13Note: This is set after the picnic between Chakotay and Seven, but before their dinner date in his quarters.. I thought it needed some tweaking... ;)
The Voyager bridge was quiet, almost too quiet as Chakotay sat in his chair trying to fight sleep. He was exhausted after filling out all the crew assignments, examining all of the crew reports and his shift on the bridge which was finally about to end.
"Harry, you have the bridge" he nodded to the young Ensign who returned his nod with a smile. He took the turbo lift to his quarters and felt completely miserable. It had been a long and uneventful day. Just as he got to his quarters and the doors opened he saw her sitting at his table, she prepared an elegant dinner for him and there were candles in the center as well. He was excited to see her and taken aback and all of the effort she must have put into it all.
"Seven, " he was taken aback by how she was dressed, he couldn't believe his eyes. She was smiling and looked radiant in her crimson red dress that hugged her skin, her hair was down in soft curls. He couldn't believe he was having dinner with the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. "You look amazing, you're always beautiful, but I think having your hair down suits you, .. and that dress, well definitely suits me.." he said teasingly. He walked to her took her hand in his giving it a soft kiss. "Honey, you've really outdone yourself again, you need to be careful, I think I'm getting spoiled." he teased softly.
She laughed softly, the laugh that intoxicated him every time he heard it. "I'm glad you like it." she said looking down for a brief moment, he could tell she was trying not to be shy or embarrassed. She wasn't used to this kind of interaction with anyone. He was about to sit down when he felt her take his arm, he turned to face her and she pulled him into a passionate kiss. His mind reeled, he couldn't believe it! This was by far one of the best days he'd ever had. When they reluctantly pulled apart for air, she looked at him timidly as if she was afraid of his reaction. He touched her cheek softly and pulled her into another kiss.
Just then their comm badges went off. "All senior officers, we are having a meeting" They looked at each other breathlessly their faces still touching, "Next time, I'm deactivating the comm system" he told her seriously. She smiled in agreement.
They left his quarters together and he kept his arm around her waist. She looked at him nervously. "Are you sure we shouldn't try to appear more,.. professional?" she asked him uncertainty. He knew her worry, she didn't want anyone teasing him about her or for the Captain to chastise him for having a relationship with a crew member. But he wasn't afraid of anything, he was proud to be with her. He gave her a loving smile. "It'll be fine honey, there's nothing to worry about."
He felt completely elated when she leaned into him more after he said this. He knew he'd eased her discomfort at least enough for her to trust it would be alright. People stared at them as they walked down the corridors and whispers that were almost inaudible where coming from all over the ship. As the doors opened to the conference room everyone stopped what they were talking about and just stared at them in shock.
Tuvok clearly taken aback, well, for Tuvok anyway. Tom and B'Elanna's mouths dropped to the floor (metaphorically of course) and Harry's eyes looked like a night owl trying to see in the light of day. Neelix was beaming from ear to ear (he already knew about the lovely couple) and then there was the Captain who looked confused and curious. "Hello, Chakotay, ..Seven" she nodded at them each separately still trying to take it all in. They sat down next to each other at the large table joining their friends who looked at them still awaiting some kind of explanation.
Finally Tom broke the silence, "So, since when did you two become an item?" he said excitedly and extremely curious like he always was. They all looked at them for an answer, clearly on the edge of their seats, especially the Captain.
Chakotay looked at Seven lovingly and they smiled at each other, then he looked to the rest of them. "That, is irrelevant." he grinned in mock indignation, he looked to Seven who laughed lightly and made whole room even more shocked than they already were. "I don't think I've ever heard you laugh before Seven, and I know irrelevant isn't Chakotay's favorite word. You guys are too cute together though." Tom smiled giving his blessing even though he knew they didn't need it. Chakotay knew he was being a supportive friend.
Seven smiled at him with a blush in her cheeks and nodded at him, "Thank you, Lieutenant." Chakotay nodded at Tom glad for the vote of confidence. The Captain looked at the two of them still in shock with a smile on her face, "Well, I must admit she nodded her head I've never seen either of you this happy before, I don't know how it happened, but I'm happy for you both." She looked at them both happily. Chakotay smiled back at her, "Thank you Captain" they both said in a unison heartfelt tone, she was one of their closest friends each respectively.
The doctor watched the whole affair with a quiet and obviously devastated demeanor, but no one really noticed because they were all enamored with the new love birds announcement. He was somewhat glad they didn't notice as he slipped out of the room, he had been humiliated enough in the past few months as it was and didn't want any further torment added to it.