Episode addition
to Hunters
Rated pg
The Dance
by spud
Kathryn took Chakotay's arm and let him lead her to Neelix's party. On their walk to the mess hall he even tried to distract her and keep her laughing so she wouldn't have time to think about Mark and home.
The party was in full swing when they arrived. The crew sat around in groups of four or five. The buffet was laden with food, soft music was echoing across the room and a few men were starting to clear a space for dancing.
Kathryn sat in the far corner with a plate filled with treats from Neelix's pantry and a hot mug of coffee. She observed her crew looking for signs of discontentment or bitterness. What she saw were smiles, laughter and friendly banter between crews that were once enemies. She saw Tom elbow B'Elanna onto the make shift dance floor. Other couples followed suit. Soon half the crew was crowding onto the floor.
Kathryn's thoughts drifted to Mark and the last time they had danced. It had been on earth a few weeks before she had left for deep space nine. They had been planning their life, their future. He had taken her in his arms and had promised that he would never let her go. Mark. Really, he had been her anchor since childhood?.and now he was gone.
Chakotay had been watching Kathryn through the cluster of dancing bodies. He watched as her eyes grew heavy with unshed tears. He watched the sadness cross her face in shadows. Finally he made his way over to her. He tapped her shoulder and motioned her to her feet. She started with surprise and then with a grateful smile she followed him to the dance floor.
He pulled her into his arms. She bent her head into his chest. She felt invisible and protected from the watchful eyes of the crew. As they began to sway together Chakotay tighten his grip on her and rested his head on top of hers. Her eyes closed as she drank in his strength. He had been her rock since those first scary days in the Delta quadrant. Kathryn didn't know what she would have done without him. She lifted her head and blue eyes met brown in a look of understanding, friendship, loyalty and support.
And something else sparkled in the depths of his. Love, silent and patient, waiting for her. Kathryn let her arms fall around his waist as she absorbed the knowledge that he was her life and that somehow, someway they would find a permanent path to each other.
And as Voyager continued on through the dark, unfamiliar space of the Delta quadrant her command team moved slowly together across Neelix's make shift dance floor finding peace and a silent promise for the future.
end