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Switched
Chapter 28
Birds chirping on the roof woke Cayla early the following morning. As she sat up sluggishly, she saw in the blue twilight of dawn that Chakotay was sleeping soundly beside her. He had evidently come to bed at some point during the night and had not, just as she'd suspected, noticed in the dark that his wife had been swapped for her twin. Careful not to wake him, Cayla slowly got out of bed, went to the bathroom, and then put on Kathryn's night robe and slippers. Then she put her own commbadge into a side pocket, just incase she needed it, and left the room.
When Cayla got downstairs, Goldy greeted her with a snarl, so she put the animal out into the garden. He yapped in protest, but Cayla ignored his cries. She then replicated herself a cup of steaming black coffee, downed it while skimming the news headlines, and then began to prepare breakfast. She figured that Kathryn had to be a great cook because Kathryn was great at everything. No doubt she was up at the crack of dawn every day toasting waffles, scrambling eggs, grilling sausages and frying tomatoes. Not wanting to raise Chakotay's suspicions, Cayla set about to do the same. While she was not a brilliant cook, she was competent, and a hot breakfast was well within her ability. She rummaged through the kitchen's large fridge, which housed all fresh non-replicated produce, and found a string of sausages and some eggs. Waffles and tomatoes she could not find, so she replicated them instead.
Ten minutes later, sausages were sizzling, scrambled eggs were browning, waffles were crisping and tomatoes were frying. Chakotay, who had been woken up by a now silent and defeated Goldy, stood in the kitchen dooway and looked at the scene in amazement.
"What's all this?" he teased. "Barely 7am and cooking a feast? What's happened to my wife?"
Cayla tensed at those words. Kathryn evidently did not cook banquets for breakfast. But one slip up was neither here nor there. "Just my way of making up for last night," she said. "And for this morning. I have to go back to HQ in a couple of hours."
"I see," Chakotay said, replicating himself a glass of apple juice. "What's happened?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you...confidentiality and all that. But nothing for you to worry about."
"Glad to hear it. What time did you get in last night?"
"About midnight. You were asleep so I didn't wake you. And I'm sorry to say it's most likely going to be a long day today aswell."
"Just don't over do it," Chakotay said. "You're supposed to be taking things easy, remember?"
Cayla flipped over a waffle. "How can I forget?"
Chakotay went over to her "Want some help?"
"No, siree. Everything's under control. You just sit yourself down."
Chakotay kissed her cheek. "Yes, Ma'am."
As Chakotay went to sit down, Cayla began to dish out breakfast. "How many sausages? Two or three?"
"Just two, thank you."
Cayla gave him the desired amount, shared out the waffles and eggs between them, and then carried the plates to the table.
"Looks delicious," Chakotay smiled. "I'm impressed."
"Well," Cayla said, going over to the replicator and replicating a glass of water, "the proof, as they say, is in the eating. So eat away."
Chakotay began to eat and Cayla joined him at the table.
"Where's Goldy?" Chakotay asked. "Is he in the garden?"
"Yes," Cayla answered. "Doing his business." She picked up a knife and Chakotay noticed that her wedding ring finger was bare.
"Your ring..." he commented.
Cayla's eyes flew to her left hand and she remembered too late that she'd forgotten to take Kathryn's wedding ring from her.
"Oh it's...it's safe and sound," she said. "I took it off yesterday and, well, must have forgotten to put it back on."
For a long moment Cayla felt Chakotay's stare, but deliberately avoided eye contact. That would be the surest way of giving herself away. After what seemed an eternity, Chakotay began to eat again.
"I don't think I can eat anymore," Cayla said. "I think I'll get changed and head to HQ." The situation was getting a bit too tense for her liking.
"This early?" Chakotay asked. "Remember, San Francisco's three hours behind."
"We're having an early start. Besides, by the time I'm showered and changed it'll be later."
"In that case," Chakotay said, reaching across the table with his folk, "I'll take your sausage. They truly are delicious."
Cayla got to her feet. "Help yourself."
"What are they called? I don't think I've ever had them before."
"Oh they're just the ones from the fridge."
At that, Chakotay's hand froze. Then it came to life again and he took the sausage onto his plate. "If you let me know, when you do, what time you'll be home," he said, "I'll make us dinner. I'll get a joint of beef from the butcher in town and make us a casserole."
"Sounds good," Cayla said.
She turned to leave but Chakotay suddenly got to his feet. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
Cayla turned to him "What?"
Chakotay closed the gap between them. "I'm a vegetarian."
Cayla swallowed. Now she was truly sunk.
Chakotay seized her left arm. "Did you think I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the woman I love and a cheap imitation? Well, game over, Cayla. Where's Kathryn? What have you done with her?"
Cayla stiffened into herself now. "Ok, Commander. Game set and match to you. But don't sweat it. Kathryn's safe."
"Where is she?"
"Far from here. And to prove it, I'll take you to her."
Chakotay's grasp on her arm tightened. "You'd better. And fast."
With her right hand, Cayla pulled out her commbadge and fiddled with it.
Chakotay questioned. "What are you doing?"
Cayla looked up at him. "Fulfilling your request."
Before Chakotay could question further, a blue transporter beam engulfed him and he dematerialized.
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT