A Captain's Birthday

By: Jennica Williams

DISCLAIMER: I am not using Star Trek for profit. Paramount owns the characters, the ships, the uniforms, the biogel packs, even Neelix's food, I'm just here playing around with the ideas running through my head. No copyright infringement is intended.

"I can't do this!" A data padd sailed across the room and landed on another computer console where it skidded to a halt in front of Lt. Coleman.

"I suggest you continue trying." He snapped at the young ensign who had already caused him so much trouble. Maquis! Janeway should have left them all in the brig instead of letting them run wild over the ship.

"If that cocky Paris would stop trying to show off, maybe I could get something done!"

"Respect, Henley! Don't forget to show respect to your superiors!"

Mariah fought the urge to roll her eyes and instead snatched the data padd up. How did anyone expect her to take accurate readings of a region of space while 'Mr. Helmboy' was plotting courses that were outrageous and unpredictable? She couldn't compensate at all for his maneuvers because she had no idea where he was taking the ship next! Making a request to be assigned to work the alpha shift was definitely something she should have rethought.

"Calm down, Mariah." Merioul was at her elbow taking the data padd. "We don't want our favorite lieutenant to ban you back to gamma shift."

"At this point, it would be very welcome." She ran a hand roughly over the console to initiate another scan of the region ten light years away. "At least I would be the one piloting then."

"Want them to find out exactly-"

"Shhh!" She hissed clamping a hand over his mouth. "If anyone ever found that out, I'd be humiliated."

"Then you'd better find some of that Vulcan self-control you're such an expert in." Merioul pried her hand away. "Why are you so stubborn about admitting it? Your history is nothing to be ashamed of? Even if Klingons do have tempers."

Coal black eyes met his. "My Klingon grandmother is no concern of yours. You know I don't like to be reminded of the mar she has added to my bloodline, so please, back off."

He did.

The data, same as before, came back in a jumble of numbers and letters which she was having a hard time of making heads or tails out of. At least she recognized it as yet another system filled with small white dwarf stars and not much else. Wait. That blip on the screen at the far left. What was it?

"Merioul, look at this." She was leaning over the console peering intently at it.

"What?"

"This." Her finger jammed the screen. "It...it almost looks like a planet."

"Maybe it is."

She stared at him. "One planet practically alone? This is crazy."

"I wonder if the bridge has seen it yet."

She grinned catching on. Being the one to bring their attention to it would be an honor for a change. "Henley to bridge."

"Kim here."

Rats, she was hoping for the captain. "Mr. Kim, have your scanners detected the planet orbiting the class-Y star ten point eight light years from here?" A few beeps were heard from his panels as he pulled up the data.

"Ah, no. Actually, we've been scanning a different section."

"Thank you ensign for bringing this to our attention. We'll take it from here." Janeway said in the background in way of dismissal.

Mariah was not going to be put off so easily. "Captain, my newest readings are showing an ample supply of dilithium. Perhaps we could restock our supplies." Before Janeway could utter another word, Mariah was ticking off a long list of other things that were possible in a planet with such a high oxygen and nitrogen content.

Janeway turned to Chakotay and succeeded in making him understand what she was thinking without actually rolling her eyes.

"Let her." He whispered softly. "She needs to feel useful."

Janeway gave him a slight nod. The instant Henley finished, Janeway jumped in. "Ok, we'll prepare an away team. Henley meet us in transporter room two in an hour. Ensign Kim, go down and help her analyze data right now. Paris, lay in a course for the planet."

"Aye, captain."

Mariah grabbed hold of her console and made some quick adjustments. For the first time she could remember, she guessed right.

***

"Captain, I'm getting some life sign readings from the surface, but no warp signatures"

"Do they populate the whole planet, Tuvok?" They really needed that dilithium, but the Prime Directive forbade allowing warp technology fall into the hands of aliens who had not discovered it for themselves yet.

"No, captain. They seem to be localized in a region near the equator, but that is also where the majority of the dilithium is."

"Do they seem to be technologically advanced?"

"Negative. I am only reading a small amount of energy unrelated to humanoids and animals. There is a ninety eight point seven chance that they are from cooking fires."

"Janeway to Neelix."

"Yes captain!" the cheerful Talaxian voice that greeted her over the comm system seemed a grating reminder of how far they were from home.

"Neelix, we've encountered a planet on our scanners. What do you know of the planets in this sector?"

"Not too much." He reluctantly admitted. "Traders in this quadrant avoid it at all costs."

"Do you know why? Or have you heard any rumors of why?"

He hesitated. "There have been rumors of people going down and never coming back, but I can't tell you why. Since they don't come back....."

"Thank you Mr. Neelix." Janeway stared long and hard at the screen. Taking her people into a potentially hostile environment was not something she looked forward to. And then, there was the Prime Directive.....but if they didn't take this opportunity, there would be no Prime Directive left because Voyager would simply be a floating shell. She made her decision. "Chakotay, you're with me. Tuvok, you have the bridge."

"Captain, I must protest. It is not a wise decision to allow both you and the commander to leave the ship at the same time" Tuvok stepped from around his console to bar the doorway.

"Noted." She did roll her eyes this time. Luckily, only Tuvok saw. "We're going to a planet where there is only the most primitive technology. We'll be staying away from the people, and only be there long enough to collect the dilithium and get back. Besides, I need to stretch my land legs."

Tuvok raised one eyebrow and stepped out of their way.

"Stretch your land legs?" Chakotay asked once they were on the turbolift.

"How else do you tell a Vulcan you're sick of being stuck on this ship?" she asked.

He grinned. "I guess you handled it just fine."

"Glad to know you approve." She retorted wryly.

"Hush Kathryn." He smiled softly down at her.

"Chakotay, no."

He nodded immediately understanding. "I won't."

Together they stepped off the turbolift and into transporter room 2. Ensigns Kim and Henley were already there with packs slung over their shoulders. Taking another one from the floor, Janeway tossed it on her shoulder and then stepped onto the padd.

"We'll be beaming down into a virtual desert." Mariah broke in quickly. "The people are centralized mostly where the vegetation is, but that's right on the edge of the desert. We'll be close to them, we'll just have to be careful."

"Thank you, ensign." Janeway said as Chakotay took his place at her side. Then, turning to the lieutenant on duty she said, "Lieutenant, there will be more following after we look around." Then, casting a glance around at her team, she nodded.

The familiar tingle of the transporter increased steadily as Janeway's stomach flipped over. She had transported dozens of times before, but the uneasy feeling never left her.

As they rematerialized, she became aware of the hot sun burning down on them. The land around them was a vast desert which spread out in all directions for as far as she could see. In the distance, there was a hint of green; probably where the natives live, she mused.

Chakotay already had his tricorder out and was scanning the land around them. "Dilithium is right under our feet!" he sounded amazed. "It appears to be in the crystallize state and is serving as a large component of the crust."

"So all we have to do is extract it from the crust?" Henley asked. "Sounds easy enough."

"Sounds." Chakotay muttered. "That's easier said than done, ensign."

"Then what do we do?" Henley bent down and let some of the sand run through her hands.

"We wait for the commander to tell us." Kim grinned.

"We wait for Lt. Torres." Chakotay retorted.

Janeway ignored their bickering for a minute. The wind stung her face, and the sun burned down on her, but it was wonderful to feel a real wind and sun on her face as opposed to the holodeck. Even the desert, the sand that was tinged with a light blue due to the amount of dilihium deposits, felt wonderful under her feet.

"Ok, I think we need to spread out." Janeway broke in. "There appears to be huge quantities, but we'll need some sort of filter to harvest it. Janeway to Voyager."

"Voyager here." Tuvok answered quickly.

"Everything appears to be perfectly safe. I need for you to send down a few more away teams, one that includes Lt. Torres, and some equipment to extract dilithium from the surface."

"Aye Captain." Tuvok acknowledged her. "Will you be returning to the ship?"

Leave it to him to hound her about being careful, she groaned inwardly catching Chakotay's smiling eyes. "No, Tuvok. I will remain with the away team for a bit. Janeway out." Better cut him off than get involved with a debate with a Vulcan.

As away teams began to materialize around them, B'Elanna in the first, Janeway bent down to look closely at the sand. It was a mix of yellow and white, probably the same silicon from earth, and a light blue crystal, the dilithium.

"Here captain." B'Elanna shoved an instrument in Janeway's hands. "It's like a mini transporter. I've programmed it to lock onto dilithium crystals and collect them in the bag."

Janeway stared at the modified tricorder with a cream colored sack hanging on it. "Good work, Lieutenant." She said taking the device and moving away from the group.

Holding the tricorder just above the surface, she was able to gather quite a bit of dilithium into the bag in a short amount of time. As she moved farther from the group, Janeway could see a sort of monument of rocks in the near distance.

"Chakotay!"

He turned and trotted over to join his captain who stood, hand shielding her eyes, gazing at the boulders.

"Look at that. I'm going to take some readings of it." She started to move away, but his hand caught hers.

"Kathryn, you can't just wander off alone." He reproached her.

"Who said I was going to be alone?" she asked turning back with a smile. "Come on."

Casting a quick glance over his shoulder, Chakotay saw that the groups were intently gathering the dilithium and paying no attention. The stones weren't far away, no one would notice if they slipped off for a minute. Turning back to Kathryn, the commander jogged to catch up to her fast pace.

"Why are you so interested in a pile of rocks?"

She didn't look at him, but kept pushing her way through the sand. "I've always liked this sort of thing. Learning about other cultures fascinates me. And I've a feeling that those rocks aren't part of the natural habitat."

They walked in silence until they came upon the tallest of the stones. A tall slim pillar jutting out of the center of an artistically arranged monument.

"It's beautiful." Janeway ran a hand along the base of it. Suddenly, her head whipped to the left. "Did you see that?" she asked Chakotay quickly.

"See what?" he was bent over the inscription that was on a platform protruding from the pillar.

"I thought I saw someone watching us." She said softly, the echoing of her voice audible through out the 'stone walls.'

Chakotay looked up. She was staring at a wall. "Do you see them again?"

"No." She shook herself. "No. It must have been my imagination."

"Keep alert." He replied softly.

"Agreed." She stooped beside him. "What is this? Has the computer been able to work out what it is?"

"No." Chakotay frowned at it. "I can't make out anything with it."

"Store a visual picture of it. We'll get the computer to analyze it later."

"Kathryn! Look out!" Chakotay jumped up, hands pulling his phaser free of it's holster as he pushed his captain out of the way. The yellow burst from the phaser hit the writhing serpent square between the eyes, but it didn't seem to have an affect on him other than slowing him down a bit.

Kathryn, who had been tossed to the ground, quickly stood and grabbed her own phaser.

"It's not working," Chakotay muttered, beads of sweat dripping in his eyes. "Set yours to 7 and fire with me."

Shaking hands reset it quickly and aimed. The black hided serpent seemed to slow down a bit, but with the continuos phaser output, they were quickly draining their own supply. "Set yours to 7 while I hold."

Chakotay understood and quickly reconfigured his phaser. It took nearly a full minute of two phasers set on 7 to finally kill the thing. What was left was a long wriggling mass of smoky black leather.

Kathryn sank to the ground in exhaustion.

"Are you ok? Did you get hurt when I pushed you?" Chakotay was kneeling down beside her, one arm around her shoulders. If he had hurt her....he'd feel awful.

"I'm fine, thanks to you." She answered gasping for breath. "Just a bit shaken."

He squeezed her shoulder. "Everything's ok now, Kathryn."

"I know." She stood quickly, leaving Chakotay still kneeling in the dust. "Let's get a look at that wall over there and then get out of here."

"Wait."

She stopped in midstride and turned to look back at him.

"We don't know where that....thing....came from. I really don't' want to run into any more of them without phasers."

She glanced down at her phaser. There was barely a two percent energy reading left. Hardly enough for three stuns. A pebble rolled down one of the walls.

His ears picked up the small sound as he spun to face the intruder. No one was there.

"This place is giving me the creeps." Chakotay admitted taking her hand. "Let's get back to the others."

She nodded in agreement as they turned to the entrance of the stone circles. After taking only a few steps, they were suddenly ambushed. Seeing a dozen alien faces suddenly pouring through the entrance, Chakotay whipped her around.

"This way!" he shouted nearly dragging her with him.

The aliens were hollering and throwing things at them, but the duo continued to run. Suddenly, out of virtually no where, Torres and Henley appeared.

Henley's mouth dropped open when she saw the pursuing aliens, but she quickly regained control.

"Come on!" Torres shouted to them. "There's an exit through here!"

The foursome ran through a narrow passage of rock and exited into another stone courtyard- right into the waiting arms of more aliens.

"Where's your phaser?" Chakotay demanded.

"Dropped it." She snapped hitting one of the aliens with a Klingon fist. "There was a snake, but we out ran it."

"Out ran it?" Chakotay cast a glance at Henley who was using some of B'Elanna's tactics to fight their aggressors.

"I'll explain later, sir!" Mariah hit the alien in the jaw and watched as it fell to the ground.

The fight didn't last long. There were just too many for the small crew of Voyager.

Hands were bound, jackets were torn off leaving the crew in their tanks- without comm badges, and they were half pulled, half dragged, to a small cave.

Tossed inside, the four were left floundering on the floor as a large boulder was rolled into the groove in front of the entrance. Darkness enveloped them, except for a few rays of light shining through the cracks.

Janeway drew in a deep breath. "Is everyone physically unharmed?"

"Yes." Chakotay said from behind her.

"Fine." Henley answered in a low voice from the other side of the cave.

"Just wait 'til I get my hands on them....." B'Elanna growled.

"If everyone's safe, then I suggest we find a way out."

Chakotay leaned his head forward and was not surprised to find that he bumped the back of Kathryn's neck with it. "I'm going to turn around, captain. See if you can reach my hands, maybe we can untie each other."

She felt him wriggling behind her, and then felt his fingers clasp hers. They squeezed hers, giving her strength, and then let go as they searched for the knot binding her.

"I think...yes...wait....there!" Kathryn felt her hands break free of the ropes. Pulling her hands in front of her, she sat up and turned to free his hands. Then, the two of them free both of the women who were quickly growing angrier by the second.

"Ok." B'Elanna stood up and marched to the entrance. "Help me push this stone out of the way."

The four quickly assembled in a straight line across the front of the stone.

"One, two, three, push!"

The four threw all of their weight against it, but it failed to budge a millimeter.

"It's not going to work." Chakotay said after the fourth try. "I saw them roll it in place. There's a trench in front of the cave that allows the stone to roll into it. It can be pushed from the side and up the incline, but pushing from this angle is like pushing against a wall."

"So we try moving it sideways." Henley gritted her teeth. "One, two, three."

The four tried, but the smooth surface wouldn't allow them to grip it. They ended up in a tangled heap on the floor.

Janeway and Chakotay, realizing how pointless it was, moved back and let the two young

er women have their go at it.

"Maybe there's an exit through the back." Janeway said moving along the wall of the cave. But she came up once again where the stone was, having completed a circle.

"We'll rest." Chakotay said to her as the took a seat on the floor. "Eventually they'll come back for us, and then we'll be ready to fight."

She peered through the darkness at him. Only a glitter, from the light shining through the cracks, in his eyes could be seen. Janeway sat down next to him. The two women continued to grunt as they pushed on the stone.

***

Ensign Kim shielded his eyes from the harsh glare of the sun. Had he just realized that the captain and commander were missing? And B'Elanna, where was she?

"Kim to Voyager." He smacked his comm badge.

"Yes, ensign?" Tuvok's voice came over the system clear.

"Can you locate the captain and commander and Lt. Torres?" Kim asked, a bit of worry edging into his voice. "I can't see them from my position."

There was silence for a moment, then Tuvok answered. "Their comm badge signals are showing up one quarter of a kilometer north east of your position, and Ensign Henley is with them. But the four are failing to answer my hails."

"I'm going after them." Kim answered. "Kim out."

He turned, noticing the crew members who had been watching him. "Egg'rak, Jaanks, you're with me. The rest of you, get the dilithium transported up and leave."

The three Starfleet officers quickly set off in the direction of where the other four had gone.

"Sir, look at this." Lt. Jaanks wasn't sure why he addressed Ensign Kim as such, but it felt right. Kim was an ensign, but a member of the senior bridge staff. Jaanks was already a lieutenant, but only a junior officer in security.

Kim turned and inspected the feet prints that had been shielded from the rocks so they weren't swept away in the wind. "Looks like we're on the right path."

Egg'rak wrinkled his nose. "What is that smell?"

The other two stood and sniffed the air. There was a definite smell of smoking flesh.

"I know what I hope it's not!" Kim exclaimed rushing forward, phaser drawn. Skidding to a halt, he stared open mouthed at the long snake-like creature with poofs of smoke rising from it. The sound of many voices stopped their investigation as they dove for cover in the crevice of a clump of rocks.

Tall aliens, shrouded in brown robes which hid most of their yellow skin rounded into view. Their hands were long and bony, as were their faces. Shuffling along together, they gave the impression of being in control and very dangerous if provoked.

"I don't like this." Egg'rak whispered to Jaanks who nodded.

Kim shot them a glance that clearly told them to be quiet. After the aliens had passed, the trio slipped from their hiding place, and staying close to the walls, made their way farther in.

As Kim poked his head around a corner, he felt his heart sink. There were seven aliens, all with large amounts of weapons, guarding a stone. Somehow, he had a feeling that the captain and crew were behind the stone. Pulling back, he tapped his comm badge.

"Kim to Tuvok." He whispered for fear of the aliens hearing.

"Tuvok here. Have you found them?"

"I believe so." He poked his head around again. The guards were milling about with their spears in hand. "But I can't get to them. I think they're being held in some sort of cave or prison about twenty meters north west of my position. Can you get a lock on them and beam them up?"

"Negative. The stones are preventing us from locking onto anything. You'll have to come back and organize a more suitable rescue plan."

"No, sir. We'll think of something from here."

"That's an order, ensign. You are to move away from the stones and beam back immediately. Tuvok out."

Harry pulled out his phaser and turned to the other two. "You heard him." He said disappointed. The three quickly made their way from the stone monuments and back to the beaming out site.

***

Kathryn rolled over and hit something solid. Upon opening her eyes, she was greeted by pitch black.

"Watch it." A soft voice near her ear whispered.

Kathryn jumped and realized that she had rolled right into her first officer's chest. "Sorry." She mumbled pulling back, but not too far. Torres was snuggled up to her back for warmth. In fact, when she peered over at them, she realized the four of them were snuggled together- with Chakotay's arm supporting her head.

A sharp noise suddenly greeted them. Leaping out of their slumber, the foursome quickly took on aggressive stances to face whatever was going to come through the mouth of the cave.

An alien with parched yellow skin finally peeked in at them. He hollered something the universal translator wouldn't pick up over his shoulder, and then rolled the stone away.

Mariah and B'Elanna threw themselves at him full force, but they were simply knocked down like rag dolls as two more aliens scampered inside to bind their hands. Janeway started to step forward, but Chakotay caught her arm.

"Don't be stupid Kathryn!" he exclaimed. "I don't want you hurt!"

Torres and Henley shot them surprised looks, but the aliens took the moment of shock to tie them up and begin marching them toward the lush green in the distance.

"We've....got...to...get away." Janeway gasped to the man trudging along beside her.

"I know." Suddenly, Chakotay tripped in the sand and went sprawling on his back- on his hands. An alien reached down and roughly pulled him up.

"Are you ok?!" Kathryn moved over to him a bit.

"Fine." His eyes held an odd glitter in them.

Janeway felt another river of sweat roll down her face in the hot sun. She looked ahead at B'Elanna and Mariah. B'Elanna's Klingon side would keep her going for a bit, but Mariah must simply be strong to avoid collapsing.

As they neared the greenery, Janeway began to dread what was ahead. Something told her that her future was not going to be a pleasant one.

The four were marched through a crowded area of a small village. Janeway was humiliated. They spit at them as sweat glistened on her face and dripped off her chin. Her tank, now dirty and tattered, was soaked with her own sweat. A loud crack sounded and the four jumped as a whip hit their backs.

With a shout, Kathryn slumped over. Chakotay, who had been beside her, knelt down to her. "Kathryn," he whispered reverently. "Just hang on for a few more minutes. I have a plan."

"Don't." She whispered back. "Don't use that tactic. I took more classes on boosting crew's moral that you did, remember."

"It's not tactic. I have a-"

An alien yanked the two of them to their feet and propelled them forward to a small platform. B'Elanna was pushed forward, and although Janeway wanted to help, she was powerless.

The leader started whipping the half Klingon with his leather strap again. B'Elanna let out a shout and then dropped to the ground to endure her beating. When it was over, she was forced to her feet again. Blood dripped into her eyes and she gasped for breath.

The leader stepped forward and said something. He began pointing out her legs, her back- He was auctioning off her Chief Engineer!, Kathryn realized.

"Not yet, Kathryn." Chakotay whispered. Then he looked at her out of the corner of his eye, "Hope you don't mind me throwing the Prime Directive to the wind, captain."

Startled, she turned to him. "Excuse me? Yes, I do mind as a matter of fact."

"At this moment, it wont' matter." He mumbled clutching a silver and gold object in his hands behind his back. Tapping it, he shouted, "Tuvok! Lock onto the four of us and beam us up!"

A shocked Captain materialized on the transporter padd, arms still bound behind her. "Chakotay! Where did you get that!?" she demanded.

"When I 'fell'." He grinned. "It wasn't much of an accident. I saw the gold in the sand, and let myself take advantage of it."

She glared at him as a lieutenant untied her hands. "Lieutenant, get Torres to sickbay. Commander, my ready room. We need to have a talk."

He followed her through the corridors of Voyager. "Shouldn't we change first?" he inquired. "You need to have those strap marks looked at by the doctor."

Janeway stopped in midstride. "Commander, you are not my mother, my father, or my superior officer. Therefore, don't give me orders."

Chakotay nearly bumped into her when she stopped. "Kathryn, I never tried to. But I can see those marks and you need to have the doctor fix them."

She spun on him. "Quit it! I have had enough of you lately! You tell me that we're having dinner together, or that I need to take time off. For goodness sakes, last night you told me when I needed to go to bed! I'm a big girl, commander. I'd appreciate it if you'd stay out of the way."

He tried to put his hands on her shoulders, but she pushed them away. "Just stay away from me!"

"I'm only trying to ease your burden." He said softly. "I care about you, Kathryn. I don't want to see you hurt."

"Then it's time you stop caring." She flicked her hair over her shoulder and started to walk away.

"You don't mean that." A soft voice said behind her.

She stopped but didn't turn around. "Yes, Commander, I do mean it. From now on, there is nothing except a working relationship between us. I don't want you keeping track of when I sleep and eat. In fact, I don't want you around me anymore."

"Look into my eyes and tell me that."

She turned to face him. With steel blue eyes she said, "Get out of my life, commander. It's time for you to move on." With a last glare at him, she resumed her course for the bridge.

***

Harry looked up as the captain entered. Something was wrong. The commander wasn't behind her as he usually would have been, and she looked angry. No. More than angry. Furious. Brushing a stray lock of hair out of her way, the captain marched, or rather stomped, to her chair.

"Report!" she barked out sharply.

"The aliens are gathering in the center of the village still. Near your beam out position." Tuvok answered dutifully.

"Captain, I'm detecting a ship on long range sensors." Harry said quickly. "But, I don't recognize it."

"How long before we intercept?" she asked sitting down stiffly.

"About two hours."

"Two point zero three." Tuvok added.

Janeway would have usually cracked a small smile at Tuvok's preciseness, but her mouth was set in a grim line with no chance of a smile escaping.

"Call me when they're in hailing distance. You have the bridge, Tuvok. I'll be in my ready room."

***

"Doctor to Captain."

Janeway flipped on her computer console. "Yes, doctor?"

"We have a slight problem down here." He said nervously looking at something on his right. "It's Lieutenant Torres. She has been infected with some kind a poison. To be exact, it's attempting to kill off her immune system."

Janeway stared at him. "How are you going to treat her? Is there a possibility that we were all infected?"

"No, I do not believe so. The time of infection is equivalent to when she was beaten by the guard on the platform she mentioned. It seems that this was a form of 'entertainment' to the aliens. As for a cure, I have none other than to incubate her. As her immune system weakens, she'll need to be in a sterile environment. After all of her white blood cells are destroyed, there is a possibility that I can introduce new white blood cells into her blood stream. But-...."

"But what?"

"In order for them to be compatible, I would need a donor with Klingon and human DNA. And my records show no one on this vessel who is both."

Janeway leaned her chin into her hand. "That's not acceptable, doctor. See if you can replicate a good cell from the ones that she still has left."

"It would take weeks to do that." The doctor protested. "I need some white blood cells now. She is already in incubation, and her white cell count is nearly at zero."

"Then figure something out. I don't want to lose my chief engineer." Janeway signed off quickly.

***

Mariah slammed a fist into the bulkhead. "I won't!"

Merioul grabbed her arm. "Hush or the whole ship will know!"

"Well, isn't' that what you want?" she demanded. "Then I'll be forced to do it."

"You're more Klingon than human." Merioul muttered.

"What did you say?" Mariah growled.

"You heard me. And you have the chance to save Lt. Torres's life." He put a hand on her arm. "Think of it this way. If you don't, she'll die. Can you live with that on your conscience?"

Mariah glared at Merioul for a long minute. "I don't see why I should be forced into this." She grumbled.

"Because you're the only one who can help."

She stalked away from Merioul and into the turbolift. "Deck five." She snapped.

Merioul grinned. "You won't regret this, Mariah."

The door closed, preventing her from making a smart remark back, so she settled for leaning on the wall of the turbolift. As the doors swished open again, she nervously stepped out.

"What can I so for you today, ensign?" the doctor asked as she stepped inside sickbay. "It's rare that you come down here, so it must be something serious."

"I-..I came to help B'Elanna." She said softly, nervously.

He gave a short laugh. "Unless you're Klingon and human, there's nothing you can do."

"I am."

His head snapped up in surprise. "I have no record of any crew members being both."

"I know." She looked down at her hands quickly. "I've kinda avoided all of my appointments."

"For four years?" he asked incredulously. "That's impossible."

"No it's not. Amazing how many problems can arrive on a ship at such critical times. Scan me if you don't believe me. My grandmother was full Klingon."

He ran a little silver instrument over the top of her arm and raised his eyebrows. "Not quite the right percentages,....and there's a little Vulcan in you too,....but it will suffice." He snapped the tricorder shut. "Doctor to captain. We've found a solution for Lt. Torres."

"Good work, doctor."

"Now, I just have to figure out how to get you to keep your appointments, ensign. They are important you know."

***

Chakotay stared out across the vast expanse of stars that glittered on inky black backdrop of space outside his window. Today had been the worst day of his life. Kidnapped, beaten, Kathryn yelling at him- definitely one he would have preferred to skip. And it still wasn't over. He leaned against the glass and groaned. Technically, he was supposed to be on the bridge right now, but after their argument, he had decided to take Kathryn's words literally. He'd already been down to engineering and to sickbay to patch his own wounds. Not really knowing what to do, the commander had found himself in his quarters with a glass of water to ease his dry mouth.

Had she really meant what she'd said?, he wondered, or was it in a fit of anger? Kathryn was not one to say something without meaning it, he knew, but that she wanted him out of her life forever?, that was hard to believe. Hard, but not impossible with how he had been acting. Small little gestures, like snuggling his arm under her so she would be more comfortable while sleeping on the cave floor, showed her how he felt. Showed her so well, that I've scared her away, he thought slumping down on the couch.

A sudden jolt as the shields fluctuated tore Chakotay from his position.

"All hands to battlestations." Tuvok's voice came over the comm almost immediately.

No time to wallow in sorrow, Chakotay thought as he jumped up.

***

The doors to the captain's ready room swished open only seconds after they had been hit. "Report!" she called in her command voice as she stalked to her chair.

"It's the vessel we saw before." Harry voiced. "They are obviously in weapon's range, but they're not answering our hails."

"I am receiving reports of damage to the starboard forward hull." Tuvok added.

"Evasive maneuvers, Mr. Paris. Tuvok, see if you can knock out their weapons without damaging the ship."

"Aye captain."

The doors to the turbolift opened and the back of her mind registered that Chakotay had stepped out. Slowly, he made his way to his seat, and then leaned over to call up Harry's sensor readings on the console between the two command chairs. Janeway ignored him completely.

As another phaser burst ripped through their shields, she grabbed hold of the armrest for support. Distantly, she heard their own returning fire, and saw the alien ship's shields barely shudder.

"They are answering our hails!" Harry exclaimed gripping the console to stay on his feet.

"Put it through." Janeway stood instantly and tugged on the front of her uniform.

"You are in our space." The reddish colored man with pale white hair told her. "You will leave, or be destroyed."

"Who are you?" Janeway demanded.

"I am Vesiktuch of Ticlidian. We own this planet."

"The natives gave no indication that they are 'owned' by anyone." Janeway raised an eyebrow.

"Never the less, we own them and have come back to transport more to our world."

Slave traders no doubt, Janeway mused. "I'll get back to you in a few minutes." She signaled for Harry to cut the transmission, which he did at once.

Turning, she looked at her crew. "Do we help these natives? Or leave?" she wondered aloud.

"It is in the best interest of the crew of Voyager and in compliance with the Prime Directive if we leave immediately." Tuvok answered.

"Yeah." Tom added. "They kidnapped you guys. B'Elanna is lying in sickbay because of them! They don't deserve our protection!"

"But they don't deserve to be left to the Ticlidians either." Chakotay added. "Isn't it also our duty to protect those weaker than ourselves?"

"If Starfleet was to protect every race that is weaker," Tuvok stated. "Then we would have countless enemies."

"Which we already have made out here." Paris finished his thought. For once, the two were in complete agreement.

"Captain! It doesn't matter!" Chakotay stood up also. "These people are being sold, they deserve the chance to-"

Phasers rocked their ship again as the Ticlidians opened fire. Chakotay and Janeway were both thrown to the floor. She felt cold metal rush up and greet her jaw, she would have a bruise tomorrow if she didn't have the doctor fix it. Quickly, she scampered away from Chakotay and back to her chair.

"-Live." Chakotay finished joining her in the command seats.

"Set course for Alpha Quadrant, engage." She said quickly as Chakotay frowned.

"Captain, a word with you." Chakotay stood from his seat and moved toward her ready room.

Helplessly, she followed him.

"How could you?!" he exclaimed. "Those people will be taken on as slaves!"

"I'm sorry commander, but in light of the whole situation, this was the best course of action."

"I can't believe you! How can you sit there and say that when you know darn well what's about to happen!"

She took her place behind the desk, but didn't sit. "Those people kidnapped us. As you can see, B'Elanna was in critical condition from them. Whichever the choice, we would have been helping one of them. Perhaps it's better if the aliens we encountered are traded as slaves, then at least they wouldn't attempt to beat their prisoners to death."

"You really believe that? I thought I knew you better, Kathryn!"

The use of her first name did it. "I do not have to explain my actions to a junior officer under my rank, commander. I would appreciate it if you would remember that. Dismissed." She sat down in her chair and reached for a data padd.

Chakotay gazed down at her coldly for a minute before turning on his heel and leaving.

***

Janeway snapped off the old fashioned lamp beside her bed and slid down between her sheets. Taking a deep breath, she allowed the sobs to softly overwhelm her. Why had she done it? Couldn't she see how much she had hurt him? Face it Janeway, you wanted to hurt him, she thought to herself as tears rolled down her cheeks. Pounding the pillow beside her, she then buried her face in it while her body gasped for air as she cried heart wrenching sobs. She loved him. She loved him so much. And now, it was over. Any sort of friendship they had was totally gone. And it was all her fault.

Maybe there was still time. The thought brightened her a little bit. But, no. He wouldn't wait for her. She had told him to move on. Moving on would mean no friendship. She knew that she wouldn't be able to have a friendship with him without thinking of him as more. Even down on the planet, the little things he had done just today, like squeezing her hands when they had been bound, was precious to her. If she had a friendship with him void of that little bit of tenderness, well, she wouldn't trust herself to serve the same bridge shift without suddenly leaning over and kissing him. Just think of what the gossip mill would say then!, she actually laughed a little.

Well, it couldn't hurt. Tomorrow, she would talk to him.

***

"Chakotay!"

Chakotay froze in his steps. Just yesterday that voice had sounded about as friendly as a Kazon warrior, now it was calling him warmly, or at least not in the frigid tone that had been used previously.

"Yes, captain?" he turned stiffly.

"I need to talk to you." She looked up at him almost shyly, as though she was afraid he would deny her that.

"Yes ma'am?" he shifted to an aloof position.

"Not here, and don't' call me ma'am." She reached out and took his hand. "In here." They ducked into Chakotay's office. Janeway quickly shut the door and entered the privacy lock.

Chakotay cocked and eyebrow at her precautions, but kept his distance as he sat down at his desk. "How can I help you captain?"

She took a deep breath and started walking around. "I'm sorry."

He stared at her, his piercing gaze making her nervous.

"I shouldn't have said what I did the way I did." She rested a hand on his book shelf. "A working relationship is only going to work if you and I are not angry and avoiding one another."

His gaze on her was still unwavering.

"Chakotay, please. Forgive me for what I said?"

The silence that followed seemed to last forever. He took that time to stare at her and see if she meant it. She nervously ran a hand through her hair.

"I forgive you Kathryn."

A sigh of relief escaped her lungs.

He smiled at it. "Where do we stand now?"

She moved toward the front of his desk and rested a hand on top of his computer console. "Right now, we can only be friends." She took a deep breath as she said it. "What I said before still stands, you need to move on. I just need your friendship, that's all we can have."

His face gave away no emotions. "I see."

Kathryn looked away. "Maybe,....maybe if you fell in love with someone else, it would help."

Chakotay said nothing.

"Well, I..uh..I guess I'll see you later." At the last minute, Kathryn held her hand out to him.

He took it, and standing from his chair, pulled her to him. "Even friends need a hug sometimes, Kathryn." He whispered giving her a quick hug and then letting go.

"I-..uh..yes. Well, I'll be going." She turned and started out the door.

"Meet you for lunch today?"

A smile broke over her features as she turned around. "Sure."

***

"Is this seat taken?"

Chakotay looked up startled as Ensign Julia Clemmets stood, breakfast tray in hand, looking down at him.

"Uh, no." He pushed the chair out with his foot.

"Good." She flashed a dazzling white smile at him as she settled her tray down. "Mariah told me that you're a good pilot. I was wondering if you'd give me some lessons on the holodeck."

"Lt. Paris is better." Chakotay replied taking a bite of Neelix's attempt at scrambled eggs. This early in the morning they didn't taste too well.

"Yes, but he didn't have time and suggested that you may."

Trust Thomas Paris, Chakotay groaned inwardly. But then, why not? It's not like he was tied to Kathryn. She had bluntly told him to move on and get over her, even though they were going to try to continue this friendship. She'd practically told him to fall in love for goodness sakes! Maybe he should... "all right, ensign. Tomorrow at 1700 hours. I'll meet you in holodeck two."

"Great!" Julia flashed her smile again. "I'll be there."

PART TWO....a few weeks later

Chakotay watched her go and then looked down at the rose. It was the most beautiful of all the ones he had ever carved, just as she was the most beautiful of all the women he had ever met. The perfect gift.

****

Kathryn Janeway stretched back in her chair behind her desk. On the surface, it was any other day in the Delta Quadrant but, she knew without a shadow of a doubt, that the crew knew it was more. It was her birthday. May 20. The date seemed unimportant now. She had almost forgotten it until Neelix slipped. Four long years since she had last seen earth, lonely for those she loved, had made her not want to even think of celebrating. She was another year older, so what? It didn't matter. She was one year closer to home, and one year farther from New Earth. The only place she and her first officer had ever existed as close friends.

Chakotay. The very thought of his name brought tears to her eyes. He had stood by her side for so long, patiently waiting for her to make a decision and let him through her steel walls, but she had burst out at him and told him to go find someone else. Even the most patient of men run out of patience. And he had. Only a month before Chakotay had begun seeing Julia. Kathryn had never felt a hate for one person as strong as she did for Julia. The tall woman with raven colored hair and black eyes had found herself the object of the captain's glare on more than one occasion. Kathryn felt foolish over it, but it was clear she made Julia uncomfortable, and that was her goal.

The door chimed.

"Come." Kathryn raised her head from the desk almost wishing it would be her XO, it wasn't.

"Captain, the crew wishes for you to join them in the holodeck." It was Tuvok. Dear, sweet Tuvok. Her best friend now, but one who would not- could not- understand her feelings and what she was going through; therefore, she kept all feelings in herself, bottled up.

"What is it Tuvok? I'm really busy right now." She gestured to the data padds sprawled around her desk area and the few that littered the floor at her feet. "Crew evaluations." She gave him a half smile. "Everyone wants a promotion."

"They won't object to your coming." He turned the computer monitor around and clicked it off. "Just for an hour or so."

She sighed. Tuvok could be even more annoying when it came to getting her to do something than Chakotay. All he did was point out the necessity and logic of it- Chakotay chose to threaten her with doctor's orders- unfortunately, both were efficient. "All right. Just give me a moment." She skimmed the last paragraph of Chakotay's report on B'Elanna and then stood. "Lead the way, Tuvok."

Linking arms, the 'couple' strolled onto the turbolift and headed to holodeck one.

"Surprise!! Happy birthday!!!"

Kathryn's jaw fell as she stepped into holodeck one. Cheerfully colored balloons were tied in bunches around the room. Streams hung lazily from the ceiling and swayed in the soft breeze. It looked as though every member of her crew was there- including a certain XO and his date who was practically draped over him. Kathryn forced herself to not look at them Instead, she focused on the man in the center of all the festives- none other than the infamous Tom Paris.

"Tom? Is this all for me?" she asked softly looking around. Every eye she met smiled back at her. They were all here for her birthday.

"Of course. We couldn't let our favorite captain spend another birthday alone in her ready room reading dull reports."

"I-"

"Yes you were. We know you were reading crew evaluations, so don't even deny it!"

"I was going to say that I'm the only captain on the ship, so I can't be the most favorite." She retorted with a wry laugh.

"A minor detail." His white teeth gleamed at her. "I'll be sure to look into that later- for the next party. We could bring along a few Kazon captains, or maybe the Hirogen captain, Rirshawkt."

She shuddered slightly. "Nevermind, Lieutenant. This is fine."

"I knew you'd enjoy it."

"Happy birthday, Kathryn."

She looked up startled. The crowd had begun to break apart as they wandered back to the party, but before her stood Chakotay...and that annoying Julia who was hanging onto his arm.

"Yes, happy birthday, Kathryn.....captain." Julia quickly corrected herself at Janeway's icy glare.

"Thank you." She said coolly trying not to look at Chakotay for too long. Tom jumped in then and saved her.

"Come on, captain. Let's dance." He grabbed her arm and pulled her onto the dance floor. "If Chakotay gets to have a girl like Julia, then I think you and I should start turning heads too....at least B'Elanna will be sure to watch us." She looked at her saucy partner and recklessly wondered what he'd look like covered in punch. He was asking for it, but, at the sight of Chakotay leading Julia out for a dance, she resisted and settled for watching them over Tom's shoulder. Tom was still carrying on a conversation with her as she nodded and 'hmmed' in all the right places, but her heart was watching her XO.

Tom suddenly stopped dancing and laughed. Startled back to reality, Janeway stared at him for a minute. "What?" she asked bewildered.

"I just said that maybe we should give the Kazon a few of our torpedoes as a peace offering, and you agreed."

She blushed hotly realizing she was caught. "Sorry, my mind was wandering."

He grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her off the dance floor. "So I noticed, it didn't wander more than ten feet from us though."

Janeway took in a deep breath. "That's enough, Paris."

He nodded quickly as she was engulfed by well wishers.

***

Chakotay watched her from across the room, arms still around Julia, but his heart tied to the one across the room. She was laughing and talking with Ensign Kim and Seven. Beautiful. Beautiful and unapproachable in that subject, he gritted his teeth. Why couldn't he be happy with what he had?, Chakotay wondered. Here, he was holding a pretty woman in his arms, but all he could do was think of the one across the room. The one who had hurt him and then in return he had hurt. She didn't know he heard her cry at night, but he did. And the only reason he allowed it was because he didn't know how to fix it. Oh, he could go to her and tell her his feelings, but he already had. Was she ready now?, he wondered, or just crying because of the pain of knowing what she would never allow be. Chakotay had no way of knowing.

Julia shifted in his arms. "Chakotay?" she whispered softly breaking into his thoughts.

"Yeah?" he looked down into her ebony eyes, ebony not blue.

"I love you." She snuggled her face into his neck as they danced closely together.

"I-" He felt he had to say it. "I love you too." He wasn't looking down at the woman in his arms, but at the one across the room from him. Chakotay saw her lift her head sharply and look at him just as Julia pulled his face down to meet her lips.

***

They were kissing. They were kissing! How could he! In front of the whole crew! In front of her! Kathryn's face began to burn crimson. She turned away from the sight as quickly as she could and pushed her way to the bar.

"What'll it be?" the bar tender asked.

"I don't care. Something strong." She muttered sinking into the chair. She grabbed whatever it was he pushed towards her and took a gulp. The liquid stung her throat and made her eyes waters as it coursed down to her stomach. Thank goodness it was only synthol. The real stuff would have knocked her out she was sure. The bar tender pushed a glass of water to her with a smile.

"Only one can stomach that." He said.

Thankfully, she took the water and sipped it before returning to the synthol. In moderation it could be drunk slowly, she discovered, just not gulped as she had. Swirling the contents in the glass, she watched Chakotay and Julia break apart out of the corner of her eye as bubbles floated to the surface of her drink.

***

She was drowning herself in her sorrows. Even from across the room he could see that. She had seen the kiss- who hadn't? The ship would be buzzing for weeks. And now she was hurting, and it was his fault. Chakotay felt as though he'd torn his own heart out and wrung it dry of tears, but they still came.

Julia watched in amazement. He was looking at her, but not at her. He was crying, but holding back. "Chakotay, what is it?" she asked softly.

He seemed to notice her again. "Nothing." He muttered walking over to the bar. "Whatever she's got." He told the bar tender motioning to Janeway.

"Hey." Chakotay said softly, hesitantly.

Janeway turned and glared at him. "Has it always been a habit of yours to make out with the first girl who bats her eyes at you?" She watched as he took a gulp of the liquor and didn't even blink.

At least, he didn't blink from the burning fluid coursing down his throat. In response to her question, his head whipped around. "Kathryn!" he exclaimed hoarsely. "I had no intention of kissing Julia here. If you saw, then you also noticed it was she who kissed me."

"You certainly weren't struggling too hard." Fingers tightened around her glass.

"Kathryn-"

"No. I don't want to hear it. Consider yourself under orders to use better judgment of where you do your making out, commander." Without another word to him, she stood and marched out of the holodeck.

Chakotay's eyes teared up again as he grabbed for the water glass Kathryn had left on the bar. After a few gulps of the cool liquid, he turned to see if Janeway was still there, but she was gone.

"Chakotay...." Julia's hot breath was near his ear. He jumped up startled.

"Julia!" he exclaimed and then calmed himself. "Sorry."

She looked at him for a long minute. "It's okay. Come on. Let's get going. This party is dead."

He wanted to roll his eyes at her. "Fine." He slammed the water glass back on the bar counter and stalked to the door following Janeway's path. Julia followed helplessly after him.

Sliding her arm into his, Julia did her best to regain his attentions in the turbolift. She kissed him again, and managed to make him aware of her again. "I do love you." She whispered low in his ear.

Chakotay didn't respond but left Julia at her door, and then made a hasty retreat to his own quarters. He threw himself on his bed but then rolled over as a sharp object stuck him in the side. The rose. He still had yet to give it to her.

No. He couldn't. Not after tonight. Not after what he had done. Lifting it, he gazed at the intricately carved petals. But maybe.... His thoughts were barely formed before he was grabbing the rose and wrapping it in the white silk and dashing for her quarters.

***

Kathryn sighed and flopped back on her couch after her bubble bath. It was over. He wouldn't come near her now- at least, not while they were off duty. Why hadn't she handled that better? Why hadn't she made small talk as though nothing was wrong? They were probably together now- laughing at her, or worse yet, kissing. Kathryn allowed tears to flow down her face unchecked. It was the only bit of comfort she could allow herself. Doing what she wanted was out of the question- Chakotay would hear her if she tore her quarters apart in a drunken rage.

How could she have been so stupid? Did she really think he'd wait patiently forever? No, Chakotay was the type of man who loved, and loved hard. He had loved her fiercely, she knew that, but she had pushed him away- she'd actually told him to go fall in love with someone else! The meals together had become more infrequent, then the short visits in her ready room died down. Now, he only came in there on business and left right away.

The door chimed.

Kathryn's face looked up sharply. Grabbing a robe and wiping away any stray tears, she answered. "Come in."

Chakotay's form stood in the door way as he took a hesitant step forward. "Kathryn?" Allowing his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting, he found his captain sitting on the couch. His captain, he smiled. Then, noticing that she had been crying, he rushed forward.

"Yes commander?"

He could hear the tears hiding behind the steel mask she had put on. Some steel mask! Dressed in pale peach, satin pajamas and a matching robe and her hair still wet from a bath she looked more beautiful than ever. She looked....softer, yes that was the word. Not so rigid as her uniform made her seem.

"Commander?"

Both blushed when he realized he was staring at her.

"Sorry." He muttered taking a seat uninvited on the sofa next to her- not too close, but not far from her. "I came to give you this, happy birthday."

She looked at the item wrapped in white silk for a minute before hesitantly reaching out. Hands brushed as she took it from him, but both did their best not to notice the electricity that originated from the point of contact. She looked at it, just held it for a minute, before meeting his eyes.

"Why, Chakotay? No one has given me a gift for any occasion in four years."

He just smiled at her. "I thought you needed it. I needed to give it to you." He said the last few words very softly.

She drew in a shaky breath, and then began to unwrap the item. As the silk fell away to reveal the delicately carved rose, she gasped. "Oh, Chakotay."

Her smile was worth it. The tears shining in her eyes, the beautiful smile gracing her lips- it made all those lonely hours he'd spent working on it worth while. If only for this moment, this short instant in time, she was perfectly happy. "You're welcome."

She blushed again. "It's beautiful. I had no idea you were working on it for me." Her eyes met his briefly. "But, it must have taken so much time....time you could have spent with Julia." She was treading on dangerous ground, very dangerous ground.

"Maybe. But I wanted to do this for you." Chakotay leaned over and brushed a lock of damp hair from her face.

"Thank you." She said sincerely, eyes locking with his.

Chakotay couldn't tear his eyes away from hers. In those two great blue pools he saw all the emotions she was feeling- happiness, anger, love, regret, hopelessness, confusion, remorse. She tore her eyes from his first. He reached out and caught her by the shoulder. "Kathryn..."

Her eyes met his briefly again. Guarded.

"I'm sorry." With a deep breath, he pulled back from her.

Tears began to well up inside of her. Kathryn knew she wasn't going to be able to contain herself, she had to distance herself from this man who evoked such strong feelings from her. Standing, Kathryn wandered over to her window and gazed out at the stars, tears falling silently down her cheeks as her hands rubbed the smooth wood of the rose.

The instant Chakotay saw the tears, he was behind her. Hands gently resting on her arms, he tried to turn her around. "Kathryn, talk to me." He begged. "Tell me why you're crying. Tell me what you're feeling...."

She didn't turn around for a minute. When she finally did, she answered him breathlessly. "Do you love her?"

Chakotay's breath caught in his throat for a minute as he stared into her azure eyes.

"No."

The word seemed to hang between. After a long pause, she nodded and turned away.

"What did you want to hear?" Chakotay asked when she failed to say anything.

Kathryn shrugged. "I don't know. I guess that you love her and you're happy."

"Liar."

She started. "Don't call your captain a liar, commander." She said in a low voice.

"Then tell me the truth."

"The truth?!" she turned on him, daggers flying from her icy blue eyes. "What do you want to hear? That I've stayed awake crying every night hoping that you'll change your mind?! That you've hurt me beyond what words can describe by abandoning this friendship I thought we were going to work on? That everytime I see her hanging on you or hugging you or kissing you I want to throw up?! Is that what you want?, then find. You've just heard it!"

Chakotay watched her flee from him and sink into her couch again. This hadn't gone how he'd planned. The sobs racked her body and tore at his own heart. Taking a deep breath, he hesitantly stepped over to her.

"Go away." She hissed through her tears. "Don't ever come near me again." She didn't seem to realize she was clutching the rose still.

"Kathryn..."

"No! I mean it. Get away from me. I've said it once in rage, but this time I mean it; the only time I want to see you is on duty."

Ignoring her words and tense position, Chakotay sat on the edge of the couch and pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Kathryn." He whispered into her hair. "I'm so sorry."

She tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let her.

"No." His arms only tightened around her. "For once in your life, listen to me." He waited until she stopped struggling before he continued. "Julia means nothing more to me than a friend. I had hoped that she and I could have a relationship, but it's obvious that we can't. I can't pretend with her anymore. I don't love her, I love you. Seeing you hurting like this has put me through more torment than you can imagine. I know you stayed awake crying because I was up crying with you."

Chakotay continued talking, telling her why he had decided to try to have a relationship with Julia, but Kathryn didn't hear it. He loves me, she thought to herself. He really does love me! He stayed awake just like I did! A small smile began to steal into Kathryn's eyes. She relaxed a bit and enjoyed the feel of her first officer's arms holding her tightly.

Chakotay noticed that she wasn't as rigid as before. "Kathryn," he whispered looking down into her upturned face. "Please,...please find it in your heart to forgive me for being so stupid."

She didn't answer, but pulled his face down to her waiting lips.

Chakotay's heart soared. Kissing her felt like a million fireworks were going off inside of his head. When that woman, what was her name?, he couldn't form a complete thought, had kissed him before, he had felt nothing. This was the best feeling in the world to have Kathryn in his arms, allowing him to kiss her.

He was doing funny things to her heart. She couldn't ignore the pounding in her ears and the flutter in her stomach when he was this close. She loved him more than life itself. Her hands snaked their way around his neck as he pulled her into a more comfortable sitting position.

When they parted she gazed up at him. "I have too much love in my heart for you to allow any hate." She whispered.

Finis.