The rain had stopped, but the air around them was still damp and muggy. Paris leaned against the side wall of the office building across from the hospital; Kim stood close beside him. He kept one hand on the pilot's shoulder, knowing that he still felt weak and a little unsteady on his legs.

"Maybe you should have stayed in Sickbay, Tom," he said softly.

Paris shook his head, drew in a deep breath, let it out slowly.

"Then at least stay here. Once we're in, Tuvok can better detect his biosign with the tricorder – we'll find him."

Paris lifted his eyes, stared at his friend. "And when you do, Chakotay could wake up half the hospital. He'll recognize me; I can keep him quiet."

Kim rolled his eyes. "But can you stay on your feet?"

Paris straightened and pulled away from the wall, standing on his own. The Doctor had pumped him full of antibiotics and pain meds, and, despite his residual weakness, he was feeling better – well enough to get in and get Chakotay out of there. "I'll be fine," he responded, trying to make his voice sound firm and confident.

Kim wasn't buying it completely, but held his objections. They'd find the commander and get him out, even if they had to carry Paris out with them. And he was right – Chakotay would be more compliant if Paris were there. He looked toward the corner of the building where Tuvok stood, using his tricorder to scan the opposite building. It looked even more forbidding in the black greyness of night – the shadows longer, the windows darker, the surrounding grounds sodden with the day's rain. Tuvok had already scouted the perimeter once, and he believed that he'd found a side door that they could use to gain entrance, but first they would have to cut the fence, and he was still trying to decide the best point of entry.

Kim saw him close his tricorder and clip it back to his belt. He glanced over his shoulder and motioned for them to come closer. Kim and Paris joined him at the corner.

"I believe the far right corner will be the best place to enter. There is a light at the front gate and another at the back gate, but the corners of the property are not lit at all. From that point, it is approximately one hundred meters to the side entrance, which appears to be a door to the basement. The service entrance is in the back, is probably used more often, and may be guarded, whereas the basement door would most likely not be under guard."

"At least we hope not," Paris breathed, then saw Tuvok start to raise an eyebrow. "I know – hope is illogical, but I'm going to hold onto it anyway."

Tuvok just nodded toward the street. "Let's go."

And the three men crossed over and went to the side, ducking into the trees that surrounded the hospital's fence. Paris and Kim followed Tuvok, letting him lead the way, stopping when he reached the far corner. They knelt by the fence as Tuvok used his phaser to cut away enough of the chain link so that they could push it back and crawl through. Once inside, they ran toward the side of the building, taking several steps down to the basement entrance. Tuvok turned his attention to the door, and Paris sank onto one of the steps, his breathing slightly increased. Kim ran a hand over his shoulder, and Paris nodded. "'m all right, Harry," he assured. And Kim patted his back.

The door was locked, but Tuvok's phaser melted the locking mechanism and he was easily able to push the heavy iron door open. They found themselves in a long, dark hallway, a lone light bulb glowed at the end – a juncture where one hall met another. Tuvok pulled open his tricorder and set the scan for Chakotay's biosign.

"Three floors up," he stated, then motioned toward the end of the hall. "This way."

They followed him, Kim taking note that the basement hall seemed to be lined with storage rooms – some doors open, others closed. At the juncture, Tuvok turned to the right and there was a flight of stairs leading up. The staircase seemed to be enclosed, which was a good thing. They could ascend all three floors without having to make their way onto any of the intervening floors.

When they reached what was probably the hospital's second floor, Tuvok stepped to the open doorway, looked both ways down the hall; no one was in sight. He pointed to the left and all three men proceeded, staying close to the wall, passing closed doors until they reached the fourth door. Tuvok stopped and turned the doorknob. Paris was relieved to see it turn in the man's hand, and then Tuvok pushed it open. The room was dark except for very pale light that came from the barred windows. There wasn't much inside – a side table, a chair, a bed, pushed into the far corner. Paris went ahead of Tuvok, immediately recognizing the man who lay on the bed – it was Chakotay. His eyes were closed, and Paris took note of the restraints at his wrists and ankles. Before he attempted to undo them, he wanted Chakotay awake and aware so that he wouldn't startle him. He leaned over the man, close to his ear, and whispered his name. "Chakotay, hey, wake up. I'm here."

Dark eyes immediately snapped open and his body lurched, pulling reflexively against the restraints. Chakotay gasped, and Tom laid his hands on his shoulders. "Hey, big guy." Chakotay blinked up at him. "It's me – Tom. We're taking you home." He saw that Chakotay's eyes had darted to the two men behind him. "Harry and Tuvok are with me. You have to be quiet."

"Tom?" the voice was low and tight, heavy with sudden tears.

Paris touched his fingers to Chakotay's cheeks, gently wiped away the wetness that flowed from his eyes. "I'm right here." Then he reached down and unfastened the straps at his wrists, moved quickly to his ankles and undid those restraints. He returned to the head of the bed and helped Chakotay sit up. The blanket fell away and Paris could see that he was dressed in thin pajamas.

"Chakotay, follow me and don't say a word, all right?"

Chakotay nodded.

And Paris rubbed the back of the older man's neck. "Good. Let's go." He took Chakotay's hand and crossed over to the door where Tuvok and Kim were standing guard. Tuvok nodded and they moved out into the hall. Paris wrapped an arm around Chakotay's shoulder, trying to keep him close, tucked in beside him. He walked slower than he had when they'd been together on the planet, and Paris wondered what kind of treatment they'd given him. He pulled him closer.

They reached the stairwell and turned in, heading down. And Paris sighed. So far, so good – not a person in sight. One flight down, and then another – past the main floor and getting close to the basement. Chakotay took every step methodically, one heavy footfall after another, but Paris could feel more of his weight leaning into him.

Just as they reached the basement hall, they heard it.

"Who's there?" A voice from above, and then a beam of light bouncing down the stairs, playing off the dark walls. "Stop!"

Tuvok moved in close to Paris and Chakotay, wrapped an arm around the commander. "Run," he ordered. And they pounded down the hall, turning into the main length, the outside door in sight.

The sound of people on the stairs clamored behind them. Kim rushed ahead, pushing at the door. It wouldn't budge; he shoved again - still no movement. He looked back, saw two people enter the hall far behind them. He took Tuvok's position, holding onto Chakotay, while the Vulcan slammed his shoulder into the metal door. It gave slightly – another forceful shove and it opened. They were through and Tuvok pushed it closed then slapped his commbadge.

"Four to beam up." And as the transporter caught hold, Kim looked back and saw the door opening.

~vVv~