A/N: Thanks, as always, to everyone who has taken time to review, I really appreciate it. Thanks too to MissyHissy3 for betaing!

Chapter 15

He had no idea what was happening until he felt himself grabbed by the familiar pull of Voyager's transporter beam. Chakotay re-materialised in the transporter room just as the doors opened to admit B'Elanna Torres, moving at speed and accompanied by the Doctor.

"Chakotay!" B'Elanna hardly paused to let him reach the bottom step of the transporter pad before she'd enveloped him in a bear hug. "Are you all right?"

He returned the embrace for a moment before pulling back slightly. "Yes. What about the Captain?"

"Don't worry, she's here." B'Elanna stepped away to let the Doctor move closer, medical tricorder already in the EMH's hand.

"Where?" Chakotay asked. "Sickbay?"

B'Elanna snorted. "You must be joking. She's on the bridge."

"The bridge?" Chakotay looked askance at the Doctor. "But-"

"Believe me, Commander, it wasn't my idea," said the EMH, his face dour as he checked the tricorder readings. "Well, it looks as if you've fared a little better than the Captain, at any rate. And when I say a little, I mean a little. Let's get you to Sickbay, and-"

Chakotay stepped away from him, heading for the doors. "Later, Doctor. If I were you I'd be more worried about Captain Janeway."

The Doctor's voice followed him out of the door. "I am, but – wait, Commander. Commander Chakotay! Does no one listen to me at all?"

Chakotay arrived on the bridge in time to see the final words in a tense exchange between Janeway and a Vorbrath he recognised as the colony's commander. Voyager's first officer was astonished to note that the Captain had somehow found time to don a uniform. The viewscreen blinked off, and for a moment there was silence, broken only by the swish of the turbolift doors closing behind him. Chakotay felt eyes turn towards him as the bridge crew noted his presence. The Captain turned, too, her movements noticeably pained and stiff. Janeway's eyes came to rest on him, and he saw a brief but potent flash of relief cross her features.

Someone started clapping. Chakotay thought it was probably Tom Paris, but didn't bother to look - his eyes were fixed on the Captain. The ovation caught on as more crewmembers stood at their posts, applauding in an audible expression of their collective relief at the safe return of Voyager's command team. He walked toward Janeway, noting the slight smile that lit her exhausted face as he approached.

"Commander," she said, when he was close enough to see the twinkle in her eye. "I can't help noticing that you seem to be out of uniform."

"Apologies, Captain," he said, matching her teasing tone with one of mock humility. "I will replicate one immediately."

"Actually, Chakotay, I think that perhaps- " Kathryn stopped speaking. She blinked once, her eyes clouding over. He saw the last bit of colour drain from her face just a second before her knees buckled.

Chakotay caught her before she hit the deck.

[TBC]