The BLTS Archive - Tiny "Coda" Scene Addition
by Jennifer Presley (jlpresley@aol.com)

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Disclaimers: People, places and things are Paramount's. Ideas are
mine.

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His heart was pounding wildly in his chest. His mind raced-what could
he do? What should he do? Just keep breathing for her.

"Damn it, Kathryn! Don't you die on me!" Anguish. Despair. The a
sudden jolting realization that she was dead. "NO!"


Chakotay sat bolt upright in bed, drenched in sweat from his
nightmare. Gasping, he sat, trying to recover from the fear. *She's
okay, she's just on the other side of the wall.* He sat for a few more
minutes, letting his body return to a more normal state before
standing and heading towards the bathroom. He had only taken a couple
of steps when his door chimed.

"Come in." He said, knowing instinctively who it was.

"Chakotay, are you all right?" Kathryn entered, dressed in her duty
uniform. "I heard you shouting."

He saw the concern, etched with fatigue on her face. "Yes, I'm all
right. I'm sorry I disturbed you." Keep her at arm's length.

It didn't work. Kathryn walked over to him and placed her small hand
on his bare arm. "Chakotay, I'm not here as your Captain, I'm here as
your friend. Please, talk to me."

He sighed, then moved over to the couch and sat down. She walked over
and sat next to him, her left hand linking with his right hand.
Neither one spoke for a few minutes, just content to sit together,
lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, Chakotay leaned back on the couch and pulled Kathryn back
with him, cushioning her head on his shoulder. "I was
dreaming...dreaming that I'd lost you." He was trying hard to control
his roiling emotions. "I don't know what I would have done if you
hadn't been able to fight that alien off." He shuddered
involuntarily.

Kathryn's heart clenched in her chest, and she leaned her head back
slightly to catch his eyes. "I did come back, Chakotay. I did fight .
You pulled me back. When I saw you trying so desperately to save my
life, I knew how much you cared. And that made me fight harder."

He smiled at her, then tenderly ran his hand down her face. "I love
you, Kathryn and I couldn't imagine my life without you. I'm only
sorry that it took almost losing you to discover how much I care."

Her answering smile lit up her beautiful face. "I love you too,
Chakotay." She reached up, and pulled his face down to hers and kissed
him.

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The End