"Kathryn, please reconsider. I really don't want you to do this."

"How many times have we had this discussion?"

"At least a dozen."

"And what has been the result?"

"You've gone ahead and done it."

"Has anything bad ever happened? Has anyone been hurt?"

"Of course not."

"Then why do you keep trying to get me to change my mind?"

"Because I love your hair long. It's beautiful and I love how it feels." Chakotay wrapped his arms around Kathryn's waist as she stood staring into the mirror of their quarters. "Please, don't cut it. Leave it long for me."

"Have you any idea how much trouble it is when it gets too long?"

Chakotay chuckled. "Yes. I've heard your comments. But you also enjoy knowing how I react when you let it hang loose. Please." Chakotay started nibbling on Kathryn neck and let his hands start roaming over her body. "Wait just a few more months before you cut it?"

Kathryn sighed and forced herself back to the present. They were both due on the bridge in twenty minutes and still had to eat breakfast. He had asked for very little for himself in the years they had been together. She turned in his arms.

"Will you stop pestering me about drinking so much coffee?"

"No. I do that because I love you." If he had tried, Chakotay could not have made Kathryn feel worse. Chakotay read her expression. "Never mind. It's all right. I understand."

Chakotay started to step away but Kathryn pulled him back and hugged him. "One more month, ok? I'll wait another month before I cut it."

Chakotay's grin was more than enough reward so his hug was just frosting on the cake. Kathryn smiled as she returned the hug. "I don't want any arguments in a month either."

"I promise, Kathryn. Thank you."

A few nights later, Chakotay was sleeping peacefully when he awoke suddenly, gasping for breath. He tried to breathe but something was covering his face. He clawed at the long strands that covered his nose, mouth and eyes and which were wrapping themselves around his throat. When he tried to move away the strands around his throat tightened ever so slightly. His shoulders and lower body were being firmly held in place so he could not easily move. Desperately he made one final effort to remove the strands without waking Kathryn. The next time she wanted to cut her hair, he definitely would not argue.