By Erin_Cale
Disclaimer: See first part.
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When Chakotay arrived, he found that the others were splitting off so they could explore the ship. He moved up close to Kathryn and whispered, �May I talk to you for a moment?�
�Sure.� She raised her voice so that the others could hear her. �I�ll be along in a minute. If you get lost, just ask the ship.� The others nodded and departed. Meanwhile, Kathryn returned her gaze to her former first officer.
�What did you want to talk about?�
�Do you love him?� Chakotay asked.
�What? Love who?�
�Dylan Hunt.�
Kathryn looked down at her feet. �In a way, yes.�
�Do you want to stay here?�
�I suppose. There�s nothing for me back home, nobody waiting at the house worrying for me.�
�How can you say that? I worry for you every second of my life.� Chakotay took a steadying breath. �How can�t I? I love you.�
Kathryn made a little sound and put her hand to her mouth. It took Chakotay a minute to realize that she was crying. Inside his chest, his heart felt like someone had shot it with a phaser set to kill.
�Kathryn?�
She sniffled and looked up at him with puffy red eyes that still somehow managed to sparkle and shine. �I love you too.� She threw her arms around him, holding him tightly for a moment before pulling back to look in his eyes. �What about Seven?�
�She kicked me out because I spent too much time thinking about you.�
Kathryn gave him a little smile and he wrapped his arms around her. Her voice slightly muffled by his arm, she said, �I think I should tell Dylan and Q that I want to go back home.�
Chakotay smiled and just continued to hold her, unable to believe his luck.
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