"I'm really sorry about this." Chakotay removed her combadge and retied Janeway in the silk fabric. This time he placed her hands in front and secured her leg to the bed with a metal chain he had replicated earlier. He made sure she was secure and quiet and then he left.
Janeway's mind raced. Obviously, Chakotay was not her First Officer and her survival exercise had been a solo turn. Still, being knocked out and Chakotay's out of character brutality was a bit much even for Tuvok's rigid standards. Q? She screamed his name in her mind but he did not appear. No doubt he would have done the kidnapping and seduction himself rather than let her First Officer have all the fun, she concluded. This was all a scenario that would end once she had completed whatever Tuvok had in mind for her to learn. Or was it? It certainly didn't seem like a game he would let her play anymore.
She pulled off her gag without much effort and tried to loosen the ties that bound her wrists. With her teeth, she nibbled at the second binding and spent the better part of an hour ripping it from her wrists. Finally, she was free but there was no undoing the metal cuff around her leg. Janeway stretched in all directions but reached nothing that would help her. Exhausted, she finally laid down on the bed and fell into a fitful sleep.
A sudden jolt of the ship roused her and she looked out of her view window. Stars screamed past and she knew they had entered the wormhole. Voyager raced through the spiral pathway and Janeway lurched along with the bumpy journey as the ship flew back towards home.
She drew a wavering breath as she rolled with the space outside that would hopefully deliver her and the rest of Voyager to their familiar Alpha Quadrant. After an hour, the shaking and rolling stopped and her view cleared. As Janeway peered outside, she recognized the familiar stars of home. "Oh my god," she whispered. "We're back." Even though she knew it was a mirage, it was a welcome one to be in, even if just for a bit.
Two Starfleet vessels appeared and Janeway knew they were hailing her ship. Flashes of phaser fire moments later horrified her as she felt Voyager's engines engage and move away. She was tossed again as Voyager evaded the pursuit. She noticed they were headed into deep space, the heart of Maquis territory. Within minutes, several small ships emblazoned with Maquis designations intercepted and began firing on the Starfleet vessels. The attack was quick and swift and Starfleet held back as the Maquis escorted Voyager into their stronghold region.
Janeway took a deep breath and called for the Computer. It did not reply. In frustration, she yanked at the metal chain and yelped as it cut into the palms of her hands. "This is enough! Tuvok, if this is you, I will…"
The quarters' door slid open and Chakotay walked in, a big smile on his face. "Welcome home, Kathryn. Isn't it good to be back?"
She tried to calm her anger. "Why did you do that? They were probably just as surprised as we were to suddenly see us. Now that they know we're back, you don't think it's going to be a top priority for Starfleet to recover us?"
"They can try. But, as you saw, Voyager has friends."
"Things change, Chakotay. Voyager is a year out of date. You've been replaced. We all have. You can't just expect to return and pick up right where you left off."
"Maybe not but B'Elanna is synching data banks as we speak."
It's more than data. You think you can be welcomed back to the Maquis, no questions asked? How did the Maquis know not to fire on us?"
"You're slipping, Kathryn. Bringing a ship back through a wormhole takes time. Communication doesn't."
"You contacted them before we jumped."
"Why else do you think they were here? Waiting. Starfleet obviously intercepted our message too and sent their own welcoming committee which I didn't appreciate."
"And just what are you going to do with me and the rest of us that also don't want to be part of your Maquis cause?"
"I already told you. All of you will serve under me to repay your debt and then I don't give a damn what you do."
She pointed her finger. "And I told you that I don't believe that! You may not be my Chakotay but you must have some of his compassion in you!"
Chakotay noticed drops of blood dripping from her fingers. Grabbing her discarded silk ties, he wrapped her palms to staunch the bleeding. "I figured you make quick work of the fabric but metal is a whole other animal, isn't it?" He pressed to stop the bleeding and then gently kissed the back of her hands. "How's this for compassion?"
She snatched them away. "Don't touch me!"
He grinned. "Well I see the warrior is back. Do you think you have Starfleet to back you up again now? Hope they come and rescue you?"
"They must know you're in control. Not me."
"They don't know you're even here."
"You don't think they'll try and determine that?"
"Yes and I'll make it easy for them. I'll send them a more recent picture for your personnel log."
Janeway's eyes searched his. "What is the point of this, Chakotay? You have what you want. You're back where you want to be. Obviously the past year meant nothing to you so go and return to what you feel you need to do."
"Well, now that I have your permission…"
"You don't need my permission. You never did. I thought you were an honorable man who always tried to do the right thing. Obviously, I was wrong."
She watched him consider her words for a moment and then sat down on her bed. "Do you mind if I go to sickbay?" she asked. "Before I'm pressed into service, I would like to make sure I'm at 100% for you."
He rubbed his face and said, "I'll have Tom treat you. He'll bring a med kit."
"Something wrong with the Doctor? You'll need him for the casualties you're about to face."
"Actually, the Maquis have been quite successful while we've been away."
"Really? Then I guess you're not as necessary as you thought you were."
He bristled at her sarcasm. "I managed to get this crew and you home like that. I was very necessary."
"Yes, I guess you were."
"I didn't have to bring you back."
"No, you didn't. But you did. And if the Maquis have been so successful while you've been away, then they aren't hard up for recruits. You knew that before we left if you were communicating with them. Why bring me back at all?"
Chakotay brushed a finger across her forehead. "Because there is something about you."
Janeway closed her eyes for a moment. These flashes of her real First Officer that she couldn't respond to in such an unreal scenario were draining. Clearing her throat, she said, "Well, I'm glad I fascinate you. Can you call Tom now?" She held up her hands. "This stings."
Disappointment crossed his face and he walked back to the door. "I'll send him down."
A few minutes later, Tom arrived with the med kit as promised. "Hello, Tom. How are you?" she asked.
Tom said nothing as he knelt down and took her hands. Unwrapping the silk from her palms, he selected his medical tool and made quick work of her cuts.
She lifted her chained leg. "I don't suppose you can do anything for this?"
He shook his head and packed the kit up. As he rose, she grabbed his arm. "Tom, talk to me."
"I have nothing to say to you." He threw the kit over his shoulder.
"Why? What did I do?" She paused and then added, "Is Chakotay handing you back over to the penal authorities to finish your sentence or, maybe worse, your father?"
His blue eyes were cold. "I said I have nothing to say to you."
Chakotay entered once again. "All set?"
"Yeah." Tom rubbed his neck and quickly exited.
"He's scared," Janeway said.
Chakotay disappeared into her back room and came out with plain clothes. "Put these on. That uniform doesn't belong on this ship."
"I happen to like…"
He threw the clothes at her. "Change it! Now!"
She lifted her chained leg. "I'm afraid I can't do that when I am like this."
Chakotay pulled the phaser from his hip and aimed it at her. With a quick downward strike, he severed the chain. "Get dressed," he said quietly.
Janeway gathered the clothing. "Can I shower first?"
He nodded and she rose and walked into the bathroom. She stopped as she reached him and said, "Everyone certainly has a very bad attitude all of a sudden. Is your homecoming not what you thought it would be?"
Chakotay yanked her head back by her hair. "Don't play with me, Kathryn. I warned you about playing games with me. I'm being nice. I can not be nice."
He released her and she rubbed under her loose bun to ease her scalp. "My apologies. It won't happen again, Captain."
Chakotay's brow furrowed as she gave him a quick smile and disappeared into the shower.