A few minutes later, Kathryn Janeway strode into Sickbay, expecting to find a flurry of activity surrounding her newly returned first officer. Instead, the room was strangely silent and still. Chakotay was there, lying on a biobed with Paris standing beside him, but Tuvok, Kim, Kes, and the Doctor were not present.

She took a step closer to the occupied biobed, but Paris glanced over and gave her a slight shake of his head. She saw that he was holding Chakotay's hand while he gently stroked his other hand over the older man's forehead. Paris' eyes directed her toward the Doctor's office, and she looked to her left and saw Tuvok, Kim, Kes, and the Doctor beyond the glass wall.

"Doctor, how is he?" she asked moments later as she entered his office, and then, realizing that her tone was rather abrupt, she softened her voice. "Have you been able to examine him?"

"I have performed a cursory tricorder scan, and the commander is in no immediate physical danger. Mentally and emotionally, he appeared quite upset, and I thought it best to allow Lieutenant Paris to calm him before I continued. I could have sedated Commander Chakotay, but I would rather he be conscious and alert during the examination. Once he is accustomed to his new surroundings, I will proceed."

"He was terribly frightened, Captain," Kes offered. "Tom is the only person he seems to know or trust."

Tuvok nodded in agreement. "Kes is correct. Lieutenant Paris seems to have a calming and restorative effect on the commander."

Janeway smiled slightly at her security chief's words. "That's the first time I've ever heard Tom described as calming and restorative." She turned and looked out the window. Paris was still leaning protectively over Chakotay. "But, if it helps, give them all the time they need." She glanced back at the Doctor. "I'll be on the bridge. Keep me informed."

~vVv~

"I missed you," Paris said quietly, as he ran his hand over Chakotay's forehead. "I'm sorry I wasn't there." Chakotay stared up at him, still blinking from the bright lights and the tears that filled his eyes. Paris wiped his fingers over his cheeks, brushing at the wetness. "I didn't want to leave."

Chakotay swallowed, nodded his head. "I waited… for you."

Paris pressed his lips into a hard, thin line, closed his eyes for a moment; he could imagine Chakotay waiting for him, just like those times when he would tell him to stay in the tent until he returned. "I know you did. You were really good." He rubbed his hand over the older man's hair, brushing it back from his forehead. "Chakotay, do you know where you are?"

Brown eyes swept around the room before focusing back on him. Chakotay smiled slightly, reaching up and touching Paris' face. "With you," he breathed.

And Paris sighed, looked towards the doctor's office. "Do you remember the Doctor and Kes?" He shook his head, and Paris felt Chakotay's hand tighten around his. "They're friends. Will you let them help you?"

Chakotay licked his tongue over his bottom lip, then bit down on it; Paris could feel him tense.

"They won't hurt you. I promise."

Chakotay nodded again, and Paris waved his hand toward the office, caught the Doctor's attention. Janeway had left several minutes ago, soon followed by Tuvok and Kim. Now Kes and the Doctor approached the biobed.

"Chakotay, this is the Doctor and Kes. They want to examine you. All right?"

Another nod, another tightening of his hand.

"I'll stay right here," Paris promised.

Chakotay pulled back when the Doctor started to run a medical scanner over him.

"It's all right, Chakotay. It won't hurt," Kes said softly.

And Paris noticed that he relaxed at the sound of her gentle voice. He sighed with relief and watched as the Doctor continued with his examination.

"There's still some swelling at the base of his skull," he announced a few minutes later. "It's pressing on the brain stem. I think a few hours under a regenerative field should alleviate the pressure, and then I'll be able to assess any permanent damage." He picked up a hypospray from a nearby tray and moved closer to his patient.

Chakotay pulled away. "No!" His voice was loud in the quiet room.

"It's all right, big guy." Paris took the instrument from the Doctor's hand. "It'll just help you sleep." And he reached in and pressed it to his neck.

~vVv~

After Chakotay had spent several hours under a regenerative field, and Paris had rested as well, the Doctor called for the captain to return to sickbay. They gathered around the first officer's bed and watched as the Doctor administered a hypospray that would bring him to consciousness.

His head turned on the pillow, eyes creasing, fingers reaching out toward the captain. "Tom?"

Janeway pressed her hand into his shoulder. "No, it's Kathryn, but Tom's here."

Paris leaned in next to her, grabbed Chakotay's hand. "Right here, big guy."

The first officer's eyes opened fully, blinking from the light. He stared up at the faces above him. And then, a slow grin spread across his face.

"Commander, do you recognize your surroundings?" the Doctor asked from the other side of the biobed.

Chakotay licked his lips. "Yes," he murmured, "unless I'm dreaming."

Janeway smiled, her hand closing firmly around the man's shoulder. "I can assure you, Commander, this isn't a dream. How do you feel?"

Chakotay tried to sit up, but winced with pain and settled back on the biobed. "My head hurts," he said softly.

The Doctor pressed a hypospray against his neck. "This should help. But I must inform you that you may experience some discomfort during the next few days. Pain suppressants will ease the discomfort, but they may not eliminate the symptoms entirely. Rest assured that your body is healing."

Janeway rubbed her hand along Chakotay's arm. "What do you remember?"

He squinted with concentration, his dark eyes shadowed with elusive memories. "I...I don't know." He shook his head. "Just...images." He shifted his gaze to Paris. "You...were there."

Paris nodded. "I was."

Chakotay swallowed convulsively, his throat dry. "That's all...I don't remember much of anything else."

Janeway straightened. "That's all right, Commander. You don't have to remember anything else right now. We'll talk again later. You could use some more rest."

"I think...you're right," Chakotay agreed, allowing his eyes to fall closed.

In moments, he was asleep, his breathing steady and even. They stepped away from the biobed, Kes pausing to adjust the blanket covering the first officer.

Paris glanced back over his shoulder. "You're sure he's going to be all right?"

The Doctor sighed. "I believe the commander will make a complete recovery. I've relieved the swelling along the base of his skull and repaired the injury to his brain. With a few days' rest, he should be fit as a fiddle in no time."

Janeway groaned inwardly at the Doctor's somewhat annoying use of clichés, but Paris wasn't convinced. "Are you sure?"

The Doctor gave the pilot an exasperated look, but before he could respond, Kes joined them, placing a hand on Paris' shoulder. "He's going to be just fine, Tom. You took good care of him down there."

Paris' eyes widened. "Oh, yeah...I allowed him to be confined in that prison of a hospital...that's some good care."

"Kes is right, Tom. You can't blame yourself for what happened." The captain focused a steady gaze on the young man, her hand reaching out and closing around his upper arm. "You did take good care of him, and you had no control over his confinement in that hospital. Until you got him out." Her grasp on his arm strengthened. "And you did get him out." She grinned. "His life still belongs to you."

Paris allowed a smile to break over his face. "Yeah...it does. And I don't think I'll let him forget it."

Janeway sighed and shook her head. "I didn't think you would. Now," her expression turned serious once more, "Chakotay isn't the only one who could use some more sleep."

Paris started to protest. And Janeway silenced him with a look. "I don't want to see you on the bridge for another two days, Lieutenant. I suggest you get some rest."

"I agree with the captain's prescription," the Doctor said, looking up from the data padd he held. "Kes will be happy to escort you back to a biobed or you can return to your own quarters."

Paris held up his hands. "Uh, thanks, Doc, and no offense, but I think I'll go back to my place."

The Doctor looked slightly perplexed. "There was no offense taken, Mister Paris."

Kes laughed softly. "Come on, Tom." She linked her arm through his. "I'll escort you to your quarters."

~vVv~