The Waves Of Change
Chapters One Through Two
Chapter One
Chakotay felt very flattered that Seven was interested in him. He had first found out about her interest when the captain found out about Seven's holodeck adventures.
The doctor said he had suggested using the holodeck to practice her social graces. He explained to the captain that Seven created a holodeck senerio where she had her own quarters and a relationship in her life. It was then Chakotay had found out Seven's interest was him.
Therefore, he was thinking of exploring a possible relationship with her. He had grown tired of the game Katherine and he had been playing on a daily basis. Never crossing the fine line between Captain/Commander relationship and friends.
At one time, he thought they could have been more than friends, but Katherine pushed him away in favour of Voyager. Voyager was her first love and only love. There was no room for a human relationship and romance.
All Chakotay wanted was to lavish her with love and Katherine was wrapped up in the ship and getting home. He was tired of being pushed away and decided it was time to move on to someone else.
As he walked down the corridor to the Bridge he ran into Seven. "Commander." She nodded.
"Seven." He replied in return as she past by him. Then he stopped and turned back to her. "Seven?"
She stops and turns back to him. "Yes, Sir?"
Chakotay shakes his head. "Please, call me Chakotay when we aren't on duty or with others."
"That could get confusing."
Chakotay smiled. "Maybe, but we could discuss it over dinner tonight."
"Dinner?"
"Yes."
"Where shall we meet?" Seven asked.
"Well, I can cook us a nice dinner in my quarters if you would like."
"First date rules, always meet in public." Seven
recited.
"Fine." Chakotay smiled. "We can meet in the mess
hall if you would like."
Seven readjusted her stance in a self-consciencious manner.
"No, I think I could bend the rules a little. After all we
are not complete strangers."
"True." Chakotay replied. "It's up to you.
Wherever you would like to meet is fine with me."
"Commander." She began again when he look at her in such a way that said "What did I say?"
"Chakotay." She formed the new name in her mind.
"I would love to eat your cooking. I accept your proposal to meet at your quarters for dinner."
"Great! Is eighteen hundred hours good for you?"
"Yes, it is."
"Then I guess I'll see you then." Chakotay excused
himself and they went their separate directions.
Seven was elated by the fact Chakotay had asked her to dinner, but yet she felt nervous at the same time. The nervousness revolved around the fact she knew the date would not go as it did on the holodeck. This Chakotay was not a holodeck creation. He was not created to her specifictions. He was the real Chakotay, which scared her to death.
Then there was the possibility that she would pass out again if she got too emotionally involved. The holodeck Chakotay was not real and yet her feelings for him got very intense. So, intense that what was left of her Borg implants caused her to shut down. She feared that if she got that involved with the real Chakotay it could cause her dire consequences. She was not sure if she could bare to go through that humiliating experience again.
"Maybe I should cancel." She thought to herself.
"Or maybe I should defer to the doctor for his input."
Yet at the same time, she too wanted to explore a relationship with the real Chakotay. She did not want to lose this chance to see where it could lead. She really wanted this opportunity to get to know him better. So, decided to go with her heart, just as the holographic Chakotay had taught her.
On the Bridge Chakotay thought of nothing but his date with Seven. He was thinking about what to serve tonight and decided to go with a dish his family ate quite often when he was a boy. Then thought aruz con pollo would be good too. He just could not decide what would be good to serve her.
"Chakotay," Janeway began. "You seem preoccupied today. Anything the matter?"
"No, nothing is wrong." Chakotay stated. "In fact, it is good. I am having dinner with a friend."
"Oh?" She inquired. "May I ask with who?"
Chakotay debated whether to tell her or not. Finally, he said, "Just a friend."
Janeway was feeling a little jealous, for he had not had dinner with her in quite some time, but then she realized that was her fault. She told him she just wanted to be friends, yet she wanted to be the one who was having dinner with him and not the person who was having dinner with him.
She decided to be civil and avoid showing her jealousy.
"Well, I hope you have fun."
"I plan on it." He stated.
Janeway continue to think about who he could be having dinner with tonight. B'Elannah was now married, she ruled out her and continued down the list of female crew members. Any number of them would love to have dinner with a handsome man like Chakotay.
The more she thought about who might be having dinner with
Chakotay, the more jealous she grew. By the end of the shift she was seething with jealousy, but she tried her best to keep it to herself, because there was nothing she could do.
"Or was there?" She thought. "I am the captain. However, I can't step into their personal lives and order them around. I guess I'll have to wait until I see who has captured my commander's interests and go from there."
Chapter Two
Chakotay was preparing for dinner with Seven. He had ordered the replicator to prepare arroz con pollo and was now preparing gift to give to Seven for their first date.
He cared about her a lot and knew she had had a hard life.
Actually, she did not have much of a life, he felt, until they found her and removed most of the Borg implants. She was just now finding out what it was like to be Human again and he wanted to show her just how wonderful it could be to be Human.
Seven had arrived five minutes early to Chakotay's quarters and was standing nervously outside the door. She debated if she really wanted to ring the chime.
"Something wrong, Seven."
She turned to see who was addressing her. "Oh, Tuvok. No, I was ah, just preparing to visit with the commander."
"I see." Tuvok stated. "You appear to be
apprehensive and nervous."
Seven was taken aback. "No! Not at all. I was." She paused for a moment. "It's nothing."
"So you say." Tuvok said. "I fail to comprehend this Human apprehension towards getting to know someone."
"Your very perceptive, but I assure you I am not
apprehensive." She informed him. "I happen to be early so I'm stalling for time."
"As you were and enjoy your time with the commander,
Seven." Tuvok then departed to leave her to her inward
debate.
She finally decided dinner with Chakotay was worth the risk of crumbling to the floor and passing out again. She nervously reached for the chime.
He wanted to give her something special for their first date
together, but he had no idea what. He finally decided and went about preparing it for her. He had just finished when the chime to his quarter's rang.
Chakotay walked to the door of his quarters and allowed her to enter. "Glad you could make it." He said with a smile.
"I'm glad to be here." She replied back and then
noticed a small bag with a leather strap that was long in his hands. "What is that?"
He raised it a little higher and said, "Oh, this it's for you. A medicine bag. It's filled with herbs and the beginings of special items. Actually, this one is just filled with herbs, but you can add things that have great meaning to you."
"Thank you, Comman, Chakotay."
He slipped it over her head and placed it around her neck. There was a brief moment of electricity between them as he adjusted it for her. They stared into each other's eyes and Chakotay thought about kissing her. Then thought better of it and he stepped back and gestured towards the table.
"I have dinner ready." He informed her happily.
"Arroz con pollo and maize pan. What would you like to
drink?"
"Um, water, cold, will be fine."
Chakotay informed the replicator of their desires and retreived their drinks to bring them to the table. Then he pulled a chair out for Seven. "Have a seat."
Her nervousness was still present, but she was begining to feel comfortable. It was as though she had never left the holodeck. This Chakotay was almost the same as the one she replicated and she felt she was falling madly in love with the real Chakotay.
They ate dinner together and talked about anything and
everything. They laughed and enjoyed each other's company. Not once did Chakotay bring up her holodeck program, though. He did not want her to think for a moment that he was only having dinner with her to fulfill a dream she had. He wanted her to know he was having dinner with her because he wanted to get know her better.
Janeway was in her quarters moping when Tuvok paid her a visit. She was thinking "How could Chakotay do this to me!" when her chime rang.
"Come!" She growl out more hostile than she had wanted. "Oh, Tuvok. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bark at anyone just now."
"It's quite alright. It has been a long day for all of
us."
"Yes, more so for some than others. What's on your mind, Tuvok?"
"I have the personnel reports you requested."
"Oh, yes." She said as she shook the cobwebs from her mind. "I had forgotten about those. You could have waited until tomorrow to give those to me."
"Actually, I noticed you were distressed and wanted to check on you, Captain." Tuvok informed. "Maybe a nice holodeck program or a hot bath will relieve some of your stress."
"I'll take that into consideration, Tuvok." Janeway smiled. "It's just been a long day and a long trip back to home. I'm just homesick, that's all. Thank you for you concern though."
Tuvok raised an eyebrow. "Seven seemed apprehensive and
preoccupied all day today. Maybe there's something going
around."
Janeway's eyes widen as she heard Tuvok's words. "Yes, of course!" She thought to herself. Then, as she look Tuvok square in the eyes, she asked, "When did you last see her?"
"She was about to pay the commander a visit."
"Really!" She seethed out with jealousy.
"Captain, if I may, is there a problem?"
Janeway patted him on the back and lead him out of her quarters. "Oh, no, Tuvok. It's nothing I can't handle, but you have been more than helpful. Thanks for bringing those reports by. I'll see you in the morning."
"Very well, Sir. Good night."
The doors closed behind Tuvok and Janeway was left alone with her thoughts. "You have been more than helpful." She leered at the closed door.
"Well, Chakotay." Seven began. "I had a very nice time and that was a wonderful dinner."
"Why thank you, Seven. I enjoyed myself also."
She fondled the medicine bag he had given her and smiled.
"And I thank you for this, too."
"You're very welcome."
They stood near the door in an awkward silence. Seven desired a good night kiss from him, but she was not about to ask for one. Then, as if reading her mind, Chakotay leaned in towards her and kissed her. She returned his kiss, until they reluctantly pulled apart from each other.
"Well." She said, taking a deep breath. The room spun a little as she tried to catch her breath. "I guess I'd better go."
"Yes, but how about if we have lunch together in the mess hall tomorrow?"
Seven smiled. "I'd like that."
"Then I'll see you tomorrow." Chakotay smiled back and escorted her out the door.
Seven walked backed to her alcove in cargobay two, feeling very elated. She had an even better time with the real Chakotay than any holodeck one. She was strolling down the corridor lost in her own world when she met the captain.
"Seven."
Seven jumped out of her thoughts. "Captain!" She
exclaimed. "I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going. It was.."
Janeway smiled. "It's quite alright, Seven." Then to herself, "Or it will be when I get Chakotay back."
"It won't happen again, Sir."
"Ah, nice medicine bag." Janeway said reaching to
admire it closer. "Chakotay must have given that to
you."
"Why yes. How did you guess?"
"He had given me one just like this one a couple years ago. I have some very sentimental items I've placed in it. I'm sure you'll find something to place in your's soon."
"I'm sure I will." She replied, wondering what was
going through her captain's mind.
"Well, I need to be on my way." Janeway stated with a slight lilt in her voice.
"Yes, and I need to rejuvenate before I go on duty
tomorrow."
"Well, see you tomorrow, Seven." Then Janeway went
about her way. "Right! You won't want that medicine bag when I get done." She thought to herself. The jealousy was getting stronger within her by the second and she seethed with anger.
Janeway finally made it to her destination and rang the chime. When Chakotay opened the door she was seething with anger and jealousy. Pointing a finger in his face causing him to walk backwards into his quarters she said, "How dare you fratinize with officers that are under you!"
"Captain?"
"You know what I'm talking about! And since when have you called my captain in private?"
"Katherine, what is this all about?"
"You're seeing Seven."
"Yes, I am." He replied. "I don't understand what this has to do with my duties."
"She's an officer who."
"No, she's not really. She's just trying to get back home with all the rest of us. She's not Starfleet nor is she
Marquis."
"OK. She's Borg."
"Was Borg."
"I stand corrected." She admitted.
"Still, I don't see what my private life has to do with my duties."
"OK." She paced the floor trying to think of anything that she could. "Alright. I'll be honest. Why are you seeing her, Chakotay? I thought we. I mean."
"You wanted to be just friends. You didn't want the crew to talk about the captain being involved with her first officer. You were concerned about how it would look for a Starfleet captain dating a Marquis leader."
"Chakotay, I." She paused. "You know I wanted more than to be just friends."
"Was that what breakfast and dinner was about?"
"Yes." She looked at him sadly. "But I got scared and I."
"You pushed me away." Chakotay finished.
"That's not what I really wanted." She informed him, then she reached out to him and caressed his cheek. "You were right when you said I wanted you."
Chakotay step back away from her. "It's too late, Katherine. I decided to move on with my life. I don't want to continue with this on again off again relationship we have. You love this ship more than anything and you have only one desire."
"No, Chakotay." She said softly with a tear running down her cheek and shaking her head. "That's not true."
"Isn't it?"
She swallowed hard, wiped the tear off her face and put her
captain persona back on again. "Commander, I'll say this once and only once. If you don't end this now, I'll make sure you end it."
"You can not interfer with the crews' personal lives."
"Like hell I can." She said angrily. "If I can't get to you, I can get to her."
Janeway started to leave when Chakotay grabbed her by the arm. "Don't you dare say a word to intimidate her."
"You're ordering the captain around?" She inquired with mock shock. "And while you're at it,. let go of my arm."
He released her arm and she continued toward the door.
"Katherine, I've never seen you this way before. You're
jealous."
She stopped in her tracks and turned towards him. "I am
not!"
"Yes, you are, but this jealousy isn't going to get me back. It's not going to change anything. I've made my decision, Katherine and I'm not going back."
Janeway looked sadden, but rose her chin and refused to let the tears come to her eyes again. "If that's really how you feel."
"It is. I can not have a relationship with someone who loves a ship more than anything else. I'm sorry, Katherine."
She turned to leave and once she was out of his quarters, she rushed back to her own. The doors slid open welcoming her home, as she quickly ran through them.
Once inside, she leaned back against the bulkhead of her quarters and let the tears flow out of her eyes freely. Her face contorted from the pain she felt in her heart.
Finally, she slid down down the wall to sit on the floor and
placed her face in her knees. Then she cried herself to sleep.