Final Waking Part Two

Chapter Eight

"Oh insect traps." Cassidy realized. "What is going on here?" she wondered.

Then it came clear. The characters were Kathryn and Chakotay. That finally made sense. She saw how happy they were and how content they felt. Cassidy just watched and smiled. But then the sky grew dark. What is happening now? What is going on?

There was lightning flashing and a loud boom. Cassidy was transfixed at the sight. She could not move nor dared to. She watched in horror as Kathryn tried to escape the horrific scene. Then Cassidy saw Kathryn fall to the ground now afraid that she did hurt herself.

A voice was heard in the distance, "Kathryn! Kathryn!" Cassidy turned her head to see Chakotay running towards Kathryn.

"Kathryn! Kathryn! Are you alright?"

"I could not keep my balance and carry the case"

"Give it to me"

"What's going on?"

"Some sort of ion storm. Our tricorders don't recognize it, but it sure packs a wop!"

Cassidy stared as the two made their way towards the make shift shelter. Cassidy felt a sense of relief. Then the scene shifted. Instead of a wild storm, she was inside the shelter. She saw Kathryn sitting at the table working while Chakotay was busy with a craft. Kathryn seemed tired and in pain. Then she heard a chuckle.

"Uhh! My muscles are not used to that kind of work. My knots are getting knots."

"Here let me help."

"Oh! That feels good."

"My mother use to get sore necks all the time. She trusted me not to make it worse."

What am I feeling here? I feel strange and somehow weak? Cassidy was frightened by this and wanted to wake up. But still her gaze was on the two. Kathryn then got up and faced Chakotay.

"That's much better thank you."

"Hmmm…"

"Well I think I will go to bed now. See you in the morning?"

"Sleep well Kathryn."

"Yes, you too."

Whoa! Cassidy felt the tenseness in the room. Cassidy turned and left the shelter. She pondered on what she had seen. Still thinking about the situation, she heard a shuffle in the shelter. She turned back to see Kathryn sat near a table across from Chakotay.

"We need to talk about this. About us."

"Alright"

"We need to define parameters."

"I don't think I can define parameters. But, I can tell you a story. It's about a warrior…"

Cassidy sat back and listened to the tale. She saw that Kathryn was listening well to story. An ancient legend he called it. Her gaze turned to Kathryn. Her eyes were somehow never leaving his face. And there she felt it again. The same feeling before was coming back and Cassidy got scared.

The tale was over, and Cassidy continued to listen.

"Is that really, an ancient legend"

"No. But it made it easier to say. …easier to say… easier to say… easier to say…"

It kept repeating and repeating in Cassidy's mind. The phrase somehow made her see what was needed to happen. Cassidy then felt herself lift off the ground as the room became dark. And as if in an instant, she woke up with a start. She now understood what had to be done. But there was another piece to puzzle that she needed to get. And before she knew it, she heard a phrase whispered, "Three years I did not know your name. Now I cannot imagine a day without you." Cassidy finally had her answer.