Slowly But Surely

The starlight was just enough to watch her while she was sleeping. Her being asleep gave him a chance to think about the recent turn in their relationship. To say he was confused would be an understatement, though. Chakotay had some difficulty to comprehend what had taken place, what had changed her mind. For years she had been aware of his feelings for her, but it had taken Kashyk's kiss to make her realize that she didn't need to be alone.

Kashyk.

Oddly enough, Chakotay hadn't been jealous while the Inspector had been onboard Voyager, although he had noticed Kashyk's interest in Voyager's captain. The why was beyond him, though. Maybe, he had trusted Kathryn enough to keep that man at bay, or maybe he had begun to accept her wish to be left alone. Chakotay couldn't tell. Not really, at least.

Kathryn's shifting position startled him out of his thoughts for the time being, and he figured she had woken. A sideward glance at her told him that she was still alseep, however. She had just made herself more comfortable.

Chakotay used that moment to watch her face. It looked relaxed, bare of any worry. It was an expression he seldomly saw on her face. He wondered whether she always looked untroubled in her sleep or not. Never before had he gotten a chance to find out, but now it seemed as if he would get it soon enough. The only thing he regretted, though, was having to wake her in a few minutes. They were in the mess hall after all, and he seriously doubted that she would enjoy being woken by this or that crewmember. Or even worse yet, by Neelix. As lovely as he was, Neelix couldn't keep a secret for a longer time. He usually gave it away one way or another, either by acting strangely or by making a slip.

Chakotay figured now was as good a time as any, leaning closer to her ear. "Kathryn," he whispered softly, but got no response. "Kathryn," he repeated, a little louder this time, but still in a whisper. "You'd better wake up."

"I don't want to," she muttered sleepily, never opening her eyes.

His mischievous side took over for a second. "Well, I could carry you to your quarters if you wanted me to," he teased her. "But chances are we'd run into some of the crew."

"You wouldn't dare," Kathryn retorted. Still, her eyes remained closed. "Let me sleep a few more minutes," she pleaded.

Chakotay was taken by surprise. He didn't know her to be late riser. It might be the lack of sleep, though, he figured. She had gotten very little sleep within the last four days after all. "Come on, sleepy head. It's only four in the morning. You can go on sleeping in your quarters for two more hours. How does this sound?"

"Not good enough for me. It would mean, I have to get up now. I don't want to."

"I see that this is getting more difficult," Chakotay said to himself. He then addressed her again, trying another approach. "Do you know were you are? You're in the mess hall which is empty right now, but will be filled with hungry crewmembers in no time. Come on, get up," he urged.

Very reluctantly, Kathryn opened her eyes. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't deny his logic. Her hands came up to rub the sleep out of her eyes while she began to stretch, forcing the sleepiness out of her limbs as well. "How late did you say it is?"

"Four in the morning."

"I've been sleeping for two hours?," Kathryn asked incredulously. "Wasn't that uncomfortable for you?"

In fact, it had been quite uncomfortable, if his protesting muscles were any indication, but he didn't care. "I'll live. Now come on, I'll walk you to your quarters."

*

They walked along the corridors, oddly enough meeting no one on their way to Kathryn's quarters. A companionable silence had fallen upon them, different to other times in a way. They usually felt a little awkward then, because many unsaid things were between them. That night was very different, though, and they both enjoyed that a lot. Eventually, they reached the captain's quarters.

"Thank you," Kathryn said softly, opening the doors. They both knew that she didn't mean his walking her back but was talking about their new level of understanding.

"You're very welcome." For a second, Chakotay was uncertain as to what to do or say next. A simple good-bye seemed the reasonable way of action, but he didn't feel like being reasonable. Still, he didn't know what to do.

Kathryn took the decision out of his hands, though. She quickly leaned closer, brushing his cheek with her lips, whispering a soft "Good night." The shyness with which she kissed him made Chakotay smile.

"Good night, Kathryn," he whispered back. He then turned and slowly walked to his quarters, all the while thinking that this was just the beginning. They were moving slowly, one step at a time, but they were moving forward.

He was slowly but surely getting what he had always wanted - someone to share his life with. Someone to love. Someone to love him back.

THE END

There is a sequel to this story: First Steps

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