Bolting upright and panting heavily, Chakotay gazed about him and took in his surroundings with dismay. He was in his quarters, in his bed… alone. Again.

Flipping back the bedcovers, Chakotay decided that enough was enough. Perhaps if he faced what was haunting him he would be able to get a decent night's sleep. Without the recurring dream that had been frustrating him for the last week.

Marching out of his quarters and a short way down the corridor, he stopped outside the Captain's quarters and rang the chime. Predictably, she was still awake and he didn't have to wait long for her 'Come in.'

"Kathryn," he said, "we need to talk. There's something I have to tell you."

"Chakotay…"

"No, I want you to hear me out, once and for all." He began pacing and didn't notice her eyes growing wider with his movement.

"I know, that you've never suggested you want anything more than friendship," he began, "but I need you to know. I'm in love with you. I have been since… well, since before New Earth, even. I love everything about you and nothing would make me happier than to be with you every day and every night."

"Chakotay…"

"If we can't have that here," he continued, "then at least tell me straight out. I want to hear it in words. But if I have any hope, any at all… please give me a chance."

He stopped and ventured to look at her face, trying to gauge her reaction. Her saucer-like eyes and partly-open mouth suggested nothing short of… shock? Surely this was no surprise to her. Surely she already knew about his feelings for her.

"Kathryn?"

"Chakotay…"

"Kathryn, what's wrong?"

"Chakotay…" she gulped and took a deep breath, then began speaking rapidly.

"I'm going to need you to put on some underwear before you say anything else."