Chapter 6
When Chakotay opened the door he stared at her as if he were seeing her for the first time. If it had not been for the angry red marks on her wrists he almost would not have recognized her.
Gods, she's beautiful!, he thought. That Starfleet uniform had done a good job hiding the fact. He had thought her thin and she was, but her body was very well proportioned. The dress she was wearing showed off the gentle curve of her hips, and the V-neck allowed a small glimpse of a very nice cleavage. As she walked past him the perfume of her freshly washed hair assaulted his senses, and he got his first look at the full length of it. It cascaded in soft auburn masses right down to the small of her back. She had styled it in a loose ponytail this time. No doubt the hairpins had caused her some discomfort, especially as she had been lying on them for many hours. For a few seconds Chakotay was speechless. She had sat down on the bed, giving him a questioning glance.
"Well, as you so vehemently pointed out earlier, you are in charge. Where do we go from here?" she asked when he did not say anything.
Chakotay came out of his trance and focused his thoughts on the things he had planned. He drew a device out of his pocket, and Kathryn recognized it to be one of Voyager's dermal regenerators. He sat next to her on the bed and gently took one of her wrists, running the device over the tender red marks. As they were watching the marks began to faint and eventually vanished altogether. Chakotay repeated the same procedure with the other wrist. Soon there was no sign of the marks left. Holding her wrists, he could not help but notice the softness of her skin. He had to force himself to concentrate on the task at hand, but it was not easy. This was definitely going to be a problem. He had to get her out of his quarters as soon as possible. Finally he got up, dropping the device back into his pocket.
"I've replicated some soup and bread. I think we could both do with a hot meal. You haven't eaten since you got here, and I haven't had much since, either." Kathryn had been aware of his stares since she had exited the bathroom and now felt even more uncomfortable in his company than before. She was famished and the mere thought of food made her stomach rumble. However, she did not want to spend anymore time alone with Chakotay then necessary. It was time she joined her crew and got away from him.
"What about my crew? Have they been given any food and drink?"
"Don't worry about them, Kathryn. We Maquis look after our guests. They've had at least two meals since you got here."
"I'd like to see that for myself."
"You've got to eat something, Kathryn!"
"I'm sure I can eat in the brig with them!" Tempers were rising.
"Kathryn, you are going to eat here with me or not at all!"
"Fine, I won't eat! Take me to the brig!"
"You'll not be going to the brig! You'll be staying here! And I'll decide when or if I let you see them, is that understood?"
What am I saying? I was going to have Lojal take her to the brig right after we had finished eating. What the hell made me say that?, Chakotay thought, a little confused. Damn headstrong woman! WHAT? Kathryn stared at him wide-eyed. He was going to make her stay in his quarters? Was he out of his mind? And why did he refuse to let her see the crew? Were they in fact all dead? Had he been lying to her all along? Was she the only Starfleet officer left alive? It was the only possible explanation she could think of. Her eyes began to fill with tears, and she fought bitterly to stop them from spilling.
A clipped "I see." was all she managed without choking.
"Good, I'm glad we understand each other. Now join me for dinner, or I'll swear I'll force-feed you!"
Kathryn glared at him, "Oh, I understand very well, Chakotay. I understand very well that you've been lying to me all along. How did you do it? Throw them out of an airlock? Or did you let the neural toxin take care of everything? Did you enjoy it?"
"WHAT???"
Chakotay could not believe she thought him capable of such things. He was deeply shocked.
"Kathryn, I didn't lie to you. Your crew is in our brig - all of them accounted for and alive. We're taking good care of them and no one's being mistreated, not even that traitor, Tom Paris! You're just going to have to trust me with this one. I won't be ordered around by a hostage. That's why I'll decide whether or not you'll see them and when."
She looked at him, and he saw worry and grief written all over her delicate features. Never before had he seen her so vulnerable. This captain deeply cared about her crew, and he could not help but admire Kathryn Janeway. He liked this woman, and it pained him to see the tears in her eyes. He knew that those tears would dissipate the instance he took her to the brig and allowed her to see her crew, but he was not going to give into her demands. She was his hostage after all, and as such he had to treat her. If she was going to be stubborn, than so would he.
"Now I'm going to have my dinner before it gets cold. I strongly suggest you join me."
He turned his back to her and was about to walk into the next room when she, almost imperceptively, called his name.
"Chakotay?"
He turned around.
"Why aren't you keeping me in the brig?"
"Because you are so very stubborn, Captain!"
He smiled and for a scant second saw a smile tug at her lips, too, but she suppressed it. He walked into the dining room and heard her footsteps follow him.
Seska entered the transporter room. It was time to relieve Lojal from his shift.
"Alright, Lojal, I'm taking over. Have a nice evening!" she said sourly.
"Everything okay with you, Seska?" She sighed.
"I just don't know what's gotten into Chakotay today. First I tell him that Tom Paris is among the Starfleet hostages, and he isn't in the slightest bit interested. Says he's busy! And then I run into him in one of the tunnels and find him in a really foul mood. I thought he would be feeling great today, after making such a wonderful catch, but he was just complaining about all the work he has now, because of it. So I asked him if he wants to have dinner with me tonight, and he got furious and gave me all this bullshit about wanting me to keep out of his way. As if that wasn't enough he later ordered me to do the night shift here. Now I ask you, what's wrong with the man?"
Lojal was beginning to feel distinctly uncomfortable with the direction this conversation was taking. Seska, sensing that he was avoiding her gaze, decided to probe a little.
"Did he tell you what he's been doing all day, Lojal?"
He did not want to lie to her, but then he certainly did not want to tell her what -- or rather who -- had kept Chakotay occupied all day.
"Oh, you know, he's been inspecting the Starfleet vessel, he's had a look at the crew and he's been trying to get information out of the captain."
"I don't remember seeing the captain in the brig when I was there earlier. Where is he interrogating him?"
Lojal hesitated, then said lamely,
"Oh, I think he wanted to be a little more comfortable as the interrogation was going to take some time. Apparently the captain is proving to be a little uncooperative. So he's doing it in his quarters."
Lojal deliberately avoided making any reference to the captain's gender. He had absolutely no intention to tell Seska that the captain was a woman. He knew she would fume with rage if she ever found out. Despite the fact that their relationship had ended almost a year ago, Seska still behaved as though she had a right on Chakotay. She would never let another woman get close to him. Of course it was only a matter of time before she was going to uncover the truth, but he sure as hell did not want to be the one to enlighten her. Making a quick exit he secretly vowed to steer clear of Seska for the foreseeable future.
Seska frowned. Never before had Chakotay taken a prisoner to his quarters. Something was not quite right here. She had the nagging feeling that Lojal was not giving her the whole story, but it was obvious that he was not going to tell her anymore. Somehow she would have to find the answers to her questions herself, and soon. She was going to get out of this duty shift somehow. Chell was off tonight, and he still owed her a favor or two. A voice over the intercom interrupted her thoughts.
"B'Elanna to transporter room."
Seska's ears perked up. Maybe B'Elanna knew the answers. The half-Klingon and Chakotay were close. After all, he was in the habit of telling her almost everything, which was precisely why she cherished B'Elanna as a friend.
"Hello B'Elanna! It's Seska. How're you doing up there?"
"Hi Seska! I've finished here for today. I've got three to beam down."
"Alright. Energizing!"
Seconds later B'Elanna Torres and two other Maquis engineers materialized in the transporter room. B'Elanna turned to her companions,
"Alright, I see you two here at 6:00 hours tomorrow. Don't be late!"
The man and woman she had been working with most of the day nodded and left. Now B'Elanna turned to Seska.
"Hey, Seska! How's it going? I didn't know you were pulling the night shift here."
"Yes, courtesy of Chakotay. I was hoping to spend some time with him tonight, but he said he was busy and put me on duty." Seska said in her best "hurt woman" impression.
Clever move, Chakotay!, the half-Klingon thought, instantly catching on to the fact that it was Chakotay's way of making sure that Seska did not get in the way. Of course she could not tell Seska that.
"I suppose he's got a lot on his mind right now, Seska."
"That's an understatement. The last time I saw him he told me to stay out of his way. I don't understand what's wrong with him. Lojal just told me he's been questioning the Starfleet captain all day -- in his quarters! Can you believe that? He's never interrogated hostages in his quarters before. Hell, even I have trouble getting into the holy grail! And would you believe he still hasn't had a look at Paris? He hates the rat! I thought he would have wrung his neck by now, but he's not in the slightest bit interested."
It was B'Elanna's turn to feel uncomfortable. Apart from Chakotay, Seska was her best friend. But, just like Lojal, she did not want to be the one to give Seska the facts, either. Chakotay was like a brother to her. She would never betray his confidence. She was certain he did not want Seska to know about Janeway. If anyone were going to tell Seska, it would have to be Chakotay himself and no one else. B'Elanna attempted to placate her friend.
"Maybe he's having trouble with the captain, Seska. Those Starfleet bigwigs can be damn trying! I should know! I spend two years at Starfleet Academy arguing with the bastards! He probably isn't getting the information he wanted, and that's what's making him so edgy. As a matter of fact he came up to the vessel earlier to see how I was doing with the computer. He said the captain was proving to be rather stubborn, and he'd like to get the facts from the computer if possible. I wouldn't worry too much, if I were you. It'll probably pass soon."
B'Elanna announced nonchalantly, trying to fend off any other questions Seska might have in stock for her. The half-Klingon yawned and added,
"Well, I've had a pretty trying day myself attempting to crack that damned Starfleet computer. I think I'll turn in for the night. I have another long day tomorrow. I'll see you then, and stop worrying about Chakotay. He'll be alright when this is over."
B'Elanna gave Seska a reassuring smile and left.
"See you tomorrow, B'Elanna!" Seska called after her friend as she headed for her quarters -- at least that's where Seska thought she was going.
When B'Elanna was sure that she was out of Seska's earshot she tapped her combadge.
"Torres to Chakotay!"