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

Chapter 10 – The present

Chakotay was slumped in his command chair on the bridge, contemplating what was going on. He had been down to sickbay, where the doctor had updated him on the Captain's condition. The doctor also said that Tom had made some progress in talking to her. He sighed, she had opened up to Tom. Why wouldn't she open up to him? He was supposed to be her best friend, her second in command. Hell, stop being so selfish, he told himself. He was glad she was coming to terms with the Cadet's death, he just wished he knew why she was so upset about it in the first place. Kathryn was no more emotional about death than anyone else, yes, she felt the loss of a crewmember deeply, but that was understandable. She was the Captain, she was supposed to protect her crew, and she saw a crewmembers death as a failure on her part. Yet this Cadet, her death wasn't Kathryn's fault, but there was an emotional attachment, a big one. He remembered her telling him about how she became a recluse after her father's death that was after her near death experience three years ago. She is like that now, hiding in her bed, but why? Why is Tom's sister so important to Kathryn? Why, most of all, does she blame herself for her death? It just didn't make sense, and no one wanted to provide clarification.

His thoughts were disrupted by the entrance of Tom Paris, who strode out of the turbo lift and down to the helm. Chakotay noticed how tired he looked, the bags under his eyes, and the cocky smile were nowhere to be seen. Chakotay thought it best to leave him be for now, after all he had a right to feel like that having just lost his sister.

Looking around the bridge at the familiar faces, studying data on various subjects. He decided to check on Kathryn. Standing up, he straightened his uniform, and handed the bridge over to Tuvok, who simply nodded.

Walking out the turbo lift on deck 5 he felt apprehensive, if she was awake – which was unlikely, would she be anymore responsive towards him than the last time? Entering sickbay, he saw her still form lying on the biobed. The doctor approached him, "I presume you've come to check on her progress."

"Yes", Chakotay simply stated.

"There is no change, she's sleeping again now", the doctor said, his expression grim.

Chakotay sighed, "She still won't eat?"

"No."

"Why? Why is she doing this to herself?" Chakotay whispered, more to himself than the doctor, who simply nodded.

"You had better ask Mr Paris. He appears to be the only one who can get very much from her," the doctor said, exasperated.

"I'll be on the bridge, call me when she wakes up." The doctor nodded his assent, before retuning to his office.

Chakotay decided to stop by the mess hall, before heading back to the bridge. As soon as he entered, Neelix headed straight for him, "Commander, its nice to see you again. You haven't been in the mess hall recently. Anything you'd like me to get you?"

"I'll have whatever's for lunch," Chakotay said, unenthusiastically.

"Coming right up."

Chakotay went to sit down at a table in the back corner of the room, which was deserted. No sooner had he sat down, did Neelix reappear with leola root stew.

"Commander, might I speak to you for a minute", Neelix asked.

"Certainly, have a seat", Chakotay said, knowing what Neelix was going to say.

"Well I have noticed how low crew moral is recently, due to the…. well you know…." he trailed off looking uncomfortable.

Chakotay was just staring at him, after a few moments he decided to speak again, "How is the Captain?"

"She's on the mend. Neelix, if there is a problem with crew moral, you're the moral officer, organise some entertainment or something."

"Well that's good news. As for the entertainment, I'm sure I could get Ensign Kim to perform," he said grinning.

"Well enjoy your meal." With that Neelix left, seeing that the Commander wasn't really in the mood for company. He seemed unhappy, not surprisingly. He was quieter than usual, and it wasn't like him not to get involved in helping the crew. He was obviously taking the Captains attitude of recent personally.

Chakotay ate a couple of mouthfuls of the stew before deciding he wasn't hungry. Getting up, he noticed the long faces of the crew around him. Sighing, he realised that everyone was missing the Captain, her spirit, and her determination. He also realised that he was no replacement for her, especially not when he was moping around after her.

As the turbolift doors opened he noticed that Tom had left the bridge, as had Harry. Probably off to play on Captain Proton, he thought. Well, he decided the bridge wasn't busy, but he didn't want to be alone right now, so he sat down in his command chair again. An Ensign from engineering immediately entered the bridge and gave him a report on the status of the environmental systems from B'Elanna. At least it would take his mind off Kathryn, and the mystery of what was going on.

After two hours of absolute boredom, reading report after report had never been fun, but it had been much better sat next to Kathryn. He sighed, for what must have been the millionth time that day. Getting up he walked to the science station, where Ensign Wildman was busily working. She didn't look up as he looked over her shoulder at the computer readings.

Suddenly there was a flash of light causing Chakotay to turn round, only to come face to face with Q.

"Why Chuckles, its nice to see you again" he said.

"Skip to the point, Q, I'm sure you're not here to talk to me", Chakotay said, coldly.

"Well, no. Where's Kathy?" he asked innocently.

"As if you don't know, Q" Chakotay said, impatiently. Q only meant one thing and that was trouble. He noticed Tuvok had rounded his station, and was now standing behind Q. As pointless as that was, because Q could disappear in a flash of light, without warning.

"Now, there's no need to be nasty. I just brought my favourite Captain a present", he said grinning from ear to ear.

"A present?" Chakotay questioned.

"See", Q said, clicking his fingers, as another blinding flash of light appeared.

-Fin-