Im not sure what exactly Im expecting to see as we shuffle into the all to familiar sickbay. I am well aware that she is awake. I have been informed of what I have yearned for has occured. But yet I am surprised. I stop in my tracks when I see large blue eyes staring back at me.

She sits rigid in her bed as the Doctor waves his tricorder about her. She's still. Eerily still. If it's not for her blinking, I would have assumed she was a statue. We are still as well, standing just before the doors. After a moment of silence I step forward and despite BE'lanna's grip on my arm, she holds back.

"So far our scans sense no major neurological damange" The Doctor states not taking his eyes off his patient "It seems our perverbial sleeping beauty's spell has been broken."

I take a step forward once more as my engineer releases me.

"Ensign" I address to the still woman as Im unsure of what else to say.

She remains still with the exception of furrowing her brow.

"Do you know who I am?" I ask tentavly

She parts her lips as if to speak, her furrowed brow deepens but no sound will emit.

"It is not uncommon for speech to delay in its return after a patient awakes from a coma" The Doctor informs me cooly.

I approach her as tentavly as I did so in my dreams. I feel as though I have rehearsed a dance for her. I stand before her, I rest my hand on the side of the bed and lean in.

"Ensign" I repeat softly but firmly "Do you know who I am? Nod yes or no."

She considers me before very tentivly shaking her head yes. I let out a sigh of relief and allow my lips to curl in a smile.

"Do you know where you are?"

Blue orbs dart to the doctor, to BE'lanna and back to me. She nods.

My smile widens and I feel a warmth unfurling from my chest to the rest of my body. I reach out to pat her arm but she flinches. I try not to take offense. The last time she was concious she was on the floor of a dark cell, terrified and moments from death after facing god knows what. She must be very confused and unsure who to trust. I want to spend some time with the Doctor, evaluating and usuring the Ensign's return to reality but I become painfully aware we have a more pressing issue at hand.

"The Doctor will take good care of you" I say to the wide eyed woman.

I turn to the Doctor. He doesn't have to be asked twice.

"I'll inform you of any changes, Captain" He reassures me.

Once again, I fight the urge to place a gentle hand on the young woman before turning back to my silent diciples. They look rather uncomfortable, out of place.

"Confrence room" I command. With an inaudible sigh of relief they bustle out the door. I notice BE'lanna stealing an extra moment to look at the young woman before turning to hurry away.

Strange symbols flash before us on the large screen, projected on the wall of the confrence room. We have ran through our extensive data base on languages, symbols, religions, and codes only to come up with nothing.

"The species we are dealing with has been around much longer than most of our races" Chakotay sighs "Everything we have gathered from their tacticle practices, their technological abilities and these strange symbols shows what possibly we could be us in a few thousand years."

"Do you think this is the same species who abducted us?" BE'lanna asks without a pause.

"The planet was abandoned when we discovered you. The facility you were housed was barren. It would be illogical to draw to that conclusion." Tuvok replies

"These guys give me a bad taste in my mouth" Tom states firmly "We need to be ready incase of another attack."

"But was that an attack?" Chakotay offers "No reports of injury. No shots fired. Just a loud noise and symbols left behind."

"Loud noise?" Harry scoffs

"Yeah. That was a 'loud noise' and Im an Andorian dancer." Tom quips

"That's a sight to see" BE'lanna says with grin.

The crew lets out a chuckle before I languidly wave my hand to silence them.

"We can't assume the worst of these poeple just yet. We have nothing to persue just yet. I have a feeling our friends will pop up again but until then we proceed with optimistic caution. BE'lanna I need a complete and thorough diagnostic. Tvok, make sure you have your security team ready for anything. Dismissed."

The group bustles out, ready for bed after a long day. I lean back in seat feeling the weight of the last few hours lay heavy on my body.

"You know what I find funny" Chakotay says as he gathers up his belongings

"Hmm" I reply as I massage my temples, resting tired eyes.

"Your Ensign wouldn't wake no matter what the Doctor did. But the minute that sound emitted throughout Voyager she awakens no problem…."

My eyes open and snap up to look at my officer.

"It's almost as if she was…"

"…summond" I mutter, finishing his thought.

I can't help but wonder, did we ever really leave that box of nightmares? Or has this all been another illusion?