Author's Note: Here's Chakotay's POV- I hope you all like it- please keep reviewing- thanks for all the kind words of encouragement! I really hope that you continue to like this story! I also threw in a bit o' New Earthy for your enjoyment!

He watched her from a distance, twirling her hair absent mindedly. His eyes wandered to the fire, he had started it with her hair, her beautiful long red hair. The hair that he had moved from her shoulders as he massaged her shoulders. She had been so beautiful on New Earth, so unburdened by Starfleet, so perfectly his. He longed to hold her in his arms, to protect her the way he did when the plasma storm came. He wished more than anything she would be by his side, but she never could.

He remembered the Dreadnaught, how she had been willing to sacrifice herself and the ship to save a planet of strangers. He remembered the near argument they had had, how she told him it was her prerogative to stay aboard the ship, and how he died inside when she had told him that. He remembered calling to her as Voyager burst into flames, only to be saved by "another" Voyager. He had even called her Kathryn then,

"Captain!"

"I can stop the breach!"

"Kathryn!"

And now as he watched her from across the camp, he remembered their last conversation. The argument that had separated them. It seemed that since the fight transpired that she had been blatantly avoiding him, and it hurt him so badly to have lost her, possibly forever.

"Chakotay!" She had called to him as he had been gathering sticks to make the fire.

"Yes?"

"Need any help?" He had smiled at her as she stooped down to pick up a stick and handed it to him.

"No Captain, I'm fine here." She remained unmoving and just looked at him, and rather hesitantly began to speak again.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead Kathryn; I can call you that can't I?"

"Yes Chakotay. But I was just wondering about something for a few weeks…"

"Go ahead…"

"It's really nothing Commander."

"Why the formality all of a sudden?"

"It is necessary to establish a degree of personal separation between the Captain and her second in command."

"What are you talking about Captain?"

"Barriers Chakotay, parameters."
 "I thought we'd already defined those?" He could see her eyes narrow as she walked toward him.

"The crew is talking about us; they are saying we're involved. The parameters were your supposed ancient legend, and for god's sake, I don't want the crew second guessing my decisions."

"Why would they do that?"

"If they seem to think we are involved…"
 "They'll think you're not capable of doing your job?"

"Exactly"
 "Captain, Kathryn, that's perfectly ridiculous."
 "Really? What about your relationship with Seska?"

"You're not Seska. And we aren't involved."

"I know, but we need to establish…"

"Kathryn you're being ridiculous, it's not as if we will be able to get back to Voyager any time soon…"
 "DON"T say that Commander Chakotay! Tom will bring the Talaxians. I know he will."

"Tom's dead."

"I hate you."

 

She had turned her back and as she walked away he had shouted after her "You happy now Captain? At least you have your parameters!" He stood up and walked over toward her, but she turned away from him and he could see the anger flicker in her eyes. "Spare a spot by the fire for a cold Indian?"

"No." He gently grabbed her arm, but she jerked it away.

"Kathryn…"

"Don't you dare use my name." He pulled away from her and moved toward B'Elanna. Maybe she just needed time. He threw a glance behind him, and saw her bury her head in her knees and he felt his heart break into a million pieces. So much for being at peace.