Kathryn goes into her bedroom and pulls a tunic and leggings out of her closet. She reaches up her back and unzips her dress. It falls to the floor in a silver pool like a Pensieve. She finds some flats to wear on her extremely sore feet. She sighs in comfort as she puts her regular clothes on. She goes back into her living room and requests a glass of water with lemon and lime juice in it. Kathryn smiles and she whisper to the stars, "Thank you to whoever sent him to me. He's changed me so much. I never thought I could love someone as much again as much as I love him. After Justin died I never thought I could feel that way again." Little does Kathryn know that Chakotay has already come back to her cabin and has heard everything she just said. He wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but he did hear her as he was hovering behind her.

Chakotay is unsure if he should announce himself and let her know he's there or whether he should just leave it and let Kathryn tell him everything in her own time. If you wait for her to say something you could be waiting a very long time, he thinks. Just like you were waiting a long time for her to say what she said tonight. "Kathryn, are you okay?" Chakotay calls out, alerting her to his presence.

"Yes, I feel much better. Make yourself at home." Kathryn says back.

Chakotay wishes he could make himself at home, but what he's just heard from Kathryn puts him on edge. He doesn't know what to do. His relationship with her has always been complicated, and tonight it's become even more complicated. She has always been so hesitant about a real relationship. Now suddenly, it seems as if she's jumped into this with him with both feet and it has confused him. He can't seem to figure her out.

"What's wrong?" Kathryn asks when she turns to face him. She can tell he's not settled. It's rare to see him less than relaxed.

"Nothing. I'm just trying to wrap my head around tonight. It's a big change." Chakotay lies through his teeth.

Kathryn stares at him for a moment. She doesn't believe him at all and he knows it. "Not buying it." Kathryn says shortly.

Chakotay sighs heavily. He's going to have to tell the truth. "I overheard you just now. I never knew. I've been your friend for three years and I never knew what you'd been through." Chakotay whispers.

"I don't talk about it too much with very many people. It's very sensitive for me." Kathryn says as she wipes away some tears.

"I can understand that, but you shouldn't give me all the credit for your personal growth. You are wonderful, just you, yourself. Whatever happened to Justin has affected your life and has made that part of who you are." Chakotay says as he holds tightly to Kathryn.

Kathryn relaxes. She's actually glad that Chakotay knows more about her past. She stretches up and kisses him again. She loves being able to kiss him whenever she wants. "Are you staying the night? You don't have to if you don't want to." Kathryn asks as she snuggles closer to Chakotay.

"I'd love to, but I'll have to go next door and pick up some things, unless I don't need anything." Chakotay says suggestively.

"Would it be terrible of me to ask you to just hold me tonight?" Kathryn asks. She doesn't look directly at Chakotay.

"Of course not. You've had an awfully emotional evening. We both have. I would be happy to just hold you tonight. It would be my privilege. I'll be back after I pick up some things from my cabin." Chakotay says as he looks into Kathryn's eyes. "There are certain things I can't go without before I go to bed."

"You are a creature of habit, aren't you?" Kathryn teases.

"I suppose so. Even my spirit guide is a creature of habit. I'll be right back." Chakotay plays along with Kathryn's teasing and then kisses her cheek before leaving for his cabin.

Kathryn goes into her bedroom and turns down the blankets. She looks through her pyjama drawer and picks out an appropriate nightgown to wear to sleep next to Chakotay, but not seduce him. She picks out a pale blue, satin, full length nightgown with one inch straps. She folds her nightgown and places her nightgown on her pillow. She goes into her bathroom and pulls a make-up removing cloth out of the packet and wipes all her heavy make-up off.

"Kathryn, where are you?" Chakotay calls as he re-enters her cabin for the second time that night.

"I'm in the bathroom." Kathryn calls back as she looks in the mirror to make sure she'd gotten all her make-up off.

"Where can I put my things?" Chakotay asks as he enters Kathryn's bedroom, her sanctuary.

"Anywhere, just leave the left hand side of the bed." Kathryn says as she comes out of the bathroom.

"All right." Chakotay says as she drops his bad at the end of the bed. He pulls black pyjamas out of his bag and tucks them under the pillow his head is going to be laying on tonight.