A/N: This is an immediate continuation of the Uncertain Middles stories. Not necessary to read the previous but it may help explain how they got to this point. Thank you for reading!

Chakotay landed on the lush green planet and made short work of setting up the mobile housing unit. He looked at the plentiful forest and resolved to start making some personal touches to soften his cold gray Starfleet issued abode. In time, he hoped he could rig up a lever to help him build a proper log home. He considered briefly asking the Captain for a few spare bodies knowing they could erect one with him in a matter of hours but quickly dismissed it.

He shook his head trying to free it of thoughts of her but found the quiet desolate solitude a perfect recipe for deep personal thinking. After a long day setting up his new home, he sat by a small campfire that night, muscles aching, and fondled the communicator Tuvok had given him. He realized that Voyager had probably broken orbit long ago. By his estimate, they would be out of range in the next twelve hours or so. The clock was ticking for any second thoughts. After a while, he walked into the house and placed it high on top of a shelf to forget her and the life he had left behind.

As he walked back out to extinguish the flames, he noticed a small figure standing by the campfire. Strands of hair blew in the night air and Chakotay instinctively ran back for his weapon. Sensors had shown no sign of life other than animal on the planet but that didn't mean someone couldn't have landed just as he had. He ran back to the door and noticed the glint of a metal object as they turned towards him.

Chakotay stepped out and raised his weapon. He took a few more steps and realized it was a woman. She put her hands up and waited for him to approach. As he did, her face became familiar and he slowly lowered the phaser. "Captain?"

"Hello, Chakotay." She pointed at the phaser. "I didn't realize you were still that angry at me."

"I didn't know who you were at first. Why are you here? Have you come to beg me back or is this a personal goodbye?"

Janeway looked away and remained silent.

Chakotay's gaze swept over her. "I thought Voyager would be two days away from here by now. Did you wait to see if I would call first? Because that's obviously not happening."

"I know," she said quietly. "I actually came to ask you something important."

"Really?" He drew close to her. "Then you are here to ask me to come back on board. That's not happening either, Captain. I'm not that special to you, remember? You said…"

"I know what I said!" Janeway snapped. She wiped a hand across her forehead. "Look, Commander, I hate to shatter your ego again but this isn't about you. Or me. It's about the crew."

"The crew? Why do I feel like we're two divorced parents always squabbling over what's best for our kids?"

"Because we are, in a way. Actually, that's exactly what we are."

Chakotay smirked. "Trouble with the Maquis? Have they refused to support your command? Are you stuck here without their loyalty without me aboard ship?"

Janeway took a breath and composed herself. "No, Chakotay. They are actually perfectly ready to continue our journey home with me."

He took a step back. "Really? Then why are you here? Is it just to gloat before you go?"

She shook her head. "You really have that low of an opinion of me? That's not my style, Chakotay, and you know it. Look, I know you're hurt and you're angry. I can't be the first woman who's ever said no to you. You'll live, believe me. But I…I won't. At least not if I leave here. That's why I came."

Chakotay frowned. "What are you talking about? When Tuvok said you were with the Doctor, he said you had an insect bite."

"I did. Has anything bitten you while you've been here?"

He shook his head. "No, I don't think so."

"We'll have the Doctor check to be sure."

He tried to put his hands on her but she pulled back. "Kathryn, what's wrong? Is the bite poisonous? The Doctor can…"

She shook her head. "No, Chakotay, he can't. He's tried everything. And to stay here and try and find the antidote even if we could trap the insect that bit me…it would take too long. Time we don't have to lose. Not for one person. I'll be fine as long as I remain here on this planet." She looked up and said, "I can't leave. I have to stay. And with me here, I need you to go back to Voyager and take them home."

Chakotay felt the breath leave his body as he listened to her words. "No," he said finally. "No, there's going to be another way."

"No, there isn't. The Doctor's looked at everything. You have to go."

"No! I won't leave you here."

She put her hands on her hips. "You can and you will, Commander. That's an order!"

Chakotay dropped down to her level. "I'm not a member of your crew any more, Kathryn. Your orders mean nothing to me. I am not leaving you here. It will be over my dead body which is exactly what you should have said to me when I asked to leave!"

Janeway's anger dissolved as she grabbed his arm and said, "Please, Chakotay! They need you. You have to get them home. Believe me. Everything has been done on the Doctor's end of things. There is nothing that hasn't been looked at. You have to go. For me. If you really care, please do this."

He shook his head. "No. Tuvok can get them home. You're not punishing yourself and sacrificing your life. I'm staying here with you."

"Chakotay," she said.

"Period! End of story! We stay here together."

Janeway stepped back and her hand flew out as she slapped him across the face. Chakotay reeled and put a hand against his reddened cheek as she flew into his face. "If this is some fantasy of yours that you and I will live alone on this deserted planet and live happily ever after, you can forget it! It's not happening! Not ever!"

He gave his cheek a final swipe. "It already has, Kathryn. You already love me. You just won't admit it." He walked away from her and stood by the dwindling fire as he listened to the night chatter.

She let the silence go between them for a few minutes before she said, "If you mean what you say about loving me, then you'll do what I ask."

"That's emotional blackmail and you will never use me that way. I won't allow it."

"Then, if you know that I am using you, you also know that I don't care for you the way you want me to. I can't."

"I know that." He kicked at a small stone on the ground. "I know you're not over Mark yet. Of course, now you'll have to be."

She shrugged and said, "Yes, I will. This is one way to get over him and let go as you've pointed out. So congratulations, you win. But I will not live a romantic life here with you, Chakotay. Please go back home. Go back to your life and find someone who deserves you."

He watched her turn away. He knew she was upset but, as desperate as he was to go and comfort her, he knew it wouldn't help. She needed to grieve and he was glad she was finally giving herself permission to do it.

After a few moments, he said, "I'm not leaving you alone here. And you don't have to worry. I won't take advantage of you. We don't even have to live together. Well, we will for a while until I can get another shelter built. But I was thinking about a log cabin. With your help, I'll bet I could build one within a few days. At least a simple one." He waved at the mobile unit. "I know you would want the modern conveniences and all with this thing."

She smiled. "How do you know that?"

"You told me before you hated going camping with your family when you were little. You preferred modern conveniences to campfires and nature walks."

She glanced down at the burnt out fire and said, "I guess you're a lot more suited to this than I am."

He walked back to her and said, "Well, I was going to say that but I didn't want my ego to rear its ugly head again."

"That's not ego. That's the truth."

"I'm not leaving you, Kathryn. And I'm not pressuring you. I don't want you to be afraid of me. Tuvok can take Voyager home. Between us here, there are no expectations. Nothing other than two friends sharing a long adventure together."

"Chakotay, you are a charming liar."

He placed a hand over his heart. "I promise. I won't touch you. I won't even speak about us or look at you. If you want me around just let me know. You've never had any trouble ordering me around before and I don't expect that will change now."

A transporter beam appeared and diverted their attention. Tuvok materialized and said, "Greetings. My apologies for the interruption, Captain."

"Tuvok," Chakotay said. "Has the Doctor found something to help her?"

Tuvok looked at the Captain and said, "I see she has informed you of her condition. I regret to tell you that the Doctor has found nothing further to help resolve the situation. But his endeavors shall continue."

Janeway stepped forward. "We've wasted enough time, Tuvok. I am placing you in command of Voyager."

"Captain?"

"The Commander has refused to rejoin the ship."

"I'm staying here with her, Lieutenant. You are in command now."

The Captain gave her acknowledgment and Tuvok said, "I see. If that is your final decision, I will have more supplies sent down immediately."

"I think we have enough," Chakotay said. "You've already provided the basics and the planet can actually provide the rest quite well."

"Well, I will have more medical supplies sent down just in case."

"And scientific equipment if you think Voyager can spare it," Janeway said. "I'd like to continue the Doctor's research here." She looked around the darkened woods. "It looks like I'll have a lot of free time on my hands here."

"Understood. I will do so at once."

"Thank you," she said. "Tuvok, they're a good crew. They deserve to see their families again. I know you can get them home."

"I shall do my best, Captain. Would you like to address them before we go?"

She nodded. "Yes. I'll do that when I return to the ship." She looked at Chakotay and said, "Well, Commander, you're welcome to spend a final night on a starship before we start roughing it for the rest of our lives."

"Thanks but I actually prefer it here." Extending a hand to Tuvok, he said, "Looks like this is goodbye again, Tuvok. It's been an honor."

Tuvok took his hand. "As it has been with you, Commander."

Chakotay noticed Tuvok's glance over at the Captain and said, "Don't worry. I'll take care of her."

"I must say it is highly logical to have a companion here especially one so versed in primitive outdoor living. I expect you will both do well."

Janeway smiled. "Yes. But I'm going to miss you, old friend."

Tuvok stiffened. "As I will you."

"I hate goodbyes too, Tuvok."

"Well, I'll leave you two alone," Chakotay said. "Good night, Captain. I'll see you tomorrow."

They watched as he walked inside. She hit her combadge and called, "Voyager, two to beam up."