Disclaimer. You know the score, Paramount own everything. I also do not own the song "Forgiven, Not Forgotten" by The Corrs. Thanks to my beta readers Charlotte and Gemma for all their help and encouragement. The words in italics are lyrics from the song. I had another go at a post Endgame story, all constructive comments are welcome, flames are not as they have a habit of hurting my feelings.
Forgiven, Not Forgotten.
All alone, staring on, watching her life go by.
Kathryn Janeway sat at her desk in her ready room. It had been five years since Voyager had returned to the Alpha Quadrant and this was the first time she'd plucked up the courage to visit the Voyager museum.
When her days are grey and her nights are black, different shades of mundane.
Since her return, Starfleet had made her an Admiral. Though she loved her job, she still felt her life had no meaning, no purpose. No one to share it with.
And the one-eyed, furry toy that lies upon the bed, has often heard her cry, and heard her whisper out a name long forgiven, but not forgotten.
Chakotay. She'd always thought that once they returned to Earth they'd spend the rest of their lives together, but she'd pushed him away once too many and he had found someone else.
A bleeding heart torn apart left on an icy grave.
Seven. How that had hurt. At the time she'd felt as though someone had ripped her heart out, trampled on it and then shoved it back.
In the room where they once lay, face to face, nothing could get in her way.
She still thought of him everyday, but over the years the hurt and anger had faded, though she had no right to feel these things as she had told him many times to get on with his life.
But now the memories of a man are haunting her days and the craving never fades, she's still dreaming of a man long forgiven, but not forgotten.
She often wondered if he still thought of her like she thought of him. "Probably not," she always told herself, "He's got Seven now."
Still alone, staring on wishing her life goodbye as she goes searching for the man long forgiven, but not forgotten.
Kathryn got up and went to stand by the viewpoint. She decided that she would try to find Chakotay, sort out their differences and see if they could be friends, possibly more.
She heard the doors open behind her. It was probably some stupid tourist who would spot her and start asking pointless questions that she couldn't be bothered to answer. She turned to leave.
That was when she saw him. Chakotay was stood right in front of her. This had to be fate.
"Hi," she said, "It's been a while."
"Yeah, where you been hiding yourself? I've missed you." he replied.
"I've been busy." She lied "What you been doing?"
"Not much." He said.
"How's Seven?" she asked hoping she didn't come across as bitter.
"I've no idea, we split up 2 years ago. I haven't seen her since." He said.
Maybe there was hope yet, Kathryn thought as she tried to decide what to say next.
"Friends?" she asked.
"Friends." He replied, holding out his arms for a hug.
They hugged. After a couple of minutes Kathryn looked up into Chakotay's eyes. She saw that old sparkle that she thought she'd never see again. She reached up and kissed him.
"Is this for real?" Chakotay asked.
"Yes." Kathryn replied kissing him again.