Never Mind

"Shore leave sounds great, Captain!" Paris exclaimed, but then his mood changed. "But how do we get down there? The transporters are useless due to the atmosphere's interference. As are the shuttles."

"That, Mr. Paris, is no problem at all," Kathryn smiled slyly, "if we land with Voyager herself."

Everyone in the conference room could see Paris' eyes beginning to dance with joy. Whenever he got the chance to land Voyager - which happened quite seldom - Paris became over enthusiastic.

Having sorted this out, there was nothing else for then left to discuss, so Kathryn dismissed her senior staff, still smiling. Her mind was already occupied with all the things she could do with so much spare time, so didn't notice Chakotay's still being present at first. But as she did her smile grew even in its size. Boy, was he in for a shock! Kathryn had already planned on taking some R&R herself and work was the one thing farthest away from her mind.

"No need to talk me into taking shore leave, Chakotay," she foresaw his next comment. "I'm going to go willingly."

If this surprised Chakotay, he hid it well. "Actually, I hadn't planned on talking you into it," he said slowly. "Forced would have been the more appropriate word in this case."

"You're talking about mutiny, Mister. Careful or you might spend your shore leave in the brig." Or in my quarters, Kathryn added silently. There were many ways of punishment. Upon these thoughts, she had to grin. "Anyway, we had better go to the bridge. I know a pilot who will go mad if he isn't allowed to land this ship soon."

"Aye, Captain. I totally agree on this," he calmly stated. "You would never take another shore leave willingly if Paris went insane." Ducking flying objects, Chakotay literally sprinted out the room.

*

This planet was even more beautiful when seen by yourself. The landscape varied between rocky mountains in the east, wide flower fields in the north and south, and a small wood in the west. It had to be summer of sorts for it was rather hot, but spirits were high and nothing, let alone a little heat, could change it easily.

Voyager had landed in near one of the fields. It had been the best spot for her because the surface was hard enough to carry her weight. Chakotay had taken it upon himself to work out the shore leave rotation, granting as many people shore leave at the same time as possible. He had even fulfilled extra wishes when a crewmember had asked nothing too extraordinary. As it was, Voyager was manned by only a skeleton crew which was, of course, no problem. A little crew was more than enough when Voyager wasn't in space.

Kathryn had changed her clothing and was now dressed in a beige summer dress she had found in the corner of her closet. She had totally forgotten about this dress until now. Just to be sure, she was wearing a swimsuit under her dress because she had overheard people talking about many possibilities to go swimming.

On her way to explore the nature a little more closely, she bypassed smiling crewmembers. It made Kathryn happy to see her crew like this - carefree for once. The last months hadn't been relaxed and no one could have taken some time to themselves, let alone think about shore leave.

Without her noticing, she had walked in the woods for some time. It was sheer breathtakingly beautiful. For people who are used to spending most of their time in space, it was easy to forget about the change of seasons and about all the beauty a planet had to offer. Breathing recycled air was nothing compared to the fresh air of a planet. Additionally, this untouched nature was radiating calmness. The leaves up in the air were lightly swinging in the small breeze. Birds singing happily could be heard. All in all, it was more relaxing than anything the holodecks could create.

But it was getting hotter.

"A change in plan can't hurt," Kathryn said to herself. Instead of exploring the nature she would look for some place to swim. Now she was glad that she had thought of dressing in a one piece. The idea of finding a lake or something and then taking a swim was appealing - and very tempting. Nevertheless, it took some time of aimlessly wandering around until Kathryn heard the ripple of water in the distance. Speeding her pace, she changed directions and literally began to ran once.

Kathryn was stopped.

By an animal.

A little puppy.

A huge smile broke out on her face when she saw the little pet. Kathryn had always had a weakness for dogs, or in this case, a doggish something. The little thing appeared lost and she wondered where its mother was. Besides, as cute as it was Kathryn remained cautious. As it was, she knew nothing about the life on this planet. But when the puppy began to wail and come to her, stumbling over its own feet, she threw her caution to the wind and picked it up.

"Hey, little one, where is your mother?" she asked. By a way of responding the puppy started licking her face, causing Kathryn to giggle. It had been a long time since she had held a puppy in her arms. Taking a thorough look around herself, she didn't see any other animal, let alone the mother of her new charge.

"Do you want to accompany me for a little while?" she asked further. The puppy had already made itself comfortable in her arms and didn't seem as if it wanted to leave the safety of them any time soon. "I guess, this means yes."

Kathryn continued on her way to the lake or whatever it was she had heard earlier, all the time watching the little one in her arms. Its brown fur shone in the sunlight and matched the brighter hue of her dress nicely, she noticed. Its ears swung with every step Kathryn took and it looked absolutely cute. She would have difficulties to leave it behind when the shore leave was over, and it made her sad to think about it. Alas, pets weren't allowed on Voyager and also she was the captain it didn't mean she could break the rules. Others would certainly want to follow her and at the end they would have more pets on Voyager than crewmembers.

The sound of water was getting louder. Kathryn rounded some huge shrubs.

She stopped dead in her tracks.

Someone had been quicker than she had been.

Chakotay had been that someone.

And he was completely naked.

Kathryn knew she was supposed to leave faster than the speed of lightning before he noticed her watching him. Somehow, she just couldn't keep her mind from admiring his physique and thus she couldn't afford to take her eyes off of him. Unbidden, erotic pictures shot through her mind and Kathryn felt a blush creeping up face. Still, she was unable to leave. What she got to see was simply beautiful as a substitute for a better word. The clarity of the water didn't hide much from what Chakotay's body had to offer. Only the broken light kept her from seeing everything.

Gods, he was far more than handsome! Tanned body, muscled arms, broad upper body, flat stomach, tight ass, and . . . never mind.

Kathryn had completely forgotten about the puppy in her arms, but it picked that moment to make its presence known, barking quietly.

Not quietly enough.

Chakotay caught the sound and turned to face . . . Kathryn? Immediately, he noticed her standing still as a stone, watching him wide-eyed. A huge smile broke out on his face. Kathryn was clearly uncomfortable about having been caught staring and it was amusing him immensely. Chakotay raised one eyebrow in question, still smiling like an idiot. The temptation of standing up and showing her everything he had to offer was great, but somehow, he had no clue as to how, he resisted it. He wouldn't want Kathryn to run away, now would he?

Kathryn couldn't believe it. He was enjoying her discomfort! For this behavior alone she ought to turn around and leave him! But this was simply impossible for her. Her subconscious was trying to keep her from doing so - and was succeeding. It had something fascinating to watch him, now that he was aware of it more than before. He was so utterly unashamed of his nudity.

"Why don't you join me?" Chakotay asked innocently, breaking the silence that had been present until now.

'The nerve!' Kathryn thought angrily, but as hard as she was trying for, her subconscious wouldn't let her do what she thought was right. Instead Kathryn found herself getting rid of her dress and walking to the water before she knew what she was doing. Also, she couldn't remember having put the puppy down, but apparently she had done it because the little one was running to the water. In amazement, Kathryn watched the cute little one jump into it and swim to Chakotay. Something like jealousy was shooting through her as she saw how easily her puppy accepted him. In the next moment, she realized how stupid feeling like this was. The puppy wasn't hers and besides, it had accepted her just as quickly.

"You coming?" Chakotay pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Yes, yes," Kathryn replied absentmindedly, walking into the water. The coolness of it was very refreshing, especially for her overly heated skin, Kathryn figured. Although Chakotay's next remark had a reversing effect.

"So, have you gotten a nice view?"

"I . . ." Kathryn started utterly embarrassed. "You know me, Chakotay. I didn't mean to watch. I heard the water and wanted to go for a swim. I didn't realize that you were here. I accidentally . . ." Only now she realized how near he was and immediately put some distance between them.

"You accidentally . . . ?" he asked further.

"I accidentally . . . caught view . . . of . . ." There was no way Kathryn would continue talking.

"Did you at least enjoy it?" Chakotay spared her to say it aloud.

'Yes, you'll never know how much!' her mind screamed at him, but she remained silent, avoiding eye contact with him.

"I take this as yes," he smiled. "Never mind," Chakotay said warmly, then added grinning, "I enjoyed it, too."

Before Kathryn could have possibly replied to this, Chakotay went diving, giving her another thorough view of his physique. Not once she did notice the puppy swimming happily around so absorbed she was in the picture in front of her. Chakotay had the appearance of a Greek God and Kathryn felt a rush of desire burning through her body. This, paired with her always-present feelings for him, caused her to dive after him.

Still under water, she caught up with him, suddenly not the slightest bit embarrassed about his nudity anymore. Kathryn touched him lightly and as Chakotay turned in the water she could see the surprise in his eyes.

Both their heads broke the surface.

"Chakotay," Kathryn began huskily, "I have this problem, an almost painful sensation is building up within me . . . And I think you're just the right man to ease it, but . . . never mind," she added, teasing him.

"Oh, it would be my pleasure," Chakotay replied just as huskily, his head dipping to capture her mouth . . .

THE END

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