The BLTS Archive- Something Beautiful by Suz Voy (suzvoy@tesco.net) --- Disclaimer - Paramount own the names. That is all. You can blame/thank Jannie for this one, as you see fit. This is her idea. She let me borrow it. Thanks babe! --- They had yet to talk to each other. Since receiving Tuvok's hail five hours ago, they hadn't spoken a single word. Kathryn Janeway dealt with it in her own Jane-way; coffee. Lots of it. Chakotay spent a long time sitting on the edge of the river, dangling his bare feet into the water. She watched him for a while, somehow suspecting but never quite knowing if he was aware of her presence. If he were he certainly gave no indication, his only movements being an occasional lift of his head towards the sky. She wondered what he saw there. Nothing? Everything? Was he imagining the ship that was coming to rescue them? Her gaze followed his, up to the almost perfectly clear blue sky. There were a few small clouds; nothing to indicate any coming plasma storms and bad weather. The sun glowed brightly, but there was just enough of a breeze to stop it from becoming too hot. The sunlight reflected off the water, blinking, sparkling, like small jewels gently floating in their own hypnotic rhythm. A perfect day. If it weren't for the fact... That it didn't feel like a rescue. She had certainly missed Voyager - God, she had missed Voyager - and its people, and she was absolutely exhilarated that she was going to see them all again, but...there was something...something about this place. Something beautiful. How illogical, Kathryn. She smiled, looking forward to seeing her old friend once more. Sipping at her coffee, she returned her gaze to Chakotay and frowned. Setting her shoulders back, standing straight, she walked towards him. He didn't turn towards her. When she finally did speak, it was a three word request that he help her pack away the equipment. His response was a soft two word agreement. --- They talked, almost comfortably. They joked a little about how things never seemed to fit in their cases when they packed them away, they talked about looking forward to seeing their friends again. He missed B'Elanna. She pointed out that was something to look forward to, and he smiled. Case after case was filled, locked and stacked. Personal items and momentos were shut away. Items of clothing were folded and placed inside holdalls. Broken pieces of scientific equipment from the storm were placed in their original containers. Shelves were taken down. Certain pieces of furniture were deconstructed or folded up. They didn't touch the beds. It was well in the early hours of morning when they finally stopped, needing sleep but neither wanting it. "We need to rest," She told him. He sat in a chair that hadn't been folded away, eyes heavy. "I know." He made no effort to move. Sighing, smiling, she moved until she was standing next to her bed. Exhausted, she sat on the edge, her hand moving slowly over the material of the cover. Turning slightly, she lifted her gaze until she could just make out his form through the plastic partition that separated the 'bedroom' from the rest of the shelter. Although she couldn't really see through it, although she couldn't really see more than where he was sitting, she was almost, almost convinced that he was looking directly at her. She remained where she was, staring at him through the partition, for what felt like hours. --- When Kathryn woke the next morning, she found him on the edge of the river again. Clutching a cup of coffee she joined him this time, slipping off the shoes she had only just put on, and dipping her feet into the water. She gasped slightly, a little surprised at the coldness, but soon adapted. She offered him some of her coffee. He took it. Kathryn studied him as he sipped from the cup, then turned her head back towards the river. It really was... "I'm going to miss this," She whispered, gaze caught by the subtle movement of the water. "There's something so...nice. Something beautiful." Chakotay looked at her and handed back the cup. He nodded, once, and smiled. "I know." --- She said goodbye to the monkey. What else was she supposed to do? It was easier this way. That mission complete, she walked until she stood next to Chakotay. They turned and studied each other. It was easier this way. They turned away. She tapped her com badge and requested the beam-up, knowing they'd rematerialise in sickbay. They did. She could feel the effects from the insect bite already - dizziness, nausea, parched throat - but just as quickly she felt and heard the Doctor applying the hypospray to her, then Chakotay. In seconds the effects passed, her vision cleared, and she could see the hologram looking at her. "Doctor!" She exclaimed, smiling. "Good to see you again." "Likewise Captain," He responded, grinning. "I believe there's quite a long queue of people waiting to see you on the-" The sound of something thudding to the floor interrupted him, and they quickly swivelled to see Chakotay lying on the floor, convulsing. "Chakotay!" "Commander!" He heard nothing, saw nothing, could only feel the fire in his head, in his body, under his skin...could feel himself leaving and then...it stopped. And the air was sweet, and the fire was gone, and his thoughts were clear... ...Kathryn... And then nothing. --- The End