SYMBOLS

"You really care about her, don't you?" Tom said, but the commander didn't answer. So Tom clarified his statement. "The Captain, I mean."
"I have the utmost respect and admiration for Captain Janeway." Chakotay's response had been a long time coming.
"Yeah, that too..." Tom threw in, as the tone of Chakotay's voice suggested the question had hit a little too close to home.
Tom paused momentarily, mulling over what to say next or whether to keep his mouth shut. He put his hand on Chakotay's shoulder.
"Commander, I could be wrong but, personally, I think you're holding out on false hope. If it was me, I'd want to know for sure. Maybe even push the point. Make a move. I mean, what's the worst case scenario here? Either she's going to phaser you, or she's going to..."
"Consider yourself relieved, Lieutenant!" They both jumped, startled at the sound of her voice. Inwardly, Tom wondered how long the captain might have been standing behind him, while he tried to remember the last few words of his conversation with Chakotay.

SYMBOLS or more informally "Why the heck Chakotay chose Seven of Nine when, previously, he wanted to throw her out the nearest airlock" is a work of fanfiction. It sticks to canon and is an ensemble piece, but focuses on Janeway and Chakotay predominantly.
Paramount and Pocket Books own everything Star Trek - no copyright breaches intended. I just took the characters out for a play.
Literary agent sent most of this to Pocket Books in 1998, but they didn't want it. I have a sweet rejection letter! So it's mine now.
A couple of re-writes since then to relocate it in Season 7 and add Chapter 1 and the Epilogue. Heartfelt thanks to Mary Wood, Heather Harwood, Sara Creasy and Mary S (Duffydog) for the editing long ago. Book cover template from Graphic Springs.
Feedback is always appreciated.