ADMIRAL PARIS: Gentlemen…

TUVOK: I believe that the commander has some information.

ADMIRAL PARIS: Here, sit down.

(He pulls out a chair for Chakotay, who sits, leans back and sighs. )

CHAKOTAY: (Weakly) Contact the Nautilus. Have them look for a group of small asteroids found at about 150 degrees, three hundred thousand kilometers from the main ship.

ADMIRAL PARIS: (Looks at Chakotay, then Tuvok) How… how can you be sure?

TUVOK: Admiral, I have every confidence in the commander's identification of the location. Please… just ask Captain N'Danga to have his team search the area around that location.

ADMIRAL PARIS: (Goes to communications station, shaking head) All right, but I still wish we had something more firm…

(T'Mak answers on the Nautilus and immediately calls N'Danga to the screen. )

N'DANGA: You have something for us?

ADMIRAL PARIS: Yes. Um… Commander Chakotay suggests that you have the search group locate a small group of asteroids, located about three hundred thousand kilometers, 150 degrees.

N'DANGA: Admiral, just how…?

ADMIRAL PARIS: Don't ask. Let's just say that the commander has some special talents.

N'DANGA: Understood. We'll check things out and get back to you.

(The four men on Earth fall into a communal silence. Stress, lack of sleep and apprehension weigh heavily on them. Chakotay remains in the chair while Tom busies himself with more studying of the DF SC-02 designs. Admiral Paris sits in a chair right by the monitor, while Tuvok stands but in a meditative pose. Minutes pass; suddenly after a long forty-minute wait, the screen crackles to life; N'Danga's face appears once more. )

N'DANGA: (His face like stone) Admiral…

ADMIRAL PARIS: Yes? What's the news?

N'DANGA: We found the ship. It has sustained quite a bit of damage, but the hull is intact. The computer was on minimal power, but enough to support life functions.

(Chakotay jumps up, goes to the monitor)

CHAKOTAY: And… Admiral Janeway?

N'DANGA: (Sighing) She's alive, Commander, but just barely. Apparently she was thrown about quite a bit, and she has sustained several fractures of her left leg and left hip. She also has a concussion and there are some internal injuries. Our doctor is working on her now. She's still unconscious, and that's probably for the best.

CHAKOTAY: When will you know?

N'DANGA: As soon as I hear from the doctor. There's really not much more…

ADMIRAL PARIS: (Cutting off Chakotay before he can say anything more. ) I'm sure you are doing the best you can, Captain. Just let us know when you have more.

N'DANGA: Yes, Admiral.

(The screen goes blank. Admiral Paris looks at everyone, surveying the damage to the three people with him. )

ADMIRAL PARIS: There's nothing more here, gentlemen. I suggest we go home and get a few hours rest. Admiral Janeway is in good hands and I'm certain that everything possible is being done for her that can be.

(All shake their heads in agreement. )

ADMIRAL PARIS: (To Chakotay) Commander, I'm not even going to begin to try to figure out what went on in that room a little while ago - or how you were able to pick that location. Just know that we are all grateful for your talents. I'm sure Admiral Janeway will give you her thanks, too, when the time comes.

CHAKOTAY: (Barely able to talk) She knows already.

ADMIRAL PARIS: How? She's unconscious!

CHAKOTAY: She knows, Admiral. She's the one who told me how to get there.

(Admiral Paris looks dumbfounded; Tuvok and Tom merely nod; they 'know'. )

~*~

(Chakotay returns to the apartment; Seven is awaiting him. )

CHAKOTAY: (Wearily, as she greets him at the door. ) You waited.

SEVEN: Of course; I am concerned also. What has happened? You did not contact me.

CHAKOTAY: I though you would be asleep.

SEVEN: You know that I do not require much sleep.

CHAKOTAY: They found her. She's got a lot of injuries, but they think she'll be all right. They'll be back to Earth in eighteen hours.

SEVEN: Eighteen hours. That would be late tonight.

CHAKOTAY: Yes, I guess so.

SEVEN: Our wedding is scheduled to take place in just six hours from now.

CHAKOTAY: (Looks at her aghast; he has forgotten about the wedding. ) The wedding! Oh, Seven; I don't know how…

SEVEN: I know. I took the liberty of contacting everyone and telling them that we were postponing it. Everyone… seems to understand, under these circumstances. (She says this all rather matter-of-factly. ) I am presuming that this is what you would want.

CHAKOTAY: Yes, but…

SEVEN: I do understand. We can make plans to have the wedding in a few days.

CHAKOTAY: (Very weary, almost numb): Yes, that's right - in a few days.

SEVEN: You are the one who needs some sleep. I would suggest that you not think anything more about this for now.

CHAKOTAY: Right; shower and then bed. (He looks at Seven; there is very little emotion in her face. He cannot read her, nor is he in any condition to want to know what she thinks. He walks into the hall, leaving her standing in the living area. )

~*~

(The Nautilus arrives back within Earth's territory and Janeway is transferred to the Starfleet medical facility. Most of her injuries have been repaired or are stabilized. The concussion seems to have had some residual effects and she does not regain full consciousness until five days after the accident. She is hospitalized for a week, and allowed only limited visitors. When she begins to come out of her coma, the first person she asks for is Chakotay. )

CHAKOTAY: (Lightly rapping on the door then entering. ) Admiral…

JANEWAY: (Pale and thin, opening her eyes at the sound of his voice. ) Chakotay…

CHAKOTAY: Yes, I understand you asked for me.

JANEWAY: (Attempting a weak smile) I… I hear that I have you to thank for leading the Nautilus crew my 'rescue'.

CHAKOTAY: (Coming over to her, smiling, but still quite formal) Let's just say it was two old friends working together.

JANEWAY: (Her smile stronger) But in a most unusual way.

CHAKOTAY: (Pulling a chair over and sitting down beside her) There were many times when we didn't exactly go by the rulebook, Kathryn.

JANEWAY: (Weakly laughing) That's for sure! But how…

CHAKOTAY: With Tuvok's help. And our spirit guides. They led us to find each other.

JANEWAY: Did they?

CHAKOTAY: Yes. I always did think we made a damn good team.

JANEWAY: Apparently we still do. (She sighs and closes her eyes; even this slight conversation has taken a lot out of her. )

CHAKOTAY: Not too much for now, Kathryn; we'll talk more, later.

JANEWAY: Chakotay - what about… your wedding? How is Seven?

CHAKOTAY: (Smiling at her) She's fine. And we couldn't have it without you, Kathryn. We've postponed it for a few days… until you can be there. Now… you get some rest. Some other people want to see you, too, and you want to be ready for them.

JANEWAY: You're right. I really should get some sleep.

(Seven appears at the doorway, but stands outside of any visual range for Janeway and Chakotay. She is able to hear and see what happens next. )

CHAKOTAY: (Gets ups) Good! Now - I'll be back later. (He takes her hands between his, gently caressing them. He then leans over her, impulsively kissing her on the forehead. ) Hurry and get well, my dear Kathryn.

(Janeway leans back on her pillow, her face less tense and more calmed. She closes her eyes and allows a faint smile to come to her lips.

Upon seeing this scene, Seven's face registers shocked surprise; she quickly turns and leaves. She has disappeared down the hall before he makes it to the door. )

~*~

(Janeway is released form the hospital, but medical personnel have told her that she should take another week to ten days before she goes back to work. They have also told her that she will have a limp for several weeks due to all the fractures. As her energy and determination return, friends begin coming to see her regularly.

Meanwhile, life in general has become quite tense for Chakotay and Seven. He buries himself in his work, coming home later and later. Their only life together seems to be a daily pause for sleep. Once eager for each other's touch, they seem to be afraid of any intimacy now. The briefest physical acknowledgement of each other is in the form of perfunctory hello and good-bye kisses or platonic embraces.

Starfleet is urging Seven to make a decision regarding the acceptance of a science officer position on a research vessel heading back to the Delta Quadrant. She does not mention this to Chakotay. She wants to get their lives in order before she knows she will have to leave. She attempts to get him to make a decision, but the subject always seems to be changed - or he's off to visit Kathryn.

Two weeks go by since the accident and the postponed wedding; it's been a week since Seven saw Chakotay and Janeway together. Chakotay returns from work late one night, opens doors and finds transfer containers in the living room. )

CHAKOTAY: (Calling out as panic washes over his face) Seven? (No immediate response) Annika? Seven?

(Seven appears in the hall entrance and stops there; she is dressed in her Starfleet uniform. She looks him in the eye. )

SEVEN: I am here.

CHAKOTAY: (Pained) What… what's all this? (He indicates containers.)

SEVEN: I am leaving.

CHAKOTAY: (Panic surfacing) Leaving? Why? Seven…

SEVEN: I believe you know the reason why.

CHAKOTAY: (Moving towards her) Seven… please! It… it's been a long day… a long two weeks. Please; let's talk.

SEVEN: (Shrugging away from him) No; it's too late for that. Any further words would be irrelevant; they would be… (A cold smile comes across her face) futile.

CHAKOTAY: But… but you agreed that it wouldn't be proper to go ahead with the wedding with everyone so upset.

SEVEN: (Becoming even more cold. ) That was two weeks ago. And I believe you have been the one who was most affected. We know now that the Admiral will be all right.

CHAKOTAY: That's right! And now we can go ahead with things.

SEVEN: (Sensing that he's not really listening to her. ) At the time of the accident, you said we should postpone the wedding for a few days. It has now been two weeks and you haven't even mentioned it since then.

CHAKOTAY: (Grasping at straws) Well - let's do it right away; let's do it tomorrow!

SEVEN: I do not think that is very logical.

CHAKOTAY: (Very troubled, confused) Seven...

SEVEN: (Continuing to collect her belongings) Something like this cannot be reconstructed that quickly.

CHAKOTAY: All right; let's begin to discuss it - let's discuss it now!

SEVEN: You have had two weeks to discuss it and you haven't.

CHAKOTAY: Then you should have pushed me; you should have brought up the topic! Seven, I've… I've been so involved. You certainly could have said, "Say, isn't there something we've forgotten…"

SEVEN: And you would not have paid any attention. (Looks at him bitterly) Your mind has obviously been elsewhere lately.

CHAKOTAY: Yes, I'll admit I've been concerned about Admiral Janeway; I thought you were, too.

SEVEN: (Steeling herself and standing straight and tall, with Borg-like reserve) I think it would be better for us to separate for a while.

CHAKOTAY: Why? Seven - you can't leave; not now! I love you!

SEVEN: Do you? I thought that love would be different from the way it has been lately. I thought that you loved me enough to make a commitment to me.

CHAKOTAY: I do… I will! Please - let's talk about this!

SEVEN: I have made arrangements to stay elsewhere.

CHAKOTAY: Where?

SEVEN: Just away. I'll contact you. After all, I have decisions to make about my own future, too.

(Signal at door)

SEVEN: There's my transport.

CHAKOTAY: Seven!

(She opens door, young man comes in and helps her collect her transport containers, they leave. Chakotay stands in shock at the door, looks around. The apartment is very empty and quiet. He walks over to a chair and slumps into it, desolate. He holds his head in his hands, lost in his thoughts.

After several minutes, he goes to the door himself and leaves, only to appear at the door of Janeway's apartment. He hesitates before knocking, but finally allows himself to follow through with the knock. She opens the door, surprised to see him… especially in the state he's in. She looks very drawn and quite frail and delicate. She sees his face, which matches hers, but his pain is emotional. She invites him in. )

JANEWAY: Chakotay - what's the matter?

CHAKOTAY: She's gone.

JANEWAY: Who?

CHAKOTAY: Seven. She left me.

JANEWAY: What? When?

CHAKOTAY: A little while ago. I got home from work and she was packed and ready to go. Kathryn, I…

JANEWAY: Why? Did she say?

CHAKOTAY: Well, we hadn't decided on when to reschedule the wedding… and she took this as an indication that I wasn't interested any more. I guess I understand.

JANEWAY: So… when are you going to reschedule it?

CHAKOTAY: I don't know.

JANEWAY: Have you talked about it at all?

CHAKOTAY: Not really.

JANEWAY: (Pause) Do you want to reschedule it?

CHAKOTAY: That's just it; I really don't know.

JANEWAY: How does she feel about that?

CHAKOTAY: Like I said, we didn't talk. Oh, Kathryn; I don't know what to do.

JANEWAY: Where has she gone?

CHAKOTAY: (Pained, confused) I don't know; she wouldn't tell me. She just said that she'd get in touch with me.

JANEWAY: Well, this really isn't like you - to put off discussing something.

CHAKOTAY: It… it's been difficult.

JANEWAY: But I thought you were so ready.

CHAKOTAY: I did, too.

JANEWAY: Then what's changed?

(He just looks at her. )

JANEWAY: Chakotay, you can't hide behind my accident any more; I'm here and so are you.

CHAKOTAY: I guess that I've just been so concerned about you and everything that happened. After all, it's my fault that you…

JANEWAY: (Firmly) Nonsense! It was my decision and mine alone. I was very foolish to have attempted the trip alone in such bad weather. Captain N'Danga tried to warn me.

CHAKOTAY: So why did you do it?

JANEWAY: I had promised you that I would be there.

CHAKOTAY: Why was it so important?

JANEWAY: (Nervous laugh) After all we've been through together…

CHAKOTAY: And this was just another one of those 'tough' times.

JANEWAY: Yes. I guess that's what you could call it.

(Both of them are getting quite uncomfortable, realizing that they are on the edge of something neither wants to admit. Janeway tries to change the focus of their conversation. )

JANEWAY: Um… I was just going to fix myself some tea; would you care for some?

CHAKOTAY: (Relaxing a bit with her sociability) Uh… yes; that would be fine.

(She goes to replicator and calls up the tea for both of them, remembering to ask for his to be sweetened. She returns with the two mugs and they sit down on the sofa. She's still quite wobbly, so he steadies her. )

JANEWAY: Thank you; I'm still not always sure what my legs are going to do.

CHAKOTAY: You took quite a beating out there.

(Janeway's communication monitor indicates and incoming message. She answers it; it's Seven)

SEVEN: Good evening, Admiral.

JANEWAY: Seven - it's good to see you!

SEVEN: (Coldly) Is it?

JANEWAY: (Suddenly uncomfortable) Of course it is! You know that…

SEVEN: (Interrupting her) It is good to see you looking well again, Admiral; but that is not the reason for my call.

JANEWAY: Oh? What…?

SEVEN: (Impatiently) I would like to speak to Chakotay.

JANEWAY: (Surprised at Seven's request) Why, yes; here - let me put him on.

(Chakotay is shocked but comes to the monitor. )

CHAKOTAY: Seven - how did you know where I'd be?

SEVEN: (All ice now) Do you really have to ask? It is rather obvious.

(Chakotay is embarrassed and says nothing for a minute. )

CHAKOTAY: Where are you now?

SEVEN: I found out that there is a transport loading shortly to go out to the USS Geneva, which is in need of a science officer. Admiral Damiano signed off on my orders a few moments ago.

CHAKOTAY: What? Now? So soon? Seven - wait; don't go!

SEVEN: Why shouldn't I go?

CHAKOTAY: We... we need to talk.

SEVEN: You had your chance.

CHAKOTAY: Please, Seven - don't go.

SEVEN: I've got to leave now in order to make the flight.

(The transmission ends and the monitor goes blank. )

CHAKOTAY: (to Janeway) I've to go see if I can talk to her.

JANEWAY: Yes, of course you do.

~*~

(Chakotay transports to the Starfleet shuttle dock just as Seven is passing into the entry dock. )

CHAKOTAY: (Running towards her) Seven!

(She turns and looks at him, saying nothing, her face completely without emotion. She turns back and continues on her way.

Chakotay stops any further action; he knows he that she is firm in her decision and that he can't do anything more. He turns around and walks aimlessly through the departure facility for a while, staring into space, in a state of shock. Finally, he pulls himself together, goes to a communication monitor station, and taps in a familiar code. Janeway's face appears on the screen. )

JANEWAY: Chakotay…

CHAKOTAY: She's gone. It's over, Kathryn.

JANEWAY: I know.

CHAKOTAY: I guess none of this with Seven was ever the right thing. I think that this outcome was quite obvious to everyone but me.

JANEWAY: You had to discover that for yourself; no one could have told you.

CHAKOTAY: I'm so tired, Kathryn.

JANEWAY: I'm sure you are.

CHAKOTAY: I can't go back to our apartment; not yet.

JANEWAY: So what will you do? You've got to move along.

CHAKOTAY: I know. (Pause)

JANEWAY: Come to me.

CHAKOTAY: (Weary of their long battle) I need a reason.

JANEWAY: You know the reason.

CHAKOTAY: (A sudden peace comes across his face, along with a long-lost smile. ) Yes, I do.

~ *~ FINIS ~* ~

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