Captain's log, stardate 51715.2. The damage to Voyager has been extreme. Both sides have taken heavy casualties, and it's clear that no-one is going to win this conflict. The fighting has reached a standstill and the remaining Hirogen have agreed to negotiate a truce.

It was 0200. Kathryn was sitting sideways on her sofa in the ready room, her legs pulled up to her body, a cup of half-finished coffee on the table. She'd taken her jacket off. She had finally managed to rid her room of all Hirogen 'trophies' and other junk. They had seen to some immediate repairs, but she had basically told the entire crew to get a good night's sleep before they started to work on the ship. The Hirogen occupation had been hard on all of them, and many needed to regain their strength after having been injured so many times. They had lost three crew members. Kathryn put her chin on her knees and wrapped herself in her arms. She missed his arms around her. Even though she had believed to be someone else, the feelings between Chakotay and her had seemed so real. We were right, she thought ruefully. We did know each other. We are that close. Even brainwashing couldn't take that bond away. But what had come from that? We finally acknowledged our feelings, but they weren't really ours. He would have never been as bold. Then it hit her. He wouldn't have. That was it exactly. And neither would she. Because she had decided they couldn't, and he'd respected her decision. But now ... Could she deny him that? Could she deny herself?

The door chime rang. It would be him. "Come."

It was him, of course. He carried a PADD, probably the usual pretext to come and see her. She sighed as she turned and looked out of the window. He put down the PADD on her desk, then came over and sat close next to her. He simply looked at her until she finally tore her eyes from the stars to meet his. He looked tired.

"Kathryn.. I need to know what you think about what happened."

She sighed. "It's not easy, is it."

He smiled a little. "It never was." He shifted a little closer to her and continued quietly. "Well, here's what I think. We were all manipulated into thinking we were people we weren't. But Kathryn, and I mean this, there was more to it." He out up a hand to her face and gently tucked some stray hair behind her ear. He moved his head closer to hers, which was resting on her knees now. Stroking her cheek he dropped his voice almost to a whisper. "Whether you were Katrine or Kathryn, for me, right now, it makes no difference. Even if I didn't realize it back then, you are the woman I love. I could've never been with you like that, so close, if I didn't know inside that it was right." He put his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them affectionately.

"Please understand that I'd never take advantage of you."

She smiled sadly. Her voice was a whisper. "I know, Chakotay. I trust you. I must've known then, too. I felt I knew you, and I did."

But then her face fell again, and she simply seemed lost.

"But what are we going to do now? The ship is in ruins..." He knew she didn't just mean the ship. He took her hand.

"Don't worry. Voyager has her crew back, and we're doing everything we can to get her back on her feet. And then, maybe, we can start repairing a few other things as well." He placed her hand on his heart. "Or start them from scratch?"

She looked up and suddenly enveloped him into a hug. A little taken aback he smiled broadly and wrapped her in his arms. They both simply enjoyed the warmth and closeness. Their moment of silence.

"You know, Kathryn, you should get some sleep. This was hard on you, and you deserve the rest as much as anyone else."

She yawned and slowly raised her head. She looked upwards into his eyes, a question unspoken between them. Will you stay with me tonight?

He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Of course I'll stay with you. I never want to be without you again."