Paramount owns everything, I just created the story.
Please do not take this story off my site with out asking :) Thank you
Special Thanks to Gilly for being my quick Beta on this one.
Wrote this story based off one of Camryn's fiddles :) XXOO

Cutting In
By Belanna, 2008

Kathyn's smile grew brighter as she twirled around on the dance floor. They were finally home, and it was a time of celebration.

Tom Paris smiled as he twirled her. "You're a great dancer, Kathryn."

"Why thank you, Tom. You're not so bad yourself."

"It's one of my many talents."

Kathryn laughed as they continued to dance. Just then, there was a tap on Tom's shoulder.

"Excuse me, Tom. I need to talk with Kathryn."

Before Kathryn could refuse, Tom offered her hand to Chakotay.

"Don't you dare leave me here with him," Kathryn whispered under her breath as Chakotay took a step closer to her.

As the music continued to play, Voyager's command team began to dance across the room.

"We need to talk," Chakotay said. "Why have you been ignoring me?"

Kathryn looked at him with cold eyes. "Because I don't really want to see you," she whispered coldly, making sure no one around could hear.

"Why?" Chakotay demanded.

Kathryn stopped dead and glared at him. "You really don't know?"

Chakotay looked at her, not noticing the fact that the crew were fully aware of the tension between their command team.

"Actually, no I don't. You've been so distant with me. Why?"

Kathryn winced a little at the tone of his voice. "Will you be quiet? The whole crew is watching us."

"Let them watch, I don't really care. What's your problem?"

Kathryn shot Chakotay with one of her famous death glares. "My problem?!" Kathryn closed her eyes at the loudness of her voice, and then began to whisper softly. "My problem is that you made me promises and broke it. You promised me you would stand by my side. You promised to make my burdens lighter. But you haven't. The most important time I ever needed you, you weren't there for me," she hissed, as she turned and looked at Seven who was standing next to The Doctor. "You were with her."

Chakotay sighed. "Kathryn..."

"You said you would wait for me, but you didn't. Do you know how badly it hurt when you were standing next to her, and not me when we arrived in the Alpha Quadrant? Do you know how badly I wanted to grab your hand and say we finally made it?  Obviously not, huh? Excuse me, I need to get some fresh air."

Chakotay stood there for a few seconds, letting Kathryn's words sink it. But, before Kathryn could get off the dance floor, he grabbed her arm. He forced her to turn around, and when she faced him, he slammed his lips to hers.  The crew gasped, and within a few seconds; they began to cheer.

Kathryn broke the kiss and gazed up at Chakotay. He said something she couldn't quite make out due to the cheering of the crew.

"What?" she yelled.

"I LOVE YOU!"

The room suddenly went silent. The crew's eyes were now glued to Voyager's command team.

Kathryn looked puzzled. "What?"

"I love you, Kathryn. It's time to face that fact and move on with our lives together."

Kathryn looked around at her crew, and then looked at Seven for a few seconds. "But, what about her?"

Chakotay whispered softly into her ear. "I think she's taking it pretty well, don't you?" Kathryn slowly turned and looked at Chakotay. She bit her lower lip, still a little dazed at what had just happened. "Love, I don't know how you got the idea that Seven and I were together. Yes, I admit we had a few dates, but we're just friends."

"Oh." Was Kathryn's only reply.

Chakotay smiled as he lifted her chin with his fingers. "Will you dance with me?"

Kathryn smiled as she wrapped her arms around him. "Forever."

~The End