What do you get for the man who has everything?
The ground levelled off beneath his feet and Chakotay stood at the top of the plateau, gazing out across the lush planet below. He squeezed the hand that was tightly gripping his. “Look, Kathryn. We made it!”
“Oh good.” With a groan, she let go of his hand and collapsed onto the hard ground. “I am never going hiking with you again.”
“It’s not even that big, Kathryn. You’re overreacting.”
“Too. Big.”
“Look, you can see half the planet from up here!” With his dimples in full force, he looked back at his companion, who was sitting on the ground with a scowl on her face and massaging the tenderness out of her legs.
“Come look at the view, Kathryn. That’ll make it all worth it.”
“I’m not sure I trust my legs to hold my weight for a while,” she grumbled.
Without a second thought, he leaned down beside her and scooped her up in her arms, earning himself a surprised shout right next to his ear. Kathryn wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders.
“Well this is a little taller than I’m used to being,” she chuckled. “Don’t you dare drop me!”
He was right, though. The view was spectacular. Breathing deeply of the crisp, cool breeze, they looked out over the alien terrain which was dotted with the yellow and blue uniforms of the other away teams. Most of them had been very eager to volunteer for a chance to stretch their legs and breathe non-recycled air. Feeling a touch of cabin fever herself, Kathryn couldn’t blame them.
“Going down,” Chakotay said suddenly. He set Kathryn lightly on her feet. “I brought lunch if you’re hungry.”
“After that hike? I’m famished!”
After handing Kathryn the sandwiches he had made for them, Chakotay took his holo-imager out of his pack and focused it on the view around them. A flock of large birds perched in a tree below. Snap. A group of yellow-shouldered crewmembers gathered in and around a canyon where Lieutenant Torres was leading mining operations. Snap. A small but hardly plant growing nearby, the size of a small violet, with a tiny blue flower waving in the wind. Snap.
Kathryn, sitting cross-legged on the ground with an enormous flask beside her and a steaming mug clasped in her hands, her eyes closed in blissful satisfaction.
Snap.
“Trust you to remember the coffee,” he said, stowing his camera back in his pack.
“There’s containers of milk and sugar in there with the extra cup.”
Quietly pleased by her thoughtfulness, he felt around in her bag for the promised items, but instead came up with a small bundle loosely wrapped in blue paper.
“What’s this?” he asked, turning the package over in his hands.
“I know the wrapping isn’t great – god knows I never could copy my mother’s deft touch with the paper – but you never miss my birthday, so I wanted to give you something.”
“I told you not to go to any trouble on my account.”
“You always say that and I always ignore you.” He carefully unwrapped the bundle in his lap and held up the item inside. “But, I’m starting to run out of gift ideas,” Kathryn admitted.
“A scarf?” he asked, fingering the soft yarn.
“It was either that or socks.”
“Socks? Why socks?”
Kathryn shrugged. “Well, what else am I supposed to get for the man who has everything?”
“You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“Hey! I made that myself!”
“And you did a beautiful job. I’m just saying you don’t have to waste your replicator rations on--”
His words were lost as her slender hands came up to cup his face and his lips became locked in a searing kiss. Time slowed and the moment stretched out, until eventually both were forced to come up for breath. The taste of coffee lingered on his lips. His hands found their way around her waist and pulled her closer.
“Is that my real present?” he asked softly.
“If you want it.” Her finger gently brushed the lines of his tattoo, and her breath tickled his cheek.
“I want much more than just a kiss,” he said, hoping he was reading her right. If that wasn’t what she was offering and he scared her away….
“How about staying for breakfast?” The corner of her mouth quirked up in the beginning of a smile.
“Only if I replicate the food.”
“Deal.”
So...Should I continue or just leave as is? Please let me know in the comments! heart
Huntress Kathryn Community Member 
|
|
