Chapter 5

Disclaimer; don't own! Never will.

A/N I am so sorry for not updating. I have had so much on my plate. Thankyou so much if you did review. It means a lot. Feel free to make suggestions and requests.

******Janeway is in the bath and has asked chakotay to join her!************

"Yeh, on both accounts. Hop in it's a big tub," she watched interested as he yanked his pants down and slid into the bath.

"Mmm this is good," he said as his body relaxed.

"Do you see why I like baths so much now?" she poked him with her toe.

"Mmm, hmm," he shut his eyes and slid further down under the bubbles.

"Well it looks like you've kept my ship together pretty well, or just the parts I have seen and the rest of the ship held together by a bolt?" she teased him.

"Of course not it's in perfect order." He retorted feigning hurt.

"Good, so when can I see it, did the doc tell you when I can go back on duty?"

"He said it should be ok for you to take light duty tomorrow, providing you feel ok and get a decent amount of sleep tonight. He wants you to report for a physical tomorrow morning."

"We haven't talked about how exactly I'm going to get there or any where else for that matter!" she laughed a little.

"You know I think you have accepted this. Earlier you said you weren't sure, but you wouldn't joke about if you hadn't and you don't seem to be in denial or self-pity. Yeh I suppose it was very fast, but maybe you expected it, being a star ship captain is pretty dangerous. Oh and I still think it would be fun to carry you round the ship! Ow!" he yelped as he got nipped on the leg.

"Come on, seriously now, how do I get around this bucket of bolts? Oh, just a minute did you tell the crew?"

"Yes I told them earlier. That reminds me, Neelix, as usual in a bad situation, has organised a moral booster party, scheduled whenever you feel up to it, so I told him sometime tomorrow if that is ok?"

"Err, sure. So now I need a way to get there!" She wasn't going to let it drop. "Well I suppose if you did carry me then the crew would definitely know what's happening between us! Lets make a list, transporting everywhere will be more of a hindrance than a help and will probably screw up my molecules in the long run so that's out!" She said frustrated.

"I think we could design a chair or something, we could make it so it can deal with most situations and for the parts that it can't do then someone will have to lift or carry you, and I think I would be comfortable if it were me. I'm serious about that Kathryn." When she nodded he couldn't resist adding. "I suppose Tuvok would be ok seen as he is strong so won't drop you and is married so I have no competition!" the dead serious look he had on slipped for the last sentence and was replaced with a cheeky grin.

"Ow! Would you stop doing that?" he yelped again and inspected his leg where he had suspicions of a bruise forming.

"Ok so I suppose you're right about that. Well this is a pretty boring part of space and providing those aliens don't come back then I think building an all-purpose wheelchair will be a welcome challenge!"

"I'll ask Harry, tom and B'Elanna to work on it. Tom for the holodeck simulation part of it, B'Elanna for the engineering and Harry to keep the other 2 in check."

"Well I guess I don't have much of a choice, you'll have to carry me to Neelix's party and until we get this chair built." She faked a sigh.

"I'm getting out now, the water has gone tepid, do you want out too?" Chakotay asked reaching for a towel.

"Please, if you would be so kind." She looked up at him with a smile.

Once they were out and dry he put her down on the bed and asked if she wanted anything else. "Do you want anything, yet more coffee perhaps?" he teased.

"No thanks, I'm going to try and sleep, I want to pass the doctors physical tomorrow don't I." She reached under her pillow and pulled out a nightgown while Chakotay went into the other room to tidy up.

"What you doing in there?" Kathryn called, hearing the rummaging coming from her living room.

Chakotay poked his head through the door, "making up my bed on the couch, where do you keep spare blankets?"

"Why? Don't you want to stay in here with me? You did the other night!" she looked hurt.

"If you want me too, I thought ..., I didn't want to hurt you!"

"Of course I want you to sleep in here, why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know, are you sure I won't hurt you?"

"Chakotay, I won't break. I've lost the use of my legs, i.e. I can't feel them, you berk. You can't hurt something I can't feel!"

"Ok, but what about your ribs, the doc said they might be a bit sore?" he was still hesitant as he undressed.

"They'll be fine, now get in here." She smiled and pulled back the covers. He slid and pulled her body to his. They lay there for a long time listening to each other's breathing; until both sets of breaths slowed into a relaxed rhythm as they both found sleep.

A/N you'll get a longer chapter next time. Please review if only to make me feel guilty for not updating!!!!!!!!!!!