Moon love

by

vanhunks

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Paramount owns Janeway and Chakotay.

Summary: Chakotay and Kathryn spent some time together. Very short vignette.

MOON LOVE

It surprised him the way Kathryn charted a path through the soft grass, tall enough that it touched her calves with a soft swish. She was driven by an inner energy and determination that belied the exhaustion of hours ago, on Voyager. Her movements were swift, sure-footed. Once or twice she turned to look at him, the moon their only beacon in the darkness, so close to them that he could reach out and touch it. At least it seemed to him that way.

"It's not far now," she said, hardly pausing as she spoke. "We'll find the treasure of the moon there…"

She had told him nothing more than simply ordering him to pack provisions; they were going to visit a magical place.

"And when we find it?" he asked, following close behind her.

Tonight Kathryn was…Kathryn – fun to be with, relaxed. When she turned, he had time to notice the lines of strains gone from her face, her lips curling in a teasing smile, her eyes…shining. Maybe it was the moon of Manon, a full moon suspended from the dark sky like a great red-yellow disc. Kathryn was touched, caught in the moment of pure enjoyment.

He was glad. They were both tired to the bone. Long, uninterrupted double shifts, lack of good sleep, good rest…

Kathryn found Manon. Kathryn always found a planet that mimicked Earth. It was good. He felt they were in a rainforest.

"We sit down and let the moon touch us."

He thought how the moon was already so close that they could touch it. Perhaps, in Kathryn's way of thinking, there was a defining difference. There may be a greater bliss, a greater sense of affirmation if the golden red ball blessed them. It made him optimistic. They were celebrating seven years of friendship. What better way to find blessing than letting the moon touch them?

"Just like that?"

"We light our candles – "

"We have the light of the moon, Kathryn. Do we need the candles?"

"To augment Manon's energy and renew our spirit, give us strength we need to continue our journey."

"I thought you didn't believe in spiritual renewal."

"Ah, but then I got to know you better, Chakotay. We've had seven years, remember? It's as good as time as any to learn and respond to every mood and emotion of your best friend and accept his beliefs."

He laughed, the sound of it filling the quiet air. Kathryn had picked up pace. She didn't tell him exactly where the spot was. Though he could have tracked it on the ship's computers, he preferred the element of surprise, preferred to let Kathryn enjoy the discovery of her treasure. Not while she was so highly elated did he want to take away from her the joy of showing him her nook. She was light; she was breezy; she was happy.

"Then the candles we shall have."

He carried them with some provisions in his small backpack and had frowned when he had to include it. A candle-lit meal in a secluded spot for Voyager's command team… Kathryn occasionally indulged them the few luxuries of shore leave.

"Hurry, Chakotay. The moon is blushing because you're so slow."

Now it's blushing. He sighed happily and hurried along after her.

At times he thought she had vanished. But he listened to the breaking of twigs, the sudden shadows that darted stealthily among the trees, the dappled patches of light, and knew she wasn't that far ahead of him.

Then suddenly he knocked into her. They had reached the mouth of a cave and Kathryn had come to a dead stop. She turned to face him again, her face animated, her lips parted, a soft gasp escaping her.

"We're here…" she whispered, almost breathless with joy.

She turned, ran and gave a small cry of distress as she stumbled over the root of a tree.

"Kathryn!"

He fell down beside her and when he turned her on her back a slow gasp escaped him.

The moon kissed her face, her lips, her eyes, created an extra sheen in them, bathed her in an aura of magic. He saw deep pools with long streaks of light across their darkened waters. He saw Indiana, her home she described so many times to him. He saw nights in her eyes just like tonight, with their sole companion the beauty of Manon's moon. He saw what he was afraid of seeing, a mix of pain and bliss that rendered him mute. He breathed carefully, too afraid to shatter the moment.

Kathryn touched him, soft, sure fingers brushing waif-like over his lips, a touch that blinded him.

What were words tonight? What was the treasure she spoke of? In the moments he lowered his head, the instant his lips touched hers, her smell intoxicating, her taste a deliverance from all restraints of the past, all thought left him as his fingers laced through her hair and he lost himself in the absolute, raw, unbelievable miracle of their deep kiss. He searched, found, lingered in the madness, found reciprocation as she too, searched, found, tasted, then stayed.

They lay side by side in the aftermath of their heady kiss. Looking up at the moon of Manon, he spoke finally.

"I know now what the treasure of the moon is, Kathryn."

He felt her hand creeping into his and he gripped it tightly, not wanting the dream to end.

"I want this treasure, Chakotay," she whispered. "I want it for the rest of my life."

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end