"Chakotay." Kathryn said walking up to him in the corridor. "We need to talk."
She was sick of this. She hated being mad at him. And she knew the crew had noticed. Tom had come to her and asked if everything was ok between her and Chakotay. As did Neelix, but then again, that's just Neelix.
"Do we?" Now Chakotay on the other hand was still mad about the situation and didn't care if they resolved the issue today or next month.
"Chakotay please. You don't know how hard this has been on me. We need to talk about it and settle everything!"
A crewman walked past them and both turned silent.
"We can't talk out here. My ready room." She said.
Chakotay turned and headed in the direction of the bridge.
Kathryn said a silent prayer.
As they entered the bridge together, they got a few stares. People hadn't seen them walk in a door together for the past two weeks.
She walked into her ready room with Chakotay following behind her.
"We need to talk." She said this very seriously finally making eye contact.
"Kathryn why don't you just order me to talk to you. Then you would get your way." He stared at her and made her feel so overpowered that she had to look away. She turned around and walked forward, refusing to let herself look at him.
"Chakotay, I can't order you to talk to me about it. I just can't. I want you to want to tell about what your feeling. I don't want to make you." She let out a breath slowly, waiting for him to reply. When all she heard was silence, she forced herself to turn around.
He gazed down at her.
"Kathryn I'm sorry but you won't understand. When I had my outburst two weeks ago, you acted as though you did nothing wrong. You've blocked me out and you know it. Do you know how it feels? Kathryn you are my best friend. I would risk my life for you. That's how much you mean to me."
"No." She held out her hand signaling for him to stop. "No Chakotay. You shouldn't want to risk your life for me. After the way I've been treating you lately. It's just been too much for me. To have you with me all the time and to love every minute of the time that I'm with you. I can't do it."
"Why Kathryn. Why can't you!" His voice was slowly rising. He just didn't understand her sometimes.
"Because."
"Because?"
"Because it makes me want more!" She blurted without thinking. Her eyes widened and her hand immediately shot to her mouth. She hadn't just said that. She couldn't have. She had been fighting it for so long and then she just let it slip!
He looked at her but she refused to look back.
"Chakotay, I think you should go. Forget we had this conversation."
"What! Kathryn how can you . . ."
"No. No okay. I'm sorry Chakotay. I'm sorry I've hurt you." She hung her head and stared at the carpet of her ready room. If she stared any longer or harder she probably would have burned a hole in it.
"Kathryn why are you fighting it! Why are you fighting us!"
"Commander you're dismissed."
"Kath . . ."
"Commander!" She said icily.
He gave up. He turned and stormed out of her ready room.
When the doors slid shut behind him, Kathryn stood there and let the tears roll down her cheeks.
To Be Continued . . .
Please R&R