Janeway watched the fire flicker as tiny shadows danced across the cave's dirt floor and craggy walls. The interior had warmed and it felt good against the chill of the night air. Her eyes fell on Chakotay who was busy mashing up medicinal leaves he had found while collecting the wood. In the illumination of the fire, she could see his tan muscles flex as he worked the plants into a thick paste between two smooth river rocks. She watched him for a few minutes until his eyes rose to catch hers.

He stopped and said, "Tribal medicine. It should bathe your wounds until we can get the Doctor to look at you."

"Thank you," she said.

She watched as he made his way to her. He gently leaned over her left arm and whispered in her ear. "This may sting a bit."

"I'll live with it."

He dabbed the creamy mixture over her deep arm cuts as she hissed in pain. "That hurts."

"Don't worry. This is it. Your leg lacerations are too deep and I might infect them if I try."

"That's okay," she gasped. "I won't let you do this again."

Chakotay smirked and finished applying the plant to her reddened arm. "There haven't been any further Kazon attacks. Voyager must have handled them pretty swiftly."

"Then why are we still here?" she said. "Remind me to get an answer to that first thing when we return to the ship."

"If there still is a ship. Maybe the Kazon did more damage than we thought."

Janeway's nose wrinkled. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you may be stuck with me for the rest of your life on this planet. If Voyager was destroyed or captured, I'm it, Captain."

Janeway tried to rise on her good arm. She winced and took a deep breath before saying, "I assure you, Commander, that you and I living together on a deserted planet will never happen."

"Could be fun," he said as he finished applying the medicine. "Never say never. You may actually grow to like it…and me."

Janeway laid back down and raised her injured arm to touch one of his hands. "I already like you and, no, I wouldn't."

"Aw, now isn't this a sweet picture." Tom Paris walked in with Neelix tagging beside him. "Careful, Chakotay. If she lives, you'll be in the second chair again. No Captain's seat for you."

Janeway kept her eyes on Chakotay and said, "Remind me to demote Mr. Paris as the second thing to do when we get back to the ship."

Tom walked up and knelt down beside her with the med kit. As he unpacked the medical supplies, he said, "I wouldn't do that before I examine you, Captain. The Doctor can't leave sickbay, remember? I'm all you got. But don't worry, most women enjoy being in my capable hands."

"Do you normally speak to your superiors like that, Mr. Paris?" Chakotay said.

Tom looked up. "I was just trying to lighten the mood, Commander. I'm sorry I crashed your private party."

Chakotay nodded at the medical tricorder in Paris' hand. "How about you just make her comfortable? Then we need to get her back to Voyager for proper medical treatment. How is the ship?"

Neelix stepped up and glanced down at the Captain before saying, "I'm sure you'll find that Mr. Tuvok has returned your ship in mint condition, Captain. After a few minor repairs, that is. Little skirmish with the Kazon."

"Tell me about it," Janeway said. She flinched as Tom touched her.

"How exactly did this happen?" Tom asked. "We didn't think the Kazon would be able to target you."

"They guessed close enough," Chakotay answered. "We just happened to be in a precarious position when they did and the fall and the river did the rest. Any further contact?"

"They did come back," Tom said. "And they got a helping of Starfleet's finest photon torpedoes. Tuvok doesn't think they'll be back, at least not for a while." Tom finished securing some bandages around the Captain's legs and said, "That ought to do it." He nodded at Neelix and said to Chakotay, "It will be daylight soon. Tuvok wants you to find what edible foodstuffs you can with Neelix. Have Voyager stocked to transport what she can. Then he wants us out of here before some other Kazon sects decide to try and earn their stripes with us. I'm sure our location has been broadcast far and wide by now."

Chakotay looked over at Janeway who nodded her approval. "Understood." He patted her hand and said, "I expect a new uniform when I get back since you bled all over my old one." He gave her a smile and stood up. "Mr. Neelix, let's go."

Tom tapped his combadge and said, "Voyager, lock on to my signal. Two to beam directly to sickbay."

A few hours later, Voyager had replenished its cargo bay with a variety of plants and fruits that Neelix had deemed safe for the Voyager crew's consumption. He was especially giddy over finding a leola root that he claimed made the best soup in the quadrant. He hurried off to prepare it as tonight's mess hall special.

The Doctor made quick work of Janeway's cuts and bruises. He found no broken bones and healed her as Tuvok briefed the Captain on recent events including their encounters with the Kazon.

"They'll be back, Tuvok," Janeway said. "Cullah was right when he said we made an enemy. He is intent on being one."

Tuvok nodded. "But he will not be a formidable one."

"No," Janeway said. "But I'm sure they'll be plenty of those yet to come."

"Indeed."

The two of them made their way back to the bridge. As she walked on deck, she noticed Chakotay's chair was empty. "Computer, locate Commander Chakotay."

'Commander Chakotay is in his quarters.'

In his quarters, Janeway thought. 'He and Neelix have been back for hours.' She turned and said, "I'll go retrieve our First Officer and remind him of his duty schedule. You have the bridge again, Mr. Tuvok."

Five minutes later, Janeway stood outside the Commander's door and rang the chime.

"Come in."

She entered and found Chakotay fully dressed in a new Starfleet uniform. She looked at him and said, "Impressive. Care to show everyone what I paid for on the bridge?"

He flashed her a smile and said, "I was just making sure my attire was more appropriate before I was in your presence again, Captain. Or would you rather I maintain the half-dressed option? "

Janeway stepped close to him. "Back on this ship and your attitude can't help itself again, I see. Let's get one thing straight, Commander. I am very appreciative for what you did down there and I am very happy that you and I have decided to drop the pretenses and work as a team. But, you and I will never be working together as intimately as that. So, if this is your latest attempt to annoy me, drop it. Do we understand each other?"

Chakotay bent down and put his nose in front of hers so she could feel his hot breath in her face. His eyes met hers as he said, "What makes you think you'd be that lucky, Captain? You know you have one hell of an ego, woman."

Janeway raised her chin. "That's Captain, Commander. Now, I want you on the bridge, as you are and always fully dressed in ten minutes. Understood?"

Chakotay stepped back. "Understood." He watched as she turned to walk away. "Captain?" She halted as he placed a hand against his chest. "I sincerely apologize. As an olive branch and a gesture of thanks for my new uniform, have dinner with me tonight. It's the least I can do to get our new beginning off on the right start."

Janeway relaxed and gave him a small smile. She nodded and said, "No, it's the least I can do. You did take care of me on that planet, Chakotay, and I never did properly thank you. So, thank you."

He shrugged. "First Officer's duty."

"You went above and beyond duty a First Officer's duty and you deserve credit for that."

"Oh good, I'll finally be in your log in a good way."

Her eyes twinkled as she pointed a finger. "However…"

Chakotay cut off her warning and said, "Where should we have dinner? Here? Your quarters? The mess hall amongst our crew?"

Janeway thought a moment. "I think the mess hall is a bad idea. For now."

"Afraid the crew would get the wrong idea about us?" As her glare returned, he quickly added, "Actually I think it would show solidarity. But since you insist on being alone with me, then we are left with your quarters, my quarters or the ready room for somewhat neutral territory if you prefer. You also need to tell me what to bring."

"That's easy. Food," she replied.

"Excuse me?"

She glanced down at the floor. "I don't cook or replicate very well. So if you want to actually eat…"

Chakotay laughed. "Say no more. Then dinner will be here so I can take care of everything. Consider it another First Officer duty for me to perform."

Janeway bowed. "I appreciate, once again, your devotion to your duties. " She gave him a big smile and added, "And so will your stomach. Believe me. I'll see you tonight."

As she departed and the doors closed behind her, Chakotay grinned. "Tonight is going to be fun."