Chakotay looked around at the long stretch of park that ran along a narrow beach. He was supposed to meet Kathryn under a yellow umbrella. As far as he could see in both directions, there were umbrellas. The entire area was a sea of umbrellas – red umbrellas to his right and white umbrellas to his left.

He shifted the picnic basket to his other hand and considered his options. He noticed several people carrying folded umbrellas and laughing as they headed out to find their own spot. One couple had a yellow umbrella but they all seemed to be coming from the same area. Chakotay turned in that direction and soon located what could only be described as an umbrella concession under some trees.

Chakotay waited until there was a lull. While he waited, he noticed that there were five colors of umbrellas – white, red, orange, yellow and green. A young couple was talking with the man operating the concession. The girl giggled as the young man accepted the green umbrella and they turned to find their own spot.

Chakotay stepped forward. "I was hoping you could help me."

"If I can. What did you need?"

"I'm trying to find a friend. She told me she would meet me under a yellow umbrella."

"She had red hair?"

"Yes."

"I remember her. It's not often we have one person asking about the yellow umbrellas."

"Do you know where she went?"

"Well, since she was asking about yellow umbrellas, she should be in that part of the park. She also asked a few questions that made me think she was considering green umbrellas so she is probably near them."

"How do I get there?"

"Just walk along the beach past the red umbrellas. The next section is for the yellow ones, then green. I've only checked out thirty or forty yellow ones today, so she shouldn't be too hard to find. Enjoy your day." The man turned to deal with another couple.

Chakotay caught a glimmer of green and decided that following that umbrella at a distance was the easiest way to find the yellow section. As he walked he noticed that the white umbrellas all had family groups with young children playing near them and that the red umbrellas were families with older children or just groups of older children. Nearer the beach was an area where the two colors mingled and the children were of all ages.

Once he reached the edge of the beach, Chakotay found it was much easier to move among the crowd. The jumble of umbrellas decreased to nothing as the beach led around an outcropping. When the far side was visible, Chakotay was met with a new sea of umbrellas – yellow umbrellas. About a kilometer farther down the beach, the sea of yellow turned abruptly green.

Chakotay sighed and shifted the basket again. Now he knew why Kathryn had left it for him to bring. It was heavy and getting heavier. He started the walk to the far side of the yellow umbrellas hoping he would find Kathryn quickly. Then he became concerned – most of the umbrellas were lying on the ground shielding the people under them from the view of those walking along the beach. The angle of the sun didn't appear to be a factor since the shade cast by the umbrellas was off to the side.

After about a hundred meters, Chakotay glanced behind him. Well, if he missed Kathryn on the way to the green umbrellas, he would probably find her easily on the return walk. It was fairly easy to see the people from the other direction. It was more likely that Kathryn would see him walk by and call out to him. Feeling a bit more confident of finding her, he picked up his pace slightly. It was a beautiful day with a slight breeze.

Ten minutes later, he wasn't so confident. He was nearly to the end of the yellow umbrellas and hadn't found her. There was only one more umbrella before a gap between the colors. Hoping it was Kathryn, Chakotay slowly walked far enough past it to get a glimpse of whomever was behind it. The feet and ankles looked human but Chakotay wasn't sure.

"Kathryn?" He pitched his voice low enough to carry only as far as the last umbrella. The feet jerked out of sight and then Kathryn stood up. She was wearing a loose gauze caftan that hung below her knees.

"Chakotay." Her voice was as bright as her smile. "I thought you might have gotten lost."

Chakotay's smile was a combination of relief and pleasure at seeing her. "No, you just picked a spot a long way down the beach."

"I hadn't planned on coming so far, but I thought it would be more relaxing if we were more on our own rather than in the middle of the crowd." Kathryn motioned with her head at all the couples under all the umbrellas that stretched back to the outcropping. For the first time Chakotay actually noticed what many of the couples were doing. A few were lying down enjoying the sun but most were sitting or lying huddled near their umbrella clearly getting better acquainted on a personal level. Now he understood why the umbrellas were lying on their sides in the sand rather than standing upright.

"Here, put that basket over on the side of the umbrella and sit down." Kathryn motioned with her hand to the far side of the umbrella and settled back down on one side of a large towel spread under the umbrella.

Chakotay gratefully put down the basket and sat down next to Kathryn before pulling off his shoes.

"How did you pick this location anyway?"

"Well, mostly because of the time of day. We might have just finished Alpha shift on Voyager but it's late morning here. We can spend our evening enjoying an afternoon on the beach." Kathryn glanced at Chakotay's cotton shirt and shorts. "I hope you remembered to wear your bathing suit because I want to swim later when it warms up a bit more."

Chakotay smiled and nodded. "I remembered."

Kathryn grinned. "Well, if you hadn't worn it, you'd have had to go on down the beach to the green section to swim."

"Why?"

"The green section of the beach is for adults only; it's a nude beach." Kathryn's grin grew broader. "And they have some pretty interesting restrictions about personal interactions in that section – or rather they lack those restrictions."

"You mean…?" Chakotay didn't voice the obvious question. Kathryn merely nodded. "Do I want to know what restrictions are missing in this section?"

"Don't worry. This section is also for adults only but most of the restrictions we would expect apply here." Kathryn smiled at Chakotay's look of relief. "From what the man at the umbrella stand told me, most of the people in this section are young couples."

"Where do friends go?"

"The white or red umbrellas. You walked right by them – with all the children. I didn't feel like listening to all that noise today. I can hear the same thing when Tom and Harry get into a debate. There's an orange section for older, established couples and no children. Yellow sounded like the best place to spend a day with you."

Chakotay settled back and closed his eyes. Kathryn stared at him for a minute wondering what he was really thinking. Deciding she had several hours to find out, she pulled off the loose caftan she had been wearing and turned to lie face down on the towel.

Chakotay heard the swish of fabric before Kathryn shifted her position and settled down on the towel next to him. After about ten minutes, he opened his eyes to see Kathryn lying on the sand with her face turned away from him. Her two-piece bathing suit was green but that was about all he could tell about the suit. He sat up and pulled of his shirt and wiggled out of his shorts without standing. He stuffed the shorts next to the picnic basket and folded the shirt to use as a pillow before he turned over and settled down to enjoy the sun with her.

Kathryn smiled to herself as she listened to Chakotay moving around and getting comfortable next to her. When his breathing told her he had probably fallen asleep, she allowed herself to drift off, too.

Kathryn roused from her light slumber when a fork struck against a glass. She turned to see Chakotay pulling things out of the basket.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm hungry and the sun is making me thirsty."

"Well, don't just pile everything up. We may as well eat now." Kathryn sat up and faced Chakotay cross-legged. "Here, move the basket over here and I'll help."

Kathryn watched while Chakotay moved the basket over to the middle of the blanket where they could both reach it. Once he had moved all the items he had stacked on the sand closer, Kathryn started to organize them. Knowing what was in the basket was a tremendous advantage. She quickly had plates and glasses in front of them both and was reaching for the larger of the food containers.

Kathryn glanced up at Chakotay. "You can get out the drinks. There should be iced tea, iced coffee, lemonade, water and hot coffee. I'll have iced coffee."

"All that just to drink?"

"It's going to be a hot afternoon."

"No wonder that basket was so heavy."

"Stop complaining. It's raspberry iced tea and I know you love that." Kathryn smiled at Chakotay as she opened the container to reveal a large fresh salad. She quickly added fresh fruit, cheese and bread to the selection. She smiled enticingly. "There's chocolate pecan pie for dessert."

"That's your favorite, not mine."

"So, I'll save yours for tomorrow."

"I didn't say I didn't want it." Kathryn grinned at Chakotay's response enjoying the friendly banter. 

After they finished lunch, Kathryn and Chakotay moved things around and sat watching the waves lap gently at the beach while they talked. As the sun marked the middle of the day, the number of people making their way along the beach increased. Many were simply walking but they always stopped and turned before they reached the first of the green umbrellas. More and more people were venturing into the water and the temperature climbed.

Kathryn climbed to her feet and held out her hand. "Come on. Let's go walk along the edge of the water."

Chakotay smiled at her as he stood and accepted her outstretched hand. Kathryn was glad he hadn't commented on her action and pulled him toward the water. When the water reached her knees, Kathryn turned to walk parallel to the beach. The waves rose and fell on their legs, pulling away the sand under their feet if they stopped too long.

"You know, we were lucky to find an M class planet with a moon big enough to make tides like we have on Earth. It's been a long time since I watched the tide come in."

"We didn't have tides where I grew up – not that I was near the ocean. But even when we made the journey to the beach for a few days, it was just the waves stirred up by the wind." Chakotay reminded Kathryn that he had not grown up on Earth. "I was always enthralled by the tides while I was at the Academy especially the days when the surf was high and the wind was almost calm. It never felt quite right to me having all those waves and no wind. I spent a lot of time along the coast my first year there."

"We'd get to the beach every year or so when I was young, usually the Atlantic somewhere. I always took it and tides for granted until I started seeing other planets with vast oceans and no tides. I knew in my head that they didn't have tides but until I saw it, it didn't mean much."

They continued in silence until they reached the outcropping that marked the end of the yellow umbrella area. They turned to go back the way they had just come, putting Kathryn on the side away from the beach in the deeper water and taking the initial inpact from each wave.

"How strong are the tides here?"

"I'm not sure. I didn't want to spoil the fun with too much information. I know the area met the standard safety limits."

"Well, it's getting higher, that's for sure."

"It is?"

"Look where the waves are on you. When we started, they were barely to your knees. Now they're well above them and they’re getting stronger."

"Are you sure?" Kathryn wasn't quite convinced as she turned an inquiring face to Chakotay.

Just as he was about to answer, a particularly strong wave caught the back of her knees and knocked her toward him. His arm shot out around her shoulders to keep her from being knocked down as she reached out an arm to use him to maintain her balance. They both hesitated and stopped walking.

"I guess you're right." Kathryn smiled up at him then took a short step without dropping her arm. "I'll just rely on you to keep me on my feet."

Chakotay nodded and they started moving again. Neither mentioned that they could have accomplished the same thing by moving a few meters closer to the beach.

They walked and talked about the Academy, some of the crew's latest antics, and their families. As they neared their umbrella, their pace slowed. The tide had been steadily rising and Kathryn was wading in water up to her hips. She studied the waves trying to decide whether it would be possible to swim. She decided it was.

"Let's have a race."

"A race?"

"Sure. We'll see who can get to that umbrella," Kathryn pointed to one close to the water about thirty meters away, "and back here first."

Chakotay smiled indulgently. "Fine. We'll race."

"Ready, set, go!" Kathryn jumped forward and started swimming. Although she wasn't watching him, she knew Chakotay was slightly behind her and about a meter farther from the shoreline. She covered the distance to the umbrella and turned. Now she knew that Chakotay was quite literally on her heels. He turned when she did and pulled ahead of her as they neared the designated finish line.

Kathryn stood to see Chakotay grinning at her. "Was I supposed to let you win?"

"You didn't even have to try, did you?" Kathryn accused with her words but her face gave away her amusement.

"I tried not to make you look too bad." The grin deepened.

"I'd love to wipe that smile off your face."

"Oh? And just how would you propose to do that?"

"I have no idea." Kathryn was trying to look serious and failing miserably.

She had also stopped paying attention to the waves as she confronted Chakotay who stood with his back to the beach. A wave caught her in the middle of her back and pushed her forward hard enough to knock her off her feet and straight into Chakotay. Instinctively he stepped back with one foot to maintain his balance as he caught Kathryn. His smile faded as he looked at her. "Kathryn?"

Kathryn met his gaze. "I'm fine." Her voice was barely a whisper but grew slightly stronger as she continued. "I think I'm ready for some coffe. How about you?"

Chakotay nodded and they turned toward their umbrella arm in arm. They sat back down on their towel and Chakotay pulled another one out to dry them off a bit. When they had finished, he folded it and put it under his head as he stretched out in the sun. Kathryn lay back next to him in companionable silence but soon turned face down, her coffee long forgotten. When she had settled with her arms under her head, her body was just brushing his.

"Chakotay?"

"Yes."

"There's some sunscreen in the basket. Would you put some on my legs and back?"

"The doctor being overprotective again?" Kathryn could hear Chakotay rummaging through the basket as he spoke.

"Yes, but if I get burned I'll be listening to him for the next ten years."

"And I'd be listening to you." Chakotay teased as he moved closer to her again.

"You don't listen to me, at least not when I want you to." Kathryn teased back as Chakotay started rubbing the lotion on her legs.

"I always listen to you, Kathryn. I just don't always act on what I hear." Chakotay's voice sounded husky to Kathryn.

"Are you saying you ignore me?" Kathryn was trying not to notice how Chakotay's hands felt as they moved over her body.

"No, I don't ignore you." Chakotay had moved up to her back now and Kathryn could barely focus on his words as his hands massaged the lotion over her shoulders and down to her hips. His hands slowed as they moved down toward her hips before sliding back up again, this time along her sides to stop at the strap of her suit. "I could never ignore you."

Kathryn reached back and unhooked her suit then pushed herself up slightly and slipped the straps off her shoulders before settling back onto the towel.

"You'd better put some more lotion where the straps were, just in case." Kathryn was nervous. She had no idea how Chakotay would react. He was silent but soon his hands were moving over her back and shoulders. As they moved along her sides, she sighed. "That feels so good. We should do this more often."

"I'm not sure that would be a good idea."

"I'm sure it would."

"Kathryn…" Chakotay started but she broke off his words.

"I know. Me, too. That's why it would be a good idea." Kathryn could hear his confusion in his silence. "Lie back down and think about it, ok?"

After a few seconds, she felt his fingers apply a gentle pressure to her body before moving away. She took that as acceptance of her request but didn't relax until he was on the towel next to her.

An hour later, Kathryn woke and knew it was almost time for them to return to the ship. Chakotay was asleep next to her face down on the towel. She decided to wake him but not in the normal way. She sat up, abandoning the top of her suit and reached for the sunscreen. Then she straddled his hips.

Smiling as she squeezed it out on his back, she was rewarded by seeing him jerk awake. Before he could do more, she was massaging the lotion over his back, leaning forward to reach his shoulders before moving back towards her. She felt the muscles on his back tighten.

"Relax and enjoy this. I don't give backrubs to just anyone."

Chakotay remained silent but stretched his arms then Kathryn felt his leg muscles flex as he stretched them without moving. He sighed and settled his head back on the towel only this time facing where Kathryn had been. Kathryn felt him stop breathing.

"I said to relax."

"I'm not sure I can right now."

"Try." Kathryn knew what was bothering him. "While you're working on relaxing, tell me what you think about keeping Voyager in orbit for a few more days?"

"To give the crew more time for shore leave?"

"Yes. We've come a long way and they all deserve a few days off. We still have a long way to go and a few days won't make that much difference." Kathryn knew she had surprised Chakotay. "But this week would be to give us more time for shore leave. I've enjoyed today. I'd like to share a few more with you."

"I think we should stay and give the crew some time off."

"What about sharing your time off with me?"

Chakotay was silent and Kathryn's smile faded. She was glad he couldn’t see her face. She reached out for her caftan and pulled it over her head before she stood up. Silently she started packing things into the basket and bag. Chakotay turned on his side to watch her for a minute before standing and moving next to her.

Chakotay touched her shoulder gently. "Kathryn, I don't know what you want or what you expect me to say." 

Kathryn turned to look at Chakotay before touching his cheek briefly. "What I want." Kathryn rearranged a few items in the basket. "That's not easy. I want a lot and I'm not sure I can explain it all in just a few words."

Kathryn stared back at the sea of yellow umbrellas. "I want what all those people have – a chance to experience a new love. I want the yellow umbrellas but I want to take that feeling back to Voyager. When we leave in a few days, I'd like us to be comfortable among the orange umbrellas and the green ones, too."

"Will we be leaving the umbrellas behind when we leave?"

Kathryn was taken aback by his question. She thought he understood that she was talking about more than just the next few days.

"Only if you want to leave them behind." 

"What about the red and white?"

"I can't think of anything I want more than to share a red or white umbrella with you," Kathryn sadly met Chakotay's eyes, "but I don't think that's a luxury we can enjoy for a long time."

"Well, I want the whole spectrum of umbrellas so you're going to have to accept that I'll want to discuss this from time to time."

Kathryn nodded and finally smiled. "Will you join me for that chocolate pecan pie back on Voyager?"

"It would be my pleasure."

Chakotay's grin was answer enough for Kathryn. She quickly moved to the umbrella and reached under the pole near the sand to press a few buttons. The umbrella disappeared and she picked up the portable holo-emitter. She loved the look on Chakotay's face as he realized she had not had to drag the umbrella all the way from the concession stand. She stepped closer to him and stretched up to whisper in his ear.

"After we eat, I'll adjust the parameters to make that a green umbrella. That is, unless you just want to eat and run."

"That would be rude. I'm never going to forget the yellow umbrella, but I think green is going to be my favorite from now on especially when it comes to a certain red-head."