The Day He Found Out
1 year after endgame.
It had been a year since Chakotay had visited the doctor. He had been off world visiting his old home. The days had flown by and before he knew it, a year had passed. And what a year it had been. After Voyager landed, Seven and he had parted. After a week of battles with Starfleet, he and the other Maqui were finally pardoned. And to top it all off Kathryn had decided to become distant from him. He had tried to contact her several times, but when he found out that she had restated her relationship with Mark, he backed off.
So here he was in the hospital were the old Voyager EMH was practicing medicine. Unlike some of the crew, the doctor was thrilled to be needed so quickly. Apparently after the Dominion war ended a lot of the doctors in Starfleet retired, claiming that they had broken the Hippocratic Oath.
As the door slid open the Doctors secretary came out and greeted Chakotay.
"Mr. Chakotay, the Doctor will see you now."
"Thank you."
She led him toward one of the rooms, where he sat on the examining table and waited for the doctor to arrive.
The Doctor came in a few minutes later and frowned.
"Well it's about time you came to see me Chakotay. Honestly I expected this from the Captain but never from you. You were always so punctual when it came to your routine physicals."
Chakotay shook his head. "I'm sorry Doctor I really meant to come, but the time just seemed to fly by."
"That's no excuse and you know it. But since this is your first indiscretion I will let it slide just this once."
"Thank you doctor."
"Now please lie still."
The minutes seemed to pass slowly.
"Is everything all right Doctor?"
"Chakotay are you feeling allright?"
"I've been a little tired lately, but that's probably because I have been on and off shuttles for the last couple of days. I haven't had a good night sleep in about a week."
"Hmmmmmmmm."
The silence was killing him. He knew something had to be wrong. Despite to change the subject he squeaked out a question.
"How is the Captain? I haven't seen her in a long time Doctor."
"You haven't heard?"
"Apparently not."
"She is expecting her first child."
Chakotay swallowed. "Well if you see her offer my congratulations."
"I will indeed." Chakotay I am finished with your results. I am sorry to say that the virus that you were exposed to in the Delta Quadrant has returned. Your body is beginning to shut down and that's the reason that you have been so tired lately."
"But you have the antidote right?"
"Unfortunately, the antidote was destroyed by a fire at Starfleet Medical last year. The only other thing I can think of is contacting Kathryn Janeway and retrieving the antidote that way."
"No." Chakotay's answer was cold and direct. By no means will you tell Kathryn about this."
TBC
