Kathryn could feel The Doctor's holoprojected hands on her face as he wrapped a light-reflecting band over her eyes. This was the last of her injuries he had to take care of today. He'd successfully restored some function in her eyes, but she was going to have to be temorarily blind for a while.
"Captain, this will have to stay on until your eyes properly heal. Hopefully that will be soon."
"Thank you, Doctor."
It was a first contact mission. A new planet filled with rich plant life and Dilithium deposits. And a few hundred xenophobic humanoids. As Voyager's leader, it was important for her to try and make friends with any new species they encountered. But Species 3109, as the Borg called them, didn't want anything to do with her and her crew.
Commander Tuvok, Seven of Nine, Lt. Klaxam, Ensign Harper, Neelix, and herself were part of the landing party. As soon as they materialized, they were shot at by several aliens. After shooting back and forth for a few minutes, one member of the alien group threw a round, black object at the group of rocks the landing party was hiding behind. Before anyone could react, the object hit in the middle of their group and exploded. That's when she blacked out.
Later, Kathryn had been told what had happened. Harper was killed upon impact and could not be saved. Tuvok was thrown into a cluster of rocks and had suffered a concussion that left him with some minor brain damage. This was easily treated and he would be back on duty in a few days. Seven only suffered from a few burns and a large gash in her leg that had caused her to lose a lot of blood. The Doctor managed to fix her leg in time and restore some of her blood content. She was still in sickbay, but The Doctor had said a few days of monitored rest would have her back to normal. The Caitian Lt. Klaxam had some broken bones, mostly in her tail when she had fallen on it, but otherwise was fine. She was already back on duty. Neelix was the luckiest of all of them, having only suffered a few scrapes and disappointment that he didn't get the plants he wanted.
Kathryn unfortunately had suffered all those injuries. None were as bad, luckily, and were quickly treated by The Doctor. The worst of her injuries were to her eyes. The explosion had burned them and left her in the state that she was now.
"You have been relieved of duty until you get your eyesight back." The Doctor tells.
"Hopefully Chakotay will keep my ship in one piece." She tried to lighten things up a bit, but by the Doctor's sigh she knew it wasn't helping.
"You'll have to come back here every three days so I can check your eyes. People have already volunteered to take you to and from your quarters and to help you with other things if you need them. I'll leave you be now. Your first volunteer will arrive shortly."
Kathryn heard him leave to somewhere over on the other side of the room. A few seconds later, she heard the swooshing of the doors opening and closing. The sound of boots thumping against the floor and the rustling of clothes against skin soon came to her ears as she felt the presence of someone beside her. Male, by the scent of his earthy cologne. He placed a hand lightly on her back and coaxed her to stand. She breathed in suddenly at the unexpected contact.
The hand felt so familiar.
He moved the hand to her arm now, gripping it tightly. He began to lead her out of sickbay and into the hallway. Although she didn't know who the man was, she felt that she could trust him.
She heard the sound of the Turbolift doors opening. The hands that had held her were lifted from her body. She strode past the doors and turned around to face front as usual. Or turned to face what she thought was front. She heard a sigh from the man and felt his hands grip her forearms. She was moved backwards a few steps and was turned around to what was the back of her front. She had no sense of direction anymore.
His hands left her body again and she could feel his presence beside her.
"Deck 6."
His voice was familiar too, but it was barely more than a whisper and hard to identify. The floor whirred under her feet as the lift moved. Nothing more was said until they were out of the Turbolift, down the hall, and into her quarters.
"We're here, Kathryn."
"Chakotay."
It was him.
Kathryn never wanted Chakotay to see her in this state and had hoped he would be on the bridge instead of here. She could tell he was in pain because of her, and she wished he wouldn't pity her. He always reacted this way in these situations, but she couldn't blame him because she does the same.
"I need to change into my nightgown." she says softly. He promises he won't look, and leads her to the bedroom area. She feels him leave and quickly rids of her uniform and undergarments so she can slip on her pink silk nightgown. The thought that he could be watching it all and she would never know frightens her, but she doesn't believe Chakotay would do such a thing.
She calls him back and he's there within seconds. Kathryn hears him breathe in deeply and she remembers that he hasn't seen her with this little clothes on since back in New Earth. She feels around until she finds her bed, pulls back the covers, and sits on the edge. Chakotay stands in front of her.
"You can leave now, Chakotay." She tells him.
"You're sure you don't need anything else?" He asks.
"I'll be fine."
He sighs, and the pain in it makes her cringe. "I should have been out there. It should have been left in the state you are now. I should have felt your pain."
"Chakotay-"
"Or at least I should have been there. I never would have let this happen to you. Never."
"There's nothing we can do about it now."
"I know."
He places a hand on her cheek and tilts her head up and kisses her passionately. She sighs into his mouth. If only she could see his face.
His hand stays longer than his lips before he removes it too and departs from her quarters.
She can't see the stars outside her window or her own hands in front of her face, but she knows she can see his love.
