Dicalimer: The usual.

Author's Note: Pretty much everyone has wrote one so I thought I might as well. Not to mention insomnia struck again and I had way to much time on my hands lol. I think we all know J/C is the perfect couple (don't deny it , you know I'm right lol) so I felt compelled to write my version a.k.a. what should have happened. Anyway now that I have kinda finished rambling...I hope you enjoy it, please review and tell me what you think.

PLEASE R&R

Thanks

x

"I can tell you a story, an ancient legend among my people. It's about an angry warrior who lived his life in conflict with the rest of his tribe. A man who couldn't find peace, even with the help of his spirit guide. For years he struggled with his discontent, but the only satisfaction that he ever got came when he was in battle. This made him a hero among his tribe, but the warrior still longed for peace within himself. One day he and his war party were captured by a neighbouring tribe led by a woman warrior. She called on him to join her because her tribe was too small and weak to defend itself from all its enemies. The woman warrior was brave and beautiful and very wise. The angry warrior swore to himself that he would stay by her side, doing whatever he could to make her burden lighter. From that point on her needs would come first, and in that way, the warrior began to know the true meaning of peace."

Kathryn woke up startled, ever since they had been cured and returned to Voyager, her dreams were filled with his eyes, his smile, everything about him. The angry warrior legend replayed itself in her mind constantly. As she thought about it tears came unwillingly to her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. God dam it Kathryn, you are a Starfleet Captain, get over it, she scolded herself.

She knew she was happy to have Voyager back; but she couldn't stop the feeling of emptiness inside her. She felt as if she had left part of her soul on the planet, but that was a price she was willing to pay, to get her crew home. She wanted him so badly it was a physical ache, but she never got the chance to tell him how she felt and now she never would.

"I love you Chakotay." She whispered into the darkness, before turning her head into her pillow and crying herself to sleep.

Morning came all too quickly, the silence disturbed by the whining of the alarm clock. Kathryn was fighting a battle within herself: Kathryn wanted to go over to Chakotay's quarters, throw herself into his arms and kiss him senseless with all the passion she had within her; however the Captain had other ideas, the word protocol was droning continuously in the back of her mind, like a broken record. She had never hated that word more in her life.

Desperately needing to clear her mind, she quickly headed for the bathroom and followed through with her morning routine: no more sleeping in, she thought solemnly, not that I did much, but it was nice to have the option. The breakfast Chakotay…there I go again. STOP IT! Her mind screamed. To stop that train of thought, she pulled on her Captain's mask and headed for the bridge.

Chakotay's dreams were filled with images of New Earth; of the Kathryn he saw, without the forever present Captain's mask, suppressing emotions and her amazing personality. Sure he saw glimpses of the women behind the mask before and it had fascinated him, so he desperately tried to find out more about her and they had even become friends, but always present was the dominating presence of command. It was even present for a time on New Earth.

Chakotay knew he had feelings for her before; much more than a first officer should have for his Captain, but the extent of those feelings went unrealised until the night of the plasma storms; the fear that gripped him when he couldn't find her. They were the images that woke him from his slumber.

His heart raced wildly as he bolted upright, gasping for breath. To rid him of the frightening images he made his mind relive the good moments: the way her shoulders shimmered in the moonlight, as the light reflected from her creamy skin, covered in water from the bath she had. The way she interacted with the annoyingly cute monkey; how her eyes glistened with unshed tears as he confessed his feelings in the form of a legend, the single tear that left a track down her cheek. Not to mention the way her hand felt in his, fingers entwining together.

"Oh Kathryn…" He whispered to the empty space around him, which reminded him of his soul.

Did she feel the same? That was the question he had to ask himself. He knew she cared for him, but was it more than that was it the kind of care shared between friends, or did she feel like he did; a kind of love that made you physically ache to be with that person. In his heart he knew she returned his feelings in full, her eyes betrayed her and told him everything he needed to know. Just before they transported back to Voyager, she showed him more than words ever could, with her eyes alone.

He didn't know how long he was lost in thought but before he knew it; his alarm intruded his minds thoughts and brought him back to reality. Grumbling to himself, he got up and prepared himself for the day ahead. Quickly grabbing a slice of toast from the replicator, he exited his quarters and headed to the bridge.

Chakotay made it to the turbo lift in record time, before he could order a destination, a familiar voice shouted:

"Hold the lift." As the doors reopened, Kathryn lifted her head to thank the person. As her gaze met his they both froze and the world around them faded away into nothingness.

TBC…

Please tell me what you think! Do you think I should continue...?