It was late. She had a headache and a small tic had developed under her right eye. Rubbing her hand tiredly over her face, she stifled a yawn deciding she was in need of sleep, she was just bored of reading about how happy her crew was on the planets surface. You could have been happy but you blew it. God what were you thinking? Look, if you explain yourself and hope that you didn't hurt her too much by ignoring her for 4 days, im sure you can save this. Thinking the voice in her head made sense she stood up energized and determined.
"Computer, locate Seven of Nine"
"Seven of Nine is not onboard Voyager"
"What? Then where is she?" she asked, her mind struggling to comprehend.
"Seven of Nine is on the planets' surface. Temporary shelter 18"
"Who occupies that shelter?" a sinking feeling in her gut, told her she already knew the answer.
"Lieutenant Tuvok and Commander Chakotay." She sat wearily back into her chair and rested her head in her hands. Well done Katie, you have sent her running into the arms of one of the most handsome male crew members on board. One may I remind you she previously had a crush on. Well done. She closed her eyes as her head dropped onto the desk.
"I'm such an idiot" she muttered.
"I agree" The sound of another voice caused her to jump but she relaxed upon recognising her first officer, standing in the doorway of her ready room.
"You agree?" she asked, glad she was no longer alone.
"Yes Captain. I wholeheartedly agree that you are an idiot. A stubborn, emotional cripple born without the capacity to understand true love" He tried to keep the anger from his voice but it showed. The Captain looked at him, taken aback. She hadn't been ready for his outburst.
"This is about Seven I presume?"
"Well Captain, who else have you slept with lately?"
"That Chakotay, is none of your business" she glared at him, her formidable Captain mask surfacing. But he carried on unperturbed.
"It is my business when she comes to me, confused and hurt, then proceeds to break down in floods of tears on my shoulder. You and I both know that she is an extremely fragile human being underneath that cool Borg exterior and I will not stand by and let you damage her. If you want my opinion you are not worthy of her time."
"Got a crush on my Borg Drone have we Commander?" she asked cattily, fighting to keep her jealousy to a minimum. Chakotay stopped, he hadn't meant to get so angry and now she had got the wrong end of the stick. He sighed continuing in a calmer voice.
"No, Kathryn. I don't. You are the only person I have feelings for but I realised a long time ago that you couldn't be with me. So I got real and decided to help you be with the woman who occupies all of your dreams. I just want you to be happy even if im not the cause. You know I came up with the best plan, delivering her straight into your arms and you screw it up. You are an extremely frustrating individual." He smiled, trying to make light of it but Janeway's eyes had took on a steely-grey tint, stopping him in his tracks. He knew she had just realised what he had confessed to.
"It was you. You rigged transporter room one. I can't believe that a senior officer onboard my ship would act so irresponsibly" her voice was very slow and deliberate, cutting right through him and making him feel like a big idiot.
"Look, Kathy…"
"Dismissed." She snapped, cutting him off.
"Kathryn…" he tried once again to explain himself.
"I said. DISMISSED" she stood drawing herself to her full, small but nonetheless imposing height, eyes flashing with anger. Chakotay turned and walked out of her ready room. Well that could have gone better, you did Seven a favour there, getting the Captain in a good mood for her. He pressed his commbadge.
"Chakotay to Seven of Nine"
"Here, Commander"
"Seven, she isn't in a great mood. I think I made things worse, it's probably better that you remain on the surface and save your planned discussion for a later time."
"Unacceptable. Under the circumstances, I will adapt. I am returning to Voyager. Seven out". Chakotay shook his head. I will adapt. Sometimes that Borg is almost as stubborn as Kathryn.
Janeway sat back in her chair mulling things over. Yes she was annoyed at Chakotay but he was right, she had to make amends with Seven and she did occupy all of her dreams. Swallowing her pride she instructed the computer to inform her of Sevens return to the ship, when or if she decided to come back.