After finally escaping The Void, Kathryn Janeway was still trapped. The Void had personified the emptyness that she had felt and perhaps she had left some small part of herself behind.

Once her first period of active duty had ended, she had quickly retreated into the sanctuary of her Quarters. Her breathing hitched and she found herself leaning against the bulkhead as the sobs that she had fought to keep in check forced their way from her throat.

Stop it, Kathryn. She chided herself but the tears continued to pour from her eyes and she sank to the floor, pulling her knees up to her chest, a faded memory of her childhood. It's all your fault. A dark corner of her mind whispered. You're weak, you should have taken the shuttle. You had plenty of opportunity. Kathryn raised her tear stained face from her hands and clenched her fists. You can still go back. It's nothing less than what you deserve.

Kathryn, quickly keyed open her Quarters. Only to be faced with a surprised Commander Chakotay. Damn. The dark voice swore.

"Commander." She greeted him and swiftly moved to push past him. Only to be stopped by a single hand on her arm. "Let go." She growled.

"No." Kathryn's gaze narrowed and she moved to push his hand from her arm.

"That's a direct order." She hissed.

"And I am disobeying it." He pushed back. "Something is bothering you, Kathryn and I am not leaving until you talk to me." Chakotay met her smouldering gaze, taking in the sight of her red rimmed eyes and tear stained cheeks.

"There is nothing to discuss, Commander." He was not going to let her do this again.

"You need help, Kathryn. If you're not going to talk to me then I will have to take action, I'm sure that you would listen to The Doctor." That did it. She seemed to deflate, falling against him. "Not out here." He scooped her into his arms and quickly moved to the sofa. Kathryn broke into harsh, shuddering sobs and she buried her face into the front of his uniform.

"It's like I am drowning and everytime I try to stay afloat, I get dragged down again." She managed between sobs.

"Let it out, Kathryn." He whispered into her hair as he held her tightly.

"I can't shake this Chakotay, it follows me everywhere."

"Hey, look at me." He gently tucked a finger under her chin and raised her face, so he could meet her gaze. "No matter what happens, we'll make it together." That brought a small smile forth.

"We always do don't we."

For the next two weeks after that, Kathryn often him sought out. After that night, he had made her promise to find him, if she ever needed someone to talk to. Tonight she had sought him out for a diffrent reason entirely. Hidden behind her back was a bottle of Champagne and she was dressed in a simple blue dress that fell to her knees. She pressed the chime to his Quarters and was promtly answered with a soft "Come in." Kathryn entered his dimly lit Quarters. "If this is a bad time..." He raised a hand cutting her off.

"I meant it when I said that you could talk to me anytime you wish."

"Oh. I had something else in mind."

"Really?" He questioned.

"Do you want to visit Lake George with me?" Her inquiry almost caught him off guard.

"At 2:30 in the morning?"

"Yes." Chakotay smiled softly at her.

"I'd love too."