Another A/U story, short with a little food
for thought.
PROTOCOL
by Sheri
Chakotay was headed to the bridge, getting several of the crew as he went by.
"Hello Commander, how are you doing today?" Naomi greeted him cheerfully.
"I'm doing great Naomi, and how are you doing today?"
"GREAT, I got an A on the science test"
"I had no doubt that you would" he commented.
"I'm glad the Captain had some time to tutor me, It was a great help"
"I'll let her know, she'll be thrilled" he said enthusiastically.
"Thanks Commander" and the little girl continued down the hall.
Chakotay smiled to himself, Naomi was definitely a light on this journey.
******
He almost didn't even realize that anything had changed except for the brief, now it's here now it's gone, tingling sensation. He stopped briefly, looked around and continued to the bridge.
"Good morning Captain" said the small, sweet voice.
"Naomi, didn't we just speak." he asked slightly confused.
"No, but I thought you were already on the bridge, forget something"
“NO, I'm on my way to the bridge."
“Oh, sorry, see you late,r" and she continued down the hall.
It suddenly dawned on him "Naomi, what did you call me?"
"I called you Captain," She said adamantly.
Just then Harry Kim interrupted them, "Whoa, how did you get here so fast Captain?"
"Would everyone stop calling me Captain, that isn't very funny." Chakotay was getting angry.
"Sorry Chakotay, but you are the Captain. What should we call you? " said Harry.
"I AM THE CAPTIAN? I think we definitely have a problem here, I have not made it to the bridge yet, And last I checked, I was the First Officer of Voyager, Not the Captain." Chakotay wanted answers, did everyone lose their minds.
"Hang on a sec. 'Harry to Captain Chakotay. "
"Yeah Harry, What can I do for you?" came the voice over the Conn.
"Umm Captain...We have a visitor that you definitely will want to meet."
********
The two Chakotay's regarded each other carefully, "You do understand that I'd like you to follow me to sickbay to make sure you are who you seem to be"
"Of course, after you," Said Commander Chakotay.
"Ah Captain what can I do for you?...oh my, I see, uh Capt....Comm... Have a seat please." The doctor thought he was seeing double for a minute there.
"Hmmm. yes... hmmm well, Captain he is you, or should I say your double exactly." He continued "I am showing signs of temporal flux, he’s definitely not from around here."
"Yes, doctor thank you, no commander, how about we adjourn to your quarters. I'll set you up in guest quarters until we can figure out how to send you back."
Chakotay nodded and followed, "How long have you been Captain?"
"One year, "he answered quietly, "one year, one month and three days."
Commander Chakotay understood, or at least could understand, ' I hope I never have to understand.'
"Tell me Commander, are you and your Captain involved?" the question was blunt.
“Involved, No, Friends, sometimes."
"I definitely understand that," Captain Chakotay answered. "She was a feisty one."
"Tell me how did she die," did he want to know?
"Shuttle accident, her and Kaplan, it was a routine survey mission, she was bored, an asteroid slammed into them ripping the shuttle in half. Still can't understand it, a damn asteroid, the shuttle should've been able to out run it."
"Sorry," What else could he say?
"Well here we are. I don't want to confine you but it could get confusing if you wandered around, if you need anything, call," and Captain Chakotay left.
******
It had taken three days for that B'Elanna to figure out how to send him back. It would be quite simple actually, a few tweaks to a transporter beam in the precise area of space.
"We'll be there in 2 hours, you ready to head back?" asked Captain Chakotay.
He had basically been left alone, didn't need any undue influence in this time line. "Yes I am, Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, I might even give you an answer," answered the Captain.
"Any regrets?"
“Yes, too many to count but I can only move on," answered the Captain solemnly. "See you in 2 hours."
*****
He stood on the transporter pad, waiting, any minute now he would be home, he missed everyone terribly, especially her.
Captian Chakotay approached him. "I have to tell you this, it's your choice whether to act on this, I want you to thoroughly read the rules of protocol, and I mean thoroughly! I know you, you think you know them but you don't know all. They can be quite helpful. Read the section on relationships, every section, and every subsection. Maybe you'll have one less regret then me"
"Of course, I will. Thank you." and it was time the Captain said energize and the commander disappeared into the shimmering light.
*******
He reappeared on his voyager, somehow he knew he was in the right place, "Captain, he's back," it was a very excited Belanna.
"Thank you B'Elanna, I'm on my way." There was a definite happiness to her voice.
"Chakotay, you scared us, we never thought we'd find you, what happened." B'Elanna rattled out.
"Well..." he couldn’t finish, the captain came in.
She was rushing towards him, almost like she was going to jump in his arms, but at last minute she stopped putting the captains mask firmly in place, "Commander it's good to have you back, you had us worried for a while there."
"Sorry Captain, I didn't mean to." He flashed her his dimples.
She laughed, "Get to sick bay Chakotay, I'm sure the doctor wants to get his hands on you, and take tomorrow off, write me a good report, I'm interested in knowing what went on over there."
"Aye Captain, you'll get a full report tomorrow," And he parted ways, heading for sick bay.
*******
After a thorough exam the doctor dismissed him, he went to his quarter’s, absolutely exhausted. He took a brief shower and fell into bed.
No matter how hard he tried he couldn't find sleep, 'well I might as well start reading that protocol, that'll put be out.'
"Computer, display rules of protocol regarding relationships." the computer obeyed and Chakotay read.
"A captain should not become romantically involved with a member of her crew blah blah blah, wait a minute, should." He read on, definitely more interested.
"Should a romantic interest show itself a Captain cannot, under any circumstances, be the one to initiate the relationship,.... oh spirits, all this time..."
He didn't waste any time, he threw on the
first thing he could and was out the door, towards her quarters, towards
his destiny.
END?