Chapter Text
“Oh that’s it? That’s what you think!?!” Kathryn barked, as she trailed the large man storming through the television studio.
“You think…” she continued before dropping her tone as she took note of the ever watchful stares, “you think you can just strut through town implying I’m frigid and dull!?!”
“I’ve said nothing!”
“You don’t have to! Your face says it all!”
“What can I say,” he replied sarcastically “I have an honest face.”
"Well since we’re being honest, I think it’s about high time we tell you about how I feel about you.”
Chakotay simply let out a humorless laugh before stopping at the catering table.
“Oh really?” He replied dully “Suddenly, eight years later, The Delta Darling has found the need to confess her sins to me? I’m honored.”
“Oh don’t be caustic, Chakotay. You don’t wear it well.”
“Please, I have enough people telling me what to wear.” He grumbled pulling at his tie.
This was the fifth talk show interview that day, during their world-wide media tour. When Voyager first came barreling back into existence, Starfleet was prepared to deal with them quietly and respectfully until the media took hold of the story. Starfleet stories were common in the regular news reports but rarely held the civilian interest unless it threatened their safety or daily routine. Yet, when a once doomed ship came back from the ether, with a beautiful captain and handsome commander, with obvious tension, the masses needed more.
Rarely did The Fleet fall into such hype but when Academy applications skyrocketed within just a couple weeks and many stories questioning Starfleet decisions were pushed to the wayside to concentrate on the “Forbidden Love Story of the Century”, the Admirals simply decided to give the people what they wanted. So they made a deal, one year under the media microscope and all pending charges would be dropped. No court-martial for the Captain and no prison time for any Maquis if they just “played along”. It sounded simple enough, it was even fun the first week or so. Yet, the pressure of literally every movement being scrutinized and probing questions brought many unresolved issues to the surface. The life of an unsuspecting celebrity had been especially hard on the reclusive Commander.
“Do you know they put a girdle in my dressing room this morning?” He sighed
“Just this morning?” She laughed “Wearing a girdle is in my contract!”
“Well, at least there’s some upsides.”
She looked up to see him eyeing her cleavage.
“Should I add ‘pervert’ to the list of reasons I should’ve shoved you out an airlock?”
“You have some nerve…”
It was then they heard a faint gasp and giggle.
“Are they going to kiss?” A little voiced nearly squeaked
Kathryn glanced over to see two teenage girls with “we love J/C” t-shirts on staring at them from a nearby corner. In their heated argument, Chakotay had leaned in close to her face. If their actual conversation was out of earshot, their interactions probably appeared down right steamy. The two deflated. Tears of exhaustion prickled behind her eyes.
“Makes you miss the Borg doesn’t it.” He sighed
“I’d even take Species 8472” she replied her voice cracking
As furious as Chakotay was, it always shook him to see Kathryn crack. She had been the perfect actress during their media blitz. She smiled, she charmed, she was radiant and perfect before the cameras. She was so perfect, her performance convinced Seven to leave him stating, “clearly she wasn’t the efficient match in comparison”. Kathryn rubbed her temple with one hand as a single tear trickled down her cheek. He could tell she was exhausted, they both were.
“Kathryn, I’m sorry…it’s just…”
“I wan’t to hug my mom, Chakotay! I just want to hug her!”
It was the most vulnerable she’d been with him since Voyager, since ever.
“I know you do. You know my sister is my only living relative? They screen her calls to me.”
“I would’ve never agreed to that.”
“I know.”
“We get a break soon but another four weeks…I just….”
“It’s too much.”
They needed out. They were breaking down mentally, physically and emotionally. Seven years of grief and stress was finally coming to a head, instead of the institution that they adhered to with every fiber of their being protecting them, they paraded them around like show ponies. They needed therapy, time with family and most of all rest. He watched tears fall and quickly be wiped away only for more. Their argument forgotten, he pulled her into his arms.
“Chakotay, no. They’re going to take pictures.” She wept, making no effort to break the embrace.
“Forget the pictures.”
They had to get out of the spotlight, but no matter what they did, it was newsworthy. Earth had gone crazy for them. There was no where to turn and if they walked away, half the crew would go to prison. They had to become unpalatable in some way without ruining Kathryn’s career. They had to be let go with grace. They had to become….uncomfortable to read about.
“I…have an idea that will probably give us a break. Not long but more than what they gave us and sooner.”
“How the hell can we do that?” She asked, still buried into his chest.
He pulled her away just enough so he could look at her.
“It’s going to get a lot worse for a bit, then better.”
“I don’t understand.”
“We need to make them sad for us, or mad for us. Either way they need to be uncomfortable enough to not want to know more.”
“What are you cooking up, Commander?”
“Come to my hotel room tonight. I’ll explain everything. Do you trust me?”
“Always.”