"Are you not even going to say something?" B'Elanna yelled as her fury died down just a little. She had venom in her eyes as she looked at her friend.

Slowly Chokotay turned his face to look at her where he had stood calmly and silently as he met her furious eyes he shook his head sadly and said in a deep voice "I've nothing to say, I won't try to justify or deny my actions"

B'Elanna wanted to scream but had no words to fully express further how she was feeling. "So that's it?" She growled "that's all your going to say?"

Chakotay just stood silently meeting her eyes. After the silence had gone on far too long Chakotay sighed and asked "Kathryn never told you?" In a tone that didn't hide his confusion or surprise.

"No" admitted B'Elanna firmly as she ground her teeth. Chakotay was unsure if that was at him or at Kathryn for not telling her.

Chakotay shook his head and turned away again asking in a deep voice "why is that?" He wasn't sure he was really looking for an answer, he just couldn't understand Kathryn sometimes. "She is too forgiving" he sighed as he rubbed his had vigorously through his hair.

B'Elanna watched him, he was a half she'll of the man she used to know, the mighty maquis warrior was reduced somehow, an old bitter angry old man. Could his dream of seeing Trebus rebuilt not actually be enough? Was he looking for something more? Why after all this time was he and Kathryn still at each other and destroying each other like this? That's when B'Elanna realised what Chakotay was saying, what her own anger, shock and disgust with him was saying. Closing her eyes, clenching her fists and sighing B'Elanna said "she didn't leave you because you hit her did she?" The Realisation drawing for B'Elanna that if Chakotay hitting Kathryn was the reason his young girlfriend left him then it was after that he and Kathryn were 'back together' as Chakotay said.

Chakotay smiled slightly and shook his head saying "no" then with a slight pause shook his head again saying "at least I don't think so."

B'Elanna looked at her friend for a moment and then spat "she's a better person that I ever will be" in an attempt to get out all the anger so she wouldn't carry it around so bitter. Then she sighed saying "this doesn't mean I am okay with it" at that he punched his arm. When her old friend didn't even react her fist turned to a palm as she rested it gently on his arm where she had punched him, she drew closer to him saying "Chakotay?" She tried to sound concerned and soft,

Chakotay met her eyes seriously and shook his head saying "I'm not ok with it B'Elanna." It was then B'Elanna saw it, her old dear friend, the might maquis warrior, the man of Trebus, the steadfast Chakotay the Native American warrior was crying. B'Elanna had never seen Chakoty cry before, tom said he did once, when they were back on voyager. The two men had stood and watched as Kathryn, B'Elanna and Tuvok were arriving back from their time as Borg drones on the Unimatrix Zero. Tom had said Chakotay had wept at the sight of an unconscious Kathryn with none of her hair, grey skin and covered in Borg technology.

The half Klingon somehow had lost all her fight, she didn't think it was right that he had hit Kathryn but she could she Chakotay knew that and it was killing him inside. "let's just leave it for now, Kathryn obviously was able to" she said it in such away that Chakotay was unable to miss the bitter tone in her voice that yet she was trying desperately to fiver up.

"B'Elanna" Chakotay sighed sadly saying gently "I don't want this to come between us though" as he placed a caring hand on her shoulder.

B'Elanna brushed his hand off but nodded saying "so you and Kathryn got back together, then what happened?"

Chakotay could tell to back off and let the Klingon side of her settle. He was sad but answered the question "she got sick B'Elanna that's all I know, we ate, she was happy, we went to bed, I woke up to her being sick, the next morning she left." Chakotay shook his head, he honestly didn't know. "I don't understand"

B'Elanna closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead ridges in frustration before looking at her friend wide eyed saying "Chakotay she hadn't got the ability or energy..." But her voice trailed off and she snapped "didn't she tell you?"

Now it was Chakotays tern to feel frustrated and confused. He could feel his anger brewing but he couldn't work out what the problem was, "B'Elanna" he sighed "I don't know what is wrong but I know she needs and wants space" shaking his head he growled in frustration "I know I did wrong and I'm not proud of it but your the one who came here saying she has no time and that she's not well" closing his eyes and taking a deep breath Chakotay tried to stay calm as he asked "will she be ok?"

B'Elanna nodded slowly whispering "she needs you" meeting her friends eyes she sighed saying "I know you've got a good life here and Sekey really is doing well for herself but please will you just consider coming back to earth with me to help Kathryn?"

"Does she need my help?" He asked but before B'Elanna went to reply he added "does she want my help?"

B'Elanna shrugged saying "I don't know what she wants, I don't even think she does" then she insisted "I know she needs somebody, somebody who really knows her, your her only hope."

Chakotay looked at his friend almost staring deep into her eyes and knew she meant it "we all need somebody B'Elanna is she not turning to you?" When B'Elanna just looked at her friend and shook her head he said said in his matter of fact tone "there's a transport back to earth in two days I'll be on it"

B'Elanna didn't even believe her ears "really?" She gasped in amazement.

"It's late B'Elanna you've been traveling a long time, let's get you something to eat" he smiled cheekily at his deer friend as he wrapped his arm around her guiding her towards his sisters kitchen.

B'Elanna reluctantly moved towards the kitchen with him while staring at her dear friend. She looked at him confused for second then realised he didn't was to show any emotion to the whole situation there and then in front if her she then slowly she too broke into a smile "you'll come and see her?" B'Elanna asked almost not believing what she was hearing.

"Of course" Chakotay nodded "if she needs me I will." B'Elanna saw the serious determination in his eyes and she knew he meant it.

Three and a half days later Chakotay found himself embracing the younger helmsman as he greeted them at the transport terminal on earth after their day and a half journey. After a little too passionate embrace with his wife Tom turned to Chakotay and asked "how are you old man?"

Chakotay simply growled and yet chose to ignore the 'old man' comment as he told his good friends wife that he was fine. The journey out of town towards the hills and Kathryn's beloved ranch was silent and Chakotay wondered what the infuriating red head would say to him coming to earth. Several different things kept playing around in his head. None of them good.