In contrast to my last story 'Fallen' which was all about lies, this one is about facing the truth.

Incidentally, this works best if set way way back in season three.

Disclaimer: The Voyager universe, and all therein, belongs to Paramount and a lot of Very Rich People. The story is mine, however. So sue me if you want to, oh mighty PTB. You may take my money, but you'll never take my freedom.

There should have been sunlight. That was her first thought upon waking up that morning. Sunlight streaming through the window. But there was no sunlight. No window either. Just the uniform view out the viewport, of stars flying past at warp seven.

She rolled over onto her back, wincing slightly at the movement, and stretched her arms over her head. She accidentally dug her elbow into the warm mass beside her as she did so, and he shifted and sighed, apparently on the last edges of unconsciousness.

It was nothing if not highly amusing. Last night before the party, she never would have imagined that in just a few hours she would be waking up naked in Chakotay's bed. And it wasn't so extremely terrible after all. It was actually quite pleasant - and would have been more so if not for the nagging ache in her head.

"Some party, huh?"

She opened her eyes to find him lying on his side watching her - she hadn't noticed him turning over.

"Some party," she had to agree, as she closed her eyes again.

"I must say, I'm surprised you're still here. I would have thought you'd have left in the middle of the night."

"Well, sorry to disappoint you. Would you like me to leave now?"

"Not disappointed, Kathryn. Surprised."

"Good. I'm not sure I'd get very far, anyway."

"Headache?"

"Mmm. You?"

"A little. Want me to get you something?"

"No, I'm alright... Actually, yes. Coffee. In a very large cup, please."

"Are you sure coffee is-"

"Yes."

"I just thought a nice cup of herbal t-"

"Coffee, Chakotay," she began and opened her eyes only to see his face and realise he was baiting her. She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Just go, Commander."

She contemplated the ceiling as he rose gingerly beside her and listened as he moved around his quarters quietly. Yes, sunlight would have been nice. But naked was naked. And sex was very rarely anything but sex. And last night... that was definitely sex...

"Computer, time."

The answer made her groan just a little. And then Chakotay returned, and she tried to remember, in a flash of panic, why in all hell she was still just lying there when she should have been out that door the moment she opened her eyes. Then she tried to sit up, and she remembered quite clearly why she'd remained in a horizontal position.

If the expletive that left her lips, in that first moment of head-splitting pain, in any way shocked her first officer, he didn't mention it.

"Coffee," he said instead.

"Thank God," seemed like the only suitable reply. There was a long moment of silence, then "What's that?"

"Just a detox hypo. You'll need one anyway before you go back on duty."

"I imagine these will be in high demand this morning."

"No doubt"

"Chakotay... I remember most of last night, but some of the details are just a little blurry... How... obvious were we?"

He sighed. "I wouldn't worry. By the time we left most of the people still around were as bad as us, if not worse."

She sighed as well, though in relief.

"Kathryn... I have to ask... I'm not sure what last night means for-"

"God, do you *really* want to talk about this *now*? We have to be on the bridge in half an hour!"

"Why do I suddenly get the feeling you're about to promise we'll talk later, and then conveniently forget this whole thing ever happened between now and then?"

"Chakotay... I just don't feel like I want to be having this conversation while I'm lying here, in your bed, completely naked, with the mother of all hangovers."

"What's wrong, Kathryn? Afraid you'll lose your objectivity? Well I'm afraid that was thrown out the airlock last night - I believe it was around the time you had you tongue-"

"Alright! Point taken. Fine. You want to talk? Let's talk. Though I'm not sure what you're expecting from me."

"I don't know - some kind of acknowledgment maybe? I'd like the truth, I know that much, but just this once I'd like for you to *not* bring Voyager, the crew, and their safe deliverance to the Alpha Quadrant into it - as if all of that doesn't factor into every decision I make as well."

"Fine. You want a truth? How about this? I regret what happened last night. It was a mistake - though a not altogether surprising one... I barely remember... our first kiss... I regret that. It just seems like one moment we were stumbling off the holodeck, the next we were stumbling into your quarters..."

"I regret that too," he admitted, then added a little hesitantly, "We could make up for it now..."

"Do you think that's a good idea?"

"Quite frankly I don't care."

...

"Was that so bad?"

She sighed. "No, it was quite nice, actually. Except..."

"Except?!"

"Well that tea - what is it, peppermint? It did sort of clash with the coffee."

"It was a bit odd."

"Perhaps we shouldn't do that again."

"Perhaps. But perhaps the flavour is just strange because we're not used to it. It doesn't mean the change is a bad idea."

"I'm not sure I'd ever consider peppermint coffee anything but a bad idea..."

He just looked at her.

"Oh, weren't you talking about the coffee then?"

And looked at her.

"Chakotay, I told you I wasn't up for this conversation. You know, we only have a few minutes until we're officially late."

And looked at her.

She sighed.

"Alright then! Why don't *you* try the truth, Chakotay? It was your idea after all."

"The truth? Are you sure - I thought you weren't *up for this conversation*"

"Well, you seem so determined to get this all out in the open. So why don't you just tell me what the hell you want from me?"

"A chance, Kathryn. That's all."

"Oh, Chakotay..."

"You know it probably wouldn't be nearly as terrible as you imagine."

"It's already bad enough - I'm here lolling about with you when I'd normally be on the bridge already."

That was a lame excuse. She tried again - it seemed like something she ought to do. He played the devil's advocate, and she was the voice of reason. So she tried again.

"Chakotay, it would be a bad idea - you know why."

"I can't help but question all that when you're sitting in my bed like this. You know if you'd wanted to you'd have left by now."

She sighed. "It's a bad idea."

"Probably. But it might be nice."

"It might."

A small concession. And then... a hand on her thigh, beneath the sheet. Damn.

"I suppose... it might be worth it - if only for the sex."

A grin. "It would be a definite bonus."

"Best damn sex I've had in the last few years, actually."

A smirk. "You mean I was better than Paris the Lizard King?"

"Yes, I'd say that's a safe assumption."

A snicker. "How about Lord Burleigh?"

"Most definitely."

"Even Q?"

"Oh, I actually meant 'best damn sex *with a non-omnipotent individual* in the last few years'."

"I love a challenge."

The hand moved higher.

"We're going to be late."

"I know. You don't mind?"

"God... keep doing that... oh... and I'll overlook it just this once..."

"Always, Kathryn." This last, breathed against her lips.

And damnit if all thoughts of sunlight - or the lack thereof - didn't just fly from her brain.

end

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Seven has "implants" underneath that catsuit of hers.