Authors note: Thank you thank you thank you for the nice review smile. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Please R&R.
The stall was full of glistening jewellery, of all shapes and sizes. The central piece was a magnificent turquoise colour but was brilliantly clear. It immediately drew Kathryn's attention and she couldn't help but admire its delicate beauty. After about ten minutes of longingly gazing at the piece, she left the stall and wondered further into the market place. She sensed someone watching her and immediately spun around to investigate her suspicion. When she didn't see anything suspicious and began to stroll towards her destination, tut-ing to herself.
"Must be getting paranoid." She muttered under her breath. She continued on her path but still couldn't shake the feeling of being followed. The hairs on the back of her neck were on end and she had to suppress a shiver. Looking over her shoulder she could only see the small gathering of people bartering at stalls. Without turning back around she took a step forward, colliding with a solid presence that was in front of her. She began to stumble but was held up by a pair of arms belonging to the person in front of her. She watched as her com badge fell to the ground. As she looked up at the person she muttered an apology along with a thank you and tried to bend down to collect her com badge. She felt the grip around her arms tighten and watched as the person's foot destroyed the com badge.
Kathryn snapped her head up angrily and fiercely tried to pull from his grip.
"What the hell are you doing?" she asked angrily. The more she struggled the tighter the hold became; she started to feel panic, which grew even stronger when she felt a hand holding a piece of cloth over her mouth. Reality began to become a blur as she breathed in the chemical on the cloth. She felt as if energy was being forcibly ripped from her body and instantly began to go limp. Quickly loosing rational thought she did the only thing that came to her head. She screamed.
A piercing scream rang through sick bay, making Chakotay jump awake on the instant alert. Kathryn bolted up on the bio bed, panic visible in her eyes. She took in her surroundings, glancing quickly from one object to the next. As comprehension dawned on her she immediately relaxed. Confusion was taking over the panic now, why the hell am I in sickbay, she thought. Chakotay appeared at her side unexpectedly and mde her jump of the bio bed, away from him. Kathryn became confused by her own action and shook her head as if to clear it. All the effort left her drained and she began to slide down the wall, until a pair of arms saved her; she immediately stiffened at the contact.
The Doctor lifted the Captain back onto the bio bed, but did not miss the fright which flickered through her eyes.
"Captain, it's the Doctor." When she didn't respond he continued, "Captain, do you recognise me, do you know where you are?" Kathryn's eyes felt heavy and began to close. She barely heard the doctor's voice as she lost consciousness.
Kathryn opened her eyes for a second time that day. Stretching lazily, whilst opening her eyes she was immediately surprised to find herself in sick bay. She yawned at sat up swinging her legs over the side. She felt completely refreshed and couldn't hold back a smile. Standing up slowly she became aware of a chair nearby the bio bed. Chakotay was asleep. She chuckled and tapped his shoulder.
"Chakotay…Chakotay, wake up!" she said in a calming voice. She heard him mumble something unrecognisable and then lost patience. She shook his shoulders harder this time and watched as his eyes snapped open.
"Kathryn…are you ok?" his voice was full of concern and confused her slightly but she didn't let it show.
"I'm fine…well actually I'm feeling great." She chuckled, and then grew sombre, "I am slightly confused though: number one why am I in sick bay and number two I thought you were taking shore leave." The Doctor overheard the conversation and decided to but in.
"Ah Captain nice to she you awake, tell me what is the last thing you remember." The Doctor led her back to the bio bed and sat her down. Picking up a tricorder he scanned her, whilst she was answering.
"I was in my ready room, getting ready for my shore leave." She paused and began to worry, "why?"
"Captain, that was over a week ago." The Doctor said as calmly as possible. An array of emotion passed through her eyes: confusion, shock and disbelief. Kathryn looked between the two people in front of her.
"Is this some kind of joke…" she laughed, but the serious expressions on there faces stopped it, "What…How…what happened, what's wrong with my memory?" she asked calmly.
Chakotay began to explain the events: Belanna and Tom finding her, bringing her to sick bay. The Doctor took over and explained the various injuries she had suffered. Kathryn began to shake her head in disbelief.
"No, I would remember that, I mean surely you can't be serious." The doctor handed her a PADD, containing the evidence. After reading it she stared at her hands, not wanting to look either of them in the eye.
"Can I go back to my quarters?" Her voice was just above a whisper.
"Captain I don't think th…" The doctor began but was cut off.
"Doctor, despite having lost some memory I am fine, now I want to go back to my quarters." She snapped and glared at him.
"Captain, I really don't think that is a good idea. You really shouldn't be on your own right now." The Doctor said in a compassionate voice.
"Doctor, I will accompany her if that will help." Chakotay interrupted, he looked at Kathryn and she gave him a slight smile. The doctor was still reluctant but eventually agreed, as long as she wore a monitor and came for a check up in the morning. She was officially off duty on medical leave for a week.
The walk to Kathryn's quarters was quiet. Kathryn thanked Chakotay for breaking her from sickbay, which made them both laugh slightly and lifted some of the tension. They finally made it to her quarters and she let Chakotay in.
"Would you like anything?" She said whilst walking to the replicator.
"Kathryn." He said in a gentle whisper. Her eyes filled with tears and she clutched to the side of the replictor, her knuckles turning white with the pressure. Chakotay was at her side in less than five strides and turned her around to face him. Kathryn fell into his arms and finally let the tears fall.
