Cascades

Disclaimer: Paramount owns the Star Trek franchise. I own my brain's franchise. No infringement intended.

"Cascades"

By Mindy


It was as beautiful as the landing parties had reported. A world so like Earth, it was eerie. She had been told of the rivers and vegetation, and bright blue skies. She figured if, not only along with her research, maybe, just maybe, a dip in the river would be refreshing. So, putting on a royal blue one piece swim suit, then placing her uniform over it, she retrieved her equipment and beamed down.

Much later, Kathryn stood and held a hand over her eyes and looked over the area. It took her breath away. A place with so many earth like qualities. Curiosity led her deeper into the landscape. She admired the long fronds of ferns, trees draped with moss. Deeper and deeper she ventured. Along the way, she contacted the ship and told them where she was going.

Kathryn walked along, relishing the peace that the planet was bringing her. Peaking above the treetops, if she craned her head back far enough, she could see snow capped peaks. However, the down side she could see was that she was sweltering in her uniform. She was hoping for a nice place to sit when she stumbled upon it.

Without really noting it, she found herself in a concavity. Surrounded almost completely by rock-face, trees and luscious greenery, Kathryn looked around. In the middle, was a beautiful blue pond. At the far end of the pond was a waterfall, with a generous amount of water falling over and spilling over into the pond. No one else was around, so Kathryn decided to indulge herself. Setting down her equipment, she began stripping off her uniform. Once down to her suit, she picked up her tri-corder and scanned the water, making sure it contained no toxins or anything that could harm her. Satisfied with the results and the depth, she cautiously put a foot in, testing the coolness of the water.

She slid into the water, relishing the feel of it covering her body. It was invigorating and refreshing. Subconsciously, she thought it to be her own personal place, totally her own. Kathryn swam, dove, relaxed. Her eyes kept wandering toward the waterfall and the flat rocks below and behind it.

"What the hell," she said and swam over to the waterfall, ducked beneath it and pulled herself up onto the rocks. Kathryn sat with her knees drawn up and her chin resting on her left. She looked out through the waterfall and became inspired.

**

He'd been sitting on the edge of the rock-face, dangling his legs over the edge, leaning back on his hands and enjoying the scenery. That's when he'd seen her. A figure clad in black and red walking through the forest bottom. She couldn't see him, yet he had a perfect view of her. A bag carrying her scientific equipment slung over her shoulder, her tricorder held out in front of her, sweeping across the area.

She looked so relaxed and calm, even from his perch. Her usual ram rod straight back was relaxed, her steps slow. He leaned forward as she stopped at the edge of the water, watched as she took in the beauty.

Chakotay watched her as she scanned the pond, looking for anything that may damage or hurt her. She stretched and his heart leapt into his throat as the arch of her back thrust forward her chest, giving him a terrific view. Then, to his surprise, she began stripping off the uniform. He knew it was probably in his best interest to leave, allow her the privacy she deserved. Yet, no matter how much he thought about it, his body wouldn't move.

When it was revealed she was wearing nothing more then a swimsuit, he relaxed again, noting the beautiful royal garment that clung to her. High cut leg, low back, moderate neckline. Was she ever beautiful.

He watched her step slowly into the water, testing the coolness, the bottom. Chakotay was transfixed by her movements. Her clean strokes through the water, her obvious delight. He knew she would sooner or later be drawn to the waterfall, and when ducked beneath the falling water and pulled herself up on the flat rocks, he was about ready to leave, but something pulled at him to stay. For a few moments, he saw her just sit on the rock, silently watching out through the cascade of water. Then she did something he didn't expect, not out of the prim and proper Kathryn.

She pulled off her swimsuit and stood naked under the waterfall.

**

Kathryn let the water cover her body. She closed her eyes and let the shower take her away. In the back of her mind, she felt a presence and dismissed it. She ran her hands over her hair, then skim down her body. The cool water along with the breeze, gave her goose bumps, but they weren't unwelcome. It tightened her skin and made her feel cleansed. She cocked her leg and arched her back.

**

Chakotay knew he should do the gentlemanly thing and leave Kathryn to her private moment but he couldn't. She looked so beautiful down there, like some enchanted nymph. He saw the soft curve of her breasts and pale complexion of her skin.

'If she knew I was watching, she would skin me alive,' he thought. Finally, sense of duty and honor won out and he left Kathryn to her waterfall. When he knew he was far enough out, he asked for a beam out and went directly to his quarters.

**

Kathryn beamed back to the ship, feeling relaxed and refreshed. After a light dinner in the mess hall, she went back to her quarters. In the turbo lift, she ran into Chakotay.

"Good evening, Chakotay," she said smiling.

"Kathryn. Did you enjoy your day on the planet?"

"Sure did. I feel better then I have in a long time," she replied. "And you?"

"It was nice." He hoped that she didn't notice the blush spreading over his cheeks.

As Kathryn stepped out of the lift to go to her quarters she turned toward Chakotay and smiled. "Yes it was. However," she paused, "next time, it would be nicer if you joined me instead of watching."

**Finis**



Return to the index