Chakotay and Kathryn made their way through the subterranean tunnel creeping along the ledge beside the steel tracks. Chakotay stopped and took a breath. The dusty, stale air labored his breathing and from the sound of Kathryn behind him, she was also struggling. He swiped an arm across his forehead to bridge his sweat. Even in late fall, the subterranean city was stifling.

He took off his jacket taking care not to dislodge his pin. His frequent attempts at contact continued to be unsuccessful and it worried him. "Are you okay?" he asked.

Kathryn's dress, much like his suit, was soaked through but she gave him a smile. "Yes, it's just hot down here."

"No kidding. I almost wouldn't mind the risk of running upstairs to catch a breath of fresh air. Any idea how far we are from Hennepin?"

Kathryn smoothed some loose strands out of her face and said, "It's the next station."

"Good. Then we're close." He watched her struggle for another breath. "Hey, we can rest. We're safe here."

"Thanks." She let him help her down onto the jacket he piled on top of the cement. She leaned back and relished the cool stone against her skin. "Ah, that actually feels good."

He touched his palm to the cool wall and said, "Yes, it does. I think I'll join you." He swung the rifle down and sat next to her. After a few minutes, he said, "I don't think I've ever heard you this quiet before."

"I'm thinking."

"It's a lot to take in."

"You could say that."

"You excel under pressure, Kathryn. Believe it or not, you've faced bigger and badder things and you have gotten yourself and everyone else through it."

"Everyone else?"

"You're the Captain, remember?"

"Of course." She put a hand to her hand. "Voyager."

He nodded. "Voyager."

She looked at him. "Do I have the white uniform and cap and tie and everything?"

Chakotay opened his mouth and then shut it. He brushed his chin with his fist and said, "It's, uh, it's not that kind of ship."

"Right." She paused and then asked, "Do I want to know what kind of ship it is?"

He patted her hand. "It'll come back as soon as Harry breaks that chip."

"The chip, right. In my head."

He brushed a finger against her temple. "Right there."

She looked at the side of his face. "But you don't have one?"

"I did. The Doctor took it out."

"The Doctor? You mean the one you asked to see this afternoon?"

"Yes."

"He does house calls to the pub?"

Chakotay grinned. "He has a very unique mode of transportation, yes."

Kathryn shook her head. "I don't think I want to talk about this anymore."

"Okay."

They sat together and, then she said, "I think I'm really mad."

Chakotay chuckled. "Wait until you see what the Hirogen have done to your ship. I'm pretty sure there's going to be another level of anger."

"No." She turned and said, "I mean I don't like this. I don't like being so out of control. Not knowing."

Chakotay's smile widened. "Well, there's the Captain Janeway that I know."

She cocked her head. "Just how well do you know me? To me, we met last night but, according to you, that's not true."

"No. You and I met a long time ago."

"When? How?"

"You, uh, you followed me. Well, actually you went after my ship to rescue one of your crewmen. We had an accident and we've been together ever since."

"An accident? What kind of accident?"

Chakotay ran his tongue across his bottom lip. "Let's just say my ship sank and you were nice enough to take me and my crew onto yours."

"Did I rescue my crewman?"

"Yes."

"From you?"

Chakotay nodded.

"Why did I need to do that? Did you threaten me? Why did you take him?"

He grasped her hand and said, "He joined my crew willingly but you wanted him back."

"Then I was a bad captain. Why did he defect?"

"Defect is the wrong word. He joined my crew because he wanted to."

"Why?"

"Probably because you ordered him to."

"Why?"

"Look, you'll remember all of this in a little while. Let's spend our energy on other things."

"No." She grabbed his chin. "You have a lot of details, too many details, for someone who is supposedly nuts. I don't think you're making this up."

"That's because I'm not. I told you that you could trust me. I have never lied to you, Kathryn."

Her eyes darted with his until her hand dropped away. "How would I know that's true?"

He leaned over and put his arm around her shoulder. "You don't. That's why it's called trust. I can tell you that you don't trust easily. But you do trust me. You have overridden your fear of me. You did it this afternoon."

Kathryn stiffened. "That's because I'm not afraid of you."

Chakotay hesitated. "You were when I kissed you today. That's why you hit me. I shouldn't' have done it for many reasons but I deserved to be slapped."

"It was a choice but you didn't scare me."

"Yes I did."

"Only because you don't treat a lady like that."

Chakotay decided to press her. "No, you did it because I scared you. Because for one brief moment you let your feelings out. Your true feelings that I know are there. You have a lot of trouble doing that."

"I hit you because you deserved it. Period."

Chakotay nodded. "That's true too."

"It's the absolute truth. There is no other." She put her head down and fooled with her dress.

"You really miss him, don't you," he said.

"Miss who?"

"Your fiancé."

"Of course I do."

"And outside of Tom and me doing what we did today, he's the last man you allowed to touch you."

"Tom? Oh you mean Sam." She tugged at her skirt. "Tim never touched me. We weren't married yet. I am not that kind of girl."

"Of course."

A few more minutes passed and then she asked, "What's your name again?"

"Chakotay."

"What kind of a name is that?"

"A very special one given to me my father and his tribe."

"His tribe? Chakotay Miller."

He shook his head. "No, just Chakotay."

"I see. So what do I call you?"

"You can call me whatever makes you feel comfortable right now. You usually call me Chakotay or by my title: Commander."

She studied him a few more minutes and then stood up. "I think we better get going."

He jumped up and gathered his jacket and the rifle. "Before we go, I want you to know that I know you don't remember me but I do know you. You are a brave fierce woman, a captain, who always strives to do the right thing even when it's to your detriment. You sacrifice yourself for others. And here you are again sacrificing yourself by keeping the crazy one company. But, know this. I will also sacrifice myself for you. And not because it's my job as your First Officer. I will protect you no matter what, Kathryn. If something happens to me before we get to the pub, I have no doubt that your instincts will carry you through. If I get hurt or worse, you carry on. Go to the back room of the pub. There are people who have access to it who can help you. Wait for them. They'll find you and bring you home. Then all of this will make sense. I promise."

Kathryn listened to his words. "You must know me, Chakotay. I don't know of any stranger that would help someone like you are helping me now."

He smiled. "It's my job, Captain. You're a survivor. And you'll get through this and our crew will be stronger for it."

She took a deep breath. "Okay then, lead the way, Commander."

He nodded and led them forward.