Chakotay was now in the holodeck. He had gone there immediately after he left Kathryn's ready room. She could be so stubborn. Why couldn't she just let herself be happy? He didn't know the answer to that question. All he knew was that he was really pissed off.

Boxing calmed him though. He could let out his anger with it. He stepped into the ring and the intense match began.

In Kathryn's Ready Room

The tears had since long stopped falling down Kathryn's cheeks as she sat on her sofa, thinking. Her thoughts were running wild. She was going over the fight that just took place, trying to piece everything together but having very little success.

She knew what she had to do. She had to go set things straight with him right now. Not tomorrow, not next month, now. She wanted to get this matter cleared up as quickly as possible.

She rose from the sofa and straightened her Starfleet uniform.

"Computer, locate Commander Chakotay."

"Commander Chakotay is in holodeck two." The computer replied.

Kathryn walked briskly out of her ready room and onto the bridge. To her crew, she looked as calm and tough as ever but inside, she felt as though she were on a wild roller coaster ride, going every which way with no control. She didn't like the feeling. She nodded to the crew members and left the bridge. As she made her way to the holodeck, she wondered if she should give Chakotay some time to cool down before she went to talk to him but that thought left as quick as it came. She was getting this cleared up pronto.

When she arrived at the holodeck, she took a deep breath and entered. There she saw Chakotay in the middle of a boxing match. Not really a surprise. He hadn't noticed her come in since he was facing the opposite direction.

She said in a low tone, "Computer, freeze program."

Slowly, he turned around to face her. Once he was looking at her dead on, she began.

"Chakotay, I'm going to get straight to the point. We can't have a relationship and that is final. The subject is closed for discussion. You are not to bring it up. She let out a breath and finished with, "That's and order."

He stared at her for a moment and then said, "All right Captain. But first I'd like to know why. And I don't want you to start in on me about protocol and Starfleet Kathryn. We've lost all contact with Starfleet. Were on our own out here Kath! And you've broken every rule in the book! Please tell me why you must keep just that one rule from being broken!" He was getting angry.

"Chakotay please don't make this any harder than it already is." She said starting to become exasperated.

"I merely asked a question." He said icily.

"Fine." She said stubbornly. "To answer your question, we are Starfleet officers Chakotay! We may have no contact with the federation and yes, we probably won't for decades but I still intend to do my best at following Starfleet protocol! But keep in mind Chakotay that isn't an easy thing to do while being about 70 000 light years from home! And your right, I have broken a lot of rules but I had no choice! If I hadn't broken those rules, Voyager and her crew would all have been lost! But there is one rule I can manage to not break. And that's the 'R' factor Chakotay. The captain cannot have romantic relations with members of his or her crew! It just can't be done!" She was practically yelling now. She didn't know how to make him understand.

"Thank you Captain. Now I'd like to get back to my boxing. If you'll excuse me."

"What? That's it? You aren't going to say anything else?" She said stunned.

"No Captain I'm not. Now I'm sure you have your duties to attend to." He gave her a taunting smile.

He was brushing her off. Well that was a game two could play.

"Yes Commander, I most certainly do. Enjoy your boxing." She said sweetly while smiling pleasantly. "See you on duty Commander." She gave him one last forced smile and left the holodeck.

This was going to be more complicated than she expected.

To Be Continued . . .

Please R&R