Kathryn, For The Very Last Time

By the Purple Goddess

Rated PG-13

a 1001 stories challenge

She’s never looked more beautiful. I know I’ve seen her a million times like this: from miles above. Blue and green – she still takes my breath away.

"Captain to the bridge. We’re in transporter range." My own voice sounds detached, like it belongs to someone else. I can’t believe we are finally at the end of our long journey. Five years, three months and two days to be exact; Kathryn could probably tell me the hours, minutes and seconds if I asked her.

Suddenly I can feel her presence behind me. I turn to look at her and realize that she is fighting back tears. She looks at me and gives me a crooked smile.

"Captain, Admiral Watson is ready for you to beam down to Headquarters."

"Thanks, Ensign Kim…Harry."

She looks at him like a proud mother and he stands a little straighter.

"Tuvok, you have the bridge." She turns to me and can’t meet my eyes. "Chakotay, you’re with me."

We enter the turbolift in silence. We’ve traveled two decks before I call for it to halt. She looks anywhere but at me.

"Kathryn."

She turns to me and the tears that she has been holding back are now streaming down her face.

"It’s going to be crazy down there."

She’s nodding at me and I know she can’t speak. I look at her and decide I need an answer before we rush into the chaos that awaits us.

"I’ve told you ancient legends and held you when you cried. I’ve been your best friend and you’ve been mine through the best and worst times of this journey." I look at her face: so full of love, but so afraid. I have to know that she isn’t going to run away now that we are home.

"I know the Maquis have been promised a full pardon, but I don’t know what’s going to happen when we’re actually down there." I take a deep breath and steel myself for the worst. I am ready for her protocol speech, but I have to say my peace.

"Kathryn, for the very last time, I love you. No stories to hide behind: just me. I need to know if you could ever love me, too. I need to know if you want me; if not I’ll understand." I find something on the floor very interesting to look at. "I just need to know."

"Oh, Chakotay." Suddenly she is in my arms sobbing her heart out. She is whispering something over and over. I soon realize she is saying ‘I love you. I’ve always loved you.’ I nearly cry at her admission. Five years I have waited for her to voice her love for me. I love her more now that I ever thought possible.

"Kathryn, look at me." Her blue eyes, so full of tears, finally focus on my face and I smile at her. "We’ll make this work. I promise."

She pulls me closer to her and I can feel her heart beating against mine. "Kiss me." She whispers.

My lips softly brush against hers and I am content to pull away and finish this later. But she pulls me into her again and I am lost. Her sweet tongue tastes my lips and I open my mouth to accept her greedily. Both of us are moaning and I am beginning to become breathless.

"Kathryn, we have to stop now. I, I can’t…not here. Later, my love."

"I’ve waited five long years, Chakotay."

She says my name so huskily that I almost give in and carry her to her off to her quarters to make love to her until we both can’t move. "Tonight, on Earth. You’ll be mine."

"Promise?"

"Oh, Yes."

The Ensign in the transporter room barely bats an eye at our joined hands and that fact that we don’t drop them even when Kathryn calls for beamdown. As my body tingles and I’m transporting down to Earth and my new life, I know that everything will be ok. Kathryn is finally, wholly mine and tonight, tonight we will fly together as one among the stars.

---END---

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