Chakotay walked slowly through the halls of Voyager back to his quarters. He was winded after his session on the holodeck. He had run a boxing program to try and rid the persistent anxiety and frustration he had been feeling since his recent experience with the Captain on New Earth. His t-shirt dripped with the sweat of his efforts but it hadn't worked. So, he had stopped by sick bay to check with the Doctor to see if the virus they had contracted there could be causing his lingering effects.

The Doctor viewed his latest scan and said, "I can confirm, Commander, that the nervous energy you have described is most likely of an emotional nature not a physiological one. If we had a Counselor on board, I'd suggest you make an appointment. In lieu of that, I can run a few psychiatric programs to update my subroutines and see you in a few days."

Chakotay shook his head. "Never mind. I can handle it."

"I wouldn't suggest that, Commander. Emotional health is just as important as physical health. If you won't consult with me, a close friend can just as easily do the trick."

"Thanks." Chakotay hopped down from the bio bed. "I'll do that." He walked out of sick bay and headed to the turbo lift. As the doors opened, he saw the Captain standing there, prim and proper in her Starfleet best ready to go for her midnight duty shift.

"Good Evening, Commander."

Her presence brought him back to that planet. She had looked so unlike she did now. The long hair that was tied up tight on her head had been allowed to fall loose down her back. The stiff uniform had been traded for long, flowing dresses that moved with her as she walked. She was beautiful. The no-nonsense Captain had relaxed into a casual, funny woman who delighted in hard work and easy company.

He smiled as he remembered the gentle teasing and jabs they had thrown at one another as they grew more comfortable with their situation. Their relationship had changed from one of professional camaraderie to intimate friends. The strong Captain who stood before him now could also be a small woman clad only in a towel calling for his help when she heard a tiny noise stir in the woods. Now, his personal assistance was demanded by Voyager's formal comm system.

"Commander, are you feeling okay?"

Chakotay came back to the present and saw the Captain eyeing him. He rubbed his neck and said, "Yes. I think I'm just tired. I was actually heading back to my quarters and into bed."

"I see." She stepped aside as he entered the lift and called for his deck.

He glanced at her face and noticed her gaze avoided his. "Don't worry," he said. "That wasn't an invitation."

She looked up at him and smoothed her uniform. "I didn't think it was."

Chakotay leaned back against the wall. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"You didn't." She let the moment pass before she said, "Chakotay, we need to talk."

"About?"

"I think you know what about. We need to end this. You and I have been uneasy with each other since we returned to Voyager. We've been trying to resume the practiced balance we once shared and we're both failing miserably."

His heart skipped. "You've been having trouble with your feelings too?"

"Feelings?" She frowned. "What kind of feelings, Commander?"

Chakotay glanced away and stood up as the lift came to a stop. "Feeling that this daily routine just isn't the same as what we've been used to in the past few weeks."

"Well, I don't suppose it would be." Taking a deep breath, she said, "How about dinner, in my quarters, tomorrow night?

Chakotay stepped out. "Are you cooking?"

She gave him a big smile and he saw a momentary glimpse of the woman he had met, fallen in love with, and lost over the past month. "No," she said. Holding up a palm, she said, "I promise the food will be edible."

He matched her smile and said, "I'll bring the wine then."

He saw her nod as the lift doors closed. Chakotay could hardly wait for the next twenty four hours to pass.