A/N: Thank you for all the reviews. I'm glad you're enjoying the story as much as I'm enjoying writing it.
Please leave a review at the end.
Shock
'Is it a kind of shadow? Reaching into the night. Wandering over the hills unseen, or is it a dream? There's a high wind in the trees. A cold sound in the air and nobody ever knows when you go and when do you start, oh into the dark. Bright eyes, burning like fire. Bright eyes, how can you close and fail. How can the light that burned so brightly suddenly burn so pale? Bright eyes.'- Bright Eyes, Art Garfunkel.
Kes' words had barely sunk in when the rasping sound they had heard beneath them started up again but this time far closer, all of them turning to try and find where the noise had originated from. All three of them froze in dumb wonder as first the outline and then the solid form of the TARDIS materialised before them as though transported, as impossible as the ship itself when no command had been given for it to have been moved so. The door slammed open and someone ran out backwards until she tripped over her own feet and landed with a thump on the ground. It took a moment to register her identity under the layers of mud and silt that covered her as she began to cough, her eyes still wide and trained on the TARDIS before her.
"Kathryn!" cried Chakotay as he hurried to her side, kneeling beside her and rubbing her back as she coughed the thick, black water up from her lungs, "How on Earth…?"
"It was touch and go," came the Doctor's voice, "But I got her in the nick of time."
"Ship…impossible ship," said Kathryn between coughs, "Came…came out of… nowhere."
"Sshh," said Chakotay, "You're safe, just breathe. Doctor how did you get her out? The transporters…"
"I didn't use Voyager's transporters," said the Doctor, "I took a risk and the TARDIS pulled through. She doesn't much like the fact that she's got mud on all her wiring now though."
Kes was busy running a tri-corder over Kathryn as she finally ceased coughing, leaning against Chakotay's shoulder as she caught her breath. Without the need for a command Tom had taken the comm.-badge from Chakotay's hand, contacting the ship to inform them that the Captain was safe and well.
"Well I don't know how you did it but thank you," said Chakotay before he moved his gaze to Kes, "How's she doing?"
Kes smiled, "No damage but you should rest Captain and get into some dry clothes," she said.
Kathryn reached up to brush a her hair from her face, succeeding only in smearing the mud that covered her from head to toe, "The only problem is that all my dry clothes are back on Voyager," she said, "And pride stands in the way of appearing on the ship like this besides, you need to complete the mission and protocol says I can't fly the a shuttle back alone. I'll be fine, we'll go back in the TARDIS later."
"Kathryn you can't possibly be suggesting you spend the day like that," said Chakotay, "This isn't the warmest of climates."
"I'd offer to run you back to the ship in the TARDIS but after my rescue mission, and you're welcome by the way, she needs to rest for a few hours at least," said the Doctor, "I can however offer a change of clothes."
Kathryn got slowly to her feet, her bearing regal despite the state of her uniform, "You have my thanks Doctor of course, I'd be dead without you," she said, reaching out to squeeze Chakotay's arm as she heard his sharp intake of breath at her words, "But I doubt you have spare Starfleet uniform inside. Despite the impossibilities of that box of yours."
"Maybe not a Starfleet uniform, although stranger things have been found in the TARDIS, but clothes nonetheless, clothes at least that will not have you risking the threat of pneumonia despite all your medical technology Captain," said the Doctor, "And a change will stop your First Officer and your crew looking as though they're waiting for you to shatter."
Kathryn looked between the three people hovering around her and managed a weak smile, "Well I have put them through it recently," she said, fingering her soaked hair, "I'll take you up on that offer Doctor but do you happen to have somewhere where I can wash the majority of this planet off me too."
The Doctor smiled, "There's a bathroom next to the wardrobe," he said stepping aside to leave her room to once more enter the TARDIS, "Think you can find your way."
"Exactly how big is that ship Doctor?"
"Big enough," he said proudly, "The wardrobe's not far; first left, second right, third on the left, go straight ahead, under the stairs, past the bins, fifth door on your left. Got that?"
"Loud and clear… I think," said Kathryn heading into the TARDIS, "I won't be long. Commander, contact the ship, have them send down some replacement comm.-badges and phasers to replace the ones that were damaged. Kes, Tom, let's see if we can't find something to take back to Voyager to show for this morning's efforts."
The calls of 'Aye Captain' followed her into the TARDIS, the Doctor leaving the door open as he joined them outside, beginning scans once more as Chakotay called through to the ship to request the replacement equipment Kathryn had asked for. The unexpected detour they had taken in chasing her had actually proven to be of use to them, the plant life around them yielding several species that were so similar in properties to those from Earth that Chakotay ordered Tom and Kes to ensure their abundance on the planet so they could take as much as possible with them.
The comm.-badges, tri-corders and phasers soon shimmered into existence nearby and soon everyone was back in possession of the full compliment of kit they required by protocol, leaving only the items Kathryn would need when she returned from the TARDIS. They had already begun gathering samples of the plants they intended to harvest when the Doctor's voice caught their attention.
"Of all the outfits at your disposal you found the most military possible didn't you?" he said, with a smile, "When did you last wear a dress Captain?"
Kathryn stepped down from the TARDIS, the door closing behind her, dressed in desert camouflage combat fatigues and a sandy coloured tee shirt. She wore heavy, military style boots that left her far shorter than her usual heels would have her but her hair was less harsh in its styling than her crew were used to on the bridge. Still damp from where she had washed the mud from it, it was pulled back in a messy bun that left tendrils of hair tumbling here and there around her face.
"A dress would hardly be appropriate for the terrain Doctor," she said, "Besides, I think I should save all those gorgeous ball gowns for a special occasion."
The Doctor folded his arms over his chest with a grin, "Just how many did you try on?"
"None at all," said Kathryn picking up her comm.-badge and fastening it to the front of her shirt before she smiled and held up three fingers with a laugh, "That wardrobe Doctor…"
"Impressive?"
"Definitely," she said with a smile that didn't fade as she turned back to her team, "Now then, how have you been getting on?"
xxxx
Kathryn found herself more than glad by the afternoon that the Doctor had joined their group for the away mission, the Time Lord's good humour buoying up the entire team and leaving the events of the morning all but forgotten. The good mood passed into their work, efficiency upped and allowing them more time for simple exploration as they fanned out among the trees surrounding the TARDIS and their former landing site. Kes and the Doctor had fallen into a conversation that seemed to require no input from anyone else and Tom had already bedded himself down in the sunshine with his self appointed task of cataloguing their samples despite the tri-corders having already automatically done so. Kathryn didn't call him on it, more than happy to wander herself in the dappled light beneath the trees, the planet as peaceful as she could wish it.
She sat down on a low branch, closing her tri-corder and closing her eyes for a moment, enjoying the temperate breeze that filtered through the trees. She felt the branch dip slightly as someone sat beside her and smiled, not needing to open her eyes to know whom it was.
"Worried I'm going to get myself in trouble again if I'm not permanently supervised Commander?"
"Well you have given me cause to be," said Chakotay, "We nearly lost you today Kathryn, if it hadn't been for the Doctor…"
Kathryn held up a hand, "I'm well aware of what could have happened," she said, "But it didn't."
"But what about the day that we don't have a TARDIS to hand? Or if an ion storm prevents a medical team reaching you?" he said, "Kathryn you have to take more care."
Kathryn wanted to argue but knew that he only spoke in concern as her friend as well as her colleague, "I know but I can hardly return to the Alpha quadrant wrapped in cotton wool," she said, "This quadrant is dangerous and that means I will have to ask my crew to go into situations that could put their lives in jeopardy, how could I look into the faces of their friends and eventually their families if something happens to them, knowing that I never took the risks myself? I would never ask a member of this crew to do something that I wouldn't be willing to do myself."
Chakotay reached across, his large tanned hand covering her small pale one, "I know and its one of the great things I admired you for the moment I stepped onto Voyager but Spirits woman don't you understand what the loss of you would do to this crew?" he said, clearly having to fight to restrain his voice, "Everyone knows that you would do anything to get this crew home but I know every single person on that ship, be they Starfleet, Marquis or one of the people we just happen to pick up along the way, would never feel as though they'd reached home if you weren't there with them at the end."
Kathryn felt tears well in her eyes, remembering the false memorial the alien had made her witness when he had been trying to convince her dying spirit to join him in his matrix. She wondered how much of her crew's softly spoken words, how much of the grief she had seen on their faces had been true. She looked across to her friend, seeing the pain in his dark gaze that he had brought tears to her eyes.
"I'm sorry Kathryn," he said quietly.
"Don't be," she said, "Perhaps I have been reckless recently and I know I shouldn't have wandered off today. Should I do so again Commander I give you permission to throw me in the brig."
"I'd have a fair job trying to get you to cooperate with that," said Chakotay, a small smile forming on his face, "I can imagine dragging you through the corridors of the ship with you kicking and screaming and don't deny it, you'd fight like a tiger Janeway."
She smiled broadly, "It disturbs me just how well you know me at times," she said.
"Its my job," he said getting to his feet, "Come on, sooner we're done the sooner we can rendezvous with the others and get back to Voyager. Will you join me for dinner tonight?"
"I'd love to," said Kathryn, "My replicator and I just aren't getting along these days and Neelix will be in experimental mode tonight. I doubt our Doctor wants any more casualties in his sick bay like he had the last time we found a decent M Class planet."
"Tom's spilled the beans on your hallucinogenic tendencies," said Chakotay watching her blush crimson though she tried to hide it in the dappled light, "You're adorable when you're high."
"Shut up," said Kathryn though her voice held no malice.
"Yes ma'am," said Chakotay as they headed out of the trees but he paused with a quizzical look as she followed him by hopping from one patch of sunlight to another, "What are you up to?"
"Walking on sunshine," said Kathryn as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Mad, you are," he said extending his hand to her as she leapt over one particularly large dark shadow between them, "Do you intend to do this for the rest of the day?"
"Not in front of the crew," she said, her hopping ceasing as they reached the sun bathed clearing, "Don't go telling on me."
Chakotay laughed, "Your secret is safe with me," he said as they caught sight of Tom still stretched out on his rock, the PADDs forgotten beside him, "Working hard Lieutenant?"
"Yes sir," said Tom, not even opening his eyes.
"And how are those analyses coming along Mister Paris?" said Kathryn.
Tom soon shot up to sitting, fumbling for a PADD but succeeding in only picking up a tri-corder, "Almost done Captain."
"At ease Lieutenant," said Kathryn, "I think we're all a little lazy in the sunshine this afternoon but we've got enough data to make a good sweep of the planet tomorrow."
"Hopefully Neelix and B'Elanna have had as much luck," said Chakotay, "We should contact them, see how everything is going?"
"We're due to rendezvous with them in an hour anyway," said Kathryn, "I can't see any harm in heading back a little earlier if we have all the data we need. Where are Kes and the Doctor?"
"Over by the trees," said Tom, pointing to the far edge of the clearing where their two figures were partially hidden by the trees, the hum of both Kes' tri-corder and the Doctor's sonic screwdriver providing a low base to their quiet conversation, "Last thing I heard was the Doctor saying something about telepathic communication across light years."
Kathryn cocked an eyebrow but said nothing as she settled down on the rock beside her helms-man, "Chakotay contact the away teams and let them know that we'll meet them at the rendezvous point in half an hour."
"Aye Captain," said Chakotay, moving away from them to make the call.
"So Tom, what do you make of the newest addition to our crew?" said Kathryn, leaning back on her arms and closing her eyes in the sunshine.
"Well he proved useful today," said Tom, "I wouldn't mind a go in the TARDIS at some point though Captain."
"Perhaps I can be persuaded to pilot your shuttle back," said Kathryn, "I think even you would be impressed with how that ship works."
"Thank you Captain," said Tom with a smile.
"Think nothing of it Lieutenant," said Kathryn, "I'm just trying to avoid the bruises I got the first time. How are our comrades in the field Commander?"
"Neelix is over excited about the recipes he's already planning and I could practically hear B'Elanna rubbing her hands in glee, we have a very happy chief engineer today," said Chakotay, "They'll meet us in the clearing we first landed in, in thirty minutes."
Kathryn got to her feet, "Well then I think we can call today a success," she said looking over to the trees, "Kes, Doctor, would you care to join us?"
The branches parted, the Doctor holding the limb aside to allow Kes to pass through before him. He flashed a smile to the three gathered in the clearing, the look infectious to those nearby.
"G.I Janeway calls," he said, only Tom laughing at the twentieth century reference.
"Would someone explain the joke?" said Kathryn.
"Twentieth century culture Captain," said the Lieutenant, "I'll send you the data-stream."
"I'm no longer sure if I want to know," she said, "We've arranged with B'Elanna and Neelix to meet earlier than planned in the clearing. Doctor do you want to move the TARDIS to where it was or do you want to leave from here?"
"No harm in walking down there with you but I don't want to move the TARDIS again until its time to leave, that little rescue mission was not on the agenda today," said the Doctor.
"Are you going to use that as collateral for the rest of the time you're with us?" said Kathryn.
"As long as it has legs…" said the Doctor before he offered her his arm once more, "Shall we, Captain?"
Kathryn took his arm with a smile, "Trouble, definitely trouble," she said as they led the team down from the ledge and into the clearing they had originally come from.
They were the first to arrive and the Doctor had soon dragged Tom away to examine one of the shuttles in greater detail whilst Kathryn, Chakotay and Kes took the opportunity to upload the data they had gathered to Voyager from the comfort of the other shuttle. It wasn't long before B'Elanna announced her arrival, gleefully bringing back her team with the spoils of their endeavours, Ashmore looking as elated as his lieutenant whilst Vorik remained as impassive as ever. Kathryn and Chakotay left Kes to her work in the shuttle to indulge their chief engineer, suitably impressed by the ample samples she had already brought back even before their official gathering mission the next day.
"With the amount of dilithium that's only a few feet below ground level we can gather enough in two hours to last us several months at least," said B'Elanna, "And Vorik identified several minerals that would actually improve upon what we already use on the ship. He'll have a report to you by eighteen hundred, Captain."
"I'll look forward to reading it," said Kathryn before she caught B'Elanna's quizzical regard of her clothes, "I had a little mishap Lieutenant though I shan't deny Mister Paris his audience for the telling tonight in the mess hall. I was lucky that the TARDIS comes equipped with a fully functioning wardrobe."
B'Elanna smiled, "I take it they're Donna's then," she said.
"I don't think they're anyone's," said Kathryn, "He just has a collection."
"Just how big is that box of his?" said the half-Klingon looking around for the ship, "And where is the TARDIS anyway?"
"Up on the hill," said Chakotay, "The Doctor intends to leave from there when we're ready to go."
"I've been meaning to ask, Captain," said B'Elanna not quite meeting Kathryn's gaze, "Would it be possible for me to, that is to say I'm curious about the workings of the TARDIS."
"And you would like to fly back with the Doctor?" said Kathryn, smiling when B'Elanna nodded, "Mister Paris has already taken my place on there so as long as the Commander is happy to relinquish his, I can't see a problem as long as Ensign Kim is happy to pilot your shuttle back to Voyager."
B'Elanna was obviously trying to restrain her glee but she couldn't replace her smile, "Thank you Captain," she said, "I'll speak to Harry as soon as his team returns."
"I'm sure you will," said Kathryn, "Make sure you have all the samples loaded safely on the shuttle before you start heading to the TARDIS though."
"Yes Ma'am, I will," said B'Elanna, all but bouncing on her toes as she awaited further commands.
Kathryn smiled, "Dismissed Lieutenant," she said, laughing as B'Elanna headed off to the shuttle at a pace to be envied by the rest of the crew, "I don't think I've seen the crew in such high spirits for a long time."
"Well your mud bath aside Captain its easy enough to say that we've not had such a good day in a long time," said Chakotay, "Adequate food supplies, everything engineering needs but without the need for politics or phasers. It's been a long time since we've been so fortunate."
"Then lets enjoy it," said Kathryn, "I've decided that we'll stay for a while, let the crew enjoy some shore leave, they've certainly earned it in recent weeks. We can work out the rotations over dinner tonight."
"On one condition," said Chakotay meeting her stubborn glance, "You promise to take at least a day of total leave yourself, no uniform, no duties, no concerning yourself with ship's business. You leave Tuvok in charge and relax."
"Tuvok?" said Kathryn, arching her eyebrow, "And why not my First Officer?"
"Well someone has to keep an eye on you," said Chakotay.
Kathryn smiled, "I guess," she said, "And no doubt you are willing to sacrifice your own shore leave to act as my babysitter?"
Chakotay sighed, "It'll be a burden…" he said, feigning agony as she playfully backhanded him across the chest, "Is it a crime to want to spend time with my closest friend when she hasn't got the burden of a ship on her shoulders?"
Kathryn smiled, "I always have Voyager on my shoulders Chakotay," she said reaching across to cover his hand with her own, "But you always make her a little lighter. I don't know what I'd do without you. Now come on, we have work to do and I fear the Doctor and Tom will be pulling that shuttle apart if we don't find something else to occupy them soon."
"I don't doubt…"
A terrifying scream cut Chakotay off both of them jumping into action at the sound. The other members of the two away teams were soon gathered in the clearing, all of them with tri-corders and phasers drawn in reaction to the sound. Even the Doctor had his sonic screwdriver scanning for the location of the sound in the trees ahead.
"Doctor!" came the distinctive sound of Donna's voice, "Doctor where are you?"
The Doctor was the first person off after the sound, Kathryn and Chakotay close on his heels with the rest of the away teams not far behind. They tore through the undergrowth, phasers drawn as they tried to find their fellow crewmembers. The Doctor was the first to barrel into a stunned looking Neelix, the Talaxian barely able to speak as he pointed further into the trees. Kathryn hurried to him as the Doctor went onwards, taking hold of his shoulders and pulling his attention to her.
"What happened?"
"It was horrible Captain," he said, "Just horrible."
"Chakotay, go with the Doctor, see what's happening," said Kathryn, before returning her attention to her panicking crew member, "Neelix just take a breath."
"He just…just…disintegrated," he said, "Right before my eyes."
"Who?"
"Captain!" came Chakotay's voice through the trees.
"Kes," said Kathryn turning to those of her crew who hadn't gone with the Commander, "Take care of him. The rest of you stay where you are."
Kathryn quickly made her way through the trees, her phaser drawn as she paid little heed to the brambles ripping at her clothes, "Chakotay?"
"Over here," came the Commander's voice to her right.
Kathryn followed the sound, finally finding him with Harry and Donna, the woman crying into the young ensign's shoulder. It took her a moment to clock the Doctor but she recoiled in horror as she finally saw him, knelt beside a skeleton that wore a yellow-shouldered Starfleet uniform.
"He's Starfleet?" she said in confusion.
"He's Ensign Crag," said Chakotay.
"But he's…"
"He's been eaten," said the Doctor getting to his feet, "And we're all at risk of the same fate."
"Its them isn't it Doctor," said Donna, "Its those things that ate the people in the Library."
The Doctor nodded as he got to his feet, tugging both Donna and Harry into the sunlight. Kathryn headed over to her fallen shipmate but the Doctor pulled her back.
"Stay back from him, its not safe," he said.
"How did he die?" she demanded, ashamed by the panic she could hear rising in her voice, "What did this to him?"
"The Vashta Nerada," said the Doctor moving her into the sunlight, "But there's no time to discuss this. Every single member of your crew is in danger, even more so as we are travelling by shuttles and the TARDIS. We need to get back to Voyager now, quarantine everyone in the shuttle bay and make sure no one else is hurt. Stay in the light."
"Last time I checked Doctor, I was the commanding officer here and you are my guest. You do not give orders and you do not decide what there is time for me to know," said Kathryn, stepping up to him, "That is one of my people lying there, utterly destroyed by a beast whose name you are familiar with but have as yet failed to mention to us. Now you tell me what managed to do this to Ensign Crag, what killed him?"
"Don't start throwing ranks around in front of me Kathryn because trust me, I outrank you beyond anything you could imagine," said the Doctor towering over her and forcing her back into the sunlight, "All you need to know is that your people are in danger and I am the only person who can help them. Now stop making a row, stay in the light and let me figure out how on earth I'm going to stop anymore people getting killed."
"You can't…"
"I can speak to you however I want right now," said the Doctor, "Pipe down. Donna I need you to tell me exactly what happened."
Donna looked up from Harry's shoulder, hugging her arms around her middle, "We were just talking and then we moved into the sunshine," she said brokenly, "He dropped that tri-recorder thing and I noticed that he had two shadows. I didn't have a chance to say anything before he…before they…"
"Alright, I don't need anymore," said the Doctor before he tapped his comm.-badge, "This is the Doctor to all away teams, stay where you are and stay in the sunlight. Do not, I repeat do not go near the woods and do not stand in the shadows."
"Captain?" came B'Elanna's voice over the comm.
"Do as he says B'Elanna," said Kathryn, "Stay out of the shadows."
"Aye Captain," said B'Elanna.
"Alright Doctor, I'll trust that you know about whatever it is that killed Ensign Crag and that you can get my people out but you tell me now what we're up against before I tell them to follow anymore of your orders," said Kathryn, "Tell me what killed my crewman."
"Once we're back on board Voyager," said the Doctor, "Then I promise I will tell you everything. Right now, we need to get out of the trees; even using transporters won't be safe while we're in the trees. Trust me Kathryn."
Kathryn fixed his dark eyes with her clear blue ones, her glance calculating and sceptical before she nodded, "Alright, get my people out of here Doctor," she said, "Get them safe."
"Right, Ensign Kim, Lieutenant Paris, lead everyone out but keep to the light, don't step in the shadows. Keep an eye on the shadows you cast, if you have two then you tell me," said the Doctor.
"Aye sir," said Tom as he and Harry turned to leave the clearing, gingerly moving between the dark spaces.
"Gather everyone in the clearing, away from the trees," said the Doctor, "We'll take the next step when everyone is together. Donna, go with the boys."
"What about you?" said Donna weakly.
"I'll be there soon," he said, "Go on now."
Donna turned reluctantly and began to follow the two members of Voyager's crew, Tom and Harry already shouting out instructions to their friends as they found them.
"We need to take Ensign Crag's body back to Voyager," said Kathryn.
"Later, right now you need to be safe and that's in the light and back on the ship," said the Doctor laying his hands on her shoulders and meeting her gaze, "We'll come back for him, when its safe, I promise you."
Kathryn nodded sadly, "Alright but we're coming back," she said turning back to the trees and moving from patch to sunlit patch, "Come on Chakotay, we need to make sure the others get back safely."
"Chakotay will follow you in a minute," said the Doctor, "Go on ahead."
Kathryn turned back, her eyes hardened, "Why not now?" she said, "Doctor?"
"Why can't I go Doctor?" said Chakotay, his eyes unconsciously moving to Crag's skeletal form.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," said the Doctor, "Look down."
"No, oh no," said Kathryn as she saw the second shadow stretch across the floor from her friend, "Move away from it Chakotay, quickly please."
"Stay where you are," said the Doctor, "Don't move, if you do they'll only move faster."
"It's a shadow Doctor," said Chakotay.
"It's a swarm, not a shadow," said the Doctor, "And if you move now, they'll strike and I'm not about to watch you die. Keep still."
"Do as he says, that's an order Commander," said Kathryn though the commanding tone in her voice was augmented by a tremor, "Doctor what do we do? What does it want?"
"To feed," said the Doctor, "That's what it wants. We've come here and we've presented it with a feast that it's already had a taste of."
"Then it wants food, I'll get it food," said Kathryn, "We've got replicators, tell it that it can have anything it wants, anything. If it means the ship has to be dead in the water for a week until we've mined enough dilithium to get it moving again then I will give it whatever it wants."
Chakotay shook his head, "Somehow I doubt this is something negotiation will get us out of Kathryn, even with you taking the lead," he said, "Go back to the ship and get the others safe. I'll be fine. The Doctor and I will follow on in the TARDIS."
"No I'm not leaving you, not until you're safe," said Kathryn, "I've lost one member of my crew today, don't you dare ask me to leave you behind. Doctor what can I do? How do we stop this thing?"
"I don't know," said the Doctor mournfully, "The last time I encountered the Vashta Nerada everyone it swarmed around died, I'm sorry."
Kathryn raised her chin defiantly, "Well not this time, I won't let that happen to another member of my crew, I brought them all here," she said pulling out her tri-corder and stepping towards the two shadows, raising a hand to still the Doctor as he stepped forward to move her away, "The one on the right is reading as a collection of life forms."
"That's the swarm," said the Doctor, "That's the one we need to work out how to distract."
Kathryn closed her tri-corder, looking up at her First Officer, "Its hungry, it needs to be fed," she said with a small, sad smile, "You make sure you get them home Chakotay."
She watched his expression of curiosity turn to one of horror as she stepped into the shadow, reaching out to push her away but she held her ground.
"Kathryn get away," he said darkly, "I will not let you do this."
"And I don't have to take orders from you," said Kathryn, looking down to see the shadows shift from him to her, "And I guess I must taste better. Get out of here now, that's an order Commander."
"Then you'll have to throw me in the brig for insubordination," said Chakotay, "Doctor, get her out of this or I swear I'll test those regenerations you claim to have."
"Alright, let me think," said the Doctor, "Though I warn you, I don't do well when I'm threatened by Starfleet officers."
"I'm Marquis," said Chakotay, pulling out his tri-corder and tapping his comm.-badge, "Chakotay to Voyager, I'm sending up some readings from the planet. The Captain is in danger, have our doctor analyse the readings and find a way to disable the life forms."
"Understood Commander," came Tuvok's voice, "I'm transferring the reading to sick bay."
"If he can't disable them, tell him I want to know how to kill them and that's an order," said Chakotay cutting the connection to the ship and opening another, "Chakotay to away teams, the life form that killed Ensign Crag is now threatening the Captain. Keep an eye on your shadows, if you see two, call it in. In the meantime, any ideas as to how we can call off a shadow I want to know about them. I…"
He was cut off as the Doctor grabbed his arm, pulling the tri-corder closer to the swarm.
"Ooh you don't like that do you," said the Doctor, snatching the tri-corder from his hand and pushing it further and further towards the swarm, the blackness receding back from it but not dissipating and he quickly ceased the procedure as the area closer to Kathryn grew darker, "And that's pissing you off."
"Don't you dare upset it Doctor," said Kathryn, "I don't fancy becoming dinner for an invisible piranha."
"You wouldn't have been at risk from that if you hadn't have played the hero," said Chakotay, "You do realise when you get out of this, I'm going to strangle you."
Kathryn managed a weak smile, "Its nice to know you care."
"Well you did promise to keep the life threatening circumstances to one a day Kathryn, my heart can't take it," said Chakotay, "I'm never going to forgive you for this."
"Yes you will," said Kathryn before a pointed cough turned her attention back to the Doctor.
"You remembered that I'm here then?" he said, "Charming as your flirting is, would you like to hear my brilliant plan to get you out of here?"
"You can get her out?" said Chakotay, ignoring the comment prior to his revelation of a plan.
"Oh yes," said the Doctor happily, "We're going to electrocute her."
Chakotay was in between Kathryn and the Doctor in a heartbeat, his expression far darker than even his own Captain had ever seen it.
"You take one move towards her and I'll…" he said.
"Its my plan or she's supper," said the Doctor shoving him out of the way, "Kathryn, you have to listen to me."
"Keep back Commander, that's an order," said Kathryn as Chakotay made for the Doctor once more, only continuing when she was sure that her order was being followed, "Tell me your plan Doctor."
"Its not without risk," said the Doctor, "We need to make you unappealing to the Vashta Nerada and they do not like electrical pulses but they're pack animals and they will attack when threatened. The charge will need to be enough that they won't even attempt an attack but a charge that high will kill you. If your ship is stocked and my knowledge of Federation medical capabilities is correct then we will have the technology available to bring you back if we're quick but we'll have minutes. The choice is yours, it's the volts or it's the swarm."
"If there's no other way…" said Kathryn turning her attention to her First Officer, "Chakotay, contact our doctor, tell him to expect a casualty then contact the away teams, tell them to return to Voyager and remain under quarantine in the shuttle bay until they receive further orders."
"Kathryn, we still don't know if there's another way to disable these things, a way that won't put you at risk," said Chakotay.
Kathryn glanced over at her former crewman's body, "They attacked Ensign Crag with no warning, time is a luxury we don't have," she said, "You need to make sure that the away teams are cleared of any trace of the swarm, I'll be relying on you and if I…"
"Don't say it," said Chakotay.
"Sometimes I get the feeling that I'm on borrowed time anyway Commander," she said, "My duty is to make sure this crew is safe and that they get home, if I can't do that then I need to rely on you."
"We'll be quick Kathryn, we'll bring you back," said the Doctor, "Chakotay tell the ship to lock onto us a prepare for an emergency transport to sickbay when I give the command, tell your EMH to expect the Captain to be suffering from extensive electrical trauma."
Chakotay turned to his Captain, his eyes mournful as he contemplated the two fates before her, "Are you sure about this Kathryn?"
"Its that or wait for them to decide they're hungry," she said, "I'll be alright, contact the away teams, get them back to the ship and then contact sick bay as the Doctor said, he's in charge from here on in."
"You'd better come back to me," he said before he stepped away to make the ordered communications.
The Doctor was already busy with the tri-corder he had acquisitioned, the sonic screwdriver buzzing as he reconfigured the device. Kathryn let her eyes fall to her boots, the desert print trousers looking odd when she was so used to her uniform but her attention was drawn to the second shadow reaching out across the ground from her form. She cursed the luck that had ruled her command of Voyager, every piece of good news tempered by tragedy. She had been looking forward to the shore leave the planet could have offered them, many of the crew needing time away from the confines of the ship but now they faced the prospect of having to beam out the supplies they needed before putting them through a stringent quarantine to prevent them inadvertently bringing anything sinister on board.
She looked over at Ensign Crag's body, the young man one she had spent very little time with, neither a cause for concern or a member of the crew to excel in his field. Even though she had barely known him she still felt his loss, another name to add to the list of the dead she would have to pass on to both Starfleet and the families of those she failed to bring home. Thinking on her own predicament she wondered at who would go to her mother and sister with the news if she didn't make it home. Would it be Chakotay who sat with them and told them how she had been killed or would it be a member of the crew who was yet to be born, sixty or so years in the future. Tears sprang to her eyes as she realised that in that time frame there would be no one left alive to tell, her family believing that she had perished in the Badlands along with the rest of her crew.
"We're going to get you out Kathryn?" came a voice to her right and she almost jumped at the sound of it.
She looked up to see Chakotay at her side once more, his dark eyes filled with concern and she realised the upset that must have been on her face as she had thought over her fate and her family.
"I'm not scared of dying Chakotay, though I'd never want to leave any of you," she said, "I just wish I could have seen this through to the end, it was my job to get everyone home."
"And you still will," he said, "You'll get this crew home Kathryn, I've believed that from the first day I met you. After today though you're going to take some time off, you've earned it."
"Kathryn, Commander, we're ready," said the Doctor returning to them with the modified tri-corder in his hand.
"Are the shuttles away?" said Kathryn.
"They've gone, you were too intent on your boots to hear them," said Chakotay, "They'll remain in the shuttle bay until the Doctor gives them the all clear. B'Elanna and Tom are taking command."
"What about the TARDIS?" said Kathryn, "You'll need to have Tuvok beam it aboard."
"It'll fry your sensors," said the Doctor, "I can beam back down for her, she was in a clearing and the Vashta Nerada need to be near the trees to function, don't worry about anything like that right now. Are you ready?"
Kathryn squared her shoulders, "I'm ready."
"Are the emergency transports ready?"
"Voyager locked onto the three of us about two minutes ago and our doctor is on standby in sick bay, he knows what to expect," said Chakotay reaching out but not daring to touch his Captain, "Kathryn…"
"I know," she said quietly, "I'm going to see you when I'm in sick bay, aren't I?"
"Of course you are," he said, "I'm leaving Tuvok in charge until you're awake."
Kathryn smiled, "Anything to get out of a day's work," she said, "Doctor, I'm ready."
The Doctor held out the tri-corder to her, "Take this," he said ensuring their fingers didn't touch as her small hand closed around the device, "I've programmed it to work like an electrical bomb. Once you press the green button on the left of the keypad it will emit on a low frequency. You need to keep hold of it, whether it hurts or not, hopefully the swarm will take the hint and back off. If it does, hit the red button to terminate."
"And if it doesn't?"
"If you don't hit the button within thirty seconds then it will emit the full pulse, it will be enough to chase the swarm away but the blast will stop your heart, you'll die."
"Then I'll be relying on both of my doctors to bring me back," said Kathryn lowering her eyes once more to the swarm, "Green button right?"
"Green button."
Kathryn took a deep breath, steadying her free hand as she reached towards the buttons. With a final look of defiance to the swarm at her feet she pressed down on the pad, the tri-corder emitting a low level shriek before she felt the fizz of the electrical pulse race up her arm. The pain followed a moment later and she fought every instinct that told her to throw the tri-corder away. She looked down at the swarm, the shadow having darkened rather than retreated and she knew that this would be no easy retreat; she would have to see it through to the end. She let out a small sob as the pain increased once more, knowing that her hand that held the tri-corder was already burned and that the pulse was doing the same to her from the inside out.
"Chakotay?" she said weakly.
"I'm here."
"Be there when I wake up?" she said, the screen of the tri-corder showing mere seconds before the full pulse would hit her.
"You know I will," he said, "You'll be fine."
She didn't get a chance to answer as the tri-corder shrieked once more and the pulse exploded through her body. The pain was intense, white hot and agonising but it lasted mere moments before she was taken by nothing more than blackness.
Chakotay stepped back as Kathryn crumpled lifelessly to the floor, the pulse having rushed her like fire, leaving every exposed inch of her skin burned. The Doctor moved quickly to her side, running the sonic screwdriver over her body.
"They've gone," he said before he slapped his comm.-badge, "This is the Doctor to Voyager, three to beam directly to sick bay."
"Acknowledged Doctor," came Tuvok's measured voice, "Energising."
Chakotay barely felt or noticed the transport, focused as he was on his friend's unmoving form. It was only the sound of their own doctor's voice that brought him from his reverie, finding himself quickly shoved out the way as the EMH and the Time Lord who had caused the devastation began battling to save the Captain's life. He felt useless as he watched them move around the bio-bed, both of them shouting instructions and working on an instinct he could never wish to achieve with his basic training as a field medic. He watched the seizures take Kathryn's body as they attempted to revive her, the pulses increasing in intensity but each time returning a flat line.
"Fight this, please," he heard himself quietly begging as no breath or pulse registered on the monitor before him.
"One more time, just one more time Kathryn, come on," came the Doctor's voice from the bio-bed, the EMH already stepped mournfully away from the bed.
"Its no use Doctor," he said quietly, "The bomb did too much damage."
"Kathryn Janeway does not die in the Delta quadrant, not on my watch," said the Doctor hurrying to the hypo-spray stand, smashing the vials before mixing their contents together into a fresh one.
"What are you doing?" cried the EMH, "You'll poison her."
"She's dead already if you hadn't noticed," snapped the Doctor as he pressed the hypo-spray into her neck, "Cortical stimulator. Now if you want to save her!"
Chakotay didn't hesitate as he reached out to the console and sent the command to the device on Kathryn's forehead. Her body seized once more but then flopped lifelessly back onto the bed, the screen still showing a flat line. Even the Doctor stood defeated and Chakotay had to keep himself from falling as he gripped onto the console before him, tears welling painfully in his eyes as he listened to the piercing sound. It took him a moment to realise what the hitch in the noise was, his heart near stopping as he realised the validation of hers. He raised his head as he heard her sharp intake of breath followed by a desperately pained sob.
"She's coming round," said the Doctor, "But you'll need to sedate her she'll be in too much pain."
"That happens when you run enough energy to run a warp core through your body," said the EMH, immediately quieting Kathryn's pained cries with a hypo-spray.
"She's going to live?" said Chakotay.
"Yes Commander, she's going to be fine," said the EMH, "But she won't be conscious for a few hours yet. I've got a lot of damaged tissue to rebuild."
"There's little we can do here in the meantime Commander," said the Doctor, "And you have crewmen still in quarantine in the shuttle bay, they'll need to be given the all clear."
"What about us?" said Chakotay, "We've been near those things too."
"The pulse that went through Kathryn would have chased away anything on us too, we were standing close enough," said the Doctor, "I'm hoping the rest of the away teams will have been lucky but we need to check all the same."
"I'll be sure to call if there's any change," said the EMH before Chakotay had a chance to question him, "But like I said, she needs several hours of surgery before wakes up."
"I'll be back as soon as the away teams are secured all the same," said Chakotay before he turned resolutely for the door, "Doctor."
"Right behind you," said the Time Lord, laying a hand on his shoulder, "She'll be fine."
"She'd better be," said Chakotay as he led them out, "You and I need to sort out bringing Crag's body back, I don't want that weighing on her."
The Doctor smiled as he followed him through Voyager's corridors, "Aye sir," he said as the doors to sick bay closed behind them.
xxxx
Sick bay was dark when Kathryn slowly opened her eyes, aware of the dull ache in her body but grateful for it in comparison to the pain she remembered from the planet. She tried to move her hand but it felt weighed down and she quickly found the reason, Chakotay fast asleep with his head on the mattress beside her, her small hand cradled in his large one. She wondered at the time but chose to stay silent, seeing the lights from the office on and having little doubt any noise would bring their doctor and his fussing over to her. She closed her eyes once more, content to fall asleep again with the knowledge of her friend so nearby but her abused body had other ideas, a cramp seizing her side and leaving her unable to stifle the yelp that leapt from her lips.
She felt Chakotay's hand tighten on hers as he startled awake, his eyes full off concern as he sat up straighter in his chair.
"Kathryn?"
"It's alright," she said breathlessly, "Just cramp, it'll go in a moment."
"Is that your professional opinion?" said the EMH as he came over to them, "You sustained an intense and prolonged burst of electrical energy Captain, what your body is experiencing is not just cramp."
Kathryn groaned as he pressed a hypo-spray to her throat, "Thank you Doctor," she said as the pain slowly dissipated, "How long until I get out of here?"
"I want to keep you over night for observation," said the Doctor, "Something that would be far easier without the uninvited house guests. In the morning you can go back to your quarters but you are to remain off duty for the rest of the week. You need to rest and recover."
"Go mad with boredom more like," said Kathryn, "Can't you just double the dose on a couple of hypos and let me back on duty in a day or two."
Chakotay laughed beside her, "I can tell you're feeling better, you're negotiating," he said.
"Commander don't encourage her," said the Doctor, "It'll be your responsibility to make sure that she doesn't undertake any activities that are too strenuous, she's undergone severe trauma. I'd insist she stay longer in sick bay if I didn't know that she'd deactivate me and make a break for it anyway."
Kathryn chuckled, "You know me too well Doctor," she said, "I'll behave, I promise."
"You just see that you do, my medical logs are seeing your name mentioned one too many times recently."
"Aye sir," said Kathryn softly, "Could you give us a few moments Doctor?"
He smiled, quickly adjusting the monitor at her throat before he stepped back, "I won't need to check on you for another hour or so," he said, "Be sure you don't keep her talking too long Commander."
"I'll see she gets some sleep Doc," said Chakotay, the hologram returning once more to his office, the soft sounds of Puccini soon coming from within.
"How are the rest of the away teams?" said Kathryn, her thumb tracing an idle path over the back of his hand as he remained close to her side.
"None of the swarm were brought on board, the other Doctor and I ran full scans of everything and we're clear. No one else got hurt," he said.
"That's a relief at least," said Kathryn, "I still don't understand why the Doctor didn't mention their presence, surely he should have known…"
"He didn't know they were there," said Chakotay, "The Vashta Nerada are present throughout the universe, he says they can even be found on Earth but swarms like those we encountered today are unusual. We were just unlucky."
"Ensign Crag was the unlucky one," said Kathryn sadly, "Is he?"
"The Doctor and I beamed back to the surface to get the TARDIS while you were sleeping, we brought his body back with us," said Chakotay folding her hand in both of his, "The was nothing for our Doctor to conduct a proper autopsy on so I had him placed in a pod, we'll make the arrangements for his memorial when you're well enough. "
"Thank you," said Kathryn, "I wouldn't have wanted him to have to spend a night alone on that planet. What's our status when it comes to supplies? Will we be able to use the transporters to collect the dilithium we need?"
Chakotay smiled, "Its all in hand, just focus on getting well," he said, "The Doctor has helped with some modifications to the transporters and the scanners, we can beam whatever we need on board and the scanners will pick up any sign of the Vashta Nerada. Vorik and B'Elanna are running tests on the samples they brought back and Neelix already has plans for the mess hall."
Kathryn pulled a face, "Business as usual? Their colleague is dead."
"And they're mourning him," said Chakotay, "But to sit back and do nothing would mean his life and his final mission was in vain and no one wants that. They're working so that his sacrifice was worth something and that's been doubled since they heard you were injured."
"I feel sick to think of what happened today, there we were messing about, lounging in the sunshine while all the time that risk was present and we only realised it when one of our own was taken."
Chakotay stroked her hair back from her face, the strands still wild and unstyled after her encountered with the mud on the surface, "Our tri-corders never would have detected the swarm, they only registered their presence when they were in high concentration. You couldn't have prevented Crag's death Kathryn, none of us could."
"You could have been hurt too," said Kathryn.
"I would have been fine," said Chakotay, "And I should have been the one lying there after receiving that pulse. I'm still going to strangle you when you're on your feet again you realise. You can't keep putting yourself in such danger."
"I wasn't about to let those creatures eat you," she said before she was forced to stifle a yawn with the back of her hand.
Chakotay smiled, "Sleep, we can duke this out in the morning when you're rested," he said.
"Not fair, you're bigger than me."
"I have to be to keep carrying you back to this ship when you get in trouble," he said, raising her hand to his lips and pressing a kiss to the back of it, "No more scaring me Kathryn."
Kathryn sighed at the gentle touch, her own vulnerability almost breaking down the bonds of protocol she'd so stringently built around them but she resisted begging him to continue his kisses.
"You should go back to your quarters and get some proper sleep, its not good for you sleeping with your head on the bed," she said, "Check in with me before you start your shift in the morning."
"If you're sure, I don't mind staying," he said.
"I'll be sleeping and you need your rest if you're going to be in charge for a couple of days."
"The Doctor told you that you'd be off for the week."
Kathryn gave him a sleepy smile, "And here's me thinking you knew me well."
Chakotay got to his feet, surprising her as he bent down to press another kiss to her forehead, "I know you Kathryn," he said stepping back but keeping hold of her hand, "Get some sleep, I'll be back in the morning. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Chakotay," she said, as he finally loosed her hand and turned to the door.
He looked over at her once more as the doors opened for him, meeting her gaze for a moment before he stepped outside, the door obscuring him from view when it closed. Kathryn sighed, her hand absently reaching up to stroke the spot on her forehead where she could still feel his lips. She smiled, snuggling back into the pillows and closing her eyes, allowing the hypo to take effect and sleep to claim her.
xxxx
Despite the usual jovial atmosphere of the beach resort program Kathryn knew there was little cheer behind the smiles her crew wore. Tom had opened up the holo-deck after Ensign Crag's memorial, hoping the diversion would cheer up the crew as they mourned their fallen colleague. The effort on the part of everyone was admirable but once more they had been reminded of the danger the Delta quadrant proved to them, another name added to the list of the dead. She tipped her glass from edge to edge with a finger, watching it tilt from side to side, its contents creating miniature waves as she did so. Despite not being formally back on duty she still wore her uniform having on insisted on leading the memorial to Crag despite Chakotay's promise to handle it. Her First Officer had soon backed down, knowing how important it was to her to say farewell to the person she would not be taking home.
They had all been shocked when Donna had offered her own words in front of the crew, the woman clearly having formed a bond with the young Ensign during their time together on the planet below. The crew had welcomed kind words from a stranger and all of them applauded the Doctor's retrieval of Crag's body, Kathryn adding her own words of thanks before the pod was jettisoned and the ceremony ended. When the choice had come to either her solitary quarters or the holo-deck she had chosen the latter, Chakotay's arm proving a prop as she walked with him to the resort. He had endeavoured to cheer her up but to no avail and she had sent him away with a smile when some of his Marquis crew had called him into a game they were playing at another table.
She looked up at the thought of him, glad to see him smiling as B'Elanna finished some story or another that had their youngest Bajoran crewmate blushing. The rest of the crew sat in small friendship groups that had formed over their time on Voyager, Tom and Harry since joined by the Doctor and Donna, the twenty-first century woman clearly having their full attention as she shared her tales of travel with the Doctor. The Time Lord looked up and met Kathryn's gaze before turning back to Donna and whispering something to her. She smiled at him as he got to his feet, turning back to her conversation with the two men.
Kathryn watched as he made his way over to her, a cocktail she had overheard him telling Neelix how to make in his hand. He smiled as he pulled out a chair opposite her, sitting down with a flourish of his long fawn coat.
"Is this seat taken?" he said.
"It clearly is now," said Kathryn, "What can I do for you Doctor?"
"You looked a little lonely, that's all," he said, "And its not right for a pretty girl to be sat on her own at a party."
"That statement hardly applies to me Doctor," said Kathryn, "And I'd hardly call this a party, it's just a rather misplaced wake. I'm hardly much company right now either so you needn't feel obliged to be my companion."
"A friend in need, Captain," said the Doctor, "You're hurting and not just from your injuries. I'm a very good friendly ear and I have two shoulders that can be easily cried on."
Kathryn managed a weak smile, "Starfleet Captains don't cry, Doctor," she said.
"Last time I looked you were off duty," he said.
Kathryn raised her drink to her lips, grimacing at the sharp bite of the alcohol, "There's no such thing as off duty in the Delta quadrant," she said, "If I let myself grow complacent then things like yesterday happen."
"Guilt won't get you anywhere closer to home," said the Doctor, "And when you get there how much of Kathryn will there be left?"
Kathryn met his gaze, "You tell me, you've been there," she said before she dropped her gaze, "How many more do I kill Doctor, how many do I get home? Are any of them alive when this ship reaches Earth? B'Elanna? Tom and Harry? Chakotay? Tuvok? Do any of my friends make it home?"
"You know I can't tell you that Kathryn," said the Doctor, "And not everything is certain, time can be re-written whether I've seen it already or not."
Kathryn was silent, once more tipping her glass from finger to finger as she frowned, "If time can be so easily re-written then why haven't you offered to help us rewrite it?" she asked, "You're ship is amazing, you can travel through time. Why not go back then and tell me not to take Voyager into the Badlands? Or why can't we abandon Voyager and bundle into the TARDIS, its big enough for the whole crew, you could have us on Earth in moments?"
The Doctor reached across and covered his hand with hers, "Its not that simple," he said, "Although time can change some points are fixed, you were meant to come to the Delta quadrant and you will reach home when you're meant to reach home. Voyager's return to Earth is a fixed point in time, crucial to the development of so much more than just the Federation. Even I can't interfere with that."
Kathryn snatched her hand from his, "So you won't help us then?" she said, "Then why tag along now, the TARDIS is fixed?"
"I might not be able to help you get back but I still want to help you where I can," said the Doctor, "But if you want me to leave then Donna and I will be gone by morning."
Kathryn bit back the tears that were beginning to threaten, "I don't want you to go Doctor but I…" she trailed off, quietly composing herself before she met his gaze once more, "I just want my crew safe, I want to see my friends get home to the people who love them. I stranded them in this god-awful place because of one stupid command. I should never have been made Captain on such an important mission."
The Doctor gave her a mournful smile, "Kathryn Janeway the defeatist, well I suppose it isn't one that many people get to see too often," he said, "Kathryn you are more than capable of being the commanding officer of this ship. What happened to bring you here was not your fault and even if you had allowed the Ocampan people to die you would not have found a way home. The Caretaker's Array was a one way trip, you would not have got back to the Alpha quadrant that way."
Kathryn shook her head, "I've made more mistakes along the way."
The Doctor reached across, tucking a finger under her chin to raise her eyes to his, "You're a human," he said with a cheeky grin, "Silly little apes designed to make mistakes. You'd be a lesser woman if you were perfect Kathryn, it's the imperfections that make someone who they are."
"I think that was meant to be a compliment," she said unable to suppress the small smile on her face.
"Take it as one," said the Doctor, "And think of things from another perspective. If Voyager hadn't been pulled into the Delta quadrant then the Marquis would be dead. Half the people you care so much about as friends wouldn't be with you. Can you truly imagine your life without Tom or B'Elanna there now? Can you imagine who you'd be without Chakotay?"
Kathryn closed her eyes, surprised at the pain she felt even contemplating such a life, "Its unfathomable," she said.
"Well then," said the Doctor, "See it that Voyager was meant to come here, you were meant to meet the Marquis. You and Chakotay, that's a partnership that will go down in history. You'll be there alongside Kirk and Spock in the Starfleet hall of fame."
Kathryn smiled, "Starfleet doesn't have a hall of fame."
"Not yet it doesn't," said the Doctor taking her hand once more, "Listen to me Kathryn, what you have done out here and what you're going to do will go down in history. Voyager will be the Ambassador ship of the Federation, you'll bring back technologies and ideas that will have the Admiralty in raptures and you'll be at the head of it. Captain Kathryn Janeway, the woman who got her crew home. It's going to be hard and you'll have to fight but you'll do it, with your friends beside you. They all love you Kathryn, some more than others but you already know that when you let yourself believe it."
Kathryn failed to hide the blush on her cheeks, "You make it sound all so simple," she said, "If we have to go through it though, we'll go through it. I know this crew and they can achieve anything if they want to. I could never be prouder of them, Starfleet or Marquis."
The Doctor smiled broadly, "The things you're going to see Kathryn," he said, "The stories you'll have to tell. It will be worth it one day, I promise you. So, will you join the party now?"
Kathryn returned his smile but shook her head, "Not tonight, I am meant to be resting after all," she said, "I think I'll turn in for the night, I'm sure the others will keep you company."
"Have a good sleep then," said the Doctor releasing her hand, "Dream about how brilliant you are Kathryn Janeway."
Kathryn laughed as she got to her feet, "You could spoil a girl Doctor, you really could."
"Well even Starfleet Captain's need a little pick me up now and then," said the Doctor, following her to standing, "Especially the little ones."
Kathryn's eyes narrowed but she fought to contain her smile, "Thin ice, Time Lord," she said turning to look out over her crew, "They will be alright won't they?"
The Doctor threw an arm around her shoulders, "More than alright," he said, "You can put your trust in every single one of them and Chakotay, well there's nothing you can't trust him with. Are you sure I can't tempt you to join the party?"
"A rain check," said Kathryn turning from beneath his arm and heading towards the door, "Goodnight Doctor."
"Goodnight Captain," he said as she disappeared around the corner to the holo-deck's main exit.
xxxx