Janeway awoke with her head pounding on the bed. She held her forehead as she rose up from the sheets. She noticed her uniform had been removed and she had been redressed in a cotton shift that bared her shoulders and arms and skimmed over her petite body ending just above her knees. The smoke she remembered had dispersed and she saw Chakotay lying on the floor. His uniform had also been removed and he was clad only in a pair of cotton pants.

She lifted herself off the bed and knelt on the floor beside him. "Chakotay, wake up." She patted his cheek and he stirred slightly. His eyes fluttered open and he looked at her, all of her, as she leaned over him. Janeway noticed his gaze and pulled back to cover herself with her arms.

He sat up and noticed his own lack of clothing. He rubbed his eyes and mumbled, "I'm sorry."

Janeway sat back down on the bed and pulled her dress down as far as she could across her thighs. She re-folded her arms across her chest. "Well, this is one way for us to get to know each other better."

He smiled at her and said, "Don't take this the wrong way but, if Miu is looking for a demonstration of our mating rituals, don't worry. He won't get one. Stand up."

"Excuse me?"

He stood up and walked over to her. She looked up at him still holding her arms against her body tight. He waved her up and she finally acquiesced and slowly rose up off the bed. Chakotay moved her aside and stripped the bed of the single sheet covering. He flipped it over her and brought it around her shoulders. She moved her arms over it and as the sheet came underneath. Chakotay held it and tied it in place.

She made sure it was secure and then said, "Thank you."

He nodded and sat down on the bed. She sat next to him and said, "What do you think they want with us?"

"I don't know. I'm pretty sure we've been probed."

She scooted back and touched his arm so he would follow her hand. She pointed to the sky and flashed two fingers and then four. He nodded his understanding that Voyager would attempt contact with them again after twenty four hours. They had been on the planet for half that time. They would just need to finish out the other half before they got help.

Chakotay rose and walked over to the corner of the room. He sat down and closed his eyes. Janeway watched as he chanted softly and meditated. After several minutes, his eyes opened and he caught her gaze.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to intrude."

He smiled and said, "You didn't." He stood and walked back to her. "I needed to contact my spirit guide. It helps me in times like this."

She looked thoughtful. "I need to do something like that."

"Yes, you do."

She glanced at him but remained silent.

"You don't relax, Captain. That's not good for you."

Janeway shrugged. "It's not the first time I've heard that."

"And it won't be the last as long as I'm your first officer."

"That could change. Tuvok was seriously disappointed when I gave you the job. I'm sure he'd have no problem taking it back and having you report to him. He'd probably enjoy it and that's saying something for a Vulcan."

Chakotay laughed. "See, I like this side of you. It's nice."

Janeway involuntary pulled the sheet closer to her. "Thanks. I didn't realize you thought of me as so uptight."

"You are uptight. And you didn't need me to tell you that."

Janeway shifted uncomfortably on the bed. "Okay, so you don't like me. Don't worry. I'm trying to get you and everyone else home. You'll be rid of me as fast as I can get you there."

Chakotay shook his head. "I never said I didn't like you. I said you were uptight. Most Captains are. You have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. And when you're stranded 70,000 light years from home, you've got more than most." Janeway stared off at the wall in front of her. He waited and then said, "I actually like you very much. You're a very impressive woman."

Janeway sniffed. "I know what you're doing. You said what you said. Own it."

Chakotay heard her challenge and a burst of anger shot through him. "You are also a very frustrating woman. For someone who lives by principles and forthrightness and honesty, you sure don't like to hear it."

Janeway bristled. "Excuse me? This from someone who swore an oath to Starfleet and then threw it away to become an outlaw?"

Chakotay's eyes flashed fire and he grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her to him. "When Starfleet hands your family and your home over to the Cardassians for slaughter, I'd like to see how you react. Or do you enjoy the Cardassians, Captain?"

Janeway raised her chin and said, "Take your hands off of me, Commander. Now."

Chakotay slowly relaxed his grip. "I'm sorry," he mumbled again.

Janeway took a deep breath as she studied him out of the corner of her eye. She watched him try and settle his emotions as he fidgeted and rubbed his neck. Finally she said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be disrespectful of what you and your family have been through."

Chakotay brushed her off. "It doesn't matter. You haven't been through it personally. You wouldn't understand what the Cardassians are capable of until you're up close and personal with them. You haven't been there."

Janeway chuckled. "I've been in one of their detaining cells. Does that count?"

Chakotay's mouth dropped. "When?"

"Early on in my career," she said. "Admiral Paris and I had an extended stay. You?"

"I've actually managed to avoid that," he said.

"Lucky you. I wouldn't recommend it."

They fell silent for a few minutes until Chakotay said, "I'm really sorry, Captain."

"Thanks."

Chakotay kicked at the floor with a bare foot. "I'm going to apologize now for the stupid comments I am going to make until we get to know each other better."

She smiled. "Apology accepted."

Chakotay grabbed her hand and she let him hold it for a minute before she drew it back. She shivered and he noticed. "We can tie that sheet above your shoulders if you're cold."

"No," she shook her head. "I want my arms free in case we need to fight." She looked at him and he nodded his understanding.

"You should put your hair down."

She frowned. "What?"

"It will keep you warmer. Cover your shoulders."

Janeway turned away. "I'm fine."

"Okay. It was just a suggestion." Chakotay scooted away from her to the edge of the bed. He lay back on the footboard and brought his legs up as he leaned back to face her. He watched her shiver a few more times. Finally, he saw her sigh and loose her long hair letting it fall down her back and around her shoulders. He smiled and said, "See how much smoother your day goes when you listen to your first officer? Remember this moment when we get back aboard ship. I'll have a few more suggestions."

"I'll bet you will." She wanted to smack the smug smile off his face but inwardly laughed. It had been a long time since someone was comfortable enough to tease her and it lightened her mood. "You're plotting to take over my ship, aren't you?"

Chakotay grinned. "Ayala and Belanna should be just about ready to seize it when we get back if all goes according to our timeline."

Janeway nodded. "I'm sure Tuvok is already prepared but I'll notify security to expect a fight, not that you'll put up much of one."

Chakotay's smile faded and he sat up. "Excuse me?"

Janeway flashed a quick smile. "Now who's uptight, Commander?"

He leaned back again. "You're very pretty when you lighten up. Happiness looks good on you."

It was Janeway's turn to lose her smile. "What did you say?"

"And you have a hard time taking compliments."

"And you have a hard time remembering your place."

Chakotay sat up again. "My place?"

"Maybe you made the rounds on your own ship, Commander. But, you won't do that on Voyager, especially not with me."

Chakotay smirked. "The fearless Captain of the Intrepid Starship Voyager: courageous, intelligent, resourceful enough to give to and protect her entire crew but with absolutely no insight into satisfying your own needs and wants."

"And you're going to satisfy them for me?"

"Someone should. You're more than a Captain. You're a beautiful human woman."

Janeway's eyes narrowed. "You are way out of line, Commander."

Chakotay met her angry gaze. "And so are you. Just so your log entry is correct, I never 'made the rounds' on my ship and I certainly can control my basic human needs and responses on Voyager. There is one thing that I will always tell you, Captain and that's the truth. If you are too insecure to hear it, duly noted. I won't comment on your personal appearance or life again."

"Thank you, Commander." She squeezed her hands that clung to the sheet tied around her. "It's completely inappropriate."

"No, it's not. I know my Starfleet rules and regulations even if I did 'turn my back' on them. There is nothing in there against being nice to your superior officer."

"It's unbecoming."

"It scares you."

Janeway gave a soft laugh. "You don't scare me Commander."

He leaned forward into her space and she backed up. He smiled and said, "See, I scare you. You wouldn't jump back if Tuvok was sitting here instead of me."

"Tuvok would behave himself."

"You can discipline me when we get back to the ship."

"I think I will."

The metal entry way opened and a guard stepped in with food. He placed it on the floor and left. Chakotay moved from the bed and picked it up and brought the tray back to her. She put it down and said, "I'm not hungry."

Chakotay sat down and popped a berry into his mouth. "You should be. You should eat in case you need your strength. I don't want to get another discipline report for being a chauvinist because I rescued you. Per Starfleet rules, a First Officer's number one duty is to protect the Captain."

Janeway watched him eat and said, "I never called you that."

Chakotay broke off a piece of bread. "You implied that." He pushed the food towards her. "Eat. You pull your own weight here…" He put a hand to his head and rubbed his temple again.

"Chakotay?"

He felt her put a hand on his arm as he sighed and shook his head. "On second thought, don't eat…" He fell to the floor unconscious.

Janeway jumped down. "Chakotay! Chakotay! Answer me!" She frantically untied the sheet from around her and covered him with it. She ran to get water from the sink and returned and dabbed his face. A guard entered and she said, "What did you do? What did you give him?"

Miu walked in from behind surrounded by more attendants. "Your species is not very hardy. I find it interesting that you've survived as long as you have. "

"Just tell me what you've done to him!"

"A test. Unfortunately, you would never survive on this planet. You won't serve our purpose."

"Purpose?" she said. "What purpose?"

"We need a food source. Our planet's own food sources have been depleted and we need a new one. We thought maybe you would suffice."

Janeway placed her hands against Chakotay's chest. She felt it rise and fall under her touch. He was still alive. "You wanted us for food?"

Miu nodded. "Yes. Our medical scans show you can reproduce easily and would be able to provide us with stock for a long time. However, you show an obvious resistance to natural mating and you cannot stomach our natural food sources. I am afraid you are incompatible with our purpose. We will search further."

He tossed the communicators at them and they clattered in front of her. "You may go now. Leave our planet."

Janeway grabbed the combadges and pressed. "Janeway to Voyager!"

"Voyager here, Captain. Are you and the Commander ready to return?"

"Yes! Two to beam directly to sick bay, now!"