Changes
by Holly
Disclaimer: Paramount owns all, no infringement intended.
It’s always the same every day, for the last seven years. Sure there’s some species of aliens that the crew comes into contact with but that’s merely a short diversion. But in the end it all remains stationary.
“Anyone sitting here?” a familiar voice questioned.
Looking up Kathryn Janeway spied her first officer. Ah, another monotony. Every morning she sits there, drinking her coffee and Chakotay comes about 10 minutes into her routine. He always asks if the seat is taken, and of course it never has been.
“Nope, just for you,” she replied absent mindedly.
His smile partially deflating, he took his seat across from her.
Sitting there a few moments he began to studying her face.
“What’s wrong Kathryn?”
“Nothing,” she lied, taking another sip of her now lukewarm coffee.
“Don’t try that,” he responded, taking a bite of his breakfast. “I’ve been around you too long and know you too well to believe that.”
“Well you’re going to have to believe me.”
“Or not.”
“Excuse me?”
“Just tell me what’s wrong.”
“It’s nothing.”
“We do this every time something is bothering you. I ask what’s wrong, you say nothing, then I spend several days trying to figure it all out. Can’t you just give me a break, for once?”
With this a small smile was coaxed from Kathryn’s lips. She looked at him a minute, deciding.
“Fine.”
“Okay…”
“It’s always the same.”
“The same?”
“Yes, every day.”
At Chakotay’s blank look she elaborated.
“Our routine, that is.”
“Well if it bothers you then I could always come five minutes earlier,” he responded, attempting to lighten the mood yet obviously failing.
“I’m serious Chakotay.”
“I know you are but what am I suppose to do?”
“I didn’t say you have to do anything about it.”
“Then why did you mention it?”
Glaring at him she replied, “You told me to give you a break for once.”
“Right.”
“Anyway, it’s just a little disconcerting not to mention boring.”
“Then change it.”
“But…”
“But in a way you like it.”
Another glare.
“That doesn’t change the fact that it is boring. Every morning we eat together, begin our shifts, then we eat lunch with members of the senior staff. Followed by a variety of reports and then in the evening there’s some holoprogram or another such event taking place.”
“Well what else is there to do on Voyager?”
“Nothing.”
“Guess we’re back to the beginning again,” he said, trying to hide one of his dimpled smiles.
“You see, this is why I never tell you anything.”
“Sure you do, you always do. It just usually takes a few days.”
Kathryn rolled her eyes at this.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me.”
“I can if I want, I am the Cap…”
“Will the two of you give it up for just one morning?” a voice asked them.
Turning, they both were greeted by the visages of Tom and B’Elanna Paris.
“What?”
“Every morning you two sit through breakfast, bantering like a married couple.”
“Tom…”
“No, I’m serious. You’re right Captain, it’s always the same routine, bantering and flirting. If you want change, do something about it.”
With that Tom got up and left. B’Elanna gave the duo an apologetic smile, and followed Tom en suit.
*
Chakotay sat at the bar in the Sandrine’s holoprogram, talking to Tuvok.
“Coffee please,” Kathryn told the bartender as she approached.
“You know, that seems pretty routine Kathryn,” Chakotay said with a chuckle.
“Yeah, well, what do they always say ? ‘If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.’”
“The stubborn Kathryn Janeway ‘joining ‘em?’ Now there must definitely be something wrong.”
“You know what?”
“What?
She paused. “Never mind,” she said. Frustrated, she left the holodeck.
Realizing that Kathryn was serious Chakotay set his drink down and followed her.
”Kathryn, wait,” he said, running to her right before she reached her quarters.
With a sigh she stopped and turned to face him.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m just…”
“No, I should have been more sensitive. I hadn’t realized this was bothering you so much,”
“It’s okay.”
They stopped there a moment, looking each other in the eyes, reading the unspoken thoughts that were hidden there.
“Do you want a change?” he asked.
“Sure…”
With this he leaned forward, and gave her a small kiss on the lips.
“Was that an okay change?” he asked, taking one of her hands.
Smiling one of her small crooked smiles, she replied. “Yeah.”
“Goodnight Kathryn.” Dropping her hand he turned and slowly walked to his door.
Just before entering her own, she said loudly as so he could hear “I wouldn’t mind anymore of your changes.”
Smiling at her he replied “I’ll see what I can do about that.”
With this they each entered their separate quarters.
The End