by Dakota

He noticed her walking along the sidewalk as he finished his lunch outside the university coffee shop.  The Starfleet uniform looked out of place among the casual clothes worn by the students and faculty.  Her words surprised him even more.  "Mind if I join you?"

"Of course not.  Please, sit down."  Chakotay signaled for the waiter.

"Just coffee."  Kathryn studiously ignored the mild reproach in his eyes.  "You aren't my first officer anymore, so don't say it."  His eyes never wavered.  "All right.  I'll have some tomato soup, too."

"Some things never change."

"I know.  It's been five years since we got back. Any regrets?"

"No, they've been a good five years. What about you? Any regrets?"

"No, none at all. I'm surprised that I've settled into a desk job so easily. I'm happy in a way I could never have been on Voyager."

"I'm surprised to see you so far from Starfleet headquarters."

"I just decided to take a chance that you'd be eating here today."

"I'm glad you did." Their conversation was briefly interrupted by the waiter bringing Kathryn her lunch.

"So, what brought you all this way to eat lunch with me?"

"Nothing specific. I just wanted to talk to you. We used to eat together on Voyager a lot and I've missed that lately."

"Me, too." Chakotay checked the time and glanced down the street as if looking for someone. "Kathryn, this is not a good day for us to talk. I'm going to have to leave in a few minutes. I have plans for this afternoon." The figure of a young woman caught his eye and he knew their conversation would be interrupted very shortly.  A little girl about four years old rushed towards him, long dark hair streaming behind her.

"Daddy! I'm ready to go to the zoo."

"So I see."

The young woman reached their table. "Hello, Captain. Is my timing off? We can walk around the block if you want to finish your conversation."

"No, Kelly. Your timing is fine. I have to get going anyway." Kathryn spoke then turned her attention to the little girl. "How are you, Morgan?"

"I'm fine.  I'm going to the zoo with Daddy today!" Her brown eyes sparkled with excitement.

"So I heard. You have fun and don't lose Daddy, ok?"

"I promise to have fun and I'll try not to lose him."

"Kelly, you may as well take the rest of the day off while you have the chance. Tom and B'Elanna asked Morgan to spend the night with Miral so Chakotay can drop her off on the way home from the zoo." Kathryn smiled at Kelly as she hugged the little girl before stretching up to kiss Chakotay and whisper in his ear. "As for you, I have plans for you, too, so don't be late getting home tonight."