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Summary: Set in Season 3. Once in a while even the toughest Starfleet Captain needs a hug. This story was originally posted as part of the JCUK 2003 Advent Calendar.
Graphics: Courtesy of Heavens Designs - Linksware graphics
Holding On
©Momac 2003
Prologue
She watched the condensation from her breath creep slowly across the small view port, hiding her from the curious gaze of passing stars. A single command to the computer would have raised the ambient temperature, chasing away both the water molecules that danced across the screen and the chills that raced along her spine…yet she remained silent.
Alone in the dark, with only a red giant as her witness she was finally able to step out from behind the façade that had become her refuge in the months since her unexpected return from New Earth. Moisture gathered beneath her closed lids until overflowing, the tears began to streak silently down her cheeks…
Part One
'What do you mean, you lost her.'
Chakotay's voice cracked under the strain as he battled to keep his temper under control.
'You lose a sock, a data padd … or in your case, Paris, your mind … but you don't lose the Captain.'
Tom's already pale face turned a sickly shade of gray as he backed away from the force of Chakotay's glare.
'Back off, old man…'Be'lanna stepped between the two adversaries, the frown on her face discouraging any dissent. '…you know what she's like. We had the exits out of here guarded at all times and she still managed to slip past us.'
As she spoke, Voyager's Chief Engineer cast her eyes over the heaving mass of bodies currently contained within Cargo Bay Two. Both holodecks were out of commission following their latest brush with death, forcing Neelix to relocate the annual Prixin extravaganza.
Unable to conjure a banqueting hall out of thin air, Neelix had been forced to improvise, concealing the dull gray decking of Voyager's smallest cargo bay beneath sparkling banners and a myriad of dancing lights that threatened to leave a permanent scar on Be'lanna's retina's.
The air was heavy with scented spices and something that smelt suspiciously like roasted leola root. Piped music attacked the revelers from all sides, rendering normal conversation well nigh impossible.
No amount of music, however, could camouflage the fury in Chakotay's voice. Heads were already turning their way. Acting on impulse B'Elanna grabbed the two men and pushed them back through the crowd and out into the corridor beyond.
Blessed silence greeted them, the noise of the party reduced to a faint murmur that faded into oblivion as they moved down the corridor.
'Before you ask, internal sensors are still malfunctioning. The best estimate I can give you is 2 hours, and even then we'll only be able to scan one deck at a time.'
'Chakotay…' The voice was Tom's, cutting through the mist that had descended upon his mind the moment he realised she'd slipped through his fingers once again. '…she'll be fine. It's been a rough year for her, first getting stranded on some godforsaken planet for 3 months with only you for company…'
The corners of Chakotay's mouth twitched at the implied insult, '…then there was her near death experience at the hands of that alien. Add to that the fact that she had to repel Q 's advances and you have a recipe for disaster. Can you blame her for wanting a little time to herself.
'She's had time, Tom…'
'Commander Chakotay!'
Ensign Wildman hesitated for a moment, reluctant to intrude in what was obviously a very personal conversation. She kept her voice soft for fear of waking the slumbering child in her arms.
'Forgive me, but I couldn't help overhearing.' Samantha paused for a moment, her gaze flitting anxiously from one person to another. 'I think I know where the Captain is…'
