Disclaimer the usual see chapter one.
Epilogue
After she had left he continued to sit in the growing darkness alone, trying to sort out how he felt. All the time they'd been discussing the poles in the ring, one of the Pearl's of Wisdom had kept running through his mind; 'What needed can be found – if one seeks not what desired.' It was the only saying he had yet to fully understand. Chakotay now realised his love for Kathryn wasn't being returned in equal measure to that in which he gave it; for although he had physically sat close to the woman he loved most, she was more distant from him than when they'd first met, perhaps more so. Kathryn was untouchable from his standpoint more so and especially since their return from New Earth.
He had hoped that being alone together on that planet from which there had been no escape – until Voyager had returned with the cure – that she would open up to him. Although she had relaxed around him after the storm that had destroyed her equipment, she had not really recipucated to him as fully as he had to her. His heart cried for what might have been, his patience all but gone in waiting for her to give him some sign that she loved him even in a small way.
The moon-white rings continued their steady trek across the night velvet sky. A voice spoke:
//You are the bridge maker// it softly whispered in his mind. //You are and always will be her friend// it added, as his tears softly trickled unseen down his cheeks. 'Was that all that was needed?' he thought to himself, feeling two pairs of eyes assess him from the night shadows.
The yellow pair moved towards him the silvery light revealing her thick white winter coat. The second brown pair of eyes quietly stepped from the shadows to reveal his splendid white hide and his antler crowned head.
"Can friendship be enough?" Chakotay asked softly.
//Only you can answer that, my Friend// she softly told him, her white muzzle resting on his leg. The Hart snorted, but it wasn't in anger or fear, just quiet acceptance of his presence. //You are a true friend; especially to her// the voice of his spirit guide said. //You have been trying to seek fulfilment of your desires with her//
"Have I been looking in the wrong place or at the wrong time?"
//Are you asking or telling, My Friend// she teased gently. He smiled at her tone, grateful for her continued presence and guidance in his life.
He continued to sit there softly playing with her ears, knowing there were no quick answers to his problems with one Captain Kathryn Janeway and his troubled aching heart. //Seven years you have waited; how much long will your patience last, before it turns to anger?//
"I don't know," feeling defensive, looking up at the stag standing a little apart. "Hunter and prey. Together, but never tied," he said paraphrasing the saying from the Pedtra.
//You have peace, keep what you have or lose it again// she softly told him as he stood and surveyed the scene once more. The two animals faded, but he was not surprised for he not included them in the new research programme.
"Computer save and end programme. Command code, WH two theta three." The holodeck reverted to its inactive state.
#Programme saved and stored. Data chip ejected.# Chakotay went to the command panel and retrieved the data chip and then left the holodeck.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Wolf - Hart
Hunter and Prey that winter protects.
Together - yet knot, Entwined - but not tied,
Free flying and always together.
The End.