You've Got Mail

Kathryn's computer terminal cheeped with a new message. Curiosity was a big part of her personality and it led her to stop whatever she was doing. She walked over to her desk, made herself comfortable in the chair and began reading.

'My dear friend,

It seems as if I've known you for years. Your jokes make me laugh, your problems make me think about a solution. Who would have thought we would have so much in common? Have you realized we mostly talk about the less important things? I have and I find it quite comforting. Just talking to you helps me relax. And I'm terribly sorry I have to close this message now because work calls.

Have a nice day.'

Kathryn leaned slightly back in her chair, her arms resting on her thighs A small smile was tucking her lips as she thought about his words. She definitely felt the same way. She found the whole situation was kind of fascinating. Normally she wasn't the type to go and share her innermost thoughts with someone she had never met before. But the fact that she actually did felt neither odd nor disconcerting to her, only comforting.

They had met in an old chatroom which she accidently stumbled over it in search for new scientific data. Even when she wasn't in Starfleet any longer, she couldn't abandon a piece of herself. Kathryn was born as a scientist and she would die as one. She had never known before something like that even existed. In the 24th century everyone had his or her personal address with their real name in it, but in that chatroom everyone had been using nicknames. Kathryn had logged in out of curiosity. For a while she had read what the others had been talking about and had almost left it, when someone had addressed her directly. That was how it all had begun. Since then she awaited his messages anxiously.

Kathryn walked out of the house she had grown up in and into her garden. She had wanted to do some garden work all day and had even dressed for the occasion but had been frightened she might have missed his next message. So shehad spent the entire morning near her computer, alternating between reading a good book or playing with Daisy to pass the time.

She stood in the middle of the flower field, breathing in her surroundings. It was a beautiful summer day and quite perfect to get some work done. The sun was shining brightly, though it was still not threatening hot outside. The birds were singing in the trees, their music filling Kathryn's entire being. The flowers were smelling wonderfully. Everything just seemed perfect. So she turned full circle with closed eyes, a dreamy expression on her face and wide arms, admiring all the beauty of the day.

*

Chakotay was hard at work. After his departure from Starfleet he had settled down in Indiana. Actually, he had wanted to go back to Dorvan V Apparently that hadn't worked out the way he wished it had. Chakotay had always dreamed that the day his last debriefing was finished he would return to his home world immediately, whether it was situated in Cardassian territory or not. The problem was that there wasn't much left of the home he had once known, the Cardassians had taken care of that. So he had had to make a decision where he had wanted to live. His choice had fallen on Earth and he had never regretted it. After Chakotay had found a small house he had begun sand painting again, figuring he needed something to do he could enjoy. And enjoy it he did - usually - but at the moment he couldn't concentrate on it. Since he had met that incredible woman in the chatroom, thoughts of her were never far from his mind. He had meant everything he had said in his mails, he hadn't felt so at peace with himself in a long time.

He laid his tools aside, figuring he wouldn't get ANY work done anyway, while he was that distracted. He decided a walk with his dog, a Golden Retriever, was in order.

"Brinkey?" he called.

In less than a second his dog rounded the corner and almost knocked Chakotay down with the force of his movement. Laughing he ruffled Brinkey behind his ears all the while Brinkey licked his owner's face.

"Come on fatso, let's go for a walk!"

Upon hearing that Brinkey sprinted out the door wagging his tail. A moment later his head looked around the corner, his ears pointed, waiting for his owner to come after him.

"I'm coming, I'm coming. An old man is no fast train."

*

"Kath?" she heard him call.

"I'm in the garden!"

She had just finished planting the last flower for the day. Slowly she stood and reached for the towel next to her, cleaning her dirty hands at least a little. Turning she caught Steve Edwards watching her. Her lover wore a silly grin on his face and tried hard not to laugh out loud.

"What's so funny?" she asked irritated.

His shoulders were now shaking with suppressed laughter. Steve was a tall, slim man with brown hair and eyes, very neat from head to toe. He was a scientist just like she had once been one.

"Nothing . . . just a lot of dirt on the tip of your nose," he answered her question.

Kathryn turned all shades of red, while quickly removing the dirt. When he still seemed to burst into laughter any second, she playfully hit him with her towel. Then she kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"Why are you here already? I thought you'd come for lunch?"

His eyebrows rose. "Do you know what time it is? It's 12:30."

Her hands flew to cover her mouth, spreading the dirt onto her face once more.

"Oh I'm sorry, I must have lost track of time."

"It's okay," he took her hands in his slowly pulling her towards the house, "Why don't you take a shower and I'll replicate us something."

Kathryn's dog chose that moment to make her presence known. She ran with near warp speed towards them and jumped, knocking Steve down. She always did that to him.

"Daisy, get off of him!" Kathryn yelled. She knew how much Steve hated that. It even seemed Daisy was doing this on purpose.

"My, I wish that dog would get lost or something," he muttered. He stood and beat the dust out of his clothes. As he looked up he saw a hurt and angry Kathryn staring back, her hands on her hips with her chin held high. Gone was the playful and relaxed atmosphere. "Come on Kath, you know I wouldn't harm Daisy. But I don't like her for doing that either," he added hesitantly.

Several long minutes passed without a word spoken, both studying the other carefully. Finally Kathryn broke the silence, having come to a decision.

"Fine. If you cannot be with Daisy, then you cannot be with me either. Daisy is PART of my life. So I suggest you go now."

That clearly surprised Steve. His mouth opened - and shut, without a sound getting past the lump in his throat. He could see she was deadly serious about that and her decision seemed to be final. Holding onto the little dignity he had left he turned on his heels and literally stormed out her house - and life.

*

He slumped into the next best chair, Brinkey not far from his side. That dog had unlimited energy. He had had his owner chasing after him for nearly two hours and still wasn't tired. A cheeping got Brinkey's attention and he raced into the living area, barking for his owner to come after him. Chakotay limped after his dog, immediately aware why Brinkey was so happy. That cheeping came from his computer terminal, indicating the arrival of a new message. He took his seat in an easy chair and started reading.

'Hello there,

I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am to have you. I've just separated from my boyfriend because of my dog. They couldn't get along very well all the time, but I've never realized he hates her. Daisy is such a lovely German Shepard and a big part of my life. Do you like dogs?

Take care.'

Smiling to himself Chakotay pet Brinkey on the head while the dog stood besides him

"Well, do I like dogs, fatso?"

He decided to answer her mail immediately.

*

An hour after Steve had left, Kathryn did not nearly feel as terrible as she thought she would. She even felt well - free somehow. That thought troubled her a lot. While she lay on her sofa, she tried to analyze her feelings. They had had a good time together. They had had fun, the same interests - well, almost - and had gotten along quite well from the beginning. So why didn't she feel the slightest bit lost or sorrowful? Then it hit her. She had liked him. She had liked him a lot. LIKED him, but hadn't actually LOVED him. That was it. She had never been in love with him. She had needed a human body next to hers. No, that wasn't right, he hadn't just been a fling. He had also been the one she had confided in. But she hadn't loved him, and she doubted he had loved her. They had never said those three little words to each other.

Her musings were interrupted by a newly arrived mail.

While walking over to her computer she wondered about his speedy reply. Wasn't he supposed to be at work? The question was quickly answered as she read his message.

'Hi yourself,

Don't wonder why I'm answering that fast. I'm self-employed and couldn't get any work done today. So I decided to answer right away. I'm sorry your relationship ended. It must be very painful for you. Well, I won't say 'I know how you feel' or something like that because it would be a lie. I haven't had any relationship for years. The last one, if you could even call it that, ended about two years ago. Since then I live together with Brinkey, my Golden Retriever. I guess that answers your question.

Bye.'

To Kathryn's mind that man was incredible. And he even lived somewhere near her, that much she knew. Suddenly she felt the urge to meet him in person. Of course she was aware he could be ugly or fat or simply a pain in the rear end but she had to find out anyway.

*

Chakotay danced around his living room, then into the kitchen and back into his living room. Joy was clearly written across his face. He jumped onto the couch, back down and onto it once again all the while Brinkey was watching him curiously. Brinkey's head was going up and down with each movement of his owner. As Chakotay noticed the dog he stopped torturing his furniture and ran over to Brinkey. Soon both were engaged in a playful fight which ended with Brinkey atop Chakotay. He wore a silly grin, taking Brinkey's head in his hands.

"She wants to meet me! Can you believe that fatso? I know, she might be ugly or fat or simply a pain in the rear end but I have to find out anyway!"

The only response was newly added moisture to his cheeks. Carefully, Chakotay tried to free himself from the pressure his dogs was exerting onto his lungs. However, Brinkey never the one knowing when to stop, just interpreted that as another way to play with his owner. He began jumping on Chakotay's back and started pulling at his clothes. The only way to distract him from his present satisfaction was finding Brinkey's favorite ball. Fortunately for Chakotay it lay just within reachable space. So he gripped it, showed it Brinkey and threw it out the door into his little garden. Brinkey shot after it.

*

Kathryn was sitting in that little cafe‚ only fifteen minutes from her house. She was a bit early, but old habits didn't change that easily. She had chosen a table in the center that could be quickly spotted. She didn't want him to miss her. For recognition she had taken a book and a single yellow rose with her, which were lying together, quite visibly, on the table. Kathryn eagerly awaited his arrival.

Fifteen minutes later he still hadn't turned up. She began wondering about his reasons for being late. While she was waiting, she ordered another cup of coffee, the other two cups already emptied.

*

He rounded the corner to that little cafe‚ she had suggested they could meet in. He quickly scanned the entire area, his eyes suddenly catching quite familiar auburn hair. Chakotay stopped dead in his tracks. He couldn't believe it! No, no, no, that couldn't be; he desperately shook his head, trying to clear his view. He hoped his imagination was playing tricks on him; it might be a woman who looked very similar. He couldn't be certain since he had just watched her from behind her back. But then something on the opposite side of the cafe‚ caught her interest. As she turned left, Chakotay's mouth opened and he mouthed, "Kathryn."

*

"Hi. May I?" He gestured towards he chair opposite Kathryn.

Kathryn had been deep in thought and hadn't seen him coming. Now all she could do was stare into these dark pools which she hadn't seen in two years.

"H . . . Hi. Yes, you may but I'm expecting someone." She had finally found her voice and wondered how fast she had gotten over the initial shock of finding Chakotay in front of herself.

"That's quite all right. It will only take a few minutes. Besides that someone hasn't shown up yet . . . or so it seems," he added silently.

Chakotay sat down, all the while secretly admiring her beauty. He noticed her appearance hadn't changed much in the last two years, except her hair. Now it was even longer than on New Earth, framing her face and falling down her back. Kathryn was wearing a light blue, sleeveless summer dress which only reached to her knees. Her entire being sent his synapses into overload, but Chakotay was careful not to show it openly in his eyes.

"So, how is Starfleet?" he asked, trying to settle on an easy subject.

"I have no idea. I haven't been at Starfleet HQ for two years."

"Oh, really? And I've thought you'd be in outer space as soon as possible."

It was meant as plain teasing, nothing to worry about. But Kathryn took it all wrong. Her eyes narrowed, her mouth a thin line.

"You don't know me as well as you think you do. And what are you doing here anyway? Isn't there anything else for you to do?"

Chakotay was deeply hurt by her words. Why was she saying that? What did he do wrong? The idea of talking to her didn't seem so appealing anymore. Without another word he stood and walk away. Behind him utterly confused and angry, though mostly at herself, Kathryn was watching his departure.

*

After hours of aimless walking through the forest nearby his house Chakotay was completely exhausted. Physically as well as emotionally. During his walk old memories of Kathryn and him had surfaced and he had begun dwelling on them. Their time together on New Earth. The way she had become much more relaxed after that. Their flirting on the bridge or while discussing ship's business over dinner. He had remembered all the touchs she used to give him; her way of communicating her approval of something. To his misery Chakotay had noticed he was still in love with her. The last two years he had been so certain he had gotten over her. However, that short and painful meeting with her had let all his suppressed emotions break free.

Chakotay entered his house and as usual Brinkey came running towards him. Despite the fact that Brinkey was only an animal, he had grown to understand his owner's moods. He slowed down and instead of knocking Chakotay down settled for just brushing his flanks along Chakotay's legs.

"Hey fatso, how are you?"

The dog responded by wagging his tail to and fro.

Making his way over to the couch Chakotay's computer terminal began blinking with a new message. Curious as to what Kathryn might have to say, made him change directions and he opened it.

'Hello,

Today I waited an hour for you, but you didn't show up. I wonder what that was all about, but I'm sure you've had good reasons. While I awaited your arrival I met an old friend of mine, if you can still call us that. Oh my, I said things to him and I don't even know why. The only thing I know for sure is I regret my actions deeply, because I do care and he means a lot to me.

Bye.'

*

A knock at the door pulled Kathryn out of her reverie. She stood, smoothing the wrinkles out of her dress, then headed to the door. She opened it and was surprised to find Chakotay standing right in front of her.

"Cha . . . Chakotay?" Her voice trembled. Having the object of her thoughts looking her in the eye had caught her totally off guard.

Just as Kathryn was about to let him enter Daisy came sprinting towards the new guest. Kathryn had no time to react, so Daisy jumped, knocking Chakotay down in the process. Then she began licking his face.

"Get off Daisy!" Kathryn ordered, although a bit surprised by her dog's quick acceptance of Chakotay. Normally, Daisy was suspicious, though not aggressive, towards people she didn't know.

"I'm sorry," Kathryn began apologizing, "I just cannot get her to stop doing that."

As Daisy was off him, Kathryn extended her hand, helping Chakotay stand up.

"No need to apologize," he said laughing.

Her eyes went down to the floor. "Yes, there is. Please come in."

She led him into the living area and told him to make himself comfortable She then went to the replicator, ordering two cups of coffee. As Kathryn turned back to Chakotay she caught sight of Daisy lying on the couch next to him Her head was cradled in his lap and he was ruffling Daisy's fur.

She walked over to them, the two steaming cups in her hands and sat beside Daisy. She was grateful for her dog. She had always needed space when had been talking to Chakotay.

Handing him his coffee she began talking, "Listen Chakotay. I'm truly sorry for my behavior yesterday. The only explanation I can give is that I was utterly irritated by your presence. I didn't mean what I said. I'm sorry."

"I've already forgiven you. What shocked me most though, was the whole misunderstanding itself. We've always been teasing one another, so I've fallen in that pattern easily. And I admit you've hurt me with your sarcastic remark."

"I know," she whispered.

"As I said before you've been forgiven. Don't be mad at me, but I gotta go now," Chakotay informed her. He petted Daisy on the head, while untangling himself from her limbs.

"I'll walk you to the door," Kathryn said.

Just a few minutes after Chakotay had left, Kathryn got another message. As usual she sat in her chair and started reading.

'Dear friend,

I apologize for not coming. Unfortunately, unexpected business came up and it was kind of important. If you still want to meet me, I know a beautiful place not far away from that cafe you suggested the last time. That park has an interesting little fountain where we could meet. How does fifteen hundred hours sound? You'll recognize me, if you hear someone calling for Brinkey. That's my dog. You can bring Daisy, too. I'm sure they'll get along nicely.

Take care.'

Grinning from ear to ear Kathryn answered his mail immediately, confirming the time and place he had suggested.

*

Kathryn, again, had arrived early. She and Daisy were sitting on a bench next to the fountain. Well, that meant Kathryn was sitting on the bench, Daisy was lying on the floor beside her. Since she had about ten minutes until his arrival she started wondering about the whole situation. She found it kind of odd that as her mail partner hadn't shown up, suddenly Chakotay appeared out of nowhere, sitting in front of her. She almost believed, and secretly wished, he was the one she had been exchanging messages for the last few month. But that was of course ridiculous. Chakotay had just left her house as the newest message had arrived.

Her musings were interrupted by a Golden Retriever appearing at her side. He immediately went to Daisy, both taking stock of each other. That was when she recognized a quite familiar voice calling "Brinkey!" Kathryn's eyes scanned the entire area at once, searching for the face she was hoping to see yet dreading at the same time. As she finally spotted him she released the breath she wasn't aware holding. She found herself drowning in his eyes once again. Her body began to tremble, her heart started beating faster, and her view was blurring from the tears threatening to fall. Chakotay stopped just within her personal space, intensively observing her reaction.

"I was hoping it would be you," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. Ever slowly she closed the remaining space between them; Chakotay met her half way. First, their lips were barely touching, just two pairs of lips softly brushing together. However, it soon deepened as Kathryn circled his neck with her arms, pulling Chakotay even closer. He himself wasn't inactive. He gently opened her mouth with his tongue, deepening the kiss, which became rapidly overwhelming for both, even more. That went on several moments until they drew apart reluctantly, gasping for air but touching foreheads.

"I love you." A whisper.

"I love you too, Kathryn."

As they stood, hugging each other fiercely, both were completely unaware of their dogs lying side by side and watching them rather intensively.

THE END

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