Disclaimer: I don't own them, I'm only playing.

Words in candlelight
By Sheri
Rated PG13



The table was set perfectly; the lights from the flickering candles glowed on the walls; the plates, sparkling clean, waited for the food to be placed upon them. The two wine glasses were filled with red wine but not a sip had been taken yet.

The dinner was served in small portions on each plate. The aroma hit her nostrils, making her mouth water in anticipation.  Seven stood back, looking at the perfect setting. Chakotay would surely be pleased.

Home for nearly a month, it was their one month anniversary.  They would had been dating one month. She still remembered the first date, the first kiss, all that was inching her closer to humanity, a humanity, thanks to Chakotay, that she wanted to embrace. Maybe tonight they would take that final step to the path that would lead them to becoming one.

Seven glanced back up at the clock; he was late, once again.  It seemed that these meetings with Captain Janeway took longer and longer each night. Lateness was something Seven held little tolerance for, something she would have to correct in him. On Voyager he would never have had this problem, never was he late to his duty shifts, late to their dates; all four of them, or was it three? They did skip one after all.

=^=

"Hey," said the deep voice, waking her out of her slumber.

Sevens eyes flew open. "I'm sorry. I must have fallen asleep, how disconcerting."

"You're human, Seven, you are allowed to get tired," said Chakotay, smiling down at her.

"I am unused to…" she shook her head. "You are late.  What time is it?" she asked.

"Sorry, the meeting ran later than…" he sat down next to her, suddenly aware of the lie he was telling her, aware of the fact that she did not deserve this same lie every night. "I'm sorry, I can't keep doing this."

"Explain," said Seven.

"This isn't working out; I can't let it continue," said Chakotay.

"What isn't working out?" she asked.

"This," he said, gesturing to the untouched dining room table. "Us -- it's not working, Seven. The dynamics have changed; things have changed."

"I suspected earlier that there was more to your meetings with Captain Janeway. I take it that I am correct?" asked Seven.

Chakotay nodded, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."

Seven looked to the floor, for only a moment, then looked back up. "The problem, as I see it, is that we took this apartment as a couple. One of us will have to leave."

"It's yours, Seven; your alcove is here," said Chakotay. "I only have a few things. I'll go pack and let you have the apartment."

"I do appreciate that, but where will you go?" she asked.

He swallowed hard, not wanting to tell her, but knew she only deserved the truth, "Kathryn has invited me to move into her house."

"I see," Seven replied.

"I am sorry," said Chakotay, once again.

"No need to continue to apologize. I have been aware of your feelings for Captain Janeway. It does not come as a surprise," explained Seven.

Chakotay looked up at her, guilt washing over him before he walked past her, past the perfectly set dining room table, and into his bedroom. He had barely unpacked, so he just had to throw a few things into the bag and head back out the door. He and Kathryn had already discussed this, him moving in. Kathryn had told him she didn’t want to continue deceiving Seven; it wasn’t right and she couldn't let it continue. He had to make the choice, and for him, the choice was easy, too easy. Kathryn won out, hands down.

By time he returned to the living room with his things, Seven was no longer there. The hum of the alcove told him just where she was. He quietly left, heading to his destination, the place he would soon call home, heading to Kathryn.

Epilogue:

The dining room table was perfectly set, everything in its place, everything where it should be. The two wine glasses filled half way, sparkling in the candle light, one containing red wine, the other grape juice. Would he notice that right away?

She carried the bowl from the replicator, trying to push back the disappointment of the burned meal, now long recycled. The smell of the burned food no longer lingered so he didn’t have to know how she once again ruined another meal.

She set the little unwrapped present on his plate, small, but oh so precious.  He would know the meaning of this dinner right away.

She heard the door open then close, his footsteps nearing her position by the table. She felt his hands wrap around his waist as he held her close. "Its beautiful, Kathryn," he said, before pulling a hand away and handing her a tiny wrapped boxed. "Open it."

Kathryn pointed to Chakotay's plate. "You first."

Chakotay gulped, could it be true? Really? After all this time waiting? He carefully reached down, picking up the tiny baby booties, holding them up to his face, inspecting the delicate satin, woven with tiny lace.

"Kathryn?"

"Yes, Daddy?" she asked, the grin spreading across her face.

"I'm going to be a father?" he asked, still in a state of shock.

Kathryn moved over to him, her small arms wrapping around his waist," Yes, I'm six weeks today."

He spun her around, holding her close. "Thank you, oh spirits, thank you."

Kathryn pulled back, slightly. "So, can I open my present?" In actuality it was their one year anniversary, Kathryn couldn’t believe it when she went to the doctor's that morning, expecting the doctor to tell her she just had a mild strain of the flu, only to find out she was now expecting Chakotay's baby.

Chakotay nodded, and watched Kathryn carefully peel off the paper, exposing the black velvet box; she opened it up and gasped, the ring just barely sparkling in the candlelight.

Chakotay took the box from her hand, "Kathryn, will you marry me?"

Kathryn's eyes filled with tears. "Oh Chakotay, you know the answer is yes," she threw her arms around his neck, tears now freely falling from her face.

Chakotay held her close, knowing he made the right choice a year ago. Maybe on Voyager the relationship with Seven could have been different, but here on Earth, he and Kathryn were free to love each other, they had waited all those years to do so and now nothing would hold them back.

The two wine glasses sparkled in the candle light, both long forgotten as the two lovers, soon to be man and wife and soon to be mother and father affirmed their love for one another, holding onto one another and never letting go.


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