If Chakotay and Seven thought they'd escaped the crackling flames of fear and hostility as Voyager's Bridge was veiled from their eyes by the blue white static of the transporter, they were wrong. If anything, their reappearance on the Valjean set off an inferno of those same emotions through their own crew. "Hands up, we're not surrendering!" Chell declared shrilly as he spun around upon hearing the distinctive buzz of a transporter, shoving the long snout of a 'recycled' Cardassian disruptor towards the materialising arrivals, his hands shaking violently.

Chakotay bit grimly down on the inside of his mouth as he was faced with not only the rocking barrel Chell held, but basically the entirety of the Valjean armoury. "Easy Chell." He said in a low tone, hands in the air for a moment as he watched relief flood his people's faces before they blanched sheepishly in embarrassment, Celes going as far as letting her phaser clatter to the floor.

The indigo of a Bolian blush flushed Chell's sky blue cheeks. "I'm so sorry Chakotay, Seven, I thought…"

Chakotay allowed himself a shaky breath before answering; after all he'd just got off a Starfleet ship unharmed only to narrowly avoid a friendly fire incident. "I know what you thought Chell and its okay, but being trigger happy won't help the situation."

Seska snorted derisively, "It might help get B'Elanna back. How else are we supposed to deal with that interstellar kidnapper? Offer him an amnesty?"

Chakotay felt an odd mix of irritation and defeat as Seska's 'plan' garnered several agitated murmurs of agreement. Seven, if she felt the same, obviously let the irritation win out as her back straightened unconsciously to emphasise her height advantage over the spiky Bajoran, like a cat bristling for a fight. "Our agreement with Voyager's Captain Janeway still stands for the time being, we will work together to recover our respective missing crewmembers." She proclaimed tersely.

Seska started, her gaze rounding on Chakotay in disbelief for a long second before she lashed out at Seven, her phaser resting prominently on her slim hip, hand twitching. "You would follow such a suicidal plan, being one is your answer to everything! If you had it your way, we'd be joining the Collective to get B'Elanna back…"

The Valjean fell ominously silent for a moment, the crew expecting an explosion from their Commander. Seska had crossed an invisible but well known line, yet Chakotay's voice, through bubbling with that quiet, channelled wrath, was also hoarse and heavy with a new strain that sent a chill of unease through them all. "That's enough Seska." He ordered darkly, his whole frame stiffening for an instant before a sweeping glance around his crew's conflicted, frightened faces, told him to rein in his reaction. "I made the choice to work with Voyager, that was my responsibility." He informed them firmly, his face softening compassionately as his gaze moved from Seska's to encompass every harrowed face on his Bridge. "I know this isn't what you signed up for, I know how all of you feel about Starfleet and the threat they pose to us, but, for now at least, it's not us against them." He heaved a deep breath as he stared at them frankly, about to reveal his inner justification, "I've met the being who brought us here, and the only way we can get out of the trap he's laid for us is to work together, not as enemies but as allies with a shared goal. We're going to get B'Elanna and Janeway's Ensign back, and then we're going to find a way to travel those 75, 000 lightyears."

Ayala nodded slowly, but the frown marring his features didn't smooth away. "What about after we're back in the Alpha Quadrant?" he asked quietly, his pensive gaze not on Chakotay but on the unfamiliar star-scape, gleaming like tiny shards of broken glass on inky, dead black.

Chakotay braced his shoulders, his brown eyes level with the brave questioner but any emotions they held were kept well hidden. His tone was business-like, almost unconcerned, "Then I guess we go back into the Badlands and fight it out, just like we would have if the Caretaker hadn't interfered." His lips twitched for a moment into what could be called a bitter smile, or a grimace. "But he has, and we're going to have our hands full just dealing with the present. Let's leave the future as a bridge we'll cross when we get to it."

Ayala's full lips pursed tightly for a moment as he took in that answer, but even so his head made a respectful nod. Seven felt wary relief diffuse through her as the rest of the crew mirrored Ayala's action, their eyes fixed on Chakotay's resolute face. Standing behind him she was, she saw the muscles of his broad shoulders relax even as his jaw set in determination. In solidarity, she moved herself forward to stand by his side as she too nodded. These votes of confidence brought a new strength to Chakotay's voice, "We will get B'Elannaback from wherever the Caretaker's is holding her. Consider that our mission for now."

"Commander?" Celes asked in a quavering tone, her gulp audible to them all, "Isn't B'Elanna still on the array?"

Chakotay felt his chest tighten, to extent where he was surprised his reply didn't sound breathless. "No, we don't think so, but we'll look everywhere we can. Voyager can help us with that."

"The Delta Quadrant is a big place, and that Caretaker guy just flung two ships a distance that the Valjean couldn't travel in under 100 years." Seska reminded him tersely, "Who knows where he could have sent B'Elanna and Kim?" She let that question sink in for a moment before pressing her final, pragmatic thought, "If we're all going to get out of this alive, then we need to think about using that array to get home ourselves before the esteemed Captain beats us to it."

Chakotay regarded her in stunned dismay, how could she make such an argument when B'Elanna was her supposed best friend? She'd been arguing for an armed battle with the Caretaker only moments before. He recovered quickly however, his voice steely as he answered, "I think we all get home with both crews fully intact Seska, and your type of thinking isn't going to help anything."

A collective sigh of agreement rippled through the crew, since most of the crew, despite what they'd been through, were natural optimists. Otherwise they never would've stayed with the movement so many had declared a lost cause. Chell, for one, seemed able now to summon up his sunny disposition that had been hiding behind a cloud of fear and suspicion, "Well, I'm ready for our new mission Chakotay sir, even if I have to picture the Caretaker as a Cardassian to build up the guts to deal with all this."

Excessive laughter, brought on by nerves as well as humour, echoed through the Bridge from almost every mouth. Seven alone remained silent, her mind brooding on how unprepared they all were. As if he could sense her doubts, Chakotay's forced chuckle died on his lips as he glanced at her, his stance immediately stiffening again. "Voyager will be contacting us by comm., to decide on a joint plan." He informed them, "Divert all power to communications and the shields until I say otherwise and get me back in here when Janeway calls." With a jerk of his head towards Seven, he headed hastily towards the tiny back room that served as his ready room, a crew briefing room and an off duty room. He decided to focus on Seven's steady footsteps just behind him rather than the speculative babble that had begun to flow as whispers around the Bridge as soon as he'd started to depart, but Seska's distinctive voice, that had once upon a time set his blood afire with lust, still reached his ears.

"I can try to reconfigure the sensors to scan the surrounding space for B'Elanna…" She suggested quietly, her attractive features carefully contrite and submissive. "That is, if you think we can spare the power, sir."

Chakotay gave her a small smile, trying his best to be understanding. They were all under stress after all, and he knew Seska in particular sensed that she wasn't being fully being taken into the loop. Well, she and the rest of his crew would just have to deal with it for now, debating it out with Seven was enough without revealing his actions to further dissection by his whole crew. "Good idea." He agreed warmly.

Seven left his side in one stride as her eyes narrowed, "I will assist you." She informed Seska, not bothering to restrain the ice in her tone. She didn't trust Seska in any situation and found her sudden about face in attitude deeply suspect.

"Let Seska do it Seven." Chakotay said firmly, trying to be understanding but unable to hide a note of exasperation as he grasped her elbow. "Come on." He muttered, tugging her into the tiny briefing room in desperation, no longer caring if it broke any level of command etiquette or not.

Seven obeyed, Seska immediately an irrelevance in her mind as the doors cocooned the two of them away from the Bridge and she focused on Chakotay alone. As soon as he was out of sight of the others the whole of his strong, indomitable frame seemed to buckle in on itself, his broad shoulders sagging inward as if finally acknowledging the weight they'd been dragging around. The role of leader he took on for the sake of those outside, even successfully holding his own against Janeway, had obviously taken its toll. His breath caught for a moment, his chest rasping until his head dipped towards his knees. "Chakotay…" She began softly, reaching out for him, but he lurched away stubbornly.

"I'm alright!" He snapped, guilt making his handsome face scrunch up as he met her worried, uncertain eyes. Giving in, he sank into the small sofa, grasping his head in his hands. "I'm sorry…" He whispered brokenly. Seven realised the apology wasn't completely for her sake but let him continue. "I'm alright, but what about everyone else? What about B'Elanna and Kim?" He looked up at her sadly then, "Tell me Seven, how likely is it that they're alive, that we can get them back?"

Seven regarded him levelly, although she allowed herself a deep breath. "Relatively likely Chakotay, the evidence indicates it. I was no use to the Caretaker and yet I was unharmed, I doubt he'd kill the two individuals he selected as worthy of special attention, for whatever reason."

"His reasons, my father always said you had to understand the other side's reasoning to be able to negotiate." Chakotay mused, "But what could his be? Something to do with these Ocampa people?"

Seven nodded, "Almost certainly." She gave a long pause, "When he…successfully resisted the Collective, he gave us…them a message. To paraphrase in human terms, it was that the Ocampa were 'off-limits'. His sole objective seems to be the protection of the Ocampa."

Chakotay nodded slowly, but his next question was still mystified. "But how could dragging two ships from another Quadrant help protect the Ocampa?"

Seven's lips formed a thin, frustrated, line. "I do not know." She conceded, "But his behaviour is intrinsically unpredictable." She blinked hard, her resolve wavering. "Chakotay, even if Captain Janeway could him convince to assist us, I am uncertain as to whether he could."

Chakotay remained silent, that was sufficient proof to her that he believed her. "How…how long would it take us to get back without the Caretaker's help?" he asked eventually, barely breathing.

Seven seemed reluctant to answer, regarding him warily, "If the Valjean could be restored to good condition, which is questionable, and could maintain a consistent warp speed, approximately 84 years." She finally admitted grimly.

"And Voyager?" Chakotay prompted.

"Their ship is more efficient technologically, perhaps 73 years at best, but given Janeway's apparent attachment to Starfleet diktat, and its emphasis on exploration, it would most likely take longer."

Chakotay couldn't help but smile slightly as her assessment of Janeway's character. "I don't know, she struck me as pretty determined." He commented, before adding a pinch of his dark humour, "So even if we ended up on Voyager, we'd still be put in a retirement home as soon as we got back."

Seven sighed in response to that remark but focused on his previous one, "Determination can be dangerous in excessive qualities…"

Chakotay gave a dry chuckle, "Seven, determination, or stubbornness is more like it, is one trait you do share with Janeway, no doubt." His gaze hardened with determination of his own, "I'm not going back on the agreement, we have no choice but to work with her. It's pure pragmatism, but…"

Seven cut him off, "Your decision has been made clear. We will return to Voyager and decide what to do…"

"I want you to stay here." Chakotay told her harshly.

Seven had to bite back a tart retort; she couldn't believe he was making this argument for the second time in as many hours! Instead, she let the exhaustion that was now flooding her gain some ground and also sank onto the sofa. "Nothing has changed since I prevailed in accompanying you last time, you will require my knowledge."

"Nothing has changed Seven?" Chakotay threw back incredulously, "We know for sure that they know about you now, it isn't safe!" He turned his head to look at her properly and felt something in him weaken as he looked into her pale and, at least to him, expressive face. He hadn't seen her look so troubled since Deep Space Eleven, or maybe even since the attack on Dorvan V, she wasn't going to give in… Changing tact, he said, "Look, maybe you can tell me all you know about the Caretaker and the Ocampa and I can…" She only had to raise an eyebrow for him to sheepishly retract that offer, "Okay, maybe a condensed version of what you know…"

"That will not be enough." Seven retracted, "All of what I know will not be enough, as you said, we must work together." She repositioned to be closer to him, "Chakotay, she didn't know about me. Her reaction was too genuine…" Wonder diffused her voice, "Neither Tom Paris nor Tuvok informed her…"

"Forgive me if I don't bake them a cake." Chakotay remarked bitterly, before regretfully reaching over to take her hand in his, giving the metal riddled limb a comfortable squeeze. "Sorry Seven, I'm glad they've been true friends to you at least, but if that's the case Janeway's bound to be even more pissed off and distrustful…"

"Necessity can be a stronger force than trust Chakotay." Seven said ruefully, sighing as she saw the true anxiety in his ever captivating face. "I need not be separated from you, but either way it is not in her interest to harm me."

"Not at the moment maybe." Chakotay muttered under his breath, before submitting to her small concession as the best he would get. She'd already snuck over to the other ship once before after all. "I want you with me the whole time, understand? No wandering off so that some Starfleet puppets can attack you…"

Seven gave her eyes a mild roll, "I'm twenty two rather than two years old Chakotay, I will take precautions."

"That's all I'm asking." Chakotay admitted with another tight squeeze of her hand.

Nathaniel Harrow suddenly poked his head through the door, "Captain Janeway is on the comm. Commander, she wants you two to beam back over there."

A/n: PLEASE REVIEW! :D I really apologise for the lack of updates this week, real life has been a bit trying to say the least. As for the delay for this story, only watching 'Caretaker' again got me over my writer's block, thank goodness for TV on the net… ;)