by Delta Story

Kathryn's symptoms remained and reoccurred in the nights and days that followed, but just the thought of some potential relief made her feel better. She still awoke in the night; sometimes Chakotay heard her, sometimes he didn't. But even when he awakened, he fell back to sleep more quickly, understanding what her problem was and knowing that he could at least help her in some small way. It was all Kathryn could do to keep herself away from the secluded area from where she could hear Chakotay's labor pounding away. She purposefully stayed in the forest for longer periods now, to give him the time for his daily chores and to allow time for his own project in the woods. She longed to ask him about the progress and he was sorely tempted to fill her in on what all he had accomplished each day, but each of them controlled the curiosity. Only their eyes asked silent questions, giving back teasing looks in response. The two-week promised deadline neared. Kathryn saw the determination on Chakotay's face every evening as he returned from work long after dark, sometimes returning so late that he could only tumble into his bed, exhausted. On the thirteenth day, she returned from her daily surveillance and research in the forest and saw him working on the shelter, pulling some vines into position over the wall by the door. The sun had disappeared over the horizon and the moonless sky began to sparkle with early stars. "You're back early," he smiled as she put her equipment into its storage area outside the shelter. "Any luck?" Her shoulders sagged as she sighed. "No; and I found two of the traps damaged. They almost looked like something had purposefully dismantled them." He walked over to her, taking her into a light hug and rubbing her shoulders "Well, you know, we just might not be the only inhabitants on this planet. After all, our tricorders have indicated that probability." She nodded with another sigh. "Yes, I know. I just wish that whatever - or whoever - it is would come forward; maybe we could get some answers." She pulled back suddenly. "Oh, Chakotay; you shouldn't be touching me." She looked at him. "You've cleaned yourself up, and here I am still filthy from work. I really should shower before we have supper." "Oh, I think that can wait for a while. Come; I have a surprise for you," he grinned at her, taking her hand and leading her towards the forested area where he had been working. He led her through a small copse of trees that hid the area where he had been working. He held back the few branches that invaded the small pathway on which they walked, its existence hidden by the low-hanging branches of the trees closest to the shelter. At the end of the path, the trees opened, revealing a circular cleared area. Kathryn gasped at what she saw before her. A semi-open structure protectively surrounded its obvious focal point. Its graceful curving exterior wall, constructed of an intricate layout of small jalousie slats. The slats were slightly opened, allowing a flow of the warm evening air and the soft illumination of the sparkling starlight to fill the area. Thick lush vines formed a frame around its perimeters; white flowers on the vines showered their fragile fragrance throughout the room. But what readily caught her eye was the centerpiece of the scene: a gleaming wooden bathtub, sitting atop a small platform. A water holding and warming tank rose up from the ground behind it. Kathryn stood silently in awe of the unworldly scene that the room provided. "Oh, Chakotay!" she exclaimed breathlessly. "It's... it's magnificent!" Without realizing he had been holding his breath, Chakotay exhaled in relief. "Ah, good! I was hoping that this was what you had in mind." She ran over to the platform, anxious to touch the result of his craft. Her hand glided along the silken surface of the tub. "This… this is better than I could have ever dreamed." She looked over at him. "I never knew you had such talents!" His burnished face blushed in the darkened evening scene. "Well, I've always been good with my hands; guess it's just one of my talents that you've never asked about." He cleared his throat, embarrassed at his revealing comments. "Anyway, I hope this will help you cool off and sleep better now." Kathryn reached out her hand towards him; he walked over and accepted it. "I'm sure it will; I still can't believe you did all of this. Chakotay, you are truly a wonderful friend." She pulled him up onto the platform next to her. "I don't know how I can ever repay you." He smiled down on her. "No repayments are necessary; after all, what are friends for?" "But this is beyond anything we need here, and yet…" "No, you needed it," he smiled. "And you did, too," she grinned back at him. "With my being more comfortable, maybe you can rest better, too." His laughter in response lit up the air around them. "See? It is a necessary addition! We are quite a team, Kathryn Janeway." "Indeed we are," she responded, slowing raising her hands to his face. "Indeed we are." The kiss that followed took him by surprise. Unlike the spontaneous kiss that came when he announced his suggestion of building a bathtub for her, this one was premeditated and deliberate. No mere brush of their lips this time, but a slow, intentional one-a kiss that invited and offered and conceded all at the same time; one that crossed long-denied barriers and forbidden emotions. Concerns about protocol and proprieties quickly melted, as they opened to each other, devouring the fears and delusions of over two years. Forgiveness of decisions made and gratitude for promises kept all commingled in the joining of their spirits. Hands explored forbidden territories, searching for oases of delight. Past years became future hours. In a movement that repeated a defining moment years earlier, he loosened her hair, and lovingly pulled it over her shoulders, unleashing its welcome wildness. He pulled away reluctantly, admiring the radiant woman in front of him. Her body emitted its now-familiar heat, but he could not tell whether it was from her erratic hormonal problem or if the heat came from a deeper, more primal source. He brushed back a wave of her damp hair, allowing his fingers to dawdle along her warm cheek. She reached up and pulled his hand between both of hers; she raised it to her lips and kissed each of his fingertips. He groaned with delight as his own body temperature began to rise, matching that of hers. "Kathryn," he murmured, burying his hands within her hair and his lips within the vulnerable area of the front of her neck. He felt her body melt and mold into his, inviting and compliant, willing and wanting. Suddenly afraid of the rapid progression of their actions, he pulled away. "Um… Kathryn, maybe things are heating up a little too quickly here. Er… how about your trying out the tub? After all, that's why we came out here." "Only if you join me," she answered, her voice low and sultry, her eyes filled with a teasing invitation. "Um… do you mean what I think you do?" he mumbled. "I wouldn't have it any other way," she smiled back. His eyes registered surprise to her suggestion. He clumsily stumbled off the platform, heading around to the water tank on the other side. "The water should still be warm in solar storage tank. I'll get things ready." He reached over to the tub and opened its water spigot, testing the temperature. Satisfied with his findings, he pulled a small vial from under the platform and added its contents to the streaming water; waves of a delicate fragrance wafted into the evening air. She followed him behind the massive wooden tub, allowing the swirls of water dance around her hand as she moved and as the water flowed into the tub. When he completed his chore of allowing the tub to fill, she once reached for him, her kiss confirming her readiness to proceed. He reached for the closure seam on her tunic and started to unfasten the garment. "Do you think Starfleet would approve of our actions?" he grinned. "Not in the slightest," came her answer, muffled as he pulled the jersey top over her head. Her hands had found his belt, and were busily separating the two ends. The worn leather fell to the forest floor, blending with its dark surface. Her hands were getting lost in the folds of his shirt, its well-worn softness caressing her hands as she attempted to lift it form his torso. He tugged at her tank top, extracting its long tail out from out of the confines of the waistband. He met with delayed success, and pulled it over her head. In drawing the shirt up, his hands brushed her aroused breasts; she let out a small gasp. "Oh!" she emitted, surprised by the accidental erotic touch that suddenly sent titillating waves through both of them. Their remaining garments left a trail back up onto the platform. Chakotay walked behind her, his naked body warm and stimulating on hers. Flutters of fleshy movement from him, an indicator of his aroused passion, throbbed against the rounded mounds of her buttocks; perhaps the bath should wait. Warm vapors rose and swirled in the cooler night air as the water filled the tub. The scent from the water mingled with that of the blooms framing the enclosure, creating a sensual invitation. As the whirling waters neared the top, they eased their bodies into the soothing pool. Small waves washed against their movements, lapping and licking their skin. Kathryn leaned forward towards her tubmate, his face and hair now wet from the eddying waters. "I love you so much," she whispered, adding the moistness of her kiss to the surrounding water. "Not a moment has gone by in the last two years that I haven't silently whispered your name," he responded. "I know; I've heard every single one," she said. Arms and legs began to intertwine with one another; bodies meshed and merged and became lost in the steam and water. Small waves became mid-sized ones as they washed themselves free of all the lost times. Mid-sized waves became breakers, as they filled themselves with their long-denied love. The floor surrounding them soon became a pond, as their increasing desperate desires spread the water out of its confines. Echoes of their contentment escaped from the area, into the sleeping world outside. ~*~ Pastel sunlight danced through the window, bathing the forms in the bed with its peaceful rays. Soft murmurs indicated that they were not asleep... or rather, that they had not slept much. Low laughs from the lovers greeted the new day, full of hope and happiness with their new life together. She slipped into the small bathroom area; he rolled over into the area she had just vacated, reveling in her residual warmth and scent, thanking his spirits for allowing them this most perfect of unions. None of his dreams or visions had prepared him for the happiness that they had shared in the last twelve hours; no person in the universe could even begin to reach the level of joy they felt... no one! He traded kisses and places with her when she came out. A few moments later, he joined her in the great room of the house; she greeted him dressed in the simple blue dress that he loved so much on her. Her hair, still damp from her shower, smelled of the flowers from the vines around the bathing area. All she needed was a shimmering halo, and he would know that he was in heaven. "I'm glad that you liked my gift," he smiled. "I love it, Chakotay; I must admit that it's made a new woman out of me!" she laughed, each word like music echoing from silver bells. "Now it's time for one from me." She pulled her hand from behind her, revealing a small box within its. "This is something I've been making for you-for us-during the last two weeks." His inquisitive eyes caught a glimpse of the small package that she held out. "What? What is it?" he asked, reaching for the plain metal box. He raised the hinged lid to reveal a pillowed interior, cushioning two rings of gold, embossed with an encircling repetition his tattoo design. He looked at them, and then at her. She softly explained their meaning. "Chakotay, neither of us knows how long we will be here. But, over the past weeks, I knew where our relationship was leading; it was just a matter of time." She cleared her throat, obviously nervous about proceeding. "I know that the tradition of exchanging rings when two people marry isn't done much anymore; but I would like for us to have these as reminders-if we are ever parted-of our love, of what we mean to each other." "Kathryn...." he whispered, shaking his head in awe of this woman whom he thought was beyond any confession such as this one. "You are remarkable! I have... thought about this also. Our minds and spirits have been linked for such a long time..." He fingered the design, noting its exact replication. "You have honored me... us... in doing this." He removed the smaller ring from its place, taking her hand and gently sliding the metallic circle down the ring finger of her left hand. "From this day forward, we are bound to each other... for eternity and after." She took the box from him, and withdrew the other ring, placing the now-empty box on the table. She took his hand and smiled as it glided down his thick finger. "You are the love of my life and my reason for living. I will never stop loving you," she said. He leaned down and tenderly kissed her. "Now and forever, Kathryn Janeway. You will never be free of me or my spirit." The morning light from the dwarf yellow sun smiled down its blessings. The day promised to be a warm one-Kathryn's body felt that already! But it really didn't matter to her any more. Any future problems with clinging satin nightgowns could be remedied in a several new ways, and she would never have to face her problems alone. Ah, yes; hormones and bathtubs-some things are just meant to be! ~ the end ~

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