Disclaimer: This is the part where I inform everyone of my lack of owning things, right? Consider yourselves informed.

A/N: I know, it's been forever since I updated this. I have a lot of drabbles to add too. Here's one for now though. I don't want to say much about this one because I don't want to spoil the fun, so I'll just let you read...

If you promise that you love me

If you promise that you care

I will be here for you always

And forever this I swear

- 'Cradle' by Atomic Kitten

Chakotay cleared his throat, shifting his weight from foot to foot as his stomach started churning again. No matter what he did, he couldn't shake the nervousness that'd been churning in his gut for more than twenty-four hours now. "I know I haven't always been the best of friends. I know there were times when we had a falling out..."

"Doesn't everyone." B'Elanna scoffed.

Chakotay cleared his throat again and tugged at his ear, a small smile finally appearing even through his nerves. "But I've always cared. And in the end, I'll always be there for you. Thinking of a life without you is like thinking of a day without air. It's almost hard to comprehend, and the reality of it is literally suffocating. I promise you that I will always be there for you though. If you let me. Because, over the last few years, I've learned just how precious a soul binding love really is."

"And..." B'Elanna prompted, arms crossed and a playful smirk covering her face. "Anything else?"

Chakotay frowned for a moment, trying to think of what else to say, and scoffed mentally at the thought. There was so much more to say. So much that had gone unsaid over the last seven years. He wasn't even sure half of it could be put into words. Judging by B'Elanna's ever growing impatience there was something he was missing though, something he'd left out...

Then it dawned on him.

The one thing he had yet to ever say. "I love you."

B'Elanna nodded slowly, an approving look finally flashing in her eyes. "Not bad, Chakotay. Not bad at all."

"That's it? That's all I get?" Chakotay grinned and hoped it covered his anxious feelings.

"Well you're not exactly a poet..." B'Elanna began, smirking amusedly as her eyes flickered to something over his shoulder. "But I think Kathryn will approve anyways."

Chakotay's grin faltered and the worried look he'd been holding at bay finally surfaced. "Are you sure? This is important, B'Elanna. It has to be perfect."

B'Elanna rolled her eyes and pushed off the desk she'd been leaning against. She'd never seen her friend this nervous...and it was only a rehearsal for the real thing. "You'll be fine. She'll love it. And if you don't believe me..." She trailed off and let her gaze land on the person who'd snuck in just in time to hear his practice speech. "Ask her yourself."

Chakotay frowned in confusion and watched as she walked past him and out his office door. He was about to call after her to ask what she meant, but as he was about to turn he finally felt it. The presence of someone else in the room. A presence he recognized easily.

Oh no...

He felt his heart begin to race, his back straightening, as he slowly turned around. Sure enough there she was. Kathryn Janeway. The one he'd be agonizing over for days now.

A moment of silence passed as they stared back at each other. Fortunately, Kathryn at least still had a voice. "That was beautiful." He saw something flicker in her eyes, but it was gone a second later. "Have you been working on it long?"

Chakotay smiled softly, his eyes locked on hers, and he answered without hesitation. "Only about six years or so."

"Oh, is that all?"

Chakotay nodded, his smile twitching in amusement as he watched her expression start to soften. "Was it enough?"

Slowly, in what felt like another year to Chakotay, she nodded and gave him the answer that would live in his memory for the rest of his life. "It was enough."

A/N: More to come soon! What did you think?