Hey people,

I am sorry for anything that seems out of place like the word "sucks" coming from Chakotay's lips lol. Just remember this is my first voyager and I am allowed a little leeway *smirks*. Here's the next part - don't hesitate to point anything out of place.

~Gimpy~

Part 5

With deaf ears, Kathryn listened as Tom and Harry had a heated discussion on god only knows what topic. She honestly couldn't have cared but she honed in on their voices, allowing them to pull her away from her current thoughts. The last thing she needed to do was over think the situation. Seven was in trouble, what kind of trouble she didn't know and she knew Seven didn't want her to know. But why? What was so bad that she didn't want her to find out? Rolling her eyes she realized she was doing exactly what she didn't want to be doing... obsessing.

Peering over at her pilot, she realized that he was on the verge of winning the slight argument he was having with his best friend, as per usual. At that moment, the entrance to the bridge decided to make itself known as it slid open and its visitor stepped out. Turning her whole body impatiently, Kathryn practically shot out of her chair.

Chakotay stared at Kathryn's questioning eyes and felt an incredible guilt build. He knew what she wanted but mostly he knew he couldn't tell her. Cocking her head towards her Ready Room made his lump of guilt grow. Sighing inwardly he followed her.

The second the door closed behind them, Kathryn turned to her first officer and practically jumped on him with her demand. "What happened?"

The urgency laced into her words caused him to involuntarily cringe. Bowing his head, he diverted his eyes and forced the words from his mouth. "I'm sorry Kathryn but..."

"Don't," she stopped him before he could finish, already knowing exactly what he was about to say. Slipping around her desk to her chair, she fell despondently into it. "Just tell me she's okay."

"She... she will be." It was the only answer he could give and she accepted it for reality.

Silence fell between the close friends as a new unsettling discomfort descended upon them. Neither one had any idea what to say, what to do except part ways. It was Chakotay who acted first, with a mute apology he left, retaking his post and leaving her behind to do what she didn't want... obsess.

****

In the wake of her conversation with Chakotay, Seven had stayed where he'd left her. In the middle of Cargo Bay 2, staring blankly at her alcove with unresolved feelings. She checked her internal clock, which told her she still had three hours. Her thoughts fluttered towards her unfinished work, work that had gone unfinished for over a day, work she should have had done hours ago, work she was going to ignore once more. Stretching the already pinching nerve in her shoulder, she ventured up to her alcove.

Three hours was all she had. Three hours was better then nothing. Punching in the commands on the alcove panel, she moved up the small steps and stared. Resigning herself to at least attempting to regenerate once more she turned and stepped back into the alcove. She felt herself become one with the machine and let her eyes slip shut. Her mind slowly shut down, succumbing to the nothingness regeneration entailed.

Three hours, that's all she had, all she needed.

When her eyes opened, confusion swelled within her. The familiar and dark room came into view, light flickered onto her face, the walls, emanating from the large candle before her. She watched as its brilliance flashed across Chakotay's features, accenting them. Stepping away from the alcove, the monotone voice announced her consciousness.

"Regeneration Cycle Incomplete."

His head snapped up from his kneeled position before the candle and a smile crept across his face. "I hope I didn't wake you."

"You didn't," she replied curtly, moving to shutdown the alcove. "How long have you been there?"

He shrugged, "An hour or two."

"Why did you not wake me?" she asked softly as she made her way to him.

"You looked too peaceful." Staring up at her with warming eyes he smiled smoothly, "I figured I'd let you get as much regeneration as you could... which obviously wasn't that much."

"That was very... thoughtful of you." She couldn't help the slight flush under his stare.

"Hmm, well you're up now so..." he motioned to a vacant spot on the floor.

Staring at it for a moment, she accepted his offer and gingerly lowered herself before him and the small pile of instruments. She felt her body protest the movement and hoped desperately the pain didn't show but it did. He saw the flinch of pain register at the edge of her lips as they curved into a slight frown yet he let it go. She'd already bared so many of her weaknesses to him, the least he could do was allow her to keep this one.

Seven peered down at the oddities before her and silently pondered their meaning. Searching her memory, she labeled and categorized every little thing before her. The action released some of her anxiety, enough to shallow her breathing slightly. Chakotay watched as she seemed to calm down, just staring at what he'd brought. Taking a chance, he broke the silence with a soft cough.

"You ready?" he asked softly when she looked up at him. She hesitated, sucking in her bottom lip ever so slightly before releasing it.

"Yes."

Short, curt and to the point. That made him chuckle but only slightly. "Okay..." Gripping her hand he placed it on one of his machines, instructing her to clear her mind and concentrate solely on his voice. He was surprised when she did exactly what he asked without hesitation or question. He'd half expected her to at least falter but she didn't. Keeping one comforting hand on the devise and hers, he lifted the smooth native rock, sanded by the temper of water and etched by the collective hand of his people.

With a soft whispery voice Chakotay started to chant in his native tongue, "Akoochi moya... We are far from the sacred places of our grandfathers... We are far from the bones of our people... But perhaps there is a powerful being who will embrace us and give us the answers we seek." He went over the words with precession so as not to mess up. As his voice started to grow he started to notice Seven's hand quivering beneath his.

Fear shot through her prone limbs, fear of the numbness that was gently taking hold of her mind, fear of what she was about to see. He could see it, could almost feel it rippling off her trembling form. He prepared to stop when he felt the trembling cease and watched as her already prone body stiffened. Her lips slowly parted and her head tilted skyward.

Seven felt herself being pulled back, away from Chakotay, from Cargo Bay 2, from her own body. Her muscles contracted, her breathing stilled and her mind raced. She could feel cool air wash over her skin and shivered, inhaled the stale smell of nicotine and cringed. Slowly, melodically, her mouth started to move in rhythm to an unvoiced song.

The movements captured Chakotay, his eyes watching religiously as her lips formed muted words, wrapping themselves around undistinguishable vowels. Entranced with the vision before him, he never even noticed himself being pulled deep into the void that she had entered. His own lids slid shut, his back stiffening.

Smoke wafted over him, followed with an odd warmth as a sultry voice spread itself over him like a feather blanket.

"You sigh, the song begins, You speak and I hear violins... it's magic."

The words seemed to speak to solely him as they reached deep into his soul and claimed him as their own. Nothing else mattered to him but the voice. He had to see the creature that could create such magic. Opening his eyes she searched the dank lounge for the goddess. He filtered through the small crowd of equally entranced people listening intently to the songtress until he finally settled on the siren. Mouth agape, he took in the vision of flowing blonde hair, crystalline blue eyes and vivacious curves that swayed to the lethargic rhythm of the piano.

"The stars desert the skies, and rush to nestle in your eyes... it's magic." Slender hands gripped the microphone as if it were an extension of her fingers. Her seductive eyes permeated through the cigarette smoke, bearing down on her audience with an intensity that let everyone know the song she was singing was just for them.

"Without a golden wand or mystic charms..." He waited impatiently for her eyes to find their way to his. As the next verse flowed from her parted lips she settled her beautiful pearls onto his own, "Fantastic things begin when I am in your arms..." She held the last note, staring deep into his eyes, a slight gleam twinkling within them.

He basked in her attention, despising the moment she'd shift and connect with someone else. Lowering a slender pale leg, she stepped down one single step, keeping eye contact with him, "When we walk hand-in-hand, the world becomes a wonderland... it's magic."

He felt his heart skip a beat when she descended another step towards him. The world around him seemed to close and he felt as if he was the only thing aside from her that mattered, they were the center of the universe. "How else can I explain those rainbows when there isn't rain? It's magic."

"Why..." Her tone deepened to a husky almost erotic place sending shivers down his spine. "Do I tell myself... these things that happen are all really true..." Shifting her hips to the music, she half danced the small distance to his corner table. "When in my heart I know the magic... is my love for..." Sliding up, she leaned over the table, her breath lingering on his face. "Yo-ou." Reaching out with her free hand, she brushed her finger under his chin, slightly tilting his head.

His breath literally caught in his throat and he flushed an even deeper red at her contact. Her voice fluttered over him so gently he could have sworn she'd kissed him. Her voice stopped and the music continued, filtering gently through the air. Pulling back, she moved fluidly off the table and swayed to the music. Her movements were reserved for him, provoking him in ways no strange woman should ever do but she managed. Turning, she swiveled herself closer and sang, "It's magic..."

Cupping his shoulder, she slipped it down his arm repeating, "It's magic..."

With that she was gone, swaying her way back to the stage to finish her song. "Why do I tell myself... these things that happen are all really true..." He watched, engulfed in her every movement as she placed the microphone back into its stand. "When in my heart I know the magic... is my love... for..." With a mischievous grin on her face, she rose her arm and pointed directly in his direction, "you..."

Just as fast as the song had begun, it ended. The music dimmed and the magical light that had shone on the entire room lifted. Applause wafted over the small-enclosed space, taking the place of the once burning seductress whom had tempted him undeniably. Bowing gracefully, the goddess wistfully thanked her audience and excused herself. With darkened eyes, he watched her weave her way off the stage.

As she made her way past one of the corner tables, a hand shot out and gripped her arm forcefully. He watched, perturbed, as she flinched under the Nazi officer's hardened grip.

"You will sing," the Nazi demanded, his commanding voice resounding across the room to his own ears. Immediately he wanted to stand and defend the woman who had managed to gain his favor.

"I am tired and it is late." Her own voice was just as domineering if not more so but it didn't faze the Commander.

"I do not care!" His fingers tightened and a slight whimper escaped her pensively lined lips. "You will sing."

"No, let go of my arm," she pleaded fearfully but her defiance only caused him to pull her to him forcefully.

"If you do not sing, I will..." He never got to finish his threat when the owner of the small lounge stepped in.

"Madame De Neuf is off for the night Commander. I apologize, though I must remind you that in my establishment, the war stays outside along with all violence. Remember?" The shorter woman spoke calmly but sternly.

Unwillingly, he loosened his grip on the beautiful singer and sat back in his seat. He never apologized, just glared as the two women walked towards the bar.

"Thank you, Katherine." Seven whispered softly to her employer.

With a gentle smile, she shrugged off her words. "As long as you're okay." Turning to the bartender, she ordered herself a whiskey straight up.

"I am... though it would seem he has been getting far more aggressive as the days progress," De Neuf reasoned to herself.

"I agree, you should take more precautions like I've suggested hundreds of times." Katherine once again tried to mother the younger woman.

With a roll of her eyes, Seven grabbed the drink Katherine had ordered and left for her changing room. Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she saw that the man she'd flirted with was still watching her and blushed. Perhaps she'd laid it on a little thick. Not that she didn't enjoy the attention… as long as it didn't turn sour like it had with the Commander.

Feeling the dark handsome eyes of the stranger bearing down on her back, she added an extra swing to her hips as she swiped aside the curtain that led to the backstage and disappeared behind them. Smirking at her own childishness, she made her way down the long dark corridor to the last door.

The door lay open and she pushed it further, taking in the crush velvet décor of her own private room. She loved the sexy and warm feelings this place gave her. Nothing else in this god forbidden town was as much hers as this place was. Stepping past her long lounging chair, she took a seat at her vanity. For a silent moment she scrutinized every flaw in her imperfect skin. It was a pointless past time but something inside her made her want to be perfect. Whatever that drive was, its hold on her was undeniable.

Shaking her head at herself, she bent down and undid the straps of her heals. She let them fall from her aching feet and savored the freedom with a contented sigh. Sitting up once more, she reached for her hairbrush. In mid-reach, she finally noticed the dark figure lingering behind her. A breath caught in her throat, fear forcing all air from her lungs.

"You're not supposed to be back here." Her voice quivered and she knew her words were fruitless but they were the only ones that came to mind.

Her heart froze when a malicious grin crept its way across his steeled features and terror consumed her as she watched, frozen when he closed the door, her only escape.

TBC

Only four parts left and then *poof* I may very well just disappear from the face of the earth - It's happened before…