She Who Will be Loved

Chapter: 1/4

Summary: What is being faced with feelings that are too complicated to deal with? What is the ability to solve them? What is being isolated and surrounded at the same time? What is being woman? On the other side of the galaxy, four women deal with unbidden feelings. J/C, P/T, Kes/Neelix, Sam/Joe. Slightly AU, set towards the end of season 2.

Disclaimer: Paramount owns Voyager.

Author's note: This fic is like nothing I've ever done before, and morphed completely from what I intended it to be. Originally, I was going to have some of the crew, in particular Tom and Chakotay possessed by some sort of demon-alien entity, and have them manifest B'Elanna and Janeway's worst fears (in the vein of the Supernatural episode "Skins") making them having to resolve the issue and give them the impetus to act upon their feelings. But somehow this story evolved instead. It looks at different feelings we can feel so strongly but have no idea what to do with them. Above all, it's a story about being a woman and how hard that can be, which I'm sure most of you can relate to. I hope you enjoy this, and reviews would be greatly appreciated. And in this chapter I hope you have fun guessing who is who.

Chapter One- This Time and In between

She who feels desire…

His deep eyes always linger on hers a moment longer than they should.

That mere glance elicits something from her she knows she shouldn't feel.

His presence sends her into hyper-awareness, and the turmoil he throws her in is breaking her apart.

He's addictive, like some drug she can't get enough of.

He's unwelcome.

But she can't seem to keep away.

***

She who does not know love…

Someone like her was never meant to be loved by someone like him.

He's so strong and so sure, and simultaneously brings out the best and worst in her. And he doesn't seem to mind.

She can't describe the way he makes her feel, and doesn't know if she wants to. Of all the women he could have chosen, he chose her, and she's not sure if she trusts why.

She doesn't know if she wants this.

Women like her do not know love.

They only know how to exist.

***

She who knows not how to feel…

The very moment he stepped into her life she felt a connection to him. He talked a mile a minute and she drank in every word, marvelling at his ability to simply shine.

His mere presence is a comfort to her lonely soul, and he knows the right words to make her feel a little less lost in this galaxy.

How she wishes she could cherish him and let him know how much she appreciates all he's putting on the line for her.

But with time against her, somehow that would be unfair.

***

She who knows captivation…

She's never met anyone with eyes like him. Entirely captivating and with depth that she's sure holds a hidden universe in.

Feelings for him are starting to unfurl within her. And she's not entirely sure they're unbidden.

She thinks of the man she left behind and what lies within her.

This is forbidden.

Yet she's drawn to him like matter to a black hole.