Standard disclaimer: The characters and ship are owned by Paramount, that makes them the Great Bird of the Galaxy on anything Trek, however, I'm just playing in their field to have some fun. The story and idea are mine. If you wish to print this or distribute it in any way, please keep this disclaimer and my name attached. Thank you.
Who'll Stop the Pain
by Karen Fischer
It started as a simple away mission. Janeway would beam down
with a small team to obtain much needed Polyferranide. It was the
one substance Voyager seemed to need constantly.
The only reason she had decided to go herself and not send
Chakotay, was because she was beginning to get cabin fever. She
needed to breath some fresh, not recycled, air. It felt good to
walk on an uneven surface, if only for a little while, and to
breath air that was clean and not artificial.
The other members of the away team included Harry Kim,
B'Elanna Torres and Ensign Vorik, since this was mainly an
engineering excursion.
Since there was a thriving population on the planet, with
some degree of technology, Janeway decided that they should be
attired in civilian clothing while they tried to make contact with
someone who would be able to help them obtain the Polyferranide.
They had been lucky enough to contact someone before leaving
Voyager, and that's where they were headed. Vorik found where the
man had asked them to meet, and the others followed the young
Ensign into the building.
It appeared to be some sort of shop. The goods that were
displayed looked to Janeway like carpets or rugs. Some kind of
floor coverings, she thought. Harry Kim seemed to think the same
thing when he made a comment.
Vorik and Torres approached what looked like a counter and
struck a device that let out a ringing noise. Within moments a man
came from behind a curtain.
"Yes, how may I help you?" He asked, appearing to be very
friendly.
Janeway immediately went up beside B'Elanna to talk with the
man. "We're visitors here, and were told to meet someone called
Phrogell." She told the man.
"I am Phrogell." He answered. He then leaned over the
counter and in a softer voice said: "Are you Captain Janeway of
Voyager?"
"Yes, I am." She replied.
"Good. Come with me." He said and stepped around the
counter. He lead the party to a rear doorway with a curtain.
Behind the curtain was hidden a door, which Phrogell unlocked with
a key. He opened it and the away team stepped inside.
"I'm sorry about the secrecy, but it's illegal to sell what
you need." He told the Voyager crew.
"If it's illegal, why do you sell it?" Vorik asked.
'Leave it to a Vulcan to ask a stupid question.' Torres
thought.
"Because, many ships pass by our planet, and it is a popular
element. Especially for those ships that have Warp capabilities
like yours. And I have to admit, I don't mind the profit I gain
from selling it."
Janeway looked at Vorik with a warning glance that was meant
to tell the young Vulcan not to ask any more questions. She was
sure he got the message, although when she saw the scowl on
B'Elanna's face she wondered if that was Vorik's incentive for
staying quiet.
"How much do you need?" Phrogell asked.
"We need at least 10 kilos." Torres replied.
Janeway nodded her agreement, and Phrogell proceeded to fill
the container they had brought with them.
They exchanged what they had agreed on and were about to
leave. Phrogell exited the back room first, then signaled that it
was safe for the others to follow.
"Please keep that well hidden. If anyone sees you with it,
you could be arrested."
"Thank you for the warning. We'll be careful." Janeway
assured Phrogell.
B'Elanna had taken the container and slipped into a sack
that would be filled with foodstuffs, so the substance was
relatively safe until they could be beamed back to Voyager.
The group left the shop and began walking back out of the
town. Suddenly, what appeared to be either police or soldiers
appeared ahead of them. Weapons were prominently displayed.
"Just act like visitors, taking in the sites." Janeway
warned her group.
They nodded and tried to blend in with the crowd in the
street.
Vorik and Torres headed in slightly different directions, so
Janeway pointed to Harry that he and she should do the same. As
Harry began to walk ahead of Janeway, she stopped and pretended
she was looking at what appeared to be vegetables at a stand.
That's when it happened.
The soldiers suddenly went for Harry. Janeway saw Torres and
Vorik head toward the end of town. Janeway couldn't let them
capture and detain Harry, so she went over to help.
She managed to knock the wind out of the soldier who was
beginning to tie Harry's hands behind his back. Another began to
come to his partner's aid, when she kicked him. Before she was
able to turn she felt a heavy dull blow to the back of her head. A
moment later her world went back.
When B'Elanna and Vorik returned to Voyager, B'Elanna
explained to Chakotay what they had seen.
"As far as I know, the Captain was trying to get the
soldiers off Harry, then get the hell out of there. We didn't see
them, I thought maybe the Captain would have contacted the ship by
now asking for a transport."
"No. There hasn't been any word from either the Captain or
Harry." Chakotay told B'Elanna.
"I hope their all right." B'Elanna said.
"I'll have Tuvok scan the surface to see if we can find
them." Chakotay told her. "Meanwhile, get down to Engineering. We
need that Polyferranide."
"I know. Let me know if you find out anything about the
Captain and Harry." She said as she began to walk toward the
turbolift.
"I will." Chakotay called after her. He then went to the
Bridge. Kathryn was maybe in trouble, and he needed to know if
she could be rescued.
Awareness came slowly. It started with a dull pain in the
back of the head. Kathryn struggled to open her eyes, but didn't
think she could. She didn't think she could move either. Then
there was blackness again.
The sensation of someone beside her, and hearing a voice
seemed to stir Kathryn to consciousness. Again she felt the dull
aching throb in the back of her head. She felt that she was laying
on her side, so tried to roll to her back. The wrong thing to do.
The pain in her head became sharper and she let out an involuntary
moan.
"Captain, are you okay?" She heard a voice ask.
Kathryn struggled to open her eyes. There was light, and
fortunately it was not very bright. Her vision remained blurred
for some time, but she was aware of someone sitting beside her on
a bed? Cot? something. As her vision began to clear, she saw that
the figure beside her was Harry Kim.
She put a hand to the back of her head. "What happened?
Where are we?" She began to ask. Her voice was raspy, and her
mouth felt dry.
Harry got up and then came back a moment later with
something in his hand.
"Here, take a sip of this." He said, holding some kind of
cup out to her.
She tried to sit up, but the pain in her head began to get
worse again.
Harry saw that his Captain was in pain, and sat the cup down
on the floor beside the cot. He positioned himself so that he
could help raise her up then reached down and retrieved the cup.
When Janeway was in a semi-upright position, Harry held the cup to
her lips and helped her so that she could take a drink.
When she was done, he gently lowered her back onto the cot.
"Better?" He asked.
"I think so." Janeway said, closing her eyes against the
pain she was still feeling.
"As to your question. You were hit from behind, trying to
help me. I have no real idea where we are. It's some kind of
prison."
"How long was I unconscious?" She asked him.
"I can't be sure. It could be a couple of hours. They hit
you pretty hard. There's a good size cut, and you've been bleeding
quite a bit." He told her.
"No wonder my head feels like it does." Then she tried to
sit up. Harry reached over and helped her.
"Maybe it would be a good idea if you just stayed put,
Captain. You've probably got a bad concussion."
"I'll be fine. Just give me a little time." She told him as
she swung her legs over the edge of the cot. That was when the
dizziness hit her. She lowered her head into her hands.
"Captain?" Harry asked, concern in his voice.
"Just a little dizzy. It'll pass." She told him, trying to
be reassuring, but not so sure herself.
Aboard Voyager, the scans were not showing any evidence of
human life signs. There was also no indication of Harry or
Janeway's comm badge signals.
"I have a bad feeling about this, Tuvok." Chakotay told the
Vulcan.
"Perhaps the Captain and Ensign Kim managed to escape and
are unable to contact the ship since they could be monitored."
Tuvok offered.
"Somehow I doubt that. I'm reluctant to get in touch with
the authorities on this planet. Who knows why they decided to grab
Harry and the Captain."
"You are assuming that Ensign Kim and Captain Janeway have
been taken prisoners. It could be that they were not."
Chakotay looked at Tuvok. "I'm glad you have a positive
outlook on this. I sure wish I felt the same way. But I suppose
our only alternative is to contact the authorities and find out if
Harry and the Captain were taken into custody. I also need to find
out how B'Elanna's coming with the repairs to the warp coils.
He then contacted B'Elanna.
"I've got Vorik and Seven helping me on it, Chakotay.
Hopefully the work should be done in about ten hours."
"Good. Keep me posted."
Now he needed to contact the authorities on the planet.
In an effort to help Janeway with her wound, Harry tore the
sleeve of his tunic. He tore off the cuff and dipped it in water,
then placed it over the wound on Janeway's head.
"I don't know if this will help stop the bleeding, but at
least the water is cold and it should ease some of the pain your
feeling." He told her.
"Thank you, Harry." She looked up at the young man. "Harry,
if one of us is taken for questioning, whatever you do, don't let
on that I'm your Captain."
The young man looked surprised. "Sure. But may I ask why?"
"Chakotay may be forced to find out if we were captured. It
would probably be best if they thought he was in command of
Voyager. If they knew that he wasn't, then they might use that
against him."
"I understand. What should I call you then?"
She smiled. "I suppose it would be safe for you to call me
Kathryn."
Harry's face began to darken slightly. Janeway was sure the
young man was blushing.
"Okay. But it's gonna take me a little while to get used to
the idea." pause, "Kathryn."
"That's fine, Harry. I don't suppose it would do any good to
deny we're with Voyager, but at least they don't have to know that
we're more than plain crewmembers."
"You mean, lower deck personnel?"
"Exactly. I was thinking that perhaps I'd tell them I was a
Lt. Commander."
"Sounds good to me." Harry replied, smiling now. "Why don't
you lie down a little bit more? At least until your headache
eases."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." She began to reassure him.
Suddenly there was a noise outside their cell door. The door
suddenly swung open, and the room was flooded with bright light.
Janeway held her hand to her eyes to shield them from the bright
light. The effect made her head ache more.
A figure approached and grabbed Janeway by her other arm,
forcefully dragging her toward the open door.
Harry tried to step in and stop the two men from taking
Janeway, but they pushed him to the ground, then slammed the door
behind them when they were outside. Harry ran to the door and
looked out through the small square to see where they might be
taking his Captain. He could only make out one of the guards
headed down the corridor to Harry's left, then disappear from
view. There was nothing he could do now but wait and hope that
these people didn't hurt Janeway.
Chakotay was in the process of contacting someone in the
government. After one hour he was finally put in touch with the
vice Governor of the planet. It had now been two hours since
Janeway and Kim had been taken.
"How can I help you...?"
"I'm Commander Chakotay of the Federation Starship Voyager.
Two of my people appear to have been detained by your military or
police, I'm not sure which."
"Detained? Do you know why?"
"No, I don't. They had gone down to obtain supplies. There
were two others with them, and they managed to get away."
"I see. Were your people involved in any illegal
activities?"
"Not that I'm aware of. As I said they were sent down to
obtain supplies."
"What kind of supplies?"
"Food, mainly, and any raw materials that might be
available." Chakotay was lying. He couldn't tell this man that
they had purchased Polyferranide. The transaction had been made,
and Janeway and Kim had been taken after the substance was
purchased. As far as he knew, the merchant that had sold it to
them had not been taken into custody, so he assumed that Janeway
and Kim had been taken, just because they were aliens.
"If that's the case, I can't understand why your people
would have been detained. It could be the militia police. They are
fiercely xenophobic and dislike it when Aliens visit to obtain
supplies and trade. That might be who took your people. I'll look
into the matter and see what I can find out. Can I have the names
of your crewmembers that were taken?"
"Of course. Harry Kim and Kathryn Janeway." Chakotay didn't
want to take a chance of giving away their rank. It might not go
well if they discovered they had Voyager's Captain in custody.
The transmission ended, and Chakotay sat down heavily in his
chair. "Now all we can do is wait." He said.
"So it would seem." Tuvok agreed.
Kathryn was taken to a small room. There was a metal chair,
to which she was seated and restrained. The restraints were placed
against her legs and arms, making it impossible for her to move
out of the chair.
A man came forward, holding something in his hand. As he got
closer, Kathryn saw that the something in his hand looked like a
syringe. He approached her on the left side and injected the
syringe into the area just above her ear. He repeated the process
on her right side.
The effect was that Kathryn felt discomfort when whatever
was in the syringe was injected. It seemed like the man had
injected something just under the skin, but Kathryn wasn't sure.
When he had completed his job, one of the guards who had brought
Kathryn to this place, placed something to each side of her head
in the area where she'd received the injections. Then the guard
left.
The man who had given Janeway the injections turned toward
her and began to speak. "I'm hoping that you will cooperate and
truthfully answer the questions I put to you. If not, you will
feel pain. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Janeway answered.
"Good. First, please tell me your name."
"Kathryn Janeway." She replied, seeing no reason to lie
about that.
"Are you with the Starship Voyager that is orbiting our
planet?"
"Yes, I am."
The man nodded at Janeway's answer. "What is your rank and
what do you do?"
Now came the moment of truth, so to speak. Kathryn hoped
that whatever had been injected into her didn't cause her to tell
the truth. "I'm a Lieutenant Commander, and a science officer."
She told the man. At least part of what she said was true.
"What can you tell me about your ships weapons systems?"
Janeway looked at the man, puzzled. "Weapons systems?"
"Yes, that's right. What do you know about them?"
Now was the time to feign innocence about anything. "I don't
know anything about them. I'm just a science officer, not an
engineer." She told the man.
Suddenly, without warning she felt a sharp pain sear through
the temporal nerves in her head. A feeling like electricity. Once
the initial surge subsided, she could still feel the charge
coursing back and forth along the nerves. The pain was like
nothing she had ever experienced before. Her eyes began to water.
She didn't know if it was tears caused by the sudden shock or from
the intense sensation of pain, but she couldn't stop them from
flowing. The shock also made the pain in the back of her head feel
sharper.
"Please don't lie to me, Commander Janeway. Every time you
do, I'm forced to activate the electrodes." He told her in a soft,
almost gentle voice.
Kathryn clenched her teeth against the pain and raised her
head to look at the man. "I'm telling you the truth." She told
him, praying he'd believe her. "I work on the lower decks, in
Astronavigation." She lied again.
The man gave her a pitying look. "I'm sure you do. Now, just
tell me about Voyager's weapons systems and this will be all
over."
"I told you, I don't know anything about them." She almost
screamed it, hoping that somehow the pain she was still feeling
would disappear with the loudness of her voice.
Again, the electrodes were activated. Janeway felt the pain
increase on her temples. It was too much, and she felt herself
beginning to black out. She slumped over in the chair and felt
herself being immersed in a sea of darkness, with the pain still
searing her head.
Harry heard noises outside the cell, and got up from the cot
where he had been sitting. The door was swung open, and the two
guards dragged an apparently semi-conscious Janeway to the cot on
the other side of the cell. They placed her on the cot and left.
Slamming the door behind them.
Harry rushed over to Janeway, trying to assess any injury
she might have suffered. He wasn't able to find anything on the
surface except the earlier injury. She had been placed face down
on the cot, so Harry gingerly rolled her onto her side.
Kathryn gave out an involuntary moan at the feeling of
movement. She kept her eyes closed, hoping the pain would
eventually subside. It didn't. After some time she slowly opened
her eyes. At first she was unable to see anything, but she felt a
presence next to her. As her eyes began to get accustomed to the
dim light of the cell, she could make out the form of Harry Kim
sitting on her cot. Then she felt something on her forehead. It
was Harry's hand, holding something there.
He realized that her eyes were open and leaned closer.
Softly he asked; "How are you?"
Kathryn brought a hand to one of her temples. "In pain. It
really hurts." She told the young Ensign.
"What did they do to you?"
"I'm not sure. They injected something into my temples, then
attached some sort of electrodes." She told him.
Harry's eyes widened at this revelation. "Are you saying
they gave you shock treatment?"
"I don't know. I only know I want the pain to stop. It's
almost unbearable." She hoped she didn't sound like she was
whimpering, although that was how she felt.
Harry didn't know what to do. The only medical training he'd
received at the Academy had to do with basic first aid, and how to
use a medikit. But they didn't have a medikit, and his Captain
needed a doctor's attention. Of that much he was certain.
"Why don't you try and get some sleep. Maybe the pain will
subside some after you've had some rest." He tried to comfort
Kathryn.
"I don't know if I can sleep. The pain is constant, and it
hurts so much." She told him, closing her eyes tightly against the
pain, to no avail.
"Just try. I'll stay right here with you. Okay?" He said.
"Okay." Janeway answered, the fatigue in her voice echoing
how she must be feeling. She lay on her side, her eyes closed,
praying that oblivion would overtake her at some point.
Harry shifted gently, but remained on the cot, sitting
beside his Captain. There was a blanket, so he pulled it over
Janeway.
He didn't know how much time had elapsed before Janeway's
breathing became deep and regular. He felt that she had finally
managed to fall asleep, so he eased himself off the cot and walked
to the door, peering out of the hole. Aside from a lit corridor
there was nothing to see. He turned, leaning against the door and
looked over to Janeway's sleeping form. He hoped that Voyager
would find some way of getting the two of them out of this prison
before Janeway was taken for more torture. At this point, he
didn't know if she'd be able to take any more, given the amount of
pain she was in. He hoped when they did return that they'd take
him instead. It would be better than having his Captain go through
it again.
The Vice Governor contacted Voyager three hours after
Chakotay had spoken with him.
"I have some news for you, Commander."
"What is it, Sir?" He asked.
"Your people were taken by the militia police. I have my
people working to get your crewmembers released."
"How long do you think it will take?" Chakotay asked,
hopeful now.
"I wish I could say. You see, Commander, this group is well
known for subjecting their detainees to various forms of torture.
If one of your people is undergoing questioning by torture, they
won't admit it, but will stall for time until they are finished."
Chakotay had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"By finished, do you mean dead, Vice governor?"
"No. But almost so. I promise my people will do their utmost
to get your people released as soon as possible."
"Thank you." Chakotay answered, sighing.
"I'll keep you posted on my people's progress." The Vice
governor said then signed off.
"Perhaps he was exaggerating." Tuvok said.
"That didn't sound like exaggeration to me." Paris chimed
in.
"I agree with Paris. Let's just hope they decided not to go
to hard on Harry and the Captain."
What seemed like several hours had passed and suddenly Harry
heard Kathryn moan. He went over and bent down next to her cot.
She opened her eyes and realized he was there.
"How long was I asleep?" She asked him.
"I don't know. A long while. You needed the rest. How is you
head feeling now?"
"It's still hurting. I don't know if the pain is getting
better or I'm just getting more used to it. But it doesn't feel as
bad as before, I don't think."
"That's good. Are you thirsty? Would you like some water?"
Harry asked her.
"Yes, please."
"I'll be right back." He got up and got a cup. Filled it
with water and took it back to his Captain.
This time, Kathryn was able to swing her legs over the edge
of the cot and sit up. Harry sat down next to her and handed her
the cup. She took two deep swallows and thanked him.
"You wanna lie down some more?" He asked her.
"I don't think so. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm lying
down or sitting up, the pain in my temples just won't go away."
Janeway told him, dropping her head into her hands, her elbows on
her knees as she rubbed at her temples.
Suddenly they heard the sound of the door being unlocked.
Someone, a guard perhaps, entered, placed two bowls on the floor,
then stepped back, closed and relocked the door. Harry got up and
went over to the bowls.
He picked them up and brought them back over to where
Janeway still sat on her cot.
"Looks like they don't want us to starve." He brought one of
the bowls up to his face and sniffed. "Smells okay. Better than
some of Neelix's concoctions." He offered.
Janeway couldn't help but give a little smile at Harry's
joke.
"I guess we'll have to use our hands. Doesn't look like they
trust us with eating utensils." Harry said. "Here ya go." Harry
held out one of the bowls to Janeway.
She looked up and reluctantly took the bowl from him. She
placed it beside her on the cot.
"Not hungry?" Harry asked her.
"Not really. My head hurts to much. I think I'll pass on the
meal." She told him.
Harry got a worried look on his face then. "You feeling
nauseous?" He asked her.
"Yeah. It's hard to feel hungry when you don't feel well."
"I know. But you should try to eat something. Who knows how
long we're going to be stuck here?"
Janeway looked up at her Operations Ensign. "You're almost
as bad as Neelix. Do you know that?" She told him.
"Does that mean you'll try and eat a little something?" He
asked, seemingly hopeful.
"Alright, I'll eat some. But don't push it. I don't really
have much of an appetite with this headache."
"Sure thing." Harry said, picking up the bowl and handing it
back to Janeway.
After they had eaten, Janeway lay back down on the cot.
Harry pulled the blanket over her.
"Try to get some more sleep. Maybe the pain will subside
some more." He told her.
"I hope you're right, Harry." She said and rolled over.
How much time had passed, it was hard to say. Maybe an hour,
but the door was unlocked and two guards again entered the cell.
The sound of the cell door being unlocked woke Janeway from an
almost sound sleep. It also aggravated her headache.
Harry stepped over to Janeway's cot, trying to distract the
guards. Hoping they'd take him, but they seemed intent on taking
Janeway once again. He tried to fight the two men, but they
overpowered him easily, then dragged Janeway off the cot and onto
her feet.
Harry raised himself off the floor and tried to run toward
the two guards as they pulled Janeway out the door with them.
Harry saw her try to raise her hands to her eyes to block the
bright lights from the corridor, but the guards held her arms too
tightly to allow her to raise her arms very far.
The door was slammed shut in Harry's face, and again he was
left alone to ponder his Captain's fate.
It was now seven hours since Janeway and Kim had been
abducted, and almost another three since Chakotay had heard from
the Vice Governor. Suddenly there was a hail from the planet.
"On screen." Chakotay ordered.
"Commander, Chakotay. We've located where your crew members
have been taken."
Chakotay gave out a sigh. "Are they all right?"
"My sources tell me that the male, Harry Kim is being held
in a cell, and that the female, Kathryn Janeway, has been taken
for questioning."
Chakotay turned and looked at Tuvok. He turned back to the
screen. "Are you telling me that Kathryn Janeway is being
tortured?"
The Vice Governor looked grim. "I'm afraid so, Commander.
However, we will work very hard to get them out. Harry Kim should
not be a problem. I don't know what kind of information they are
trying to obtain from the woman, but I assure you she will be
rescued."
"Thank you, Vice Governor." Chakotay said. "Is there
anything any of my people can do?"
"I'm afraid not. As I said these people are extremely
xenophobic about aliens. Seeing your people might only make the
situation worse."
"Very well. Please let me know when you've gotten my people
out."
"Of course, Commander."
The screen went blank. Paris turned to Chakotay. "Sir, what
do you think they're doing to the Captain?"
"I don't know, Paris. I just hope she'll be able to recover
from it emotionally as well as physically."
Kathryn was again taken to the small room she'd been in
before. As before she was seated in the metal chair and
restrained. This time the electrodes were placed on her temples
without the injections preceding it.
"Hello again, Lt. Commander Janeway." The interrogator said.
"I hope you're feeling more cooperative than you were before."
"What do you want from me?" She asked him.
"As I told you before. All I want is for you to tell me what
kind of weapons system your ship has and how strong they are."
"I told you before, I don't know anything about my ships
weapons systems. I'm a Science Officer in Astronavigation. Ask me
about charting space and I'll be glad to tell you anything you
want." She kept up the pretense and the lie, hoping they'd relent,
but that wasn't the case.
"I'm sorry you won't be more cooperative." The interrogator
said.
Then Kathryn felt the pain surge through her head as it had
before. She wasn't sure when the actual power was turned off
because the continual pain coursing through her temporal nerves
went on and on. It wouldn't abate, and she didn't know if she
could take much more of it before she told this man exactly what
he wanted to know, or passed out. She hoped for the latter.
She was so distracted by her pain and misery that she didn't
hear when the door opened and a shot was fired. Kathryn was only
vaguely aware that the electrodes were being removed from her
temples and her restraints were being released.
The men who picked her up, did so gently, unlike the guards
who had brought her back to this place. She felt herself being
carried in someone's strong arms. It was then that she allowed
herself to fall into the abyss of oblivion, away from the
nightmare of pain she was experiencing.
The first thing Kathryn became aware of was a warm,
comforting sensation. She felt comfortable, although still in
pain. She allowed herself to lay quietly for some time before
attempting to open her eyes. When she did she was greeted by the
blurry visage of Voyager's holographic Doctor, standing over her.
"I'm glad to see your awake, Captain. How are you feeling?"
His voice was soft. Not the harshness she was used to. A sudden
thought came to her that B'Elanna must have been working on his
personality program.
Blinking her eyes, she stared at the Doctor for some time
before she was able to clear her head. What he had said to her
began to make some sense and so she tried to answer. "Fuzzy. Head
hurts." Was all she was able to mumble, before closing her eyes
again, against the pain in her temples.
She then felt something against her neck and heard a hissing
noise. A moment later, the pain in her head didn't seem as severe.
She opened her eyes again.
"Is that better?" The Doctor asked.
"I think so." She replied.
That was when she heard another voice. One that was
familiar, but that in her present state of confusion she was
unable to identify.
Chakotay had stepped up behind the Doctor. "How is she
doing?" He asked, sotto voice.
"There appears to be some injury to her temporal nerves.
They're inflamed, and sending pain messages to her brain.
Unfortunately it's the one area that I can't desensitize, so we're
just going to have to see what happens."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, that there is no way to reduce the inflammation.
Only time can do that. I can give her medication to reduce the
amount of pain she feels, but the only things I can give her,
sedate her."
"I see. Can I talk to her?"
"Keep it brief, Commander. I don't know how much she'll
understand at this point."
"Fine." Chakotay answered then stepped up to Kathryn's
bedside. "How are you?" He asked in a soothing voice.
Kathryn opened her eyes, and looked up at her First Officer.
"Chakotay?" She asked.
"Yes. It's me." He answered.
"Am I back on Voyager?" She asked, blinking her eyes against
the pain and sudden overwhelming desire to sleep.
"Yes, you are. You're in Sickbay. The Doctor said that your
temporal nerves are inflamed. You're not going to feel to well for
a few days."
"Okay." She said, almost sighing the word. She turned her
head away from him. Her eyes closed, she seemed to drift off to
sleep.
Chakotay looked over at the Doctor, who was running a
tricorder over Janeway. The Doctor must have read the question in
Chakotay's eyes.
"She's drifted off to sleep, Commander. Right now, it's what
she needs."
"Understood. Keep me posted on her condition."
"I will." The Doctor replied as he watched the retreating
form of the First Officer.
When he returned to the Bridge, he saw Harry Kim, standing
by Tuvok's station.
"Tuvok said that you wanted to speak with me, Commander."
The young man said.
Chakotay looked up at Tuvok. The Vulcan nodded. Then
Chakotay brought his attention back to Kim. "Yes. Why don't we go
into the Captain's Ready Room?" He said, and led the way. "Tuvok
you have the Bridge." He ordered before exiting the Bridge.
Once inside, Chakotay consciously avoided going to Janeway's
desk, and instead headed for the upper level. He sat down on the
long couch that lined the windows. Harry stood erect in front of
him.
"Relax, Harry. I just need to ask you what happened to you
down there, and what you know about the kind of torture the
Captain underwent."
Harry visibly sagged. Chakotay pointed to the couch. "Have a
seat, Harry."
"Thank you, Sir." He said, taking a seat to Chakotay's
right. "I'm not really sure where to begin, Commander."
"How about from when you were first attacked in the street?"
Chakotay prompted.
"Well, Sir, these uniformed men came up to me and just
started telling me I was under arrest. I couldn't make out exactly
what they were charging me with. Just as they were starting to tie
my hands behind my back, the Captain came up and hit a couple of
them. She was just about to untie my hands when another of the men
came up and hit the Captain on the head. They sort of dragged her
and pushed me to some kind of compound towards the east part of
the town. They took us into some kind of citadel and locked us in
a sort of cell."
"They had you together?"
"Yes, Sir. They laid the Captain on a cot and untied my
hands then closed the door, locking it, and left."
"What happened then?" Chakotay asked.
"Nothing much. The Captain was unconscious for quite a while
after they left us. I discovered that there were two cups and some
fresh water. When the Captain began to moan, I knew she was coming
around, so I got her some water and checked her head. They had hit
her pretty hard, and she was bleeding some. I think they might
have given her a concussion, since she was out for a long time."
Chakotay nodded his head, indicating that Harry should
continue with his story. He didn't want to interrupt Harry's train
of thought in his recount of the events that had occurred to him
and Janeway.
"I managed to stop the bleeding on the Captain's head. Then,
just when she was beginning to start feeling better, a couple of
those goons came into the cell. They headed straight for the
Captain. I tried to fight them, but they overpowered me like I was
a fly. They pulled the Captain out with them, and closed the door.
I tried to see where they were taking her, but I could only see
one of the guards before they disappeared down the corridor. The
cell door only had a small square opening in it.
I don't know how long they had the Captain, but when they
brought her back, she was semi-conscious. After they laid her on
the cot and left, I tried to examine her. There weren't any marks
on her, but it was obvious that something had been done to her.
When she managed to become cognizant enough to know who I was and
where she was, she told me that some man had injected something
just under the skin at her temporal lobes. Then had attached
something like electrodes and activated them when she didn't give
an answer they wanted."
Harry seemed finished with most of his story.
"The Vice Governor told us that when his people rescued you
both that they had found the Captain in a room with electrodes
attached to her head, and that apparently they were giving her
another round of torture." Chakotay told Harry.
The young man shook his head in the affirmative. "Yes, Sir.
They had taken the Captain maybe 15 minutes to a half hour before
I was rescued. I wasn't sure if she could take much more. She was
in an awful lot of pain from the first round."
"I know. The Doctor's monitoring her very carefully, and I'm
sure she'll be fine, soon."
"Is there anything else, Commander?" Harry asked.
"No. Has the Doctor checked you out yet, Ensign?"
"Yes, Sir. I've got a clean bill of health. If you don't
mind sir, I'd like to report back to duty."
Chakotay stood, and nodded. "Of course. Go ahead."
"Thank you, Sir." Harry said and quickly exited Janeway's
ready room.
Chakotay Followed Harry out a minute later. It was just then
that a message came in from the Vice Governor. Chakotay stood in
front of the Command chairs.
"Yes Vice Governor, what can I do for you?" He asked.
"I wanted to inquire as to how your crewmembers are doing."
"One of them is fine. Unfortunately the other is in our
Sickbay, recovering from some kind of torture that was inflicted
upon her."
"I had heard from my people that one of your crew was found
in a torture room. I am sorry we were unable to retrieve your
people sooner. I hope that your crew member makes a full
recovery."
"So do I, Vice Governor. Thank you for your sentiment."
"Please let me know if there's anything else I can do for
you."
"Thank you." Chakotay replied. The transmission ended, and
Chakotay sat in his chair. He wondered how long it would take for
Janeway to recover from her ordeal on the planet, and hoped that
the Doctor could help her make a quick recovery.
There was no news of Janeway's condition from the Doctor any
more that day. The next morning, when Chakotay rose, he went to
the mess hall and began his normal routine. Only it wasn't so
normal without the Captain on duty. She was still in sickbay.
Chakotay finished his breakfast and went to the Bridge. As
much as he wanted to hail the Doctor to ask about Janeway's
condition, he forced himself to wait until the Doctor contacted
him. He didn't want to appear over anxious to the Bridge crew.
In Sickbay, Kathryn began to wake from her drug induced
sleep. As consciousness began to return to her, she began to
realize that she felt warm and safe, although she had no real idea
of where she was.
She then began to open her eyes, slowly, experimentally, at
first. The lights that assaulted her eyes made her shut them tight
against it's glare. A moment later she heard a man's voice.
"How are you feeling, Captain?" It asked.
She didn't recognize it, then tried opening her eyes again.
She turned her head to the side hoping the glare of the light
would be reduced by this action. What she saw was a blurry image
of someone wearing something black, with blue around the
shoulders. She wasn't able to identify the face of the man.
The figure leaned in a little closer, and again in a soft
voice spoke to her. "Captain, can you hear me? How do you feel?"
Captain, had he said the word Captain? Her mind couldn't
seem to focus on what the man was saying. She blinked her eyes
again, hoping the blurriness would subside. As she struggled to
regain her faculties, the figure moved away, then it came closer
again. Janeway felt something press against her neck and heard a
hissing noise. A moment later her vision seemed to clear, and she
was able to make out the face of Voyager's Holographic Doctor.
"Does that help, Captain?" He asked her.
Kathryn swallowed. "I think so." She answered. Her speech
was slurred. She wasn't sure what was wrong, then became aware of
the pain still throbbing in her temples. "My head hurts." She told
the Doctor.
"I know it does, Captain. I'm doing everything I can to help
you, but your temporal nerves have suffered great trauma, and I'm
afraid I don't have anything to reduce the swelling and
inflammation. Only time will do that, and I can't tell you how
long it will take."
Kathryn couldn't concentrate very much on what he was
saying, and after the second sentence lost track of what he was
telling her. She could only seem to focus on the pain she was
feeling. She didn't know how it started, nor did she care. She
only wanted it to end.
Kathryn then looked at the Doctor. "The light hurts my
eyes." She told him.
The Doctor stood and called to the air, "Computer, dim
lights to half illumination." Then bending over to Janeway asked,
"Is that any better, Captain?"
Kathryn opened her eyes. It didn't hurt as much to look
around with the lighting reduced. "Yes, much better. I just want
something for this pain." She begged.
"I'm afraid the only thing I can do for you right now is to
give you a strong medication that will sedate you. Do you want me
to give you that?"
"Anything that will stop this pain in my head." She begged.
"Very well, Captain." He said.
Kathryn then felt a pressure against her neck again, and
heard the hissing noise. She opened her eyes as the Doctor pulled
his hand away. In it was a hypo-spray. Kathryn recognized it, but
then began to feel the effects of the drug taking effect almost
immediately. She began to feel very light headed and sleepy. She
closed her eyes and within moments was again asleep.
The Doctor contacted Chakotay and told him what had
happened. "To be honest, Commander, I don't think the Captain is
going to be fit for some time. She's still very sick with this."
"Are you telling me, there is absolutely nothing you can do
to reduce the swelling of her temporal nerves?"
"I'm afraid not, Commander. Judging from the amount of abuse
she was subjected to, and the amount of drug used on her to induce
the pain, I would say that at this rate it may take about a week
to two weeks for her to feel halfway normal again. Until then the
best I can do is keep her heavily medicated, which sedates her."
"I understand. You'll be keeping her in Sickbay then?"
"I was thinking it might be better to transfer her to her
quarters, but only if someone could stay with her in case she woke
up and needed something."
"You mean, a nurse?"
"Yes, Commander."
"Why do you think the Captain would be better off in her
quarters?"
"Because the lighting in Sickbay is too bright for her at
this time, and at least things could be kept dim in her quarters.
It would also afford her more quiet than here with people coming
in and out all the time."
"Understood. Let me know when you transfer her."
"Aye, Commander." The Doctor replied.
Chakotay knew that Tuvok had heard the conversation, with
the exceptional hearing that Vulcan's have. He looked over at the
Security/Tactical officer. "Tuvok, I need you here." Chakotay
said, pointing to his chair on the command platform.
"I gather that Captain Janeway will not be returning to duty
for some time." Tuvok stated as he stepped up on the command
platform.
"That's right. The Doctor thinks it could take as long as
two weeks or more for her to recover."
"I am sorry to hear that. I had hoped the Captain would be
able to return to duty much sooner."
"Unless the Doctor can come up with some kind of miracle
cure, you and I will have command of Voyager for the time being."
"Of course, Commander." Tuvok said.
Two hours after his conversation with Chakotay, the Doctor
hailed the Commander.
"I wanted to inform you that I have transferred the Captain
to her quarters, Commander."
"Thank you, Doctor. Who will be attending to her?"
"I've asked Ensign Froma San to stay with Captain Janeway.
Surprisingly, she has some medical training, which I was unaware
of."
Chakotay couldn't help but smile. Froma San was one of his
Maquis people. She had done whatever was needed, including acting
as a medic when anyone was injured. He was glad she was staying
with Janeway. If anyone would take good care of Kathryn is was
San. "Is the Captain awake?" He asked.
"Yes, although I should tell you she's still very groggy
from the sedation I've given her. I'm reluctant to administer a
stimulant. I don't know if it might exacerbate the pain to her
temporal nerves."
"I understand. May I visit the Captain?"
"If you wish to do so, Commander, you'd better do it now."
"I'm on my way." He told the Doctor, in the next breath he
said, "Tuvok you have the Bridge." As he strode toward the turbo-
lift doors.
When Chakotay arrived at Kathryn's quarters he was reluctant
to ring the chime, but decided he'd go ahead. He rang it and a
moment later he was greeted by Froma San standing in the open
doorway.
"Hi, Chakotay." She greeted him soft-voiced. "Try to keep
your voice down. Noise seems to make her pain worse." She warned.
"Okay." He almost whispered.
He walked quietly into Kathryn's bedroom. She was laying in
the bed, her hair tousled, and her eyes closed. She was wearing
some sort of pajama. It didn't look like the gown she'd had on in
Sickbay.
He gently sat on the edge of the bed, near her waist and
softly called her name. "Kathryn."
After he spoke her name a second time, she opened her eyes,
looking up at the ceiling of her semi-dark room.
Chakotay called her again. "Kathryn. How are you?"
This time she turned her head in the direction of his voice.
He could see that she was indeed groggy as the Doctor had said she
would be. She didn't seem to be able to completely focus her
vision.
"Chakotay?" She asked, her speech slurred by the drug.
"Yes."
"Where am I?" She asked him now.
"You're in your quarters on board Voyager. How are you
doing?"
She closed her eyes, licked her lips and swallowed. She
brought a hand up to one side of her head, over the temporal area.
"I don't know. It really hurts. I just want it to stop hurting so
much."
"I know." He said, softly as he reached up and brushed a
stray lock of her hair away from her face. As he did so, he
realized that she felt warm. He gently placed the top of his hand
on her forehead.
"You feeling hot?" He asked her.
"Uh, huh." She said, again blinking her eyes. "I'm really
thirsty too." she told him.
Froma San was not far away, and had heard what Janeway told
Chakotay. A moment later, she handed Chakotay a cold glass of
water, which he took.
"Do you think you could sit up for a moment. I've got some
water here for you." He told Kathryn.
"I don't know. It hurts to move my head." She told him. He
turned and looked imploringly at San.
San moved to the opposite side of Janeway's bed. "Why don't
we just try to sit you up a little, Captain." she said to Janeway,
as she eased her arm under Janeway's neck and back.
Chakotay did the same from his side. When Kathryn was in a
semi-sitting position, he held the glass of water up to her lips.
"Here, try to drink." He told her.
Kathryn did as he said. She sipped the cold water, and
relished in it's coolness and moisture. "Thank you." She managed.
The two then slowly and gently lowered her back down.
Kathryn again closed her eyes. As Chakotay began to rise
from the bed, Kathryn's hand went to his.
"Can you stay awhile?" She asked him.
"Do you want me to?" He asked back.
"I'd like it very much. You seem to know how to make the
pain more bearable. I don't know how."
Chakotay gingerly sat back down on the bed. "Okay. If it
helps you, I'll stay." He looked up questioningly at Froma San.
The woman nodded. She handed Chakotay a dampened cloth. It
felt cold, and Chakotay placed it over Kathryn's forehead.
"It's okay, Commander. I need to get a few things from the
Doctor anyway. It's best she not be alone right now."
"Okay." Then addressing Kathryn. "I need to let Tuvok know
where I am, and that I'll be delayed."
"Sure." She said, moving now to place her head on his thigh.
As she lay there, Chakotay tapped his comm badge. In a soft
voice he hailed Tuvok. "Chakotay to Tuvok."
"Tuvok here." Came the reply.
"I'm going to be with the Captain for a while. You have the
bridge."
"Understood, Commander." Then the link was cut.
Chakotay looked down at the dozing form of Kathryn. Her hair
was again strewn across her face, and Chakotay reached over to
push it back.
As he did so, Kathryn gave an appreciative moan.
"Would you like me to give you a back rub?" He asked her.
She opened her eyes. Through the pain, there was a spark of
mischief in those blue eyes. "Yes I would, if you wouldn't mind."
"I'd be glad to. Roll over." He instructed her.
Kathryn did as she was asked. Chakotay removed the pillows,
so that she could lay flat on the bed. He then pulled away the
straps of her nightgown.
Helping him, Kathryn slid her arms out of the straps of the
nightgown. Chakotay then slid the rest of the garment down to her
waist, which was covered by the blankets on her bed. He then
repositioned himself so that he could better reach her neck and
shoulders. Then he began the massage that she had once begun to
enjoy on New Earth.
Here, in her bedroom, in her quarters on board Voyager, for
some reason, she felt very comfortable and at ease while Chakotay
gently massaged her neck, shoulders and back. The sensation was
relaxing and the pain in her head seemed to be diminished as a
result.
'Amazing', she thought. The Doctor had been unable to give
her any kind of medication that would ease the constant barrage of
pain that Kathryn had been feeling. Now, with just the gentle
stroke of his hands on her neck, back and shoulders, Chakotay had
managed to quell the pain in her temples. It wasn't completely
gone, but it was greatly diminished in it's intensity, and Kathryn
began to feel herself drifting off to a natural and peaceful
sleep.
Chakotay watched Kathryn's reactions to his ministrations,
and was pleased when she would at times give out a soft, muffled,
satisfied moan. After some time, her moans stopped altogether. He
leaned forward to give her neck another pass, and studied her
face.
She lay, with her face towards him. Her eyes were closed and
he listened to her steady breathing. It was then that he realized
she had actually fallen asleep without the aid of a sedative.
That was when Froma San returned with a hypo-spray among
other things that she had collected from Sickbay.
Chakotay didn't want to disturb Kathryn, so he pulled the
covers over her shoulders. San walked in just as he was doing so.
Chakotay stood up and looked at San, who had a smile on her
face. He walked around Kathryn's bed and was at the doorway when
San spoke to him in a whisper. "I guess your healing touch did the
trick, huh?" She asked.
Chakotay shrugged his shoulders, and pushed himself passed
her. She turned and followed him into the other room. "Don't try
to deny it, Chakotay. You have deep feelings for our Captain,
don't you?"
Chakotay turned and looked at San. "What if I do? I'm not
ashamed to admit it."
"Nor should you be. You've been very worried about her ever
since she was returned to Voyager. I can't blame you. Everyone on
board has been worried."
"Really? Even the Maquis?"
"For what it's worth, Chakotay, we've all come to realize
and accept our situation. It could have been much worse, under a
more difficult Captain. Janeway is a fair person, and she's proven
that time and again. She's also shown that she feels that what
were your people are also her people, and she'll go to bat for
them. Does she know how you feel about her?"
Chakotay hung his head. "Yes." he said, so softly, San
wasn't sure that he'd said it.
"I gather she doesn't feel the same way about you?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure. Sometimes I think she does,
then other times, maybe not. I know that she's concerned about how
a relationship with her First Officer might affect this crew."
"Maybe she just needs somebody to tell her that the crew
isn't going to sit in judgment of her just because she happens to
be in love with her First Officer."
"I suppose. But who do you think would tell her that?"
Chakotay asked.
San smiled. "What about Tuvok?"
Chakotay stared at Froma San. "Tuvok? What makes you think
that he would tell her something like that?"
"Because, he's known her longer than anyone else on board
this ship. They've been friends for many years. I know that he's
aware of both of your feelings for each other, and your attempts
to conceal them from one another as well."
Chakotay began to feel embarrassed. He didn't know why. San
had known him for some time, but her keen observations always
seemed to make him feel exposed somehow.
The next morning Chakotay decided maybe he would take Froma
San's suggestion and talk to Tuvok.
The Vulcan was at his usual seat in the Mess hall for
breakfast. It was a ritual that he had begun when Neelix had
commandeered Janeway's personal dinning room to make a galley.
Normally Janeway would join Tuvok for breakfast, but since being
returned to Voyager, her illness had kept her confined to her
quarters and her bed. Tuvok ate alone.
Chakotay headed for the table as soon as he had gotten a
tray of food from Neelix.
"Mind if I join you this morning, Tuvok?" He asked.
Tuvok looked up. "Not at all, Commander."
"Thanks." he said as he sat down his tray then seated
himself across from the Vulcan. "There's something I need to ask
you." He began.
"Yes, Commander?" Tuvok asked, raising an eyebrow.
Chakotay leaned in so he could speak softly. "I'm sure that
you're aware of my feelings for the captain." he began.
"Yes."
"It's just that, I know she cares about me, only she seems
determined to keep me at arm's length. Under the circumstances I
think that allowances could be made, don't you?"
"If by that, you mean that you and Captain Janeway should
pursue a relationship, I must tell you that, although Starfleet
does not interfere with personal relationships, it could prove
awkward for both you and Captain Janeway if you were to become
emotionally and intimately involved."
Chakotay leaned back. "Are you saying that you would
disapprove of the Captain and I being involved?"
"Not at all, Commander. Under other circumstances. However,
the situation is a difficult one. While I think I understand the
emotional need that humans have, I fail to see the logic of it.
Has Captain Janeway expressed a desire to become involved with
you?"
Now Chakotay smiled. "That's kind of hard to answer. Before
she was tortured, she always made it a point to keep me at arms
length, but since she's been ill, her attitude is different. I
don't know if it's because she's needy or because she's feeling
more uninhibited because of the medication the Doctor has her on
for her pain."
"Why? What has happened?"
"Yesterday afternoon I stopped into her quarters to see how
she was feeling. I was about to leave when she asked me to stay.
She began rubbing her neck so I offered to give her a massage. She
was...I guess the best term would be...uninhibited. She didn't
object when I moved her nightgown off her shoulders and down to
her waist so I could give her a better massage of her neck,
shoulders and back."
"I see." Tuvok replied dryly.
"It was only a back rub." Chakotay said, defensively.
"I understand that, Commander. However, knowing the Captain
as well as I do, I do not think she allowed what happened without
intent. Despite the fact that she is unwell and on medication, it
is my belief that Captain Janeway knew exactly what she was doing
and asking of you."
Chakotay grinned. "Thanks, Tuvok. That's just what I wanted
to hear. Now if there were only some way to uncomplicate things."
Tuvok raised an eyebrow. "If you and Captain Janeway do
decide to pursue a relationship, I should caution you that it
would be wise to move slowly. If you were not the most senior
officers on board it would not make so much of a difference.
However, because of your positions it would be best if you allowed
the crew time to become accustomed to having it's senior officers
involved personally as well as professionally."
"Thank you, Tuvok, I'll take that into consideration, and if
things should progress I'll discuss them with Kathryn. I'm
wondering if she'll need some convincing to go ahead with a
relationship, though?"
"You do not think that once the Captain is recovered that
she will want to become involved with you?
"Exactly. I was hoping maybe you could convince her
otherwise."
"Do you feel that the Captain will need convincing?"
"Yes, I do. Maybe not at this moment. Right now she's ill
and I suppose she was reaching out for some comfort and relief."
"That is quite possible. However, when she has recovered
sufficiently, I will broach the matter with her."
Thank you, Tuvok. I'd really appreciate that."
"You are welcome, Commander. I will see you on the Bridge."
He said, as he got up and left Chakotay sitting at the table
grinning.
On his way to the Bridge, Chakotay ran into Froma San.
"So, Chakotay. What did Tuvok have to say?" She asked him.
" He said he'd talk to her, then that he thought we should
take it slow, just to give the crew time to get used to the idea,
if things do progress."
"Now that seems to be sound advice."
"How did she sleep last night?" He asked.
"She slept very well. I didn't have to give her a sedative
at all. Your back rub seems to have done the trick for her. This
morning she's even feeling better."
"Really?" He asked, surprised.
San smiled. "It seems, Chakotay, you have the magic touch
when it comes to our ailing Captain."
"Maybe I'll drop in on her later. Is she feeling well enough
to be out of bed?"
"No. She's still weak, but she's able to sit up, and
actually ate breakfast this morning. Not bad, considering she's
been too sick to eat for the last three days."
"I guess this means she's on the mend. This is turning into
a pretty good day, San, thanks."
"Your welcome, Chakotay." She said as she watched her
Commander and friend bound down the passageway to the turbo-lift.
It was late morning. Around 10:30 hours. Kathryn had felt
well enough to eat a light breakfast that Neelix had brought for
her, when she had mentioned to her "nurse" that she was feeling
hungry earlier that morning.
Now she was resting, since the pain in her head seemed to be
increasing slightly. She wasn't flat on her back, but propped up
to afford her some elevation, but not in an upright position.
She was dozing when she heard her door chime sound. At first
she wasn't certain that she had heard it. A second time she knew
she had.
"Who is it?" She called out.
"Chakotay." Came the response.
Kathryn smiled at his name. He'd given her a wonderful back
and neck rub the previous afternoon, and she had slept better than
she had since before she'd been captured and tortured.
"Come in." She responded.
A moment later Chakotay entered her bedroom, a wide grin on
his face. "San told me you were feeling better? From where I
stand, you look better than you have in days." He told her.
She tried to pull herself up into more of a sitting
position. As she did, Chakotay came over and pulled her pillows
up. He placed them so that her back could rest against them and
afford her more comfort.
She smiled at him. "Thank you. I am feeling better this
morning. Although the headache isn't completely gone."
"I'm sure it won't be much longer before your feeling
yourself again." He told her. "The crew misses you on the Bridge."
"Do they?" her eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.
"To be honest, everyone's been worried about you. It isn't
common for Kathryn Janeway to be forced to remain off duty for
more than a day, and you've been sick for almost a week now." He
said, his serious demeanor taking over.
Kathryn held out her hand and placed it on Chakotay's arm.
"Tell everyone I appreciate their concern and well-wishes, and
that I hope to be able to return to duty soon."
"I will. Has the Doctor been here yet?"
"No, I think he's due any minute though. Hopefully he'll
have some news as to whether or not I'll be able to get out of bed
in the next couple of days."
"Do you think you feel well enough to get up?"
She sighed. "I don't know. To be honest I'm still having
some dizziness along with the headache." Then she gave him a
mischievous smile. "Maybe I need another one of your backrubs,
Commander."
"Is the headache very bad?" He asked, his eyes smiling.
"No, but it is making it's presence known." She told him.
"I'd like to oblige, but..."
Chakotay was interrupted by the sound of the door chime.
"Yes, who is it?" Janeway asked with a sigh.
"It's the Doctor, Captain." Came the reply.
Kathryn rolled her eyes. "He has the worst timing."
Chakotay got up from where he had been seated on the side of
her bed. "I'll go let him in." He said. He then walked into the
outer room.
A moment later he returned with the Doctor behind him.
"Sorry I'm late, Captain, but Ensign Vorik in Engineering
managed to burn his hand on a damaged conduit." The Doctor
explained, as he walked over to her bed, medical tricorder in hand
and open.
"That's quite alright, Doctor." She said.
"I'd better get back to the Bridge before Tuvok sends out a
security team to find me." Chakotay said. "Talk to you later."
"Thank you for coming by, Chakotay." Kathryn called after
him. She then turned her attention to the Doctor.
He had finished his scan and was preparing a hypo-spray.
"I'm assuming that you still have some degree of a headache?"
"Yes, Doctor." Janeway answered. "And some dizziness as
well."
"I'm changing the medication I've been giving you. This
should help reduce the headache and eliminate the dizziness." As
he spoke he injected the hypo-spray into Janeway's neck.
She brought her hand up and rubbed the area where she'd just
received the injection. "How long before I can get out of bed?"
"I want you to continue resting. Tomorrow let's see how
you're feeling. If the headache is at a minimum and there is no
more dizziness, then you can get out of bed."
"Doctor?" Kathryn began to ask.
"Yes, Captain? What is it?"
"I was just wondering... it's just that...through
yesterday...I was feeling pretty God awful. Chakotay gave me a
backrub. Could that in some way have helped to relieve some of the
pain I was feeling?"
The Doctor looked at her. "A backrub you say?"
"Yes."
"To be honest, Captain, I don't really know. You've been
pretty heavily medicated for the past several days."
"I know. You kept me insensible for the most part to help
ease my discomfort. I just wondered if a backrub could have had
any significant effect in easing the pain I was having?"
"It is known that massage can be a stress reducer, and at
times is used in physical therapy. I suppose it is possible that
the relaxing effects of a back massage coupled with the medication
you were on may have been beneficial."
"So you don't think the backrub by itself is responsible for
my feeling better?"
"By itself, no. You're body has had several days in which to
recover from the trauma it suffered. Along with that you were
medicated to help relieve your discomfort. I believe that together
these things are what has brought you to this state of recovery."
"Oh." She answered.
"Was there anything else, Captain?"
"No. I guess not. Thank you, Doctor." She said.
"You may continue resting, Captain. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes." She said, nodding.
The next morning, Kathryn woke early, and was impatiently
waiting for the Doctor's arrival. She desperately wanted to get
out of bed, but wasn't going to be allowed to by her Bajoran
nurse, Froma San, until the Doctor gave his okay.
She endured breakfast in bed, compliments of Neelix. He'd
been kind enough to include a cup of coffee, since that was what
the Doctor had restricted her to, instead of a whole pot, which
she would have preferred.
By 0900 hours, she was ready to get up without the Doctor's
approval and against Froma San's wishes. At 0901 her door chime
sounded.
"Come in." She called before nurse Froma had a chance to
respond.
The Doctor entered. "Hummm. You seem restless this morning,
Captain. How are you feeling?"
"Much better. I'll be feeling even better when you tell me I
can get out of this bed."
"How is the headache?"
"Better."
"Just better? Is it a dull ache, a throb, how does it feel?"
Janeway was becoming impatient at his questioning. "I don't
know, a dull throb I guess." She barked at him.
In response he ran his medical scanner over her. "There is
still some inflammation of the temporal nerves. Would you say the
pain is tolerable?"
"Yes it's tolerable. Can I get out of bed?"
"Are you experiencing any dizziness?"
"No. Can I get up now?"
The Doctor gave a big audible sigh. "Very well, Captain. You
may get out of bed, but please do so slowly. You must remember
that you haven't been out of bed for four days. If you get up too
fast you might faint."
"Fine. I'll take it slow." She said, pulling back the covers
and swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
Froma had gotten her robe from her closet and handed it to
Janeway, who put it on and tied it around her waist. Then, slowly
she pushed herself off the bed with both hands and stood.
The Doctor stood directly in front of her, perhaps in
anticipation of her falling.
She didn't fall, but she did feel a wave of lightheadedness.
It didn't go unnoticed by the Doctor. "Captain, are you
alright?"
Kathryn quickly regained her composure. "Yes. I'm fine. Can
I go into the other room?"
The Doctor threw a glance at Froma San. "Alright, but please
allow one of us to escort you."
"Fine. But I can manage."
"Just humor me, Captain." The Doctor told her.
He stayed almost next to her elbow, even through the doorway
as she entered her living area. She headed for the nearest chair
and sat down. Trying not to appear too tired.
"Congratulations, Captain."
"Thank you, Doctor, Ensign Froma." She acknowledged. "Is it
alright if I stay up for a while?"
"Of course. Just don't tire yourself out too much, Captain.
Remember, you're not completely well yet." The EMH rebuffed her.
Janeway gave him a slight smile. "I know. I'll go back to
bed in a little bit. It's just that it feels so good to be out of
that bedroom, and up and about..."
"I understand, Captain." Then the EMH turned his attention
to Janeway's "nurse". "Please see to that the Captain gets some
more rest. She's still restricted from duty, and I don't want her
looking at a Padd or a computer terminal. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Doctor. I'll see that she rests."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Captain." The Doctor said, then
left.
Janeway turned in her chair to look at Froma. "Was he
serious? I mean about me not being allowed to read a Padd or look
at a computer terminal?"
"What do you think, Captain?" Froma asked.
"I think he was serious. Would you really tell on me if I
disobeyed him?"
"Under the circumstances, yes I would. You've been very ill,
Captain, and I don't want to see you have a relapse or become
worse because you disobeyed the Doctor's orders." She told
Janeway.
"Is that all?"
"No. Chakotay would have my hide if I allowed you to do
anything that might jeopardize your recovery."
"Oh." Kathryn said, the light dawning. "You're more afraid
of what Chakotay would do, than the Doctor."
"Yes I am. Now I think you've been up long enough. You need
to get back to bed and get some more rest."
"I'm tired of resting."
"Are you trying to tell me you don't feel just a bit tired
after your walk?"
Kathryn wanted to lie to Ensign Froma, but she didn't think
she'd get away with it. "You seem to see right through me. No, I
guess I can't deny that I do feel tired. I'll go back to bed."
"Good." Froma said as she helped Janeway to her feet and
held her Captain's elbow as they slowly walked back to Janeway's
bedroom.
By the middle of the next week, the Doctor had finally given
Janeway a clean bill of health and had declared her fit to return
to duty.
As she sat in her ready-room pouring over reports, and
absent-mindedly sipping a cup of coffee, the door chime rang.
"Enter." She called without looking up.
Someone approached, but said nothing. Kathryn looked up to
see Chakotay standing in front of her desk.
"Yes, Commander. What can I do for you?" She smiled up at
him.
He was standing with his hands behind his back. He brought
them out in front. In his right hand were two pink roses. He
handed them to her.
"Oh, Chakotay. What are these for?" She asked as she rose to
accept the flowers.
"Well, one is for your survival when that alien entity had
taken over your cerebral cortex and you almost died, and the other
is because you managed to recover from what could have been a
potentially fatal form of torture."
"I see. So now, every time something happens where I'm near
death, I'm going to receive an additional rose?"
"I'm hoping that we can keep this to a minimum of two."
"Oh." She said as she came around the desk. She stood in
front of Chakotay and placed her hand on his chest. "I never had a
chance to thank you properly for that backrub you gave me when I
was sick."
"You're entirely welcome." Chakotay answered.
"Uh, huh. I had an interesting conversation with Tuvok a
couple of days ago." She began.
"Oh?" the response didn't sound like surprise. Chakotay knew
about the conversation with Tuvok.
"I gather from your reaction that you already know what it
was about."
"I'm not sure. Do you want to enlighten me?"
Janeway smiled. "He said that if I felt the need to enter
into a personal relationship with a member of my crew that I
should do so, bearing in mind that things go slow enough to allow
the crew a chance to get used to the idea. What do you think?"
Chakotay grinned now. "I think it's sound advice. Were you
considering such a relationship?"
"As a matter of fact, I am. Oh, Chakotay." She sighed as she
leaned in against him.
Instinctively he put his arms around her, then he bent down
to kiss her on the lips. She didn't resist. She responded in kind.
When they parted she kept her head on his chest. "I don't
suppose I could get another back rub out you to ease the pain and
soreness in my neck?" She asked.
"You want me to stop the pain?" He asked her.
"Uh huh." She replied.
"Glad to oblige." He said, and they strolled over to her
couch. He laid his healing hands on her shoulders and began to
meticulously massage her.
