Kathryn didn't wait for The Doctor to wake her. After four days she slowly regained consciousness. She could feel her hand being held and turned to see the slumping body of Tom Paris in the chair next to her. She spent several minutes just looking at him before she spoke. She studied their intertwined hands and wondered why she was holding hands with her Pilot.

"Activate emergency medical hologram." The Doctor appeared from the next room already activated. Noticing Paris' sleeping state he spoke in a whisper. He began scanning The captain as he spoke.

"Hello Captain. I am surprised to see you awake. How do you feel?"

"Actually Doctor I am a little disorientated." She responded in a voice scratchy from lack of use. "Why am I in sick bay?" As she spoke she removed her hand from Tom's. "Was I hurt? was there a battle? What is the status of Voyager?" Her voice became a little louder with each question.

The Doctor held up his hand to stem the flow of questions. "The ship is fine. There was no battle. You were sick Captain. You had a brain tumor." Just as he was about to launch a lecture about her refusal to take care of herself, Tom Paris cleared his throat to let them know he was awake.

"Doctor I think you should let Chakotay know that the captain is awake before you continue." The Doctor stepped away to deliver the message while Janeway glared at the ensign for delaying her answers. When she met Tom's eyes the memories started coming back. The terrible headaches that culminated with a trip to the brig. Her eyes widened.

"Tom," her voice began to shake with emotion. "I…I am so" Tom put a gentle finger on her lips to stop her.

"Shh not now Kathryn. We can talk about that in private. For now lets wait and see what the Doctor has to say."

Kathryn stuttered not sure how to respond. She was not sure if she was more taken aback by the interruption, the use of her first name or the intimate touch to her lips. All three of which had been in short supply for the past seven years. Just as she was about to offer an objection Commander Chakotay arrived. Janeway gave Tom an arched eyebrow. It clearly indicated that an explanation will be expected at a future date.

"Captain" The commander had a broad smile on his face as he greeted his friend. "How are you feeling?"

Janeway started to sit up in her bed. Tom helped her put the bed in a semi sitting position. "I am a little disoriented. How's my ship?"

Chakotay grinned knowing there was no diverting the captain once she started down this road.

"Actually Captain I think the news of your illness was broadcast throughout the quadrant. It seems that picking on Voyager is only fun when you are at the helm." The Captain rolled her eyes.

"Seriously there is nothing to report. No first contacts, anomalies, or system failures. Not even any nebulas or space creatures. It was an excellent time for you to take a break."

The Doctor broke in to the conversation. "Of course the break wouldn't have been necessary if you had come to me when the headaches began or even better showed up for the occasional check up!" Before he could get up a full head of steam the Captain held up her hand in interruption.

Janeway looked at him with a look of true sincerity. "Doctor, you are an amazing member of this crew. Your skills are once again proven in times of trial." The holographic man began to preen at her praise as she knew he would. "I promise to do better in the future."

"Oh you will Captain," he replied. "Going forward, even if it takes a security escort, you will be visiting me on a regular basis."

The captain's hackles immediately rose at such an impertinent statement. But as soon as it arrived the glare fell from her face. She grinned and gave a mock salute in the Doctor's direction. "Aye Sir, when can I have my ship back?"

Even though he knew it was coming The Doctor expelled a big sigh at the question. "One more day in Sick bay and if all is well you will be released to quarters for two days then light duty for 3 more." It was his turn to glare as he waited for a challenge to his authority. All of the occupants of the room were shocked when she once again gave a small salute.

"Chakotay I would like to start catching up on some reports if you will have them delivered."

"I'll send them right down Captain."

She nodded. "I'd like a moment alone first." Tom and The Doctor took the hint and moved into The Doctors office. Janeway looked at her first officer with a serious expression on her face. "So what is next."

Chakotay cocked his head questioningly.

"I am not sure what you mean Captain. The Doctor has outlined your treatment. It seems clear to me."

She shook her head. "You know that is not what I mean. There has to be some kind of court marshal. Don't try to tell me you and Tuvok haven't discussed it."

The Commander nodded his head with a serous look on his face. "We did watch the video. Due to the medical circumstances there will be no charges made."

"That's not good enough Commander. There is no excuse for assaulting a fellow officer."

"Yes Captain, but the officer in question refuses to press charges and provided a plausible explanation for the event in question." Janeway couldn't figure out why her first officer seemed to be holding back a smile in such a serious conversation.

"What could he possibly say to explain my actions that would convince Tuvok, of all people, that charges were not necessary?"

Chakotay put his hands up and started to back away in a defensive posture. "You will need to talk to Tom about that Ma'am." He continued to back away. She stared at him eyebrow arched but realized she would get nothing further from him. He stopped at the door and waited.

"Dismissed Comander" Her voice was filled with irony as she knew he was about to escape out the door whether she said it or not.

Tuvok was in the corridor waiting for Chakotay when he exited. As soon as they were out of the Captain's possible hearing range the first officer burst in to laughter. "I wish I could be there when he tells her." He stopped and rested his hand on the bulkhead to keep from doubling over in laughter. "I'd trade my pips for a video of that event."

Tuvok's response was laced with more humor then anyone had ever heard from him. More then anyone would ever expect from a Vulcan. "We will not view the video Comander, though the imager will be running."

Chakotay looked at Tuvok at the possible breach of the Captain's privacy. "Why?"

"We will need the evidence if she attempts to murder him."

This time Chakotay did double over in laughter as tears of mirth ran from his eyes. It took several minutes and deep breaths to control him self enough to enter the bridge.

Captain Janeway was very curious about what Ensign Paris could possibly have said to get her cleared of all charges. As soon as Chakotay left the room she called him to her bedside. "Tom, I appreciate your desire to protect me. You know what I did was more then just the tumor. Chakotay said you refused to press charges."

Tom's voice was firm and expression sincere as he replied.

"That is correct Kathryn. I will not."

"In cases like this charges are usually brought even if the victim declines. What did you tell them? Why would they ignore this?"

Any one who might have happened by to hear his explanation would have been awed at Tom's bravery or at least his audacity. He looked his Captain straight in the eye and replied.

"I told them that is how I like it."

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "How you like what?"

Tom waited a moment to see if the penny would drop. It did not, so he continued.

"I told them that you came down to cheer me up in our usual manner."

Her eyes went wide and her face paled. Tom's expression didn't waver even as he took a step back. "You told them that I…that we…?" As the Captain's adrenalin started to increase along with her blood pressure beeping alarms were ringing throughout sickbay. By the time The Doctor came to her bed side she was half out of her bed lunging at the ensign.

"Captain calm yourself!" The Doctor was practically yelling above the din. He pushed her back on her bed waving a hypo spray. "If you do not lay back I will have to sedate you." The Captain took a deep breath and the beeping stopped.

"Mr. Paris you have upset my patient. Leave now."

Tom headed gratefully for the door.

The Captain's voice came out in a growl. "Ensign Paris stay where you are."

Knowing his position was already about as bad as it could get Tom didn't hesitate to reply. "Sorry Captain, doctor's orders." He walked briskly through the door and out in the hallway.

"Paris to Chakotay." He said in a somewhat shaky voice. "I may need that security team you promised me."

"Understood" The commander replied.

As the bridge officers looked at him quizzically Chakotay left the bridge. He was barley able to wait for the door to close before he once again howled in laughter.