Title: Losing it All
By: Ti'kara
Summary: Ishaia is a 15 year old girl living on a starship, when her family is killed, who's gonna come to the rescue?
Hours later, Chakotay was in the engine room checking with B'Elanna. He hoped the repairs could be made quickly. He hated being virtually a sitting duck in the middle of the DMZ. "Chakotay to Yuri."
"Yuri here"
"Do the sensors show any ships in the vicinity?"
"Negative sir. Only the Liberty and the Peregrine are in this sector."
"Good, keep me informed, and keep a close eye on the long range sensors. I don't want any surprises." Chakotay ordered.
"Aye"
Walking over to B'Elanna, Chakotay asked, "How are the repairs going?"
"They're coming along, Chakotay. They should be finished in about twenty minutes."
"Good, let me know when they're finished. I'm going to go get a bite to eat." B'Elanna smiled, shaking her head. Chakotay could be such a mother hen, although she well understood his nervousness at being dead in space in the middle of the DMZ. Twenty-six minutes later, she contacted Chakotay and told him that the repairs were complete.
"Thanks, B'Elanna, good work." Chakotay told her. "Chakotay to Tuvok"
"Tuvok here"
"Set course for the Menurrit system, warp five.
"Aye sir, warp five."
"Time to arrival?" Chakotay asked.
"Seven hours and seventeen minutes," Tuvok answered.
"Very well, I'll be in my quarters, notify me when we arrive."
"Aye sir"
Chakotay sat bolt upright in his bed, wondering what had awakened him so abruptly. Suddenly he heard it again. CHAKOTAY!!!! It was a shout, only, he realized, he hadn't heard it with his ears. It was more like…hearing inside your head. HELP ME! He jumped out of bed realizing that it was Ishaia calling out to him telepathically. Quickly he scrambled into his clothes and rushed out of his cabin.
Opening Ishaia's door, he went inside. "Computer, lights, 50%" Looking over at the bed, he noticed Ishaia tossing and turning and moaning. Rapidly he went to the bed, placing his hand on Ishaia's shoulder. "Ishaia," he said gently, "Ishaia, wake up." Then more insistently as she continued to roll around on the bed. She cried out, her words making no sense. Chakotay took her by her shoulders and shook her lightly. "Ishaia, wake up," he said more forcefully. "It's ok, Ishaia, wake up." AHHHHHHHH! He heard the scream inside his head again. It was overpowering. It made him shake. He pulled her up against him and wrapping his arms around her he said, "Ishaia, it's ok, wake up now. You're safe."
But Ishaia started struggling, crying out, "NO! Don't! Leave me alone! Please don't hurt me! PLEASE…" She was totally hysterical, fighting violently, hitting his chest with her fists. Chakotay could barely hang on to her. It was obvious that she was still totally immersed in her nightmare. Chakotay grabbed her wrists, pushing her back down on the bed. He lay down beside her wrapping himself around her, trying to contain her before she hurt herself, or him. Holding her tightly, he continued talking to her gently and soothingly. "Ishaia, it's ok. No one is going to hurt you. You're safe. Sh, Sh, honey, everything is all right." He continued to hold her and talk to her quietly.
Gradually, she calmed down. Her fists stilled against his chest and she stopped screaming. Chakotay tried again, "Ishaia, its Chakotay, wake up, honey. Come on honey, open your eyes. Everything is all right now. Wake up." He gently rubbed one hand over her back while stroking her hair with the other. Finally, Ishaia opened her eyes. She gasped, crying out. "It's ok, Ishaia, you were having a bad dream." Chakotay told her.
"I was so scared. I cou---ldn't get a---way." I sobbed, trembling.
"I know, sweetheart, but it's all over now. You're awake, and I'm here." He said softly, still rubbing my back. "Try to relax. Take some slow, deep breaths." I took some breaths, but I was still shaking. I didn't feel like I would ever be all right again. Snuggling against Chakotay I wished he'd never stop holding me. It was the only time I felt safe. Untangling himself from Ishaia, Chakotay sat up. "Ishaia, would you tell me about your dream?" I rolled up into a little ball feeling like I'd lost my only security, my only safe haven. Chakotay reached over and gently brushed my check. "Honey, talk to me, please. Tell me what you need."
Hold me please, I thought, not realizing in my anguish that I had sent the thought to him. Chakotay jumped a little still not used to this form of communication. It was so effective. He understood the feeling with the thought. It was like he understood what she meant on a deeper level. If this is what she meant by 'sharing thoughts' he thought, its no wonder she misses it. "Of course I'll hold you, Ishaia, come here." I turned toward him surprised.
"How did you know?" I asked in wonder.
"Do you really need to ask? After all you're the telepath." He teased me. Suddenly I was upset for a different reason. Contacting a non-telepath's mind without their permission was illegal. I could be prosecuted. Chakotay saw the consternation on my face and asked quietly, "what's wrong?"
I didn't want to answer him, but I had to be honest. "Do you remember me telling you that it is against Inari law to contact the mind of a non-telepath without their permission except for in an emergency?"
Chakotay smiled, he understood now what had upset her. "Well what's the problem? This was an emergency and besides as far as I'm concerned you have my permission." He responded and he held out his arms. I threw myself into his arms leaning my head against his chest. He held me close, tenderly stroking my hair. "Ishaia, would it be easier for you to share your dreams with me telepathically?"
I started crying again, "You'd let me do that?" I sobbed.
"Of course I would, if it would help." He said surprised. "I'm not very used to telepathy. I didn't think of it until just now." I kept crying, feeling relief that I could share the pain. "Would you like to share with me the dream that you had tonight?" He asked. I nodded my head, yes.