While he hoped very much that Kathryn would accept his help, Chakotay didn't really expect her to. She was a great captain that understood the need to delegate. She didn't hesitate to ask for help with some scientific puzzle or engineering question she was working on. She often asked advice when trying to make a decision for the good of the ship and crew. But advice or help for the good of Kathryn? Rarely, if ever.
Thus, Chakotay was astounded when Kathryn's first action on the bridge the morning after his request was to call him to her ready room to discuss things. He wondered if she'd taken his words to heart after a good night of sleeping on the idea. However, once he was able to take a close look at his captain, he doubted she'd slept at all. The coffee in her hand was par for the course, but she seemed to be holding it extra tightly. And it was much nearer empty than it should have been. Her eyes screamed exhaustion. But, he noted with a hint of approval, she hadn't cut her hair. It was wrapped tightly into the bun that he realized he'd missed.
Kathryn chose to sit at her desk. Chakotay suspected she needed it as a barrier as she opened up. That was unfortunate. He would have been glad for an excuse to touch her. Sitting on the couch often allowed him the opportunity.
"Chakotay," she said, as soon as he was seated across from her. Her voice was a little hoarse. "You know Q has…been here recently."
In this very room in fact, he thought. He nodded for her to go on.
"He…" It was evident that she'd rehearsed this conversation earlier, but the preparation didn't seem to be helping. Either she was mentally restructuring her approach, or whatever she had to say was painful to voice.
"He made a demand of me that…that I'm having difficulty fulfilling."
Chakotay went into red alert. Before he realized it, he'd already risen halfway from his seat and leaned across the desk. Every instinct was telling him to protect Kathryn at all costs.
"What has he done to you, Kathryn?" he asked, voice strained with concern. If Q had touched her… Well, Chakotay would have to tear him apart.
She closed her eyes. It seemed to hurt. "Nothing. It's not…" She opened her eyes again. "It's not what you think. There's no need to try and avenge my honor, or whatever foolish thing that's running through your mind."
Chakotay lowered back into his chair, but his blood was still pumping wildly. "Then what does he want? Why are you letting him demand anything?"
Kathryn fixed him with a glower. "I refuse to be interrogated, Commander. I'm asking for your help, not reading you my log entries."
That frustrating, impossible woman! How did she expect him to react to information like this? He'd never vocalized it—well not since New Earth, and even then, not in so many words—but surely she knew how he felt about her. He thought he was restraining himself very well. He hadn't pulled her into a protective embrace and promised her he'd never let her be hurt again, at least. Weren't a few questions validated?
Nonetheless, he apologized. "I'm sorry. Go on."
She finished off her coffee before replying. "Q is going to bring someone aboard my ship. I don't know anything about this individual, and I will need the assistance of the crew to analyze him. The Doctor, certainly. Probably B'Elanna. Harry could help as well. Seven might prove invaluable. And of course, Tuvok."
Chakotay processed the information before asking, "What do you need me to do?"
She held his gaze a few moments in silence. "I suppose I just need your support on this. Your full support." Her head tilted ever so slightly to the side. Her raised brows drew attention to her eyes which stared intently at him, proving with the most honest part of her how serious she was.
That stung. Every time she doubted him even for an instant. It made him regret even more the times he'd let her down. "Kathryn, I assure you," he said. "You can count on me." He made to pat the arm resting on her desk, but she abruptly moved it out of the way.
Her most bona fide, Starfleet-approved captain's mask slid into place. "Please inform the relevant parties to report to the briefing room."
Once everyone was assembled, Kathryn didn't waste any time getting down to business. The fragility that Chakotay had sensed in her ready room was gone. Her expression warned that she would not be taking any interruptions, comments or questions until she was completely finished.
"We will be receiving a visitor in the next few days. I don't know anything about him except he is potentially dangerous, so we will need to learn what we can as quickly as we can."
She focused her full attention on each crew member as she addressed them. "Tuvok, your telepathic abilities will be paramount. Doctor, information on his physiology will be vital. Look for weaknesses and a way to subdue him if necessary. Seven, work with the doctor. Nanoprobes will probably be needed. B'Elanna, Harry, we will need a place to contain our guest. Work on bulking up security in the brig. As soon as the doctor provides you with relevant biological information, personalize things for our guest."
Kathryn swept her gaze across the room. "Any questions?" she asked, taking her seat.
Practically everyone burst forth with a comment.
Chakotay motioned for silence. "Tuvok, you first."
"Why are we allowing this visitor aboard if he is an obvious security threat?" the Vulcan asked succinctly.
Kathryn pursed her lips and sighed before answering. "We have little choice in the matter. I'd explain but it doesn't change anything."
Tuvok frowned but was silent.
Chakotay waited a moment to be sure Tuvok was really done before saying, "Doctor?"
The EMH pulled himself to his full height. "Captain, I feel the need to remind you that I cannot intentionally harm any patient under my care."
The captain stared directly at the Doctor. "Then see to it that he isn't harmed. At most he will need to be neutralized." Her voice was as serious as ever it had been.
"Oh Kathy, I hope you're not trying to change the rules on me."
Q had suddenly appeared behind her chair. Small sounds and signs of understanding came from all in the room. Chakotay hoped he was the only person to notice that Kathryn's grip on the table's edge had suddenly become white-knuckled.
"You know what could happen," Q added, thrumming his fingers along the back of the captain's seat.
Chakotay shifted uncomfortably as Q's gaze rested upon him. And he didn't miss the glance Kathryn shot at him as Q spoke.
"I trust you have an update on our visitor." Kathryn's voice was calm, almost bored, in total contrast to her body which was practically bristling with tension. Chakotay was impressed. Concerned, but impressed.
Q snapped his fingers, and Janeway's seat became a large, comfy armchair. He then proceeded to half-lean on the armrest. Kathryn surreptitiously shifted her weight to rest on the opposite side.
"I do indeed, Madam Captain." As he spoke, he reached an arm over to release a portion of Kathryn's hair from its bun.
Chakotay's entire body clenched. He watched Q twist an auburn lock between his fingers and wished painful death upon the smug bastard.
For her part, Kathryn ignored Q's actions. "Well, let's have it then," she said impatiently.
Q brought a hand to his face to brush the end of the bit of hair deliberately across his lips, all the while holding Chakotay's loathing stare.
Even in his fury, Chakotay was aware of the discomfort felt by all others in the room. It seemed Kathryn was the only person unaffected, but he could see the corner of her mouth twitching and knew the truth.
"Our friend, R, will have to be lured here," Q said finally. "Luckily, you have all the bait you need: me!" He puffed out his chest and looked around expectantly.
Did he expect them to clap? Cheer? At least he'd released Kathryn's hair.
When everyone failed to look impressed, Q continued. "Señor R is telepathic. Well, telepathic is putting it lightly. His abilities are virtually unmatched. He'll be on the lookout for me of course, but he's a bit out of range. We'll need a signal boost."
Q was met by more silence. He huffed. "Mr. Vulcan, that's your job. A simple mind meld will do the trick."
Kathryn looked at Q for the first time since he'd arrived. "Is that possible?"
Tuvok's raised brow indicated he had the same question.
Q waved a hand dismissively. "It might be the teensiest bit dangerous, but I'll make it work."
Kathryn narrowed her eyes. A mental argument could be seen taking place therein, by Chakotay at least. "Can you guarantee Tuvok's safety?"
Q took her chin with his thumb and forefinger and lifted it toward him. Chakotay nearly growled audibly at the intimate touch. "Don't you trust me, Kathy?"
Eyes cold as steel locked with Q's, and there was silence.
Why didn't she move from his hold? Bat his hand away? The twitch still played in the corner of her mouth.
"After all we've been through?" Q's words were far more teasing than before.
Kathryn's lips curled and she tore her head away. "What do we do after we've summoned your friend?" she asked, focusing her eyes on the far bulkhead.
Chakotay's blood boiled as he watched Q's silent chuckle.
"Tuvok and I will be in the brig, so the fool will probably transport himself directly into custody. Bless." He pulled a PADD out of thin air and tossed it to B'Elanna. "Those are the specs for the modifications your brig will need to contain the fellow. I trust you'll have it done by this evening."
B'Elanna scanned over the information and nodded hesitantly.
"Splendid."
Q leaned against the seat back and swung his legs so that he was more or less sitting in Kathryn's lap. It was a testament to Chakotay's self control that he didn't break Q's nose.
"After that, it's all in your hands, Kathy dear." He cooed her epithet while making eyes. "You know what to do," he whispered in her ear. He kissed her forehead and vanished.