Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, the ship, or anything at all.

Chapter 6 – Help

It had been over a week since Captain Janeway had retreated to the privacy of her quarters. The doctors concern had grown, as the days passed and nothing changed. He knew how little she cared for herself under normal circumstances, and he dreaded to think of what she was doing to herself now. On this thought he had accessed the ships replicator logs, in particular the logs for the replicator in the Captains quarters.

The doctor sat at his desk in sickbay scrolling through the logs. "Ah, as I thought" he exclaimed. The replicator had been used to produce eight cups of coffee over the course of the time the Captain had spent in self-inflicted separation.

The doctor thought about telling Chakotay, but then ruled it out – knowing how shut out and hurt he already felt. Sighing, he realised that it was probably best he go and check up on the Captain's health. Standing up, he strode over to a wall panel, which revealed that Captain Janeway was awake and alone – not surprisingly. Striding meaningfully out of sickbay and into the nearby turbolift with clenched fists, and a pad containing the replicator logs as evidence – in case she tried to tell him he was mistaken, he headed for the Captains quarters.

Standing outside her quarters staring at the dull grey doors, he began to wonder whether this was a good idea, after all, she did want to be alone, and not being one to intrude the doctor reconsidered his plan. Eventually deciding it was for her own good, he rang the door chime, not expecting an answer, but it was only polite. After waiting several seconds, the doctor keyed his override command codes into the door pad.

The doors slid open revealing a dark, quiet room. It had an air of sadness in it, or so he thought. Waiting a few moments to see if anyone would acknowledge his presence, when they didn't he called softly "Captain." Getting no reply, he began to worry.

"Computer lights" he whispered panic eminent in his voice. Immediately the room was lit up with a dim light. Several empty coffee cups were strewn on a table in the centre of the room, a rug was thrown over the arm of a chair, pictures were dotted here and there, to the doctor it looked relatively normal. However, he did not often come to the Captain's quarters, and so couldn't be completely sure what normal was for her.

He crept towards the bedroom, which was still in darkness, wondering what state he was going to find her in. Crossing through the doorway he could make out the bed and dressing table, he could also make out a human form lying on the bed, huddled up in a foetal position. Not knowing what to do, he whispered "Captain." Again there was no answer.

He took a few tentative steps towards her, until he was standing over her. Her eyes were squeezed tightly shut, as though trying to shut out reality. Her small frame was shaking, and he realised she was crying.

The doctor put a gentle hand on her shoulder "Captain, I'm here to help you", she jumped as though she had been in a trance. Looking at the doctor, the room and then the picture she still clung to – past memories that could never be recaptured, or so it seemed. Sighing, she looked him in the eye and told him she didn't need his help, that she would be okay, and that she just needed time. He nodded, not fully understanding the situation in the first place didn't help, but he was determined to make sure she took care of herself.

"Captain, I must insist that you eat something," he said.

"No, I'm fine. I.." she trailed off groaning in pain and clutching her pale, tearstained head.

The doctor opened his medkit and removed a tricorder, but the Captain put a hand up and waved it away.

"Just a headache" she grimaced.

"I can give you something to help with the pain," the doctor pleaded, somewhat helplessly. Attempting to scan her again.

"No. I deserve to suffer. Now go, get out. I don't need your help," she said, her voice raising a few decibels.

Not entirely ready to give up on her, he decided to come back later. In the meantime he could get some more information and support from other members of the crew. Long gone now, were his ideas of not putting Chakotay through any more suffering. He was going to help her whether she liked it or not.

"I'll be back later," he said touching her shoulder. It was then that he realised she was wet, the bedclothes were wet, and she felt cold. He nodded turning to leave, now even more concerned. If he let her stay like that she'd catch pneumonia from her own tears.

He heard her let out a long, shaky sigh as he left. Shaking his head, he headed back to sickbay. There was no way he was going to let her wallow in self pity for god knows what reason, at the detriment of her body and her life.

-Fin-