Usual Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek Voyager or anything associated with it, Paramount does!
Author's Note: I found these stored away, handwritten in a notebook from when I had just finished re-watching Voyager. They are a few of my favorite scenes from the show between the Captain and members of her crew, written from the character's perspectives. No plagiarism is intended; I just wanted to share my snippets and let you enjoy them if you want to! I'll post whenever I get time to type one up. Thank you, and please review!
A Captain's Heart
From: "Tuvix"
Kathryn listened carefully as Kes explained her predicament. It pained her to see the young woman so distraught. When Kes finished and looked expectantly at her, she leaned back against the couch and began quietly, "I know how you feel. You're experiencing what people on this crew have been going through since we first got stranded in this quadrant. Do we accept that we're separated from our loved ones forever, or do we hold on to the hope that someday, we'll be with them again?" At the words, something tightened in her own heart with longing, and she gazed briefly out the window.
Kes's eyes were so wide and innocent. She asked, "What do you do, Captain?"
Kathryn glanced down at her hands in her lap. "Oh." It was suddenly difficult to speak through the growing pain in her chest, but Kes needed an honest answer. She swallowed hard and explained, "I struggle with it every day. Sometimes I'm full of hope and optimism. Other times," she coughed slightly, "I dream about being with Mark … and it's so real. Then when I wake up and realize it's just a dream, I'm terribly discouraged. In those moments, it's impossible to deny just how far away he really is. And … I know that someday, I may have to accept that he's … not part of my life anymore." She found that her hand had gone to her neck to relieve some of the strain of her constricting throat, and she finally made eye contact with Kes.
Those shining blue eyes were fixed on her. Kes looked so afraid. "So," she asked slowly, "are you saying that I should just accept that Neelix isn't a part of my life anymore?"
Something else stirred within Kathryn at the question. She leaned forward intently and assured the young Ocampan, "I would never tell you or anyone else to give up hope, Kes." Smiling a little, she added, "I think the best thing you can do now is give yourself time." She hoped that Kes understood that they were still trying. They wouldn't give up on their friends.
A warm smile spread over Kes's face. "Thank you, Captain." They both stood, and she said awkwardly, "I'll go now and let you sleep."
Even as her eyes filled with affectionate tears, Kathryn smiled again as Kes embraced her. She held the young woman for a long moment and whispered, "My door is always open to you, Kes."
When they parted, Kes walked to the doorway, and the light from the corridor spilled through the opening. She turned and beamed appreciatively at Kathryn again before walking down the hall. Kathryn thought again of Mark briefly again; she let out a small sigh as loneliness washed over her again, but somehow, she knew her heart would be a bit lighter that night as well.