Flight

Disclaimer: The usual. Paramount owns the StarTrek universe, the characters...Inspired by the title (for what was when this was written--an upcoming episode) Concerning Flight
So now, imagine a large mountain on a gong...oops...wrong series...

Warning: Another story written for the express purpose of bringing J/C together...There is a little foul language.
My knowledge of Da Vinci, flying machines (hey with her help, the design would not quite be the one he actually designed), Florence, and Italian is limited. My knowledge of the Renaissance is a bit better...especially the music. But the two commissions Da Vinci refers to did happen around the same time.

Chakotay smiled as he watched her during the staff meeting. It was obvious that she had something planned as soon as the end-of-shift-meeting was over...He had no idea what. This brought a frown. There had been a time when she would have told him, possibly even have invited him. But ever since that day, she had been avoiding him--sort of. He was Voyager's First Officer--and at this moment that was apparently all she was willing to accept him as...

"Commander?" B'Elanna whispered, "Are you all right?"

He brought himself out of his reverie and nodded. "Fine." He noticed that they were standing. He started to join them.

"Commander, please wait." He looked at the captain and remained by his seat.

She hesitated as Tuvok left the briefing room. Chakotay wasn't sure, but had the Vulcan nodded quickly before leaving. He glanced at her, then looked away. "Yes?"

"I..." She watched him as he stared down at the table. One bad moment after too many days of no sleep, no food and what had been a precious friendship--possibly more--had suffered. "I have holodeck one reserved for a couple of hours. I was wondering...if you would care to join me???" She sounded uncertain.

"Yes..." He looked at her and smiled. "What program?"

She almost laughed. "My Renaissance Florence program. I've been working with Maestro...Leonardo Da Vinci. We're building a flying machine. A hawk."

"Captain?" His mind raced through what he knew about Da Vinci. Something about a hang-glider type contraption...He looked at her with a bit of alarm. "And you are going to test fly it..."

She nodded gleefully. "Today...I'll meet you there in half-an-hour."

#

#

"Good Morning, Katarina," the old man said as he took her hand. "You brought your friend today. I am delighted." He walked over to Chakotay. "Chakotay," he stumbled slightly over the word. "She has told me about you..."

Chakotay looked quickly at Kathryn, then back at the other man. "She has???"

"Come..." Kathryn called out. She wanted them to change that conversation. She looked around the test site. "Perfect, Maestro. You have found a wonderful place." She walked over to the edge of the cliff. The short stubby grass gave way to dirt then the earth disappeared for some thirty meters before reappearing at the shores of a river. She nodded as she felt the warm breeze brush across her face.

"Ahh, Katarina. You approve." Da Vinci looked at Chakotay. "You want to see our *hawk.*" He guided the commander over to a flimsy contraption made of vellum and wood.

"Captain...Kathryn, you aren't seriously going to fly this..."

She turned and looked at him. "We're on the holodeck...Anyway, I helped build it...And no hologram character is going to get to fly it..." She looked at him with a twinkle in her eye. "And don't volunteer...It wasn't designed with you in mind."

Da Vinci chuckled. "Stubborn..." He helped Voyager's Captain into the flying machine. She grinned at Chakotay, then started running--awkwardly toward the edge: then she leapt off the cliff overlooking the river bank.

Chakotay felt his stomach lurch as she fell, to be caught by an updraft. She soared up slightly before guiding it out over the river. Da Vinci put his hand on Chakotay's shoulder. "Come, she's to land on the river bank." Chakotay followed the artist down the path to the river, all the while trying to keep his eyes on Kathryn...He stumbled once when she made a sharper turn than he thought necessary.

"A remarkable woman, yes?" Da Vinci asked. "So few of her...err...subjects come to visit her here. But I've met the one with the...um...interesting ears."

"Tuvok?" The commander stepped gingerly across the sand.

"Yes, that was the name. She was working on something. I'm an old man, I ramble and I forget. Our hawk is more hers than ours. She has spent many hours working on it. Something happened a couple of months ago. She found much solace in working on it..." He looked at Chakotay.

The younger man nodded as he looked up toward Kathryn again. "Yes, I can imagine."

"Such a beautiful woman, yet lonely." Da Vinci watched the Commander carefully. "Surely she would be better off talking with a friend, not..." He looked up toward the sky. "Not some flying machine."

Chakotay looked at the old man and shook his head. "The friend was the problem..."

"Not more than friends...No. You are not yet lovers." Chakotay reddened and turned away. "You both are proud, stubborn. The man with the ears said that to her too. Ahh look."

Kathryn was bringing the flying machine in for a landing. As she approached, Chakotay could see her grin. He had to admit that the landing left a bit to desired as she stumbled and landed on her face. He ran over and helped her out of the contraption--she was laughing.

"It was great. Fantastic," she smiled at Chakotay. "We'll make one for you too." She ran over to the artist. "Maestro?"

"Katarina, I'm jealous today of youth. These old bones don't dare make such a flight. But, I suspect you would like to do it again?" He smiled at her nod. "Come Chakotay, Lady Katarina would like help dragging this flying machine to the top of the hill." They all looked up the thirty meter wall. Chakotay groaned, and started to say let the computer do it, when he noticed Kathryn throw him a look.

"Yes, Captain." Chakotay had to laugh at her. She was enjoying this moment--it had been a long time since he had seen her so involved in something that was unrelated to ship. As he helped carry the flying machine back up the hill, he briefly wondered why she had asked him here.

Her second take-off caused less of lurch in his stomach as she dropped below the cliff before again catching the up-draft.

"She is like the child with a toy," Da Vinci said as the two men again made their way down to the river. "Don't worry, this will be the last flight: see the sun will be setting in a hour, and we shall return to the Cardinal's Villa." He spat slightly. "Again he wants a painting of his worthless son. Only I know longer remember which worthless son." He looked up toward the east. "What was that?"

Chakotay stopped walking and followed his gaze. "What?"

They stood there a minute, before Da Vinci shook his head. "My eyes are no longer young...I thought I saw lightening. But there isn't a cloud in the sky. Whenever Katarina visits the weather is superb." They continued on the rocky path. Chakotay was sure he could hear her laughing.

"It's good to hear her happy," Chakotay said to the man.

Da Vinci nodded as they watched her soar. "She doesn't laugh enough. Too serious. For a long time, I have watched her. This past week she has seemed happy again."

"Maestro, what did Tuvok say to her?" Chakotay was curious.

"I only heard..." They both were watching her soar, when suddenly the left wing went limp and the whole machine spiraled into the river."

"Shit! Computer, end program..." Chakotay shouted as he ran toward the water, instinctively realizing that there would be no response.

There was no time to mutter curses, as he swam the distance to where the machine crashed. He noted as he drew nearer that the hawk was still afloat...he could make out her still form, floating on the surface. He quickened his pace. When he reached her, she was floating: the contraption had kept her face out of the water. He checked her pulse...it was strong. "Kathryn?" He shouted. She didn't respond. Working feverishly to release her from the flying machine, he didn't notice they were being pulled further downstream by the current.

He watched the machine float away as he pulled her free. "Damn it, Kathryn." Slowly he started the return trip. He noted Da Vinci had moved downstream following the action.

He was exhausted when he finally dragged her on shore. Da Vinci bent over her, looking concerned. "Katarina?"

Chakotay looked at him as he completed his examination. "She's alive...but unconscious. She hit her head." There was a nasty bump on the back of her head. He tapped his comm-badge. "Chakotay to bridge..." When there was no response, he finally let loose with a string of curses.

Da Vinci smiled at him. "We need to get her inside. The sun will be setting soon--the Villa isn't too far." He pointed off toward the north. He watched the last remnants of the machine tear apart and disappear around a bend.

Chakotay nodded in agreement and bent down to pick up the Captain. Together they walked along the road, through a grove of cypress trees to a large house.

"The Cardinal's Villa. Fortunately he isn't here. I only visit when he is away. This is the smallest of his three homes." Da Vinci looked around. "The place seems quiet this evening. Come. My studio is down this way." They made their way through a herd of grazing sheep, that paid no attention to the bedraggled trio.

"Enter, my friend. Through there." Da Vinci pointed toward another door behind his studio. Carefully Chakotay picked his way through the easels and tables. The other room was a living area, with a small bed, a table and two chairs.

She was soaking wet and would probably be unhappy with what he was about to do. "Forgive me Kathryn. But I have to remove your clothing." He carefully avoided all memories of dreams where he had done this as he placed her in the bed. While Da Vinci worked to start a fire, he carefully unzipped her uniform. The last remnants of clothing he removed with his eyes shut. Before he opened them he pulled the blankets over her nude form. The room brightened and he could hear the crackle of a fire as he stroked her face. "Perfectly safe." He chuckled. "How do you managed to turn perfectly safe into anything but..." He pulled away quickly when he realized his lips were inches from her.

"Should I send for the doctor?" Da Vinci asked as he stepped to Chakotay's side.

"No, she'll come around...eventually." Anyway what good would a Renaissance doctor be...

Da Vinci nodded. "My friend, you are also soaking wet." He handed Chakotay a dark robe. "Change and have supper with me. I would like to learn more about Katarina." Da Vinci left the room to fetch the dinner.

Chakotay was soaking wet, and even with the fire he was starting to feel chilled. "Kathryn," he shook his head as he stripped off his uniform and slid into the loose fitting robe. He removed his comm-badge and attached it to his new clothes. He tried again to contact the ship...again nothing. "You are going to wake up with one hell of headache..." After checking Kathryn, he allowed himself a chance to look around. It was a remarkable bit of holo-programming. The details were exquisite--down to the little mouse scampering across the floor. She would be all right, and his thoughts turned toward Voyager. Stuck in the holodeck, he knew there was nothing he could do. He had no idea what had happened...if the ship had suffered any other damage. "Computer, end program?" Nothing. "Show arch." Again nothing. He instead examined some maps lying on the table.

"Ahh, Cesare Borgia wants some maps. He pays well..." Da Vinci had placed the food--cheese, fruit, and wine--down on the table. "Come my friend. You have seen too many things militare. He guided Chakotay over to a covered painting. "A local merchant wanted a portrait of his wife." He uncovered the painting. "Everyone asks me what was she thinking when I painted her...I tell them to ask the woman herself."

Chakotay smiled at the young woman's enigmatic expression. "I think you are better off not knowing..."

"Ahh yes. I agree, not knowing adds a certain mystery." The old artist pointed toward the food. "Come. Tell me about Katarina. She hasn't told me much about herself."

Chakotay grinned as he sat down by the table. "She is a very private person. We've been out here over three years, and I don't think anybody really knows *who* Kathryn Janeway really is."

"Scientist...I've learned that from my conversations with her and by watching her. She is a brave leader. She once came to me and told me a story about confronting two terrifying enemies." The artist pointed toward a faint shadow on the wall. "We looked at a similar shadow that night." He looked at Chakotay, "What do you see?"

Chakotay watched the shadow dance on the wall. "A cricket..."

Da Vinci nodded. "Buon. You see more than a shadow. Katarina has made much progress since that night. Though I don't think she'd see a cricket..." He studied Chakotay. "Was this the cause of the rift between you and her?" His eyes glanced over toward the unconscious Captain.

Chakotay nodded quietly, as he stared at the apple he was eating. "I advised caution, she wanted to..."

"Make a deal with the devil. That was her phrase. Who was right?"

Chakotay thought about that question--it was one he had asked himself over and over in the two months since leaving Borg space. "She was...She's the Captain...It worked...sort-of. And knowing what I know now..." He also looked at the captain as he remembered the horrors that species 8472 was able to inflict. "Knowing what I know now, I would have made her initial decision."

Da Vinci nodded. "I see." There was silence as the two men quietly continued to eat. Chakotay stood after several minutes and went to check on Kathryn.

"How is she doing?"

"Fine." He wished he had a tricorder just to make sure there was nothing else wrong--except for the bump on her head. He kneeled down beside her and unconsciously stroked her cheek.

"Have you ever told her you love her?" Da Vinci said as he watched.

"Pardon?" Chakotay took his hand away from her face.

"Amore. Have you ever told her?"

"Not in so many words...No." He gazed off into the distance, remembering a time that now seemed so long ago.

Da Vinci snorted. "She is not one for subtlety. For her you must be blunt. She chooses to force herself to ignore her feelings. Would your people be upset?"

Chakotay looked back down at Kathryn before responding. "For most of the crew, no...For some yes..."

"Ahh, you refer to the man with the ears...Why can't I remember his name." Chakotay just nodded as the old man continued. "I don't think he is opposed to it...You asked me back on the river what their conversation was about. He was concerned about her. From what little I heard, he thought she was too isolated. Especially recently." Da Vinci smiled. "You are right, she is a private person. I don't think she was happy with his comments, but she did mull over them and see you are here."

Chakotay looked back at her. "See, you are not alone." He leaned his back against the bed and sat on the floor. Da Vinci watched, then nodded his head toward her. Chakotay turned. "Kathryn?"

Her response was a soft groan, as her eyes flickered open. "What happened?" She asked as she closed her eyes again.

"Holodeck malfunctioned--your bird hit you on the head."

"Oh." She started to sit up, when she realized two things. Her head hurt and she was naked. She lay down and threw her first officer a suspicious glance.

"You landed in the river," he answered her unasked question. "You, we both were soaking wet." He moved to sit on the bed behind her, to support her as she sat up again.

"Ah, Katarina. Welcome back to the world."

She smiled at her mentor. "Maestro, the flying machine?"

The old artist shook his head. "The river tore it up."

"The holodeck?" She looked at Chakotay.

"I have no idea Captain. Communication is down too."

She moaned as she brought her hand up to rub her forehead. Suddenly she clasped a hand over her mouth and bent over. Da Vinci brought a white porcelain wash basin over. Chakotay took it and handed it to Kathryn. He was very aware of her state of undress, but as she vomited in the basin, it was not too difficult to keep his desire under control.

"Well I'll leave you." Da Vinci said as he brought a pitcher of water and a glass to the bed.. "Katarina, Chakotay." He smiled as he walked out.

She swished the water around in her mouth and spat it out, before she spoke again. "Commander?"

"Kathryn, you were wet, it was cold..."

"And my uniform?" Her voice was weak and she sounded tired.

"Drying by the fire." He started to move to stand, but she leaned against him.

"We need to talk..." Her voice faded off. She pulled the top blanket up around her neck. As she poured a glass of water she said, "But not now..."

He reached out and took her hand. To his surprise and delight she didn't pull hers away. She looked at their joined hands then kissed his fingers. "Kathryn?"

She blushed suddenly. "Is there anything to eat?"

"Some cheese and apples."

She tried to nod. "I programmed in a light meal." She closed her eyes, "Then again, perhaps I'm not yet ready for food." She lay down again, and was quiet for so long that Chakotay began to wonder if she was asleep.

"Kathryn?" He whispered.

There was a soft grunt as she shifted her position, holding his hand with hers. He was effectively trapped as she was again asleep and using his arm as a pillow.

With a slight smile he stretched out beside her and arranged the covers over both of them. He then wrapped his free arm around her pulling her close too him. Finally he too drifted off to sleep.

The fire was dying when he felt her moving beside him. He woke to find her looking at him. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Better. Head doesn't hurt like it did...Chakotay..." She blushed and closed her eyes, "When you...uhhh...you know..."

He grinned at her worry, "I closed my eyes. I swear I didn't see...well not too much." He started to caress her shoulder, but pulled his hand back. This time he was very aware of his growing arousal.

She looked at him quickly, before turning away. A hint of amusement in her eyes--Chakotay wasn't sure. "Why not?" She asked.

He closed his eyes and tried to calm the urge to grab her by the shoulders, and look--then kiss her. "Captain?" He asked in a strangled voice.

She again turned to look at him. "Just curious..."

"About what?" This time his hand reached out to caress her face. And he moved himself closer to her. He leaned down so that his lips were close, and repeated huskily, "About what?"

She placed a hand behind his neck and pulled him down. The kiss was gentle, playful...she pulled back and looked at him. "We do need to find out what is happening."

He grinned showing his dimples, then in a mock serious voice said, "I can show you..."

She laughed as she playfully swatted at him. "I mean with the ship." He nodded in response and reached for his comm-badge.

#

#

Da Vinci was staring at the painting of the Cardinal's worthless son, when he was startled by a knock at the door. "Enter." He studied the blond man who entered for several seconds as Tom looked around.

"I'm looking for Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay."

"Ah, one of Katarina's subjects. She is here, asleep. She has a nasty bump on the head..."

Tom was puzzled for the briefest of seconds, then realized that Katarina was the captain. "Is she OK?"

"Chakotay thinks so." It was all Tom could do to not laugh. "I will tell them you are here..." Da Vinci tilted his head in a silent question.

"Lieuten...Tom Paris." He studied the program while the old man knocked then entered another room.

Chakotay had just finished trying to contact the ship, when they had heard Tom's voice. He had tossed Kathryn her clothes and turned his back as they both quickly dressed. There was a knock at the door. "Yes," he called out.

Da Vinci entered. "Ahh, Katarina you look much better than you did earlier. There is a Tom of Paris here for you..."

"We'll be right out." Kathryn responded, giving up on trying to bring her hair under control.

Da Vinci exited, and Chakotay moved to stand beside the captain. "Kathryn?"

She smiled. "Let's find out what is happening with the ship...then I'm famished. Dinner?"

He nodded as he escorted her into the other room.

"Captain, Commander." Tom sounded relieved.

"Report," they both said almost simultaneously.

"We passed through the remnants of an ion storm. All systems were affected. No injuries or major damage. Communication is still down."

Captain Janeway nodded. "I'll be on the..."

Chakotay cut her off. "Lieutenant, I want you to escort the Captain to sick-bay. She suffered a concussion and was unconscious." He noticed the evil look she was giving him. "I'll be on the bridge."

"Aye sir. Captain, this way please." Tom was trying hard not to laugh as he made an attempt at a gallant bow.

"Commander, I'll get you for this."

"Yes, Ma'am. I'm sure you will." Chakotay grinned at her when she winked at him.

Tom stood there, his mouth agape. He practically jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Tell me, will her subjects approve?" Da Vinci asked.

Tom closed his mouth and looked at the artist with a smile. "I definitely hope so." He watched Voyager's two senior officers leave the holodeck, then ordered the program to end.