After checking in at the bridge and leaving orders with Tuvok to notify him the minute the Vidiians made contact, Chakotay made his way to sickbay. As he walked in, he saw Tom Paris by Captain Janeway's bedside. She was asleep and did not rouse as Paris adjusted some of her monitors and recorded his data for the Doctor.
Chakotay looked at the vacant office and asked, "Where is the Doctor?"
"Computer…" Paris started.
Chakotay held up his hand and Paris stopped. "He left her in your care?"
"Well, this ship isn't going anywhere. He figured I could use the refresher course in basic patient care. I can now log vitals with the best of them." Paris flicked the medical tricorder closed and came around her bed. "She'll wake if you talk to her. It's about time for her to eat something anyway."
"She heard what went down on the planet?"
Paris nodded. "I think so. By the way, nice threat. I didn't see the, Vidiian is it, running scared but it sure sounded like he took what you said seriously."
Chakotay looked down at Janeway. "I meant every word."
Paris glanced back at his Captain and then turned back to Chakotay. "Careful, you look like you might actually care for her and not in a First Officer kind of way."
Chakotay's eyes traveled back to Paris. "Dismissed," he said.
Paris' teasing smile faded as he nodded and walked out of the room.
Chakotay walked over to Janeway and pulled over a small stool. His eyes swept down and followed her small body draped in the sheets. He hoped the Doctor had been the one to undress her as he watched her softly sleeping with only her bare arms resting on top of the blanket. Her hair had also been undone and her long red tresses pooled and curled around her upper body giving her pale skin a slight glow.
Though it had only been several weeks, Paris' words about caring for her as something other than as a superior officer raced through his mind. He sat down and allowed his finger to gently trace her shoulder. She shivered a bit in her sleep and he pulled back. He marveled at how tiny and helpless she appeared. Yet the strength and determination that she had displayed since they met belied how formidable he knew she could be.
He took a deep breath and picked up her hand. She stirred a bit but her eyes remained closed. He stroked her fingers with his own and said, "You'll be up and around and healthy whether you need to have a part of me or not." He paused. "I think I may already have a part of you."
Janeway's eyes fluttered open at the sound of his voice. She felt a warm hand against hers and knew it wasn't the hologram. She smiled as she turned to look up at him. "Did you get my lungs back, Commander?"
Chakotay gave her a small smile. "I'm still working on that."
She drew her hand away. "Then go away. You're of no use to me without them."
He caught the twinkle in her eye and his grin widened. "Careful. You may need my lung, remember? Insult me and I may not give it up."
"I outrank you. I can order you to give it up."
"You know, you're the second woman today who's flirted with me?"
She wrinkled her forehead. "Flirted? I am not flirting with you, Commander. That ego of yours is rearing its ugly head again."
Chakotay sat back and crossed his arms. "Well maybe you better start since you're not winning me over with this attitude. I have something you desperately need if you ever want to walk out of this room again. Staring at sickbay walls for the next 60 to 70 years isn't my idea of fun and I'm sure it's not high on your list either."
She glared and said, "Well, if you had done your job down on the planet, I might be walking out of this room right now."
His smile faded and his arms dropped. "You're kidding me, right? You have no lungs, yet, thanks to the Doctor's programming skills, you are still able to yell and dress me down after I spent my entire day trying to help you?" He leaned forward as he looked down at her. "I know you were briefed and you probably listened to the entire away mission, Captain. What are you really mad at?"
Janeway's look softened. She brushed an arm across her face and blew out a deep breath as she focused her attention on the ceiling. "I'm not mad, Chakotay. I'm just frustrated. It's been almost an hour and…"
"And we'll take out our frustration all over Vidiian space just like I said I would if they don't come through." He smiled and said, "I'll even let you give the order to fire even though you've been medically relieved of your duties."
Janeway tried to rise as her eyes found his again. "What? I never told the Doctor that I couldn't perform my duties. He had no right to do that!"
The corners of Chakotay's mouth twitched. "Oh good, you're mad at someone else now over something just as ridiculous."
She glared again and lay back down. She shook her head and said, "Maybe I should be relieved of command. I already blew up our way home. I'll just torpedo my lungs wherever they happen to be to really cap off my first command posting."
Chakotay sobered and laid a hand on her shoulder. He felt her body start to tremble and watched her turn away to hide the tears that he knew were rising. She shook him off and he watched her try on a smile. He hoped he matched it as he attempted to raise her flagging spirits. "The rest of your life, Starfleet and otherwise, can be pretty enjoyable, you know. I've had these lungs inside me my whole life. They work well and, if you don't fight with the one I give you and tell it how to breathe for you, it just might help you live very comfortably for the rest of your long life."
Janeway sniffed and said quietly, "I appreciate that, Chakotay. I really do." She looked back and said, "But I want my body back. It's a violation and I want it corrected. The right way."
Chakotay brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek. "I know you do. And you deserve that. I may not know you fully yet but I've learned enough about you to know that the real issue here is that you have no control over this situation and it's driving you crazy." She opened her mouth to protest but he stopped her by placing a finger across her lips. "Go ahead and tell me I'm wrong." He waited but she remained silent.
He watched as her eyes glistened again and he drew his finger back. Leaning down, he brought his face close to hers and saw her eyes widened in surprise as he gently brushed his lips across her cheek. He quickly pulled back and wrapped her hand in his again. "Believe it or not, Kathryn Janeway, you've become my best friend in the Delta Quadrant."
She shook her head. "Chakotay, you don't have to lie to me…"
It was his turn to shake his. "I would never insult you like that. The Maquis are obviously very close to me and I have an allegiance to them just like you do to your Starfleet crew. But you and I are the only two aboard this ship that understand what each other is going through in terms of responsibility. So how about we go through it together?"
Janeway smiled. "As best friends?"
Chakotay nodded. "As fully dressed best friends, Captain." His smile broadened as he added, "Now, I want another gold star in my personnel file before you succumb to this self pity or worse. See? I do listen to you even when you're difficult and petulant and I'm probably deserving of a second star just for that."
She gave a small laugh as a solitary tear escaped down her cheek. She quickly dashed it away and said, "Well, no wonder women have flirted with you all day, Commander. You are a charmer."
"I have my moments."
She raised her hand to cup his chin. "That you do, Commander. That you do."
Their moment was interrupted by the chirp of the computer. 'Tuvok to Commander Chakotay. A Vidiian ship is approaching off the port bow.'
Janeway and Chakotay exchanged looks before he whispered, "Well, let's hope my charm extends to other species." Raising his voice, he said, "Acknowledged. Chakotay, out."
She smiled and drew her hand back. "Good Luck, Commander. Now go get my lungs back or your gold stars are toast."
He chuckled and put her other hand down. Patting it, he said, "Computer, activate Emergency Medical Hologram." The Doctor shimmered into existence as Chakotay leaned down. "I'll keep that in mind. Now, please eat something. Paris said it was about time for you to do that and you'll need your strength for the surgery."
The Doctor approached the bed and said, "Ah, we have retrieved her stolen organs?"
"We're about to," Chakotay answered. "Stand by, Doctor. This is about to be over and either my lung or both of hers are going to be in your surgical bay soon."
The Doctor nodded. "Then I'll scrub in."
Chakotay gave her a sharp nod. "You'll be fine, Captain."
She summoned a smile and whispered, "I know, Commander."
"I do know," he repeated. With a wink, he added, "I'll be back with the rest of you soon."
