Disclaimer: Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Paramount and TPTB. The plot is the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Warning: Rated M Violence, angst, and adult situations included but nothing overly graphic.
Under My Skin: Chapter 2
Kathryn
"Captain on the bridge." Kim announces as the lift opens. I give him a curt nod. We've been doing this so long that my lack of playful banter with Kim alerts the entire shift that this is not a good morning. I give him a faint smile, but I cannot muster more than that at the moment. Tuvok stands up from my chair and prepares to hand over the bridge to me.
"Cmdr., How's Voyager this morning?" I ask and immediately look past him so that I do not see the slight confusion that crosses his features. It's a strange question to ask a Vulcan. I notice Paris' head cocks to the side. He wonders too. I have decided to create confusion on the part of my crew, but I cannot bear witness to it. For if I see it so will the Gul. I may not be able to do anything outright to alert them, but if I can get them wondering. They will begin to talk amongst themselves and then hopefully they will realize something is not quite right.
"Voyager is running smoothly this morning, Captain." Tuvok answers. "There is nothing significant to report."
I nod my head in acknowledgement and cross to stand behind Paris. I put my hand on his shoulder and relax momentarily into him, "Helm, how's she handling this morning?"
Paris had relaxed when my hand touched his shoulder, but then he straightened back up at the sound of his position. It was a strange mix of the comfortable and formal. "We're trying a modulated thruster today Captain, but other than that everything's green across the board."
"Very good Lt." I push off of him in order to return to my chair. It takes more effort than I would've liked and I feel the gravel inside my shoulders again. I stop in front of my chair and turn towards the science station. I hope Sam won't be scarred for life by what I am about to do. "Ensign Wildman."
She looks up, "Yes, Captain?"
"According to the schedule rotation, this is your week for command duty training." I turn my back on her and walk towards my ready room. "I'll be in my ready room if you need me. The bridge is yours."
The ready room doors close behind me before I can see or hear any reaction to my announcement. I hope the Gul hasn't accessed our duty rosters.
Tom Paris
The ready room doors close and a pin drop could've been heard on the bridge. I swivel my seat around to see a very pale Sam. Harry's jaw could've reached his knees, and Tuvok's eyebrow is almost at his hairline.
"Is she serious?" Sam asks quietly eyeing the two center chairs with apprehension.
"Ensign Wildman, let us assume that she was indeed serious." Tuvok comments dryly and moves towards the command chairs. "Please join me, and I will familiarize you with the basics of command."
I scoff and shake my head. This is turning out to be a weird morning.
Kathryn
I'm on my third cup of coffee when the pain strikes. Luckily I'm sitting down. Unluckily, I am holding my coffee cup. The muscles in my legs contract sharply with an intense burning. The sensation catches me by surprise and I inadvertently cry out. My hand jerks spilling coffee all over the desk before I manage to drop my mug. I lean back in my chair and grip the arm rests trying desperately to ride out this wave. My legs feel like they are being torn from my body and held over a fire. The chime on my door sounds and the pain immediately ceases. It takes my mind a moment to catch up with the release, and my chime sounds again before I can answer.
"Come." I clear my throat, but my voice sounds husky. Belanna strides in carrying a padd.
"Captain, I wanted to come by and deliver the results from yesterday's…" she stops mid-sentence when she finally looks up and sees me shaking coffee off padds on my desk. "Captain, is everything alright?"
"I'm fine, I just spilled my coffee." Belanna crosses to the replicator and gets a cloth to wipe up the coffee. I'm relieved because I don't trust my legs enough yet to attempt standing up. She picks up the now empty mug and recycles it. "You look pale Captain, are you sure you're alright?"
"The coffee just burned my hand Chief." I continue looking at the desk, but I can practically see Belanna's arms cross across her chest when I use her title. I continue, "Now what were you bringing me?"
"Uh, the results from yesterdays' tests," I watch her mentally shake herself and disregard my comments. "The thrusters showed no problems yesterday in the virtuals and I recommend commencing the planned practical test on it today."
She attempts to pass the padd to me, and I wave it off earning myself another surprised look. "Very good, Chief. Go ahead and try them out."
I refuse to look up but I knew she is still standing there. I continue to peruse a padd from my desk, "You're dismissed."
Tom Paris
I watch as Belanna comes out of the Captain's ready room. For a moment she looks like she could tear a targ to pieces, but then a look of confusion settles on her face. She looks back over her shoulder and takes a step back towards the doors of the ready room. I clear my throat. Her gaze snaps to mine. I just shake my head. My wife gives me a questioning look before she accepts and heads to the engineering station on the bridge. I glance around. Tuvok has not missed our exchange. He slightly inclines his head to me. This is beginning to be more than weird.
Chakotay
I feel like I've been here for days. The Gul has my device set on an automatic cycle. The pain buzzes continuously with random spikes that make me grind my teeth. Anytime, he turns the device off he lets his men take shots at me. As much as I want to get out of here, I don't want it to be at the expense of Kathryn.
I've overheard some of her day and I know the crew is disconcerted with her behavior. None of the Cardys have caught on yet to her game. The crew may suspect something odd, but it will have to move into the extreme before they will take any action. By that time it will be too late to prevent her being brought here. The Gul can't wait to send me back in exchange for her, and there's not a damn thing I can do about it.
Kathryn
I'm going to throw one more curve ball at my crew, and then head to my quarters. It'll be time soon, and I really should get something to eat and try to rest. I know I will need all of my wits and strength. I haven't gotten any work done. Even if they weren't reading everything I read, I still couldn't have managed much. Chakotay. I can't get you out of my head. I'm so worried for you. I've set things in motion here, but will it be enough? Will the crew act in time to save you from a return trip to the hell you are currently in?
Enough of this, get it together captain. It's time for today's final act. I just hope it isn't my last bow.
Harry Kim
The ready room doors hiss open. The Captain strides onto the bridge. "Ensign Wildman, you've had the bridge for six hours and the ship is still in one piece. Well done."
"Thank you Captain. Shall I turn it over to you now?" Sam asks hopefully. I look up from my console to watch the interaction.
"Oh I don't think so, Ensign, finish the watch." The captain answers and begins to move towards the turbolift and my station. "Ensign Kim, you'll take over the watch in two hours and you will be relieved by Commander Chakotay at his regular time. Understood?"
"Yes Captain." I answer automatically. Sam slowly sinks back into the command chair. The captain touches the control calling for the turbolift.
"Oh, and Ensign Kim, let's not ignore protocol, we're still on duty right now. You know the regulation. Address me as Sir."
And without so much as a look behind her, the Captain enters the turbolift and states her destination. I look up and catch the shocked looks on Tom and Belanna's faces. She hasn't acted this weird since the Doctor was masquerading as her. Tuvok breaks the silence. "Computer, is Captain Janeway currently aboard Voyager?"
"Affirmative."
"State her current location."
"Captain Janeway is in the turbolift."
Belanna scoffs. "Yeah right."
"Indeed Lt."
I begin running sensor diagnostics. Assuming the computer isn't malfunctioning, something or someone must be controlling the Captain for her to act as weird as she did today. It's been known to happen.
I pull up the other stations and know that I am not the only one searching for answers. Tuvok is going over the security logs checking for anyone leaving or returning to the ship. Belanna has a sensor sweep running for any anomalous energy surges. Tom has just sent messages to Neelix and the Doctor advising them of a poker game in his quarters in half an hour and that they should bring Seven with them.
I smile to myself, poker games at Tom's are known by Neelix and the Doctor as the time to get the latest bridge gossip. By telling them to bring Seven he also let them know it was of a more serious nature. Once we find something, we'll give it to Chakotay and let him handle the Captain. I've got a less than four hours to find something. C'mon Voyager, help me help the Captain.
Chakotay
I hear the distinct whine of their transporter and look up at the wall panel. I watch as the Captain's quarters disappear. She is standing in front of me. I've watched her on and off throughout the day when it was permitted, but only now can I see the shadows below her eyes. The hard glint is there as well. She locks eyes with me and I'm sure she can read as much about me in that moment as I can about her. I try to shield her from what I've been through today, but I know she knows. She gives me a slight nod before turning her attention to the Gul.
"Welcome back Kathryn, I trust you've had a pleasant day."
"You would know." She replies tightly. He smiles.
"As you can see, your commander is fit to return to duty. You may have a few minutes to turn over your ship to him."
She crosses to me and with one word asks me a thousand questions. "Chakotay?"
I give her a slight smile and nod. "They have the ability to heal to a qualified medical standard."
She breathes in and nods her understanding. Only thirty minutes ago I had two broken bones and internal bleeding. In order to make me last longer, and not draw suspicion upon my return to Voyager they healed my injuries. "I was glad to see you eat something today, but you know you should cut back on the coffee."
She gives me a slight glare but I know she got the message. She knows I've been watching her today. "Check over the results of that thruster test from today. The crew will expect us to make a determination on whether or not to implement the changes."
I nod and see the Gul returning, "I'll try and finish cleaning the carpets before you get back."
She makes my heart ache with the half smile she gives me. The Gul stands behind her and nods at the guard. I hear the transporter whine and she begins to disappear from my view. My vision clears and I see the walls of my quarters. I yell out in frustration. The last thing I saw was the Gul's arm encircling Kathryn's waist.