by Dakota

"Do you mind if I ask you a question?" Kathryn settled back on the couch watching Chakotay clear the last of the dishes from the table.

"No. What do you want to know?" Chakotay carried two cups of coffee over to the couch and handed Kathryn hers.

"Why don't you get to know other women?"

"I know other women." Chakotay smiled. "Unless you mean 'Biblically', in which case I'm not sure it's any of your business."

"I didn't mean that." Kathryn spoke quickly.

"Are you sure?" Chakotay stared at her pointedly.

Kathryn flushed and sipped her coffee to avoid answering. "I'm sure."

"Why do you want to know?"

"Never mind. As you said, it's none of my business."

"No, you asked that question for a reason. I'm curious about your reason." Chakotay persisted. "Tell me."

"I want you to be happy and you're not the type to live your life alone."

"I've been alone most of my life, Kathryn. I'm very much that type."

"Not that kind of alone." Kathryn sighed. "I'm not sure I can explain it."

"You think I'm the type to find one woman and spend my life 'happily ever after' with her, don't you?"

"Well, I wouldn't use that description, but yes, that's pretty much what I meant. Why aren't you trying to find her?"

"I have found her. I thought you knew that." Chakotay's voice was soft.

"Then why are you wasting your time with me?"

"I'm not wasting my time. I'm doing exactly what you said – spending my life 'happily ever after' with that one woman."

"This isn't my idea of 'happily ever after' and I doubt it's what you would choose."

"It might not be my first choice, but I am happy with my life. I'm spending my time with the woman I love."

"Don’t say that." Kathryn flushed again.

"Why not? It's the truth."

Kathryn could feel Chakotay's eyes on her but she didn’t answer.

"All right, Kathryn. Why did you bring up this subject? You're clearly not comfortable with it."

"You should be with someone who loves you."

"I thought I was." Chakotay put his cup down. "Am I wrong?"

Kathryn shook her head and whispered. "No, you're not wrong."

"Thank you for being honest. I don't expect anything more."

"You should."

"Why should I expect more?" Chakotay reached out his hand and tilted her chin up so he could look into her eyes. "I'm with you like this almost every day. Yes, I'd like more but I'm not giving you up. I'm happy with what we have. Now, have I answered your question?"

"Yes," Kathryn nodded as she considered his words. "Can I ask you another question?"

Chakotay raised his eyebrows in consent.

"Will you kiss me, please?"

"Why, Kathryn?"

"Because I want more, too, a lot more."