A/N: Just a little something for "The Haunting of Deck 12", it didn't turn out exactly how I planned but I hope you like it anyway.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

You Weren't There

"Here's the latest status report," Chakotay said, striding into the Ready Room, PADD in hand.

Kathryn glanced up briefly from the PADD she was reading and nodded as he put it down on her desk, "Thank you."

He remained near her desk and she hid a smile as she looked up at him. He'd been hovering quite a bit since he had returned to the ship and a selfish part of her relished the attention.

"Are you ok?" he asked as their eyes met.

"I was about to ask you the same question," she replied, putting the PADD aside and sitting back in her chair. "You've been on edge ever since you got back."

"You weren't there," he said quietly, ducking his head.

Kathryn's brow creased in confusion, "I'm sorry?"

"We all got away, except for you," he explained, looking up at her, "I thought you were right behind me but instead…I left you behind."

The raw pain in his eyes as he thought back to that moment took her breath away. She swallowed, "It's not your fault."

"I'm your first officer, your safety is my responsibility," he protested.

"Chakotay, this wasn't your fault," she repeated, more firmly this time.

He shook his head dismissively, "I shouldn't have left you," he muttered.

"Chakotay…" she murmured, rounding her desk as he sank down into the chair by her desk.

"For a horrible moment, I really thought we'd lost you," he confessed, looking up at her with haunted eyes.

Kathryn stopped just outside of his personal space, "You can't blame yourself," she said softly, "it's-"

"Not my fault?" he suggested with a rueful smile.

She returned his smile as she took a seat on the edge of her desk, their knees almost touching, "Of course not," she assured him.

"Ok," he said after a long moment, "but from now on, you go through doors first."

Kathryn's smile turned into a grin, "Agreed."