Chakotay paused just in front of the doors to the captain's quarters. He wore a simple beige knitted sweater, in contrast to the more-formal dinner jacket had sported the last time he had dined with his commanding officer. The memory of the look on Janeway's face after he had kissed her burned, and he pushed it away; that was why he was here, to set things right! Chakotay took a swift breath and entered.

Janeway's quarters were bigger, being the captain's, but still mostly Starfleet standard. A few decorations collected on their travels scattered the rooms, one of Chakotay's wood carvings in a particularly prominent spot on the windowsill, he noted with more pride than it merited. A holo-photo was perched on the other side of the window. It was a snapshot of the whole crew at Neelix's last Prixin party; Chakotay's arm was around Janeway's waist, hers on his shoulder, and she was laughing quietly at some forgotten joke he was whispering to her. How happy they'd looked- why'd he ruin it?!

Chakotay snapped back into the moment. The room's occupant was settled on the sofa. Janeway was casually dressed and barefoot. She placed the book she had been reading on the coffee table and stood up. "Chakotay," she began warmly.

"We need to talk," Chakotay interrupted harshly.

"Alright then." Janeway sat right back down, one eyebrow raised. "Let's talk."

Chakotay forwent his usual armchair and sat next to Janeway on the sofa. "I don't mean to be rude- it's just, before you say anything, there's something I want you to know." He paused, collecting his thoughts, and then went on. "I was out of line. I made a mistake, and I'm sorry. I hate to put you in this position. Let's just go back to the way things were." Janeway watched him, brow wrinkled and a slight frown on her face. Chakotay panicked internally- again, this is not how he had pictured things going. "I'll go now. I'm sorry to have ruined our friendsh-"

Chakotay was interrupted by Janeway flinging her arms around his neck and claiming his mouth in a passionate kiss. He froze for a few seconds, then relaxed and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.

It started off sweet and sensual but quickly escalated into something animalistic, passionate, desperate; his hand slid up to let his fingers become entangled in her silky hair, his bruised-feeling lips were soothed by her plush ones…she moaned into his mouth but still, they swayed on, Chakotay beginning to feel stirrings of a deeper want- until finally, Janeway broke away, panting.

"Do you mind if I ask what took you so long?" Chakotay breathed, nuzzling her lower lip. Janeway rested her forehead on his. "Let's chalk it up to…temporal distortion," she murmured playfully. "Sometimes it takes a while for the fabric of the space-time continuum to catch up."

Chakotay smiled, bringing his palm up to her cheek affectionately. "Agreed."

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