The next morning, Janeway awoke to the sound of her commbadge chirping. With a groan, she rolled over and slapped the bedside table until she hit the badge. "Janeway here."

"I was just wondering if you planned on showing up to the bridge today," Chakotay said.

Janeway bolted upright, wide awake. "What time is it?"

"Almost 0900. Your shift started an hour ago."

"Shit," she muttered, throwing off the blankets. "I'll be right there."

In less than five minutes, she was stepping off the turbolift onto the bridge and striding towards her seat in the centre.

"You look well-rested," Chakotay remarked.

"Don't start," Janeway said. "I actually didn't sleep that well at all. I kept having nightmares."

"What about?"

"Lots of things. None of it important." She waved her hand dismissively and turned her attention to the centre console. Suddenly, a violent shiver ran down her body, causing her to startle and clutch her arms, trying to rub some warmth back into her body.

"You alright?" Chakotay asked.

"Yes," she replied. "Just a little cold."

Chakotay frowned but said nothing more.

Janeway stood up. "Commander, you have the bridge." She walked to the ready room, still rubbing her arms. As soon as the doors closed behind her she said "Computer, raise the temperature in this room by five degrees." The computer beeped its acknowledgement and her shivers began to die down.

Janeway began to walk towards the replicator to get a cup of coffee, but her foot caught on the step and she fell forward onto the floor. As she landed, her hands flew out to break her fall but instead of making contact with soft carpet, her left hand encountered something unexpected. Something smooth and scaly. She looked towards where her hand was but saw nothing out of the ordinary. She moved her fingers and the sensation vanished.

Just a trick of the mind.

She sighed and picked herself up. "Computer, coffee. Black."

The computer chirped and the replicator lit up.

Just at that moment, the door chimed.

"Come in."

When she turned back from the replicator, Chakotay was standing by the door.

"So how's your day going?" Janeway asked, her voice tinged with annoyance.

"Can't complain," Chakotay replied. "Bad day, huh?"

"Oh, you could say that." Janeway sank down on the couch, cradling her coffee.

"I'll leave this on your desk, then, for when you've finished that coffee," Chakotay said, dropping some padds onto the desk. "It's just a status report and next week's duty roster. Oh, and Neelix wanted to run menu ideas by you whenever you've got a minute."

"I'll find a minute to give to him." Janeway patted the seat beside her and smiled. "Do you have any plans for this evening?"

"Is that an invitation?" Chakotay asked, sitting down on the sofa.

"If you want it to be."

"I'll bring the cider."

Another shudder ran through her body, making her coffee slosh around inside the cup.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Chakotay asked. He put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine," Janeway said. "Just cold. And tired."

Chakotay's hand began to rub the back of her shoulder gently. "Well, just take it easy today, okay? You probably need the extra rest."

Janeway closed her eyes and leaned into the touch. She focused on taking deep breaths and felt the tension begin to drain from her body.

Then Chakotay said something under his breath.

"What's that?" Janeway asked.

Chakotay frowned. "What's what?"

"You said something."

"I didn't say anything."

"I could have sworn you did."

"Maybe your mind is playing tricks on you," Chakotay suggested. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "That happens when you work too hard and rest too little."

"I guess so," Janeway said, unconvinced. "I guess I'm just having a bad day."


Yesssssssss.

The serpentine figure swam through the air around the room. Invisible to the eyes of the people around it, it meandered its way across the bridge, inspecting every station and memorizing every face.

So many people.

So many opportunities.

So much fun to be had.

Yesssssssssss.