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He had almost made it when the last piton gave way and he lost his footing. Gasping, Telek reached

for Chakotay's hand. The sudden, frightened gesture made him lose his balance and he fell, hurtling downward for only a meter or two before the rope securely fastened to his harness halted him.

Dangling from the rope, the Romulan swung back and forth. There's an outcropping about a meter to your left Try to grasp it!" Chakotay cried. Grunting, Telek reached and missed, swinging past the jagged, jutting rock, then returning. He clasped it firmly on the second try and Chakotay breathed a sigh of relief.

They pulled him to safety, and Telek did his best to aid mem by pulling himself up on what fingerholds he could reach. When they hauled him over the edge, their fingers clutching his harness, Telek was breathing heavily and trembling.

Chakotay felt a rush of sympathy, but the expression on the Romulan's face turned the commander's emotions to respectful amusement Telek's face was flushed and his eyes very bright

"Exhilarating!" he managed, gasping for bream. "Walking on the edge of terror and a sort of giddy joy-I've never experienced anything like it!"

'If you stay with us, Dr. R'Mor, it'll become second nature," came Janeway's voice, floating up to mem.

Chakotay sobered at once. "Captain, double-check your harness. The pitons are obviously not as secure as we'd like."

Janeway did so, tightening some buckles and tugging on it to make sure it held, then she began to ascend. Slender and strong, she made it look easy. Chakotay watched in admiration.

"Chakotay." The Doctor's's voice was taut. "The rope-"

Instantly alert, Chakotay followed the Doctor's gaze and his gut clenched. The constant activity had begun to fray the rope.

"We've only used it for four people," he said softly to the Doctor. "It shouldn't show any signs of wear." Their eyes met, and neither of them had to say it The dark matter inside the rope's molecules was making it weaker.

Chakotay leaned forward, intending to grab the rope below the frayed point. At that instant, he heard a scrabbling sound. One of the pitons had given way beneath his captain's weight, slight though it was. Janeway grunted in startlement and turned her pale, dusty face up to his. She wore an expression of alarm, but not fear.

She was almost within reach. 'Tom, take the rope," Chakotay ordered. He threw himself down onto the rocky ledge and edged forward as far as he could, reaching his hands out to his captain.

Janeway was hanging on with one hand, her body swaying several meters from the rocks below. Not realizing what was happening with the rope, she brought her other hand up toward it, to pull herself up with it.

Chakotay watched the right hand come up, as if in slow motion, the strong, capable fingers close slowly around the rope, thinking it to be a source of safety. He tried to cry out, to move forward, but he couldn't do it fast enough.

The rope broke with a snap just as Chakotay surged forward. He felt himself slipping, felt three sets of hands seize his legs and barely stop him from falling, felt the rough surface of the rock fraying his harness and tearing his uniform.

He gazed into his captain's blue eyes, wide with disbelief, and prayed with all his heart.

His hands closed over her wrist The sudden pull of the weight of her body sent pebbles and earth slipping off the ledge and he felt himself slip farmer down. The edge of the rock dug painfully into his abdomen.

But he had her. He had her.

"Pull us up," Chakotay grunted, not sure if he could even be heard. Hands seized his uniform and shoulders and hauled him back from the edge. He gripped Janeway's slender wrists with all his strength, refusing to let go. More scrambling, more dust kicked up, then suddenly she was lying on top of him gasping, and Chakotay let go of her wrists to clasp her to him for a brief, precious second.

She was pale, but managed a reassuring