DISCLAIMER: None of this started with me; I'm just inspired by the words.

SPOILERS: Won't make any sense if you haven't seen Sacred Ground.

RATING: G. I mean, what else would it be rated?

SACRED GROUND: EXPANSION

Chakotay sat at his desk and looked over at the couch. He had let her go through with it. He had actually watched her walk out of his office and down to the transporter room. Why had he not gone with her to send her off? He was certain she wouldn't die; they wouldn't let her go through it if it would kill her.
And now he was in charge of the ship. She was down on that planet doing only the spirits knew what, and he was stuck on Voyager tending to the crew. He couldn't just sit there. "Chakotay to the Doctor."
"Go ahead, Commander."
"I'd like to come down to Sick Bay and monitor the captain's vital signs with you."
"Of course, Commander. Come down whenever you'd like."

"All right, but I'm not leaving this monitor until she gets back."
That statement hadn't been entirely accurate. He had actually left the monitor, but it was only to begin pacing around the Sick Bay and simultaneously infuriating the Doctor. But he had to make sure she was going to be okay. There were too many people who would kill him if he let her die. Not to mention the mental anguish he'd most likely inflict upon himself.

"That's right; don't embrace a thing."
The words sounded painful and yet strangely familiar to Janeway's ears. She had embraced many things-Starfleet, science, Mark…Mark, now there was a not-so-pleasant thought. Here she was seeking spiritual purification and she's thinking about the fiancé she left behind. Shouldn't she be thinking about more important things like her ship, her crew, Kes…?
Chakotay. She startled herself with that thought. She hadn't embraced him, even though she'd had the chance on New Earth. Why hadn't she done just that? Because you are afraid, said that nagging little voice inside her head that often made it difficult to sleep at night. And because of protocol.
But would protocol have allowed her to go through an unknown religious ritual to save a member of her crew? No, most likely not. Chakotay had not fought her on the decision, but had showed her that she was getting into something she didn't understand and would probably get more out of it than she bargained for.
God, she hated it when he was right.

"We've been worried about you…I'll bring her down myself."
Janeway smiled as the words danced around in her head. Yes, that was her Chakotay. He would say something like that. She knew what it was all about. He had been kicking himself for letting her go on this spiritual journey and he was coming down to make sure it wasn't one of the bigger mistakes in his life. That was very much like him. She loved and hated that protection in the same breath.

"It's my responsibility to keep you safe."
She bit back a response. When had it become his responsibility? She was an adult, fully capable of making her own decisions. She had decided to go on this journey and now she was deciding to take Kes back into the thing that was slowly killing her.
And yet it was his responsibility to keep her safe. He could keep her safe-he was tall, had broad shoulders, was terribly good looking…Okay, so the last part wouldn't keep her safe, but it would keep her mind occupied if she were in danger.
But no matter now…she had a life to save.

Now, as she sat in her quarters, Janeway remembered what she had done to save Kes. Or at least, tried to keep her thoughts focused there. Instead, she found herself thinking about Chakotay. She could still feel his hand on her waist as he tried to gauge if she was all right. That touch had said so much-that he was concerned, that he would do anything to help her, and that he would do anything for her.