by Dakota

A flash of movement caught her eye and Kathryn Janeway turned her attention from the main screen to the console to her left. Chakotay had called up the information that was coming in from their sensors. The readings were the same as they had been for the last ten weeks – plenty of stars with planets, and every planet that might once have harbored life had been reduced to rubble. Any materials that might prove useful would require more resources to obtain than they were worth.

Kathryn Janeway watched Chakotay's hand move across the controls of the shared monitor. He reached out and tapped the display to draw her attention to a particular item. The destruction for the planets was more extreme for one of the systems they were approaching. These planets had all been charred to cinders. She continued reviewing the information and soon saw the reason for the difference – the star had gone nova recently. They had only missed its outburst by thirty or forty thousand years.

The captain looked up to see her first officer watching her. He shrugged as if in answer to some question and she nodded. They agreed. The star was nothing worth investigating. She turned her attention back to the main screen. The monotony of the destruction had grown tedious but for once, she was thankful for the tedium. Voyager was short on supplies. They had fuel but little else. The last alien they had encountered had seen to that.

His name was Luklersk and he claimed to be a trade representative of a planet not far ahead. His behavior had been that of a common thief. Janeway had decided to avoid his planet completely when a long-range communication confirmed he had indeed been a trade representative. That had been the last system with any M class planets they passed before they entered the area of destruction.

How she wanted to leave the bridge and seek the sanctuary of her ready room but she resisted. She felt that her presence made it easier for the others on the bridge to remain alert despite the tedium. At least they had things that required constant monitoring. A hand tapped hers again. She looked over to Chakotay to see him smiling slightly. He motioned his head toward the monitor. She looked at the display and managed not to smile. The text read "Best 50 out of 99" and below it was a tic-tac-toe grid. She shook her finger in admonition before placing her first marker in a box.

The next afternoon, Kathryn Janeway sat staring at the main screen again. She glanced to her left and envied Chakotay his excuse to work in his office. He had left the bridge about 15:00 to work on the duty roster. He was trying to arrange the schedule so everyone had two days off in sequence every eight to ten days.

"Chakotay to Janeway."

"Janeway here. Go ahead, Commander." At least the conversation relieved the boredom for a few minutes.

"Could you come to my office? I could use your input on a few things."

Normally, Chakotay would have come to the bridge and asked to speak with her in her ready room. Puzzled, she stood. "You have the bridge, Mr. Paris."

As the turbolift door closed behind her, she knew that she had done something that would relieve the tension on the bridge for a while. Paris hated having the bridge when Tuvok was at Tactical and Kim was watching from Ops, knowing Tuvok would comment on even the smallest error on Paris's part.

Chakotay was waiting outside his office door when Kathryn arrived. He took her arm and led her toward the turbolift.

"I thought you needed help with the duty roster."

"I didn't say that." Chakotay grinned at her. "I asked you to come to my office and said I needed your input on a few things."

The entered the turbolift and Chakotay ordered it to Deck 3. As they exited, he said. "Change into something comfortable for hiking on a mild fall day. I've only got an hour of holodeck time so hurry. I'll be back in five minutes."

"We're on duty."

"Argue with me later. Just get changed." 

Chakotay was down the hall and into his quarters before she could argue further. Feeling like a truant student, Kathryn entered her quarters. She was just pulling on her shoes when the chime sounded.

"Come." She heard the outer door open and close.

"You ready?"

"Just about." Kathryn grabbed a light jacket and went to her living area. "Why exactly are we doing this now?"

"The holodeck was available now and it might be our last chance to get away for a while."

"Why is that?"

"I finished the change in the roster and gave everyone four extra hours of holodeck time this month and next."

Kathryn eyed him. "Don't you think you should have consulted me about that?"

"I am." Chakotay shoved a padd at her. "Add your approval and I'll send it to the crew."

"Sometimes I wonder about you." Kathryn muttered as she scanned the padd and added her approval.

"I always wonder about you." The grin hadn't disappeared. "Who did you leave in charge on the bridge?"

"Tom."

"Perfect. He won't dare try to check on us with Tuvok staring down his back." Chakotay hit a few keys on the padd sending the changes to the crew and tossed it on the table. "Let's go."

Later as they laughed over dinner, Kathryn had to admit the stolen hour had been a good idea.

Kathryn Janeway watched Chakotay's hand move across the controls of the shared monitor. He reached out and tapped her hand to get her attention then pointed to a specific reading. Excitement shot through her. A planet in a system about a week away showed life signs and advanced technology. She turned to see Chakotay smiling at her. She raised her brows and nodded vaguely in the direction of Ops. Chakotay nodded. Kim wasn't paying attention and he would handle it.

"Ensign Kim, what do sensors say about the planets orbiting the yellow dwarf about 7 degrees off our starboard bow?"

Janeway didn’t need to see Harry Kim to know he was madly calling up the details of the system as his mind raced to take in the readings. "There's an M class planet with a thriving ecosystem and indications of undetermined technological development."

"Mr. Paris, adjust course for that planet. If they're warp capable and willing to trade, we might just spend a few days there."

"Aye, Captain."

"Captain, the readings on that planet aren’t making any sense." Ensign Kim reported.

"How so, Ensign?"

"The ecosystem is clearly M class and its surface gravity shows barely above Earth normal but the planet is the size of Jupiter. It takes just over 26 hours to complete one rotation and its magnetic field is slightly greater than Earth's. Its distance from its primary should make it too cold to sustain life but temperatures are well within the ranges of M class planets." Ensign Kim looked up from his board. "It's like someone jumbled Earth, Jupiter and a few other planets together."

"It sounds like a real puzzle. It should be interesting." Janeway smiled slightly and turned back to the small monitor. Chakotay had pulled up the readings Kim had reported. For a day or two, there was something interesting to think about.

Voyager had orbited the planet for five days trying to make sense of it. The ecosystem was typical of an M class planet but the dimensions of the planet were those of a planet that should be uninhabitable. It was clearly inhabited by an advanced civilization, complex but dispersed across the land masses. The planet's land masses, hundreds of widely scattered continents roughly the size of Australia were all sparsely covered by what appeared to be individual homes with a scattering of small villages and a few larger towns. There was only one cluster of habitations that could be considered a city.

The civilization that had developed was as contradictory as the planet. Most of the people lived what appeared to be an agrarian lifestyle using little or no technology yet there were portions of the planet given over to large-scale farming and smaller areas devoted to manufacturing. There was no pollution yet they used powered vehicles and processed metals. They had a complex subterranean transportation system that went below their ocean beds and achieved speeds in excess of five thousand kilometers per hour. Voyager had not yet located or identified any power source for any of the equipment or facilities.

Kathryn Janeway scanned the readings on the shared console one final time before looking up. The inhabitants should have had warp capability if their other technology was any indication, but there was no evidence of it. She was severely disappointed. Not only could she not give her crew long overdue shore leave they couldn't even contact the inhabitants to trade for food.

"Break orbit, Mr. Paris. Put us back on course for the Alpha Quadrant."

"Aye, Captain."

The captain felt a hand rest on hers for a moment before moving hers away. She didn't turn to look at Chakotay but lowered her head slightly accepting the support and acknowledgement of her disappointment. She turned her attention to the main screen.

"Mr. Paris, why are we still in orbit?"

"I can't change our course or speed."

"Would you mind explaining that?"

"I can't."

"We're being held in orbit, Captain." Tuvok said. "It appears that when we change our course and heading, the planet's gravity changes to keep us in orbit."

Janeway turned to stare at Tuvok in disbelief. If it had been anyone else on the bridge, she would have suspected they were joking. "How can the planet's gravity change?"

"I can not explain it, Captain. I am simply conveying what my instruments report."

"Mr. Paris, try to change our orbit."

"Aye, captain."

They all watched the screen as the planet's rotation appeared to change as Voyager changed to a polar orbit.

"Well, I guess we can move around as long as we don't leave." The captain stood. "I want to know why we can maneuver but not leave. You have the bridge, Commander. I'll be in Engineering."

Two hours later, the captain was grilling her senior staff for details. 

"You're telling me that there is no explanation for our being held in orbit other than the gravity of the planet is changing and that the change in gravity exactly coincides with our attempts to leave orbit. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Captain." Ensign Kim was taking the brunt of her frustration at the moment.

"If I might, Captain?" Tuvok inquired.

"Go ahead, Lieutenant."

"Since there is no explanation for the change in the gravity of the planet, it is logical to assume there are forces at work of which we are not aware. That would indicate technology far in advance of anything known to us."

"You're saying the inhabitants are so advanced, we can't detect their technology?"

"Yes. It explains many other things about the civilization and the planet."

"He's right, Captain. We can't detect any power source yet they clearly have one."

"Then why haven't they contacted us?"

"Perhaps they have a Prime Directive of their own and are waiting for us to start the conversation." Tom Paris offered.

"Let's test your theory, Mr. Paris." Janeway stood and headed for the bridge. The others followed and took their stations.

"Open a hailing frequency, Mr. Kim"

"Frequency open, Captain."

"This is Kathryn Janeway, captain of the starship Voyager."

A face appeared on the screen before she finished the sentence.

"Greetings and salutations, Captain Janeway. My name is Joskar." What appeared to be a human being appeared on the screen. "I've taken the liberty of assuming your general appearance. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all." The captain studied the face of what appeared to be an elderly man with laugh-lines and a kindly smile under alert dark eyes. "I seem to have a problem and was hoping you might have the solution."

"You are referring to being held in orbit. I must apologize for that. We wanted to meet you but our laws prohibit us from initiating contact with visitors. You are now free to leave whenever you wish. I wish to extend an invitation to you and your crew to visit our world. We are willing to trade if you are so inclined."

"It may seem presumptuous, but we too have laws, some of which limit our ability to share technology."

"That is not a problem, Captain. I can assure you that you have no technology that is not well within our capabilities. Might I suggest you land your ship and take advantage of the amenities of our beautiful planet?"

The captain felt a touch on the back of her hand and turned to look at Chakotay. He nodded and she knew he trusted Joskar. She looked back at the screen. "Thank you. My crew would enjoy the opportunity to escape their duties for a few hours."

"Wonderful." The man closed his eyes briefly then opened them. "You'll find the coordinates at the station you call the 'helm'. It is on one of our less populated islands near a resort. I believe it will suit your crew's needs admirably. If you will permit, I will meet you there."

"Mr. Paris, do you have the coordinates?"

"I do, Captain."

"Joskar, it will take a few minutes to prepare the ship for landing. Shall we meet in thirty minutes?"

"I look forward to welcoming you in person, Captain. Until then."

Twenty minutes later, Voyager was down and secured. The captain and first officer exchanged glances before she stood up. "You're with me, Commander. Tuvok, you have the bridge. Send a security detail to meet us on the loading ramp." She glanced around the bridge. "Mr. Kim, would you care to join us?"

The captain turned to walk up the steps but stopped when a hand touched her shoulder. She turned to see Chakotay motioning ever so slightly with his head toward the helm. She smiled and nodded before moving on. Chakotay called over his shoulder as he climbed the steps. "Come on, Paris. You might as well come along, too."

Twelve hours later, Kathryn Janeway sat between Chakotay and Joskar watching the flames of a bonfire lick at the night sky. She had somehow allowed Joskar to convince her that her ship was secure even if the entire crew attended the party thrown to welcome them to Rajai. Set back from the flames were long tables filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, pastries and puddings, and all sorts of beverages. Until Chakotay commented on it, she didn’t even notice the lack of meat.

The afternoon meeting had lasted nearly four hours but she hadn't grown bored with the conversation. Joskar had introduced the landing party to more than two dozen individuals and explained that they had all adapted generally human appearances to make their visitors feel more at ease. Looking back at the afternoon, the captain didn't feel they had done more than simply make idle conversation.

Janeway turned her attention to her crew and then to the surrounding area. Voyager had landed a few hundred meters from a large resort situated on a lake about 3 kilometers long and one kilometer wide. The lake was nestled at the base of mountains and was actually little more than a wide deep section of a river that drained water from the mountains to the ocean. At night, the ocean was not easily seen but she could see the point where the outline of mountain peaks against the night stars ended and knew that was where they met the ocean. The land around the lake was grassy with scattered trees and covered with trails suitable for walking or riding some of the most unusual looking bicycles she had ever seen. Behind her, the mountains were wooded and she had been told there were many hiking trails and scattered campsites for those who wanted to get away for a few days.

Laughter from a group nearer the fire drew her attention. Tom Paris was in his element as he recounted some adventure. The inhabitants were enthralled with the story and one quickly asked for another when he finished. When Paris started another story, the Rajains seemed to flow toward him. He must have noticed their interest for he moved a bit farther from the fire and sat down. His audience's attention never wavered as they found seats near him.

"Mr. Paris seems to have found some new listeners for his tales." Chakotay's comment echoed Janeway's thoughts.

"Ah, we love stories, especially ones we haven't heard before."

"Then they'll love Tom." Chakotay smiled. "He has a million of them."

"Really?" Joskar was truly interested.

"Chakotay is exaggerating, I assure you. But I'm sure Mr. Paris can find enough to keep their interest for quite a while." Kathryn Janeway was quick to explain. "He's quite adept at embellishing his stories. He could probably make the most boring day sound interesting."

"That is a valued skill among our people. Storytellers are held in high esteemed."

"We have quite a few on the ship who can weave a tale." Chakotay offered. "Tom is probably the best with humor. If you want a really scary ghost story, you won't find anyone better than Mitchell but Lang is almost as good. For longer adventures, if you can get him talking, Ayala can keep your attention for hours."

"Ayala?" Janeway interrupted.

Chakotay nodded. "I said if you can get him talking."

"Captain, please forgive me for bringing up business, but you indicated earlier that you were interested in trading. I avoided the subject this afternoon because I wasn't sure you would be willing to trade for what we truly value."

"We're willing to trade pretty much anything we don't need to survive even though that isn't very much at the moment." Kathryn Janeway assured Joskar. "Please tell me what you would like. If it's possible we'll work out an arrangement."

"We'd like to hear your stories."

"Our stories? You mean like the one Tom is telling over there?" Chakotay asked.

"Not just stories like that, but others as well. A story from every person, even if it's just a typical day, would be worth a great deal to us."

"How would you put a value on the stories?" Janeway inquired. "I'm willing but I don't understand how to reach an agreement. I'm not sure I want to try to say one story from Tom Paris is worth this many pieces of fruit."

Joskar laughed. "Oh, you are being far too exact, Captain. If your people will agree to spend the evenings gathered with us telling whatever stories they want, we will supply you with the materials to repair your ship and restock your fuel and food supplies."

"Not everyone on the crew is comfortable talking to large groups." Chakotay observed.

"They needn't talk to more than one or two people." Joskar assured them. "We would appreciate having at least one story from each person, but we have no desire to force anyone to participate. If a few are willing, it will be sufficient."

"I'll ask them tomorrow."

"Wonderful. Now let me tell you what arrangements I've made for your crew. There are rooms at the resort for them all. Meals will be provided of course. They may use any of the facilities they wish."

"I'm not sure…" Janeway started to protest but was cut off.

"Please. This is part of our hospitality. We have few visitors. Allow us this little luxury."

The captain and first officer exchanged looks. Finally, he nodded slightly to indicate his agreement with the proposal. She turned to Joskar. "All right. I'll explain the arrangements to the crew tomorrow. I'm afraid they won't have much time to use the facilities because we have many repairs and most will be kept quite busy."

"That reminds me. I've had several people ask me if they could assist with your repairs. It's been a long time since they had an opportunity to work with technology like yours. Some find it quite fascinating."

"I'll leave that up to our chief engineer. If she agrees, I'll approve the arrangement. Please don't get your hopes up though. She is very particular about her engines."

Joskar smiled and rubbed his hands together. "Wonderful. Wonderful. I am so glad you've come to visit."

Chakotay asked Joskar a question and the two men became involved in a discussion about the mountain trails. Kathryn turned her attention back to the crew. She noticed B'Elanna at the edge of the group looking a little lost without Tom's attention. A woman sat down next to her and made a comment. B'Elanna responded and they started talking. A man joined them a minute later and soon the three were deep in a discussion. From the way she was moving her hands, Kathryn knew B'Elanna was discussing something very technical. She glanced at Joskar wondering at the technology that allowed him to communicate with the others so adeptly.

The captain was idly calling up various status reports at her chair on an otherwise empty bridge. The entire crew was involved in repairs or routine maintenance on the ship or shuttles. She heard the door of the turbolift swish open and then closed but didn't look up. Only one person would have come looking for her.

Chakotay crossed to his seat and sat down and started reading the report that was on the monitor.

"It's not like you to not be in the thick of things when there are repairs to be made."

Janeway looked up to stare across the console at Chakotay. "I feel completely useless right now."

Chakotay's smile was rueful. "I know what you mean. There hasn't been a fight or even an argument in the last week. Everyone is working the same hours so there's no roster to revise."

"You know what B'Elanna told me?" Kathryn didn't wait for a response. "She told me their helpers are doing all the work. Our people just point at what they need to fix and start telling a story and the Rajains make the repairs. Not only do they make the repairs but they are always exactly the way B'Elanna wants them. As for meeting 'fleet specifications, they make our highest standards look like rough estimates."

"They've made suggestions for some changes in hydroponics and airponics. We can fit in more food crops and increase oxygen generation. They just rearranged some things and made a few adjustments to our equipment."

"Please tell me the Rajains are helping with maintenance in the kitchen."

"They were working in there two days ago." Chakotay grinned. "Tomorrow everyone is off. Have you decided how we're going to spend the day?"

"We?" Kathryn looked at Chakotay.

"I thought we could spend it together." He tugged his ear nervously and glanced down.

"I suppose you have the perfect idea and all the arrangements have been made."

"Well, now that you mention it, I heard there's a wonderful waterfall about two hours into the mountains. I thought we could hike up and enjoy our lunch there then take our time coming back."

"What if I said I wanted to spend the day on my own along the ocean?"

"I'd wish you a wonderful day."

"And sit around the ship and mope?" Kathryn teased.

"No. I'd probably crash in on someone else's plans."

"Well, I'd really prefer the ocean," Kathryn continued, "but I'd rather have company. Maybe Joskar can tell us where to find some rocks along the shore for you to climb while I watch the waves."

"I'll ask him tonight."

"How do they get to the ocean from here?"

"I think they have a ferry or something that leaves the main pier and takes you down the river to the coast."

"We'll finally get our boat ride down a river." Kathryn smiled as she stood up. "We'd better get going or we'll be late for dinner."

Later that night, Janeway sat between Joskar and Chakotay watching the others. Ayala had been talking for nearly two hours telling about his years in the Maquis. He ended his story when he joined Chakotay's ship. Voyager's crew shifted to relieve stiff muscles and someone asked Mitchell for a story. He launched into one about a coffin following a man. The laughter that signaled the end sparked a long explanation behind the humor. When they finished, Chakotay spoke loudly enough for all to hear.

"What's your story, Joskar?"

"My story?"

"Yes, the story of your people. We'd like to hear it."

"It's a long story and not always an easy story."

The others fell silent and found seats to listen. Kathryn shifted slightly to watch him more comfortably as Joskar scanned the audience to see that all were settled.

"We are an ancient people, ancient even as the galaxy marks time. Our civilization flourished and declined and flourished again. We once traveled the stars as you do, but in time, we wearied of the journeys. Later we watched as civilizations grew on neighboring worlds. A few faded back to the dust from which they were created but most thrived and their people learned to travel among the stars as we once had. 

"We greeted the first to find us as children and friends. We shared what we knew freely - the lessons we had learned, our values, and our technology. We learned a valuable lesson from our first friends. The lessons of technology are quickly learned but the values and wisdom are not. To our horror, they turned our technology against themselves.

"As the millennia passed, others found us. We welcomed them as children and friends but no longer shared our technology. We offered advice when asked but made no attempts to force our values on them. Enough listened to allow them to continue growing and learning. At one time, there were twenty-three civilizations in this region trading and exchanging their stories with the others.

"Then a people developed on a world who carried a spark of creativity like no other we had encountered. They achieved in mere centuries what had taken others millennia to accomplish. They learned to journey among the stars before they learned to value wisdom. We welcomed them as we had the others though we were concerned about their weaknesses. Sadly, their greatest achievements were weapons of destruction. 

"One of the twenty-three had not learned from our experiences and shared more than they should have with the new ones. In only a few short years, the new ones had adapted their weapons and turned them on those who had shared. When others protested, those weapons were turned on them as well.

"The rest retreated to their home worlds but their retreat was futile. In time, the new ones destroyed them all. They even approached our world, but we turned them aside. They persisted and it was not until we destroyed a dozen of their vessels that they withdrew.

"With no others left and their worlds destroyed, they had no place to go but their own world. Even as they withdrew, we warned them of the danger that awaited them. Their star was an old one and at the stage to explode. We had told them of the danger when they first found us. They did not believe. Others had offered assistance even as they refused to travel to the home world of the new ones. They did not believe. Their star had been there for millions of years and would be for millions more. They were like the young of many races – unable to accept their own mortality.

"Even we could not predict the day or hour, so they did not believe. With great sadness, we watched their disbelief turn into belief as their star brightened and dimmed in our sky knowing that in the end they met the same fate as those they had destroyed. You have seen their legacy as you journeyed in this region. I hope you learn from the destruction as those who caused it did not."

Joskar turned to Chakotay. "As I said, it is not an easy story. What saddens us now is that in that entire story, we have no details about the individuals of any of the civilizations. We focused solely on the groups and never on the people. That is why now we wish to hear your stories, the stories of your daily lives. We wish to know you as we never knew our neighbors."

Joskar turned to the group. "Has anyone a story to cheer us up?"

"I'd like a bedtime story, please." Naomi Wildman stood up at the far side of the fire. "Commander, would you tell me one?"

"It's past your bedtime. You were supposed to go when Ayala finished." Sam Wildman reminded her daughter.

"Please, Commander." Naomi turned to plead with her most likely supporter.

Chakotay exchanged looks with the young mother. "A short one, young lady, then off to bed with no arguments."

Naomi nodded and ran to sit in front of Chakotay. "Tell me a fairy tale."

Janeway had to admit that Naomi's choice offered the perfect balance for Joskar's story. Chakotay told her a story told to the children of his tribe and twenty minutes later, the adults were back in small groups sharing their stories leaving Joskar alone with the command team.

"Captain, I have listened to many stories from your people but I've yet to hear a story from you or your first officer. Surely you have something you'd be willing to share."

The captain looked at Chakotay for a long moment before she spoke. "He tells the story much better than I do. The two of us were infected by a virus and had to remain on a planet. We sent Voyager on her way without us. Someone else will have to tell you about the events that brought our ship back to us but perhaps he would tell you about our time on the planet."

Chakotay nodded and started relating their adventures and misadventures on New Earth. Chakotay's voice carried her back to the peaceful days on the planet. While he spoke, she relived the events and emotions of their time there. When he finished, Janeway realized Joskar was watching her. "There's something on your face, Captain, that tells me there is more to the story than what he told me."

Kathryn looked up to find Chakotay watching her. She met his eyes as she answered Joskar. "That's all there is to the story, but there is one thing missing. While we were there, he told me a story, an ancient legend."

"Commander, would you be willing to share that legend?"

Kathryn nodded her consent and Chakotay began speaking but never took his eyes from Kathryn's.

"It’s an ancient legend among my people. It’s about an angry warrior who lived his life in conflict with the rest of his tribe, a man who couldn’t find peace – even with the help of his spirit guide. For years, he struggled with his discontent, but the only satisfaction he ever got came when he was in battle. This made him a hero among his tribe, but the warrior still longed for peace within himself. One day he and his war party were captured by a neighboring tribe led by a woman warrior. She called on him to join her because her tribe was too small and weak to defend itself from all its enemies. The woman warrior was brave and beautiful and very wise. The angry warrior swore to himself that he would stay by her side, doing whatever he could to make her burden lighter. From that point on, her needs would come first. And in that way, the warrior began to know the true meaning of peace."

"That is a beautiful story but rather sad." Joskar finally broke the silence as he studied the two next to him. "Surely the woman warrior learned something from the angry warrior."

Kathryn whispered. "She did, Joskar. She began to know the true meaning of love."

Kathryn realized that she had spoken aloud and jerked her eyes from Chakotay's. She stood brushing herself off. "It's been a long day. I think I'll turn in."

"I'll meet you at 08:00 for breakfast, Captain." Chakotay spoke calmly.

Kathryn knew if he had used her name, she would have made an excuse to cancel their day at the ocean. Using her rank told her he wouldn't push the issue with her. Knowing that canceling for any reason would raise questions that she didn’t want to answer, she nodded briefly and left.

Kathryn stared at the waves pounding the rocks then turned her head to search the rocks behind her but didn't see Chakotay. He had gone to explore them as planned and she was enjoying the wild surf. The morning breeze had turned to a strong wind and the surf had changed mood to match. The others who had spent the morning on the beach had returned to the resort after lunch to enjoy the calm waters of the lake. The ferry would return for them in another hour.

Today the wind and rough surf suited her mood. Her words the night before had surprised even her. She knew that Chakotay would not push a discussion immediately but accepted he would not let her avoid it indefinitely. Kathryn knew how he felt and she knew how she felt. The only issue was what she was going to do. She crossed her legs, put her elbows on her knees, leaned her chin on her fists and studied the waves as if they held the answer.

"Mind if I join you?" Chakotay's words broke into her thoughts.

"Pull up some sand." Kathryn tried to keep the conversation light.

"You were lost in thought just now. Want to talk about it?" Chakotay was close to her but not quite touching her.

"Not really."

"All right." His easy consent surprised Kathryn.

"You're not going to push for an in-depth discussion after what I said last night?"

"What purpose would it serve? You only said what we've both known for years."

"You don't want me to act on my feelings?"

"Of course I do, but you already know that." Chakotay turned to look at her. "Nothing has changed except you finally admitted it to yourself."

"I'm not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed." Kathryn stretched her legs in front of her and let her head drop.

"Don't be disappointed." Chakotay slid closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. 

Kathryn leaned her head on his shoulder. They sat for a long time without speaking. Kathryn was the one to break the silence. "You're wrong about one thing. Something has changed. I'm just not sure how it's changed."

"It seems to me that you are the one to decide how it's changed then. You know how I'd like things to be between us. How do you want it to be?"

"I think someday, I'd like to be comfortable saying those words to you in front of the entire crew. But that's a long time in the future. I'm not even comfortable saying them to you."

"Try it now." Chakotay urged.

"I love you."

"I love you, too, Kathryn." He breathed the words into her hair. "We'll practice when we're alone. When you're ready, you'll say them when the others are around."

"I want more moments like this."

"You mean away from the crew?"

"No, touching each other as something more than just friends."

"Like this?" Chakotay tilted her chin up and lowered his head to kiss her. When he lifted his head, Kathryn lowered hers and leaned her forehead on his shoulder.

"Just like that."

Chakotay straightened and stared out at the waves. Kathryn raised her head and studied his profile. The wind was blowing his hair and he seemed every bit a warrior who had found peace. She smiled and shivered as the wind made its chill felt. He turned to look at her, kissed her quickly, and then climbed to his feet. "Come on. The ferry will be here soon."

Kathryn allowed him to pull her to her feet but she halted him when he would have turned to walk back to the river. She pulled his head down and kissed him. "I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready to share this with the crew."

"You will be and when you are, you'll find a way to let me know. Until then, we'll have moments like this."

A flash of movement caught her eye and Kathryn Janeway turned her attention from the main screen to the console to her left. Chakotay had called up the information that was coming in from their sensors. The readings were the same as they had been since they left Rajai – plenty of stars with planets, and every planet that might once have harbored life had been reduced to rubble. This time she knew they were near the edge of the destruction and would soon see lush planets teaming with life.

Janeway watched Chakotay's hand move across the controls of the shared monitor. He reached out and tapped her hand to draw her attention to a particular item. Turning her head, she saw him watching her. She smiled slightly and clasped his hand firmly in hers as she turned back to the monitor and saw the readings for a planet with the first stirrings of life after near obliteration. His hand tightened around hers as they began to discuss the readings.
 

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