Chakotay walked to the table where Kathryn sat and handed her a steaming mug of coffee. She took it eagerly and breathed in the tantalizing aroma. He watched her take a sip and her shoulders relaxed ever so slightly. He chuckled to himself. Her coffee habit was certainly not all that healthy, but it sure was cute. He sat down next to her. "Kathryn?"

"Hm?"

"Kathryn will you do me a favor and eat something?"

She made a noise somewhere between a grunt and a sigh but nodded her head. He smiled and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Thank you."

Kathryn gently touched her cheek once his lips had left it. It had been quite a while since she had been intimate with anyone, and she had certainly never felt as strongly about anyone as she did Chakotay.

This would definitely take some getting used to. She watched him programing the replicator, how his muscles moved under his uniform, the furrow on his brow as he tried to make a selection, maybe it wouldn't be to hard to get used to him being around.

Lost in her thoughts she didn't hear him when he asked what she wanted. She quickly cleared her throat, about to slip on the Captain's mask, but stopped herself. She agreed to whatever it was he had proposed and stared into her coffee.

Chakotay picked up the bowl of chicken noodle soup and brought it to the table. "Kathryn, Kathryn look at me." He set down the bowl and she looked up at him.

"I know that this is going to take some getting used to, I am okay going as slowly as you want. I just want you to let me help you. And if you don't want my help then to bad, however, I understand if you don't want anything… romantic.."

"Chakotay, oh no, I don't want you to think that. I want… well… I don't know yet, but I want to figure it out, WITH your help. If you are willing."

"Always. Now eat!"

"Fine."

She picked up the spoon and slowly began to eat, once her was satisfied that she would indeed eat, Chakotay went to the replicator to fix himself something.

They talked about little things while they ate, the crew, art, music, just small topics of interest, but it felt so free. All the barriers were gone, and they simply enjoyed being together.

When they had both finished, Chakotay offered his hand and walked her to the couch, he could tell by her hands that she was cold so he grabbed a soft blanket and wrapped it around her as she sat down. This done, he stood, somewhat awkwardly not sure where she would be comfortable with him being.

Seeing her discomfort, she patted the seat next to her. He sat down and she rested her head on his shoulder.

They looked out the viewport at the blackness beyond. Kathryn began to realize that she still had all the problems she had before. She began to shake, Chakotay noticed and turned to look at her as best he could.

"Kathryn what is it."

She took a shaky breath in and said "I just can't seem to do what's right… no matter what I try…"

He almost interjected but realized that getting her talking would help her begin to work through things, so he let her continue.

"I just… I didn't think that I would be useful here anymore. I don't have any strength to guide this crew through the void, much less all the way back to the Alpha quadrant. I thought that maybe if I left… but then.. everything you said.. about us being a family that needs each other… Chakotay.. I don't know what I am supposed to do."

She closed her eyes and wrapped a hand around his arm, he gently soothed her hair. "Kathryn, you have more strength than any person I have ever known, but you are a human, a person with feelings, this crew knows that, and Kathryn," he grabbed her chin and tilted her face up to look at him. "Kathryn this family wants to help, let us be your strength, let us show you how strong you are. I know it isn't easy, its all we have to give you in return for all the sacrifices you have made."

She turned her face down to his shoulder again and began to cry. He held her, and let her cry.

"It's going to be okay," he said. "I promise."

Author's Note: Should I continue this story? I am not sure if I am just having it run on, if you like it and would like to see more, please let me know! Thank you!