Round Robin, Chapter 4
CHAPTER TITLE: Disclosures
CHAPTER AUTHOR: C.J. Grant
PAIRING: C/T
RATING: PG-13
AUTHOR'S NOTES: In keeping with the previous posts, flashbacks are indicated in asterisks. All spelling and grammatical errors are mine. Beta'd by Briana Wright.
CHAPTER SUMMARY: Turnabout is fair play.


Chakotay scrutinized her features. Was she ready for this declaration? Was he ready for the truth to be known? A million possible ramifications flew through his brain. How would it effect their working relationship? More importantly, how would it change their friendship? How far out on the limb was he willing to go?

"Does it matter?"

She pulled her head back abruptly. "It's just a question, Chakotay," she said a little too quickly.

"Fine. Let me ask you a question then." Chakotay leaned closer. "What was his name?"

"What?!" B'Elanna shot up off the rock. His presumptuousness brought the warmth of anger to her face. Blood coursing through her veins delivered a sudden rush of adrenaline. She unconsciously started to pace the cavern floor. "We're not talking about me!"

This was not the reaction he had expected. A crease formed on his brow. "Maybe we should be."

That damned soft voice of his... He used it to get under her skin. "I don't think so," she responded bluntly. "Look. I was trying to cheer you up. Don't turn this around on me, Chakotay." Every word punctuated with precision. The message was clear: proceed at your own risk.

"I'm not turning anything around. This has affected us both."

Her eyes flashed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Without waiting for a response, she spun on her heel sharply to complete the rotation. With the next about face, Chakotay was inches away. She took in a short breath of surprise. Unprepared for the invasion of space, B'Elanna put a foot back to retreat. Chakotay reached out and took hold of her upper arms, reeling her in. Their bodies made contact. The heat of anger on her face melted to the cold, clamminess of feared anticipation. She looked up hesitantly.

***************

Black eyes bore into her soul--captured her.

"I'm the Chakotay you want me to be; the one who loves you. This is what you want, isn't it? The secret you've been keeping..."

A warm, gentle hand snaked its way up her shoulder through the ends of her hair to her neck.

"You want us to be together."

***************

The kiss she expected thereafter never came. Throwing the shreds of memory off with a shudder, she tried to jerk away from his grasp. Chakotay held fast.

"Let go of me," she ordered frantically.

"B'Elanna," he whispered.

After a moment of struggle, she settled under his hands. "Why are you doing this?" The secret that she had been keeping... She fought to bury it. Now so vividly reminded of what she could not have, his nearness only made her miserable.

"'We can't live like this'," he answered using her own words.

"Damn you, Chakotay," she muttered.

"What's happened to us?" he demanded. "We're keeping each other at a distance. You avoid me. I avoid you. How could the Botha cause this much damage?"

The only response was her warm, husky breath on his face.

"Why are you all of a sudden interested in what I saw? Talk to me. We can't work this out if we're not honest with each other."

B'Elanna huffed. "What... A game of you tell me yours, and I'll tell you mine?" she said with heavy sarcasm.

"Not a game!" he countered immediately. "The truth. Let's clear the air, Torres!"

Her face fell. "You're serious?"

"Yes!"

Chakotay's grip relax around her arms. It was time to make the decision. Take a step back or inch forward? Take a chance, or watch another opportunity fade away?

"Chakotay..." she started.

He could see the indecision on her face. "What?"

"You, Chakotay. I saw you in my dreams."

To be continued...