Disclaimer:  Most of the characters belong to Paramount.  No infringement intended.

Rated PG

Standing nervously behind the unfamiliar bridge station, Ensign DiTuro scanned the planet again.  Covering ops in Harry’s absence was difficult enough but having the captain stand behind her staring silently as she worked nearly pushed her over the edge.  DiTuro took a deep breath and made another sweep of the area.

It had been just over three weeks since the Commander led the ill-fated away mission to Cellinita, a lush green planet said to be inhabited by a peaceful, warp capable society. Just over three weeks since Kathryn had seen him.  Two hours into the mission, she knew they were in trouble; twelve days later they had recovered the other three members of the away team, or more precisely two members and what remained of the third.

The Bristolzil, that's what Lieutenant Hosner said they called themselves, were a barbaric race.  They tortured captives with both primitive and technologically sophisticated techniques and they did it for no other reason than their own perverse, pleasure.  Using these methods, they had destroyed an entire, peace loving, society.  Those Cellinitese, who were not lucky enough to die, remained in the service of the Bristolzil, helping to lure in unsuspecting victims in order to avoid torture themselves.  The away team had walked into just such a trap and now three weeks later, twenty-two days, six hours to be exact, they thought they finally had a fix on Chakotay.  He had escaped his captors about ten days ago and was holding up in a mountainous area difficult to reach without the aid of a transporter.  Fortunately for him, the Bristolzil did not posses this type of technology.

As the Captain wandered back to her command chair, she wondered what he would be like.  Lieutenant Hosner and Ensign Miller had recovered from their physical wounds, although it took all the doctors miracles to accomplish it.  But Miller had suffered what appeared to be a complete psychological breakdown, from which he may never recover.  Seven believed that her nanoprobes could be programmed to reconstruct the neuro pathways and thus aid in, if not completely effect, Miller's psychological recovery, but then Seven believed Borg technology was the answer to most problems.  The Captain had given her permission to research the possibility.  Hosner was in a much better mental state, but still far from stable, with time, the doctor hoped, she would make a complete recovery.  Crewman Kregle, the third member of the team did not survive his ordeal.

Kathryn wasn't sure of the extent of the damage done to Chakotay, but she was sure of his strength—physically, psychologically and spiritually—if she could only get him back, she was sure he would recover. He always told her that together all things were possible.  Right now she needed to believe they would have a chance to prove that.
 
 "Kim to Janeway."  Harry's voice rang loud across the silence of the bridge.

"Yes, Mr. Kim?"  She was shaken from her thoughts and instantly on edge.

"Captain, we found him, but…"  Harry's voice trailed off.

"What is it, Mr. Kim?"  Her Captain's mask was firmly in place, but there was still an edge of panic in her voice.

"I'm not sure, Captain---we can't get near him."

"Clarify, Mr. Kim."  Her one hand gripped her command chair.

"Well, he's in this cave and well… The tricorder says it's him, but he won't let us in."

"Did you talk to him, Mr. Kim?"  She worked to keep her voice even.

"That's just it, Captain.  He sort of growls at us and throws rocks when we try to go in.  We can’t get near him, Captain.  He just melts into the shadows."

"Stay with him, Harry.   I’m on my way."  She crossed over to the tactical station with a no nonsense look on her face.  "Tuvok, you have the bridge.  I'm going down there to see what's going on."

"Captain, perhaps it would be better if I went, or the doctor."

"I'll be fine, Tuvok."  She patted his shoulder.  "I'll call the doctor if we need him."

"Aye, Captain."  He was reluctant to let her do this but he acknowledged that he was powerless to stop her.

When the Captain materialized at the coordinates Harry had sent, she found herself standing alone in dense forest.  Glancing around she saw no one in the immediate area, she checked her tricorder and followed its direction toward human life signs.   She didn't have to go far to find her first member of the away team.  Ensign Hillman was sitting on the ground holding his arm; his uniform torn and blood oozing from beneath the shredded material.

"Ensign?"  She squatted down next to him.

"I'm OK, Captain” He didn’t sound convinced.  “just some scratches."

"Beam up and have the doctor check it."  She stood up.  "Where is Mr. Kim?"

"Over there, Captain."  He pointed toward a rocky area.  "We believe the Commander is in there."

"Did the Commander do this, Ensign?"  She watched the hesitation on the young man's face.

"Er—Yes, Ma'am."  He quickly added.  "He's really---scared or something, he…"

"It's OK, Ensign. Go have the doctor take a look."  She had seen the rest of Chakotay's away team when they got back.  She knew what these aliens were capable of, she only hoped there was some of Chakotay still inside -----and that she could reach him. She would reach him.  She worked her way through the underbrush to where Harry stood.  "Harry."

"Captain, I'm sure it's him but I can't get in there."

"OK, where are Tom and the others?"

"Making sure there is no other way out.  They’ll be right back."

"Good.  Let me have your light."  She snapped on Harry's wrist light. "I'm going to take a look."

"Captain?"  Harry was alarmed, but hesitant to question her.

"It's alright, Harry."  She put her hand on his shoulder, smiling to reassure him.  "I'll be fine and you will be right here, if I need you."

"Yes, Ma'am."  He had seen Chakotay, this could be crunch time.

Cautiously, she entered the solid blackness of the cave shining the wrist light at the ground to find solid footing.  She heard him before she could see him, though she was sure being accustomed to this darkness, he could detect her.

"Chakotay."  She spoke softly as she stepped forward.  "Chakotay?"

He sprang out of nowhere swiping his claw like hand across her face, knocking her down and retreating back into the darkness.  Her surprised scream caused the others to come in on a run.

"Captain?"  Harry reached her first, helping her to her feet.  "You OK?"

"Fine, just surprised me."  She answered, as Tom charged in shining his wrist light on her.

"Captain."  He touched her face and she winced.  "You're hurt."

"I'm fin…"  She was interrupted by another growl and a fist full of rocks that came flying out of the darkness.  "Chakotay."

Before the others could react, a large hand came out of the darkness and dragged the Captain away with it.  They followed the sounds of the struggle, as it wound deeper into the cave.  He was used to this darkness and apparently familiar with the cave, their pursuit was difficult.  Shining the light ahead, Tom finally spotted them.  The Commander, looking ragged and wild had one arm tightly wound around the Captain, as she struggled hopelessly against his superior strength.  Captured in the beam of light, he froze except for the arm, which he tightened around the Captain.

"Chakotay."  She struggled to get enough breath to speak.  They moved forward and his grip tightened again, forcing the air out of her lungs, in a rush. "Stay back."  She managed to choke out. "Chakotay."  She tried to keep her voice calm and soothing, but it was becoming difficult to breathe.  She tried to lift her hand to his face, but he tugged her closer, tightening his grip again, she gasped and went limp in his arms.
 

Tom and Harry rushed forward, but Chakotay swung his free arm hitting Tom squarely in the chest and knocking him backwards. Leaving Tom and Harry sprawled awkwardly on the ground, Chakotay made off into the darkness still clinging to the limp body of the Captain.  They scrambled to their feet and Tom had to grab Harry to stop him from running after them.

"Harry, wait."  Tom took hold of his arm.  "We need a plan."

"We can't just leave her here."  Harry yanked his arm free.

"There is no other way out. We need to contact Tuvok and formulate a plan."  He put his arm on Harry's shoulders.  "If there is any of Chakotay in there, he won't hurt her."

"And if there isn't?"  His face clearly showed his concern.

"Let's hope there is."  Tom was worried too, but they couldn't win in here until they had some kind of plan. "Hey, she's the Captain—remember?  She can take care of herself."

"Yeah, I know."  He let Tom lead him outside.  "But will she?"

"Of course she will."

"I'm not so sure she'd hurt him—even to protect herself."

"She will do whatever she has to, to survive."  Tom hoped he sounded more confident than he felt.

Kathryn opened her eyes slowly; her head was resting in his lap: he was watching her.  Chakotay brushed her hair back from her face, as she studied him.  There was something there, she wasn't sure it was recognition, but there was something.

"Chakotay."  She spoke softly, but he jumped at the sound of her voice anyway, so she went quite.

He touched the deep scratches on her cheek, with the back of his hand, trailing his hand down her neck and across her chest, letting it fall still resting on her stomach.  His eyes held fast to hers, she thought he was trying to remember, thought she saw something flicker in his eyes, then it was gone.

There was a sound somewhere out in that inky blackness, she almost missed it, but he heard it. Kathryn couldn't see anything; Chakotay squinted hard into the darkness then jumped to his feet dragging her behind him as he moved deeper into the tunnels.  Kathryn was having trouble keeping up, the surface was uneven and covered with scattered rocks, she couldn't see in the darkness, as she stumbled along behind him.  She faltered and he pulled her along, when Kathryn fell to her knees he grabbed her and swung her over his shoulder, continuing deeper into the blackened maze.

~~~^^^~~~

The thick walls of the cave were lined with an element unknown to Voyager's data banks, shielding anything inside from their scans.  Their tricorders barely worked inside, even at close range.  Tuvok had ordered Tom and Harry to follow at a safe distance and avoid antagonizing the Commander.  Meanwhile Voyager scanned and two away teams scoured the surface, for another access to this under ground world.  Harry and Tom moved as quietly as possible, but every time they came close he detected them and moved deeper into the darkness.

The deeper they traveled the darker and more complicated the tunnels became, they twisted and turned in so many directions it was easy to become confused.  Their tricorders no longer registered and even their wrist lights were beginning to fail.  Tom slid down the damp wall to the floor of the cave, resting his head on his knees.

"Tom get up!  We gotta find them."  Harry shined his dimming wrist light around at the different tunnels.

"Harry, Harry, Harry."  Tom shook his head.  "Face it man, we are lost.  We have no idea where we are, forget about finding them, we better hope someone finds us."

~~~^^^~~~

Kathryn opened her eyes but couldn't distinguish much in the silent blackness that surrounded her; she had no idea how long she had been down here.  Her hands and knees were sore, like when she skinned them as a kid.  Her one eye was partially closed and her head was pounding, she reached up, involuntarily hissing when she touched the deep scratch, hot and swollen on the side of her face.  She was lying on something, not exactly soft but at least not as damp and cold as the floor of the cave had been, still she shivered.  She tried to sit up, she was weak and stiff, her head hurt and rising up made her light headed to the point where she thought she might vomit: she laid back and let the darkness cover her.

It had been three days since Tuvok sent Harry and Tom to bring back the Captain, an effort that only managed to leave them with four members of the senior staff 'lost' on the planet.  The away teams had scoured the surface and investigated every tunnel they found without a trace of them.  Voyager’s scans had been unable to penetrate beyond the thick veins of mineral just beneath the surface.  The research Seven was doing with the nanoprobes showed promise, but the priority now had to be getting the Captain back.  Tuvok had four teams on the surface searching, and continuous scans of the surrounding area, He had to find the Captain and almost more importantly he had to be sure the Bristolzil did not.

"Scans of the surface, while not locating any of our missing crewmembers, show no Bristolzil movement in the direction of the mountains."  Ensign DiTuro nervously reported. This was her first senior staff meeting and she knew she was here only by virtue of the fact that she had been unlucky enough to be on duty when the meeting was called.

"Well, that's something, but how the hell are we going find them?"  B'Elanna paced the room angrily.  For over three weeks Chakotay had been missing, then the Captain and now Harry and, of course, Tom.  B'Elanna was about at her wit's end.

"Lieutenant, if you would have a seat."  Tuvok's calm irritated her even more. "That is precisely what we are here to discuss."  He waited for B'Elanna to return to the table.  "Lieutenant Ayala's team has secured a sample of the element that appears to be blocking our scans.  Seven will assist you in analyzing it.  Understanding it may prove helpful in devising a method of enhancing our sensors."

“Commander, am I to abandon my present research?”

“Temporarily Seven, our first priority must be the safe return of our missing crewmen.”

“Aye, Sir.”  Seven was clearly unhappy with abandoning her research and less than pleased at the prospect of working with B’Elanna, especially in her present state.

Kathryn woke cold and hot, sweating and shivering all at the same time, she couldn't clear her head or think straight; she ached.  Some thing cool touched her; she struggled to open her eyes.  It was dark, something clouded her vision, she couldn't remember where she was.

He didn’t understand it but this frail creature was important to him.  He tried to force some memory of why, but nothing would come.  All he knew was to stay away, keep to the caves and stay in the dark—it was what he had to do, he didn’t remember why.  Something was not good on the surface, but something here confused him.  He couldn’t understand, it was only a feeling; darkness was safe.   He moved closer to where the small one lay.  She tossed and made noises but he didn’t understand, she shivered with the cold but was hot to his touch.  She was not like him.  He wondered why she was important.  She thrashed about on the dirty weathered blanket, moaning, calling out the sound –the one she had said before “C h a k o t a y”.  He reached out and tugged her into his lap, tucking the blanket around her.  In a short time she quieted and he drifted off to sleep.

Tom and Harry huddled together to fight off the chilling dampness.  They had been down here for days but they weren’t even sure how many.  They had no idea where they were and even less of an idea of how to get out.

“God if you ever tell anyone I said this….” Tom’s evil look was wasted in the darkness.

“What now for gods sake?”  Harry wanted badly to sleep, but he was just too cold.

“Come closer, damn--- it’s too damn cold.”  Tom tugged Harry closer to him.

“Yes, dear.”  Harry quipped earning him a smack on the head.  “Hey easy.  I don’t like this anymore then you do but it’s better than freezing.”

“Commander.”  DiTuro, thought she would never again envy Harry’s position.

“Ensign?”  Tuvok looked up from the engineering report he had been studying.

“I am detecting Bristolzil movement toward the higher elevations.”  She rechecked her scans for the fifth time.  “There are at least twenty life signs moving toward the away teams’ location.  I estimate they will reach them within two hours.”

“Voyager to Lieutenant Stratton.”

“Stratton, Sir.”

“Stratton, we have detected Bristolzil movement in your direction.  Inform all away teams to be prepared to defend against aggressive actions.”

“Aye, Sir.  What’s their ETA?”

“They are estimated to be two hours from your present location. It is imperative that we prevent the Bristolzil from entering the cave.”

“Understood.  Stratton out.”

“Bridge to Engineering.”

“Torres here, Sir”

“Lieutenant, have you been successful in you analysis of the element?”

“If you mean have we found a way to penetrate it with our scans, no.  We have however discovered some interesting properties, which Seven and the doctor are looking into.”

“Interesting, Lieutenant?”

“Yes, if you could meet me in sickbay, I think the doctor can better explain.”

“On my way, Lieutenant.  Tuvok out.”  He stood glancing at the young crew covering the bridge.  “Ensign, the bridge is yours.”  He nodded in DiTuro’s direction.

“Sir?”  She didn’t believe what she was hearing.  She had never commanded the bridge before, but as she looked around she realized she had as much experience as anyone else on duty.

“Keep a watch on the Bristolzil movements, I’ll be in sick bay if you need me.”

“Aye, Sir.”  She took a deep breath to calm herself, knowing he was watching her closely.  Tuvok nodded and left the bridge.

Tuvok arrived in sickbay to find Torres watching the doctor through a force field.  Seven now wore an environmental suit to assist him.

“Lieutenant?”

“Tuvok, the doc is almost finished, he said to wait in the office and he’ll give us his findings.”

Tuvok nodded and preceded Torres into the office.

He woke to the sounds of low throaty moans.  Her body was burning and her sweat had soaked through his clothing causing them to stick together.  Her face was swollen and a deep blue color along one side.  He didn’t understand what was happening but he knew it was wrong.  She needed something but he didn’t know what to do.  She was important—again the thought came to him and he tried to clarify it —he couldn’t.

Gently he placed her down on the ground, tucking the damp blanket around her.  There had been others, more like him – he tried to remember them.  They had tried to take her from him—no!  He wouldn’t let her go—she was important.  She cried out and he turned quickly to see her body thrashing on the ground.  He tried to sill her but he couldn’t.
 

The Doctor finally came in, taking the seat behind the desk.

“Doctor?”  Even Tuvok was growing impatient; he had contacted the bridge and found that the Bristolzil had made little progress.

“When B’Elanna and Seven began to experience various disorientating symptoms, they called on me to take a closer look at the properties of this element.”  He continued to tap information into his console as he spoke.  “Ensign Hillman’s injuries indicated a physically toxic effect as well.  There is a chemical that enters the body through the skin, it is a neuro inhibitor and produces varying degrees of confusion.  The heavier the contact the more severe the reaction.”  He looked back to the monitor and nodded his head.  “As I suspected.”  He turned the screen.  “Evidence of this chemical can be found in Ensign Miller’s scans, traces of this element can be found in the blood samples of the Lieutenant Hosner and a high concentration in the tissue of crewman Kregle.”

“Why such different reactions?”  B’Elanna

“I suspect it is the manner in which contact is made..”  He punched some more data into the console.  “Merely having contact and absorbing the element through the skin produces a mild reaction and provided that contact is limited—as it was the case with you and Seven—the symptoms reverse themselves rather quickly. The more prolonged the contact the stronger the reaction, thus the longer the recovery.”

“So the longer the contact...?”

“Yes, Lieutenant, the more severe the confusion and the possibility of lasting effects, as evident in the case of Ensign Miller.”

“And Crewman Kregle?”  Tuvok

“I will need to examine this more thoroughly but I suspect the chemical was introduced directly into the blood stream.”

“Bridge to Commander Tuvok.” DiTuro’s voice gave away her nervousness.

“Yes, Ensign?”

“Commander, the Bristolzil are closing in on the cave area. I have alerted Lieutenant Stratton to their position.”
 
“Understood, Ensign.  Have all away teams take up defensive positions around the mouth of the cave and hold them. I’m on my way to the bridge.”

“Aye, Sir.”  She felt better now, knowing she had done the right thing, but was still anxious for Tuvok to take back the bridge. “DiTuro to Stratton.”  However tenuous and temporary her command was, she had orders to deliver.

“Stratton, here.”

“Lieutenant, have all away teams take up defensive positions and secure the opening to the cave.”

“Aye, Sir, Stratton out.”
 

~~~^^^~~~

Tom felt a tight grip on his arm; he tried to jerk himself free but the hand held fast.  He was cold and confused, it was dark but something told him to be still.  He slowly opened his eyes looking directly into the deep brown pools of the Commander, who was only inches away from his face.

“Chakotay.”  He whispered trying not to frighten him.  Chakotay grunted and tugged on his arm.  “OK, OK, I’m getting up.”  He nudged Harry and scrambled to his feet.

“Tom?”  Harry came awake to see Chakotay dragging Tom off.

“Grab the stuff and follow.”  Tom yelled back.

Harry grabbed both backpacks and the blankets and hurried off into the darkened tunnel, calling out to Tom on occasion to be sure he was still on the right path.

“Report.”  Tuvok’s voice booming across the bridge, as the lift opened, was a welcome relief.

“Stratton has positioned all away teams to secure the entrance to the cave, the Bristolzil have been sited but have not made contact yet.”  DiTuro gladly gave command back to Tuvok.

“Well done, Ensign.”  With a quick nod of his head he took the center chair and DiTuro breathed a little easier.
 

Harry stumbled along in the dark; he was tired and confused but forced himself to focus on putting one foot in front of the other.  He had to stay with them, but he needed to rest.  Struggling with the packs and his growing confusion, Harry leaned against the wall slowly slipping to the floor.

“Harry!  Harry!”  Tom couldn’t hear him stumbling behind them any longer.  *Damn.*  Tom didn’t want to lose Harry, but he had no choice but to keep moving.  Chakotay’s grip had not eased and he was determined to bring Tom somewhere,   Tom could only hope it was to the Captain.

“Hey, Big Guy.”  Tom tried to talk but Chakotay just kept moving.  “Chakotay, we lost Harry.  We need Harry.”

There was light up ahead, not much but a welcome relief from the pitch-blackness of the tunnels.  Tom hoped this was their destination and that Harry would be able to find them there.  Chakotay dragged him into the ‘room’, shoving him toward the bundle at the other end.  Tom nearly lost his footing, but managed to catch himself bracing one hand against the wall as Chakotay released him.  The bundle moaned and he realized they had reached their goal.

“Captain?”  Tom knelt beside her shivering body.  She was hot to his touch, soaked in her own sweat and shivering, even without his equipment he knew she had a dangerously high fever.  As she turned her head he was able to get a look at the scratch on her cheek.  It was festering, swollen and blue in color.  He looked around; there was nothing here to work with.  He stood up and tried to reach the door—if he could only get the packs, but Chakotay had other ideas, grabbing him and shoving him back down beside the Captain.  “Hey!”  Tom protested but Chakotay just pointed to the Captain and grunted loudly.  “I know, I know, but I can’t help her.”  Tom stood up only to be pushed down again.  “OK, I’ll stay down.”  He leaned closer to the Captain checking for other injuries, but this oozing sore on her face seemed to be the source of her problem.  He removed his jacket and tucked it around her.  Sitting next to her he looked up at the big confused man beside them.  It was hard to think straight, harder each day and he had not been her nearly as long as the Commander- yet he had to try to reach him.

“Commander.”  No response.  “Chakotay.”  He saw the sad brown eyes turn toward him in some form of recognition.  “Chakotay, I need the packs; I can’t help her with out the packs.”  He was met with more confusion, so he pointed to the door, trying to show Chakotay what he needed, “Harry.  Harry has the medicine.  I need the pack to help her.”  He continued to make large gestures as he spoke trying to indicate what he needed to help the Captain.  Finally Chakotay pushed him closer to the Captain and pointed, then moved toward the door checking several time that Tom stayed put.  “OK, OK, you go.   I’ll stay right here.”

Once the sound of Chakotay’s footsteps faded into the distance, Tom got up to investigate his surrounding.  The area was small, the only furnishings – if you could call it that—was the bundle of ragged blankets the Captain was on.  He heard a trickling sound from the corner and followed it to find a tiny pool of cold water.  It didn’t smell very good and he wasn’t sure how clean it was but it was cool and he hoped it would help to bring the Captain’s fever down.  He needed to warm her up and cool her down at the same time; he piled some loose rocks near her and hoped his phaser functioned better than his tricorder.  After three short blasts it gave out, but it was enough to heat the rocks to a soft glow, which he hoped would improve the temperature of the cave.  Tom tore several strips off one of the blankets and dipped them into the water.  The first he wiped the Captain’s face with, then lay it across her forehead.  He draped the second across one of the rocks allowing it to steam for only a minute, then carefully began to clean the wound on her face.

“Stratton to Voyager.”  The voice was strained and they could hear commotion in the background.

“Go ahead, Stratton.”

“Commander, they are attacking.  So far we have held them off but they have some weapon that renders out phasers useless, we can’t hold our position much longer.”

“Understood, Lieutenant. Hold your positions as long as possible; we will prepare to beam you back.”

“Aye, Sir.”

“Ensign, how many Bristolzil in the area?”  Tuvok

“I’m detecting eighteen.”  She tried to keep the panic out of her voice.  “Commander, they have the away teams surrounded.”

“Transporter room one, lock on to the away teams and prepare to beam them aboard, on my command.”  Tuvok abandoned the center chair for his post at tactical, making some quick calculations.  “Tuvok to Lieutenant Ayala.’
 

“Ayala here, Sir.”

“Lieutenant, transport to shuttle bay two and take the delta flyer into the atmosphere, I am sending your instructions directly to the on board computer now.”

“Aye Sir, on my way.”  Ayala called for a transport and found the flyer and a crew of two waiting for him.  He quickly ran through the flight check; not taking the time to read his instructions until the flyer was away.

“The Flyer is away, Sir.”  DiTuro had no idea what the plan was but she was glad it was Tuvok’s responsibility not her own

“Delta Flyer to the Bridge”

“Go ahead, Lieutenant”

“Commander, we have enter the atmosphere our ETA is five minutes.”

“Proceed as ordered Lieutenant, Tuvok out.”  Tuvok returned to the Captain’s chair.  “Bridge to transporter room one.”

“Transporter room, Sir”

“Begin bringing back the away teams, the ones farthest from the entrance first.”

“Aye, Sir.”

“Tuvok to Stratton.”

“Stratton, Sir – it’s getting pretty bad here, Sir.”

“Understood.  We are bringing you back now.  Hold your positions.”

“Aye, Sir.”

Tom worked to clean the festering wound but with only a damp, dirty rag he didn’t get far.  He changed the cool rag on the Captain’s forehead and settled down beside her.  The heat from the rock felt good and he was so tired. He was drifting off to sleep when he heard the voices, well one voice—Harry’s.

“Hey, take it easy.”

Chakotay appeared in the entrance, packs in one hand, Harry in the other.  He dropped them both in front of Tom.

“Welcome, friend.”  Tom helped Harry to sit up.  “Have a nice trip?”

“Knock it off, Paris.”  Harry rubbed his bruised legs with his hands.  “Turned into a real friendly sort, hasn’t he.”  He nodded toward Chakotay.

“Yeah, he....”  Tom was cut off when, with a grunt, Chakotay pushed him toward the Captain again.   “OK, OK.”  Tom gestured toward the packs.  “I have some stuff in there that might help, if I can just…..” He reached for the bag, but Chakotay was faster and dumped its contents on the ground. “Or you could just help me.”

“What’s wrong with her?”  Harry moved closer.

“I don’t know.  All I can see is this scratch on her face, looks infected and she has a high fever.”  Tom was fiddling with the medical tricorder.  “Damn, this thing is useless in here.”  He loaded a hypospray.  “I’m gonna give her something to bring the fever down and control that infection.”  Chakotay made a grab for the hypospray before Tom could inject her.  “Hey..”  Tom yanked it away.  “Harry, run some interference here.”  He shoved Harry between them.  “Calm down big guy, I’m trying to help her.”

“Chakotay..”  The sound of his name momentarily distracted him; Harry took the opportunity to solidify his position and Tom quickly injected the Captain.  “It’s OK—we won’t hurt her.”

Chakotay pushed them both away moving in to see her for himself.  He gently touched her hair, lightly stroking it away from her face.

“See.”  Tom whispered, nodding in their direction.  “I knew he wouldn’t hurt her.”

“Maybe.”  Harry rubbed he sore knees again.

Tom took their survival blankets and tucked them around the Captain.  Chakotay moved only slightly away to give him room.  Suddenly the room shook.  Loose rocks tumbled from over head, a booming thunder brought a shower of dirt and rocks down on them.  Chakotay threw himself across the Captain; Tom and Harry huddled together against the wall.

“What the hell?!!”  Tom yelled, as another rock shower covered them.  “Damn.”

Finally the rumbling stopped and the shower of rocks and debris slowed to a trickle.  They straighten up and began to dust off.  Chakotay moved gingerly away, carefully checking to make sure no further harm had come to the Captain.

“What happened?”  Harry shook the dirt from his hair.

“Sounded like a cave in.”  Tom wandered toward the entrance.  “This part seems OK.  Must have been one of the tunnels.”

“Great.”  Harry sank to the ground.  “We’re never getting out now.”

“You did What?!”  B’Elanna paced the briefing room.  “Have you lost your ever logical Vulcan mind??!

“Lieutenant, please take a seat.”  Tuvok tried to make allowances for the over emotional Klingon, but even his patience was wearing thin.

“Sit?! You want me to sit?”  She stormed back and pounded on the table. “You just dropped an entire mountain on them and you want me to take a seat?!”

“We merely sealed off the entrance to the cave.  All indications are that the infrastructure was strong enough to with stand the blast.”

“All indications?!  What indications?”

“Lieutenant Torres, my calculations indicated that no more than 40 meters of the tunnel would be affected by the blast.”  Seven was never B’Elanna’s favorite, but her cool manner earned her a growl that even she could not ignore.  “I think you will find …”

“You think? Did you happen to think that even if the damned mountain didn’t crush them—which we still don’t know is the case—did you happen to think about what they were going to breathe?”

“There should be sufficient oxygen to sustain them until we are able to rescue them.”  Seven just couldn’t understand B’Elanna’s rage.

“Should be sufficient !?--- nice and we wouldn’t have to be digging them out if we didn’t bury them in the first place.”  She pounded on the table again, spinning around to face Tuvok.  “OK MISTER ACTING CAPTAIN, what now?  Do you have a plan to get them out?”

“LIEUTENANT, SIT DOWN!”  B’Elanna had never heard Tuvok raise his voice, no one had; she complied silently.  “Now, we will proceed with the briefing.”

It was dark, cold and becoming more difficult to breathe.  They were trying to sleep, but Harry’s phaser didn’t work any better than Tom’s and they had wrapped the Captain in their only blankets.  There was a dampness in this cavern that went right to the bones.

Tom knew he should be doing something but he couldn’t concentrate long enough to figure out what.  Harry was curled up next to him, from time to time he mumbled something Tom couldn’t understand; the big one was curled next to the small one.  Tom tried to clear his head.  The Captain, he thought – yes, next to the Captain.  His eyes were heavy and in spite of the cold he drifted off.

The first challenge was understanding how the Bristolzil were disrupting their phaser fire and then find a way to counter it.  Several of the damaged phasers were recovered and Seven was analyzing them.  B’Elanna was given the task of finding the quickest most, efficient and safest way to excavate the collapsed tunnels.  The doctor was still searching for an effective treatment.

Ensign DiTuro stood looking over the shoulder of the Ensign assigned to Ops, officially she had been relieved over five hours ago, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave the bridge.  She had often wondered why, after a crisis of this sort, the senior staff was always more exhausted than the rest of the crew--- now she knew.  She couldn’t leave, in Harry’s absence she felt it was her responsibility to see them through this and she wasn’t leaving until she did.  Tuvok was still on the bridge and she knew Torres was working with a team of engineers to find a safe way to dig them out and Seven was in astrometrics and would be until she found a way to eliminate that weapon, or at least render it useless.  She didn’t ask for this position and never wanted it, but she would do her best now that she was here.

“Commander.” She stepped closer to the console, forcing the other ensign to step aside.  “We have movement.  The Bristolzil are starting to move down the mountain.”

“All of them Ensign?”  If he was surprised the young woman was still on duty, he didn’t show it.

“Most of them, Sir.  I am only detecting two Bristolzil life signs still near the opening.”

“Keep a close eye on their movement.”

 “Lieutenant?”

“What?”  B’Elanna was busy going over plans with several of her staff; she hadn’t even looked up.

“I require your assistance.”

“Seven?”  B’Elanna looked up uncertain of what she had just heard.  “What can I do for you?”

“I have ascertained the method and frequency with which the Bristolzil disrupted our phasers.”  She shifted.  “I can change the phaser frequency, but I am uncertain as to how quickly the Bristolzil can adapt.”

“And you want me to help you figure this out?”

“Yes.”  She shifted her stance again.  “I thought perhaps that you, being good at improvising solutions could assist me in finding a longer acting solution.”
 
“OK.”  B’Elanna stood up and glance around engineering.  “Carey, you two keep at this, I want a workable plan here.”  She moved toward her office.  “Seven, why don’t we take that in here.”

Tom woke shivering.  It was dark and cold, that much he understood, he wasn’t sure of much else.  He looked around him at the others; they looked familiar but, he wasn’t sure who they were.  Hell, he wasn’t even sure who he was.  He sat up.  One was lying close to him, the others across the room; no one moved.

He was hungry, no telling how long it had been since he had eaten.  He got up and looked around.  In the packs he found some dried things—emergency rations, yes that’s it and some water, not much.  He wondered if he should wake the others and share.  He moved back to where he had slept, he decided to eat just a little and wait.  He wasn’t sure what he was waiting for, but it felt right.

A senior staff meeting was called and DiTuro was asked to attend.  This time it was not a matter of who ever happened to be on duty, this time they wanted her there.  She was frightened by it, but she wanted to do it.  This had become her mission and she wanted to see it through to the end.

Commander Tuvok reported on the progress of the excavation team.
Seven went into great detail about the frequency of the disrupter and how changing the frequency of the phasers would work, but only until the Bristolzil were able to adapt.  Since the weapon they used had not actually been examined, no one knew how quickly that would be.

“Lieutenant Torres has suggested a randomly rotating frequency.  This would prevent the Bristolzil from determining the proper disruption frequency, however it is not possible with the hand held phaser.”

“What Seven is saying..” B’Elanna was growing impatient.  “Is that to make this work, and it can work, we need to use compression rifles not phasers.  I already have several people working on the adaptations.”

“Commander, I could use Seven’s assistance.”  The doctor was unaccustomed to asking for help as Seven, but the situation demanded it. “If she is finished with the weapons analysis.”

“I have completed my analysis of the weapons, however I believe I should return to my previously assigned research.”

“I’m working on a related theory, Seven.  I believe if we work together we can develop an effective treatment.”

“Seven, you will help the doctor incorporate your nano probe research into his treatment plan.”  Tuvok matter of factly put an end to the protests. “Lieutenant Torres you will lead the rescue mission as soon as the weapons are functional. Ensign DiTuro, You will monitor the progress of the excavation team and keep a close eye on the Bristolzil movement    keep me informed. Dismissed”
 

B’Elanna was the first to enter the cavern; it was dark and she could feel the cold even in her environmental suit.  Sweeping the area with her wrist lights, she first saw Harry slumped against the wall, then Tom beside him. She held her breath as she made her way over to them. The tricorder didn’t work so she leaned in close to his face, almost crying when his warm breath caused the mask on her suit to fog over.

“Vorik, over here.”  She checked Harry, more fog.  “You two get them back to the beam up site.”  She motioned the other crewmen over and stood a side as they lifted Harry on to the stretcher moving him toward the tunnel.

“Lieutenant?”  Vorik’s voice was uncharacteristically soft.

“What?”  She stepped back when she realized the hold she had on Tom’s hand was preventing them from taking him out.  “Sorry, go ahead.”

“Lieutenant.”  Crewmen Yosa waved his wrist light to gain her attention.  “They’re here.”  He bent in close to their faces as he had seen Torres do.  “Alive, Lieutenant—both of them.”

“Well, Vorik.”  She placed a hand on his shoulder.  “This is our lucky day.  Let’s get them and get the hell off this planet.”

“Yes, Ma’am.  An excellent suggestion.”

B’Elanna went closer to check for herself.  The Captain didn’t look good but B’Elanna knew well the wonders the doctor could work.  That cut on the Captain’s face was angry looking, blueish and festering, the infection would be easily handled, the fact that it allowed easy entrance for this crazy element could prove troublesome.  Hassman and Trent returned with the anitgravi stretcher and she moved aside to let them reach the Captain.

“Hey, it’s sure good to see you.”  She whispered as she knelt next to Chakotay.  Whatever physical wounds he had appeared to have healed; many scars were clearly visible on his exposed skin.  She could only hope the Doc and Seven were successful at finding a solution to the neuro damage and the psychological effects of this place and its inhabitants.  She helped Vorik and Yosa ease the Commander onto the stretcher and followed them back to the tunnel.

It was difficult to move him over the rough surface even with aide of anit-gravity.  It was dark and close with many lose rocks littering their path; progress was slow.  As they neared the light she heard the commotion and Hassman dropped down from the surface, landing hard in the tunnel ahead of them.

“What happened?”  B’Elanna made her way around the stretcher.

“Bristolzil –Ambush.”  He gasped out breathlessly

“The Captain?”  B’Elanna grabbed his shoulders in near panic.

“Beamed up, every one but me and Trent—they got her.”

“Shit!”  B’Elanna gazed up at the opening, no sign of them.  “Captured?”

“Don’t know, I saw her fall but I couldn’t get there...”

“Yeah, OK.”  She looked up again.  “Give me a boost.”  She eyes the hesitant men around her.  “That’s and order crewmen.”

“Yes Ma’am.”  Hassman scrambled to his feet, cupping his hands for her to step up.

B’Elanna cautiously raised her head above the ground; she could see Trent lying face down maybe 10 meters away.  She scanned the area with her tricorder; thankful it worked better in the open air.  Trent was alive; B’Elanna could just barely pick up her life signs.  She eased her self out of the tunnel, staying close to the ground and working her way toward Trent.  Her environmental suit had been damaged and she was limp and unconscious, but her life signs got stronger as B’Elanna got closer.  B’Elanna caught movement out of the corner of her eye and spun toward it as quickly as her suit would allow.

“Easy, Lieutenant.”  Vorik raised his hands defensively.

“Sorry, I thought….”  Her words were lost as Vorik tackled her dragging her to the ground, just under the phaser blast.  She rolled and returned the fire.  “Get her down there.”  She ordered, scanning for more aliens and covering them as she backed toward the tunnel.

Vorik lowered Trent to Hassmen and quickly followed.  B’Elanna exchanged fire with a couple of Bristolzil, before landing behind Vorik with a thud.

“Move back to the cavern.”

“I’m detecting phaser fire.  Commander, the transports have stopped.”  DiTuro reported without taking her eyes off the screen.  “I have lost all but one life sign.  Looks like the away team went back under ground.”

“Bridge to transporter room one.”

“Bruyn here, Commander. Torres, Chakotay, Vorik, Hassmen, Trent and Yosa are sill down there but I can no longer pick up their life signs.”

“Acknowledged, Lieutenant and the others?”

“Transported the Captain, Paris and Kim directly to sickbay, Sir.”

“Understood, Tuvok out.”

“Tuvok to Lieutenant Ayala.”

“Ayala, Sir.”

“Lieutenant, the away team has been forced back into the tunnels.  Put together a rescue team and meet me in transporter room one for further instructions.”

“Aye Sir, Ayala out.”
 

“Ensign, the bridge is yours.  I’ll be in transporter room one.”

“Aye, Sir.”  DiTuro passed Opps to the waiting ensign and resumed command.  She wouldn’t say she was comfortable here but at least she wasn’t terrified anymore.  Well, not most of the time anyway.
 

Tuvok entered sick bay to find the doctor and Seven, now dressed in an environmental suit, working behind a force field. To his left he identified Paris and Kim resting on bio beds, logically the patient behind the force field must be the Captain.  He watched a few more minutes; finally noticing him, the doctor came out to speak with him.

“Doctor.”

“Mr Tuvok, as you see Mr. Kim and Mr. Paris are recovering.  They suffered no physical wounds and we have been able to reverse the contamination rather easily, with the treatment Seven and I developed.  They should be good as new in a day or two.”

“Encouraging news and the Captain?”  He nodded toward where she lay.  “Why the force field?”

“Oh it’s not really a force field, more a bacterial barrier.  The captain suffered a wound on her face and sever infection set in, I am merely trying to protect her from further contamination while I treat it.”

“Other effects?”

“Unknown at this point.  We are treating her with the same nanoprobes as the others along with a strong antibiotic treatment.  I have her sedated and when she is sufficiently recovered from the infection I will assess her mental condition.”

“Very well.  Our away team has retaken the territory surrounding the excavation, as soon as we locate Lieutenant Torres’ away team we will beam the Commander directly here.”

“I will prepare a chamber for him, any other casualties?”

“We are uncertain at this point, you will be informed as soon as possible.  Ensign Wildman has been assigned to sickbay as a precaution.”

“DiTuro to Tuvok.”

“Yes, Ensign”

“Lieutenant Ayala has located the away team.  He expects to have them to the beam out site in ten minutes.  Crewmen Trent is the only other reported casualty.”  She knew Tuvok had gone to sick bay and the doctor would want such information; the first casualty, being the Commander was understood.

“Understood, Ensign.  I will debrief the away team before returning to the bridge, prepare to break orbit when I return.”

“Aye, Sir.  DiTuro out.”

“Doctor I will meet the away team in the transporter room and have the Commander and Trent send directly here.”

“I will want to examine all of them, once the others are stabilized.”

“Understood”

Tuvok was in the transporter room when the away team beamed aboard.
Chakotay and Trent were transported directly to sick bay and with all crew accounted for Tuvok ordered DiTuro to break orbit and set a course for Alpha Quadrant, warp 6.

Within twenty four hours the only patient left in Sickbay was Commander Chakotay.   The doctor with the aid of Seven’s nanoprobes had devised an effective treatment to both neutralize the effects of the chemical invasion and thought the use of specially engineered nanoprobes they hoped to regenerate any damaged neural pathways and greatly lessen if not eliminate any lingering effects. The only side effect he had encountered so far was an occasional over emotional reaction.

As a precautionary measure and to better monitor possible side effects of the new treatment, the doctor ordered all members of the away teams off duty for twenty four hours.  Anyone who sustained an injury was relieved of duty for at least the next three days.  The Captain had of course promptly disregarded the doctor’s ‘suggestion’ and returned to work as soon as she was released.

The Captain entered sickbay and stopped dead in her tracks, she had known about this, the doctor tried to warn her, tried to keep her away, in fact.  She couldn’t stay away any more than she could force herself to comprehend what she saw.  The doctor sat calmly in his office listening to opera, B’Elanna paced back and forth arguing with Tom and on the other side of the room was the most heart-breakingly horrendous sight.  Behind the force field, Chakotay was strapped to a bio bed, unable to even move his head side to side.  His wrists bore an angry red welts from straining against the straps, sweat dripped from his face as he howled like a trapped animal.  Silent tears slipped from the corner of her eyes, flowing down her cheeks as she watched him struggle with his bonds.

Without thinking, she moved to the console, pressing in the combination that would drop the force field.

“CAPTAIN!”  The doctor rushed from his office. “DON’T.”  He stepped beside her and raised the field.

“What the hell are you doing to him?”  She moved past him and attempted to lower the field again. "Don't we have less primitive methods of restraint?"

“Please, Captain.  I thought you understood.  I tried that, Captain.  The use of a force field, close enough to actually restrain him, greatly increased the effects of the toxic chemicals in his blood stream.”  He gently moved her hand.  “He is extremely violent…”

“Wouldn’t you be if you were handled like that?!”

“Captain, he has turned this sickbay upside down, blackened Mr. Paris’ eye and broken Lieutenant Torres’ nose and he is still fighting the sedation.  I had no other choice.”

“B’Elanna? Tom?”  She stared at them in disbelief.

“Sorry, Captain but ….”  B’Elanna could no longer look at her.

The Captain looked from B'Elanna to Tom, nodding her head in understanding then shaking it in disbelief.  She studied the pathetic figure behind the field then turned away and walked out of sickbay.

The lift door opened on deck five but Tuvok found his path blocked.  The Captain stood directly in front of him, vacant eyes, tear stained cheeks; she turned without ever acknowledging his presence.  Marching determinedly into sickbay, she reached out and lowered the force field, pushing the doctor’s hands away when he tried to stop her.

“I’m going in there; you may raise it again once I do.”  She walked past the silent doctor, the look on her face warning him not to interfere.

“Captain?”  Tom registered the pain in her face as she turned toward him.  “Be careful.”

She nodded and proceeded to the biobed; the force field went up behind her.

“Chakotay, Chakotay.”  She tried to calm him but he shouted over her.  She touched his cheek; he tried to pull away as if he had been burned struggling against his bonds.

The Doctor moved toward the force field, but Tom grabbed his arm.

“Mr. Paris, If he breaks loose…”

“He won’t, Doc.”

“He broke the last straps and if he…”

“No, Doc.  Not the straps, trust me here, Doc, he won’t hurt her.”

“Tom under normal circumstances I might agree but he isn’t in a normal frame of mind and he inflicted the wound on her face, did he not?”

“He didn’t mean it, Doc.”

“Of course not and he won’t mean it now but…”

“Doc, after that, everything he did down there was to protect her.  Give her a chance.”

Reluctantly, the Doctor stepped back and watched.
 

“Chakotay.”  She continued to stroke his face and repeat his name until he stopped yelling and turned his eyes toward her.  That same almost recognition flashed across his eyes.  “Chakotay, try to be calm.  I want to take these off of you; she touched the straps at his wrists.  You have to calm down first.”

He quieted as he studied her face.  She continued to talk softly to him, stroking his face, smiling.

“That’s it try to relax, you need to rest. Your out of the shadows and the darkness now.”  She tried to keep her voice soft and her smile in place, but her heart broke every time her gentle stroking brought her in touch with another binding.  He tried to speak, his voice rough and coarse produced only a growl.  “Shhhhhh, lie still and try to rest.”  She held his eyes and continued to murmur soothing sounds until he lost his battle and slipped into a heavily sedated sleep.  She waited, continuing the gentle touches and soft sounds until she was sure he would remain asleep; she gently began to remove the ties.  “Doctor, bring in a regenerator.”

“He should sleep for a while; I gave him a triple dose of medication.” The doctor regenerated the bruised tissue around his wrist while the captain unfastened the other restraints.

“Isn’t that a bit excessive?”

“Normally, but he was not responding.”  He glanced at her worried expression.  “Don ‘t worry Captain, he is big man it won’t hurt him and hopefully now that you have him relaxed, he will sleep for at least 8 hours and I can begin treatment.”

“We can leave this off then.”

“I wouldn’t advise it, we have no way of knowing for sure when or how he will wake.”

“I’ll stay for a while.”  She stood straight and looked him directly in the eye, there was no question in her voice.  “He won’t be a threat to anyone in his sleep.”

“Yes, Captain.”  The Doctor finished treating Chakotay’s bruises and stepped back through the force field to prepare the more complicated treatment.

 
“It was scary, but..”  Marissa DiTuro sat with a small group of friends in the mess hall.  “it was really exciting too.  Ya know Tuvok isn't as scary as he seems.  I mean he's not hard to work with at all.”

“What’s that briefing like?”  None of these junior staff members had ever even been inside the briefing room on deck one.

“Like I said scary, but it was like they didn’t care who I was…” She tried to convey the feelings to them.  “no 'them’ and ‘us' kind of thing like we always think -- there was a job to be done and I was the one doing it--- like they just expected it and it didn’t matter if I was an ensign or an admiral—only that I got it done.”

“Did they let you talk?”

“Well I had to give a report, I had the information they needed on the Bristolzil movement.”

“And they listened?”

“Of course they did, that’s what I was there for, besides I said some other stuff and one time Lieutenant Torres even said I had a good idea.”

“Hey ‘Rissa, I hear Torres yelled at Tuvok….”

“Oh Yeah, she went off on him, but we all know what her temper is like.”  The group acknowledged her with nods.  “The really scary part was when Tuvok yelled back.”

“No! Vulcans don’t yell.”

“I’m telling you he did and she sat right down and shut up too.” She waited for the laughter to subside.  “I’m telling you…..” Everyone was quietly looking over her shoulder; she stopped mid sentence and turned.  “Oh.”  She jumped up. “Ensign Kim--- er --- how are you, Sir?”

“I’m fine, thank you, Ensign.”  He smiled and gave a quick look around the table.

“They were just curious about, well…”  She couldn’t help but blush.

“Quite understandable, Ensign.  That must have been and interesting experience you had.”  He held up his hand to stop and further explanation.  “I won’t keep you, from your friends.  I just wanted to thank you for the excellent job you did in my absence.  I have favorable reports on your performance from all the senior staff you worked with.  I will be forwarding them to the Captain along with my recommendations for a commendation, which I’m sure she will approve.”

“Th-thank you, Sir.”  Marissa stammered.

“You earned it, Ensign.”  He smiled and patted her shoulder.  “And Marissa, it’s just Harry off duty, OK?”

“Yes, Si --- Harry.”

As much as she wanted to, Kathryn couldn’t stay in sickbay forever.  The doctor had begun the nanoprobe treatments and he was still sleeping.  He looked very peaceful and she tried not to think about the combination of drugs and borg creatures racing around in his veins.  She tucked the blanket around his sleeping form and signaled the doctor to lower the field.

“How’s he doing?”  She stepped up next to where the doctor was reading the console.

“He’s heavily sedated, but I believe the nanoprobe treatment is beginning to have a small effect.”

‘I’ll be in the ready room if..”

“Captain, you need some rest.”

“I don’t often admit this…”  She smiled. “But you’re right Doctor.  I’m going to stop by the ready room, there are some reports I need but I’ll take them back to my quarters and I promise I won’t over do it.”

“Good enough.”  He rechecked the panel. “I intend to keep him sedated until I see significant progress; I will keep you informed of any changes.”

“Thank you, doctor.”

The Captain collected her reports and left deck one with slightly more than a nod to the bridge crew.  She was physically tired, emotionally drained and sick with worry.

Damages, Injuries, systems failures, lack of supplies, Kathryn dropped the pile of padds on the table.  She kicked off her boots and threw her jacket the back of the chair.  Grabbing a fresh cup of coffee from the replicator she sorted through the padds.

“Not exactly light and relaxing reading.”  She grabbed a couple and settled back in her chair.

Systems reports a good place to start, the ship was, in spite of their circumstances, in pretty good shape at the moment the reports mostly routine and quickly out of the way.  Supplies, well she was aware of the shortages, fortunately not critical at the moment and they would resume searching for necessary items once this latest crisis was fully behind them.

Would it ever be fully behind them, she wondered? Maybe the answers were here for her to find.  Some where in this mess there must be crew reports.  The Doctor was a busy man these days, but found time for a short report on the apparent success ‘his’ new treatment…”  She smiled and wondered what Seven might have to say about that.  The most successful of course were those with the least contact, but the report included encouraging updates on Lieutenant Hosner and Ensign Miller.  Hosner had recovered sufficiently to return to duty and Miller was making significant progress and the doctor was now optimistic that in time he would make a full recovery.

Those few reports had taken longer than she expected, she had promised the doctor she would rest, one more cup of coffee and a few more reports and she would call it a night.  The next one was Harry’s, she had read a long detailed account of his time on the planet only yesterday and hadn’t expected another so soon.  Maybe it was just an ops report, couldn’t be much going on there, thankfully, Voyager was sailing swiftly and smoothly away from Cellinita.

As Kathryn read on, the smile on her face grew proportionately. She had watched Harry grow and mature, both as an officer and a as a man, over last few years.  The green ensign she met at DS9 had the knowledge and raw talent to be her opps officer, but he wasn’t there yet.  She immediately recognized the other qualities possessed by the shy ensign, the loyalty, the courage, the heart of a fine bridge officer and the strength and gentle kindness of a good man. It had been up to her to help hone those skills and had been her privilege to witness Harry’s growth and it was heartwarming to see him recognize and nurture those qualities in another.

Ensign DiTuro, a bright young woman, Kathryn had worked with her a few times, but like most junior officers she was skittish around the captain.  Harry was apparently quite pleased with her performance in his absence.  He had been quite thorough in recommendation, listing her accomplishments and backing up the details of her performance with references of other senior officers who had worked with her.  B’Elanna recognized Di’Turo’s extraordinary efforts in providing timely, accurate and invaluable information on enemy strengths and movements and demonstrating both leadership and support when necessary.  Seven had called her intelligent and precise and according to Tuvok’s recommendation she had “performed exceptionally well under duress”, high praise indeed! Kathryn was impressed, not only with this young woman’s performance but with the ability of her senior staff, who could all too easily have overlooked the ensign in the heat of the moment, to recognize her accomplishments.

Kathryn put the padd down and smiled.  She was quite proud of them all, especially her senior staff.  Once again they had pulled off the impossible in this godforsaken quadrant and moved forward like it was all in a days work.  The only hint they had given her that this was anything but routine was their commendation of this young woman who had however tentatively joined their ranks and followed their example and apparently given an exemplary performance.

“I only wish I had more to offer you than a commendation in your file.”  She approved the padd and added her own note to be added to the Ensign’s personnel file. She wiped a stray tear and chided herself for excess emotion. “Captains don’t cry Kathryn!”  She shook her head it’s a chemical reaction, she thought. Yes, the doctor warned her about the possibility or maybe she was just old and overtired.   She laughed to herself. Resisting the urge to take a trip to sickbay, she headed toward the bedroom.

“Sickbay to the Captain.”  The doctor’s voice crashed through the silence, shattering the tentative peace she had surrounded herself with.

“Janeway here.”  The mere sound of his voice had frightened her; she checked the time.

“I realize it’s late, Captain, but since you weren’t sleeping…”

“Monitoring me, Doctor?”

“Yes, Captain, I have been but I didn’t hail to admonish you for not sleeping as I believe….”

“Doctor just why did you hail?” She cut him off.

“I wanted to update you, Captain.  I thought perhaps you would rest better if you knew that Commander Chakotay is responding to treatment.”

“That is welcome news, Doctor. Are you anticipating a full recovery?”

“Its still early, Captain, but I am very encouraged with the progress he has made in the last few hours. It’s just that some things are beyond even my control.”

“I understand, please keep me informed.”  The sadness was as evident in her voice as the hope had been just a moment before.

“Captain, I’m an excellent Doctor…”

“I’m sorry, Doctor I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. I know you are doing your very best.”

“I don’t doubt my ability nor do I question your faith in it, Captain.” The doctor paused making an effort to sound less indignant.  “I merely meant to suggest that there may more to his recovery than any medicine, no matter how Borg enhanced, can provide.”

“I see.  Are you suggesting we bring his medicine wheel down to sick bay?”

“I’m only a hologram Captain but even I can recognize that there are bonds that transcend barriers whether those barriers are self imposed protocols, alien possessions or chemical induced mental and physical breakdowns.  The medicine Wheel certainly wouldn’t do any harm, but what I’m trying to say, Captain, is that I made no progress in his treatment before your visit and since then he has improved rapidly.”

“Thank You doctor. That’s good to know.”

“No, Captain, thank you. I have come to the conclusion that this must be a team effort.  I can not heal him if you can not give him the will to recover.”

Kathryn smiled. That was rather blunt but Harry’s report too had left little doubt that the connection between her and her first officer was evident.  She reached for her jacket. “Do I have your permission, then, to forego sleep for another half hour while I make a short visit to Sickbay?”

“I believe, Captain that would be an acceptable idea.”

“On my way.”  She pulled on her boots.

Harry wasn’t the only member of her crew who had matured over the years. B’Elanna had developed into a fine officer and a woman who was at peace with her heritage. Tom had proved himself time and again, as an officer, pilot, a friend, and a husband.  Even Tuvok’s stern logic had been tempered at times with what seemed a lot like emotion and Seven’s progress was evident to everyone. The Doctor had become almost human in his emotional insight, far more than the computer program of a few years ago.

Chakotay had quickly become the rock she leaned on, a rock steady presence who somehow never failed her no matter what she threw his way.  And finally she had learned that some things were meant to be and accepting and embracing them wouldn’t make her less of a captain and would quite possibly make her a better woman.

Kathryn entered a darkened sickbay, unlike the last time she was here there was no chaos and no visible bonds. Chakotay seemed to be sleeping; she sought out the doctor.

“Doctor?”  She quietly called into his office.

“Ahh, Captain, perfect timing.”  He rose from behind his desk.  “The sensors indicate that he is coming around.”

“Have you spoken to him?”  She followed him out of the office.

“The sedation is only now wearing off.”  He lowered the force field.  “I’m not sure what his reaction will be but the readings indicate the toxicity level, while still above normal, is greatly reduced.  I was able to use a force field to restrain his body as a precautionary measure.”

As they spoke, Chakotay’s eyes began to flutter, his head tossed gently but the field prevented any other movement.

“Commander.”  The Doctor  spoke quietly, but the eyes that sought the source of the sound were filled with confusion and fear.  “It’s all right, Commander.  You’re in sickbay.”

Someone was speaking. Chakotay opened his eyes and tried to focus.  The man was familiar, he knew the voice but his head pounded and he couldn’t concentrate; he closed his eyes.  He couldn’t move, he tossed his head; he was trapped and he felt the panic rising. He tried to speak, to call out.  His throat was dry and sore the sounds garbled and harsh.

“Chakotay.”  The doctor had stepped back and she quickly took his place. “Chakotay.”  She repeated softly as she gently stroked her hand across his forehead.

He looked at her and she smiled. His mind was churning, images, sounds, fragments of memories all collided in his brain.

“Chakotay, don’t be frightened.  You’re safe on Voyager now.”

Voyager? Voyager. The sound echoed behind his tightly closed eyes and suddenly something registered. “Kathryn.”   It came out a harsh whisper.  He opened his eye to see her smile broaden.

“Yes, Chakotay I’m here.”  She saw him try to raise his hand and the panic showed in his eyes again.  “It’s all right.  You’re all right.  It’s a force field.”  She turned toward the doctor.  “Can you release it?”

The doctor hesitated a moment then retreated to the station and lowered the field.
When the low hum of the force field ceased, Chakotay flexed his fingers then raised his arms.  He sighed and visibly relaxed.   Kathryn took his hand.

“I know it’s all still unclear but it will get better in time.  You’ve been very ill and it’s going to take time.”  He was watching her closely; his fingers held tightly to hers.  There was still not complete understanding in his eyes but she saw trust, and more.

“Captain.”  The Doctor came forward and stood beside them. “I have prepared another course of the treatment.”  He looked from one to the other.  “In just a few moments, Commander, you will be going back to sleep and when you wake you will be feeling much better.”

Chakotay gripped Kathryn’s hand as his eyes darted back and forth between them.

“It’s all right, Chakotay.  The doctor will take good care of you.”  Her one hand was tightly gripped in his the other stroked his forehead in and effort to keep him relaxed. “It’s going to take some time before you are back to normal, but we are all here to help you.”

“You?”  He swallowed hard struggling with his words.  “Kathryn –You- will-be-here?”

“Always, Chakotay.”  She tried to move aside to let the Doctor in but Chakotay held her.  “Chakotay, we must let the doctor treat you.”

“No, need -talk …”

“We will talk but first you need to get well.”  She stepped closer and touched her lip softly to his forehead. “We will get through this.”

“Together?”

“Together, Chakotay.  We will do it together.”  She moved back; he loosened his grip on her hand but she didn’t pull away. “You sleep now and get well.”

The Doctor administered the first hypospray and Kathryn stayed until Chakotay drifted back to sleep before returning to her quarters to get some rest herself.  She was going to need that rest.  Now, she not only had a ship to run and a crew to care for. Now she had a personal commitment to honor and a new relationship to nurture.

She had gotten him back, dragged him from the shadowy darkness, and he would recover, this time.  As Captain, she knew all to well this probably wouldn’t be the last time she risked losing him, but she was no longer willing to let that possibility keep her from making the most of the time they had. She would Captain her ship and they would fulfill their duties and in between they would live their lives as fully as possible, in the bright sunlight.
 

The End.