Disclaimer: My story. Paramount's toys. Nuff said. This story is complete now with the 4 chapters all one after the other on the same page. Comments and feedback are welcomed.

Rating: PG

The hum of the engines was all that could be heard through out most of the ship. It was still early and most of the Alpha shift was still slumbering away their last hour of rest.

But at the moment, there was some quick activity within the Commander's quarters.

Chakotay was busy tying his shoelace knowing that at any moment the doorchime would signal that his new jogging partner was all ready and willing to go. Just as he applied the final knot, it sounded.

"Enter." he said and could hear the whoosh as the doors opened.

Kathryn walked in wearing a pair of loose red shorts, sneakers and a very large gray sweatshirt which made her look even smaller than she normally was. Chakotay bit the inside of his lip to avoid giving her a wolfish grin when he saw her looking so at home within his clothes. He'd offered that shirt for her to borrow since she didn't have anything that comfy to run in, according to her.

His gaze ran over the curve of her exposed calves and tight thighs. Chakotay had never thought of himself as a "leg man" until this very moment. Pale skin tempted every cell inside of him.

He was amazed how good she looked wearing his shirt.

She was amazed at how delicious his long tan legs looked in those shorts. It wasn't very often her eyes came across a pair of legs that were so masculine and smooth, in a sexy way. Kathryn had seen Chakotay's bare chest on a few occasions but the sight of his knees just drew her as a moth to flame.

"Hi. Good morning." Her voice seemed normal, thanks goodness. Though for a moment there she'd wondered if it was a tad bit breathless.

She'd stood there while he finished adjusting his socks, taking in the scent of him. The shirt she'd borrowed had obviously been washed beforehand but the remnants of his cologne had remained in tiny nooks of it. Kathryn knew she'd never be able to share with him the secret that last night she'd tucked a pillow into the sweatshirt and slept atop it, with her arms holding it tightly.

"Ready?" He stood slowly, she nodded and they walked out of his quarters.

No one was walking with the corridors and they made it to the Holodeck without curious crew members watching them.

"We have a good hour's run ahead of us before it's time to get ready for our shift." Chakotay commented.

"That's more than enough time." Kathryn stood at the control panel and said, "Computer begin Kathryn Stroll One."

"Acknowledged."

The doors opened to a scene from Earth that made Chakotay's eyes grow round. They stepped inside to where there was a heavily dense forest with huge oaks that let in the perfect amount of sunlight come in between them. High above the sounds of birds singing and flying past could be heard while the occasional breeze ruffled the branches and caused the leaves to dance.

Near the base of several of the massive oaks were tiny wild flowers that soaked in the moisture that clung to the air.

"This scenery is beyond words, Kathryn." Chakotay finally tore his eyes away to look over at her. Something about Mother Nature brought out the eternal beauty that was inside of Kathryn. Her cheeks were pink with happiness and her eyes seemed to match the heavens high above.

"Why thank you." She replied as they walked over to where the dirt path took them deep into the heart of the forest.

They started off just walking quickly as they got the bearings. Chakotay looked around and noticed the details on everything: from the tiny chipmunks that fled the scene when they saw the humans walking around to the sunshine that seemed to vibrate all throughout the forest.

Kathryn sure knows what I love to see, he thought. Which included her, bathed in sunshine within the beauty of nature. His heartbeat began to race as slowly, just surely, they picked up the pace.

The dirt trail was beginning to converge into a smaller lane so Kathryn raced on ahead and became the leader of their jog.

Her voice floated back to him. "Hope you don't mind me taking the lead but you know me." She gave him a quick over-the-shoulder smile and continued on.

"That's not a problem. Actually, I would've been surprised if you hadn't!" he answered back. It didn't bother him one iota since now he had all the time he wanted to ogle at her tight buttocks and legs.

With each move of her lower body there was a back and forth wiggle of her hips. This was more powerful and intoxicating than any Klingon coffee he'd ever had!

Ten minutes into the run, she could hear his footsteps from behind and it never ceased to amaze her how a man that was that large could carry himself so easily. Her feet hitting the dirt made a gentle thudding sound and his rhythm matched hers perfectly. Kathryn could feel the blood running just beneath her skin, which was by now just beginning to sweat.

"Still there?" she teased aloud, knowing he still was. She always knew whenever he was nearby.

"You can't lose me that easily!" he remarked. Chakotay was just beginning to feel his legs pulsating from the run, the muscles as they stretched momentarily only to reshape as a new step came about.

He was breathing smoothly through his mouth, his eyes alternating between the path before him and the woman in front. He could see that wisps of hair were beginning to cling together at the base of her neck and with each breath picked up the subtle scent of her salty flesh.

It was a good twenty plus minutes into the exercise but their running beat never faltered. The trail expanded and he picked up pace until they ran side by side. Chakotay turned his head and saw the red hair was sticking to her forehead, the flushed blush on her cheeks mixed in with the stubborn look in her eyes.

But there was also a glimmer of happiness in there as she looked over at him. She saw that his hair no longer stood spiky as was the norm, the sweat making it flat atop his cranium.

Atop his lip was a small sheen of sweat that practically begged her to swipe it for him.

"Tired Kathryn?"

"Hardly," she answered back and gave him a crooked smile. "You?"

He shook his head and turned his face to look at the path ahead. "This scene you picked is just wonderful. Later on I'd also like to walk through it so I can take it all in."

Fifteen minutes later and the run was beginning to show on them. Kathryn's breath was taking on a harsher sound and Chakotay was sweating profusely now, a large stain was forming on the back of his shirt.

But neither slowed their pace, each pair of legs thumping onto the ground with incredible energy as they tore up the trail. Her lungs burned each time she inhaled so she took some smaller breaths from her mouth.

With the corners of her eye she followed his motions, he was a large jungle cat on two legs. Graceful, powerful and keeping his own besides her with those long muscular legs matching her smaller yet still strong pace.

"Across this clearing I've prepared a small spot where there's water and some towels. Race you to it!" she said before her short legs sprinted with renewed life.

Energy he didn't think was in him sprang to life as he once more matched her stride. "Is that the best you've got, little one?" he teased as they continued to run side by side.

By the time they made it to the clearing both were nearly out of air. A small blanket lay across a shadowed spot with a large sized wicker basket stood on one corner of it.

Kathryn stopped within the perimeter and started stretching her now pulsating leg muscles as she fought hard to bring her gasps of air down to normal. Besides her Chakotay stretched his calves and legs little by little before plopping himself atop the blanket.

She followed soon afterwards.

He could feel the tiniest of veins pumping the blood all over his body. He felt so alive at that moment, especially when he recalled how easily the woman besides him had matched him inch for inch.

Reaching into the basket she pulled out two frosty bottles of water and two small towels and reached over to plant one of each item into his hand.

"Thanks." He said as he broke the tab open and took three huge gulps. Leaning back until his shoulder blades made contact with the bark he just rested there. With the towel he swiped away the perspiration and threw it down.

Kathryn leaned onto her side and rested casually on her elbow.

"So," she began after her voice was back to normal, "did you enjoy this little run?"

His long eyelashes came down until he could just see her from between them, drank in the sounds all around him before he answered her.

"The run, the exercise and the company." He smiled when a subtle blush crept all over her cheeks.

"In that order?" Kathryn asked quietly.

"No." he whispered back, looking at her and enjoying the way her body seemed to relax so suddenly.

Such an important talk and we're here sitting and sweaty, he thought.

Then he continued. "The exercise, the run and then the company."

His voice was teasing so she knew he was pulling her leg.

"Oh really?" she snorted aloud, bending forward to hit him lightly on the thigh. "Guess that means you'll be limping out of here by yourself!"

"Limping?" he retorted. "I'm walking just fine, thanks a bunch. Now you might be crawling around the Bridge before the day is through and I'll try not to laugh aloud when I see that."

She rolled her eyes and flicked out the tip of her tongue at him. It surprised him to see her so at ease but he held the warm emotions at bay. After fighting so long to be this close to her, scaring her off was the last thing he wanted.

"It's moments like these," he remarked, "that make this long trip bearable."

Kathryn's sigh answered him and they both simply sat there as a smile grew on both their faces. The silence was long but not uncomfortable in the least. Finally she asked, "So. Are we going to finish the run? We've used up only about forty plus minutes."

Chakotay knew he'd be able to but he wanted to enjoy these quiet moments with her. "Let's walk back." He said. Seeing her eyebrow rise he continued, "So we can enjoy nature in all her glory."

"Of course." She responded and smiled.

He rose until he towered over her and then offered his hand. Without hesitation she took it and was helped up and to her feet. When they stood side by side she didn't bother releasing his hand, instead entwining their fingers in a smooth motion.

Chakotay felt his heart rate once more jump to life but this time it had everything to do with her. They walked slowly, occasionally stopping to watch a squirrel run across their path or try and catch a view of the birds chirping high in the dense foliage.

With the heart of their palms caressing with each step it was so intimate that Chakotay feared she might be able to hear each giddy heartbeat that pelted from inside him.

When they were drawing closer to the end of the trail he brought her pale hand up and placed a gentle kiss right atop the blue veins on her wrists. Her mouth moved into a Mona Lisa style smile while her blue eyes took their fill of his face.

With her free hand she ran a finger atop his firm, damp chest, drawing a heart and then a smiley face.

They had stopped a good four feet from the holo-deck doors and just stood there looking at the other.

"I'm sweaty." She announced.

"And I'm stinky." He replied.

But they still stood there, holding hands and exchanging gentle caresses until the holo-deck erased the environment they stood in until nothing but the grid room surrounded them.

"Tomorrow?" she asked. Hopeful for more.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." he answered, as they exited the room still holding hands.

The end of first part.

Part two.

Cramped muscles

Disclaimer: In the first part. Comments and feedback welcomed.
by Patty R
Rating: PG-13

It happened around midnight when she'd been sound asleep and just beginning to drift into REM sleep. Hurt so bad that her scream was heard out in the hallway, where luckily no one was at the moment.

Her left leg was on fire, cramped and her toes all twisted out of place. Kathryn threw off the covers and leaned over the side of her bed, found the commbadge next to her on the night stand and smacked it harder than necessary.

"Chakotay." She whimpered as the pain pulsated madly.

His voice was alert when he responded, "Kathryn?"

"Please." Was all she could say. It seemed her entire body was becoming an extension of her hurting limb. A hazy of torment ran thru her yet she managed to pick up the sound of her quarter's door opening.

Chakotay ran into her room, he wore little more than his pajama bottom and held a Phaser. "Computer, lights on." He yelled and finally saw her, lying there with her hands wrapped around the back of her knee.

Instantly he figured out what was wrong, threw down the weapon and sat down near her on the bed.

"Let me, Kathryn." With a soothing motion he wrapped his thick fingers around the pain and began to rub. Massaging his fingertips with a circular motion, the warmth of his own skin helping to alleviate the hurt.

Chakotay didn't pay attention to the sounds of aching that escaped her throat, so focused on trying to help her. Index finger and thumb ran back and forth as little by little he could feel the cramped muscle below begin to relax.

Her little pink toes were now able to get back into their normal position and her calves were not as tight. For long moments he caressed and rubbed that aching piece of her. Suddenly Chakotay heard a long sigh escaped her lips and finally looked up.

What he saw made his mind come suddenly back into focus.

She had lain back across her pillow and was breathing gently, sleep having conquered her at last. Yet her body was awake with sexual desires, it would seem. Her nipples were tight and poking through the flimsy satiny excuse for a pair of pajamas that she wore. He could see where the soft cloth dipped into the ends of her thighs making him painfully aware of where his hands still were.

When his eyes followed down to where the pajamas ended and his hands were he was able to just see into the inside of her skirt and saw a small patch of delicate inner thigh that made his hands itch to delve inside and discover more.

He tore his heated gaze away and drew it back up to her face. She was sound asleep, a small smile just on the outskirts of her mouth. Chakotay quietly brought his trembling hands away and got up off the bed. He knew she'd be exhausted, after the run today they'd walked around the entire ship taking in sections they hadn't seen in a while.

"Computer," he whispered. "Lights off." The room was once more dark and silent as he leaned down, draped her body with the blanket and turned to leave. The starlight from outside made her look years younger and so innocent that it threatened to take Chakotay's breath away.

Before taking even a step, though, he turned around and placed a soft kiss atop her forehead.

"Sweet dreams, my love." He breathed the words into her temple and walked back with his own ache to cure.

The end of second part.

Part three.

Sweetest ache of all

Disclaimer: In the first part. Comments and feedback welcomed.
by Patty R
Rating: PG-13

The next morning Kathryn awoke as she normally did, but she didn't hop out of bed as quickly. Suddenly the thoughts of the Charley horse she'd gotten late in the night came back with a vengeance. Then just as quickly she blushed when the feel of Chakotay's hands rubbing her leg rushed over her. For a fleeting moment she felt her body reacting to that sensuous touch.

"Sweet Heaven," she muttered aloud, "how did I fall asleep during that?"

With extreme caution she stood up, testing the leg to make sure the injured muscle would not collapse on her. It twinged slightly but then the feeling subsided.

That man had miracle hands!

Kathryn walked to the sonic shower, finished up and dressed quickly. She left her quarters to head to visit the EMH, just to be on the safe side. The Doctor was nothing short of amazed to even see her but after hearing of the painful reaction he didn't blame her for taking extra precautions.

At the same time in his own quarters lay Chakotay, still in his pajamas and tucked beneath his now wrinkled bedspread. After he'd left Kathryn's room the sight of his large lonely bed had not helped him get to sleep. Nor had the persistent feel of her skin in his palms.

Sometime during the wee early morning he's looked at those very hands and pressed them onto his face, trying to bring back the scent of her as she'd lain there.

Flowers.

She wore some sort of body cream that was a mix of exotic Earth flowers: a dash of jasmine, some roses and others he couldn't begin to imagine. She was the softest woman those large tanned hands had be in contact with.

He could've gotten up and washed his hands. That may have helped him get some sleep. But Chakotay had been reluctant to do so. Then the harshest moments had come.

Each time his eyes would close all that was before him was that peaches and cream colored body draped beneath sheer silk. Stifling a moan he had tried turning over and punching the pillow a few times but that had done little to help. He would see her creamy thighs as they'd been slightly opened, her inner curve of leg, the smooth knob of knees.

With a final groan, he finally got up and out of bed. "Damn it." He muttered when he noticed it was soon time to report to the bridge.

Today promised to be a long day.

Later on the Bridge, the Captain sat on her seat. She'd been giving a clean bill of health from Doctor and was beginning to read some reports from the crew when the swoosh of the doors announced someone's entrance. She heard some minor mutterings and knew it had to be Chakotay.

*Since when does he grumble?* she wondered and turned to gaze at him as he plopped himself into his side of the commanding area.

Her blue eyes grew into wide saucers when they took in the image of a totally sleepy, dissatisfied man. His hair was flat and plastered to his head, eyes were slightly red and that normally smiling mouth was tense around the edges.

"Good morning," she dared to say. Kathryn nearly swallowed her tongue when his dark gaze met up with hers.

His response could have been a "Good morning" back but it sure didn't sound happy.

With her eyes still wide and worried now she wrote quickly onto her padd and sent to him a message. "Chakotay? Are you all right?"

A small smile fluttered on his lips when he read it and once more his eyes found hers. Without saying a word Chakotay just winked in response and leaned back into his seat. He closed his eyes for a quick moment, opened them and tried to concentrate on the viewscreen ahead.

"Commander," she spoke aloud, "Please join me in my ready room." With that Kathryn stood, gave Tuvok command and without looking back, walked into the room. A few steps behind her walked Chakotay, as silent as stone.

She turned around as soon as the doors swooshed closed. Standing in the middle of the ready room, her with a subtle glare and him with a tiredness that radiated.

The look Kathryn gave him would normally cause a lesser being to crumble to mere dust beneath her Starfleet boots. But the man standing there was achingly tired, more than half-asleep on his feet and restless with a hunger that food would not eradicate.

She wanted to demand answers from him but then she remembered what he'd done for her last night. Had this lead him to have a restless night?

Kathryn shivered from that very idea but she clenched her jaw to not show any outer reaction. "Chakotay," she started, "I've never seen you act this way. You look more dead than alive and then you have the... nerve to wink at me in front of the crew? What is going on in that head of yours?" She took a deep breath and one step towards him, bringing their bodies within touching distance.

One of her hands came to rest atop the middle of his chest, she leaned into the little space between them. "My apologies. I didn't start this the way I wanted to." Her eyes scanned all over his features before she continued, "Thank you for last night. I recall bits and pieces. You made the pain go away."

Whatever retort Chakotay had started to say was instantly swallowed down, the ire was gone as if it was nothing more than smoke. He could only see those large blue eyes and now nothing else was important. This was the only reason he lived, he thought. To please this one woman.

Without a care as to what it could all mean, he brought his own hand to her face and whispered, "Anytime."

Her sigh washed over him and the scent and sight of her mouth was no more than centimeters away. A man's strength is as powerful as his weakest link, he recalled.

And this woman was his.

She gave him strength with a mere glance but could still crumble his resolve with a word. Chakotay had forgotten how powerful love could be when given to the right person.

Kathryn saw the exhaustion he tried to conceal when she was so close but today was the beginning of something, it had started with their run the other day. Her hand left his hard chest and cupped the one he held across her cheek. She turned her face into his inner palm and placed a sweet kiss within the callused yet gentle hand before entwining their fingers.

Then with the slightest tug she began to walk with him in tow towards her longest sofa. She sat on it and, without a single word, motioned to him to lay down. Chakotay saw the way she patted her lap and without another thought he crouched his large body to lay his head within the cushion of her body.

They made an unusual sight: a Commander covering the majority of a sofa, his legs tucked into a fetal position with his dark head on his Commanding officer's thighs.

Kathryn brought a hand up and began to softly caress the side of his temple with the most tender of motions. Little by little it lulled him into a peace that Chakotay had too seldom felt before, his head ceased to ache and those long lashes began to clutter together.

Long moments drifted into themselves as Kathryn's fingerpads pressed in and out, easing the aches away. Chakotay's lungs filled with the scent of her subtle perfume and the soap used to clean her uniform. His mouth opened slightly and he breathed slowly until his body won him over and sleep conquered the battle.

Kathryn knew the moment he drifted off. The tension of his shoulders, the relaxed slant of his head all gave her the final clue. But she continued to touch him, little by little she began to fondle more of his face and upper neck; tracing the curve of his nose, the bit of lip that was presented to her. An hour disappeared as she caressed the tiny gray hairs that played peek-a-boo between his darker hairs. And still she continued to leisurely feel him.

It was almost mid-afternoon before Kathryn felt Chakotay begin to stir once more. She had heard his stomach growling for over twenty minutes now and hers was no less quiet.

He was slow in waking, perhaps it was due to the security felt within the present company. Something inside of him knew that these moments would, no matter how much it might be desired from either side, be very few and in between.

Chakotay snuggled into the cradle of her thighs and smiled when her giggles filled the air. The press of her hands against his head came next. "Stop that!" she laughed, "I'm ticklish there if you move around."

Twisting his head slightly, then flopped over until he was laying face up and grinned at her with a half sleepy motion. "What?" Chakotay grumbled happily as he began to sit up.

"I said --" she began but was unable to finish. His large hand swept up and tangled into the fragrant wisps of red hair, bringing her mouth towards him. Kathryn barely filled her lungs before his warm mouth captured and held hers.

Her eyelashes fluttered downwards as the scent and taste of him exploded into her mouth. That pink tongue dipped inside and claimed her, wet and delicious as it played with her senses. Kathryn kissed him back with eager desire as her hands curled around his strong shoulders and held on to the only sanity she had. Her heart threatened to explode within her as his mouth eased away from hers and began a trail of nips and kisses down her neck, then moved along the side of her jaw before coming to rest atop the base of her pulse.

She purred out loud as he lingered for excruciating moments on the curve of her throat, his devilish tongue playing havoc on that delicate skin of hers. Kathryn could feel the heat of their bodies and knew this man could and would possess her: body and soul.

Finally he stopped and leaned his forehead until they sat there, staring into each other's eyes. Her breasts felt full and ached against the fabric of her regulation bra, the fast beat of her heart threatened to overwhelm her and she wondered what his lovemaking felt like.

Chakotay knew he was tenting up the front of his uniform, the painful erection danced a primitive beat that so wanted release. But he held back for this was something he knew had to be slowly planned. And he had all the time in the world until this woman was his.

With a quick kiss he said, "Thank you for the best nap a man could ask for." His thumb pads caressed the alabaster cheeks as his hand framed her flustered face. They sat there in relative silence for long moments as both their bodies cooled down.

Then with a final long look Chakotay stood up, straightened out his clothes and walked back out and onto the Bridge, feeling refreshed as never before.

Meanwhile Kathryn just sat upon her couch, running her hands over the spot on her lap where his head had lain.

The end of third part.

Part four.

Giving in is easy to do

Disclaimer: In the first part. Comments and feedback welcomed.
by Patty R
Rating: PG

He knew she might try tiptoeing around him ever since the kiss in the ready room. As soon as he walked out of the room Chakotay began to wonder if she'd find some excuse to run off to another part of the ship if only to escape him.

For long moments he sat there, each moment dragging on and making him sweat whenever he thought of the dozens of ways this could easily blow up in his face.

Was she regretting it already? She didn't really fight him but then again he hadn't allowed her much time to think about anything while he plundered her mouth. Chakotay fought the urge to sulk and stomp his foot. They were hardly children and he hated not knowing what was going on inside that stubborn head of hers.

His thoughts were interrupted when she walked out of the room and onto the Bridge. She wore a wicked smile on her face and for a quick moment he feared what she was contemplating.

"Tuvok," she announced, "Commander Chakotay and I need to have a immediate private meeting his ready room. You have control of the Bridge." She walked over briskly and Chakotay could've sworn she swaggered just a tiny bit.

The room swam before his eyes yet she was the anchor through it all, her gleaming eyes and that smile that made the incredible heat in his blood pulsate all over his body.

"Captain?" was all he was able to croak out loud before she grabbed his wrist and practically dragged him into the room.

Harry's eyes nearly fell out of his head as he watched this unusual activity taking place before him. His jaw popped open when he managed to see the Captain grab Chakotay's head just as the ready room doors began to close.

As it was, Chakotay wasn't doing much better either. The change in Kathryn had thrown him for a loop but there wasn't much time for him to react.

She had barely let the doors close before throwing herself into his arms, weaving her hands onto his body and her rich lips closed over his. Kathryn became the aggressor as she conquered his mouth.

He could feel the curve of her nails gripping his back, felt their small sting push thru his uniform and onto his flesh. But everything inside of him was focused on her mouth, latched atop his while her tongue flicked and played within his. Chakotay was giving back as good as he could, unleashing a soft bite every now and then inside of her bottom lip then suckling on her top one.

She growled low in her throat and it made him wonder if the spirit of a Klingon had somehow possessed his Captain. But he was enjoying himself so much that nothing else mattered.

Kathryn pulled back for a quick moment and looked up at him, not knowing how bruised and loved her mouth looked. Whatever lipstick she had worn was now long gone with more on him than on her.

Her eyes were slightly closed from passion and in the curve of her neck he could see the erratic pulse of her heartbeat. Chakotay thought back to the night she'd lain in bed and looked like some heavenly creature bathed in silk but now there was a beauty throbbing off of her that he wanted to never lose.

"What does this all mean, Kathryn?" he asked.

She smiled once more and answered, "This means we're in this together. And I want more. More from you, from us, and of this relationship we're falling into. If you're willing to fight for it."

Chakotay let loose a whoop of happiness that brought up short everyone on the Bridge. Some would later say that it sounded like an enthusiastic war cry of an ancient warrior that had finally captured what he had long fought for.

The end.