The first thing Vylisa noticed as she pulled herself out of dreamless slumber was the lack of pain. She took in a deep cleansing breath and felt only the reviving of her senses. In the next second, warm loving feelings surrounded her from all sides.
"So you're finally going to wake up, Firebird?" Her father's voice quavered.
"Ahpa," Vylisa whispered as she opened her eyes and turned toward the sound.
"Yes, we're all here." Her father lifted her hand and kissed it before gesturing for her mother to come forward.
"Oh Vylisa, we were so frightened." Even though tears filled her eyes, her mother smiled broadly.
"Don't cry, Ahma," Vylisa soothed. "I'm sorry you worried, but the Gifter was merciful." She looked around the unfamiliar room and saw bright sunlight streaming in the window. "How long have I been unconscious?"
"Almost a full day," her mother told her in a hoarse whisper. Clearing her throat, she continued in a more normal tone, "The drug that you were given took some time to work out of your system, so the doctors thought it best to let you sleep it off."
Swiftly she remembered friends. "Kathryn and Chakotay, how are they?"
"They are fine," Enca answered from the other side of her room. He reached out to her mind with his love before he continued, "They have been waiting for you to wake up, so that they could visit you."
"Let them come in, please." Vylisa pushed up into a sitting position, ecstatic that she had full control of her body once more.
Her parents left to get some rest before she came home since they had been at the hospital the entire time she was unconscious.
Kathryn and Chakotay's visit brought a welcome surprise. They entered her room, hand-in-hand; their countenances beaming with joy. "I'm so glad that you're okay," Kathryn exclaimed as she moved next to Vylisa's bed. She grasped the younger woman's hand. "I…, we can't thank you enough for what you did."
"It isn't necessary, Kathryn."
"I think it is, and you aren't going to argue with the captain of a starship, are you?" Kathryn's mock glare made everyone smile.
"No I suppose I'm not." Vylisa lifted her other hand in surrender. Changing the subject she asked, "How are you two feeling? I have been out for a while."
"We're both fine, though our Doctor tells me to stay off my feet as much as possible for a few days. My legs were pretty messed up, but he knows how to use the osteo-regenerator. I suppose I won't be running any foot races for a while." Chakotay grinned as Kathryn slipped her arm through his.
Vylisa's heart warmed to watch the easy show of affection between the two.
Kathryn smiled when she caught Vylisa's scrutiny. "I had no idea when you told me about the mind fusion that it would not only save Chakotay's life but open a new phase of mine." She shared with Vylisa that when she first asked him to join the crew as her XO, she fought the attraction she felt. Kathryn refused to be disloyal to her fiancé.
"Once I received the message from my fiancé back home, telling me of his marriage, I contemplated pursuing a relationship with Chakotay but decided against. The protocols and regulations against such a liaison weren't the deciding factors. I felt guilty for stranding my people in the delta quadrant and for considering my own happiness when so many of the crew mourned the loss of loved ones back home. I locked my feelings for him away.
"After the Doctor treated our injuries from the bombing and sent us to rest, I discussed my feelings openly with Chakotay for the first time. I finally realized that hiding my love from him didn't help the crew grieve less for their losses nor did it help them heal from that grief." She sighed and leaned her cheek against Chakotay's arm.
Chakotay added his point of view. "I have only vague memories of our minds being empathically connected, but I finally knew that she really did love me and she knew I felt the same. After a bit of discussion, we talked to Commander Tuvok. Our ever-logical security officer told us that our people already thought we were in a relationship, and no one begrudged us that happiness. 'So, I fail to see how publicly acknowledging your affiliation would cause a problem.'"
"Although the repairs to Voyager are complete, we received permission to stay a while longer. We're going to have a party on board the ship and have invited your family and most of the embassy staff. Of course, we want you to be there as well."