Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures.

PROVIDENCE

CHAPTER 8

"I can't believe you're giving that Starfleet bitch quarters," Seska yelled at Chakotay in his ready room. "Are you out of your mind?"

"It might be weeks before we can get her to a Starfleet ship," Chakotay answered from his desk. "If we're going to keep her confined, as we must for our security, it ought to be in comfort."

"Comfort? What comfort does she deserve? We should throw her in the brig and let her rot!"

"I'm not going to argue," Chakotay said calmly. "If that's your opinion, fine. I'll live with it. But likewise you're going to have to live with my decision."

"Why should I? I'm not the only one who distrusts her! If you don't watch it, you'll have a mutiny on your hands!"

"I don't trust her either, that's why she's got to be confined. But I do respect her. I respect her as a person and as an officer."

"Then you're a fool! She's not worthy of respect! No Feddy is!"

"I disagree. She's been through hell, the same hell as many of our loved ones, and for that alone she deserves our compassion."

"What goes around, comes around! I bet she wouldn't hesitate in imprisoning us if the situation was reversed and we were on her ship!"

"You don't know that."

"But I suspect that. According to Daz, she's high ranking, and you don't get that far if you have a heart."

"That's where you're wrong," Chakotay said, getting to his feet. "Starfleet rewards those who play by the rules."

"And those who will bend them to serve an advantage! Or have you forgotten the reason we're fighting this war? They abandoned us to hell to benefit themselves! How can you defend a single one of them?"

"I'm not. But neither am I going to condemn someone I've only just met and know nothing about."

"I bet you wouldn't be this 'understanding' if she was a man!"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know what it means! Because, let's face it, you're a soft touch when it comes to women. All they have to do is flutter their eyes at you and you're under their spell!"

Chakotay slammed his chair against his desk and walked towards the door. "I'm not listening to this."

Seska called after him. "Where are you going?"

"To show our guest to our guest quarters."

"We don't have guest quarters."

Chakotay turned to her briefly. "We do now."

Then, without another word, he left.

Kathryn was alone in sickbay when Chakotay arrived there. She was lying on a biobed, her head newly bandaged and a blanket over her, and she seemed to be asleep. For a while, Chakotay looked at her, his heart going out to her. She seemed to be a good woman, from what B'Elanna had told him, and undeserving of what she had been through. Not that anyone deserved Cardassian...or sadistic...cruelty. He was glad to see that her injuries were healed, at least the visible ones, and that a clean white robe was in place of a bloody overall. Lockwood's man had beaten her bad and, if rescue hadn't come when it did, he hated to think what would have come next...

But she was safe now and he wouldn't put her in harms way again.

Turning around, as he didn't want to disturb her sleep, he learnt that she was actually awake when she spoke his name.

"Chakotay," she said. "Hi."

Chakotay turned back to her. "Hi. How are you feeling?"

"Let's just say, I've felt better," she replied, her voice as distinctive as he remembered. "But I want to thank you for saving me. You risked your life when you didn't have to and that...well, it's a true testimony to your humanity."

"Thank you, but I only did what any honorable warrior would do."

"Maybe, but there aren't too many of those."

"No," Chakotay conceded, "there aren't."

There was a moment's silence, then Kathryn broke it.

"When can we expect to be in range of a Starfleet vessel? B'Elanna says it could be days."

"Longer than that, I'm afraid," Chakotay said, sitting on the stool beside the bed. "To escape Lockwood, we had to enter the deadzone...a region of the Badlands that even most Maquis avoid...and it's going to take us weeks to get through it."

"Can't we go back the way we came?"

"No. There's only one safe passage and Lockwood will be monitoring it. We have to go forwards."

Kathryn sat up, her pale face coloring as the reels of her brain turned. "Or maybe sideways."

"Sideways?" Chakotay asked curiously.

"Like a crab. You expect them to run backwards at a threat, or scamper forwards, but they always scurry sideways. We can do the same. If you know the Badlands, I know Lockwood. She's presumptious, singleminded, a moth to a flame. If we go back in a few days, she'll think we've fallen for her trap, that we believe the coast is clear. But instead of flying into her path, we'll..."

"Go sideways," Chakotay finished.

"Exactly. She won't expect that, won't expect you to veer off the safe road. More importantly, she won't follow."

Chakotay considered. "It's risky, they don't call this the deadzone for nothing, leaving the safezone could kill us, but so too could weeks in here."

"Better sometimes to climb a short sharp hill than walk for miles on the flat. You can"t let her hold all the cards, not when you can play the ace."

"You're right. And I can't say I haven't thought of going back and meeting the challenge, but it seemed too risky."

"Some risks are worth taking."

"Yes. If you have the nerve. You clearly do."

"Comes with experience and I have plenty of that."

"A Commander?"

"Second Officer."

"Really? So was I before..." He was about to say before he resigned, but for some reason the words stuck in his throat. "Well...before."

"So I've gathered," Kathryn said, sympathy in her eyes. "Which means you must have been a damned good officer."

"I did my best. I worked hard and always tried to do my duty. But my duty is to my people now."

"I understand. And, for what it's worth, I'm sorry about the treaty. I never supported it."

"I believe you. But I'm sure you'll appreciate that I'm going to have to keep you supervised. I wish that wasn't the case, but I have to protect the interests of my crew."

"Naturally. So, what's it to be? The brig?"

At the way Kathryn said that, so matter of factly, Chakotay couldn't help but laugh. "No. We'll confine you to quarters. But not all the time. Under supervision, you're welcome to frequent the lounge and the canteen. The bridge too. If we're going to do the crab, I'll need you there."

"Then I'll be there. But who's going to supervise me. You?"

"No, I'm too busy. But I'd be honored if you'd have dinner with me tomorrow night."

Kathryn smiled. "I'd love to."

"Then dinner it is. Now, if you're up to it, I'll show you to your quarters."

"I'm up to it. But I'd like to dress first."

"There's no need," he said, getting to his feet. "Your quarters is just a few doors down. We're a small ship and crew. At least, right now. I have ambitions."

"I'm sure you do. But the less I know, the better."

"Agreed."

Kathryn then moved herself to the edge of the bed and tried to muster the strength to stand. She still felt very weak. Chakotay saw this and kindly offered her his hand.

"Need a hand?"

Kathryn nodded and gratefully put hers in his. "Thank you, Sir."

"You're welcome."

Chakotay then helped her to her feet and, as they left sickbay, supported her down the corridor. It was a short walk, as he'd promised, and in no time at all they were in her designated quarters.

"I know it's not of Starfleet proportions," Chakotay said as they stepped in, "but I think you'll be comfortable."

"I'm sure I will," Kathryn replied, looking around a cozy lounge of blue walls that had a white corner sofa, square coffee table of glass, a replicator, entertainment system, and compact kitchen. There was also, to her relief, blinds on the room's only window. As much as she appreciated a porthole, being in the Badlands meant a frenzy of lightening phenomena, and she hated lightening.

"There's a bedroom through here," Chakotay said, opening a sliding door that led to a small room with a single bed and silver closet, "and a bathroom beyond. I'm afraid it only has a tub, though. All cabins with sonic showers are taken."

"That's quite alright," Kathryn replied, "I much prefer a bath."

"Really? Then you're well matched." He opened the bathroom door, revealing a pleasing white tub, and gestured to a rail on which were several white towels. "They're all clean," he said, "the bedding too. Hazel has just replicated them. I've appointed her to take care of you, so if you want anything, or want to leave this cabin, just call her over the comm."

"I will," Kathryn assured him. "Thank you."

Chakotay then made his way back to the lounge and Kathryn followed.

"You may replicate food and clothes," he said, "but everything else has been disabled. For our security, we can't let you replicate weapons or anything that would enable you to access our computer database."

"I understand," Kathryn replied. "In the circumstances, you're being more than generous."

At this, Chakotay turned to face her. "You didn't ask to be here," he said, "and I know you don't want to be. I won't make a difficult situation worse."

Kathryn could see he meant that and she thanked her lucky stars that she was in his, not someone else's, custody. While few would be like Lockwood, most would not be as considerate.

"I really appreciate that," she said. "And I can say, with all honesty, that there are worse places to be than here."

"Yes," Chakotay replied sadly. "And I'm truly sorry for everything you've been through. After surviving the Cardassians, you shouldn't have had to endure a second hell. And I blame myself that you did. I shouldn't have sent you back to your shuttle so soon."

"It was my choice."

"But my call. And I won't let you down again. This time, we won't take the cowards way out. We'll beam you directly to a Starfleet ship."

"No, that would be too dangerous...for you."

"Not as dangerous as veering off course in the deadzone," he half teased. "As you said earlier, some risks are worth taking."

His kindness, just like B'Elanna's, brought tears to Kathryn's eyes. He truly was a brave man. A good and moral man who would sacrifice his life in a heartbeat for a just cause. If only there were more such men.

Gently, Chakotay put his hand on her shoulder. "Get some rest, Kathryn. No one will disturb you for the rest of the night."

Then, with a kind smile, he turned around and left.

Left.

Taking the warmth with him. For suddenly Kathryn felt cold. Cold as though he'd been a fire keeping her warm.

Cold and alone.

But not afraid.

She was safe here, as safe as anyone could be on a small ship in the Badlands, and she was alive.

Thanks to Chakotay.

Someday, somehow, she would repay him.

Holding that thought, she went through to the bedroom, pulled down the blind, and then climbed into bed. The sheets were soft, the mattress too, and in no time at all she was fast asleep.

END OF CHAPTER 8