"There you are!", the voice growled, then snickered. "Ooooh, I have been thinking. I do admire you, you know. Such a strong will to live, such stubbornness!" The voice was everywhere, silky, dangerous, evil. It was totally dark and she couldn't see anything and there was nothing there other than that sinister voice. She had never heard it before yet she knew exactly to what it belonged. She shuddered.
"Well, I did grant you a chance and you didn't take it. But my hunger is insatiable, I need nourishment." There was a pause. She felt a slight breeze first on her cheek then on her neck. It sent chills down her spine. "You disappointed me, too! The great Captain Janeway is said to always be willing to lay down her life for her crew. Instead you chose to keep your life. Have it your way then. Keep it for all I care. But you will suffer and I will quench my hunger for a time. A win-win, wouldn't you say, Captain?" It whooped with glee. "I won't take you, but I will get your crew!"
"Ooooh, who do we have here? Young Harry Kim!" A spotlight suddenly appeared illuminating the Ensign. "What shall I do with him? O yes, he will die in a shuttle along with the team he is leading. Isn't he cute? All excited to be the commanding officer on an away mission. But then, an error in judgment and boom!"
She saw the horror in the Ensign's eyes when the shuttle exploded around him. She shut her eyes, having nowhere to go. Suddenly, she staggered as if pushed by something and opened her eyes in surprise. "Oh no, Captain, you will watch!"
Kathryn was forced to watch her people die all the while listening to that awful, gleeful voice.
B'Elanna: an accident in engineering.
Tom: executed by an alien government on some alien planet for committing a crime he was unaware of.
Tuvok: fighting and losing against intruders.
Kes: blown into space when a torpedo wounded Voyager.
Neelix: killed by Vidiians for good this time.
Chakotay: protecting her from falling stones in a cave they had been investigating.
There was a new voice wailing in anguish. Only when she felt the tears on her face did she realize that it was her own.
"Ah yes, a toddler and her mother. I'll just keep them for dessert!" As its horrendous laughter echoed all around her, the spotlight fell on Ensign Wildman and little Naomi.
Sobbing, she fell to her knees. "No, please, no! Take me!", she begged. "Please stop!"
"Too late, dear Captain! Too late! But, ooh, one more time, shall we?"
Suddenly, she was standing on green grass. The spotlight shone on her now, blinding her. Then it grew softer, like the sun in the skies, no rather like the light at sunset. Blinking, she tried to make out her surroundings over the dark spots in her vision. She gasped. Slowly she turned around to take in the familiar sights. There was no mistake about it. She was back on New Earth! Walking slowly first, then running she made her way to their shelter. If she was here, maybe, maybe… Her heart beat faster. Kathryn opened the door, but instantly knew that no one was inside. All at once, she heard an awful crash coming from the other side of the shelter. Her heart clenched. When she rounded the corner her worst fears were confirmed: He lay on the grass, clearly injured, next to a broken ladder.
"Chakotay!", she cried and knelt down next to him. Relieved to find him breathing she started to assess his injuries with eyes and hands.
Painfully, he opened his eyes.
"Oh good, you are awake! I'll use the shuttle's transporter to transport you to the biobed inside and then -"
"No, Kathryn, it's no use." His voice was so very weak!
"No, no, I've got this", Kathryn insisted and started to get up. She was stopped by his hand reaching for her. Unable to refuse him, she took Chakotay's cool hand in hers. He searched her face.
"Kathryn, I am dying. I know it. The pain… the pain is fading. I can't feel my legs," he rasped. "I am sorry, Kathryn, I thought we could have a good life here and I tried to make you see it my way." He coughed. "But you were right. And I failed you, am failing you…"
"Never!" She brought his hand to her cheek. "You never failed me! We had a good time here." She sighed. "Your hand is so cold. At least let me get you a blanket." Gently, she released his hand and stood up. When he tried to speak, she shushed him. "I'll be right back, I promise."
Inside their shelter she leaned against a wall trying to regain her composure. When the first sob escaped her tight throat she knew it was in vain. Still, she took three deep breaths and resolutely walked into his bedroom to grab his blanket. She would be there for him!
After tugging the blanket carefully around him she settled down and tenderly lifted his head onto her lap. She was caressing his forehead and his hair when the first raindrop fell on her hand. The next landed on his cheek. Of course, it would rain on such a day!
"Don't cry, Kathryn! Look at the stars! They are so pretty!"
Kathryn looked up. Night had fallen indeed and the stars shone bright and cold. Chakotay raised his hand with great effort and pointed at a little moving dot. "That one could be a starship. What do you think, Kathryn?"
Her heart leapt in her throat. She caught Chakotay's falling hand in hers and squeezed it lightly. Could it really be?
"Voyager to Captain Janeway. Captain, Commander, are you there?"
"Yes, yes I am here, Tuvok!"
"We have secured a cure for you and-"
"That ship is coming about. It is going to attack!", she heard Harry Kim in the background.
"Tuvok? Tuvok, are you still there? I'll need you to beam Commander Chakotay to sickbay immediately. He is severely injured."
"Negative, Captain. We are taking heavy fire and cannot lower our shields at this moment. We will come back to you. Tuvok out."
She waited, trying to be patient. Quietly, she counted each of Chakotay's ragged breaths. She felt death closing in on him, her hope vanishing with every second ticking by in silence.
"Janeway to Voyager. Tuvok, can you read me?" She couldn't wait any longer. But the com line never connected.
"O look, Kathryn, shooting stars! Make a wish!" Chakotay smiled at her. She smiled sadly back at him through falling tears. He didn't need to know the truth.
"I am glad", his voice was barely a whisper. "Voyager is coming back for you. You won't be …" His hand went limp in hers, his next breath never came.
Nobody heard her anguished sobs, for she was truly utterly alone.