Author's Note: Oh lucky you! You get another chapter! Just because I felt incredibly inspired and nice, plus I have nothing else to do, school's over in 2.5 days!!! Yippie for not having to take finals! Yeah for being smart! Okay I'm done gloating! Thanks for the reviews that I know you will give. J
As she sat on the couch, reading a pad, she grimaced at a pain in her leg. Rapid aging and too much dancing, not to mention a rather painful day on the bridge had her wiped out. She knew that she was up for duty first thing in the morning and it was times like this that she hated being Captain. As she stretched out on the couch and felt her eyes close she heard a buzz at the door and cursed her sore muscles as she was forced to sit up.
"Come in" she called, and in walked none other than her first officer. He approached her casually and as he looked at her, she felt inclined to say what she had refrained from saying at the party. "Chakotay, please, come sit down" He strolled slowly to the couch, and as their eyes locked she found the courage to speak. "This isn't something I do often Commander so don't expect it again…" he laughed at her joke, but he could see the faint tears that lingered in her eyes. "I just wanted to say thank you for what you did on the bride, with the Kazon… I, well," she choked on the words as he looked at her and lifted her chin in a most tender way. "Kathryn, I know… I know". And as her words remained unspoken, she found herself crying in Chakotay's arms, the pressure from the day finally escaping.
She knew she was vulnerable as she cried, more and more unable to resist his touch, his smile and the soothing sound of his voice. She didn't care though; the day had proved something to her, and something she had never realized before came out of her mouth. "I'm a coward" she whispered between sobs, "I couldn't even bear the thought of dying… I couldn't give my life for my crew…" she hated that he had to hear that, and she hated herself for being so damn weak around him. He gently rubbed her back and rocked her like a child, back in forth in a soothing motion. "You're not a coward Kathryn; you are the bravest woman I have ever met…"
Her tears slowed and as she looked up at the man who held her and she knew then and there, that even though she couldn't, she loved him. Forever. A small voice interrupted the moment: "Tuvok to Captain Janeway"
"Go ahead"
"Captain, I suggest you come to the bridge"
"What's wrong Tuvok?"
"There seems to be a situation unfolding before us, a few ships have converged and are blocking our path, they are not firing at us however. It seems Captain that we have stumbled upon a small war. Three more ships have entered the vicinity, a rather large one and…"
"Thank you, I'll be right there, Janeway out."
"Commander? Care to join me?" she asked, standing up and wiping away her remaining tears. There was job to be done.
"I'll be right behind you…"
"My hero…" they left her quarters laughing.
There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are
There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
It's a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold
You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
You'll find the way.
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
The song is Mariah Carey's; I just found it incredibly appropriate.