Good Night, Naomi

By The Purple Goddess

Rated PG

All Disclaimers Apply

This is an all dialog story. Please be brutally honest and tell me what you think.

"It’s my science project. See? This one is Venus, and this one is Uranus. Did you know that my mother has climbed the ice cliffs on Pluto?"

"No, I didn’t know that. That must have been exciting. Here, let me put it back on the nightstand."

"She sometimes climbs in the holodeck, but she says it isn’t the same."

"No, I suppose it isn’t - scoot down and we'll pull the blanket up - a lot of things in the Delta Quadrant aren’t the same. I’m sure things aren’t the same without your father here either."

"I wouldn’t know."

"No, I don’t suppose you would. Still, she must talk about him a lot."

"Yeah. She tells me stories all about him. Captain?"

"Hmm?"

"If I tell you something will you promise not to say anything to anyone?"

"Of course. As long as it isn’t hurting anyone."

"No."

"Okay then."

"My mom is in love with Lieutenant Carey."

"Oh. How do you know, Naomi?"

"At night when my mom thinks I’m asleep, she calls him and he comes over. They talk for a long time. She usually ends up crying and he hugs her. Last night he kissed her."

"Oh."

"Why don’t adults like to talk about relationships, Captain?"

"Why do you ask that Naomi?"

"Because I asked my mom about Joe and she said that it was nothing. I know she cares about him, but why won’t she talk to me about it?"

"Maybe she feels upset because she knows your Dad is at home waiting for you."

"Oh. Do you have someone waiting for you, Captain?"

"No. I used to, but he couldn’t wait for me."

"Mm. So, maybe my Dad couldn’t wait for us either."

"Maybe."

"I wish my Mom knew about my dad like you know, Captain. Then she wouldn’t feel bad about Joe. I can tell she really loves him and I just want her to be happy. Maybe she can marry him."

"Maybe."

"Captain?"

"Yes, Naomi."

"Why haven’t you gotten married when you know that your husband has moved on?"

"He wasn’t my husband. He was my fiancé."

"What’s that?"

"He had promised to be my husband but he wasn’t just yet. We were going to get married after Voyager returned to Earth."

"Oh. Captain? You love Chakotay, right?"

---

"How did you know that, Naomi?"

"Because most of the time I see you at parties and in the mess you are with him, and you smile when you talk to him. You don’t smile at most people."

"I don’t?"

"No. I know he loves you, too."

"Oh?"

"Yes. All of the stories he tells me are about a brave Woman Warrior. One night I asked him who the Woman Warrior was and he said it was you."

"He tells you stories about me?"

"Mmm-hmm. My favorite is called ‘The Woman Warrior and the Monkey’."

"Will you tell me the story?"

"I can’t. It wouldn’t sound right if I told it. Chakotay will have to tell it. He’s coming over soon. Mom asked him to stop by and tell me a story tonight."

"He’s coming over?"

"Yeah. I bet he’ll let you pick the story if you ask nice."

***

Beep Boop

"Come!"

***

"Good Evening Naomi, are you ready for…Captain. I didn’t know you were watching Naomi tonight."

"Sam had some holodeck time coming so I offered to stay with Naomi. She’s looking forward to your story. I’ll be in the other room so you two…"

"Please stay Captain. Chakotay doesn’t mind telling us both a story, do you?"

"No, I don’t mind."

"Sit back down on my bed, Captain."

---

"What’s wrong Commander?"

"Nothing, nothing. Um…hmm. ‘This is the story of the three Bears. There was a Papa bear, a Mama bear and a baby bear’."

"Wait, Chakotay. I wanted to hear a story about the Woman Warrior."

…

"Please?"

"Yes, please…my Angry Warrior."

"Who is the Angry Warrior?"

"Commander Chakotay."

"Oh. Why are you angry?"

"I’m not angry anymore."

"Are you happy?"

"Somewhat."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that I’m not angry, but I’m not completely happy yet, either."

"Oh. Can I hear ‘The Woman Warrior and the Monkey’?"

"Of course."

---

"She’s sleeping."

"Yes."

"Let’s go in the other room."

"I…that was sweet. Do you always kiss her goodnight?"

"Yes. I didn’t think it would hurt anything; in the absence of her father."

"Did you know that Sam has been seeing Joe Carey?"

"Kathryn, why did you call me ‘your angry warrior’?"

…

"Have I overstepped Protocol again?"

"No. I’m sorry. I guess I shouldn’t think that I have the liberty of calling you ‘my’ anything."

"I am yours."

"I can’t have you."

"But you wish you could."

"Everyday."

"I love you, Kathryn Janeway."

"Chakotay, I…"

"I promised to make your burden lighter. Come here Kathryn."

…

"Chakotay…oh, God."

…

"Was that so bad? Did the ship crumble around us?"

"No."

"Can I kiss you again?"

"You didn’t ask for permission the first time."

"I was afraid you’d say ‘No’."

"I won’t say it now. Please kiss me."

…

"Chakotay?"

"Yes?"

"I love you, too."

…

"Will you tell me all of the ‘Woman Warrior’ stories you have told Naomi?"

"I will tell them to our children and you can listen."

"Okay."

…

"Kathryn, did you hear something?" "Naomi, go to bed."

"Yes, Captain."

"Good night, Chakotay."

"Good night, Naomi."

END

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