by Dakota

Kathryn woke up and stretched lazily. A glance at the chronometer told her she had several hours before she had to get up. She made her way to the bathroom for a glass of water. As she put the glass down, she looked in the mirror. Her hair was mussed from sleep and hung nearly to her waist. No one would recognize her as a captain in Starfleet. Sometimes she almost forgot she was still in Starfleet.

Nearly eight months ago, she had gone undercover to gather information about the Maquis – specifically focusing on one particular Maquis who had once been a Starfleet officer. It had taken her almost a month to establish herself with the Maquis and be assigned to Chakotay's ship. She kept a low profile initially, but had been sent to engineering during her second week on board to help with a recalcitrant warp core. She had managed to contribute to the solution without triggering the temper of the feisty chief engineer.

After that, Kathryn had been assigned to engineering where she and B'Elanna, the feisty chief engineer, had established a volatile yet stable working relationship and each had earned the wary respect of the other. That alone had focused the attention of the entire crew on her. A few who had been forced to deal with B'Elanna welcomed Kathryn's presence; others didn't trust her for the same reason. Kathryn kept to herself when off duty, struck up a few acquaintances over meals, and kept her ears open. On such a small ship, there was regular and frequent contact between them all so the crew soon accepted her.

Kathryn smiled at that thought. Accepted by almost all of the crew anyway. Seska hadn't trusted her and made no secret of the fact that she didn't like her either. Kathryn had ignored her as best she could and avoided her whenever possible. The latter wasn't always easy because Seska and B'Elanna had a friendship of sorts so Seska was often in engineering for one reason or another to see B'Elanna. Kathryn usually managed to find work elsewhere when Seska appeared.

About three weeks after she had been assigned to engineering, Kathryn had worked long hours with B'Elanna repairing the warp core yet again. B'Elanna had spent even longer on the task than Kathryn so when they were finished, she had asked Kathryn to take the report to Chakotay. Kathryn agreed and made her way to his quarters. It was her first opportunity to talk to him privately since she had come on board.

Kathryn entered Chakotay's quarters and was surprised at her reaction to being in his presence. She had noted his appeal before, but had not realized how strong it was. It was part of the reason he could command the respect of the crew. Kathryn faltered only once as she started her report but recovered quickly. She was getting ready to leave, having finished the report and answered his questions, when Seska entered.

"What's she doing here?" Seska demanded an answer. Chakotay's anger at her tone and attitude was immediately clear.

"Does it matter?"

"No, it doesn't. Get rid of her!"

Chakotay's eyes turned cold. Seska presumed too much on a one-night stand many months earlier. It was time she accepted the truth. He reached out to Kathryn and jerked her firmly against his body, then kissed her thoroughly before turning back to Seska.

"I think I'd rather get rid of you. Get out!"

Kathryn smiled at herself in the mirror as she remembered the look on Seska's face. She had to give the woman credit for self-preservation though – a week later, Seska had established herself with the captain of another Maquis ship. Another ship? Kathryn wondered how much longer it would be before her ship caught up with Chakotay's. What was supposed to be a three or four-month assignment was now nearly eight. Tuvok would have a lot of explaining to do when she saw him again. She turned out the light and went back to bed.

As Kathryn pulled the covers over her, familiar hands reached out and pulled her closer, one hand running over the distinctive swell of her belly. That first kiss had been soul-shattering but Chakotay's kisses had only improved over the months so Kathryn moved eagerly into the arms that held her and turned her head for yet another. She too would have some explaining to do when Tuvok finally arrived.
 

If you're curious about events when Voyager finally catches up to the Maquis ship, you might enjoy Maquis Heart.