The Counselor

Author: Jett Wall

Part Three

Rating: R

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"Sir, if you don’t remove your hand I’m going to make it very uncomfortable for you to sit for the rest of the night, maybe longer." Captain Janeway issued a final warning before she took action. She didn’t get the chance, at her back stood her former first officer. The smile on his face was chilling.

"Lieutenant, might I have a word with you, please?" He said. Taking the man off to one side he whispered something that had the officer’s face turning chalk white.

"Understood Commander. Captain, my apologies for offending you." He bowed low then briskly walked to the exit.

"Commander!" She laughed, staring after her fleeing partner. "Really, I am quite capable of taking care of myself. Just what did you say to that poor thing? I guess I should thank you although I’m sure I’ll never get asked to dance again."

"I reminded him what my ancestors did to people who put their hands and eyes where they didn’t belong." His voice sounded evil and he seemed to have developed a new facial tick as he step into her space.

"How are you Chakotay?" She whispered, instinctively reaching out to touch his face. She stopped herself before she gave into the urge to trace the lines on his brow. "Where is Seven, I just saw her a minute ago? I really would like to introduce you both to my dinner…"

"Captain, please be quiet." He said as he pulled her up against his body trying to shield her from view. One hand he placed in the middle of her back while the other captured her small fingers drawing them close to his chest and his heart. He was having trouble getting the thoughts and words together to speak…sputtering. "Where’s the rest of that dress? Since when do you wear something so…damn don’t you have a jacket or something you could put over it?"

"Chakotay, what the hell are you doing…" Struggling against his chest she bellowed as she tried to break free. "I can’t breathe dammit! Would you please loosen your grip? What about the way I’m dressed? I know I’m a little old for it but I did think I looked okay. Thanks for the vote of confidence FRIEND!"

"That’s not what I meant. You would look beautiful in sackcloth. I’m just not use to seeing so much of you on display! Look can we finish the dance. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the pleasure and after all I did just rescue you…again." The deep dimples flashed as he spoke.

"How very gallant of you Commander, since you put it that." Settling into his arms as if she were born to be there. "You think I’m beautiful?" She whispered raising her face to his. "Thank you, I really needed to hear that."

They danced in silence. No need to speak. Funny how even dancing she was so in tuned to his movements. The heat of his hand on her back caused the fire to flame elsewhere as he stroked her skin. He smelled of the outdoors after the rain. She loved the masculine smell and over the years would breathe deeply of it when they were together. Her fingers reached up to trace his ear then danced their way down to the back of his neck slipping under his collar to caress his skin. She knew what she was doing was wrong but she wanted this time. His shirt was open just enough for her to see his bronze skin, see the pulse beating at the base of his throat. She wanted to kiss it, to taste the salt of his skin just above his collarbone. She could feel his heart beating under the hand he held against his chest. The warmth of his breath touched her like tiny kisses as the music carried them. She could almost imagine that he loved her the way he molded her body to his. Only in her fevered dreams had they dance like this. Only there could she pretend it would last beyond the songs finally note.

He was having a hard time and he meant that literal. The feel of her soft body against his was driving him crazy. Every time his rational mind told him to put distance between them his heart pulled her closer. Hell if he held her any closer he’d be inside her. Oh damn, why did I have to go there? he thought. Feeling again the tightening of his groin he wondered if she knew what she was doing to him. The way her hand stroking his neck sent shivers down his spine. Did she know the hand that rest between her breasts ached to touch their fullness? His other hand was getting dangerous close to grabbing that firm behind of hers. He had watched it strut in and out of his dreams for seven years. She rolled her hips in time to the music against his crotch. Erotic thoughts of her naked under him made it difficult to breathe. It’s that damn dress and all that skin bringing fantasies he careful hid to life. If the dance didn’t end soon he was going to have a problem getting back to the table.

Kathryn’s daydreams were interrupted by the sight of Seven of Nine waltzing by wrapped in the arms of the EMH. They looked blissful unaware of others in the room as he twirled her in his arms. Seven not to be outdone, dipped her partner low then snapped him back against her body. Smiling she place a kiss on his cheek that had him laughing lightly. My God, if he weren’t a hologram he’d have a sprained back. I’ve never heard him laugh before, at least not like that. I swear they look like lovers. Seems like she needed to be brought up to date on a few developments. She smiled at them as they passed and nudged Chakotay for answers. Opening his obsidian eyes he glanced in the couples direction before looking back at the woman in his arms. The confusion on her face brought a slow grin to his. Nodding his head he did not elaborate on the subject now was not the time. It was however time to stop the seductive play of her hips before he finished undressing her on the dance floor. Of course leave it to Kathryn to take it the wrong way as hurt and self-doubt crossed her face.

"Stop…don’t Kathryn, I can’t take anymore. Don’t look at me like that, what the hell do you want me to do, take you right here in front of everyone? I just need to slow down because I…it has to be right, don’t you see." He closed his eyes then slowly continued "I’m really not doing this well. Look can we take a walk…the beach is right outside and I really need to clear my head. Come with me. Don’t think…don’t rationalize…just come with me Kathryn." Holding out his hand he waited praying silently that she take the next step with him.

She did. Looking up at him, she grasped the hand as if it were a lifeline.

I don’t know what to say to him, isn’t that silly. I’ve waited seven years and I don’t know what to say. Maybe for once you should just shut up and listen, really listen to him. Let him lead for a change because its now or never Kath old girl.

Walking across the balcony Kathryn stopped. Using his shoulder to lean on she remove her heels and dangled them from her hand. Smiling he sat on the step to remove his shoes and socks then rolled his pants legs up to mid calf. Taking her hand again they walked in silence to the waters edge. The heat of the day had cooled yet the water was still warm as it rushed onto the beach and swirled around their feet. They watched each other under the cover of night. She marveled at the moons glow on his skin and the tiny lights reflect in his black eyes. He loved the way the soft evening wind blew her curls in wild disarray and molded her dress against her body. She didn’t want to ruin the magic of the moment with words but she need to know what he was feeling. Stopping she tugged on his hand until he faced her.

"Chakotay, I’m so sorry about you and Seven. Why didn’t you call me? I thought we were friends, don’t you know I will always be there for you?" Her eyes searched his face for signs of pain. She couldn’t stand the thought of him in pain not after all she had put him through. She really didn’t get a chance to see anything as he moved closer. Placing his hand under her chin he tilted her head back and captured her lips. Softly at first then hungrily he devoured her tasting for the first time the sweetness of her mouth. Pulling her against his body he held her tightly. She smelled of summer roses and her skin was like satin. He had wanted this for so long he couldn’t get enough of the taste and feel of her, he might as well be drowning as he sunk deeper into her.

Reaching up she ran her fingers through his hair pulling him closer as she suck greedily on his tongue. Our first kiss she thought and I’m going to die from the intensity. Pulling away she sank against his chest to gain some control. Feeling the pulse beating against her forehead she ran her tongue along the exposed skin of his chest licking her way up to his Adams apple then back down. She loved the salty taste of his skin as she kissed the small hollow at the base of his throat. Reaching up on tiptoes she traced the outline of his lips with her tongue bringing forth a deep groan from him as he kneaded the flesh of her backside. She felt his hardness against her pelvic as he raised her off the ground. Holding her against his body the fire was burning her alive, she needed him inside her. Not just for tonight but forever.

"Chakotay, please…" she begged as felt him pulled away from her.

"Kathryn, stop, this isn’t the time or place. Damn, I had this big speech prepared but all I can say is…I love you. I have for along time. More importantly you are my best friend. I can’t let go of you. I tried with Seven but we both knew it wasn’t right. You stood right there between us. Are you ready to let US happen, Kathryn? I would say no rush but since we’ve played this game for seven years I don’t know how long I can continue it. I want an answer because if it’s yes there will be no more spouting Starfleet bullshit, no dates with James and no more dressing like this unless I’m by your side." He warned. "I’m serious, I want forever. If you don’t then we drop it now and we part." He watched her face for any reaction to his ultimatum. You can’t backout on me know Kathryn not after the way you just kissed me. That had to be real.

"So lets see, my options are…I can start to date other men, continue to spout Starfleet bull…ah crap and dress like this or I can have the man I love by my side for the rest of my life? I don’t know Commander it’s really a tough decision. I think you need to remind me again why I should throw it all away on some Maquis rebel." Placing her hand on his chest as she had over seven years ago she said. "I love you Chakotay. I swear I think I have from the first time I saw you on that view screen. I love your strength, your courage, the way you wouldn’t let me get away with anything. I love that you look at life with such joy and that you drag me kicking and screaming along for the ride. I can’t say I’m always crazy about your sick sense of humor but I’ll put up with that too. I freely admit I need you in my life to keep me sane and stop me from… "

"If you want a counselor, see Deanna. I’m a man, Kathryn. A man who is asking the woman he loves to share his journey. I want to wake up each morning and go to sleep at night with you in my arms. I want to make love for hours…days…until they find our shriveled bodies with a smile they couldn’t pry off our face. The gods know I’ve wanted to do that since I first met you. Even now, telling you finally of my feelings, all I can really think of is tearing that dress off you and taking you right here until you beg me to stop." Placing his hand over hers he said. "I love you, even when you go crazy, I love you. I can’t give you anything else but that, so do we go on together or do we end it now?"

"You are never leaving me again Mr. Chakotay." Kathryn encircled his waist as she pressed her body against his. "I only have one more question…was that a phaser in you pocket earlier or were you just happy to see me?"

"KATHRYN! Who’s been teaching you such things and how can I thank them?" he laughed.

"You weren’t my only counsel, my friend." Placing kisses along the side of his face she whispered into his ear. "Have you ever thought of growing a beard?"

Chakotay had no idea what she was talking about. It didn’t matter…all that mattered was how she filled his arms and his life. There would even be time for getting her out of that dress later. Not very much later he thought.

On the balcony Deanna Troi and Beverly Crusher shared secret smiles as they watched the couple return. Deanna would make sure she thanked Will later for his part in this. Oh how you will be thanked Imzadi! Will smiled at her then he and Jean-Luc raised their glasses in silent tribute to their comrade in arms for his battle was over and to the victor would go the spoils. They could only hope she would be gentle with him. Course then again…gentle in Picard’s opinion, was vastly overrated.

Redheads and passion…ahhh…but that’s another story.

The End

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