this is for @ejc74656 who prompted me with “why are you bleeding?”

–

Chakotay wiped the sweat quickly from his forehead before continuing his onslaught on the black punching bag before him. That. *punch* Damned. *punch* Woman. *punch* *punch* Thinks. *punch* She. *punch* Knows. *punch* Everything. *punch* 

He had come to the workout room with the goal of releasing a little pent-up energy after one of the longest shifts of his life. Not only had Kathryn yet again refused to listen to any of his suggestions, but she had also managed to concoct another elaborate suicide mission behind his back. And he had almost let her get away with it. Chakotay took a deep breath and tore off his gloves. The more he thought about it, the angrier he felt. The empty workout room was just about the only place it was acceptable to release said anger.

–

Several hours later, his combadge chirped from the nearby bench where he’d abandoned it when he first came in. Chakotay strode over to the bench and sat down, finally exhausted. He sighed and reached over to retrieve the badge, “Chakotay here.”

“Chakotay,” came Kathryn’s even voice, “please report to my quarters.”

“I’m on my way.” Chakotay sighed again and stood up. What could she possibly want now? He quickly gathered his things and walked out of the room into the corridor, heading toward his quarters. She hadn’t sounded urgent, so he figured he could at least change his clothes on the way.

Not five minutes later, Chakotay stood in front of the Captain’s quarters wearing a fresh uniform. He pressed the chime and waited for her answering “come” before entering.

“You wanted to see me, Captain?”

“Please, have a seat.” Kathryn gestured toward the space on the couch next to her. He sat. “I want to apologize.”

Well, this was new.

“I should have listened to you. What I said was wrong.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, “I just have such a hard time remembering that I don’t have to do this on my own. I feel so protective of the crew sometimes… I end up thinking that things will just be easier if I handle it all on my own. I know how frustrating I must be, I’m sorry.” 

Chakotay stared at her. This show of emotion was so rare. He was shocked.

“Kathryn, you know you can trust me with anything.” Chakotay moved closer on the couch and reached out to place his hand atop hers.

“Of course I know that, Chakotay,” she responded seriously, turning on the couch to face him and flipping her hand to grip his hand tightly, “I just-” she stopped suddenly to look down at their joined hands, “Chakotay, why are you bleeding?”

Chakotay joined her in looking down at his hand, “oh, that.” He was just now noticing his cracked knuckles which oozed a few drops of blood and had suddenly begun to ache.“It’s nothing really, just left over from my workout,” Chakotay answered, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Why didn’t you wear gloves?” Kathryn moved quickly to a cabinet near her desk.

“I don’t know. It just feels more real somehow. More therapeutic.”

Kathryn returned quickly, holding a dermal regenerator. She sat down and pulled both of his hands into her lap. She then began gently running the device over his injured knuckles. When she finished, she set the regenerator aside and softly ran the tips of her fingers over the newly regrown skin. She continued to look down at his hands as she asked quietly, “was this because of me?”

Chakotay paused for a moment before nodding ever so slightly. Kathryn pulled away and turned to face forward on the couch, not looking at him.

“I’m sorry. This is all my fault, Chakotay. If I could just learn to not be so damned selfish all the time, we wouldn’t be in this situation.” Chakotay sat and watched for a moment as Kathryn hung her head and covered her face with her hands. “I’m so sorry, Chakotay,” she repeated.

This woman will be the end of me, he thought. Chakotay slid slowly along the couch until their thighs were practically touching and stretched his right arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, “look at me.”

She hesitated for a moment, then slowly removed her hands and turned to meet his gaze.

“We’ll get through this, Kathryn. The same way we always do,” he raised his other hand to brush his thumb across her cheek, “together.” 

She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug, “together.”