A/N: Hi! I am so sorry! I know it has been forever since I have updated. I just want to let you know - those that are still following despite my irregular updates - that this story will be finished. I wanted to complete it by around Thanksgiving, but some stuff in life happened so hopefully by the end of December. But, I promise it will be finished. I need to complete at least one story in my life. So I thank all of you for your patience! With that being said, I still have not had time to write and I lost some of my writing mojo. I have the next few chapters written out in a notebook, but they need to be revamped and edited. I started typing this months ago and never had time to get back and I want you to know that it will get done so here is the first part of this chapter. This is my little peace offering to you guys. I hope to have this specific chapter fully updated soon so be on the look out.

Also, there is something that I wish to mention. I love reading feedback from you guys; it keeps me motivated! I appreciate those that have left comments. HOWEVER, I do NOT appreciate foul/bad language. I do not enjoy reading that. Please keep that to yourself. I will take insights, thoughts, corrections - basically, CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Please keep this in mind for next time. Thank you.

Again, thank you all for your patience and understanding. Please stay safe out there everyone!

Chapter 8: How Do You Find Home?

Her thoughts were buzzing around her mind like a million bees in a too-small hive. Kathryn's body mindlessly took her back to her office. She wasn't really sure how she was able to get herself there, but she did. And now she was sitting at her desk, trying to clear her head and focus on the report in her hand. She really needed to get work done, if only to wake herself up from the nightmare her life suddenly turned into. She lasted all of 20 minutes.

Words blurred together on the PADD and her mind took over. Where did it go wrong? Where did she go wrong? How did it come to this? Why did he have to change his mind about being together all of a sudden? Kathryn threw the PADD roughly down on the desk. Grabbing her jacket, she quickly called for the lights to turn off before heading out the door in a rush.

The nippy wind blowing as Kathryn walked home was enough to wake her from her haze. She was able to get herself home safely and without further incident. Yet, once she was in the warm confines of her townhouse, the niggling thoughts in the back of her mind overtook her once more. She physically shook her head hoping to clear it of the thoughts she didn't really want to deal with. But, it was no use. She needed to relax and clear her mind before analyzing what Chakotay had told her. An idea formed in her head. A bath. Maybe a bath would help, she thought.

Kathryn made a beeline for her bedroom. As she stripped she told the computer to run the water and she added some scented bubbles. When the water was just right, Kathryn climbed in and sank down, sighing in the pleasure. Her eyes closed voluntarily and she leaned her head against the tub's edge. She could feel the stress melt right off her and float into the room with the steam. But after 5 minutes, the feeling was gone. The warmth of the water reminded her of the warm feeling she usually got when Chakotay smiled at her, which forced the image of his broken expression when she left into her head. Kathryn's eyes shot open and she sat up. Her bath was ruined. She sadly got out of the tub and watched the water swirl down the drain. Why was she like this?! Because Chakotay just confessed to still loving her and wanting to be with her. That was something she denied herself for so long and thought was too late, but then there he was telling her everything she wanted to hear. So why was she here feeling like someone was squeezing her heart instead of happily in the arms of Chakotay? It was absurd! Yet, no explanation was forthcoming.

Kathryn threw on some comfortable clothes and went to the kitchen. Before she knew what she was doing, Kathryn was ordering coffee from the replicator. She sat on one of the bar stools and sipped the dark brew. Coffee usually helped to center herself into a coherent person. Maybe it would help her think straight and work through the messy feelings and thoughts running around her brain. However, the coffee only stimulated the endless thoughts. How come she never heard that Chakotay and Seven split? The vultures of Voyager - namely Tom Paris, B'Elanna, and Harry, would have circulated the news in Voyager's gossip mill. She literally saw Seven 5 months ago and the woman didn't say anything. Though, thinking about it now, Seven not once mentioned Chakotay when they went out for lunch. Kathryn had thought it was odd, but wrote it off because she didn't really want to think about him and Seven together. It was their business and their business alone. But, not anymore it seemed.

Ugh, she chastised herself. How could she be so stupid? She blamed her best friend and accused him of things instead of asking how he was doing. Kathryn wanted to protect Seven because she was a good friend, almost like a daughter, but then Chakotay was also her best friend and he just went through a break up. And she treated him horribly. Yet, he still confessed his feelings to her. Despite her rampant emotions, Kathryn was considerably calmed down and starkly realized something - she needed to check on Chakotay and apologize for her actions.

In a blind rush, Kathryn grabbed her coat off the hook by the door and was out of said door in a flash. She had just finished alarming the door, turning around to take a step down when she stopped.

There stood Chakotay at the bottom of her stairs.