Title: Leave
Rating: T
Fandom: Voyager
Pairing: Janeway/Chakotay – mildly
Summary: Chakotay comes to a sudden stop on the peak of the sand dune he’s just scrambled to the top of to look over the sea, eyes swiping across the vista before him and settling on the figure lying on the beach. Naked on the beach.
Notes: 1136 words. Early Voyager – pre Resolutions.
She’s naked.
Chakotay comes to a sudden stop on the peak of the sand dune he’s just scrambled to the top of to look over the sea, eyes swiping across the vista before him and settling on the figure lying on the beach.
Naked on the beach.
He hadn’t expected anyone to be on the beach during the shore leave. No matter where on the planet they went it was cold, colder than most would consider a beach holiday. Most of the crew had done some camping in the warmer forests or had stayed on the ship. Chakotay was exploring, getting some fresh air, but intending to stay on Voyager. He just needed some time off the ship to stretch his legs – metaphorically at least.
He knew it was Kathryn. He could tell, even as she lay on her stomach in the sand reading a book without a stitch of clothing. He knew her.
He should leave.
He knows he should leave but oh god, he takes a couple of steps forward instead. She is not as pale as he thought she would be, though, if she sunbathes naked on every shore-leave it would certainly explain it.
There are no tan lines, it’s an all-over light tan from her neck to her toes. Her hair is in a braid, hanging over one shoulder and he’s very much getting uncomfortable.
Kathryn Janeway is, in a word, stunning. He’s always thought so, there is something in her that he finds irresistible. She’s beautiful inside and out. In those very early days, he was unable to keep her out of his head and now, after a couple of years of seeing her every single day, he was unable to get her out of his heart.
He should leave.
And he’s definitely, absolutely, completely about to do that when she rolls onto her back.
He freezes but she doesn’t see him, not even looking from her book as she holds it over her head for a minute. He thinks he’s going to get away with it, but he can’t help but stop and look at her body.
He takes in the slope of her breasts, the flat of her abdomen, the dusting of light hair between her legs.
He should leave.
She drops her book then and sees him as he turns to go and the way she lies there, seeing him but not covering up has him pausing. She sits up slowly and smiles at him, and he doesn’t know if it’s an invitation or not.
He should leave.
But she waves him over and he is unable to resist. Coming close enough to see her, really fucking see her until she draws her knees up and rests her chin on them. She’s all but hidden then, except, it’s somehow more enticing.
“Captain,” he says. She smiles but isn’t shy.
“Commander,” she says, “didn’t expect anyone to visit this beach.”
“Evidently,” he says, unable to hide his grin. She huffs in response but is still smiling. “A little cold for sunbathing.”
“Hmm, but effective,” she says. “The holodeck doesn’t really give me the same vitamin D boost.”
He nods.
He should leave.
“Why in the nude?” he asks instead. She smiles.
“I hate tan lines?” she says and he laughs. “There’s a freedom to it,” she admits, a blush staining her face. “I don’t do it often, but then, I don’t get to be free of the Captain too often either.”
“You speak like they’re two different people,” he says.
“It certainly feels like it sometimes,” she breathes the words out as if they’re heavy and hard to say.
“How can I help?” he asks.
She thinks about it, eyes down looking at her feet.
“I’m not sure.”
He should leave.
But he drops down onto the sand before her.
“I could tell you how beautiful you are,” he says softly. Her head shoots up then, looking at him, the flush reigniting over her cheeks. “Or how much I enjoy spending time with you off-duty.”
She’s still, face unreadable and he thinks this will probably be the last time he sees outside of the brig for a while. Then she smiles.
“You really think so?” she asks.
“That I enjoy spending time with you?”
“That I’m beautiful?” she clarifies.
He reaches out and hesitates, but when she doesn’t move, he runs his fingers down her arm. She’s soft and cold, but he’s not sure if that’s why she shivers.
“Very,” he tells her.
She stands then, pulling the blanket up with her. He follows her lead and stands back up, with less grace than Kathryn.
“I should leave,” he says, “I’ve interrupted your shore leave.”
“I don’t mind, but I won’t keep you from yours,” she says, she wraps the blanket around her like a towel, gathering up her things. “Unless you would like to spend some time off-duty with me?” she asks, not looking at him and this is Kathryn shy, he realises. A blush and avoiding his gaze.
“I’d like that,” he tells her because he’d like nothing more. “Do you want to stay on the planet? I was just hiking for a bit before heading back to Voyager.”
“I don’t think I’m dressed for hiking,” she says with a laugh. He laughs too, looking over her blanket-wrapped body.
“No, maybe, a picnic?” he says, “I saw a pretty clearing on the way here, you can go change and bring something back?”
“You want me to change?” she asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, no, you’re gorgeous like this, but it’s no warmer further inland.”
The blush deepens again.
“I have clothes,” she says, “and food.”
“And a blanket to sit on,” he says and she chuckles. She gives him a pointed look and he’s tempted to point out he’s already seen everything but decides not to push his luck. “Sorry,” he says, turning on his heels.
He can hear soft movements behind him and he desperately wants to turn around to watch her dress. After a couple of minutes, her hand is on her shoulder, urging him back.
“Still gorgeous,” he says, just to see the blush spread back over the cheeks and down her chest and disappear under the light blue of her dress.
“Let’s go,” is all she says, but she links her arm with his and lets him lead her back up the sand dunes and into the treeline.
They reach the spot he had found before, surrounded by the white trees that remind him of birch, with enough sunlight to make it comfortable enough for a little while.
“A fire would be nice,” Kathryn says. Chakotay smiles.
“Maybe next time,” he says.
“They’ll be a next time?” she asks, cocking an eyebrow. Chakotay just laughs.
“Definitely,” he tells her, glad he hadn’t left.