I Could Not Ask For More

By Maquis Leader

Rating R

Author’s note: This is the eighth and final story in the Song Series.Please read the previous chapters first. Endgame never happened in this world. I Could Not Ask For More lyrics by Diane Warren. Performed by Sara Evans.

Lying here with you, listening to the rain.
Smiling just to see

The smile upon your face

The gentle drizzle of rain on the roof and the soft rumble of distant thunder greeted Kathryn as she woke. Beside her, Chakotay was still sleeping. His hair was spilled across his forehead and she brushed it back to expose the exotic lines of his tattoo.

His hair was longer now than when they had been on Voyager, and silver was hiding among the raven strands. His face was peaceful in sleep, the laugh lines at the corners of his eyes smoothed away.

Slowly Kathryn traced the dark lines across Chakotay’s brow. His eyes fluttered open and he blinked sleepily at her. “Good morning, sleepy.” She smiled, knowing he would smile back.

He didn’t disappoint her. Dimples flashed and his eyes lit up. “Good morning, beloved.” He turned his head and kissed her palm as her hand slid down to caress his cheek.

For a moment Kathryn was back to the day she had met him.

“We’re both in bad shape.”

The dark eyes flickered over her body, making her feel naked in her Starfleet uniform. “Our ships.”

“Of course.” He nodded. “We may be stranded here.”

“I know. I’m not sure I can stand being so far from home.” She smiled. “Not without coffee.”

Chakotay laughed, dazzling her for the first time with that dimpled smile.

These are the moments,

I thank God that I'm alive.
These are the moments

I'll remember all my life.
I've found all I've waited for,
And I could not ask for more.

“Penny?”

“Just remembering the first time you smiled at me.”

“The coffee joke?” Chakotay delivered a force ten smile.

“You remember that?” Kathryn was surprised that he would remember such a thing.

“I realized there was a person under the Starfleet armor. That was when I decided not to knock you in the head and take your ship.”

For a moment, she thought he might be serious, but a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth and mischief glimmered in the black velvet eyes. “Watch it, buster. I’m still in charge around here.”

“Something I’m thankful for every day.”

“I seem to remember a time when you weren’t so thankful.” She ran her hand over his shoulder, admiring the contrast between his skin and hers.

“Define parameters? Kathryn, are you crazy?” She slapped herself mentally as she watched Chakotay standing waist deep in the river. The setting sun flamed over his skin, turning him to a deep bronze.

She had left their shelter early that morning after packing a quick lunch. A large tree overlooking the river had reminded her of the tree back home where she’d spent so many hours in thought.

The hours passed with her wrestling with Starfleet protocol versus the fact that she and Chakotay could be stranded on New Earth for the rest of their lives. A splash brought her out of her reverie and she saw Chakotay surfacing from the river and wiping water from his eyes.

“Oh my.” She gripped the tree for support as he began to lazily soap his golden skin.

Looking in your eyes,

Seeing all I need.
Everything you are

Is everything in me.

These are the moments

I know heaven must exist.
These are the moments,

I know all I need is this.
I've found all I've waited for,
And I could not ask for more

Chakotay cocked an eyebrow as Kathryn laughed softly. “Care to let me in on the joke?”

“It’s nothing.”

“A woman running her hand over a man’s body and laughing isn’t good for the ego.” He tugged the sheet up.

“It was a memory.” Her cheeks turned pink. “I saw you bathing on New Earth.”

Both eyebrows went up with that confession. “You watched me bathe?”

“Just the one time!” Now her face was red hot. “It’s not like I made a habit of it!”

“So… you watched me bathe? And laughed?” Chakotay frowned and pulled the sheet up under his chin.

“I was laughing at myself.” Kathryn tugged at the sheet. “In one memory I had not one but two different ways to describe your skin.”

“And?” He held onto the sheet as she tried to pull it down.

“Golden and dusky. The first summer we were here and doing all the building, you were a beautiful bronze. And these days…” The sheet slid down to his chest. “You look like wild honey. Dark and golden.”

His laugh was low and husky, and shivers raced through her. A dark finger slid over her shoulder and tugged down the strap of her nightgown. “They say paradise is supposed to be flowing with milk and honey.”

The full lips pressed against hers and she sighed as his tongue teased hers. Curling her fingers into the silky hair at the nape of his neck, Kathryn let the kiss deepen and her body melt into his.

She moaned softly as he pulled away. Opening her eyes, she stared up into his eyes, so rich, dark , and full of love. Contentment washed over her as Chakotay pulled the sheet from between them and snuggled his body closer to hers.

“I love you.” His breath fanned over her cheek and he lowered his lips to hers again.

I could not ask for more than this time together,
I could not ask for more than this time with you.
And every prayer has been answered,
Every dream I've has come true.
Right here in this moment,
Is right where I'm meant to be.

Here with you,

Here with me.

Lying back in his arms, Kathryn rolled her head back as his mouth moved down her neck. Cradling his raven head to her breasts while he suckled greedily, she stroked his silky hair and let the memories flit through her mind’s eye.

Restlessly, Kathryn stalked the confines of her quarters. Captain of her own ship and still something was missing. She had felt this way her entire life, searching for something that always seemed just out of reach. When she should have been happy and content with a fiancé who loved her and a ship to command she still felt empty. “Maybe after this mission into the Badlands.”

A smile curved Kathryn's lips. Only a few months and 70,000 light years later, and she had found what she had been waiting for.

“The Engineering report.” Kathryn searched through the pile of PADDs on the table.

“Is right here.” Chakotay handed it to her.

“Thank you.” She traded him the Supply report. “Neelix says we have a crisis.”

“Low on leola root again?”

“Low?” She arched an eyebrow. “Didn’t you trade it all away on the last mission?”

“He must have a hidden stash.” He chuckled. “I’ll have to dig a little deeper.”

“Just don’t trade away my coffee.” She frowned down into her empty cup.

“I protect your coffee with my life.” Solemnly, he took her cup and refilled it.

These are the moments

I know heaven must exist.
These are the moments,

I know all I need is this.
I've found all I've waited for,
And I could not ask for more

Stroking her fingers through Chakotay’s soft hair, Kathryn dropped a kiss on his forehead. The sense of peace and fulfillment he had brought to her had grown from the first moment they’d met. So far from the Alpha Quadrant was the first time she’d felt truly at home.

Chakotay’s hands were warm and strong, and she felt his pulse pounding through his fingers as they stood in front of their family and friends. Holographic or not, the sun had never shown more brightly or the day been more beautiful.

Tears blurred her vision as the old man draped the colorful blanket around their shoulders and proclaimed them husband and wife.

“Chakotay.”

“Hmm?” He lifted his head to look up at her.

“Have I told you that I love you today?”

“Not yet.” He moved up over her and rested his body between her thighs. “Soon?”

“Soon.” Her hands slid over his shoulders and down his back to pull him closer.

I could not ask for more than this time together,
I could not ask for more than this time with you.
And every prayer has been answered,
Every dream I've has come true.
Right here in this moment,
Is right where I'm meant to be.

Here with you,

Here with me

Chakotay was drowsing against her breasts, sated and content. One hand was playing lazily with her fingers. His hands were large, but gentle and graceful as well. Kathryn smiled. The things he could do with those hands.

“That’s amazing.” Kathryn marveled at the delicate curved spindle that grew out of a block of wood as Chakotay carefully carved and shaped it.

Fitting the piece onto the small cradle, he smiled up at her. “Not as amazing as this.” He splayed a hand over her swollen belly.

Twining her fingers with his, she pulled his hand to her lips and kissed his fingertips. Opening his hand, she pressed her palm to his. Her hand was small and petite against his. He curled his strong fingers around hers and squeezed gently. How many times had she marveled at the gentle, delicate touch?

“Look at him, Kathryn.” Chakotay’s voice was soft and reverent. “He knows me.”

Tears choked her at the sight of the small, wet, golden skinned newborn cradled in his big hands. The baby seemed startled by his abrupt arrival into the world, but didn’t cry. Instead he stared solemnly at his father, and it was as if he knew him.

These are the moments,

I thank God that I'm alive.
These are the moments

I'll remember all my life.
I've found all I've waited for,
And I could not ask for more.

There was a soft knock on their bedroom door. Kathryn pulled her nightgown back on while Chakotay watched. Grinning, he rolled to her side and pulled the sheet and blanket up to his chest. “Come in.”

Two small figures burst into the room and climbed up onto the bed. Wriggling in between their parents, they demanded a story.

“A story?” Chakotay huffed. “No good morning?”

“Good morning!” They crawled up to kiss and hug him. “Story please?”

Kathryn chuckled and smoothed down their dark hair as they turned to her for a kiss. “Demanding little beasts.”

“Can’t imagine where they get that trait.” Chakotay snorted. “Let’s see… how about… Rudolph?”

“Yea!”

“Chakotay! There’s still a month until Christmas!” Kathryn laughed.

“It’s never too soon for a Christmas story.” Chakotay’s rich voice drew the children into the story and they stared up at him, brown eyes wide.

Kathryn smiled and shook her head. Never having celebrated Christmas, Chakotay had thrown himself into the holiday with the same passion with which he did everything.

“Chakotay!” She looked up from putting presents under the tree to see him eating cookies. “Those are for Santa!”

“I’m his helper.” He had grinned and raised his glass of milk in salute. “I like this Christmas of yours. Sneaking around after the children are sleeping.” He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her close for a kiss that tasted of chocolate chips.

I could not ask for more than this time together,
I could not ask for more than this time with you.
And every prayer has been answered,
Every dream I've has come true.
Right here in this moment,
Is right where I'm meant to be.

Here with you,

Here with me

“What do we want for breakfast?” Chakotay tickled the children, making them giggle.

“French toast!” Their son shouted.

“And coffee!” Their daughter added.

Kathryn laughed. Their ‘coffee’ was mostly milk and sugar, but it made them feel grown up. “Out – we’ll be down in a second.”

“I’ll get the syrup!”

“No, me!”

The two children scrambled out of the bed and raced out of the room.

Chakotay rolled out of bed and pulled on a pair of sweat pants. Leaning down, he kissed her. “What do you want this morning?”

“Nothing.” She smiled and traced the sensuous bottom lip with her fingertip. “I have everything I could ever want.”

He nodded and smiled in understanding. This time the kiss was deeper and more passionate, his tongue mating with hers until they were both breathless. Pulling back slowly, he gave her one last gentle kiss. “I better get down there before we have syrup everywhere.”

Lying back, Kathryn watched him leave their bedroom, smiling appreciatively at the way the muscles rippled in his bare back as he moved. Rubbing her belly, she whispered. “Later we’ll tell Daddy he doesn’t have everything just yet.”

No, I could not ask for more

Than this love you gave me.

‘Cos it’s all I’ve waited for,

And I could not ask for more.

No, I could not ask for more.

Back to the main page for more Voyager fic

email: maquisleader@maquisleader.net