I seemed to struggle a little with this chapter. I know where I am wanting to go with it, maybe its just trying to get the realism of it right. Let me know what you think!
The hypospray the Doctor had administered to Kathryn started to wear off in the early morning hours. As she slowly began to open her eyes, Kathryn had been dreaming of Chakotay, their child, and their life together. When her eyes opened to see the ceiling of sickbay, she knew she had only been dreaming. The lights were dimmed as she slowly sat up on the biobed and she saw no sign of the Doctor, assuming that he was offline. Her hand moved to her abdomen and quietly said a silent prayer that everything was ok. A smile crept to her face when she felt the familiar kick of the baby, almost as to give her some sort of reassurance. As quickly as the smile appeared, it faded and she looked in Chakotay's direction. Moving off the biobed, Kathryn slowly walked towards him. She grabbed a chair and sat down. Quietly watching the rise and fall of his chest, she took his hand and held it tightly. Then bringing it up to her lips, she kissed it and whispered, "I love you...please come back to me...to us."
Several hours later, when the Doctor's program was reactivated, he found the Captain sitting next to Chakotay's biobed with her head resting on his arm. Walking up to her, he placed his hand on her shoulder and gently shook her, "Captain...Captain!"
Kathryn quickly woke and her first instinct was to look at Chakotay. Her face fell when she realized there was no change. As Kathryn was about to speak, the Doctor stepped in, "there is no need for any explanation Captain. I would however like to run some scans on you so why don't we move over to the other biobed."
Kathryn only nodded as she got up from the chair and walked to the biobed. When the Doctor completed all of his scans he told her she could return to her quarters, but may not return to work for the time being. "Captain, I suggest you go back to your quarters and get some more sleep. If anything changes, I will contact you immediately."
She walked over to Chakotay and kissed him lightly on the lips. "I'll be back soon." Tears began to slide down her face. "Captain, I will have the transporter room beam you back to your quarters when you're ready."
"I'm ready now Doctor." As Kathryn looked at Chakotay, she barely heard the Doctor's request for the transport. She felt the familiar tingle of the transporter and then found herself back in her quarters. Everything was so quiet. She found her things strewn across the floor from the recent attack on Voyager. The memories flooded her mind as she closed her eyes tightly. She didn't want to remember them, but at the same time she couldn't forget. Screaming, she grabbed the first thing that she could find and threw it against the wall. Hearing glass shatter, she walked over to the object. Lying on the ground was a picture of her and Chakotay taken the night they informed the crew of her pregnancy. Running her fingers over the shattered picture she pulled it to her chest and began to cry. Kathryn managed to make her way over to the couch and still clutching the picture to her chest, lies down, hoping that sleep will come to her easy.
Kathryn wakes several hours later, still holding the picture of her and Chakotay. Setting it on a nearby table, she decides to take a sonic shower. When finished, she puts on some comfortable clothes, and then contacts Tuvok, informing him that he will be in command of Voyager until further notice. Kathryn then makes her way back to sickbay.
Kathryn tries to put on a brave face as she passes crewmembers in the halls. Nobody stops to speak to her, she is thankful of that, but their sad looks say volumes. Now standing in front of the doors to sickbay, she pauses before entering. Taking a deep breath, she walks in and slowly to the back of the room. The Doctor and Kes both hear the doors open and look up to see the Captain has returned. The Doctor walks out of his office, "Captain?"
Without even looking at him, she continues to walk towards Chakotay, "I slept for a few hours, but I need to be here with him. I can't leave him alone right now."
The Doctor sighed, not wanting to argue with her, "I'll allow you to stay here with him as long as you eat and sleep when you are supposed to. At night we can set up another biobed and privacy screen so that you can stay here."
"Thank you Doctor." And with that Kathryn took a seat next to Chakotay.
The days turned into weeks and there was still no change in Chakotay's condition. The Doctor could tell this was finally taking its toll on the Captain. She wasn't as positive as she was early on and it appeared a depression was setting in. The Doctor was beginning to become concerned for her. Neelix brought food to her and she ate as the Doctor requested, but only small amounts. The Doctor also noticed the dark circles under her eyes and surmised that she wasn't sleeping as well either. "Captain, I think it is time you consider leaving sickbay for awhile. Maybe take some time in the holodeck, maybe..."
"Maybe what Doctor?" The anger in her voice was evident.
"I'm only suggesting some time away from sickbay. You have been here for almost three weeks now and each day that passes takes a toll on you. You barely eat and I'm guessing not sleeping well either. I want you to spend the next few days away from sickbay and try to relax. I can keep you informed of Chakotay's condition and if anything changes you will be the first to know."
Several moments passed before Kathryn answered him. "I guess you're right. I actually have some things to think about." The Doctor gave the Captain a puzzled look at her statement, but she said nothing more. Looking at Chakotay, she placed her hand on his, and then left sickbay.