Author's note: Dennisud and cicimalone - thanks so much for your kind reviews, it made me a bit teary eyed. I think I may do what you suggested, with the sequel- but for now I'm just going to see where this takes me, I don't know yet, but I know I'm coming close to the end… possibly 5 or 6 more chapters to go… don't know yet…I had wanted to make Chakotay die, but I couldn't, I just feel too bad for Kathryn… but please R&R, it keeps me going!

She shuddered and her eyes snapped open. Sickbay was deserted, Harry lay asleep, and the Doctor had deactivated himself, but there was a noise next to her, a small, faint beeping noise. As she raised her head from Chakotay's chest, she noticed that his breathing had gotten deeper, and his heart beat was regular. She debated whether or not to call the Doctor, but she decided against it. She hesitated to go back to bed; she hated to sleep, because of the dreams. The last one had been so painful, so terrible she was sure there was no way that she would find sleep again tonight.

She had been stranded on a planet, by some kind of disease, and she was with Tom. Chakotay had died, so now, Tom had become her confidant of sorts, and they were stuck on the planet together, forever. Tom loved her, she knew that quite well, and she had accepted it. After all, her mind told her over and over in her dream, the man she loved was dead, and it was all her fault. She looked older in her dream, her hair grayer, her eyes didn't sparkle and she hardly smiled. Tom did all the heavy work, but each time he spoke she thought of Chakotay. If he had lived…Tom told her many times that she had to let go of her grief, but she couldn't. The hole in her heart just seemed to grow, rather than shrink. The more people tried to convince her to move on, the harder it became. And then it happened, Chakotay appeared in her dream, he was so real, so handsome and she was so happy. They spent time in the woods together as Tom built the shelter; they spent time together by the river as Tom cooked dinner. But each time Tom came to find her, Chakotay vanished, and each time he disappeared she felt as if her heart was being ripped out. It was if she was sentenced to an eternity of pain and suffering. She and Chakotay were never able to be together. Never.

The beeping interrupted her thoughts as it became more regular. She began to get worried, what if he died? What would happen to the ship? What would happen to the crew? What would happen to her? Could she make it without him? She dreaded that thought, it was too painful, but she feared it may become a reality. "Computer, activate Emergency Medical Hologram." She needed to know he was going to make it; she needed to know that he would live, so she could.

"Yes Captain? Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"Why is his…thing… beeping?"

"The bed is reading his vital signs ma'am, which seem to be improving."

 "Really?"

"Yes ma'am, may I go back to sleep now?"

"Doctor, does that mean that he will wake up soon?" The doctor walked over to the side of the bed and examined what the readings said, and smiled.

"Within the next fifteen minutes…" and with that he deactivated his program, leaving the Captain smiling.

She knew now everything was going to be alright, he would make it, she would make it, and they would get home together. As his eyes fluttered open she looked down at him, and kissed his cheek. "Welcome home Commander. How are you feeling?" He smiled at her and whispered "Kathryn, I've never felt better." She smiled at his little joke, and replied: "Thank goodness, you gave us quite a scare there, Chakotay…" she sighed with relief.

"It's good to be back Kath…Captain"

"Chakotay, I'm sorry about what I said…" her voice rang in her head :

"You were the one who told me that I needed to take a risk! And now you reprimand me when I do? Last time I checked I run this ship, not you! And don't you ever address me as Kathryn when we are on duty! I am your Captain, understood?"

"That's alright…"
"No it's not Chakotay, I hurt you, and when you were injured I thought that our last words would be cruel and…"

"They weren't our last words Kathryn…After all while I was asleep, I could sense you, and I knew you were there, by my side. Thank you."

"You know Chakotay; there is an old saying, about times like these." They spoke at the same time:

"In pain and tears your name will be my alleviation…"

Cause tomorrow never comes
I would want just one thing
I would sell it to the stars and sun
I would write it for the world to see
And it's you
The light changes when you're in the room
Oh it's you
Oh it's you

If tomorrow never comes
I would want just one wish
To kiss your quiet mouth
Trace the steps of my fingertips
And it's you
The light changes when you're in the room
Oh it's you

The song is Michelle Branch, the saying I don't know whose it is, but it is so beautiful.