A/N: Ok maybe not the best initial response I've ever received for a story but I intend to preserver as requested by more-than-words, AmericanWoman and I_Confuse_Everyone (by wonderful beta). For those who are reading and enjoying thank you for coming back and my thanks also for those who have reviewed.

As usual nothing here is owned by me.

Into Alien Territory

'Because I'm in demand, you're thinking of the ways you should have held my hand.'- In Demand, Texas.

Chakotay pushed the slop Neelix was masquerading as breakfast around his plate, trying to work up the courage to actually eat it but finding the sight alone enough to render his appetite non-existent. The night had brought him little sleep and his mood had not been improved when the lieutenant in charge of the gamma shift had contacted him two hours before the start of the alpha shift with a plethora of engineering problems that he had only just finished bringing B'Elanna up to speed with, the chief of engineering loudly having bemoaned the skills of her night staff. As much as he was glad that all the crew found him approachable he cursed it also, often being pulled from pillar to post by those fearing a response from Voyager's resident half Klingon. He hadn't even found a moment to contact Kathryn regarding her choices about the Doctor but sense had told him that she would be the one to contact him when she had anything to report.

He finally gave up on breakfast, pushing his bowl away from him and throwing a glance at the chronometer and deciding it would do no harm to head to the Bridge several minutes early. He'd barely finished the thought however as a figure sat down heavily opposite him.

"Oi, oi," came the cheery voice of the woman before him, "You feeling better today then?"

"Better?" said Chakotay.

"Well you left in such a rush last night I assumed you were sick," said Donna, "Although Tom's Hover-ball skills..."

Chakotay couldn't help but laugh, "Well they are enough to put anyone off I guess," he said, "But I wasn't unwell last night, just tired."

"Or jealous," said Donna in a sing song voice as she leant back in her chair.

"Excuse me?"

"Well, from what I've heard you were having a big old show off last night about the Doctor spending time with the Captain," said Donna, "Don't you like a bit of competition?"

Chakotay looked set to protest but then shook his head, "There would only be competition if there was anything between the Captain and I," he said, "My concerns over your friend are of a more professional nature."

"Whatever mate," said Donna before she smiled, "Look, its obvious you fancy her and that she definitely has eyes for you, why don't you just grab the girl and give her a snog? Put the both of you out of your misery."

Chakotay barely masked the laugh that wanted to escape at her words, regarding her with amusement in his eyes, "Are all twenty-first women so forthright?"

"When we need to be," said Donna, with a shrug, "I just don't get why you two are dancing around each other like a pair of lovesick teenagers. The Doctor isn't a threat, trust me. He likes the Captain because her head seems to be wired up like his, getting all excited over an engine and all the shiny things on this ship, but he's in love with someone else and even Captain Janeway couldn't replace her."

Chakotay smiled, "She must be some woman," he said, "Why's she not with you?"

Donna's eyes fell sadly to the table, "That's the Doctor's to tell, not mine."

"More secrets?"

Donna fixed him with a piercing look, "You don't trust him, do you?" she said.

"Sources would have me believe otherwise," said Chakotay, "There's barely a mention of Earth disasters without his title somehow attached. Whole civilizations destroyed or altered because of his intervention. He appears throughout history, disappears and reappears throughout the time line, changed in both face and personality. I've never much liked shape-shifters."

"He's a good man," said Donna, "You're lucky that he's here and he won't do anything to hurt you. He was talking to B'Elanna last night, he's going to help her make the engines faster, so you'll get home quicker. Does that sound like someone who wants to hurt you? You need to ask yourself if you'd trust him more if your Captain didn't fancy him a bit."

"The Captain isn't as taken with him as you believe Miss Noble," said Chakotay getting to his feet, "I'm needed on the Bridge, perhaps Mister Neelix can find you some distraction for the day."

Donna got to her feet, defiantly staring him down, "Actually, you can walk me to the Bridge," she said, "I promised the Doctor I would meet him there when he and the Captain had finished tinkering with the TARDIS."

Chakotay watched her turn and head to the door, bemused as to why the Captain had headed to the TARDIS earlier than he had anticipated. Donna obviously realised his confusion and threw him a look over her shoulder.

"Didn't you know she's been there since five this morning?" she said, "It was all very serious conversation to start with so I went back to bed but when I got up they were both under the floor grates and she was cooing over all the flashy bits of the ship. You coming then mate or are you gonna stand there gawping at me?"

Chakotay headed to her side before leading her out of the mess hall and towards the Bridge, his thoughts elsewhere as they stepped into the turbo-lift and he gave the command for the deck on instinct alone. The doors soon opened and he stepped out, the Alpha shift already taking their places for the day.

"Good morning Commander," said Tuvok, "And good morning Miss Noble."

"Morning!" she said happily before she bounded down the stairs to Tom, "Alright loser?"

Tom grimaced, "You're far too happy for this time in the morning," he said.

Chakotay turned to the chief of security as his inventory of the staff failed to include Kathryn, "Where's the Captain?"

"She sent word half an hour ago stating that she was spending the early part of the shift in the TARDIS with the Doctor," said Tuvok, "She did not give any indication of when she intended to join us."

"Her exact words were, I've got a time ship to play with," said Tom from the helm, "She sounded like a kid."

"That thing's all bells and whistles," said Donna heading to the Commander's chair and sitting herself down, "So what do you lot do up here all day?"

"I would have thought, being a space farer yourself Miss Noble, that you would know the function of a Bridge to a ship," said Tuvok.

"I travel Time Lord class mate, I'm a passenger only," said Donna, "I get the alien boy to do everything for me."

"From what the Doctor was saying last night sounds like you're more of the captain than he is though," said Harry.

Donna made a show of examining her nails, "He knows his place," she said before looking up at Chakotay, "Sit yourself down chief, you're making the place look untidy."

Chakotay swiftly took the Captain's chair, "Mister Paris what is our current speed?"

"Warp three and holding Commander, we've got a clear run for at least the next few hours at this speed," said Tom, before he turned to smile at Donna, "Unless anyone else from the twenty-first century intends on hitching a ride?"

Donna threw a smile back, clearly taken with the young pilot paying her so much attention.

"Mister Kim, how are those scans for an M class planet going?" said Chakotay, "I'm sure anyone who had the pleasure of Mister Neelix's twist on breakfast this morning would appreciate a positive response right now."

"Scans are still inconclusive Commander," said Harry, "But on our current heading initial scans show a potential system that may offer a planet with a suitable atmosphere."

"Let me know when you find anything more interesting," said Chakotay, getting to his feet, "Mister Paris maintain our course."

He swiftly headed towards the turbo-lift, pausing briefly to speak quietly to Tuvok.

"Did you get the report I sent you last night?" he said.

Tuvok nodded, "I did indeed Commander," he said, "Your observations were disturbing and I have ensured that there is adequate protection around the shuttle bay."

"I'm going down there," said Chakotay, "I'll check in with you shortly. If you haven't heard from me in the next fifteen minutes I want a security detail down there. You have the Bridge."

"Aye sir," said Tuvok as Chakotay stepped into the lift.

He was pleased to see the security team outside the doors to the shuttle bay and more personnel within, Tuvok obviously having taken the report he sent to heart and ensured the safety of both the ship and their Captain. The TARDIS stood in the centre as it had done the day before; looking ridiculously out of place amongst the slick technology Starfleet had equipped Voyager with. The door to the blue box stood open and he could already hear the low murmur of voices from within, the Doctor's English tones mixing with Kathryn's more familiar timbre. He crossed the short distance to the door and stepped inside the impossible interior.

Kathryn was the first to spot him from where she sat on the console chair, a cup cradled in her hands, "Chakotay!" she said brightly, "What brings you all the way down here?"

The Doctor appeared from beneath the console, a smile on his face and his hair stuck out every which way as he got to his feet, "Hello there," he said, "I wasn't expecting even more visitors since this one decided to crash through the doors before decent people are awake."

"Says the man who had his head stuck in the TARDIS engines when I crashed through said doors," said Kathryn, "He's like B'Elanna on a project."

"I would have thought you would have let me know you were coming down here so early Captain," said Chakotay, "I was expecting to see you on the Bridge."

Kathryn slipped to her feet, setting her cup on the end of the console, "Doctor, would you excuse us for a moment?" she said, walking to Chakotay and taking his arm.

"Not at all," said the Doctor, "Plenty to do in here while you bring my biggest fan up to speed."

"You're incorrigible," said Kathryn as she led Chakotay back out into the shuttle bay, moving them out of earshot from the door, "You can relax Commander, everything is sorted."

"Everything?" said Chakotay.

"Yes, so you can call off Tuvok," she said, "I know you well enough to know that you'll have him on the Bridge anticipating a call."

Chakotay smiled before tapping his comm.-badge, "Chakotay to Tuvok."

"Go ahead Commander."

"Stand down Lieutenant," said Chakotay, "Everything is under control down here."

"Completely," said Kathryn, "I no longer require babysitting."

"Aye Captain," said the Vulcan, "Tuvok out."

Kathryn waited until the comm.-link dropped out, keeping her voice low despite their distance from both the TARDIS and their own crew, "Everything's fine Chakotay," she said, "I spoke to him, challenged him on what you brought me and he told me his side of things. If he denied all culpability then perhaps I would be less accommodating but he admitted so much and had reasons for all. There are dangers in this universe that makes all we've faced pale in comparison and he fights it, but in war people get killed as he has, nine times."

Chakotay frowned at her words, "He may have died nine times but clearly he was revived."

"No he wasn't," said Kathryn, "It's a quirk of his race, of the Time Lords, they can reconstitute their bodies as such when they are killed. He called it regeneration. Every cell in the body is renewed and replaced, leaving a different person but the same memories. He has had ten different bodies, that's why the records gave such differing descriptions. He showed me pictures, such different men all of them but something in their eyes showed me that it was him. I think we can trust him Chakotay and you promised to support me if I made that decision."

"Are you certain, Captain?" he said.

Kathryn nodded, "I'm certain but we won't be sitting on our laurels and the Doctor knows as such," she said, "He's agreed to security personnel being in attendance whenever he's working on the TARDIS and will report to me morning and night on his progress."

Chakotay offered her a small smile, "Then if he has your trust, he has mine," he said, "But one foot out of line..."

"And I'm out of an airlock, I get it."

Both Kathryn and Chakotay turned to see the Doctor leaning on the edge of the TARDIS, the sonic screwdriver dangling from his fingers and his pinstriped jacket missing.

"Perhaps, in light of your wish to earn our trust, eavesdropping wasn't probably the best course of action," said Chakotay.

The Doctor smiled, "You humans don't know how to whisper," he said, "I could have had the TARDIS engines running and I would have heard you. Am I forgiven?"

"You're on probation," said Kathryn with a smile, "How's the TARDIS?"

"Better than she was but there's more to do," said the Doctor, "But I can take care of that later if you've had your fill of her for the time being."

Kathryn crossed to the ship and ran a hand over the exterior, "I don't think I'll ever have my fill of her but I should be getting back to the Bridge, if you'd like to join us."

"If I'm welcome," said the Doctor pushing off from the frame and extending his hand to Chakotay, "Commander?"

Chakotay shook his extended hand, "Donna will wonder what we've done to you if we don't take you back," he said, "Welcome aboard Doctor."

"There, that wasn't so hard," said Kathryn heading to the door, "Shall we head to the Bridge?"

"After you Captain," said the Doctor, falling easily into step behind her.

They soon reached their destination, Chakotay realising how quickly the Doctor had made an impression with the crew they passed on the way as they greeted him with smiles and fond words from the previous night. Kathryn shot him the occasional knowing smile but he found himself only glad that she had grown more confident in her choice, trusting her instincts as she did.

The Captain swiftly took her chair and called on her staff to report as the Doctor beckoned Donna to his side allowing Chakotay to take his customary seat.

"Have you been behaving?" said the Doctor.

"Have you?" said Donna, before dropping her voice to a whisper, "I'm surprised Chakotay hasn't pushed you out into space, he did not look happy when I told him you were with the Captain."

The Doctor eyed her cautiously, "And you haven't been winding him up by any chance have you?"

"Actually no I haven't," said Donna, "I told him he doesn't need to worry about you. Why those two aren't shacked up though..."

"Give it time," whispered the Doctor before he leant back against the console behind him, turning his attention back to the crew as Harry reported the status of the ship's scans to his Captain, "M class planet you say? In Starfleet terms that means a planet capable of sustaining human life right?"

"That's right," said Kathryn, "Scans though are inconclusive even with your alterations Doctor."

"Do you have a star chart?" said the Doctor, "I don't spend much time around this area of space but I know my way around better then you do. If I knew roughly where we were I could maybe point you in the right direction."

"They're fairly poor if I'm honest with you," said Kathryn, "We've had to barter for them and we have no way of testing their accuracy but you're welcome to look. Any assistance would be welcome. Mister Kim, display the most comprehensive chart we have of the area."

The Doctor pulled his glasses from his pocket and popped them on as he regarded the chart before him, "Did you pass a large nebula about six days ago?" he said.

"Eight days ago," said Kathryn, "It gave us some trouble with our sensors."

"Theta radiation?" said the Doctor.

"How did you know?"

"I know where you are," said the Doctor, "But this star chart might as well have been put together by a five year old with a marker pen. Can I..."

"Commander, could you show the Doctor how to operate one of the consoles," said Kathryn.

Chakotay led him to the nearest station but soon found his assistance surplus to requirement as the Doctor took easy command of the station. Soon further systems appeared on the chart before them, stars moving and nebula's forming until a map fit to rival one prepared by the Federation lay before them.

"There, that's more like it," said the Doctor, "Now then M Class...M Class? You want to avoid the system on the right, the habitable planets there are evolved but pre-warp, you'll terrify them. Best place for you to head is the fourth planet in that red dwarf system straight ahead, it should appear on scans within the next hour or so. Its primordial, nothing that could be affected by your presence if you're careful and it should have an abundance of food and minerals for you to use."

"Intergalactic Sat-Nav, you are," said Donna.

"It's our friends the Sontarans who let me know of its existence," said the Doctor.

"Just when have the Sontarans been our friends?" said Donna.

The Doctor threw her a smile, "Figure of speech, eight centuries from now that planet will be turned into a clone world, its atmosphere poisoned the same way they tried to poison Earth," he said, "Right now its lush and green but by the time the Sontarans are done with it, its like nuclear war hit it."

"That's so sad," said Donna, "Can't you stop it?"

"Its part of the time line," said the Doctor, "Beside, the TARDIS is hardly capable of much right now, a brief hop through space maybe but I'm not going to risk her in the time vortex. Captain, that planet is your best bet for supplies for a good while on, this isn't the most habitable bit of space for humanoid life."

"Very well, Mister Paris set in a course for the fourth planet of that red dwarf system," said Kathryn, "Mister Kim focus scans on that area and on the planet when it comes into range. How long until we reach the system Doctor?"

"About twenty-four hours if you maintain warp three, probably a bit longer as you'll have to go around that nebula," he said pointing to the view screen, "You'll find it full of some nasty electromagnetic currents that'll give Voyager one hell of a stomach ache and she won't thank you for that."

"Neither would B'Elanna," said Kathryn, "Very well, Mister Paris let's avoid that nebula. Commander you have the Bridge, I'll be in my ready room."

"Aye Captain," said Chakotay as Kathryn got to her feet.

"Captain, I promised B'Elanna I'd help her with some repairs on the warp core," said Doctor, "If that's alright with you."

"By all means Doctor," said Kathryn, "Report in to Commander Chakotay every hour and you'll be under Lieutenant Torres' instruction at all times."

"Aye Captain," he said with a playful salute, "Coming Donna?"

"And watch you get all space man?" she said, "Not my idea of fun mate. Besides I've decided to stay here and learn the importance of the Bridge to the running of a starship, any good space farer should know that."

"You'll make her Starfleet yet Mister Tuvok," said the Doctor heading to the turbo-lift, "If she gives you any trouble you can always stick her in the brig for an hour. Kathryn, if you have time later I can show you the set up of the time rotas in the TARDIS."

"May I remind you Doctor," said Tuvok, "That whilst on the Bridge Captain Janeway should be referred to as such."

"I'll bear that in mind," said the Doctor, before he threw the captain a wink, "See you later Kathryn."

"You will indeed Doctor," she said, waving down any further protest from Tuvok before she headed to her ready room.

The Doctor stepped into the turbo-lift, offering Donna a wave before the doors slid closed in front of him.

xxxx

The next morning brought them within range of the planet; Kathryn suitably impressed with the accuracy of the Doctor's star chart and even more so with the increased efficiency of the engines since his afternoon spent with B'Elanna. The evening had seen them all meeting in the resort on the holodeck and even Chakotay had warmed to the Doctor and his stories of his adventures. It had taken a leap of faith on all their parts to believe some of his tales but they were fascinating all the same, the Doctor more than happy to regale them over and over with stories from the universe's past and even some from its future though he avoided mention of the Federation or anything he knew of their personal futures.

The stories had continued that morning in the Captain's ready room, both the Doctor and Donna sat with her on the sofa by the view port, listening as she told them of her crew's journey through the Delta quadrant.

"Those Kazon sound a right nasty bunch," said Donna sipping from the cup in her hands, "What do you call this stuff again?"

"Vulcan spiced tea," said Kathryn, "And no the Kazon weren't the friendliest of races, they definitely won't be on the Christmas card list when we get back to the Alpha quadrant."

"Saying that," said the Doctor with an air familiar at least to Donna when he knew something others didn't, "In about twenty years time they'll actually unite in light of a common enemy and then one young Kazon hybrid will continue that alliance into a time of peace for them all."

"You can't be serious?" said Kathryn, "The Kazon actually cooperating with each other?"

The Doctor smiled, "Hard to believe I know but it happens," he said, "Even harder to believe who the young man is who leads them to such a union."

Kathryn gave him a quizzical look before her eyes widened in disbelief, "You don't mean..."

"Oh I do."

"Seska's son?"

The Doctor nodded, "Cullah dies in the struggle, leaving him as an heir to the Nistrum, and through that he uses his influence to bring peace to the warring factions."

Kathryn smiled, "I would never have believed something with the power for good could come from Seska," she said, "She certainly wouldn't be too happy with the outcome."

"Who's this Seska then?" said Donna.

"A former member of our crew," said Kathryn, "As far as a Cardassian spy can ever be considered a member of either the Marquis or of Starfleet anyway. She betrayed us to the Kazon, we nearly lost the ship and indeed our lives because of her deceit. She died almost a year ago now, leaving an infant son who was taken by his father when the Kazon left the ship."

The bell from the Bridge sounded and Kathryn called for the visitor to enter, getting to her feet with a smile as Chakotay walked in.

"Good morning Commander," she said heading down the steps to him.

"Captain," he said before acknowledging the two still seated above, "Doctor, Donna. I'm surprised you're up so early, Tom looks more than a little worse for wear this morning and from the reports I heard you matched him drink for drink."

"Twenty-fourth century boys clearly can't handle their liquor," said Donna.

"We're coming up on the fourth planet Captain," said Chakotay, handing Kathryn a PADD, "Transporters are down for maintenance but I have three shuttles prepared to take the away teams to the surface, initial scans show the atmosphere shouldn't give us too many problems. Neelix has compiled a list of what we need for the mess hall and B'Elanna has asked to come down with a team from engineering to collect minerals she needs for the warp core maintenance."

"Who do we have down for the away teams?" said Kathryn.

"Neelix, Kes, Harry and Ensign Crag are making up one of the supply teams, B'Elanna is taking Ensign Vorik and Ensign Ashmore for engineering and I was planning to head down myself with Tuvok and Paris," said Chakotay.

"Belay that last team," said Kathryn, "Assign Mister Paris to assist Mister Neelix's team. I'm leaving Tuvok in charge here while you and I go down to the surface with Donna and the Doctor. The Doctor has more knowledge of the planet than any of us and they've both asked to accompany the team down."

Chakotay nodded, "Very well, I'll make the alterations," he said, "I had intended to take the Sacajawea down to the surface, B'Elanna has fixed her up well enough, but would you prefer if I chose another shuttle after what happened the other day?"

Kathryn shook her head, "The Sacajawea will be fine," she said, "I can't spend my life afraid of a shuttle."

"What happened in the Sacaje-wotsit?" said Donna.

"Two days before we arrived Kathryn was almost killed planet side on an away mission," said the Doctor, "The Sacajawea was caught in a storm and crash landed, Kathryn was injured and then invaded by an alien entity that tried to convince her that she was..."

"Thank you Doctor," said Kathryn raising her hand, "Perhaps you could refrain from being my personal biographer until I am out of earshot."

"Sorry," he said sheepishly, "Guess that sort of thing messes with your head."

"An understatement Doctor," said Kathryn looking for all the world as confident as ever though the Doctor noticed how much closer she leant into her first officer's side.

"You wouldn't want to bring back any memories though," he said, "So how about going down to the surface in something other than the Sacajawea?"

"Chakotay prefers to pilot that shuttle," said Kathryn.

The Doctor smiled, "And I prefer to pilot the TARDIS," he said, "If you both fancied a spin."

"You mean go to the surface in the TARDIS?" said Kathryn, "Have you fixed it?"

"Well enough to get to the planet and back," said the Doctor, "What do you say?"

Kathryn looked up to Chakotay before she broke into a smile, "Well it's hardly Starfleet protocol but..."

"Whatever I say you've already made up your mind," said Chakotay.

"I take it that means I should get her ready to fly," said the Doctor.

Kathryn turned back to him, "Yes please," she said.

"Right then," said the Doctor, getting to his feet, "How long until we have to leave?"

"Half an hour," said Chakotay, "The away teams are preparing as we speak."

"Have Tom bring us into a low orbit before he joins his team," said Kathryn, "As we have no risk of affecting the life forms down there with our presence it would make sense for us to stay as close to the planet as possible. Make sure both the Doctor and Donna are issued with standard Starfleet equipment for the mission. We may be going planet-side without adhering to protocol but we'll be by the book when we get there."

"Ahh Captain, what exactly does standard Starfleet issue equipment consist of?" said the Doctor.

"Communicators, which you already have, a tri-corder and a phaser," said Kathryn.

"I don't do guns," said the Doctor, "Whether they're set to stun or not. Donna's choice is hers of course but I won't carry a weapon."

"I don't want a gun," said Donna.

"You'd go unarmed down to a planet you've not been to before?" said Kathryn.

The Doctor nodded, "Let's just call that my Prime Directive."

"Very well," said Kathryn, "I trust you won't look badly on my crew for adhering to our own protocols though."

"Not at all," said the Doctor, "Starfleet has rules for a reason, even if it would be more fun to break them."

"Thank you Doctor," said Kathryn, "Commander, make the reviews on the away teams and then meet us outside the TARDIS in fifteen minutes."

"Aye Captain," said Chakotay as he turned and left the ready room with all the bearing of his Starfleet training.

"Well then, we'd best get the TARDIS ready for you," said the Doctor, "Donna let's leave these good people to their work, allons-y!"

Kathryn laughed as the Doctor grabbed his companion's hand and dragged her to the door, the two of them clearly lit by the excitement of the coming away mission. Kathryn returned to her desk with the PADD Chakotay had given her, the report as comprehensive as ever and she could almost hear his voice as she read it through. She failed to keep the smile from her face, glad that after their recent trials they were in a relatively safe area of space and able to enjoy the prospect of an away mission. She knew that Chakotay would be protective of her throughout the time they were planet-side but she had been glad that he had offered no protest to her going or to them traveling down to the planet in the TARDIS.

She set the PADD to one side and got to her feet, leaving her ready room and heading out onto the Bridge. The view screen showed their approach to the planet, Tom handling the ship with ease, leaving her as glad as ever that she had liberated him from his confinement in New Zealand to accompany her crew in pursuit of the Marquis.

"Mister Tuvok, did the Commander inform you of the change to the away teams?"

"Aye Captain," said Tuvok, "Are you certain you are making the correct decision in utilising the Doctor's vessel as a transport to the surface?"

"You're going in the TARDIS?" said Tom, turning from the conn.

"Concentrate Mister Paris, I don't want Voyager leaving a permanent mark on the planet," said Kathryn, "But yes, the Commander and I are accompanying the Doctor and Miss Noble to the planet in the TARDIS. I'll keep an open comm.-link until we're planet-side."

"Very good Captain," said Tuvok, as Voyager gave a slight judder as she entered orbit.

Kathryn took her customary seat, watching the swirl of the upper atmosphere of the planet before them, "Mister Paris, get us into the lowest orbit you can. Lieutenant Tuvok, once the away teams have left the ship I'd like you to maintain orbit and conduct sweeps of the atmosphere, let's see if there is anything we can use. You have full autonomy to utilise any staff or equipment necessary whilst we're away, contact with the away teams, other than the standard reports, is only needed in an emergency."

"Aye Captain."

"We're in the lowest orbit we can be Captain," said Tom, "Establishing stabilisers then she'll be good to go."

"Thank you Tom," said Kathryn before she tapped her comm.-badge, "Janeway to Chakotay."

"Go ahead Captain."

"Are the away teams assembled?"

"Yes Ma'am," said Chakotay, "The Doctor has reported that the TARDIS is ready to leave and both shuttles have passed their pre-launch checks. Once you and Mister Paris arrive we should be ready to go."

"We're on our way," said Kathryn, "Janeway out. Mister Paris are you ready?"

"Yes Ma'am," he said as one of the replacement Bridge staff took his place at the helm.

Kathryn headed to the turbo-lift with the Lieutenant at her heels, "Mister Tuvok you have the Bridge," she said, "Let's hope this away mission has us serving up something delightful in the mess hall tonight."

"Such thoughts are illogical Captain," said the Vulcan, "The success of the away mission will not vastly improve Mister Neelix's abilities in the mess hall."

Kathryn laughed, often wondering how much of a dry wit truly lay beneath her friend's emotionless exterior, "Indeed," she said before the turbo-lift doors closed behind her and Paris, "Shuttle bay. I understand you've been putting our century to shame Mister Paris, Miss Noble seems rather impressed that she could drink you under the table."

Tom cast his gaze to his boots, "I was letting her win."

"That's the reason why you look like the fresh air on the planet will do you some good then?" said Kathryn before she tapped his shoulder, "I won't tell a soul."

"With all due respect Captain if you know then I would imagine the entire ship does," he said.

"Either that or I haven't lost all my powers of observation," she said, "You were three sheets to the wind by the time I left the holodeck last night."

"The woman is a machine," said Tom, "And the Doctor had double everyone else and wasn't even stumbling."

"Well then you should make sure not to keep pace with him," said the Captain, as the lift slowed and the doors opened onto the busy shuttle bay, "I'll see you on the surface Lieutenant."

Kathryn greeted those of her crew who were busy assembling by their respective shuttles, needing little input from Chakotay though he still ensured that all was done by the book, the crew quick to follow his commands. He spotted Tom join Neelix's assembled team and turned, a smile lighting his face as he saw the captain. He headed to her side the belt holding her phaser and tri-corder in his hand, clearly already prepared and tested in anticipation of her arrival.

"Captain," he said, before he fastened the belt around her waist, barely suppressing the smile on his face at the shock on hers.

"Thank you Commander," she said, glad the crew were too engaged with preparations to notice the familiarity of the gesture, "Are we ready?"

"Yes Ma'am," he said motioning towards the TARDIS, "It appears your carriage awaits."

Kathryn smiled, "I still can't see how that thing is going to fly."

"On faith alone I would imagine," said Chakotay, "It's not too late to prepare the Sacajawea."

"And miss the experience?" she said, "Where's your sense of adventure?"

Chakotay smiled, "You're like a kid at Christmas," he said as they made their way to the blue box, knocking on the door as they reached it.

"Open," came the Doctor's voice from inside.

Chakotay let her precede him inside, following her up the ramp and to the central hub of the control room. Donna already sat in the pilot's chair, her foot propped on the console in front of her until the Doctor knocked it down in passing. He came swiftly to attention and offered them both a playful salute.

"Ready whenever you are Kathryn," he said.

"Very well Doctor though please, when we're planet-side, it must be Captain," she said.

The Doctor put on a convincing pout, "But I'm not Starfleet," he said before he caught her look, "Alright Captain, whenever you're ready."

Kathryn tapped her comm.-badge, "Janeway to away teams, are we ready to proceed?"

"Ready and waiting Captain," came Tom's voice across the comm.

"All systems go," said B'Elanna.

"Very well, the TARDIS will take the lead," she said, "I want a standard descent formation. All hands not on the away teams please clear the shuttle bay."

"The shuttle bay is clear Captain," came Tuvok's voice over the comm. a moment later.

"Thank you Tuvok, please begin depressurisation," said Kathryn, "Away teams, power engines."

She jumped as the column before her began to glow brighter and it internal workings began to move, the TARDIS rasping as it did so. The Doctor moved confidently around the console, flicking switches as he went.

"Depressurisation complete Captain," said Tuvok.

"Open the space doors," said Kathryn, "Doctor, take us out."

"Aye Captain," said the Doctor throwing a lever on the console, "Hold on tight."

The TARDIS gave a lurch and Kathryn found herself glad for the nearby support beam as she lost her footing. She shot a look across to Chakotay who was also steadying himself on one of the beams, his face clearly revealing his wishes to be elsewhere. The Doctor however appeared unperturbed, all but dancing around the console as he worked.

"We've cleared the shuttle bay," he said, "Setting a course for the planet."

"How can you see where you're going?" said the Captain.

"The TARDIS knows what she's doing," said the Doctor before the ship gave an almighty lurch, "But she's got the hiccups. Donna!"

"What?"

"Get off your bum and hold down the yellow button in front of you."

"Slave labour, that's what I am," said Donna but she got up and complied all the same, the ride smoothing out.

"Doctor is this ship safe?" said Chakotay, making his way to Kathryn's side where she stood mesmerised by the workings of the central column.

"Of course...well, relatively safe...mostly safe," said the Doctor.

"This is brilliant," said Kathryn, "That column is moving, propelling us through space and yet it works on the basis of an impossibility."

The Doctor left the console and headed to her, taking her hand and tugging her up beside him. He guided her hands to one lever and a small disc on the console before her. He guided her movements, stood at her back and watching the swirling symbols on the small screen as he helped her steer the ship.

"The only member of Starfleet to ever pilot a TARDIS," he said, "How does it feel?"

"When I reach the planet I'll tell you," said Kathryn, "Are we really moving?"

The Doctor tapped the comm.-badge on his chest, "TARDIS to Lieutenant Paris," he said.

"Go ahead Doctor," came the response.

"How are we looking Tom?"

"Impossible," said Tom, "But you're fine, we're following you down. I can't believe that you're flying a wooden box through the atmosphere without bursting into flames."

"Pretty special isn't she?" said the Doctor, "See you planet side."

He tapped off his badge before he stepped back from Kathryn, causing her to look over her shoulder in concern.

"Doctor I haven't got a clue what I'm doing," she said, "I've got no idea what that screen is telling me."

"You're doing fine," said the Doctor, "Trust your instincts and the TARDIS, she won't let us fall."

"But how do I land?"

"Oh you expect me to land it?" said the Doctor, "I hadn't got round to fixing that part."

"What?"

"Relax, he's just winding you up," said Donna, "Don't tease her Doctor."

The Doctor laughed, "Sorry, it's just quite amusing to see the unflappable Captain Janeway with utter panic on her face," he said.

Kathryn smiled, "You forget which one of us has a phaser Doctor."

"You forget how well I know you Kathryn," he said leaning against one of the supports and looking over to Chakotay, "Do you want a go?"

"And stop the Captain playing with her newest toy?" said Chakotay, "I value my life Doctor."

"Oh you've got him well trained," said the Doctor before the console beeped, "Even the TARDIS thinks so. Turn the disc a quarter turn to your right Captain, looks like we're drifting a little."

Kathryn did as she was told, the TARDIS feeling as though it was barely moving but being so close to the console she heard the slight hitch in the rhythm of the engines as she completed the turn. She felt the shudder as they hit another layer of atmosphere but her confidence in the ship kept her steady, finding the descent less bumpy than she was used to in a shuttle. She knew she was being watched, both the Doctor and Chakotay behind her and she felt like a cadet assessed by her instructors as she tried her first simulation at the Academy.

"Away team to TARDIS."

"Hello, what are you after?" said the Doctor as Tom's voice rang out in the control room.

"I asked Tom to contact you Doctor," came Kes' voice.

"Kes! Hello sweetheart," said the Doctor, the young Ocampan having endeared herself to him the second they had met in sickbay two days before, "What can I do for you?"

"Doctor this is going to sound strange but I can...I can hear the TARDIS."

The Doctor grinned, "Of course you can, you lot are telepaths," he said, "She's singing to you, don't worry she won't hurt you."

"I've heard her singing since she came onboard Doctor," said Kes, "But at the moment she sounds distressed, I don't know why though, is everything alright over there?"

The Doctor went to the view screen, tapping a few buttons as the whirling script altered before him, "All systems are fine at the moment, they..."

The TARDIS gave a violent lurch, flinging all the occupants within sprawling across the floor. The console sparked and beeped wildly as the TARDIS continued to shake, forcing Kathryn to use all her strength to right herself on her feet using the coral like support columns.

"Doctor what's happening?"

"Those repairs I made," he said pulling out the sonic screwdriver, "They're unmaking."

"You'd better not be joking again," said Kathryn, "Because its not funny."

"Definitely not joking," he said, pulling up one of the grates, "Take hold of the controls again, try and see if you can straighten us up a bit."

"How am I supposed to know how to do that?" said Kathryn.

"Just move them until we stop rolling around so much," said the Doctor diving beneath the console, "Donna, straight ahead of you, press the blue button, then the green one and then spin the silver dial. Now."

Donna did as she could on instinct, the TARDIS lurching and throwing them once more when she'd finished.

"Kathryn, you need to get us straightened out," said the Doctor.

"But I don't know how."

"Improvise," he called back, "Need a little help down here Commander, how's your knowledge of temporal physics?"

"Academy theory and that's rusty," said Chakotay, following him beneath the console.

"Good job I just need you to hold this then," said the Doctor handing him a bundle of wires.

"Torres to Janeway."

"A little busy right now Lieutenant," said Kathryn, still fighting to right the ships controls.

"The TARDIS is approaching the planet too quickly, you'll be vapourised on impact. Transporters from Voyager are still offline but we're preparing to beam you out to one of the shuttles."

"Tell her no," said the Doctor, "With the TARDIS malfunctioning you'll end up being scrambled on the way out."

"Make no attempt Lieutenant," said Kathryn, "Everything is under control here."

"Captain?"

"Everything is under control," said Kathryn killing the link before she thumped the console, "Why won't this blasted thing just work?"

The TARDIS squeaked and spat sparks but then the ride leveled, the engine noise leveling out and the lights returning to full function. The Doctor looked up from the bundle of wires Chakotay still held before him, one eyebrow heading to his hairline.

"What did you just do to my ship?"

"Hit her," said Kathryn sheepishly, "Worked a treat though."

"Clearly," said the Doctor, before he removed the wires from Chakotay's hands, "Does she do that to you when you don't behave?"

"Not as yet though I think I'll be keeping my distance from now on," said Chakotay only just masking the amusement on his face at the look his Captain threw him.

"Doctor I can't believe I fixed this ship just by hitting it," said Kathryn, "Surely you must have done something."

The Doctor shook his head, "Sometimes she just needs a good wallop," he said helping Chakotay out of the grating and heading to the console, "Besides, I think she likes you. Shall we get back on course?"

"This bloody ship will be the death of me, I swear," said Donna, swatting the Doctor on the shoulder, "You could have got us killed."

"Nah, a little bumped maybe but not killed," said the Doctor, before he tapped his comm.-badge, "TARDIS to away teams. Time to calm down shipmates, we're all sorted here and back on course."

"Good to hear that Doctor," said Tom, "But can we have that confirmed by the Captain."

"We're fine Lieutenant," said Kathryn, "Just a glitch, we're getting back on course and will see you down on the planet."

"Panicking much?" said the Doctor as Kathryn broke the link.

"They just watched a flimsy blue box throw their command team on a tail spin through space," said Chakotay, "They're understandably concerned."

"And as over protective as ever," said Kathryn, meeting Donna's gaze, "The boys think I can't handle myself."

"Macho act?"

"All the time," said Kathryn.

"Look out," said the Doctor, "If those two start comparing notes then we'll have no hope."

"And it was you that I was worried about having on board," said Chakotay, meeting Kathryn's gaze with an innocent look, "What?"

"Thin ice mister," she said her hands moving across the console before her but she knew it was the TARDIS that was truly in control of their flight path, "Are we going to land?"

"Unless you want to stay floating around up here all day I guess it would be prudent," said the Doctor moving the screen to face him, "But its going to be bumpy, that slap may have made the TARDIS fly straight but we still have problems."

"Would it be safer to go back to Voyager?" said Chakotay.

"Safer, yes," said the Doctor before he nudged the woman beside him, "But not nearly as much fun."

"Only wimps would go back to Voyager," said Donna, "Go on, let him land."

Kathryn bit her lip and ran her hands absently over the edge of the console before she shot a smile across to her First Officer, "Am I allowed to make you worry about me a little longer Commander?"

"Do I have a choice in the matter?" he said, "Besides, we have the pride of Voyager's crew on our shoulders."

"I knew there was a reason I let you come along," said Kathryn with a smile, "Take us down Doctor."

The Doctor grinned maniacally, "You'd better hold onto something," he said before he stopped Donna from heading across to Chakotay, "On the ship Donna, not him."

"Spoil sport," she said before she took hold of one of the support pillars.

Kathryn stepped back from the console, taking hold of one of the bars that ran around the edge of the raised platform as the Doctor began to work. He danced around the controls, the TARDIS once more pitching in noise and the smooth ride grew erratic. She looked across at her First Officer before she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Something I should know?" she said as Donna started to follow the Doctor's instructions, paying the pair of them no mind.

"Don't be ridiculous," said Chakotay, "Its Tom you should be worrying about."

"I think we both know that Mister Paris is more than capable of taking care of himself," said Kathryn as the TARDIS lurched once more, "Were we wise to agree to this?"

Chakotay reached a hand across to her, glad when she took it without hesitation, "Just hold on tight," he said, "And remember that we're doing this for Voyager's pride."

Kathryn grinned as they gave an almighty lurch, throwing them both into one of the nearby pillars, "It's scary as hell though," she cried though the laughter was clear in her voice.

"We're nearing the surface," called the Doctor over the din, "Hold on tight!"

The drop into the descent was the most terrifying yet, even a shuttle crash in a volatile atmosphere a more comfortable ride as the TARDIS seemed to spin on her own axis, sending them tumbling over the grating and into the supports. It was far from screams though that echoed in the cavernous room, laughter and cries of delight augmenting the sound of the TARDIS in full flight. Finally with an almighty bump they landed, even the Doctor thrown flat on his back in the impact.

Kathryn lay sprawled next to Chakotay and instinctively looked across to see that he was alright, catching the same querying look in his eyes as she met his gaze. She was the one who broke first, a smile and then a laugh bubbling from her as she realised they had both come out unscathed. He got to his feet before he offered her a hand to help her up from the floor.

"Anything broken?" he said.

"All in one piece," said Kathryn before she reached a hand up to her hair, "Well mostly, do I look a fright?"

"You look beautiful," he said before he checked himself and turned to the others "That was one hell of a landing."

"Glad you approved," said the Doctor, dusting himself off, "It's not usually that bad."

"Liar," said Donna, "I can't remember the last time we landed somewhere without the bruises."

"I certainly didn't expect just to drop out of the upper atmosphere," said Kathryn, fixing her hair.

The Doctor shot her a look of mock indignation, "We did not just drop out of the upper atmosphere," he said, "This is a sophisticated time ship beyond all comprehension of you Federation types."

Chakotay placed a hand on the other man's shoulder, "So we just dropped out of the upper atmosphere then?"

"In one piece all the same," said the Doctor with a smile, "Shall we head on out before Miss Torres decides to use Klingon bargaining techniques to get through the door?"

"Klingon bargaining techniques?" said Donna.

"Fists first," said Chakotay, "First rule of Starfleet, don't upset the Klingons."

"Hardly the most appropriate picture to paint of Starfleet, Commander," said Kathryn heading to the door before she threw a look over her shoulder, "But true nonetheless. Come along you three."

Kathryn pushed open the TARDIS doors, not quite knowing what to expect on the outside but she was happy to see before her the temperate wooded area they had chosen to land on, nearby voices letting her know that they had landed near to the other away teams.

She tapped her comm.-badge, "Janeway to away teams, are we down?"

"All clear, Captain," came Tom's voice, swiftly followed by B'Elanna's affirmative.

"Are your groups together?" said Kathryn.

"Yes Ma'am," said Paris, "My tri-corder has the power signature for the TARDIS, located about twenty metres to the east of our landing sight."

"In other words we can follow the voices," said Kathryn, "We'll be right there, Janeway out."

She turned to see Donna with her arms spread wide, taking in the sights and sounds of the planet.

"I could never get tired of this," said Donna, "Another new world. Me, a temp from Chiswick, standing on a planet in the Delta quadrant in the twenty-fourth century. How brilliant is that?"

The Doctor beamed at her enthusiasm, "The twenty-fourth century is just the start Donna," he said, "One day you and I are going to stand on the first planet ever formed after the creation of the universe, watch a meteor wipe out the dinosaurs from planet Earth, see Kathryn Janeway made Admiral at Starfleet Headquarters in San Francisco, moments before she hands Voyager's captaincy to her former First Officer."

"Admiral?" said Kathryn.

"I thought you were avoiding telling us anything of our personal history Doctor," said Chakotay.

"Its not your history until it happens," said the Doctor, "And time is always in flux, things can change."

"Maybe you'll be made Admiral Chakotay and your first act will be to bust me down to crewman," said Kathryn, "But for now, I'm still in charge and I say we rendezvous with the other away teams before they get themselves into all sorts of trouble."

"You heard the lady Donna, allons-y," said the Doctor falling into step behind Kathryn.

Donna swiftly followed, throwing an enthusiastic smile over her shoulder to Chakotay that he couldn't help but return as he made the last of their column. The trees parted to reveal the landing sites of the other two shuttles, the away teams already gathered and arranging the equipment they would need for their respective tasks. They all came to attention as they spotted the captain but Kathryn waved them down, heading to the leaders of both parties and comparing notes on their descent before issuing orders and rendezvous times to them.

B'Elanna soon led her team away, heading towards the nearby hills that promised to yield various elements that Voyager needed for engineering and various other essential functions, while Tom's team remained in the clearing with the Captain and the crew from the TARDIS. Kes had immediately joined the Doctor and Donna, the young Ocampan clearly sharing a far deeper bond with their Time Lord visitor than the rest of a crew when it came to the capabilities of their minds. Kathryn allowed her to occupy her guests while she dealt with the business of splitting the teams into the most effective search groups, Neelix's expertise on the plant life available no longer as reliable and the need to search all the more apparent.

"Mister Neelix, if you would go with Kes, Ensign Kim and Ensign Crag," said Kathryn, "Chakotay and I will accompany Mister Paris and our two newest crew members."

"Actually Captain, Kes has already asked to accompany the Doctor," said Neelix, "Perhaps we could take Miss Noble in her place."

Kathryn frowned, "I'm not sure that the Doctor and Donna would be happy at being separated," she said, "What do you think Chakotay?"

"Only they can answer that and I think we've got beyond them being a security concern," he said, "Donna and Harry appear to have been getting on well though, it might make her more amenable to the idea and keep the teams at a decent number."

"Very well," said Kathryn, "Doctor, Donna, could I speak to you both a moment?"

The Doctor bounded over with his companion in tow, both of them beaming happily at the freedom of the planet and the beauty of their surroundings.

"What can we do for you Kathryn?" he said.

Kathryn arched an eyebrow, "Firstly you can remember the rules for away missions, Doctor," she said.

The Doctor frowned and rolled his eyes in mock exasperation, "Aye Captain," he said before he nudged her and spoke in an exaggerated whisper, "I bet you're a Kitty in the bedroom though."

Kathryn failed to fight the smile that came to her face, "That is something you will never find out," she said, swiftly regaining her command, "We may be altering the away teams and I wanted to speak to you both. Kes has requested to join us but that would leave our teams uneven so Mister Neelix offered to let Donna accompany his team while Kes joins ours."

"Sounds like a plan," said the Doctor, "I'm sure Donna can handle being without me for while."

"I can more than handle it Space Man," said Donna, "You can go and talk nerd talk while we have some fun."

"That seems all settled then," said the Doctor, offering Kathryn his arm, "Shall we Captain?"

The captain smiled, patting his arm but began walking off without taking it, "We'll take the path north," she said, "Mister Neelix, take your group around to the South West, we had some encouraging readings from there before we landed. We'll rendezvous here in four hours and compare notes. Mister Paris if you would take the point."

"Aye Captain," said Tom but he was stopped as Donna took hold of his arm, standing on her toes to press a kiss to his cheek.

"Catch you later loser," she said.

Tom smiled but stepped back, "I'll see you later," he said, shooting a quick glance at his Captain, glad to see that she did not appear put out by Donna's actions.

Kathryn's expression darkened though as Donna offered the same gesture to Chakotay.

"Don't want you feeling left out," said Donna.

"Oh put him down for goodness sake," said the Doctor, "You humans, you're all the same."

"Jealous much," said Donna taking Harry's arm as she joined her own group, "You just know how much you're missing out on Space Man."

"Be off with you," said the Doctor, "And behave."

"Yes sir," said Donna as Neelix led their group away, their newest member throwing waves back until they disappeared into the trees.

"Your friend has such spirit Doctor, I'm sure you can't have a quiet moment on the TARDIS," said Kes.

"Just the way I like it," said the Doctor.

"Shall we get on?" said Kathryn, irritation clear in her voice, "I would like to have some supplies back on Voyager before nightfall."

She didn't wait for a response as she led them in the opposite direction to Neelix's group, the woodland dense but fairly easy to navigate. She kept her gaze fixed on her tri-corder but the readings held little for her as she questioned her reaction to Donna's friendly display to her First Officer. The group seemed to sense the change in mood, Chakotay and Tom both concentrating on their work entirely whilst Kes and the Doctor kept their voices low over the buzz of a tri-corder and the sonic screwdriver. She knew she was being irrational, that Donna's flirtatious nature was merely part of her make up and that she had had little reaction to the kiss she had given Tom, but she couldn't hide the irksome feeling that crept into her gut at the sight of her kissing Chakotay.

She risked a glance over to him, his back to her as he studied some flora that had shown up as a potential food source on their initial scans but swiftly turned her attention back to her tri-corder as she felt someone come up beside her.

"You know," said the Doctor quietly in her ear, "A reaction based on jealousy usually indicates some sort of romantic feeling towards a person when they are put in a situation that would put them at risk of a liaison with another."

Kathryn looked up at him, trying to keep her face neutral, "I'm not sure I know what you mean Doctor."

"Why do you hide your feelings for him Kathryn?" said the Doctor, "Starfleet is a long way away."

"Doctor unless you have something to add to the task at hand I would suggest that you refrain from any frivolous conversation until both you and I are off duty," said Kathryn, knowing her temper shouldn't be directed at him but unable to stop herself all the same, "You requested to come on this away mission to assist my crew and therefore I will ask you to act as part of it. Maintain scans and report any findings that may be of interest to Commander Chakotay or Lieutenant Paris. I'm going to scout ahead for any further food sources."

"Aye Captain," said the Doctor at her back as she walked off into the brush ahead.

The Doctor turned back to the rest of the group, catching Tom's eye as he looked to where the Captain had disappeared into the trees.

"Where's the Captain going?" he said.

"Scouting ahead," said the Doctor, "Which to all intents is Starfleet for leave me alone."

"Perhaps someone should go after her," said Kes, "I know the scans didn't identify any large predators in the area but that doesn't mean we won't encounter anything hostile."

The Doctor turned in an arc, the sonic screwdriver buzzing in his hand, "I'm not detecting anything that could be of concern."

"Is there a problem over there?" said Chakotay from the other side of the copse.

"No sir," said Tom, "Just comparing sensor readings. The Captain has gone on ahead."

"Alone?" said Chakotay, turning his tri-corder in the direction Kathryn had taken, "She's not far ahead, Mister Paris perhaps you should join her. Doctor, Kes help me continue scans here, several of these plants look like they would be suitable for consumption by the majority of our crew but I wanted a detailed analysis of them. I do not want to find half a shift inebriated on narcotics from a stew like we had last time we took something at face value."

"Best dinner time ever," said Tom with a blissful expression, "I never seen the Captain so mellow."

"A relaxed Captain was one thing Lieutenant," said Chakotay, "Two ensigns launching themselves from the ship in an escape pod because they thought we had been over run by Vidians was quite another."

Tom barely covered his laugh, "Yes sir," he said, "I'll go find the Captain then shall I?"

"Unless you want to be scrubbing the plasma manifolds for the next month," said Chakotay.

Tom quickly headed in the direction the Captain had taken, not even glancing back to see the slight smile quirk his commanding officer's lips at the standard response to the common threat.

"Kes, did you bring a medical tri-corder?" said Chakotay, "We need to make sure we're not taking any contaminants onboard. Doctor if you would use, whatever that thing is, perhaps we could identify something that tastes a little more palatable than Leola root."

"Aye sir," said the Doctor, turning his attention to the task despite his amusement at finding himself a honourary member of Starfleet.

They continued their search, selecting and testing the plants in the area and finding several that could be easily used in the mess hall and in some cases having medicinal properties that Kes wanted to cultivate in the event of them being unable to replicate certain drugs in times of trouble. It was only the chirruping of Chakotay's comm.-badge that cut through the working atmosphere.

"Paris to Chakotay."

"Go ahead Lieutenant."

"I've found the Captain's tri-corder, it's been smashed, and I can't raise her on the comm.," came Tom's voice over the link, "No signs of a struggle but life sign scans are erratic and there's…there's a cliff edge sir."

Chakotay paled, "Keep looking Tom," he said, "We're on our way. Doctor, Kes, switch to scan for life signs, I want her found."

The Doctor followed with growing concern as Chakotay led them to Tom's location, panic evident in his stride alone even though he tried to mask it. They reached the open area where Tom was still scouting, the smashed tri-corder laying abandoned on the sandy coloured ground. The view itself was breathtaking from the cliff edge but the drop was sheer and of a height that could do damage. The Doctor hurried to the edge, peering into the pool below, its make up more mud than water.

"Commander," he said not even needing the sonic screwdriver to divine the nature of the captain's disappearance, the edge of the cliff freshly broken, "She fell."

Not a word was uttered as Voyager's crew took off down the side of the slope, finding a safer path than their Captain had clearly taken but still having to scramble down the most part. They hit bottom, the muddy depths before them thick and viscose with no signs of life breaking the surface.

"Kathryn?" called Chakotay, titles abandoned in the search.

"Commander," said Kes, "I'm reading life signs, they seem to be distorted by the mud but they're strong nonetheless. She's still alive."

"But maybe not for long, that doesn't look like it would be easy to swim in," said Tom, "Especially not in full uniform."

"Can you get a more accurate reading from her Kes?" said Chakotay, "Any idea where she is in that?"

"Right beneath us and moving," said the Doctor turning away from the muddy lake and following the sonic screwdriver to a cave in the base of the cliff, "And I'm not reading the same substance beneath here as I was in the lake."

He knelt down before lying flat out and putting his ear to the floor. He pounded his fist against the floor three times and waited before tapping his comm.-badge, "Kathryn can you hear me, it's the Doctor?"

There was no response but he smiled all the same as the sonic screwdriver beeped.

"There's a tunnel under here, an underground tunnel and she's in there," he said, "Her badge is damaged but it gave off enough of a signal for the sonic screwdriver to pick up. Chakotay can you modulate your phasers to cut through rock?"

"It can be done but without a full survey of the tunnel we could risk a cave in," he said, "The Captain would be crushed."

"Nah," said the Doctor, "I only want to make a little hole, it won't cave in. It's that or leave her down there."

Chakotay's comm.-badge gave an ineffective beep before the signal gave out, "She's trying to contact us."

"And if I make the tiniest hole we can throw one of our badges down and at least reassure her that we know she's there," said the Doctor, "Getting the idea now? Phaser, please."

Chakotay tugged the phaser from his belt and passed it to the Doctor without further question, watching the Time Lord swiftly modify the settings before he got to his feet and aiming it at the rocks below.

"Here goes nothing," said the Doctor, "Just like resonating concrete…but more effective, even with flyboy in the vicinity."

The crew didn't have time to question him as he fired the phaser, the beam hitting the rock and slowly boring a whole in the surface. Cracks appeared at the edge and Chakotay pulled both Kes and Tom back from them, fearing that the entire floor would cave in, taking them with it.

"Kes, life signs?" he said.

"Still strong, though her heart rate is elevated," said Kes, "She probably can see or hear something happening above her and is naturally concerned."

"Keep an eye on her, they spike to anything dangerous I want to know about it."

"Aye sir," said Kes.

"Stop panicking over there, I'm nearly done," said the Doctor as the rock continued to crack under the phaser beam, "Almost there and…off. Can you hear me Kathryn?"

The others moved forward as the Doctor got to his knees by the small hole he'd made, chucking Chakotay the phaser as he leant down and peered into the darkness below.

"Hello! Kathryn? Are you down there?" said the Doctor.

"Doctor?" came the faint response from below.

"Voyager search and rescue at your disposal," said the Doctor, "How did you get yourself down there?"

"Who else is there with you?" said Kathryn.

The Doctor looked up at those around him and touched a finger to his lips, "I'm on my own but I've sent for the others," he said, "We'll need to know how you got down there if we want to get you out."

"You can be ingenious Doctor, I'm sure," said Kathryn, "Are they definitely not with you?"

"No one here but us chickens," said the Doctor.

"Beyond strange, you are," said Kathryn, "I managed to pitch myself off that cliff above, if there'd been a reason for it I'd have a story to tell. Guess I wasn't concentrating. There's a sink hole it the mud, I was lucky to hit it, and it came out in here. I've pulled myself along this far but the mud's sticky, it's hard to move and both my phaser and comm.-badge have jammed. I don't know how I'm getting out of here in a hurry."

"We'll get you out, don't worry," said the Doctor before he winked at the others, "I can hear the others now, I'm going to throw you down a comm.-badge so we can all talk a little easier, save you having to shout."

"Thanks Doctor," said Kathryn, "But I think I'll lose the badge if you drop it down here, I can't see a thing."

"Can you see the light from the hole above you?"

"Only just," said Kathryn, "You're a good twelve feet up from me. It's not giving me much light down here."

"Perhaps we could lower it down to her," said Kes.

"The only problem is standard Starfleet away kit doesn't include string," said Tom.

"But Time Lord away kit does," said the Doctor yanking a circular object from his pocket and pulling loose the length of string from around it, "Never go anywhere without a yo-yo, they always come in handy."

"A what?" said Chakotay.

"Yo-yo," said the Doctor, rolling his eyes at the blank expression he received, "God you Federation types, if it's not holographically projected you can't get any enjoyment from it."

"And if it's not a sweeping generalization…" said Chakotay pulling off his comm.-badge and placing it in the Doctor's hand, "Send that down to the Captain."

The Doctor attached the badge to the string and began to lower it down the hole, "Heads up Kathryn, it's on its way," he said, "Reach up and I'll lower it into your hands. Give the string a tug when you have the badge."

He continued to lower the string until he felt a tug, waiting a moment before reeling the string back up without the badge attached and stuffing it into his pocket. He tapped his own comm.-badge before he spoke.

"Rescue team to Janeway."

"Very funny," came Kathryn's response, "At least I don't have to shout anymore."

"Are you hurt Captain?" said Tom.

"Only my pride Lieutenant," said Kathryn, "Any ideas how I can get out of here?"

"I can contact the ship; see if we can get the transporters online," said Chakotay, "They were only down for routine maintenance."

"Transporters won't be of any use Commander," said Kathryn, "Before I ended up down here I had high metal ore readings on my tri-corder, it would probably reduce the chance of getting a good lock on me."

"How's the structure of the cave below? Could we cut through without causing a cave in?" said Chakotay.

"I can't see anything but judging by the echo its pretty hollow and I can't feel any sort of structure nearby," she said, "The tunnel is probably about six foot across, double that in height. I can hear water in both directions but the sound is distorted. If you could send me down a tri-corder I could give you a better idea."

"Did you say you can hear water at each end?" said the Doctor.

"I think so," said Kathryn.

"Stay there," said the Doctor.

"Can't exactly go far," said Kathryn as the Doctor got to his feet and headed towards the back of the cave with the sonic screwdriver in his hand.

"Chakotay," said the Doctor, "Get her to walk forward, towards the back of the cave."

"Tom give me your badge," said Chakotay, activating it as he placed it in his hand, "Chakotay to Janeway, can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear Commander."

"The Doctor wants you to walk towards the back of the cave, follow the tunnel away from where you got in," he said.

"I can't see an inch in front of me Chakotay," said Kathryn, "How do I know if I'm going in the right direction?"

"Hang on a minute. I'll keep the comm.-link open," he said heading towards where the Doctor stood and pulling out the modified phaser, "I'm going to make another hole, the light should be able to guide you"

"Standing by Commander," said Kathryn.

Chakotay fired the phaser, the rock soon giving beneath the beam and leaving a small hole, several inches across, "Can you see the light?"

"Trying to convert me Commander?" said Kathryn, with a laugh, "I can see it, it's faint but there. I'm heading towards you now. This mud is disgusting, feels like I've been swimming in glue."

"Any ill effects from it, we haven't had a chance to analyse it?" said Chakotay.

"Aside from being damp and cold I'm fine," said Kathryn, "I'm under the light."

"Any epiphanies?" said Chakotay.

"Funny," said Kathryn, "What now?"

"I'm awaiting instructions," said Chakotay, "Doctor?"

The Doctor had moved further into the cave, running the sonic screwdriver over the solid wall at the very back. He finally gave a triumphant call, replacing the sonic screwdriver with his hands as he search a slim crack in the stone, "There's a gap here and its wet," he said, "This must give us some access to the chamber below, the water has to get in from somewhere. I think we can risk blasting it open with a phaser, the structure of the cave is better here."

"Did you get that Kathryn?" said Chakotay.

"Just about," she said, "You're not going to bring this place down on top of me are you?"

"It would mean I could finally get my hands on your ship, Captain," said Chakotay.

"It's a good thing I trust you," said Kathryn, "Go ahead, I want to get out of here."

"Hang tight then," said Chakotay, "Do you want me to keep the line open?"

"Please," said Kathryn, "It's lonely down here."

"We'll try to keep you company," said Chakotay, pulling loose the modified phaser and passing it to the Doctor, "Start working Doctor, let me know when you start to get through. I'm going to have Tom and Kes begin some scans."

The Doctor nodded before muttering something about needing a distraction as he turned his attention to his work. Chakotay left the back of the cave, rejoining the remaining too members of the team.

"We think we can get the Captain out through a hollow at the back of the cave," he said, "No point you standing idle while we do though, I want you both to run some scans on the mud she fell in, make sure there's nothing in there that we should be worried about."

"I'm fine Chakotay," came Kathryn's voice from his comm.-badge.

"Maybe but its standard procedure," said the Commander, "If there's anything we need to worry about let me know and contact the Doctor…our Doctor."

"Yes sir," said Tom heading towards the mouth of the cave, "Come on Kes."

"We'll have you out soon Captain," said the Ocampan gently, "Just try to relax."

"I am relaxed," said Kathryn nonchalantly.

"I'm monitoring your life signs Captain," said Kes with a sympathetic smile, "Relax, we'll get you out."

"Thanks Kes," said Kathryn, her voice holding somewhat less authority than usual.

Chakotay waited until both of his subordinates were out of ear shot before he spoke again, "Are you getting yourself worked up down there?" he said, "No one can hear you but me Kathryn."

Kathryn sighed, "I never liked the dark, it used to terrify me when I was little," she said.

"We've run scans, there's no life forms down there that could be of any harm to you," said Chakotay, "Anything I could do to make you feel better?"

"Turn back time to when I managed to lose my balance like a cadet and went tumbling into a mud puddle."

"I would have given away a month's replicator rations to have seen that."

"You're a true friend Chakotay," said Kathryn, "How do you fancy a month as Neelix's kitchen assistant?"

"Don't give me the hard act," he said with a laugh, "I know you love me really."

He stifled a groan that wanted to emerge at his unguarded comment, his eyes closing in despair as Kathryn remained silent below. Her voice when it came was far softer than he expected and he couldn't help the smile that replaced his frown.

"Sometimes," she said quietly, "When you behave. You are my best friend after all."

The rationalization at the end of her sentence should have hurt him but he felt no pain, happy that she had not balked entirely at his misguided words. The silence that followed was companionable rather than tense, similar to those that often fell between them after their shared command dinners though for once they weren't seated side by side watching the stars roll by the view port. With the comm.-link still open Chakotay could hear the faint sound of Kathryn's breathing, almost forgetting that there was another person still working in the room. When the realization finally came to him he went to speak to the Doctor only to hear something other than Kathryn over the link.

"What's that noise?" he said, "Kathryn?"

"Trouble, I think…" she said, "Doctor? Doctor please tell me you can get me out of here?"

"Rather delicate work," called the Doctor, "That I've been doing on my own while you to have been gassing."

"You could have said something," said Chakotay, "What's happening down there Kathryn?"

"I don't know but its bad, I can hear…"

"Calm down," said Chakotay, "Calm down Kathryn, we'll get you out."

"Commander!" cried Tom as he ran back into the cave, "The lake outside is sinking, I have feeling its going the same way the Captain went."

Chakotay moved to slap off the link between him and Kathryn but her rapid intake of breath, audible even over the link was enough to tell him he was too late the keep her panic from rising. He hurried to the Time Lord who had begun to work all the harder as he heard Tom's words.

"Get her out of there Doctor," he said.

"What do you think I'm trying to do?" said the Doctor, "Remodulate another phaser and help me get through this rock."

"Commander, her life signs are spiking," said Kes as she returned to the cave.

"Kathryn we're getting you out," said Chakotay, "Kes, contact the ship and get them to bring the transporters online and see if they can beam her out of there."

"Yes sir," said Kes, moving back towards the mouth of the cave to send her transmission.

"Hate to rush you Chakotay but this is a tunnel, there's only one way for anything to go and I can hear it coming," said Kathryn.

"Get as far back as you can," said Chakotay, "If you can get any height pull yourself up."

"Can I do anything from this side?"

"If we have another phaser she could use that to do the same thing her side of the divide," said the Doctor.

"Kes doesn't carry arms," said Chakotay, "She's not a member of Starfleet."

"Then it's up to you and me," said the Doctor before Kes cried out in alarm from beyond, swiftly echoed below by Kathryn.

"What's happening?" said Chakotay.

"Its coming," said Kathryn, her voice breathy as she began to run.

"Doctor picking holes in the rocks isn't going to help anymore," said Chakotay, "Kathryn where are you heading to?"

There was no response, the density of the rock and her growing distance disabling the comm.-link. The Doctor looked up at him but said nothing as he ran to the mouth up the cave, the Voyager crew following him as he headed out and back up the slope they had first run down.

"Where are you going?" cried Tom as he followed but the Doctor failed to answer.

"Chakotay to Voyager, how are those transporters coming?"

"Transporters are online Commander," came Tuvok's measured response, "But we are unable to get a lock on the Captain."

"Keep trying," said Chakotay, "She's wearing my comm.-badge. She's in danger Tuvok."

"Understood sir," said the Vulcan, "Tuvok out."

"Tom! Forget following him," said Chakotay, as the Doctor sped off ahead of them, "Try to lock on to Kathryn and let's see if we can find her."

"Yes sir," said Tom pulling out his tri-corder and beginning to scan.

"Commander the Doctor must know what to do," said Kes, "We should follow him."

"He's running away from the caves, our Captain is down there and I'm not about to trust her safety to him," he said, as the Doctor disappeared from view, "Scan for her, we'll find her and we'll get her out."

"I've got a faint reading," said Tom, holding the tri-corder in front of him and heading back into the trees, "She's running."

"Follow her," said Chakotay as they followed his lead into the woods.

"She's moving fast," said Tom, leaping over fallen logs and navigating the growing density of the plant life, "Too fast."

"How can she move too fast?" said Kes.

"If she got caught in the mud flow," said Chakotay, "Tom we need to get her out."

Any response was cut off as the ground beneath them seemed to rumble, an odd rasping sound echoing from beneath their feet.

"Energy readings are spiking beneath us," he said, "But I can't get a lock on what."

"Commander the Captain's heart rate is spiking, she's almost in respitory arrest," said Kes.

Chakotay slapped his comm.-badge, "Tuvok, you need to pull the Captain out now."

"We are unable to get a lock on her, any attempt to retrieve her would result in her loss," said the Vulcan.

"I can't accept that," said Chakotay, as the rasping sound beneath their feet rose in pitch before falling silent, "Get her out of there."

"Commander," said Kes softly, "She's gone."

"What?"

"The Captain, her life signs," she said sadly, "They just disappeared."