathryn. There’s always a key. This key is yours. This bear is also now yours, for the nights when the bed is too big for one person. With love. Chakotay.’
She smiled as she sat down on the bed. The bear wasn’t quite as good as having the giver to hold but for now it would have to do.
FINIS