Tired Warrior

Author's Note: This is just a little "beginning of a story" that I wrote before I started "Fall into Me." It has the same general idea – Chakotay recovering from an injury with Kathryn by his side. Since I've already written "Fall into Me," I'm not sure if this story will go any further, so I thought I'd post it as is. Thanks for reading!

On his first full duty day, he insisted on visiting almost every department, literally walking several miles through the ship. Neelix joined him for part of his journey. As morale officer, visiting the crew was one of his priorities as well, but he also knew that the captain would appreciate him keeping an eye on the first officer. She hadn't asked him to; in fact, she had not known they were together until the Doctor had sent her a memo telling her that they had stopped by sickbay. It was early in the day, and although Chakotay was holding up well at that point, she was pleased that Neelix was with him.

Four hours later she was relieved that the Talaxian had joined him when she received a two-word message from B'Elanna: "He's exhausted." And a few minutes later she saw for herself the evidence of that exhaustion as he stepped from the turbolift, leaning far more heavily on his cane than he had been when he left.

As he made his way down to the bridge's middle level, she could see the lines of pain etched around his eyes, creasing his tattoo. Her first instinct was to get up and take his arm, but she stopped herself, watching as he carefully maneuvered the steps down and then up. Too many damn steps… His head was bent, eyes focused on the placement of his cane, each foot… slow and steady…

He crossed in front of her and turned. Bracing his cane firmly on the deck, he began to lower himself into his chair, reaching behind him with his left hand to press against the arm rest, supporting himself. Slowly he settled beside her, his left leg straight in front of him, his brace allowing only a slight bend at the knee. Exhaling a deep breath, a soft satisfied sigh, he glanced over at her, making eye contact for the first time.

She gave him a gentle smile, finally letting herself reach over and place a reassuring pat on his arm. She was rewarded with a dimpled grin.

"So, how's our ship, Commander?"

"Running smoothly, Captain. It seems everyone got along just fine without me."

She shook her head. "I wouldn't go that far. Tuvok did a fine job in your absence, but believe me, you were missed. I forget sometimes just how much you do for this crew."

He flashed her another grin. "Maybe I should put in for a raise."

"You could do that. But I'd have to go through official channels and submit your request to Starfleet. I'm afraid it might be sixty-five years before we get approval."

He grimaced slightly, playing along with the scenario. "In that case, I'll stick with the salary I have right now." He leaned closer to her chair. "And besides," he added quietly, glancing at the gold ring on his left hand, "the benefits have improved over the past year."

Kathryn couldn't help but laugh as she touched the ring on her own hand. "They have indeed," she agreed, her voice equally as soft. And then she straightened back, sitting more formally in her chair again. "I look forward to your report, Commander."

"Aye, Captain, I'll take care of it right away."

"There's no rush. Tomorrow morning will be soon enough. In fact, if you don't mind, I have a few reports of my own to take care of. If you'll take the bridge?"

"Of course," he confirmed.

And she noted the satisfied expression on his face. She sensed that he wanted to spend some time on the bridge, reestablishing his place and command. He'd spent too much time off duty, and perhaps, too much time with her in the past few weeks. He needed time on his own.

"I'll be in my ready room," she announced, rising from her chair. "The bridge is yours, Commander Chakotay."

~vVv~

She spent the next several hours finishing up reports and then finding other tasks to occupy her time. She resisted checking in with Chakotay, not wanting him to think that she was hovering. If she were needed, she was just a comm link away. And she wouldn't be needed. For weeks now, they'd been traveling through an especially calm area of the Delta Quadrant. And she'd been grateful for that. The lack of distractions, emergencies, and hostile situations had allowed her time to spend with Chakotay during his recovery.

~vVv~

When the end of alpha shift arrived, she stayed in her ready room just a little bit longer, giving Chakotay time to hand over command to Tuvok for the evening shift and then make it back to their quarters. Although they'd arrived on the bridge together that morning, she decided to let him leave without her. He'd put in a full day's work and didn't need his wife to emerge from her ready room, pick him up, and take him home. He could get there on his own.

Still, though, she couldn't deny that she was eager to get there as well, and thoughts of her husband were on her mind as she passed through the bridge on the way to the turbolift,

"Captain, the commander transferred command to me precisely seven minutes ago. All systems are presently running at top efficiency."

Kathryn nodded. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Have a pleasant evening, and keep me informed."

"Yes, Captain."

Less than five minutes later, she was keying in the entry code to their quarters, and when the door slid open, she couldn't help but smile at the sight that greeted her.

He'd made it home.

His boots and socks lay on the floor directly in front of her, and he was collapsed in the nearest chair, his head leaning back, eyes closed. She stepped inside, allowing the door to close behind her. Skirting around the boots and socks, she went over and knelt in front of him, one hand reaching up to caress his forehead, lovingly tracing the lines of his tattoo. Her angry warrior was tired.

"You still awake?" she asked, and watched as the corners of his mouth drew up slightly.

"Just barely." Sleepy eyes opened and she leaned into him, pressing her lips to his.

He returned the kiss, but then shook his head slightly. "Don't tease an exhausted man. I don't think I can take you up on any invitations tonight."

She smiled and drew back. "That wasn't an invitation. Just a promise."

He raised an eyebrow. "Rain check?"

"Always," she assured as her hands unfastened the front of his uniform jacket. "Let's get you out of this and into something more comfortable."

He sighed. "I tried to get out of this, but I could only manage the boots and socks."

"You can always manage the boots and socks, Barefoot Boy." She pulled his jacket off and laid it on the coffee table behind her.

Chakotay laughed. "Where do you get these nicknames?"

Kathryn grinned as she ran her hands down his sides. "They just come to me." Her right hand stopped on top of his left thigh. "How's the leg?"

"Not bad. A little stiff."

"Taking that brace off will help," she suggested, reaching up and unhooking his uniform pants. He shifted in the chair as she gently tugged the black cloth down his legs, and then watched as she proceeded to unstrap the Velcro closures on the brace that covered his left leg from upper thigh to just above his ankle.

"Oh, Chakotay," she murmured as she drew the brace away and saw the chafing above his knee. His skin was rough and red with pressure marks.

"It doesn't really hurt," he deflected.

"Still, though…" She leaned forward and pressed her lips to the reddened areas, raining soft kisses on his skin.

"Kathryn…" he groaned her name, running his hand through her hair. "Remember… no invitations."

She looked up and drew away from him. "Sorry." Standing she reached down and picked up his pants. "Can you manage your shirt while I go grab your pajamas?"

"Wouldn't that require me to raise my arms? Above my head?"

He stared up at her with a pitiful look that managed to do exactly what he intended. She took pity on him and pulled the shirt off over his head, causing his hair to stand on end. Then she stepped back and enjoyed the view for a few moments: the man she loved in standard issue Starfleet briefs and nothing else.

"You are a sight for sore eyes," she sighed.

He eyed her warily. "Remember… sore leg."

"All right. Rain check, promise, a bowl of soup, and bed… in that order."

"We could probably throw another kiss and a cuddle in there somewhere," he added, trying to raise his eyebrows suggestively but failing. Even the muscles in his face were tired.

"Or I could bypass everything and just put you to bed." Her words hovered somewhere between a statement and a question.

And he agreed, on one stipulation. "As long as you join me." He gazed up at her, eyes bright and expectant.

She nodded, reached down and picked up his cane from the floor beside the chair, pressed it into his right hand. Then, wrapping her fingers around his left arm, she gently pulled, helping him stand. He leaned heavily against her, and they made a slow trek into the next room.

"Pajamas?" she questioned.

"Just bed."

And she deposited him on the edge, a sitting position that didn't last long. He fell back, head hitting the pillow, and she lifted his legs onto the mattress.

"I think I'll opt for a nightgown."

He watched her through half-closed eyes. "Or just less uniform," he suggested.

She smiled slightly. "I thought you were sore and tired."

A gentle shake of his head. "Not too sore and tired to hold you."

And she knew what he wanted. The two of them, together, skin on skin. "All right," she murmured, heading into the bathroom. "I'll be right back."

A few minutes later, Kathryn slid into bed beside her husband. Careful of his left side, she wrapped her arms and legs around the warm bulk of his body, settled her head on his chest, the beating of his heart steady and solid against her cheek. His eyes were closed, and she thought he'd fallen asleep until she felt the slow glide of his hand along her shoulder, down her side, to her hip.

She'd opted for nothing, and the gentle smile that lifted the corners of his lips into the dimples that she loved signaled his approval.

"I love you," he breathed, pulling her closer.

"I love you." She pressed her lips softly to his chest - a kiss; strengthened her hold on him – a cuddle.

Then, closing her eyes, she followed her tired warrior into sleep.

~vVv~