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From: WPTD03E@prodigy.com (Kerowyn Nighthawk)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: REPOST:A GUIDING HAND PART 5
Date: 29 Apr 1996 02:49:57 GMT
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 	A Guiding Hand
	Kerowyn Nighthawk
	©1996 Kerowyn Nighthawk

Standard disclaimers apply.  Paramount owns the characters and the 
universe; what I do with those characters or within that universe is 
entirely from my own mind and is owned by me.  Although I don't think 
anyone would want to copy my ideas, anyone who does so is subject to 
criminal prosecution for copyright violation.  Please do not distribute 
or archive without expressed written (or typed) permission from the 
author, who can be reached at     WPTD03E@prodigy.com.     If you ask, 
I'll probably give permission, but I still like protocol. <G>   (By the 
way, Alara, I am giving you permission to archive this if you want to, 
but tell me if you do.)   If this story is printed or saved on disk, this 
header must remain attached, along with all the copyright stuff.

@---`----,---- 	Thanks for reading, and any comments are appreciated, but 
as this is my first fanfic, please, constructive criticism.  Don't just 
say you didn't like it.  Tell me why and what I can do to fix it.  Of 
course, all manners of praise are appreciated.  And consider yourself 
warned, this is a romance novel, and it is written as such, although not 
as graphic as most in bookstores.  

						Roses,                    
					@----`---,------  Kero  -------,----'--@



	A Guiding Hand Part 5/5
	Kerowyn Nighthawk
	©1996 Kerowyn Nighthawk

	Janeway caught Chakotay as they were finishing their dinner in the mess 
and invited him over for dessert.  He nodded and walked with her.  They 
both glanced in either direction as they entered her quarters, and upon 
noticing what the other was doing, they both began laughing.  "You know, 
we will have to tell them sometime soon..."  Janeway managed.
	"I know."  He grinned and they ordered dessert from the replicator, 
Janeway's being chocolate mousse and Chakotay's an ice cream sundae 
topped with hot caramel, nuts, whipped cream and a cherry.   Somehow, 
they each managed to eat half of their own dessert and half of each 
other's.  Janeway picked up the dishes and returned them to the 
replicator, then took Chakotay by the hand, asking simply "Dance with me?
"
	He took her into his arms and whispered "Anytime."
	"Computer, program..."  She paused a minute, thinking.  "Janeway twenty-
nine audio."  An old song called Unchained Melody floated through the 
room as they swayed to the music.  Slowly their movements ceased until 
they were simply standing in the middle of the floor, her head resting on 
his chest, just holding each other.  They stood like that for what could 
have been seconds or hours, neither of them knew.  They were content to 
let the warmth of their embrace wash over them, thinking of nothing else 
but the here and now.  
	Chakotay took a step back.  "I have an early shift tomorrow.  I should 
go."
	Janeway nodded and wrapped her arms around him tighter as he touched her 
lips with his own, leaving her with a kiss that would occupy her thoughts 
for the rest of the evening. 

	*   *   *   *   *
	They had managed to keep their relationship rather discreet, and other 
than Neelix and Kes, they were unaware any of the crew had noticed their 
feelings.  When they were alone, they were incredibly free, able to say 
anything without the fear of rejection.  If anyone had set up a holo-
camera outside their quarters, the spying party would have observed 
countless embraces and I-love-yous exchanged in the corridor, and glances 
up and down the hall before slipping into each other's quarters for 
dinner.  Chakotay had helped her finish the modifications she had been 
making to the outer rooms of her quarters, and today, for the first time, 
she was going to let him help with the bedroom, moving furniture and the 
like.
	Instead of immediately getting to the task, Chakotay, after giving her 
an enthusiastic hello kiss, started up a conversation about going home 
that eventually had them sitting on the couch involved in an intense 
discussion of what going home would mean to the crew and to their 
relationship.  Suddenly, Chakotay reached over and took her hand in his, 
meeting her eyes with his intense gaze.  "Kat, I know this is sudden and 
probably too soon, but I have to say this."  He slid off the couch and on 
to one knee.  "I've been rehearsing this for weeks; let's see if I can 
get it right."  He took a deep breath.  "Kathryn, my feelings for you are 
so strong they frighten me.  The thought of losing you, of ever having to 
live without you as a part of my life is the most terrifying thought I 
can imagine.  You know I would die for you, but most of all, I want to 
live for you.  I love you with all my heart and soul, with everything 
that I am.  Kathryn, will you marry me?"
	She reached out and took him by the hand, bringing him up next to her, 
and he saw tears of emotion on her cheeks.  "You definitely said it right.
"  She smiled and continued.  "And this is sudden and soon, but I have 
never been more certain about anything as I am at this moment.  Yes, I'll 
marry you."  She answered, blinking back more tears.
	He pulled her into his arms, kissing away her tears and whispered into 
her hair.  "I was so afraid you'd say no."
	"Why would I want to do that?"  She asked, a twinkle in her eyes.
	"You do many things that I cannot comprehend, Kat."  He replied formally,
 although the matching twinkle in his eyes betrayed him.  He pulled a box 
from his pocket.  "An ancient Earth custom you might appreciate."  He 
opened the box and revealed a gold band with an unusual stone set in it.  
It sparkled with the blue background of the jeweler's box, picking up the 
color like an elemental chameleon.
	"It's beautiful."  Janeway breathed with awe.
	Chakotay smiled with relief as he slid the ring on her finger.  "Neelix 
helped me find it in the ship's stores, among the samples of alien 
gemstones.  I cut it myself with a micro-phaser. I know it's not a 
diamond, but when we get back home, I'll get you a real one."
	Janeway held her hand out at a distance and admired the stone.  "I think 
I'll keep this one.  It'll remind me of the gamma quadrant..."  She laced 
her arms around his neck.  "And the man I fell in love with in it."
	"If it's up to me, you won't need any reminding."  He kissed her deeply, 
pulling her closer to him and caressing her back with his hands, 
wondering if he should reach for the zipper on her dress or if their 
previous agreement still stood.
	Janeway broke off the kiss, taking a breath of badly needed oxygen.  
"You know, you haven't seen the bedroom yet..."  She raised an eyebrow 
invitingly.
	"Do you want to show it to me?"  He asked, not quite believing what he 
was hearing.  He had been surprised when she agreed to marry him, and now 
she was seducing him...
	"If you want to see it." She replied, kissing first his lips then moving 
down his throat and up across his jawbone, her hands running down the 
front of his shirt, undoing a few buttons along the way.  She moved up to 
his lips again, leaning into the kiss, pressing him back into the pillows 
of the couch.
	"I think-" He began, then kissed her lightly "That." He kissed her again.
  "Sounds." Kiss. "Like." Kiss. "A very."  Kiss.  "Good idea."
	Janeway laughed as he scooped her up into his arms and carried her into 
the bedroom, setting her gently down among the pillows.  His hands were 
soft on her flesh, worshiping her body as he did her soul, caressing her 
skin as he peeled away the barriers of her clothing, touching her with 
such confidence, as if they had been lovers for years.  She reached up 
and undid the fasteners on his uniform jacket, sliding it off his arms.  
Her hands moved over the naked flesh of his chest, showing him the same 
reverence as he had shown her, reaching for him and allowing him to hold 
her, to kiss her as her hands worked to rid him of the rest of his 
clothing, wanting to touch him, to love him...
	She closed her eyes and let the feelings wash over her.  He was a 
patient man, touching her leisurely, as if they had all the time in the 
universe.  Chakotay had no doubts whatsoever , there was no doubt about 
that; he was confident with what he was doing, with what they were doing, 
and there was no hesitance at all.  There was something different about 
him, something unique that the two of them had together that no one else 
could ever come close to, something that they had never felt before, yet 
both of them accepted it and relished it, enjoying each other and 
receiving  more pleasure out of the giving of it than the receiving.

	*   *   *   *   *



	She lay with her head on Chakotay's shoulder, her mind finally able to 
form one coherent thought.  "Wow."
	He kissed her lightly.  "I second that wow."  He pulled her to him, just 
enjoying the feeling of her flesh against his, feeling her heart beat and 
listening to her not-quite-so-even breathing.  "I love you, Kat."  Those 
four words seemed so trite, but they were all he had to express feelings 
so deep they could never be put into words, no matter what the language.
	She ran her fingers down his chest lightly, just enjoying the feeling of 
him close to her, knowing that he was hers just as much as she was his.  
She realized that that was what made everything so right; each was just 
as devoted as the other, each wanting to please the other.  "I love you." 
 She punctuated her statement with a light kiss.
	He lifted her hand off his chest to admire the ring, which sparkled in 
the dim starlight.  "That ring looks perfect."
	"I couldn't agree with you more."  She whispered, then her eyes widened 
with a combination of excitement and trepidation.  "How are we going to 
tell the crew?"
	Chakotay grinned at her.  "Let's talk about that in the morning."  He 
wrapped his arms around her, pulling her body close.  "But since we have 
duty in...five hours, sleep might be a good thing.
	"Mm hmm."  Janeway agreed, resting her head on his shoulder,  listening 
to his heartbeat.  The last thing she remembered before she drifted off 
to sleep was his hands softly stroking her hair and the warmth of him 
next to her.  Everything was...she sighed...wonderful. 

	*   *   *   *   * 
	Janeway awoke to feel Chakotay's soft kisses on her eyelids.  She opened 
her eyes to find herself wrapped in  his arms, her head resting on his 
chest, listening to his heartbeat.  She nestled closer to him, not 
wanting to get up just yet.  "Mmm.  This is a wonderful way to wake up."
	He tightened his grip on her, holding her to him.  "That it is.  
Unfortunately, if we don't get up, we'll be late for duty." 
	Janeway rolled over and retrieved her robe from a bottom drawer of her 
dresser, not wanting to wake up fully just yet but her personal code 
would not allow her to neglect her duties to her ship or crew. 
	Chakotay kissed her neck softly.  "I am going to make use of your shower.
  See you in a few minutes."
	True to his word, he was back in a few minutes, proving the point that 
sonic showers were more efficient than water, but there was something 
about steamy, hot water...  She looked him up and down.  He was in 
uniform, looking handsome yet slightly rumpled.  He grinned.  "Your turn. 
 I'll dial up breakfast.  My rations."
	She went into the bathroom and was out of the shower and in uniform 
within minutes.  She picked up her hairbrush and was only mildly 
surprised when Chakotay took it from her. He took her hand and seated her 
on the stool in front of the mirror and stood behind her, running the 
brush through her hair, meticulously untangling every tangle until her 
hair shone, then he sat the brush down.  "Do me a favor and put it up 
after breakfast."
	She smiled and nodded, allowing him to lead her into the other room 
where the table was set with fresh fruit and croissants, with juice and 
tea.  "Chakotay, how did you know what my favorite breakfast is?"
	"Simple.  I asked the computer what you order most often."  He sat down 
across from her and watched as she bit into a ripe, juicy, red strawberry.

	She licked the juice from her lips and smiled.  "Delicious."  She picked 
up another from the bowl of fruit in the center of the table and held it 
near his mouth.  "You have to taste this."
	He took a bite of the strawberry, savoring its taste.  She was right.  
It was good. His mind strayed towards other things as he licked the juice 
from her fingers.  However, as much as he would like to stay and make 
breakfast last, they were going to be late if they didn't hurry.
	He watched as she twisted her hair up easily into its usual chignon, 
pinning it firmly in place with several hairpins.  "How do you do that so 
easily?"
	"Practice.  Shall we go?"    He nodded, and as they left her quarters, 
they ran into Tuvok in the corridor.
	He gave them his wondering-what-is-going-on-but-will-wait-until-you-
decide-to-inform-me look, nodded in greeting and continued on his way.  
When Janeway and Chakotay reached the turbolift, they burst into laughter 
as soon as the doors closed.  "I wonder what was zipping through his 
brain."  Chakotay laughed.
	"Oh, he's probably got everything all figured out.  He's just not going 
to say anything until I tell him something first."  Janeway replied.  
Even after all these years Chakotay still had trouble figuring Tuvok out. 
 
	When they stepped onto the bridge, B'Elanna Torres looked from one 
officer's face to the other.  Something was up.  It wasn't often that two 
senior bridge officers walked onto the bridge wearing matching grins.  
Janeway took her usual seat while Chakotay strolled over to stand behind 
Torres, looking at the readings on the science console.  "You look like 
the Targ  that's just swallowed the loQuach."  She observed softly, a 
touch of envy in her voice. 
	"LoQuach?" He questioned.
	 "A Klingon animal that rather resembles your canary."  B'Elanna replied,
 then added as an afterthought "Wipe the feathers off your chin."
	Chakotay's grin grew wider. "You'll find out when everyone else does, 
B'Elanna."  He almost laughed at his chief engineer's expression of 
distaste.

	*   *   *   *   *
	Later, Torres was sitting at a table in the mess, having joined Kim and 
Paris for dinner.  All three were closely observing their captain and 
first officer and trying not to be too conspicuous about it, not that 
they would have been noticed by their commanding officers.  Janeway and 
Chakotay had chosen a rather secluded table in the far corner, away from 
the usual crowds in the dining area.  It didn't look like they were 
eating anything; they both just had glasses of what looked like fruit 
juice, but knowing Neelix it could have been anything from strange 
looking milk to something as potent as Romulan Ale.  Janeway had leaned 
forward, intent on something Chakotay was saying, and then giggled at 
something he had said.  Neither one was paying any attention to what went 
on around them.  	Paris, Kim, and Torres exchanged glances.  They had 
never seen their captain giggle before.  Kim looked back at Janeway, 
noticing the subtle changes in his captain.  She seemed more relaxed and 
at ease with herself, and although she was still in uniform, she seemed 
to be treating Chakotay as a friend, not a subordinate.  He also noticed 
something sparkling on the captain's hand but somehow failed to connect 
the captain's jewelry to the ancient earth custom it came from.
	Chakotay reached out and touched her hand, covering it with his own and 
giving hers a light squeeze.  Janeway smiled and nodded, and two rose, 
leaving the mess through the double doors at the far end.
	B'Elanna looked over at her comrades.  "Who do they think they're 
fooling?"
	Paris rolled his eyes.  "We all knew it would happen eventually...and 
they think they're doing so well at hiding it."
	"Hiding what?" Kim asked, looking completely and totally confused.
	B'Elanna burst out laughing.  "Harry, you can be so naive sometimes!  
Didn't you see the way she was looking at him?"
	"And the way he touched her hand?  This is the captain we're talking 
about here, not some ensign!  You just don't DO that with a CO!"
	"And what about the way that picture of the captain with the guy and the 
dog mysteriously disappearing off her desk a while back?"  B'Elanna 
continued.
	"Oh." Harry said, thinking a moment.  "You two think the captain and 
Chakotay are having an affair."
	"Bingo!"  Paris clapped Harry on the back.  "Give the man a prize!"
	B'Elanna rolled her eyes, failing yet again to comprehend the actions 
and stupidity of human males.

	*   *   *   *   *
	Janeway sat in her ready room studying reports and catching up on the 
paperwork she had either let go or hadn't had time for in the delta 
quadrant when her door chimed.  She invited the officer in and saw Tuvok 
standing stiffly in the doorway.  "What is it, Tuvok?"
	He walked mechanically up to her desk. "Captain, I feel this is 
something that must be addressed, although it may be a difficult subject.
"
	"Spit it out, Tuvok."  Janeway ordered.
	"I believe your recent conduct involving Commander Chakotay to be 
inappropriate and detrimental to the successful command of this ship."
	Janeway glared at him.
	Tuvok continued.  "While what you do on your off-duty time may be your 
business-"
	"Damn right its my business."  Janeway stated, giving him her most 
withering look.  It had no effect on the Vulcan.  "Tuvok, Chakotay and I 
are adults, consenting adults, I may add, and we are not going to do 
anything that would jeopardize the efficient running of this ship.  
Anything beyond that is none of your business, and as to what you think 
of it..."  She paused a moment, then found the words she was looking for. 
 "Frankly, Tuvok, I don't give a damn."
	Tuvok nodded and left without waiting for dismissal, knowing full well 
that Janeway would sit there and glare at him until he was gone.  Janeway 
rested her head in her hands for a moment, then, unable to help herself, 
burst into laughter.

	Later that evening, over dinner in Chakotay's quarters, Janeway repeated 
her conversation with the Vulcan.  She and Chakotay were both howling 
with laughter at how uncomfortable Tuvok must have been, and how wrong he 
was.  They still hadn't told the crew their news, although a good many of 
them had figured it out for themselves.  Finally managing to catch his 
breath, Chakotay gasped "I can't believe he did that!  A Vulcan talking 
to his CO about her love life!"
	"I was just as surprised.  I guess he thought that since we hadn't said 
anything..."  She began  laughing again, unable to finish her sentence.  

	Chakotay joined in and their laughter rang throughout his quarters and 
echoed in the corridor.

	B'Elanna Torres walked up to Chakotay's door with some engineering 
statistics, and paused when she heard the sounds.  Torres decided that 
they were either watching a really funny holofilm comedy or trying to 
tickle each other to death.  She decided she would give Chakotay the data 
in the morning.

	*   *   *   *   *
	Janeway leaned over Torres' shoulder studying the sensor logs.  "We 
should be approaching the edge of the rift in a few minutes, Captain."  
Torres answered her unspoken question.  "Things could get a little rocky.
"
	Janeway nodded and headed over to her chair.  "Red Alert.  All hands 
brace for turbulence."  She clutched at the arms of the chair, bracing 
herself, and felt Chakotay cover her hand with his.  She glanced up to 
see his look of reassurance and smile of confidence, then clutched at his 
arm to keep from falling when the first tremors started.  
	Torres grabbed the edge of her console in an effort to stay upright, but 
Harry was not so lucky.  He landed on the deck with a grunt and tried to 
stand up again.  Torres noticed his futile efforts and called "Stay put, 
Harry.  This is only going to get worse."  Harry took her advice and 
remained on the floor.
	By the time the turbulence stopped, both Janeway and Chakotay had 
slipped out of their chairs and were seated on the deck; Tom was in the 
awkward position of trying to hang onto the helm while he was slipping 
out of his seat, and Torres and Tuvok were the only ones left standing.  
Torres helped Harry to his feet while Chakotay rose gracefully and helped 
Janeway up.  He marveled at the fact that her hair had stayed up through 
all that.
	"Captain, we have established communications with Deep Space Nine."  
Torres informed, relief evident in her voice.
	"On screen." Janeway ordered, releasing her first officer's hand.
	Torres responded instantly and the face of Benjamin Sisko appeared on 
the screen, and standing behind him, Admiral Jean-Luc Picard.  "This is 
Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Starship Voyager."
	"I know who you are, Captain.  Your mission has become somewhat 
legendary in Starfleet these past four years.  We all thought we'd never 
hear from you again."  Sisko answered.  "I must say we are thankful to 
know you're all safe.  We have a scout ship near your coordinates.  Are 
you in need of assistance?"
	"Nothing we can't handle now." Janeway replied, then added "We are low 
on supplies, though.  Could you send us some star charts of this quadrant?
"
	Sisko nodded and glanced to his left.  "Major Kira is transmitting them 
now."
	Torres nodded. "Charts received."
	Janeway spoke to Sisko and Picard for a few more moments and wound up 
the conversation.  The ship's logs were transmitted to DS9 to be relayed 
to Starfleet Command, and their starcharts of the Delta Quadrant were 
sent to DS9 stellar cartography.  When all that was complete, Janeway 
looked over at Chakotay.  "My ready room."
	He nodded and followed her across the bridge and out the doors to their 
left.  Once inside, she grasped his hand with excitement.  "I think we 
may have found a solution to our wedding problems."
	Chakotay grinned.  "The sooner the better.  What's your plan?"
	"We could have the admiral marry us over subspace.  He's an old friend 
of mine and he owes me a favor."
	"What did you do for him?"  He asked curiously, wondering how an admiral 
could owe a captain a favor.
	"I talked him into dating the woman he later married."  Janeway replied. 
 
	Chakotay grinned at her.  "That's some favor he owes you.  Kat, you're a 
genius.  Let's call your admiral friend."
	They did.
	
	*   *   *   *   *
	Two days after shocking the crew with their news and sending invitations 
to everyone's computer terminal, Janeway and Chakotay stood in the 
holodeck, facing each other, hands clasped tightly, surrounded by their 
crew and a large portable viewscreen Paris and Chakotay had dug up in the 
ship's stores.   The program was the dance setting, modified to soft 
afternoon sunlight, with a few minor changes.  Chakotay had removed the 
Jalara jungle vines and flowers and replaced them with climbing roses, 
complimenting  the occasion perfectly.  Janeway wore a long, white lace 
dress, simple but beautiful, and someone, probably B'Elanna and Kes, had 
pulled her hair back at the temples in two braids fastened together in 
the back, leaving the rest of her hair long and flowing.  Baby's breath 
flowers had been tucked into the braids, and a rose in the back.  
Chakotay had dismissed with the dress uniform as Janeway had, and instead 
was clothed in a traditional Indian garb of buckskin and beads, minus the 
feathers.   Janeway heard Chakotay's voice as he spoke the words to her 
that had changed little over centuries, his throat closing under the 
intense emotion of the moment.  She heard his voice, speaking only to her,
 as if the crew were not there witnessing, and she realized there were 
tears on her cheeks.  She looked up at him, into those deep eyes and 
repeated the words back to him, filled with complete and total love for 
him, somehow managing to speak despite the knot of love and emotion that 
was rising in her throat.  Chakotay reached up and wiped a tear away, and 
for the first time she noticed tears on his cheeks as well.  She brushed 
them away with the back of her hand, in awe that someone could care so 
much for another that it would bring tears to their eyes, in awe of her 
own emotions and in awe that he could not only understand them but feel 
them just as strongly.  Picard spoke a bit more, then stated "By the 
power given to me by the United Federation of Planets, I now pronounce 
you husband and wife." He nodded to Chakotay.  "You may now kiss the 
bride."
	Chakotay turned to her and tipped her chin up with one hand, softly 
pressing his lips to hers.  A cheer went up from the crew and Janeway and 
Chakotay broke it off.  Janeway blushed and Chakotay took her by the hand 
while they went to mingle with the crew, accepting congratulations and 
well wishes.
	Tuvok raised his hand in the traditional Vulcan salute.  "Live long and 
prosper.  Together."  He lowered the salute and came as close as he ever 
did to smiling.  "Congratulations, Captain, Commander.  Please, follow me.
"  He led them back to the raised platform where they had exchanged vows 
and raised a hand for attention from the crew.  Turning to the captain 
and commander, he handed them the data padd.  "The crew of the Federation 
Starship Voyager presents Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay with a 
petition for them to take the next two weeks off as a wedding gift.  
Holodeck one will be reserved for your use during that time."  He paused 
a moment and then sensed Janeway's sole objection.  "Rest assured, 
Captain, you will be called if needed."
	Janeway smiled and glanced at Chakotay, who nodded.  "Then we accept."
	A cheer went up from the crew as they made their ways to the holodeck 
doors.  The crew spilled out into the hallway, cheering and wishing them 
luck, and as they stepped into the turbolift, the crew caught a glimpse 
of the beginnings of a passionate kiss, and as they did, a Deer, a 
Salamander, an Appaloosa and the spirit of Mark MacKenzie smiled.

                                                   -KERO-