by Dakota

"So, did all those different pieces out of time make you wish you'd done anything differently?" Kathryn leaned back on the couch next to Chakotay sipping her cider.

"One or two things crossed my mind."

"Don't tell me. You'd have stopped me sooner when Ransom was killing those aliens. Right?"

"Maybe, but that isn't what I was thinking."

"Oh? Tell me." Kathryn's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Remember when we got the messages through that array the Hirogens were using?"

"How could I forget? A 'dear John' letter was the last thing I expected."

"That's when you asked me what you should do, whether you should hold fast to protocol. I'd change my response."

"Really? What would you do?"

"I'd pull you into my arms, kiss you, then tell you to hold fast to me."

Kathryn wasn't sure how to respond. "That's different all right. Anything else you'd do differently?"

"You remember that life form that thought Voyager was a rival and your comment about my knowledge of mating behavior?"

"Vaguely."

"Well, I'd like to go back and do something to respond to your comment."

"Like what?"

"Volunteer to give you a demonstration – not on the bridge, of course."

"I detect a pattern to the things you'd do differently."

Chakotay tilted his head to one side and shrugged slightly. "What about you? Would you do anything differently if you could?"

Kathryn turned to eye Chakotay then nodded slowly. "I'd change one thing."

"Go on. I told you what I would do differently. It's your turn."

"Back on New Earth – I'd forget about parameters and try to teach the angry warrior about love."

Chakotay carefully placed his glass on the table, then took Kathryn's and put it next to his. "That warrior is still willing to learn, Kathryn."

Kathryn tilted her face up as he lowered his head. "I'm glad that's one thing that isn't any different."