"So, what's this I heard about Saint Patrick's Day today?" Chakotay asked.
"Oh, it's an old holiday we're celebrating it the Fair Haven program," she said in-between gulps of coffee.
"Oh, I see," Chakotay said, somewhat absently mindedly.
"Some of the crew is going to go to the pub in the program, drink, arm wrestle and what have you. Really just an excuse to go there," she said with a smile.
"Hope you have fun," he commented as he took the last bite of his meal.
She looked up at him in surprise. "What, you're not coming?" she asked quizzically.
"I never really got into that program too much," he told her.
They both got up and walked over to the recycler to recycle their plates.
"Well you're coming," she said. Off his look she added "I'll make that a command if I have to. Anyways, I've noticed that you haven't been interacting with the crew much lately. Maybe it will do you some good."
"This coming from Ms. Withdrawn herself?" he teasingly asked her.
They then walked out of the mess hall and entered the turbolift. "The Bridge," Chakotay ordered.
"Just like myself, all you need is a little help," she smiled. Just before the doors opened to reveal the bridge she added "see you at 1900 in holodeck two."
Chakotay walked into the holodeck with trepidation. He really didn't want to be there. But Kathryn had insisted on it and he knew that he wouldn't hear the last of it if he didn't come.
"Chakotay, over here," Kathryn's voice called out.
Chakotay turned to his left to see her standing at the bar, motioning for him to come over.
He slowly walked over to her, noticing with whom she had been talking to.
"Chakotay, as you already know this is Michael Sullivan," Kathryn said gesturing to him. "Michael, this is my fir...friend. Chakotay."
They shook hands in a very formal manner, each eying the other carefully. "Nice to meet you again," Chakotay said as pleasantly as he could muster.
"You too,"Michael replied. "Haven't seen you around here much."
"No, I've been busy. I was persuaded to come here tonight though," Chakotay said. "Anyways, if you wouldn't mind I think I'll sit down."
Chakotay ordered a drink and went to sit at a table in the corner of the pub. He sat there, watching her talk to him. She was smiling as she talked. Not her formal, put-on smile. But that one that he rarely ever saw. The one she smiled when she was truly happy, all worries forgotten.
Chakotay knew that Michael was only a hologram, photons and force fields. But he couldn't help feeling jealous towards this hologram. His feelings even went as far as dislike. Chakotay knew that he was programmed to act the way he was, but still. He wondered why he had given Kathryn that advice so long ago. Making her not feel guilty for pursuing a relationship with Michael. It was funny really. Even though Kathryn and himself weren't lovers, they still felt guilty about any liaison they had.
"Chakotay, are you all right?" Kathryn asked, concern apparent in her voice.
She had walked over to his table and sat down across from him.
"Hmmm? Yeah, I'm fine. Just doing some thinking," he said.
"About?" Kathryn asked.
"Nothing really," he said, wishing the subject would change.
"Is that so? I couldn't help but notice you looking at Michael and myself..." she said in a hushed tone.
"Was I?" Chakotay asked, feigning innocence.
"Nice try Chakotay," Kathryn said. "You don't have to be..."
"Have to be what?" he asked.
Kathryn looked into his eyes, but unlike normally she couldn't read them. She decided to stop there. "Never mind."
"No, I'd like to know," he said gently.
She realized he wasn't going to let this go. "I just want you to know that there is nothing between the two of us," at his hurt expression she added "Michael and myself that is."
"Kathryn," he said with a sign. "You don't have to defend yourself with me. You don't owe me an explanation, it's your life."
"That's the thing Chakotay. I do owe you one. There is nothing between Michael and myself, honestly."
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked.
"Because...I just want you to know incase..." she stopped, noticing the sudden silence in the room.
"In case of what?" he asked, repeating her words.
"I'd rather not talk about it now," she offered.
"Well I would," he countered.
She looked at him and saw the determination on his face. "Fine, have it your way then."
At that she got up and left the holodeck, Chakotay in tow.
As the doors to the holodeck shut Kathryn stopped.
"Okay, let's talk then," she said.
"I'm not quite sure about what. Why are we even arguing?" he said.
"Us Chakotay, this is about us," she replied.
"Right. But to my knowledge there really is no us, beyond friendship that is," he said, his temper rising a little, as hers was doing as well.
"No, there is. We have just never talked about it before," she answered.
"And I wonder why that is," he said.
"Yes, blame it on me," she said bitterly.
"Fine, you want to talk, we'll talk," Chakotay said loudly. "I love you. How's that for talking? I've always loved you and to my own dismay at times will always continue to love."
"Well I love you too," she yelled.
"You do?" he asked, his voice quieter this time.
"Oh, of course I do Chakotay," she said matter-of-factly.
"But what about Michael..."
"How dense are you?! He's a hologram! Nothing more!" she said, frustrated.
"But I thought..." he trailed.
"Fine, you want me to prove it?" she asked rhetorically. "Computer, permanently delete hologram character Michael Sullivan from the database."
"Character deleted," the computer said in its monotonous voice.
"You didn't have to delete him, you know," he told her.
"Well I've always been one for drama," she said with a little laugh.
"Yes, you have," he told her, smiling his dimpled smile.
"Well, now that that's out of the way, shall we?" she asked, gesturing to the holodeck.
"Why not," he answered.
As they entered the holodeck they heard Tom say "Hey, does anyone know where Michael went?"
The End
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