A/N: This isn't my fault! I was just quietly studying for my limnology exam when this beastly thing grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and forced me to write it.
This is Admiral Janeway of Endgame speaking to Chakotay who has gone off on his own path.
What Will Never Be
by Bil!
I see the stars upon the water,
Mere reflections of what might
be;
And in the clouds I see your face -
But you will never
return to me.
We journeyed together long years ago,
On a road fraught with
fear and pain,
And there you dared to love me who
Had sworn
to never love again -
For love is blind and love is cruel,
And love gives hostages
to fate;
And so I tried to push you away,
But instead you
chose to wait.
Into my hands you put your heart
And you trusted me to care,
But I fumbled, dropped it in the dust,
For my hands they
shook with fear.
I couldn't risk the price of love,
I wouldn't pay the dues,
And so because I didn't dare
The one who paid was you.
Love ensnared you, trapped you tight,
You couldn't leave my
side.
You couldn't break the chains that bound you
Though I
know you tried.
But even strongest steel will fail,
And crumble will mountains
tall.
Even the strongest hands must weaken,
The greatest
walls must fall.
And finally you left my side,
You broke your chains, which set
you free.
And when I broke my vow and loved
You had turned
away from me.
My heart it opened up too late,
When I was no more than just a
friend;
And that price I wouldn't risk?
I paid it in the end.
But I stayed your friend, I carried on,
And never let you see,
That I now dreamed what you once did:
A dream that will never
be.