Chakotay paced through the spacious ready room, replaying the argument with Kathryn over and over. He knew she had a right to be offended that he thought she couldn't take care of herself. If their positions were reversed, he knew he would have been mad at her. It was her aggressive manner as she confronted him that immediately put him on the defensive.
Instead of spending his duty shift trying to accomplish something, he was trying to work out how to fix things with Kathryn. All too soon, it was time for the senior staff briefing. He didn't want to confront her and pretend that everything was ok when it wasn't. He also knew that the senior officers would pick up on the tension, though he hoped they wouldn't mention it.
Soon, Chakotay stood at the head of the briefing room table with Kathryn right by his side. The tension between the captain and first officer was palpable, and the room was unusually silent. After a hurried meeting, all the senior officers filed out. Once it was only Kathryn and Chakotay who remained behind, Chakotay turned towards her. "I'm sorry. You were right."
Kathryn should have enjoyed his concession, but their recent argument was too fresh. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have overreacted."
Chakotay felt his heart rate speed up. "Kathryn, I do think you are a very capable captain, the best captain I have ever served under." He saw Kathryn's small smile at his praise, which encouraged him to continue, "I know it might seem like I think you are incapable of taking care of yourself, but that's not it."
"Then what is it?" Kathryn's voice didn't contain the tone of hostility that was present only a few hours earlier.
Chakotay wasn't sure how much he should reveal with his answer. Finally deciding that only a complete explanation would suffice, he began, "I worry about you because I care about you. Maybe my actions border on excessive, and for that I'm sorry."
Kathryn only heard the first half of his explanation as she repeated, "You care about me?"
Chakotay stopped abruptly and stared at her. how could Kathryn possibly think he didn't care about her? "Of course I care about you," he assured her, "Why wouldn't I? Have I given any indication…"
"No, it's not that," Kathryn cut him off, "I…It's just…Recently we've become more distant towards each other. I…we don't talk like we used to. I thought you were made at me for something, but I had no idea what I did to cause it…"
Chakotay had never heard Kathryn unsure of herself before. Uncertain, maybe, but never at a complete loss for what to say. That surprised him more than anything she said. "I know I've been canceling on you a lot lately," Chakotay acknowledged, "But I still care about you. You're my best friend."
"You're my best friend too," Kathryn said with a smile, "Maybe we could go to Neelix's party together."
Chakotay smiled. "I thought you weren't going to go."
Kathryn smiled and shook her head no. "Well, as Tom pointed out, you always go to shipwide events. Now I have to." When Chakotay said nothing right away, she said, "I'd really like the company. And I can use this opportunity to really get to know the crew."
Chakotay couldn't keep silent any longer. Grinning, he said, "I can't wait. You can pick me up tonight."
Kathryn smiled broadly as she changed the subject, "At risk of seeming like I care about my health, would you like to join me for lunch."
Chakotay grinned as he shook his head. "Kathryn Janeway volunteering to eat lunch. Now here is the day. Let me record this momentous occasion for posterity."
"Stop it," Kathryn smacked Chakotay on the arm, though Chakotay knew she wasn't really upset. Instead, he turned and started leading them to the mess hall.
