Title: Forgiven?
Author: SaRa
Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I'm not up to being funny right now, as I can barely think straight. So, to put it bluntly: Not mine.
Author's note: This story is J/C and J/7. If you don't like it, your browser has a back button for a reason. Flames will be read, laughed at, and discarded. They don't bug me because I know the people who write them are narrow-minded individuals who I wouldn't give the time of day.



"Kathryn, wait!" Chakotay called, jogging down the corridor to catch up to her.

She stopped to allow him the few seconds he need and then they started walking side by side. "Yes?"

"We really need to talk," he said in a quiet tone.

Raising an eyebrow, she pointed out, "We are."

He shook his head. "Not here. In your quarters, maybe?"

She agreed.

"Actually, I think you're the one who has something to say," Chakotay said. He stood in front of her, posing intimidatingly.

Kathryn decided not to play dumb. "Oh, so you found out."

He nodded. "Yes, but only through gossip. Why, Kathryn? I thought we loved each other. I don't know what hurts more: that you're having an affair with Seven or that you wouldn't tell me that it's over between us."

Kathryn stood up and grabbed his arm. "Please, Chakotay, sit down. Let me try and explain," she pleaded.

"All right."

They both sat down and Kathryn laid her head on his shoulder, a favorite position of theirs. When he pulled away, she realized how badly she'd hurt him.

"Chakotay," she began, "I'm afraid you got the exaggerated rumor. Yes, I did cheat on you, but not like in the rumors you're hearing."

He was going to say something, but she silenced him by placing two fingers on his lips.

"One night, after getting very drunk while we were talking in my quarters, Seven said that she had...feelings for me. That she often thought of me less than platonically. One thing lead to another and before I knew it, we'd moved to the bedroom and clothes were being tossed away. The next thing I remember is waking up next to her, naked under the sheets."

Silence. Complete silence. Not even any acknowledgment that he'd heard her.

"I cried. A lot."

He looked at her, hurt in his eyes. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?" His voice was cracking and it was little more than a whisper.

"No," she said slowly, "I think it's supposed to help me."

Then, "Oh, God, Chakotay! You don't know how sorry I am. I didn't want it to happen and I regret it with every fiber of my being."

Chakotay stood. His mind telling him not to and his heart screaming to, he moved to stand in front of Kathryn.

He took a deep breath and did the hardest thing he'd ever done.

He crushed her to him and rubbed her back.

She began to shake slightly as she cried into the material that covered his muscular chest.

"Shh," he whispered and kissed the top of her head. "It's okay," he said, still rubbing her back. "It's okay, Kath. I forgive you."

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