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As soon as the doors to her quarters swooshed closed, her back was against them. Her head lulled back against the cool metal as felt the tension of the day melt from her temples and shoulders. It hadn’t been a particularly taxing day, actually pretty quiet, all things considered, but, as Captain, when was there never not 10,000 things to do. Especially since her first officer had the day off. But her shift was finally over and she could strip off the Captain and be Kathryn once more.
She quickly stripped out of her uniform and took a quick shower to freshen up.
“Computer, locate Commander Chakotay.” She ordered as she came out of their bedroom, towel drying her hair.
“Commander Chakotay is in the arboretum.”
She smiled having a pretty good idea of why he was there. Running a hand through her hair, she was pretty satisfied with it only being slightly damp. She placed the towel over the nearest chair and walked out of her quarters.
As soon as reached the arboretum a distinct laughter filled her ears. Him, obviously, not hearing the swishing of the doors allowed her to sneak in. Kathryn leaned against the table as she watched him for a second. Just like the like the view of the stars as they drift through the quadrant, this was a view that she’d never tire of.
Since she still remained unnoticed she decided it was time to make her presence known. As she walked towards the back where he was, her smile faltered a bit, seeing the muddy footprints. She sighed inwardly.
It could only mean one thing.
Coming up behind Chakotay, she wrapped her arms around his waist. She felt his breath catch in surprise and his hands covered hers.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
He turned in her arms to face her. He smiled before cupping her face to kiss her soundly, lasting a little longer than she’d usually allow out of the confines of their quarters. They were blissfully alone down here. And given the state of the area they’d been down here for quite some time.
Stepping back a bit Kathryn was able to take everything in. Looking her first officer up and down, she saw the mud streaks covering his pants below the knee and his shoeless feet. Her eyes slowly met his gaze with an eyebrow raise and arms crossed over her chest.
He had the decency to, at least, look sheepish, couples with a nervous tug on his ear. She’d found this habit quite endearing over the years. Still won’t tell him that, though.
As he opened his mouth to what she believed would have been an explanation the sound of laughter interrupted him. Both looked at each other with soft expressions before Kathryn looked past him to see their daughter running towards them, leaving the mud puddle she was just jumping around in. She wrapped little arms around her father’s legs as she looked up at her mother, toothy, dimpled grin widening.
“Mommy! Mud puddles!” Kailani’s joy was infectious and softened the blow of how absolutely filthy she was. Just a little.
“Mommy, mud puddles?” Chakotay mirrored, letting that be the explanation.
Kathryn eyes squinted in playful indignation at him as she bent down to her daughter’s level. The toddler was covered from head to toe in splotches of dirt and grime. All over pants, tunic, shoeless feet, streaking her hands, hair, and face. Kathryn ran a finger along her soft cheek to try to remove the streaks there, but only smeared it further into her skin.
“Did you and daddy have fun, today?” She decided to ask. These type of things always seemed to happen during “daddy-daughter days” when Chakotay was off and able to spend time with her. She cringed inwardly as she remembered the disaster she’d came home to a couple of months ago.
“Yeah!” Kathryn looked on as Chakotay picked her up, giggles once again reverberating in the space, the only thing she could feel was peace. Through all the worry and stress about her ship, her crew, the life they were providing for Kai, everyone’s livelihoods and safety, these little pockets of time served as reminders that maybe she wasn’t doing so bad.
That they were truly okay.
“We always have fun, don’t we?” The look they shared between them made Kathryn’s heart flutter. Observing the pure adoration and love between Chakotay and Kailani of the highlights of her life.
“Sometimes a little too much.”
“Never,” Chakotay said, sending a wink her way.
Kathryn playfully rolled her eyes and shook her head. She moved a couple of steps closer, taking the toddler out of her father’s arms. She didn’t move immediately, making sure she didn’t fuss. Kailani didn’t, settling against her mother and laying her head on her shoulder with a yawn.
“Well, since you feel that way, Commander, I’m sure you’ll have just as much fun cleaning all of this up. While I get our little one hosed down and ready for the night.”
“I—” he sighed exaggeratedly, “yes, Captain.” They made sure to keep their ranks out of their private time together, but she was never one to reject an opportunity to mess with him.
Kathryn reached up to press one more light kiss against his lips, as encouragement, before leaving the arboretum to head back to their quarters. One thorough bath and a bed time story later her daughter was asleep for what she hoped would be the rest of the night. She kissed Kailani on the forehead and pulled the covers tighter around her, before switching the main room light to the night light.
She’d just sat on the couch when Chakotay entered their quarters, dropping a bag by the door. He peaked his head in their daughter’s room before walking beside where she sat, kissing her on the cheek. Before she said could anything, he said, “before you ask, yes, the arboretum is just as spotless as before.”
“I actually wasn’t going to comment on that. I trust you,” he gave her a dimpled grin, “instead I was going to comment on your need for a shower.”
“Yeah, I could use one.”
He took her hand, pulling her up from the couch, leading her toward their bedroom. She didn’t need to ask where he was taking her, the suggestive glint in his eyes was enough of an answer. She felt a small pang of guilt at how much of their rations they’d used today, but she’d make up for it.
Right now, she was going to enjoy their time together.