The BLTS Archive - The Next Day by Jennifer Presley (jlpresley@aol.com) --- Disclaimers: Paramount/Viacom owns the people, places and things. The lyrics belong to Tim Rice and The Really Useful Group Ltd. Whatever crumbs remain are mine. --- I dreamed I was floating. Floating in blue, warm waters. Safe, secure. I must have been smiling. He said I looked so peaceful, so serene. He didn't want to awaken me. Instead he just lay there, staring at me until I felt his gaze and woke. At first I was unsure-where was I? But then as memory returned, I smiled again. It is morning. What do I do now? This isn't how a captain is supposed to behave. And most certainly not with one's First Officer. Protocol. One word, one little word that could affect our lives so drastically. I cannot concentrate on my work. I knew this would happen if I allowed my desires to overwhelm my sense of protocol, of duty. Another dirty little word, that one. Duty and protocol. Two words. They are making my life miserable. It has been 7 hours since we made love. Chakotay and I are lovers. That word is so...over-used. We are more than lovers. If I ever believed in destiny, in a soulmate for all times, the picture that would enter my mind would be that of Chakotay. The door chimes. "Enter." I call, knowing who is standing on the other side, and why he's come. He enters, automatically looking for me at my desk. I'm not there. I am on the floor, leaning back against the couch, sipping a mug of coffee. He smiles. "Kathryn?" A question, not just my name. But that smile, that gorgeous smile that makes my bones melt every time I see it. It works again. I place my coffee on the table and as he nears me, I raise my hand to his. He takes it, and gracefully sinks down next to me. We sit. Content to hold hands. Not speaking. Seconds pass, then minutes. I am the first to speak. "Computer, play Janeway music selection 47a." I turn and look at him, as the haunting melody wraps us in it's embrace. //"I don't know how to love him What to do.... I don't know how to take this I don't see why he moves me He's a man He's just a man... Should I speak of love- Let my feelings out? I never thought I'd come to this... Don't you think it's rather funny I should be in this position? I'm the one who's always been So calm, so cool... Running every show... He scares me so... Yet if he said he loved me I'd be lost, I'd be frightened I'd turn my head I'd back away I wouldn't want to know He scares me so I want him so I love him so."// I watch him as comprehension dawns in his eyes. The look he gives me is full of love, full of hope. I lean forward, touching his lips with mine. This is where we truly begin. --- The End