[ he's right. he isn't bound by the same rules as she is — and, one could argue (if they dared to put the argument up against her, which wouldn't be a good idea) that she isn't either. not here, at least. she's a captain, but the captain of what while stuck in the city? what starfleet, what federation? of course, the same could be said about being lost in the delta quadrant. if five years out in deep, uncharted space with little to no contact with home won't make her abandon her pips and position, six months in this city isn't going to do the trick. but she is a captain, which makes kissing people like chakotay and kirk — nevermind the fact that she did a little bit more than just kiss them, and she's got a bruise concealed under her braid to prove it — inappropriate and unacceptable.

she frowns, nods. ] Something I didn't necessarily mean, but was interpreted as much... until it wasn't. [ it was giving someone who had feelings for her hope, then immediately taking it back when she came to her senses and he realized it was a curse, that she had come on to him through no will of her own. she hurt him, and she can't take that back. ]

This is ridiculous. I can't believe I'm talking about this. [ addressing it all, and addressing it with him of all people. (but she doesn't exactly have any friends. acquaintances and fellow officers, but not friends. not really.) ]