Title: One Week
Author: Megan Faye
Rated: PG-13
Disclaimer: Usual....Paramount owns the characters, Barenaked Ladies owns the title, and I own the computer.
Ep Code: Resolutions
Relationship code: DUH!!! J/C
Summery: What if Voyager had come one week later than it did in the Episode? Would those 7 days have made a difference?




Kathryn looked over Chakotay's design of the little boat and laughed. "Looks wonderful!" she said. "How soon could you have it made?"

"Oh, 3 days or so. I've already got the wood cut. It was left over from the bed frame," he said, wiggling his eye brows. Kathryn slapped his chest playfully, as nothing had happened between them.

"I'm going back out into the garden. Those plants won't water themselves." She was turning to leave when Chakotay put a hand on her shoulder.

"Kath, wait. I, uh, I wanted to talk to you again." Kathryn saw the love in his eyes and joined him at the table. This was where he'd told her his "Angry Warrior" tale.

"Chakotay, before you say anything, I want you to know this; I care about you. You told me that it was up to me to make the next move, well, I'm making it." She placed her hand over his. She felt butterflies in her stomach as she threw caution to the wind and kissed her new love.




Chakotay awoke to the crackling of the comm badge. He and Kathryn had been together a full, wonderful week. He'd told her and showed her how in love with her he was, many times. He smelled the air, still thinking the comm badge signal was a dream. It would be a warm day. They could go swimming and boating in an hour. A day like this, he'd probably not even worry about a shirt.
The comm badge crackled again.

*Tuvok to Captain Janeway.* Chakotay reached for it. Kathryn opened her eyes.

"Kath, do you want to answer him, or not," he asked, silently praying that she would say 'no' and they'd be in there Eden together for the rest of their lives.

"I think we should." She took the comm badge. "Janeway here. What do you want? We were sleeping Tuvok."

*Captain, we have the anecdote.*

"Understood, Janeway out." Chakotay got up and pulled his pants and shirt on. "Care to join me for a swim, love?"

"Are we going back, Kathryn," he asked, eyes full of pain and worry. "Or are we staying here?"

"Chakotay, if we go back to Voyager, it doesn't mean we'll go back to the way things were. I love you Chakotay. This last week has been the most romantic, unforgettable week of my life. I wouldn't turn away from that because of a stupid protocal. Maybe I would have a week ago, but......I can't turn away from you anymore." Kathryn stood and let him sweep her up into his arms. "I love Chakotay."

"Marry me, Kathryn." Chakotay kissed her as she nodded. "I love you, too, Kath."




Epologue


Chakotay sat in the command chair thinking back on the happenings of the last few days. Kathryn had been released from sickbay with their new daughter, Dakota. She, unbeknownst to them at the time, had been conceived on New Earth. Chakotay smiled softly to himself. Kathryn had kept her promise. When they had returned to Voyager, she announced to the crew her engagment to Chakotay. It was a celebrated time on the ship. Everyone was happy that their Captain had fallen in love.

"Commander," Harry called. "I've found something."

"Report, Ensign."

"A worm hole just fromed. It looks like....yes....it leads to the Alpha Quadrant, right outside of Earth's Solar system! It'll only be open another 2 hours." Chakotay thought to himself as they entered the worm hole, 'One week earlier and we'd have missed it completely.'