New Earth Dreams
by Deanna Fleetwood

Night One:

It was a beautiful day on New Earth. I stood beside Chakotay watching the sunrise. We stood very close, his arm around me. 
He turned to me and said, "Looks like it's going to be a beautiful day."
"Most of them are, especially with you to share them," I smiled up at him, and he returned my smile, dimple showing.
Going about our usual routine, I walked into the forest to study the nature around me and see about our humane traps. He went into our new home, he was finding all sorts of creative things to occupy his time. Resently he had done some sand art of a sunrise, I took it happily and hung it up in our living room.
I met this cute little primate I wanted to make him our pet, but he had other ideas. Everytime he got near enough to touch, he'd run. I fed him several times and Chakotay chided me for using our food for a native who knew how to forage for himself.
Then a shadow crossed my path. It was HIM, the one who had hurt me as a child. I screamed for Chakotay, running along the path to our home.
Chakotay ran out to meet me. He scooped up my hystarical form and comforted me.
"Sshhh, he's not here, Ann, it's just us. Why don't you come inside. I'll make you some tea."
For some reason he had taken to calling me Ann most called me Annie, Dee, or Deanna. I loved the fact he was trying to make me feel at home.
I sat at our table and looked at his side, he was working on another sand art, it was a face, I couldn't make out who it was at this point.
"Here," he placed a cup of cooling jasmine tea in front of me, "Why don't you start staying around the camp. When you go off alone evil always finds you."
"I need to understand our new home. I can't live here and not know anything."
Chakotay began rubbing my shoulders, "Just relax Ann. I'll go with you next time. Art is getting a bit boring."
"MMmm, but your art is so beatiful."
"Not as beautiful as you," he whispered as he rubbed the knots of fear away.
An old song of Fleetwood Mac came to my lips, "Listen to the wind on the water / Listen to the waves upon the shore / Try to sleep, sleep won't come / Just as I begin to fade // Then I remember / When the moon was full and bright / I would take you in the darkness / And do the tango in the night / Tango... // I keep the dream in my pocket / Never let it fade away / Inside, outside / No loneliness in this dream // Then I remember // When the moon was full and bright / I would take you in the darkness / And do the tango in the night / Tango... "
I could hear the smile in his voice as I finished, "You have the silkiest voice, I've ever heard."
Blushing I replied, "Thanks Chakotay."
"Would you like to dance?"
"I'd love it," I let him lead me outside and we really did do the Tango in the Night. Hugging him close as we finished I looked up at him.
"Thank you, you make all the darkness go away."
"That's the point," he looked as if he were going to kiss me, then the alarm rang.
I knew it was time to put away the memory. As the song said "Keep the dream in my pocket, never let it fade away."

Dream two:

Another sunrise with Chakotay... *sigh* this one was better than the first.
"Off to work today?" Chakotay asked.
"How about one of those hikes you enjoy so much."
"Good idea, Ann, I don't want you to be alone."
We set off together into the forest. Chakotay stayed close to my side as we walked.
When I asked him why he wasn't leading he responded, "A good protector walks with the one they protect."
I smiled brightly as the New Earth's sun as he said that.
The sun was suddenly covered in darkness.
"A storm, let's get back home," Chakotay grabbed me protectively by the arm and headed toward home.
The wind began to whip violently. And that's when I saw HIM, it was as if HE controlled the weather.
I stopped in my tracks, "Chakotay," I whispered hoardly from fear, "It's HIM, HE's over there."
Following my finger, "I see HIM," Chakotay said angrily. He put me inside the shelter of a hollowed out tree, "Stay here, you should be safe. I will come back for you."
Chakotay bravely faced my tormentor. The ONE smiled wickedly as Chakotay came nearer.
I strained to hear their words over the rain as it began to pound furiously upon the ground.
"You are the ONE. The ONE who tried to kill Ann's spirit?" Chakotay demanded angrily.
"She is female, who cares about them, they are only good for three things," *he listed them, but I won't* the evil thing hissed.
"You have no right to kill anyone's spirit, male or female."
The THING takes a swing at Chakotay. Chakotay effortlessly deflects the blow. With one good punch the THING disintegrates into nothingness.
Coming back to me, Chakotay is smiling, "See you have nothing to worry about. You can control the dreams. When I have gone to the Spirits of my people, you will do this for yourself. I will be your guide..."
Without thinking the song Everywhere flows from my lips, "Can you hear me calling / Out your name / You know that I'm falling / And I don't know what to say // I'll speak a little louder / I'll even shout / You know that I'm proud / And I can't get the words out // Oh I want to be with you everywhere / Oh I want to be with you everywhere / (Wanna be with you everywhere) // Something's happening / Happening to me / My friends say I'm acting peculiarly // C'mon baby / We better make a start / You better make it soon / Before you break my heart // Oh I want to be with you everywhere / Oh I want to be with you everywhere / (Wanna be with you everywhere) // Can you hear me calling / Out your name / You know that I'm falling / And I don't know what to say // Come along baby / We better make a start / You better make it soon / Before you break my heart // Oh I want to be with you everywhere / Oh I want to be with you everywhere // Oh I want to be with you everywhere / Oh I want to be with you everywhere // (Wanna be with you everywhere)."
Smiling sweetly Chakotay said, "For now you will. Come on let's get to the house beofre the rain gets worse."
He took my hand led me back to the house.
Once inside I got him some coffee and we sat at the table together sipping coffee, not caring about our soaked clothing.
"Are we truly alone now Chakotay?" I asked uncertainly.
"Thoughts like that will bring HIM back. Focus on the psitives in your life."
"Ok," I stared at him lovingly.
"Want to see my latest piece of sand art, I stayed up late to finish it?"
"Of course I want to."
He heads to his room and comes out with his work. Shyly he presented it to me. It was a picture of myself smiling as bright as the sun with his face in the background, like the protector he is.
"It's beautiful!" I hugged him tightly. As usual, this is the point where I wake up.
In the waking world I know, his strength will be with me "everywhere."

Night Three:

I awoke with a scream.
Chakotay rushed in to see if I was ok.
"HIM again?" he asked tenderly holding me as I cried.
"Yeah, I dreamt HE killed you."
"Hey," he made me look at him in the eyes, "I'm the Maquis Marauder, no one can beat me."
Smiling through my tears I replied, "Not even Kid Chaotic."
"Right," he smiled back.
"Since I'm up I'll do some writing."
"Good idea," he said rising from the side of my bed.
I wait for him to leave before getting up. I'm wearing only a t-shirt, it is quite warm at night lately.
I dressed in favorite outfit, tryin to make myself feel better, black slacks and a green shirt.
I walked out to the living room Chakotay was getting my morning Tea and making breakfast.
"You don't have to cook for me Chakotay," I said, slightly embarrassed.
he laughed heartily, "You almost burned down our house making Macaroni and Cheese, Ann, you'll never cook here again. Besides, I don't mind."
After eating and teasing one another, I sit at the computer and work on one of my novels.
"About me?" Chakotay asks.
Shyly I reply, "Sort of."
"Good idea, I like it. Not like the other smutty stuff you sometimes read,"
I blush furiously. He pats my back and laughs gently.
Chakotay starts rubbing my sore back again, "Your muscle are tight because you allow yourself to have nightmares. I can take you outside and teach you technics."
I finish writing (I remembered part in reality and put it in a VOY story I just finished) and met Chakotay outside.
Eyeing me closely, he asked, "Are you turly ready for this."
I take a deep breath, "As ready as I'll ever be."
"Talking HIM down is best. Or just running. Tell HIM: You have no place in my dreams, I do not allow you here, this is my sanctuary. If you have to, believe it is real and hit HIM, HE'll certainly run as he did when I hit HIM. Remember."
"I do," I said admiringly.
Throwing a few punches into the air he demontrates the right moves to make HIM leave.
I simulate the punches. One accidently connects with Chakotay. He hit the ground with a grunt.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," I knee; beside and gingerly touch his bleeding lip.
"You need to get rid of HIM not me," he laughed.
Blushing I admit to him, "Your lips are so soft and supple."
"They won't always be if you do that again."
I lean to kiss those lips. He didn't resist only genlty responded.
We stood together and walked into the house.
I tend to his wound and leave, out of shame. In my room I begin to sing Love Is by Stevie Nicks.
"Do you know what this is /No, I don't / But whatever it is /It's very powerful / Have you felt this way before / Oh, I thought I knew / 
Do you know that I love you now / Oh yes, I do //Love is... / You've got the softest lips // You know that I cannot stay / Yes, I know / 
It has nothing to do / With you or with love / Oh, yes it does / Do not call or come around here / Do not tell /You know that I loved you then / Oh well... // Love is... / You've got the softest lips / Love is... /The touch of your fingertips / Love is... / Knowing you won't let go // She awakens things / That he said he thought were dead / He says, are you happy now / Oh yes, I am / But when it's over / How then will you feel / Will you miss those arms that used to go / Around you //So she stood there in the hallway frozen / In the dark / And her heart broke down / She cried / She fell to the floor // One tear slid across her lips / To the corner of her mouth / Love is.../ And dropped to the floor / Love is... / You've got the softest lips / Love is.../ The touch of your fingertips / Ooh, she says love is / Knowing you wont let go / Love is.../ Watching you go // You're so very powerful /Love is...// Am I happy / Yes I am / Do I know you love me now / Yes I do / Do I know you cannot stay / I know /All about love /All about love," in a whipser I sing the last line, "You're so very powerful."
Chakotay cautously entered as I neared the end, his smile was radiant, "I love your voice so much. It's the greatest I've ever heard."
I blush, "You're only saying that because we are the only ones here."
Coming to my chair, he spins it so we can face one another. To my eye level he bends to look at me, "I mean it. Your spirit has not died, it was only buried. Share this with the world. Your writing, your art, songs, everything that is you. Don't listen to negative words. Listen to your true friends. The ones in your heart."
"Seska," I said softly to remind him.
"That is another story for another time," he rolls my chair foreword and kisses my face lightly.
This time I was angry when the alarm rang... but as the song said "Watching you go..." it's part of life right?

Night four:
Chakotay was out side sparring with his makeshift punching bag.
I wandered out to watch, he was clad in cut-off uniform pants. We had long ago destroyed our uniforms. I had pulled the sleeves off mine in Larry the Cable Guy style.
After a while he realised I stood in the doorway of our home.
"Hey, goddess in the doorway," he greeted.
"There's a song about that, it's-" I began.
"I know it's Mick Jagger, I heard you listening to it before," he laughed.
"Thanks for the compliment either way," I said half-embarrased.
He wiped his forehead with a wrapped hand, I noticed the wraps on his hands were part of his uniform shirt. "Wanna take a jab at this?"
"I guess," I took the wraps he had used and wrapped my hands.
He positioned me to fight properly, "Now hit the bag, not me!" he backed to the doorway.
For a moment I drank in the sight of the rising sun reflecting off his sweat glistened chest, then turned to the bag again. In the position he showed me I began to work out as he did. 
After what seemed like hours Chakotay stopped me.
"You can't fight angry, it doesn't work that way. You have to have a blank mind, think tactically." he suggested.
He led me inside and we ate some breakfast. Then we sat together on a bench we had converted into a couch. He comfortably slipped an arm around me.
"It's my turn to sing to you," he smiled.
"This should be good," I laughed.
"I'm not as bad when I'm serious about it."
"Go ahead."
"Button your lip baby / Button your coat / Let's go out dancing / Go for the throat / Let's bury the hatchet / Wipe out the past / Make love together / Stay on the path // You're not the only one / With mixed emotions / Youre not the only ship / Adrift on this ocean // This coming and going / Is driving me nuts / This to-ing and fro-ing / Is hurting my guts / So get off the fence / It's creasing your butt / Life is a party / Let's get out and strut //  You're not the only one /  That's feeling lonesome / Youre not the only one / With mixed emotions // Let's grab the world / By the scruff of the neck / And drink it down deeply / Let's love it to death / So button your lip / And button your coat / Let's go out dancing / Let's rock n roll //  You're not the only one / With mixed emotions / You're not the only ship / Adrift on this ocean / You're not the only one / That's feeling lonesome / You're not the only one / With mixed emotions."
"You're no Mick Jagger, I'd have expect something slower like, Rod Stewart, or my fave Lindsey."
"But the lyrics were in my heart."
He led me outside and again we danced. 
At this piont I almost killed my cat, she lept up onto my face and woke me up. I guess it's as the songs says "You're not the only one... that's feeling lonesome."