Voyager fic: Making Amends 1/1
Sep. 1st, 1997 01:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
g3r_ysgrifennuTitle: Making Amends
Fandom: Star Trek: Voyager
Rating: PG
Pairing: Janeway/Chakotay
Authors Note: (From original posting) I've had this in my folder since I started chatting to YCD over the internet (though I haven't in ages), because she was pestering me to have a go. I don't consider myself any good, but both my worst critics liked this so it can't be all that bad. Now, of course, it's your turn. I don't mind constructive criticism...but be nice to me!
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Paramount, but the plot - such as it is - is strictly mine. I'm only borrowing the characters..honest!
"May I join you, Commander?"
Chakotay looked up from his PADD to see Captain Janeway stood over him, a bowl of Neelix's leola root stew in her hands and an earnest look on her face.
"By all means, Captain!" he nervously indicated for her to take the seat opposite. They sat in silence for a few moments, Janeway seeming to scrutinise him between hesitant sips of soup.
"Is that the crew reports you're working on?" she asked, finally, watching him tapp things into the PADD.
"Yes Captain. I'll have them to you by the morning." he added hastely. Damn, why did he feel so nervous?
"Uh huh," she feigned indifference. After a moment she put her spoon down with a sigh, "You know Chakotay, I wasn't trying to put pressure on you."
"Captain?"
"To finish those reports. I trust you to finish them on time, but you seem to think I'm trying to hurry you!"
"I'm sorry Captain, that wasn't my intention. I thought I was demonstrating my dedication to duty."
Janeway smiled sadly, "You shouldn't feel such a strong need to, Chakotay. It makes you look like a space cadet!" Chakotay chuckled at that. After a moment's hesitation she continued; "You never used to be so insecure with me before..."
"Before New Earth?" he ventured, equally hesitant at broaching such a difficult subject.
"Exactly," she exclaimed, relieved to have it out in the open. She looked at him apologetically, "I know I didn't behave very well towards you when we got back, and I regret that. I had a hard time integrating the friendship we developed on the planet with our working relationship."
"Have you managed it now?" Chakotay asked, hope building deep inside his soul. What was she trying to say? She sighed again, her blue eyes very sad.
"Well, no," she replied sadly, "By shutting you out I've made it almost impossible to even get back to our original working relationship."
Chakotay had to fight the urge to go over to her and hug her, wispering words of comfort and, yes love he admitted to himself, into that beautiful hair.
"Not impossible, Ka-Captain." he replied, unsure of how to respond.
"You see what I mean?" Dispair was etched all over her beautiful face, "You don't even know when you can call me by my first name anymore! I hurt your feelings too deeply, and I want to make it up to you - but I'm not sure how to start!"
Chakotay's heart raced as an infinite number of suggestions entered his mind. Swallowing, he picked one of the more harmless options.
"Well..Kathryn, you could start with...dinner?"
She seemed taken aback by this, and he nearly retracted the offer out of embarrassment when she spoke,
"You mean a date?" She sounded surprised, but not unwilling, and there was a brightness in her eyes that hadn't been there before, so he rode with it cautiously.
"I'd like that, but it doesn't have to be if it makes you feel uncomfortable." There, that would allow her to suggest something of a less...romantic nature. His heart sank when she gave him a grateful 'Bless you, Chakotay' look, but was then delightfully surprised when she said "No, dinner is fine. What time?"
"2000 hours, my quarters?" he couldn't believe she'd agreed!
"Fine. Who's buying?"
"I'll buy this time," he offered gallantly, "And if we have a next time it can be your turn. Sound fair?"
"Very fair," she smiled at him, and his heart soared, "I'll see you then. 'Bye Chakotay." she rose and headed out of the mess hall.
"Bye Kathryn. See you later." She graced him with one last smile as she went through the doors.
*~*~*~*~*
At 19:58, Chakotay was pacing around his quarters so fast he was sure he was going to wear a hole in the regulation-issue carpet. He couldn't believe how nervous he was - it was like being a teenager again! No amount of meditation could calm his nerves.
At precisely 20:00, the door chimed.
"Come in!" he called, praying he sounded calmer than he felt. Kathryn Janeway nervously crossed the threshold of his quarters. At the sight of her, Chakotay suddenly found himself breathless. She was wearing a red dress she had worn on New Earth, and her hair flowed loose over her shoulders.
"You look beautiful, Kathryn," he said, staring at her with unabashed adoration. She blushed, pleased at the compliment but shy of his scrutiny.
"I remembered how you always seemed to like this one." she replied,
"Mmm, accents your figure," when she blushed again he changed the subject, "I called up a couple of rice dishes, I hope you like them."
"I'm sure I will," she sat down at the table and examined the food, "They smell very nice. Is that mushroom?"
Chakotay nodded, "I've always been a sucker for them."
"So I recall - so much so that you needlessly put yourself on report."
As soon as the words were out of her mouth she seemed to regret them as much as Chakotay did. The last thing they needed at that moment was to be reminded of Seska. However, Chakotay felt the need to respond.
"I didn't feel it was needless," he told her, "I felt I was equally guilty as Seska, because I was the one for whom she stole the mushrooms in the first place. I also needed to get a point across to her."
"I suppose that's true," Kathryn conceeded, "Though you blame yourself for things far too easily. You should ease up on yourself a little."
"The same could be said of you, Kathryn." he ventured boldly. She regarded him for a moment, unsure of what he was getting at.
"How so?"
"You take everything so seriously! You can't even bring youself to relax when off-duty!"
"The captain of a starship is never truely off-duty," she replied wryly. He was grateful she was not taking offence at his words, "Anyway, wouldn't you say I'm relaxing now?"
"No," said Chakotay, to which she frowned in puzzlement, "You're very tense, and sitting as stiffly as you do on the bridge. And before you protest," he raised his hand to halt the objection he could see in her face, "I know what you look like when you're relaxed, Kathryn, and I'm not seeing that tonight."
"And what would you suggest?" she countered, sarcastic now, "Another shoulder rub?"
He was taken aback by her suggestion, a little overwhelmed by the memories and feelings it provoked. "Only if you want me to." he said eventually, attempting to sound as compossed as he could. Kathryn, however, was already regretting her words.
"I'm not sure I'm ready for a reprise of the 'Angry Warrior' speech, Chakotay." she said staring at her half-empty bowl.
"That's okay," he lied, "I don't think I'm ready for that either." Gods, how he wished he could just go over and take her in his arms, never to let go of her again. The longing was like a physical pain in his chest.
The conversation moved onto easier, more comfortable topics until Kathryn began to stifle a yawn behind her hand.
"Perhaps it's time you headed to bed Kathryn," Chakotay commented regretfully, "You have the morning shift tomorrow, right?"
She nodded, stifling another yawn, "Yes, I do. Thank you for a lovely evening. We'll have to do this again sometime."
Chakotay beamed, displaying his dimples, "That would be good, I like your company," she blushed slightly, "Just let me know when, and I'll see if I can clear my ever-busy diary!"
Kathryn laughed, "So nice of you to fit me in, Chakotay!"
"I'd drop just about anything for you Kathryn." he said, unintentionally turning serious. Her smile wavered a moment.
"Well, I'd better go." she got up out of her seat. Chakotay jumped up to walk her to the door.
"Goodnight then, Kathryn." he said, whistfully. He was caught off-guard when she reached up on tip-toe and kissed his cheek.
"Goodnight, Chakotay. Pleasant dreams." With that, she was gone. He chuckled to himself - he would have pleasant dreams indeed that night.
The End
Fandom: Star Trek: Voyager
Rating: PG
Pairing: Janeway/Chakotay
Authors Note: (From original posting) I've had this in my folder since I started chatting to YCD over the internet (though I haven't in ages), because she was pestering me to have a go. I don't consider myself any good, but both my worst critics liked this so it can't be all that bad. Now, of course, it's your turn. I don't mind constructive criticism...but be nice to me!
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Paramount, but the plot - such as it is - is strictly mine. I'm only borrowing the characters..honest!
"May I join you, Commander?"
Chakotay looked up from his PADD to see Captain Janeway stood over him, a bowl of Neelix's leola root stew in her hands and an earnest look on her face.
"By all means, Captain!" he nervously indicated for her to take the seat opposite. They sat in silence for a few moments, Janeway seeming to scrutinise him between hesitant sips of soup.
"Is that the crew reports you're working on?" she asked, finally, watching him tapp things into the PADD.
"Yes Captain. I'll have them to you by the morning." he added hastely. Damn, why did he feel so nervous?
"Uh huh," she feigned indifference. After a moment she put her spoon down with a sigh, "You know Chakotay, I wasn't trying to put pressure on you."
"Captain?"
"To finish those reports. I trust you to finish them on time, but you seem to think I'm trying to hurry you!"
"I'm sorry Captain, that wasn't my intention. I thought I was demonstrating my dedication to duty."
Janeway smiled sadly, "You shouldn't feel such a strong need to, Chakotay. It makes you look like a space cadet!" Chakotay chuckled at that. After a moment's hesitation she continued; "You never used to be so insecure with me before..."
"Before New Earth?" he ventured, equally hesitant at broaching such a difficult subject.
"Exactly," she exclaimed, relieved to have it out in the open. She looked at him apologetically, "I know I didn't behave very well towards you when we got back, and I regret that. I had a hard time integrating the friendship we developed on the planet with our working relationship."
"Have you managed it now?" Chakotay asked, hope building deep inside his soul. What was she trying to say? She sighed again, her blue eyes very sad.
"Well, no," she replied sadly, "By shutting you out I've made it almost impossible to even get back to our original working relationship."
Chakotay had to fight the urge to go over to her and hug her, wispering words of comfort and, yes love he admitted to himself, into that beautiful hair.
"Not impossible, Ka-Captain." he replied, unsure of how to respond.
"You see what I mean?" Dispair was etched all over her beautiful face, "You don't even know when you can call me by my first name anymore! I hurt your feelings too deeply, and I want to make it up to you - but I'm not sure how to start!"
Chakotay's heart raced as an infinite number of suggestions entered his mind. Swallowing, he picked one of the more harmless options.
"Well..Kathryn, you could start with...dinner?"
She seemed taken aback by this, and he nearly retracted the offer out of embarrassment when she spoke,
"You mean a date?" She sounded surprised, but not unwilling, and there was a brightness in her eyes that hadn't been there before, so he rode with it cautiously.
"I'd like that, but it doesn't have to be if it makes you feel uncomfortable." There, that would allow her to suggest something of a less...romantic nature. His heart sank when she gave him a grateful 'Bless you, Chakotay' look, but was then delightfully surprised when she said "No, dinner is fine. What time?"
"2000 hours, my quarters?" he couldn't believe she'd agreed!
"Fine. Who's buying?"
"I'll buy this time," he offered gallantly, "And if we have a next time it can be your turn. Sound fair?"
"Very fair," she smiled at him, and his heart soared, "I'll see you then. 'Bye Chakotay." she rose and headed out of the mess hall.
"Bye Kathryn. See you later." She graced him with one last smile as she went through the doors.
*~*~*~*~*
At 19:58, Chakotay was pacing around his quarters so fast he was sure he was going to wear a hole in the regulation-issue carpet. He couldn't believe how nervous he was - it was like being a teenager again! No amount of meditation could calm his nerves.
At precisely 20:00, the door chimed.
"Come in!" he called, praying he sounded calmer than he felt. Kathryn Janeway nervously crossed the threshold of his quarters. At the sight of her, Chakotay suddenly found himself breathless. She was wearing a red dress she had worn on New Earth, and her hair flowed loose over her shoulders.
"You look beautiful, Kathryn," he said, staring at her with unabashed adoration. She blushed, pleased at the compliment but shy of his scrutiny.
"I remembered how you always seemed to like this one." she replied,
"Mmm, accents your figure," when she blushed again he changed the subject, "I called up a couple of rice dishes, I hope you like them."
"I'm sure I will," she sat down at the table and examined the food, "They smell very nice. Is that mushroom?"
Chakotay nodded, "I've always been a sucker for them."
"So I recall - so much so that you needlessly put yourself on report."
As soon as the words were out of her mouth she seemed to regret them as much as Chakotay did. The last thing they needed at that moment was to be reminded of Seska. However, Chakotay felt the need to respond.
"I didn't feel it was needless," he told her, "I felt I was equally guilty as Seska, because I was the one for whom she stole the mushrooms in the first place. I also needed to get a point across to her."
"I suppose that's true," Kathryn conceeded, "Though you blame yourself for things far too easily. You should ease up on yourself a little."
"The same could be said of you, Kathryn." he ventured boldly. She regarded him for a moment, unsure of what he was getting at.
"How so?"
"You take everything so seriously! You can't even bring youself to relax when off-duty!"
"The captain of a starship is never truely off-duty," she replied wryly. He was grateful she was not taking offence at his words, "Anyway, wouldn't you say I'm relaxing now?"
"No," said Chakotay, to which she frowned in puzzlement, "You're very tense, and sitting as stiffly as you do on the bridge. And before you protest," he raised his hand to halt the objection he could see in her face, "I know what you look like when you're relaxed, Kathryn, and I'm not seeing that tonight."
"And what would you suggest?" she countered, sarcastic now, "Another shoulder rub?"
He was taken aback by her suggestion, a little overwhelmed by the memories and feelings it provoked. "Only if you want me to." he said eventually, attempting to sound as compossed as he could. Kathryn, however, was already regretting her words.
"I'm not sure I'm ready for a reprise of the 'Angry Warrior' speech, Chakotay." she said staring at her half-empty bowl.
"That's okay," he lied, "I don't think I'm ready for that either." Gods, how he wished he could just go over and take her in his arms, never to let go of her again. The longing was like a physical pain in his chest.
The conversation moved onto easier, more comfortable topics until Kathryn began to stifle a yawn behind her hand.
"Perhaps it's time you headed to bed Kathryn," Chakotay commented regretfully, "You have the morning shift tomorrow, right?"
She nodded, stifling another yawn, "Yes, I do. Thank you for a lovely evening. We'll have to do this again sometime."
Chakotay beamed, displaying his dimples, "That would be good, I like your company," she blushed slightly, "Just let me know when, and I'll see if I can clear my ever-busy diary!"
Kathryn laughed, "So nice of you to fit me in, Chakotay!"
"I'd drop just about anything for you Kathryn." he said, unintentionally turning serious. Her smile wavered a moment.
"Well, I'd better go." she got up out of her seat. Chakotay jumped up to walk her to the door.
"Goodnight then, Kathryn." he said, whistfully. He was caught off-guard when she reached up on tip-toe and kissed his cheek.
"Goodnight, Chakotay. Pleasant dreams." With that, she was gone. He chuckled to himself - he would have pleasant dreams indeed that night.
The End
