By Coral
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Paramount. The song "Anyone Of Us" belongs to *wince* Gareth Gates, and I'd like to say that I did not originally hear it of my own free will. I was trapped in the kitchen while SUFV had it on. It started screaming things to me about being post-C/7 but when I spoke to Annie, this was the eventual result. I do not apologise one whit for the ending, although I accept full responsibility. It's been a bad evening.
"Kathryn, there's something I have to confess." Chakotay stood in
front of the desk in Kathryn's room, at strict attention.
"Oh?" Kathryn arched an eyebrow in a perfect imitation of Tuvok, and
turned to face her First Officer. She had the inkling of a feeling that she soon
might be appending the word "former" or maybe just "ex" to
that title.
"I've been letting you down... I know I've been a fool... giving into
temptation..."
"Get to the point, Chakotay."
"The situation got out of hand - I hope you understand..." Chakotay
continued nervously.
"I can't understand if you don't tell me!" Kathryn said, exasperated.
"It could happen to anyone of us - anyone at all, even Tuvok - anyone can
fall, anyone can hurt someone they love, hearts do break, I made a stupid
mistake, Kathryn... will you forgive me?"
"You haven't told me what for yet!" Kathryn did have an inkling,
though. She wasn't completely detached from the rumours flying around the ship
about alcove-lit picnics in the cargobays.
"Just say you will forgive me, anyone can fail. Do you believe me? I just
made a stupid mistake."
"Chak*o*tay..."
"She was exciting, Kathryn; a little odd, but I should have known... I
think she controlled my brain because I offered to walk her home from
Sandrine's. Then the situation got out of hand. Do you understand?"
"Seven?" Kathryn glared.
"It can happen to anyone! Anyone can fail! But I just made a stupid
mistake, Kathryn! She means nothing to me, *nothing* to me, I swear it Kathryn,
I don't want to lose you!" Chakotay threw himself to his knees and started
pleading with her. "Say you'll forgive me! Say you'll believe me! I can't
take this! My heart will break!"
"Oh, Chakotay..." Kathryn shook her head and seemed to be about to
succumb to his charms. She stood up and came round to the desk, standing beside
the still kneeling Chakotay. "There's something I've been meaning to tell
you..." she said, tenderly.
Chakotay looked up, hope on his face.
"You're a lying, cheating rat," she stated, and slapped him across the
face. "Grow up."
He looked at her, surprised.
"And anyway, I've started seeing someone else. I got sick of waiting for
you." She raised her voice, and called towards the bedroom: "Neelix,
love, you can come out now!"
END