A/N: Thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed (pumpkin314159, murphycat and the Guest), alerted and favourited this. I hope you all continue to enjoy!
To the Guest reviewer...Yes I'm more that happy to include that episode into this fic :)
If anyone has any specific episodes they would like to see included please let me know either through a review or PM and I will do my best to include it for you xx
- Initiations –
"First Officer's personal log, stardate 49005.3. The Captain has granted me the use of the shuttlecraft so that I may perform the Pakra, solitary ritual commemoration the anniversary of my father's death." Chakotay sighed at the thought of what Kathryn had done. If it had been any one else then she wouldn't have allowed this and even with his track record with shuttlecraft she didn't hesitate. It was a wonder to Chakotay why the Captain had acted so with him. There was a brief flicker of hope in his heart as he brought the shuttle to an all stop, he pushed the feeling away, knowing that it would do him no good to dwell on it. Kathryn had done nothing to indicate since their last conversation on the topic that anything had changed. With his medicine bundle in hand, he took a seat on the floor behind the piloting chairs. He laid it out in front of him and began the Pakra.
"A-koo-chee-moya. I pray on this day of memories to speak to my father, the one whom the wind called Kolopak. Though I am far from his bones, perhaps there is a spirit these unnamed skies who will find him and honour him with my song. A-koo-chee-moya." Chakotay is shaken from his meditation only moments later by a heavy hit to the shuttle.
"Computer, report." He placed his medicine bundle away quickly.
"The shuttlecraft has sustained phaser fire. Minor damage to aft shields."
"Source?" He sat back in the pilot's seat, fully alert once more.
"A Kazon spacecraft closing at one nine five mark six."
"Computer, open a channel to the Kazon vessel. This is Commander Chakotay of the Federation Starship Voyager. Why have you fired on me?"
He didn't have to wait long before a Kazon appeared on the screen.
"You are in Kazon – Ogla space, Federation."
"I wasn't aware of that. I have no hostile intentions. Power down your weapons and I'll leave."
"No one who violates Ogla space leaves."
Chakotay resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Look, son, my starship is only a few light years away."
"I am not your son, Federation. I am you executioner."
The screen went blank once more, and Chakotay sighed. "Chakotay to Kazon vessel. Listen carefully." He tried to appeal to the child. "I do not want a fight. Stand down or I'll be forced to return fire."
There was a moment still silence between the two ships until the shuttlecraft rocked after another large hit. Chakotay brought his little shuttle around behind the Kazon ship.
"Chakotay to Kazon vessel. I've established a direct weapons lock on your engine core. This is my final warning. If you don't stand down, I will destroy your ship." Chakotay really didn't want to give the order to fire, knowing that although Kazon, he was still a bot aboard that ship. Chakotay sat and waited for a few seconds, hoping that the boy would head his word and power down, but when the Kazon fires aft photon torpedoes, Chakotay has no choice.
"All right, if that's the way you want to play it." He fires phasers and destroys the Kazpn engines, just as he had promised and could have and probably should have turned and left, but something in him made him stay, watching the Kazon shuttle.
"Chakotay to Kazon vessel. Do you read me?" There was no reply. "Computer, are there any life signs inside the Kazon vessel?"
"Affirmative. One life sign."
"Kazon ship, your engine core is critical. You have less than thirty seconds to evacuate. Do you read me? If you have an escape pod, you must eject now." There was no response or movement. "Computer, establish a transporter lock on the life form." There was no way he was going to leave anyone, let alone a child to die, even though he knew he shouldn't interfere.
"Acknowledged. Targeting scanners."
"Prepare to beam him aboard,"
"Scanners locked."
"Energise." His voice is hard.
Just as the young male materialised unconscious aboard the shuttle his ship explodes.
"Chakotay to Voyager. Chakotay to Voyager." There was no response of any sort. "Computer, damage report."
"Long-range communications, lateral sensor army and aft shields are offline."
"Great!" He spun his chair around and looked down at the bay. "Welcome aboard." His voice clearly showed his dislike for the situation.
Unsure how or what to do, Chakotay came to a stop and patiently waited for the boy to come around.
Back on Voyager, Kathryn was listening to Neelix in her ready room, making a concerted effort to think before she spoke, not something she always did. She tentively took a bite of the food that Neelix had placed in front of her a few minutes before he started talking.
"It's not that I feel that I'm not making contributions as chef and morale officer."
"You're making significant contributions, Neelix."
"Well if you insist, but…"
Kathryn cut him off. "I can't imagine how Lieutenant Ayala would be handling the separation from his children without you." She was pushing the positive forward.
Neelix stopped pacing. "He misses his boys terribly. I wish I could do more for him."
"And you meals are getting to be…" she took another bite.
"Yes?"
"Almost certainly a highlight of every day." She bit back a grimace.
"Oh, Captain." He almost bounced on the balls of his feet. "You always know how to touch ones heart. Thank you. When I signed on, I promised you that I would stand by your side through every danger this quadrant has to offer, as a guide, as a strategist, as an explorer, as an adventurer."
"Yes?" she pressed.
"I feel underutilized. I can swashbuckler with the best of them."
Kathryn raised a brow. "You weren't invited to the holodeck defense simulations, were you?"
Neelix stopped his pacing. "No."
"Captain, you're needed on the Bridge." Tuvok called for her through the comm system.
"On my way." She stood from her seat and looked at the Talaxian in front of her. "I'll see to it that you're invited next time. And now, Mister Neelix, please, join me on the Bridge." She indicated for him to go ahead of her.
"Yes, Sir. Ma'am. Captain."
A wide smile of relief and amusement made itself comfortable on her lips as she followed him out of her ready room.
"We are ready to depart. However, Commander Chakotay has still not returned."
The smile dropped, as did Kathryn's mood as Tuvok gave his report.
"Have you tried hailing him?"
"On all frequencies. No response."
Worry and fear gripped her hear in their tight hold. "When was the last time we heard from him?"
"More than six hours ago."
Kathryn had to fight to stop her feelings from showing clearly on her face as she headed for the closes terminal. "Well, according to his flight plan, he's not far. We'll just have to go get him. I want all away teams back on board now. Mister Paris, plot a course for Chakotay's last known coordinates."
"Aye, Captain."
Kathryn started pacing in front of the command chairs needing something to do but feeling useless as her crew carried out her orders.
A short while later Kathryn had taken a seat on her throne and was staring at the passing stars. Tom was the one who brought her out of her revive.
"We're approaching Chakotay's last known coordinates, Captain."
"All stop." She shot to her feet. "Full sensor scan, Mister Kim."
"Picking up floating debris composed of duranium, magnesite and electroceramics." Harry looked up from his console and looked at Kathryn who had spun on her heel to look at him. "Also heavy traces of carbon residue."
Kathryn too frowned. Ships were made of that composite, but there was only one way to find out. "Bridge to engineering. Prepare to receive debris samples for analysis.2
"Aye, Captain." There was no hesitation or questioning in B'Elanna's voice as she too was beginning to worry for Chakotay."
"Transport complete."
Kathryn nodded at Harry and slowly turned to Tuvok who was talking to her, but her mind was becoming slightly cloudy, something she swore she wouldn't allow to happen while on the Bridge.
"I am detecting an ion trail leading away from this location."
"Chakotay's shuttle." Her heart lifted.
"The signature of the radiation is not consistent with Federation propulsion systems."
And it plummeted.
Tom had spun in his chair so that he could properly pay attention. "So what are we saying here? That someone blew up Chakotay's shuttle and then took off?"
"That's speculation, Mister Paris," she snapped. She sighed and softened her voice just a touch. "But that trail's the only clue we have to Chakotay's whereabouts."
Tom had the right state of mind to nod and turn back to the conn, "Laying in a course."
Kathryn allowed a few moments before stating, "Engage." After watching a few stars fly by she headed for the turbolift. "Lieutenant, you have the Bridge."
Tuvok nodded as she passed his station.
Once in the turbolift and on her way down to engineering, Kathryn closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, finally locking all personal feelings for Chakotay away while allowing her captaincy to over take her. She felt much more in control of herself when the 'lift finally arrived at engineering. That didn't stop her going straight to B'Elanna and hovering over her shoulder as she analysed the debris. "Well?"
"Most of the debris we've examined is composed of a polyduranic alloy which isn't used in the construction of Federation spacecraft." Although having the Captain hanging so close to her was grating on her nerves she bit her tongue, Chakotay having spoken to her a few weeks ago about a certain blue eyed beauty.
"So it wasn't Chakotay's shuttle that was destroyed?"
B'Elanna shook her head, relief flooding through Kathryn. "This ship was Kazon." A new anxiety filled here, filled them both.
Meanwhile with Chakotay…
After finally disabling the Kazon warship, Chakotay headed quickly away from the large vessel. The young Kazon boy standing close behind him, watching his movements.
"Will Razik be all right?"
"Don't worry, he's only stunned." 'Unfortunately', he kept his feelings to himself, but quickly chastised himself for his Maquis thoughts. 'I won't be telling Kathryn about this.'
The shuttlecraft shook as weapon fire hit the hull, bringing Chakotay violently out of his thoughts.
"It didn't take them long to get those weapons back online, did it?" He didn't wait for Kar to speak. "Computer, prepare to go to warp."
"No!" Chakotay spin his chair around, a frown on his brow. "Their ship is much clumsier at lower speeds. We should try to out maneuver them."
Chakotay shrugged. "You're the boss. Initiate evasive pattern theta two. Full impulse."
"I can give you the shield frequencies of their ship. We can hit them back easily." His excitement was tangible as he took a step forward.
"It may mean something to you to die a violent death, but I'd like to get of this without being killed or killing."
"You'd rather die in your sleep a wrinkled old man?" He was outraged that anyone would find that appealing.
"Sounds about right." 'With Kathryn.' He blocked those thoughts from his mind, knowing that Kathryn wouldn't approve. "Computer, damage report."
"Aft shields at sixty three percent."
"We're not going to make it like this," he cursed himself. "Computer, scan for an M-class atmosphere."
"There is an M-class moon at bearing one zero eight mark one eight. Distance, one point nine million kilometres."
"That's Torok, where the Ogla conduct training exercises." Kar pointed at the view screen at the moon that had been magnified.
"Anyone there now?" Kar shook his head. "Computer, lay in a course to the moon. Evasive pattern omega one. Maximum impulse."
The Kazon continued to fire at the shuttle, many shot missing their mark, but few caused the small craft to violently shake.
"Warning. Aft shields have been penetrated. Hull break is imminent."
"Computer, prepare for long-range transport. Two to beam to the surface."
"Transport is not recommended. The moon is out of safety range."
Chakotay rolled his eyes, ordering the transport as the shuttle tumbles out of control.
Kathryn had held her standing position in the centre of the Bridge for a long while.
"Captain, the ion trail is beginning to dissipate."
"All stop." Tom did so quickly, imagining an old 20th century Earth vehicle jolting at the sudden decrease of speed.
"I'm picking up debris again. More duranium, magnesite, carbon residue." He looked up, meeting Kathryn's hard stare that had only just landed on him. "It's the remnants of another ship."
"Bridge to Engineering. Lieutenant Torres, prepare to receive another debris sample."
"Acknowledged."
"Transport under way." Kathryn's gaze had not faltered.
"Torres to Bridge. Sample received."
Kathryn sat down in her chair and Harry heaved a silent sigh of relief at the weight that had been lifted from him as her gaze left him.
"Let me know when you've got something, B'Elanna." She requested, not being able to take herself down to Engineering. She had barely finished speaking when B'Elanna's voice sounded over the comm.
"I've got something right now. It's a piece of Chakotay's shuttle."
Kathryn turned pale, pure dread flooding her, no matter how hard she tried to keep her composure. A subtle look at the others on the Bridge told her that she was not the only one reacting in such a manner. Dread, that at that moment was very much deserved.
"You don't know what you're doing!" Kar called after Chakotay who was walking quickly ahead.
"What did I just say?"
"Get down!" Kar threw a stone to the place where Chakotay was about to stop, a beam blasts it into atoms. That got Chakotay's attention and he turned to the young lad who had caught up to him.
"What to hell was that?" Anger and shock written all over his face, as plain as day.
"A proton beam. They're hidden everywhere, along with biomagnetic traps and disruptor snares."
"Charming."
"I told you, the Ogla train on this moon. I was here myself last year with Razik." Kar pushed past Chakotay who followed behind.
"So I guess you know your way around."
"I know that you're in my territory. And if you want to live to become that wrinkled old man, you're going to have to do what I say."
"Well it looks like you just saved my life. Twice more and we'll be even." Chakotay wanted to keep the atmosphere between them as light as possible.
Back on Voyager the atmosphere in the briefing room was anything but light. There was silence as the night drew in. The Doctor finally decided to break it.
"I've finished analysing the shuttle debris, and I found no evidence of human remains."
"Then it's possible Chakotay wasn't killed in the explosion?" Kathryn asked the Doctor, clinging on to hope.
"That is correct."
"Relief tried to push to the forefront of her heart and mind, but she wouldn't allow it, she did however, allow a small smile to pull at her lips. "That's the first good news I've had all day. Thank you, Doctor."
He inclined his head slightly. "My pleasure. Now, would you mind having someone transport this junk," he indicated behind him. "to the cargo bay? It's cluttering up my lab."
"Of course, Doctor. All right, then." She turned to her senior officers. "If Commander Chakotay wasn't in the shuttle, where is he?"
"From the dispersal pattern of the debris, we've been able to extrapolate Chakotay's course prior to the explosion. It appears he was heading from an M-class moon in this system." Tuvok's logical voice calmed the inner storm that was raging between Kathryn's heart and brain.
"And we found a residual energy displacement within the debris field that isn't consistent with the explosion itself."
"You think he may have transported to that moon?" she asked looking between Harry and Tuvok.
"We tried to scan the surface, but there is intense radiothermic interference."
Kathryn frowned. "Radiothermic?" She couldn't work out where that would be coming from.
"It appears to be coming from subterranean energy sources, several carefully concealed weapons systems, phaser banks, force fields, proton discharges…"
"Kazon." Kes interrupted. "I believe you call them booby traps."
Kathryn nodded to her, showing she had understood. "Then this moon is some kind of Kazon fortification?"
Kes shrugged. "Or it may simply be a training site."
"For the Kazon, live ammunition is a very effective training tool." Neelix inputted.
"In the absence of evidence to the contrary, I choose to believe Chakotay made it to that moon." She said to the whole congregation before implementing a plan. "Mister Kim, see if you can determine the most probable location he would have beamed to. Lieutenant, you and I will lead the away team."
"As you wish, Captain." Tuvok gave a light nod of his head. "But I must point out that due to radiothermic interference, we will not be able to communicate with the ship."
Tuvok was still saying his last words when B'Elanna started talking. "I'm already working on a dampening field to cut through the interference, but it'll take several hours at least."
"I don't want to wait that long, but keep trying." She softened her voice for the later part of the sentence. "Neelix, Kes, you're our two Kazon experts. Kes, you'll come with Tuvok and me. Neelix, you said you wanted more to do? Well, now's your chance. I want you one the Bridge with Mister Paris in case we run into any Kazon ships."
"Don't worry, Captain. You can count on me to keep those nefarious Kazon at bay."
Kathryn nodded. "Dismissed."
Everyone stood and silently left, leaving Kathryn on her own. She stood and headed to the window. She leaned her forehead against the cool glass, her eyes closed.
"Come back to me, Chakotay," she whispered out to the stars. She sighed, and stayed silent for a few moments, praying to the stars for his safe return. Eventually, she pushed away from the window and headed for the Bridge.
Chakotay had seated himself beside the blazing fire, his tricorder resting on a large rock in front of him as he pressed several button. Kar was sat on the other side of the shelter, swinging a long piece of wood about casually.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm setting my tricorder to emit a homing signal." He didn't lift his sight from his work.
"What for?" Kar genuinely sounded like he didn't understand.
"So when my people show up, they'll know where to look for me."
"They won't come. They'll think you're dead."
Chakotay smirked. "They're very persistent." An image of Kathryn standing ram-rod straight in the middle of the Bride barking orders with complete fear shining in her eyes. "I'm betting they haven't given up on me."
"Maybe I should kill you, and steal your technology and deliver it to my people. Then they'd have to give me my name."
Chakotay rolled his eyes and looked over at Kar. "You just won't give up, will you?"
Kar stood quickly. "You won't stop me from earning my name, Federation."
"No Federation. Chakotay. That's my name." He too had stood up.
"Did you have to earn it?"
"No, not exactly."
"Then your name means nothing."
"My name was a gift from my tribe. I cherish it every day of my life, just as I cherish the Federation uniform." 'If only that name would be called out by Kathryn' he mentally shook himself. That was a thought that should never have crossed his conscious mind, let alone with a child in front of him.
"I should respect you because you wear that uniform?"
Chakotay sighed, his thoughts had obviously not shown on his face. "Your name, my uniform. Not much difference. We both have to earn them."
"What did you have to do to earn your uniform?"
That was a nice distracting question. "Study. Years of study. Learning about science and ships and navigation."
"I suppose they don't expect you to prove your battle skills." Statement, not a question.
"No." Chakotay sat back down. "They prepared us to defend ourselves in battle. They prepared us very well. And we had to pass many difficult tests before we were given the right to wear the uniform."
"You're saying that my name and your uniform mean the same thing, but you're wrong." Kar started pacing.
"Why? What's so different about us, aside from the fact that I keep saving your life and you keep threatening to kill me?" Chakotay was trying his best to stay calm.
"I must protect my territory. Territory is power."
"Let me tell you something." He stood. "I have no interest in your territory or anybody else's/ my people taught me a man does not own land. He doesn't own anything but the courage and loyalty in his heart. That's where my power comes from." He sighed. "I think we both could use some sleep, don't you?"
Later that night, Chakotay is lay on his back on a large smooth boulder, his eyes shut as he listened to Kar moving about. When all goes silent he starts to think of Voyager, all the while staying alert.
Chakotay opened his eyes as the sun started peeking through the opening in the shelter. He looked over at Kar to finding him stirring. "Good morning. How did you sleep?
"Fine." Sharp.
"Really? You seemed a little restless to me."
"What do you mean?" Kar was not seemingly a morning person.
"All that skulking about, throwing things."
"You were awake?"
Chakotay raised a 'brow. "You think I'm going to get much sleep around an Ogla warrior who's threatened to kill me?" The question needed no answer, so he carried on. "Why didn't you go through with it?"
Kar hung his head. "I am a coward."
"I don't believe that." Chakotay sat himself up properly. "I don't believe you do either. I think maybe you're beginning to realise I'm not your enemy, and only a fool would kill a friend."
"If you're my friend, then you're my only one." He stood up abruptly. "What happens to me now? Where do I go?"
"Would any other Kazon sect accept you?"
Kar shook his head and started angrily pacing. "I would be a govern, an outcast. Each Kazon sect I meet would cut one digit off, and send me away."
"How many Kazon sects are there?"
"It changes every day. Yesterday there was eighteen."
"I guess you could come with us."
"To do what, dress in a uniform?" And the anger that had slightly dissipated during the conversation came back full force.
"You wouldn't have to wear a uniform."
"And the closer you got to your home, the further I would be from mine. If only you had killed me."
Chakotay was struggling to keep up with Kar's mood swings but was determined to keep him talking. "Tell me about the other uniforms, the other uniforms, the ones the Kazon fought."
With a sigh Kar sat back down and spoke calmly. "The Trabe. The Kazon shared their home world, if you can call it sharing. They had everything, we had nothing, until we took it from them in the revolt, twenty six years ago."
The tricorder beeped, interrupting him. Kar shot up right, Chakotay was already picking it up.
"What is it?"
"People coming this way, humans and Kazon."
Kar panicked. "What are we going to do?"
"There's only one way back to the Ogla for you, and that's if you earn your name. So I guess that's what you'll have to do."
"But how?"
"You're going to have to kill me." Chakotay's throat had tightened and he had to force the words out, his heart beating so much harder and so much faster.
"Captain, four life forms approaching. Forty metres. They appear to be Kazon." Tuvok took a step towards the approaching Kazon, his phaser aimed.
"Please, put your weapons away. We've come to help you." Razik held up his hands slightly in a show of 'peace'.
Kathryn wasn't going to trust him, at least not yet. "Help us? With what?"
"We made contact without your ship and learned of the plight of you missing crewman. We've come to offer our assistance in finding him."
'Yes, like Chakotay would willing speak to you.' "That's very kind of you."
"You're walking on very dangerous ground. There are concealed weapons everywhere." He had obviously missed the very slight tinge of sarcasm in Kathryn's voice. "Come. We will lead you through them."
Kathryn looked to Tuvok and the others watching for their nods before agreeing. "Very well."
The group walked in almost silence, Kathryn and her crew following cautiously behind the Kazon.
"The signal seems to be coming from some caves approximately forty metres ahead." Tuvok said, stopping at the cross road.
The Kazon doubled back and looked amazed at Tuvok. "Your technology continues to amaze us. It would have taken us weeks to track them. After this is over, we have to discuss as alliance."
That was something she was agreeable to. "I would welcome your friendship, Maje." 'If it'll get us home any quicker *sigh* of at least a little easier.'
"Captain Janeway," Kathryn spun to face Kes. "I'm reading elevated radiothermic levels here."
Razik some before Kathryn had even opened his mouth. "The Ocampa female is correct. This is a particularly dangerous place. We lose many trainees here. Perhaps you would prefer if we proceeded alone. They can't be far now."
Kathryn could see Tuvok's eyebrow twitch just the tiniest amount, fueling the doubt that she had sadly allowed to dwindle. "Thanks, but I think we'll stick together."
The Kazon continued on slowly, stopping when they realised the Voyager crew weren't following.
"Voyager to away team."
Kathryn smiled. "We're here, Mister Paris."
"We finally broke through the interference, Captain. Are you all right? We had a run-in."
"Everything is fine. We have the assistance of the Ogla."
"That's what I was going to tell you to expect."
Kathryn saw the Ogla start to move off very slowly. "Can you lock onto Commander Chakotay?"
"Stand by."
Kathryn nodded even though Tom couldn't see here and indicated for the team to follow behind the Kazon once more.
"Voyager to Chakotay. Do you read?"
Chakotay felt a slight weight lift from his shoulders. "I'm fine, Paris."
"Stand by for us to beam you out of there."
"Belay that, Voyager. Stand by." He paced a little, his thoughts churning at warp six. He glanced over at her who was sat on his makeshift bed, watching him. Chakotay tapped his comm badge. "According to my readings, the away team's only forty metres away."
"Right, but don't - "
"And alert sickbay to prepare for a code white resuscitation."
"Did you say code white?"
"Correct." Sharp. "I don't have time to explain now. Chakotay out." He turned to Kar who was now stood shuffling his feet a little, the fact that he was just a child being emphasised. Chakotay sought to reassure him. "It'll be all right. Our technology can revive me even if I'm brain dead for two minutes."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Like you said, it's my fault you don't have your name. I can't leave you behind like this." He took a deep breath before tapping his comm badge. "Chakotay to away team."
"Glad to hear your voice, Commander." Kathryn's smiled could be heard through her voice.
"Captain, proceed with caution. I've been taken prisoner by a young Kazon. He's threatening to kill me."
Kathryn stopped in her tracks, her heart thumping at the danger Chakotay was in. She looked over to Tuvok who was arguing with one of the Kazon.
"This way. It's safer."
"I beg to differ, based on these readings, that way would seem the logical choice."
"I must apologise for my comrade." Razik stood almost between the two. "I believe he's trying to mislead you."
Tuvok nodded and the away team followed behind him, Kathryn just wanted to get to Chakotay, as she was sure everyone else did, but when the force field bubble activated Kathryn rolled her eyes in annoyance.
Razik stepped up to the bubble. "So, your technology is not always an ally. Sometimes it betrays you. Pity. I'm afraid you would not score well in our training exercises." Chuckling, he turned and headed in the opposite direction.
"Away team to Voyager." There was only silence as an answer and Kathryn cursed.
Kes walked around the bubble looking outside, something on one of the rocks caught her eye. "Captain, that panel is a micro-generator."
Kathryn stepped next to Kes. "You're right." She placed a hand gently on her arm. "If we can get a narrow beam through the field, we can disable it."
Tuvok nodded. "We could try remodulating the phasers to a higher frequency output."
Kathryn stepped back, taking Kes with her. "Make it fast." She indicated to Tuvok with her free hand to do what he had to.
Chakotay was stood in the middle of the room with Kar stood in front of him, his weapon in hand, pointing directly at the tall man.
"I've been waiting for you, Razik," Kar spoke when he heard footsteps behind him, at the entrance.
"So, the Federation Commander is your prisoner."
"I only came with him so I could have another chance to kill him."
"So you could earn your name." Razik took a step forward so that there was only a metre between them.
"That's what I've been hoping for, Razik. But you taught me well. I know what you're going to say. You've said it so many times before. In battle, there are no second chances."
Kathryn enters with the away team in time to catch the end of Kar's speech. Chakotay caught her gaze and nodded, an ever so slight tilt to one corner of his lips. She nodded back sharply, the parlor of her skin still not improving, her stance still not relaxing in the least, not the reaction that Chakotay was aiming for, but as Kathryn saw it, things could still go terribly wrong.
Kar turned to Chakotay. "But you are not my enemy. He is." He spun on his heel quickly and shot Razik before anyone could say or do anything to stop him.
At the sound of the shot Kathryn took an involuntary step forward, as did Chakotay. They were both ignored as Kar went to stand centimetres in front of the other Kazon.
"My name is Jal Karden, Kazon-Ogla. You are First Maje now, Haliz. My life is yours. Kill me if you wish, or let me live and I will follow you into battle whenever you command."
Kazon and Starfleet waited with bated breath for the verdict.
"Jal Karden, Kazon-Ogla."
"Kazon-Ogla." The pair saluted each other before Kar took a stand next to Haliz, looking at Chakotay. "The Federation does not belong here. If we meet again, I will not hesitate to kill you."
He inclined his head. "I understand."
Kathryn his her comm badge before anything else could develop. "Janeway to Voyager. Five to beam up."
There was almost a collective sigh when they all appeared in the transporter room. At the turbo lift they parted ways, with Kes going back to sickbay, the security guard heading to engineering and the remaining three, Kathryn, Chakotay and Tuvok all went to the Bridge. Once there, Kathryn directed Chakotay through to her Ready Room.
"Are you okay? She asked as soon as the door had closed behind her, unable to his her worry any more.
"I'm fine Kathryn."
"Really?"
"Yes." He gave her one of his full beam dimpled smiles that always makes her go weak at the knees and she visibly relaxed.
"Good." She went and sat on her sofa.
Chakotay joined her, sitting close enough for their knees to touch but not so close that she was uncomfortable.
"You know, for a second there I thought the great Captain Janeway was worried." The mirth in his voice made her chuckle and punch his arm, her hand sliding down to cover his larger one.
"Don't ever think that I don't worry about you…and everyone else on board." She blushed at her slip up.
"I don't Kathryn."
She smiled. "It's good to have you back, Commander." She tried to remove her hand but he had gripped it, not wanting to let go.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Kathryn stopped fighting his hold. "Sorry?"
"Thank you."
"Whatever for?"
"Coming to find me." He paused. "But it was also extremely stupid, Kathryn. You could have been killed."
"But I wasn't and neither were you. I knew what I was going into, Chakotay."
He nodded, not wanting to let the line of questioning go, but he also didn't want to push her too far. "Do you need me for anything else, Captain?" he asked, letting go of her hand.
"No. you can retire for the rest of the day Chakotay. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."
"Thank you." He stood and went to the door. "Get some sleep Kathryn," he threw over his shoulder before leaving. Having his back to Kathryn he missed the confused and rejected look in her eyes. There was no way that she was going to get any form of rest, she instead looked out at the passing stars before going to her desk to work on the reports that had once more stacked on the corner.
Chakotay walked the corridors of the ship mindlessly, his sole focus being Kathryn, so it surprised him when he arrived at his private chambers. He walked in, took his medicine bundle out from his pocket and sat cross legged in the middle of the living room, confident that he wouldn't be interrupted.
"A-koo-chee-moya. I pray on this day of memories to speak to my father, the one whom the wind called Kolopak. Father, if you can hear me among these unnamed stars, I ask you to continue to watch over me as you've aways done. I ask you also to watch over a boy called, Karden, who has a difficult path to travel. A-koo-chee-moya."
To Be Continued...