Disclaimer: You know, same old stuff. Paramount owns all, I don't. They make money off of the show/characters, I don't. I'm a college student; suing will get you nowhere!
The song lyrics at the beginning of this part, from "I Will Be" off of her "Something in the Air" album, belong to Lila McCann and all of her people, however that works!

Caught in the downpour of a rain of stones
Felt like an exile in the world I had known
So I sought the shelter of my own soul
And stayed inside

She managed to make it to her quarters before the tears fell. Barely. She was sobbing before the doors sealed behind her. Collapsing onto the couch, she allowed tears to drench her cheeks, sobs to rack her body. And she didn't try to stop it.

Never one for many tears, Janeway was shocked she could cry like that, that her broken heart would now choose this mode of relief. Before, when grief threatened to overwhelm her, she had withdrawn, or resorted to anger. Sleeping for days, weeks at a time, or throwing anything she could get her hands on. Now, she just cried, wondering how she would go on, now that everything had changed.

Thinking that she was finally giving him what he, she, they wanted, she had gone to his quarters, hope and love shining in her eyes.

"Chakotay," she had said once he invited her inside. "Can we talk?"

He had nodded, then looked closely at her, and seen the look in her eyes, recognizing it for what it was, a look of pain and anguish crossed his own features. "Kathryn," he said haltingly.

She held up her hand. "Chakotay, let me say this first. It took me a long time to get up the courage to come here in the first place."

"But Kathryn," he started, intent on stopping her before she said anything that they would both regret later.

"Chakotay, please," she said, not noticing the look on his face. "I've been wrong," she began slowly. "I've been pushing you away, taking it for granted that you have always been waiting for me." She looked up at him, placing a hand softly on his cheek. "I've waited too long, kept us from happiness for too long."

Chakotay slowly pulled away. "Kathryn, stop," he said, the pain in his voice finally getting through to her.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's just been too long," he said softly. "It hurts too much to see you every day, and to know that you could never return the feelings that I have for you."

Janeway looked up at him. "I know," she said. "I'm sorry I've hurt you like that. It just took me awhile to figure out what I felt for you." She reached for his hand, feeling its warmth against the palm of her own. "Chakotay, I love you," she said, her voice very soft.

Chakotay pulled his hand away, standing up. He began to pace as he talked. "Kathryn, no. This can't work anymore."

It was Janeway's turn to look hurt, though the pain she felt in her heart was far worse than any expression could show. "Why?" she asked, threatening tears burning behind her eyes.

"I know I said I'd wait for you forever," he said, coming back to sit down beside her. "But do you know how hard that is? Wondering if the person you love will ever love you back?" He paused. "Over the past few years," he said. "You've broken my heart."

Janeway knew she wouldn't be able to hold back the tears much longer, and pride wouldn't let her cry in front of him. "I'm sorry," she whispered as she stood stiffly. "I shouldn't have come, I'm sorry," she apologized, forcing strength into her voice. She turned quickly, heading for the door. He let her go.

She rushed to her quarters, too many emotions flooding her brain. Embarrassment, hurt, a bit of anger, disappointment, and a lot of confusion. The pain from her broken heart kept the tears flowing for a long time, and she wondered what she was supposed to do now, now that everything had changed.

If they truly loved each other, how could they break each other's hearts so easily? She didn't have any answers.