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 5

Tom Paris

I'm playing kadis-kot with Naomi in sick bay when the computer alerts the doctor. "Captain Janeway is currently on duty."

I look up and the doctor jerks his head towards his office. I join him. "Computer, how many personnel are currently on board Voyager?"

"139."

I throw up my hands. "Computer, who is currently not on board Voyager?"

"All Voyager personnel are currently on board."

"Computer, is Captain Janeway currently aboard Voyager?"

"Affirmative."

"Computer, is Commander Chakotay currently aboard Voyager?"

"Affirmative."

"Is the Captain in her quarters?"

"Affirmative."

"Is the Commander in his quarters?"

"Affirmative."

The doctor nods his head along with the answers then taps his comm. Badge, "Doctor to Captain Janeway."

No answer. We lock eyes.

"Paris to Commander Chakotay."

"Commander Chakotay is currently off duty and requests that all non-essential calls be directed to Captain Janeway."

"We've heard that answer before." I comment to the doctor. I have an idea. "Computer is there any life signs in the Commander's quarters?"

"Negative."

"Computer is there any life signs in the captain's quarters?"

"Affirmative." I raise an eyebrow at the doctor.

"Well, at least that's a new answer." I say before hitting my comm. Badge, "Paris to Captain Janeway."

No answer.

"Computer, is the Captain sleeping?"

"Negative."

"Is the Captain conscious?"

"Negative."

"Get down to her quarters now Mr. Paris." The doctor orders. I grab a med kit and haul ass. I make it to her door in record time and just to follow protocol I ring for entrance. I receive no answer and begin to enter my medical override when I hear her call for entrance. The doors slide open and she is sitting on the couch. Her elbows are on her knees and her hands cradle her face. She looks up. She looks like death warmed over. I stand in the open door staring.
"Mr. Paris," Her voice is not the usual whiskey tones that I am used to, but more like gravel on glass. She clears her throat and asks, "Did you need something?"

I mentally shake myself and enter her quarters. "Uhm, the doctor sent me down here. He's, uh, been checking on your replicator use. And, uhm, he noticed you haven't been getting the proper nutrition with your coffee intake lately. I, uhm, oh, I have a hypospray of vitamins for you."

I stop talking after what seems an awfully long time. We stare at each other for a moment both unable to conceal our surprise at this story. She recovers first and leans back on the couch her eyes breaking contact with me. She tries to cover up a grimace but I see it.

"Very well Mr. Paris," she says tiredly. "But, vitamins only."

I nod and set the medkit on the coffee table. As I open it, I make a production of looking for a hypospray. I look her over as discreetly as possible. I can see fresh nail marks on the palms of her hand. I clear my throat and wave the hypospray at her. "All the vitamins you need to keep the doctor away."

She reaches up to pull her collar down. Her hand shakes. We both pretend not to notice. I administer the same dose of vitamins to her that we gave Naomi earlier in the guise of a sedative. I don't know entirely what's going on, but I'm sure the vitamins are needed despite the idiotic story I came up with. As I pull the hypospray away from her neck I can see a slight circular discoloration. I put on my poker face and pull back from her, "There you go. All set. Just cut back on that coffee."

"Thank you, Tom." She clears her throat again and rubs the back of her neck. "Let the doctor know I will be down to check on Naomi soon."

"Aye, Captain."

I leave her quarters struggling against the desire to just pick her up and carry her to sick bay. Damn the consequences.

Tuvok

She pages me and I can feel the entire bridge crew strain to listen, "Go ahead Captain."

Her voice sounds rough and tired. "I'll be late coming to the bridge today. I've got some personal issues to deal with and then I'm going to visit Naomi in sick bay."

She already knows about Miss Wildman. She has either been in contact with the commander or she has been able to see and hear Voyager during her absence. "I will continue to 'watch over' your ship, Captain until such time that you are able to report."

The sentiment of watching over an inanimate object is uncomfortable with me, but I believe she will appreciate the overture.

"Thank you Mr. Tuvok."

Doctor

Mr. Paris has just finished briefing me on what transpired in the Captain's quarters when I hear someone enter. I look up and see a ghost of the Captain walking towards my office. Mr. Paris makes a quiet exit and wakes Naomi as he leaves to inform Tuvok and the others of the latest developments. I'm horrified at her appearance, but with Mr. Paris warning I attempt to put on my best poker face.

"Captain, good morning." She looks up at me from under hooded lids. The dark circles under her eyes clearly visible.

"Doctor." She clears her throat before continuing. "Commander Chakotay informs me that our youngest crewman is going through a rough time. I assume you've been working on a solution to our latest problem."

"Yes, of course. In fact, if you wouldn't mind keeping her occupied for a few minutes I could check on the test results from the scan I performed earlier; the one from when the commander visited with her."

"Of course, doctor."

I walk behind her as she leaves the office and walks over to Naomi. I've already started scanning her as we walk, and I notice how stiffly she holds herself. She reaches the bed and leans against it for support as she takes Naomi's hand. I signal to Naomi to draw out her performance for as long as possible.

I see the results flash by on the tricorder. If my heart wasn't photonic, I think it would've stopped beating. I finish the scan and close the tricorder. My assessment will have to wait until I finish this performance. I backtrack to my office. I call out to the Captain from there and she turns to watch as I come closer to the bed. "I believe I've made a breakthrough Captain."

The Captain cocks her head to one side. I continue. "I believe I'll have a solution after I run a few more tests for comparison."

"If there is any risk of danger to her or any member of this crew, I won't allow it." The captain fixes me with a glare.

I raise my chin, "I will of course go over all the possibilities with the parents before treatment."

"See Naomi, I told you everything would be alright. The doctor and your parents will ensure nothing happens to you. If his cure is at all dangerous, I'll try it myself first, okay." The captain pats the back of Naomi's hand. "The doctor knows that I would put your health or the health of any member of this crew ahead of my own. Don't you Doctor?"

The captain locks eyes with me. She's been tortured and held captive. She hasn't slept in days. She's injured and exhausted, but the power she projects with her eyes to me in that moment would make any Klingon warrior run screaming from the room. I can only nod. "Aye, Captain."

Kathryn

They are literally the finest crew I've ever worked with. So why do I feel like panicking? I pace the small confines of the turbolift intending to go to my cabin. I've just left sickbay and a conversation with the doctor that has left me feeling flushed. What do they know? What are they intending to do? Do they know Chakotay's life is at stake if they interfere? Will they sacrifice him to save me? How can I ever lead them again if they let him die in my place? If they do anything that puts his life in jeopardy, it's my fault because I tipped them off in the first place.

"Tuvok to Captain Janeway, please report to the bridge."

My heart skips a beat. Surely, they aren't going to try something now. I take a deep breath and wince at the twinge of pain it causes. I order the turbolift to the bridge. As I step out onto the bridge, I glance around. Harry is at his station and Tuvok is standing next to my chair. Tom is no where to be seen. I cross to Tuvok. "Report."

"I apologize for calling you to the bridge Captain. It seems that Mr. Kim is needed in Astrometrics, and I have a counseling appointment with Lt. Torres."

Yesterday I was confusing my crew and today they are confusing me. At least my facial reactions can't be seen by the Gul. "Lt. Torres?"

"Yes, Captain. Anger management." He pauses. "Shall I reschedule?"

"No." I say quickly. At least this is more plausible than Tom's vitamin story. "No, that won't be necessary Mr. Tuvok. I can handle the bridge on my own. Take all the time you need."

He gives me a brief nod and crosses behind me. Harry waits for him at the turbolift. I slowly sink into my chair. Godspeed gentlemen, but please don't do anything I'll regret.