Sketches

Disclaimer: Paramount owns all--and now they have even staked a claim to a Renaissance master.

Naomi Wildman backed away quickly, stammering. "I'm sorry Captain."

Janeway smiled at the little girl. "That's all right, Naomi." She kneeled down, "Just try to remember that you shouldn't be running in the corridors."

Naomi flushed, "I...I'm sorry Ma'am." She was close to tears.

Kathryn Janeway, the stalwart captain of Voyager, felt out-of-place. She could bravely face down an enemy...She was even willing to go down with her ship. But the sight of a little girl almost in tears made her feel so...helpless. She'd never been comfortable around children. Even her own niece. She silently cringed at the moisture gathering around Naomi's eyes. "That's all right." She smiled. "So what were you doing?" She hoped her tone sounded friendly.

"Playing hide-and-go-seek with Uncle Tom." Naomi had adopted almost every member of the crew. Except Janeway--she was the Captain.

"In the hallway?" Kathryn started to ask the computer where her pilot was--but he rounded the corner before she could speak.

"Found you...Oh, Captain." He stood straighter.

"Tom. Unless I'm safe or home or whatever--I think you've found her hiding place." Kathryn grinned as she stood up.

"And you, young lady," he admonished Naomi. "You weren't supposed to leave the holodeck."

"I'm sorry..." This time a few tears did trickle down the young girl's cheek.

Tom rolled his eyes and looked at Janeway. "I think it's time for her nap. If you will excuse us Captain."

Kathryn nodded thoughtfully as she watched the pair enter the turbo-lift. She'd always tried to avoid assignments on generational-ships. Children created problems...And yet here she was: Captain of a ship not designed for families...

"Speaking of which," she muttered to herself as continued her journey. "I need to speak with B'Elanna about the Darnells." She stopped at the entrance to holodeck one. "Computer run Janeway Da Vinci two." The Darnells were expecting in two months and there were some problems with the plans to merge their quarters.

The doors to the holodeck opened and she stepped into the Da Vinci's studio. "Maestro?" No answer. She sighed as she walked over to her corner. She picked up her sketchbook and thumbed through it.

"Ah Katarina, you came." She turned toward the voice. "Pardone, I didn't hear you arrive."

She smiled at him. "Maestro. What are you working on today?"

"Nothing much." He chuckled gently. "Katarina--the ever curious. If you must know--I've had several lively discussions with your physician these past few months. He tells me I draw well enough, but I should leave the science to the experts." He sounded distressed.

It was all Kathryn could do not to laugh. "But, Maestro--he treats us all that way."

Da Vinci grumbled as he shuffled over to her. "Some Physician...He doesn't even listen to the patient..." He looked down at the picture she had been studying and smiled. "Bello. With this one you have taken your time."

She blushed and quickly turned the page. Da Vinci just laughed. "Katarina, there is nothing wrong with a beautiful woman being in love." The drawing she had turned to was also a sketch of her First Officer.

"He's just a friend. We work together..." She sputtered. She contemplated redoing some of his programming. Ever since their experiences together on Tau's planet, Da Vinci was becoming increasingly aware of his surroundings...and himself. And sometimes this was a real nuisance.

"If you insist." He kindly took her sketch book and thumbed through it. "He does have a very handsome head." He winked at her. "But have you considered drawing more of him?" He laughed kindly at her blush. He put the sketch-book down and took her hand. "But come, Katarina. See what I've been working on."

Still blushing, she followed him to his workbench. He proudly collected some loose sheets of parchment and handing them to her.

"Your physician has inspired me. I've studied anatomy over the years. But now, I am learning how the organs work. Trying anyway. Your physician explained how a liver functions." He snorted. "Too many big words. But sometimes he is interesting. When he tells me about your kingdom...ship. And the others. Tuvok, I've met. Bland but knowledgeable. He is in charge of security, si?"

"Yes, he's my chief of security."

Da Vinci nodded as he handed her more sketches. "Perhaps I can watch him torture a prisoner..."

Kathryn laughed in surprised shock. "Oh, we don't torture prisoners. In fact, we rarely have prisoners."

"Oh." He sounded disappointed. Then quickly he changed the subject as he handed her another drawing. "How come I've met so few of your subjects?"

She didn't answer right away, as she studied the anatomical sketches. Then she shrugged. "I suppose because this is the one place where I don't have to be Captain. Where I can relax and be me...I see the Doctor has been an interesting influence on you."

"Si. You know more about me than I know about you, Katarina. This is overwhelming to me..." The old man shrugged then spread his hands. "Finding out that this...That this is all...Immaginario. A painting that moves. You can participate in."

"Maestro...I..." She was stuck for something to say.

"I'm tired today." A wicked grin spread across his old features. "But, maybe there is something you can do for me, to make up for my confusion."

"And that would be?" She picked up another sketch: one he had not shown her. A sketch of an unborn child.

Da Vinci reached for it, "This is not something a lady should see..." Then he stopped for a second, his forehead creased in thought. "But then, this is not my time."

Janeway felt sorry for him, so she put the sketch down. "Maestro, what do you want me to do for you?"

"This friend of yours. The one you draw so often. I would like to meet him."

"Chakotay. You want to meet my First Officer?"

Da Vinci smiled. "Yes my Katarina. I want to know what kind of man you would love."

"Maestro!"

"Katarina, as a favor to an old man." She started to reach for her commbadge, but Da Vinci stopped her. "Not today." She continued staring at the sketch. "Something disturbs you?"

"Children. We're expecting Voyager's second child in a couple of months. And to see this sketch..."

"Ah yes, the physician likes to talk about the child, Naomi he calls her. I see even in your time people still like children." He eyed her curiously. "And you?"

"I like children fine..." She said quickly.

"Have you ever considered?"

She frowned, "The time has never been right..."

Da Vinci was relentless, "And now?"

She didn't answer for a long minute. "I don't know," she finally whispered. "The time may never be right..."

He chuckled kindly. "That's an excuse. Does this Chakotay love you?"

She blushed. Redoing the program was becoming very attractive. This was supposed to be a place for her to come to relax, not reveal her inner-most thoughts.

"Well?"

She turned suddenly, "What have you and the Doctor been talking about?"

Da Vinci grinned. "Anatomy, organ function..."

"Yes..."

"Well, I admit, I am curious about you. Who you are inside..."

"Stubborn..."

"That I've discovered. I want to know more about Katarina...La signorina." He walked over to a covered easel and lifted the dark brown cloth.

Kathryn gasped. "It's lovely..." She stared at her portrait.

"Buon. You like. But it lacks the inner fire. It lacks passione." He grinned. "And when I finish it, it will need a home where it will be appreciated."

"You can't," she gasped. "What would the crew think if they knew my First Officer had a portrait of me..."

Da Vinci smiled, "Would they be so surprised?" He lowered the cloth and stepped back to his workbench. "The physician knows. So does the one with the ears. The security officer who doesn't torture..."

Kathryn stood there blushing, unable to think of anything to say--or even another topic to change to. She was relieved when Ensign Kim contacted her about a minor computer glitch. She looked at the artist and tried to sound regretful. "I'm afraid I'll have to postpone our visit." She started to turn to leave.

"Katarina, remember to bring this Chakotay with you soon."

"Computer, end program."

#

#

A series of minor--but annoying--problems kept Kathryn busy for two days. An inconvenient flu (probably picked up at the last planet they'd visited), several computer glitches, a personnel dispute were just a few of the problems.

All these combined with the usual routine, and she hadn't had a chance to rewrite Da Vinci's program or ask Commander Chakotay to join her in the studio. She was ready to conveniently *forget* Da Vinci's request.

Kathryn leaned back in her chair--her hands still clasped about the last report. Her eyes closed as she considered kicking off her shoes and putting her feet up on her desk. No one would know...

The doorchime rang. She sat forward and swore quietly. Not another report...She didn't want to see another report until next year. "Come in."

"Captain." The doctor walked to stand by her desk.

"Yes doctor? Has there been a complication with the flu?"

"No Captain. The last of the patients should be returning to duty tomorrow. It was interesting to study the pathology of..."

"I'm sure it was." She flinched at her own interruption. "I'm sorry Doctor. It's been a long day."

"I understand. I am here with a message from a mutual friend."

So much for conveniently forgetting. "Yes, Doctor? What does the Maestro want?"

"Mr. Da Vinci wanted me to remind you to bring your friend the next time you come to the studio."

She nodded. "I haven't forgotten." She mentally cursed herself for forgetting to rewrite the program. "What do you talk about?"

"It varies. Today we spent an hour in sick-bay talking about you and Commander Chakotay."

"Oh." She wondered briefly what *exactly* they had talked about, but wasn't sure she wanted to know.

The Doctor smiled at her, then quickly returned to his normal, professional countenance. "If you are concerned about what the crew would think..."

She closed her eyes in frustration as she remembered every reason she had thought of for redoing the artist's program. *He's an algorithm.* "Why all this fascination about the possibility of a relationship between Chakotay and myself?"

He looked at her funny. "Actually I was referring to Mr. Da Vinci's visit to sick-bay...But since you bring it up, should I be placing a bet in the pool?"

She closed her eyes tighter. She'd heard rumors of such pools. Especially recently--several of the crew had recently been caught running a number's racket. *I know the crew is desperate for entertainment, but really...*

Her thoughts were interrupted as the Doctor continued speaking. "I did fairly well in the pool involving Tom and B'Elanna." She opened her eyes, the doctor was grinning. "But I am torn on the bets involving Seven. The odds are fairly close on whether she will become involved with Ensign Kim or Commander Tuvok..."

Kathryn laughed at that. "Tuvok?" She sputtered. Her own situation temporarily put aside at the thought of the stately ex-Borg and her stoic chief of security. Well, they did have a certain detachment in common.

She noticed that the Doctor was enjoying himself--if it was possible for a hologram to experience such things. Janeway was long past wondering about the eccentricities of the ship's Doctor...

"...I find that understanding the crew's lives helps me in treating their illnesses." Kathryn realized she had let her attention slip. "And gives me added ammunition when I find my more recalcitrant patients ignoring orders to take regular time off." He looked straight at her. "I understand you have been skipping meals again. Captain..."

"I had lunch," she replied meekly. It had been a small salad--and she'd only eaten half of it. "And I plan on eating dinner. Then finish this last report."

"It is never the last report, Captain. Tomorrow there will be a dozen more." He looked at her sternly. "I have taken the liberty of reserving holodeck-two for you tonight. Mr. Da Vinci is expecting you and Commander Chakotay for dinner."

She was of the opinion, (at least right now), that holographic Doctors would be banned on any ship she commanded in the future. She sighed as she gave in. "Yes, Doctor."

He smiled triumphantly. "And Captain, you should inform the Commander that you are both expected at Seventeen-hundred hours."

She nodded. "Unless there is anything else: I need to finish this report in..." She glanced at her chronometer, "In less than five hours." She held the PADD up for all to see.

"That was all Captain." He turned and exited.

She stared at the door for a second before contacting her First Officer.

#

#

Chakotay waited for the Captain outside the doors to the holodeck. Her message had been enigmatic. *Would you like to have dinner with me on holodeck-two?* He'd said yes a little too quickly, if the grin on Paris's face was any indication. And now he stood there in civvies holding a bottle of wine. He had no idea what to expect. The holodeck would indicate that it was not going to be a working dinner...But a date? He was puzzled.

"Commander."

He smiled at her. "Captain." She was wearing a light-blue dress.

She looked at him and nodded her head. "Come, we mustn't keep him waiting."

He raised an eyebrow, "Who?"

"Leonardo Da Vinci. He wants to meet you."

He was curious, and the perplexed look on his face didn't dissipate as she finished entering in the program information. She shook her head. "I designed this program as an escape from ship-life, and in the process created a monster. He's even become friends with the Doctor."

"That bad?" The doors slipped open and they entered the studio. He'd been in the program once before, but still looked around appreciatively. He was wondering why her holographic character wanted to meet him. "You've done a remarkable job with the program." He smiled at her.

"Still some bugs...A few things I want to *repair.*" She looked around the studio. "Maestro?" She called out.

Da Vinci appeared from another room. "Ah, Katarina." He grinned at the other man. "And Chakotay. I would recognize you anywhere." He nodded at Kathryn.

"You would?" Chakotay looked at Kathryn for an explanation. She just shrugged.

"The likeness is very good Katarina," the artist said, then smiled at the bottle of wine Chakotay was holding. "Buon. I have arranged for a light supper in the other room. Come." He started to lead the way, but stopped and turned to look at the pair. Kathryn blushed slightly at the old man's intense scrutiny--Chakotay just looked bewildered. "The physician is correct. Come Chakotay, don't look so puzzled. I just want to learn more about Katarina tonight--and who better than the man..."

"Maestro," Kathryn interrupted him. "Dinner?"

Both men looked at her, causing her to fidget. *Come on,* she thought. *It isn't like I was bringing him home to meet the family.*

#

#

Dinner was simple and quiet. Da Vinci didn't ask any unwanted questions or bring up certain topics. Kathryn was well aware that he was waiting. She had caught him studying both of them several times. She had tried to avoid looking at the Commander, but the few times she had--he'd looked nervous too.

Finally after a brief description of a warp coil, Da Vinci turned to Kathryn. "Katarina, perhaps you would like to work on your sketches." He grinned. "Especially since tonight you don't have to work from memory."

Chakotay started to stand and excuse himself, but Da Vinci placed a hand on his shoulder. "Please stay, Chakotay. I've wanted to meet you for a long time."

Kathryn quietly stood and walked into the other room. She'd never have survived living during the Renaissance--or even several of the centuries following. She'd have died of boredom. Being kicked out--on her own ship...She giggled slightly.

She sat down at her workbench and nervously observed the two men through the doorway for several minutes. Finally she picked up her sketch book. She could see them, but could only make out an occasional word. With a sigh, she started working.

There was a laugh from the other room and she looked up. She considered throwing down her pad and attracting their attention. Instead she found a clean piece of paper and proceeded to quickly sketch them. For some reason, she noticed Chakotay's ears tonight. She wondered how sensitive they were...and pushed the pencil harder against the paper. She forced her mind to concentrate on her work, not on her First Officer's ears, hands, etc. She blushed as she again stopped her daydreaming.

Another laugh, this time it was Chakotay's laugh. She loved the sound of it...

#

#

She looked up from her drawing and realized the two men had left the table.

"You draw very well," a familiar voice said from behind her.

"Thanks. Where's the Maestro?"

"He went out, something about the Cardinal's worthless son."

She laughed, that line was becoming Da Vinci's favorite excuse. "So, what did you talk about?"

"Mostly you." Chakotay leaned closer. "He said I should take a look at your sketches."

She hesitated a second, then handed him her book. "Be kind in your criticism."

He grinned at her, then quickly looked through the pages. After several minutes of silence, he handed it back to her. "Kathryn?" He didn't continue, but moved closer behind her.

She stared at a reflection on the far wall. "What exactly did you talk about?" She knew the answer, but felt compelled to have her suspicions confirmed.

"The Maestro wanted to know if I was in love with you."

"Oh. And are you?" She stopped breathing, as she waited for his answer. Knowing what she wanted to hear, and dreading she wouldn't. Knowing that there would be no turning back...

Chakotay smiled as he leaned down, placing his head near hers. "Madly, passionately..." There was a long pause, as Kathryn gathered the strength to speak her heart.

After years of practice in the art of ignoring her feelings, it was surprising easy for her to stand up, wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him.

He pulled away and smiled at her. He ran his finger from her right ear, along her jawline, then gently traced her mouth. She moaned, then softly nibbled on his finger. "No more excuses," she whispered as she kissed the palm of his hand. "I have loved you for too long..." She smiled and let her eyes lock with his. "Now what, Commander?"

"I have several ideas..." He kissed her quickly. "That might include the floor," he added with a wicked grin, "If we keep this up..."

Kathryn blushed, then laughed. "I have a better idea..." She took his hand. "Computer save and end program." Her eyes danced with delight as they exited the holodeck.

#

#

Morning.

The thought brought full consciousness back to Kathryn Janeway. Morning meant work, another day, more reports...She groaned at that thought and rolled over.

She sat up. "Chakotay?" She was alone in her bed.

A noise from her living quarters stirred her to further action. She grabbed her robe and clambered out of the bed.

She smiled as she watched her scantily dressed First Officer sitting on the floor. Legs crossed. She leaned against the door-way and enjoyed this new view of Chakotay.

"Good morning," he said in a low rumble.

"You're up early."

"I was thinking about last night...Especially what your friend said."

She sat down beside him, "What else did the Maestro say?"

Chakotay looked at her and smiled, "He wanted to know if I had ever considered children."

She didn't look at him, instead concentrated on a stray thread on the carpet. "And?"

"Sometimes. Like most people I've thought about it. It was always the wrong person, or the wrong time." He didn't add *or the wrong way.*

"Oh." A silence descended on them.

After several minutes, he looked at her. "You?"

She shrugged slightly as she turned to face him, "Same reasoning. I had always used StarFleet as an excuse. I wouldn't be home much." Her gaze grew distant in memory. "My Father was home so rarely when I was growing up. I hated it. I promised myself that I wouldn't put a child through that..."

"Not exactly a consideration here." He took her hands and caressed them gently.

"No. But is this the right time...The right place?"

"It never will be..." He kissed her, then changed the subject. "Unless we want to be late for duty..."

She nodded as she stood. "Chakotay?"

He smiled at her. "I understand."

She smiled back. "I do reserve the right to change my mind."