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VARIATION TWO: COLD
Chapter Rating: K+
Kathryn shivered beneath the blankets, mischievous thoughts of disobeying her own edict dancing in her mind. No, she scolded herself, you're the captain, and you've got to set an example, even if it means a few sleepless nights.
As he observed the captain's unusually closed posture on the bridge, Chakotay noted the bags underneath her eyes, darkening her otherwise-particularly-pale skin and drawing attention away from the arms beneath that subtly hugged her torso. If only he could afford to use replicator rations right now, he'd order some long underwear for her; it really didn't do for the captain to be covered in goose bumps, though it did help morale that everyone suffered together.
Later that night, he came to her quarters and noted that, despite the late hour, she had not changed out of her uniform. If anything, her quarters were even chillier than his, but he understood her need not to waste energy raising the temperature beyond the minimal amount needed not to freeze to death.
"How is crew morale?" she asked, assuming he'd visited in order to seek her counsel. However, she noted a glint in his eye and briefly allowed herself to hope he had planned some sort of warming surprise for her.
"As well as can be expected," he answered, "but I believe there is one crew member whose morale would be improved if she could sleep, and I believe I have an old-fashioned remedy that could help her." He held his breath, hoping that she would understand his meaning and not be offended by the offer.
She brightened for a moment, then darkened as she answered, "we can't afford the energy, Chakotay, even for 'home remedies.'" However, at the back of her mind was one remedy that would save, rather than use energy, but she didn't dare to hope he was offering that.
His cheeks dimpled as he returned her smile and admitted, "I've been having trouble sleeping too; I was hoping we could help each other." Again, he dared not breathe as he awaited her reply.
Logic and emotion came together in her mind as she surprised herself by nodding compliantly. Less than an hour later, they lay curled together in her bed, sharing heat, and knowing that getting up would be difficult, but not impossible given a good night's rest and the promise of another night of blissful warmth.