(A/N: After "State of Flux")

"How are you holding up?" Janeway asked, stepping into the turbolift beside Chakotay as the doors began to slide closed.

"Me? I'm fine," he said, not meeting her gaze. "I just found out that my ex-girlfriend is a Cardassian agent who strung me along like a puppet and lied, stole, and cheated everyone I care about before abandoning us for the Kazon of all people."

"That about sums it up," Janeway agreed. "But it doesn't answer my question. How are you really?"

Chakotay sighed. "I'll get over it."

On impulse, Janeway reached out a hand and lightly touched his arm. "If you want some company, my door is always open," she said.

She knew he must be taking it hard, being betrayed not only by a former member of his crew but by someone he had a personal affection for. He was an honest and trusting man by nature, and she could see how troubled he was at being duped so easily.

She sat up at the desk in her quarters for a few hours after she got off shift, wondering if he would take her up on her offer. She didn't know what she was expecting, really. It's not like they were friends. As the captain, she didn't feel she could afford the luxury of having friends. Nevertheless, she had felt he needed to have a friendly ear open to him. She always felt the need to offer sympathy and comfort to others where she could.

A little after 1900 hours, her door chimed. When she called for entrance, Chakotay walked in holding a bottle in his hands.

"Are you busy?" he asked. "I come bearing gifts."

"Is that Antarian cider?" she asked, taking the bottle and examining it closely. "For a gift like this, I could make some time."

While she replicated some glasses and poured the cider, Chakotay walked slowly around the room, examining the décor. He paused at a painting depicting the sun setting over a golden landscape.

"Nice picture," he said.

"Thanks. I painted it myself."

"Really?" he seemed surprised as he accepted a glass of cider. "I didn't take you for a painter."

"I'm full of surprises," she smiled. "I based this one off the sunsets I saw as a child on the farm where I grew up. I always loved the dusk, when the day had ended and my time was finally my own to enjoy."

He was silent, studying her face in the dim artificial lighting. "Do you miss it?" he asked. "Sunsets on Earth?"

"Sometimes." She forced a smile onto her face then added, "But I intend to see it again someday. Even if it takes a few years."

He chuckled at that. "Ever the optimist." He began to resume his slow circling of her quarters, examining every element of its furnishings. She stayed silent, watching his movements with growing curiosity.

"Satisfied?" she asked when he finally stopped beside her.

He looked down, an embarrassed smile on his face. "Just curious. I've never seen your personal quarters before."

"Well then, what do you think?"

"I think I'm getting a better picture of the woman behind the captain's pips."

"Oh?"

"And it's a very pretty picture."

She felt the heat rise to her cheeks at the unexpected compliment and she shook her head at his wide grin. "We've got a long time to get to know each other," she said eventually. "I hope we can be friends for that time."

"I would like that," he replied. He offered his glass in a toast. "To new friendships."

She happily clinked her glass against his. "To new friendships."