Chakotay turned to her and saw a tear sliding down her cheek as she took a deep breath. He was completely lost for words and just watched her. She took his hand with the little strength she had and began to audibly cry. Hearing her pain snapped him out of his trance and he bent to hold her in his arms. He rocked her as she sobbed into his shoulder, clinging to him like she would fall if she let go.

He lost track of time as he consoled her, he was just so happy that she was alive and clinging to him, he mentally poured strength into her and whispered soft words of consolation. Slowly her sobbing stopped and she began to loosen her grip, her breathing slowed and he knew she was falling asleep, he gently maneuvered himself to pick her up.

He looked towards where everyone was still watching in awe and asked for transport. The Doctor tried to protest but one glare from Chakotay shut him up. Chakotay turned his face toward Kathryn while they shimmered and disappeared.

As soon as the two were gone the Doctor started protesting "She should stay here and let me run tests to make sure she is all right! Who does he think he is.."

Tom cut him off "Doc the last thing those two need right now is to be pulled away from each other for some medical checkup. Chakotay will bring her back when she is ready." He patted the Doctor on the shoulder and gestured towards the door. "As for the rest of us, I think we could all use some rest, this has been exhausting for all of us." With that they all filed out the door and the Doctor went to his office.

Chakotay and Kathryn appeared in her quarters and he walked her over to the bed, he gently lay her down and covered her up with blankets. He began to move away and she grabbed at his hand. "Stay. Please."

"Always." Chakotay sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed the hair from her face. Before he realized what he was doing he was humming an old prayer song his mother had sung to him whenever he was sad and need to be strong. He was soon singing the words, words he hadn't spoken for years, to a melody he hadn't carried since he had left home. But the words soothed him and brought him strength as they always had.

Earth Teach Me to Remember

Earth teach me stillness
as the grasses are stilled with light.

Earth teach me suffering
as old stones suffer with memory.

Earth teach me humility
as blossoms are humble with beginning.

Earth Teach me caring
as the mother who secures her young.

Earth teach me courage
as the tree which stands alone.

Earth teach me limitation
as the ant which crawls on the ground.

Earth teach me freedom
as the eagle which soars in the sky.

Earth teach me resignation
as the leaves which die in the fall.

Earth teach me regeneration
as the seed which rises in the spring.

Earth teach me to forget myself
as melted snow forgets its life.

Earth teach me to remember kindness
as dry fields weep in the rain.

As the song ended he realized that he was now the one with tears sliding down his cheeks and Kathryn had fallen asleep. He softly kissed her on the forehead and whispered "We will see Earth again Kathryn, but until then, let me treat you as my world, for that is what you are, and I will never leave you again." He closed his eyes and pressed his lips to her hairline once more. She stirred beneath him grabbing him, pulling him next to her. He wrapped her in his arms and together they found peace in their dreams.

Chakotay woke slowly, comforted by the weight at his side and the arm across his chest. He was perfectly content to stay right where he was for the rest of his life, but he knew that at some point she would wake. When she did the road in front of her would be a hard one, but at least he hoped, they could face it together as they should. He stroked her hair and watched her peaceful face as she slept, wondering what she was dreaming about, or if she was just sleeping in blackness, to tired to dream.

After about an hour Kathryn began to stir, he was there beside her but did not say anything, he didn't want to frighten her or make her feel awkward. When she became aware of his presence she sat up and blinked a few times as if trying to register what she was seeing. At first he was afraid that she would be upset, he could see in her eyes that she started to get flustered, but then she sighed as she seemed to remember the circumstances, she settled against his chest once more and put her hand over his heart.

"Thank you, for saving me."

"Thank you for letting me. You don't have to be alone Kathryn, you don't. I don't know how much you heard of what I said, but I meant it all, I don't want you to do this alone. No one does."

"I heard you… Chakotay?"

"Yes?"

"I love you too." His eyes filled with tears for the upteenth time that day. He couldn't think of what to say so he just took her hand. She looked up at him with the faintest of smiles on her lips. "Will you stay with me? I am sorry I left you, I didn't… I couldn't... " he voice began to shake again.

"Shh shh… You do not need to apologize. I will Always stay my love." He kissed her hand and let it fall back on his chest. She would recover, he would help her to, and she would never be alone again.