Chapter 3
"Kathryn," shouted Chakotay franticly as he dropped to the ground beside her. Her breathing was labored and she was very pale. Chakotay slapped his comm badge. "Voyager, medical emergency! Beam the Captain and I both to sickbay.
Tom and B'Elanna looked at each other in concern. "Transporter Room 1, lock on to the Captain and Chakotay and beam them directly to sickbay," ordered Tom. He turned back to B'Elanna, I hope nothing's happened. She should have stayed on the ship."
"She's pregnant, Tom, that doesn't make her an invalid. Besides, you know the Captain, once she gets in her mind to do something, she does it."
It occurred to Tom that he needed to let the Away Team know what happened. "Paris to Dalby."
"Dalby here."
"Ken, I just wanted to let you know that the Captain and Chakotay just beamed up with a medical emergency. I'll update you when I can. Meanwhile, proceed with the mission. Paris out."
B'Elanna came and stood by the command center. "Maybe you should go down and check on the Captain, Tom." Her eyes mirrored the worry he was feeling.
"Good idea, you have the bridge Lieutenant, I'll be in sickbay." He strode to the turbolift without another word.
Meanwhile, as soon as the Captain and Chakotay materialized in sickbay, the Doctor sprang into action. "Place her on the biobed, Commander." He snapped open a tricorder and began to scan her. "What happened?"
"While we were walking to the caves where the dilithilum she got a little out of breath. Once we were in the caves where it was cooler she seemed to be fine. Then we headed to the river where they were gathering plants for food. We were a little over half way there when she stopped and put her hands to her face. Then she collapsed so fast, I didn't even have time to catch her."
"She appears to be a little dehydrated. Were you drinking water while you were on the surface?"
"Uh, I didn't see her drink any of her water," admitted Chakotay.
The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Why am I not surprised." He made an adjustment on the hypospray and pressed it against her neck.
As he was doing this, Tom walked into sickbay and hurried over to the biobed. "Is the Captain going to be okay?"
The Doctor nodded. "She'll be okay. She just needs to listen and follow sound medical advice."
The Captain's eyes began fluttering and in a few seconds opened. The Doctor stopped her as she tried to sit up. She looked up at the concerned faces hovering over her. "Uh, report, gentlemen," she said in a somewhat sheepish voice.
"You fainted on the way to the river, Captain," explained Chakotay. "I had both us beamed directly to sickbay.
"Captain, did I or did I not caution you to BE SURE to drink plenty of water while you were on the planet?" asked the Doctor with a scowl.
The Captain blushed. "Uh, I guess I forgot." She looked at the faces of the three men staring back down at her. "If anyone says 'I told you so.' I'll shoot them with a compression phaser rifle."
"Well, Captain, I want you to return to your quarters and rest for the remainder of the day. You also need to drink at least two liters of water before you go to sleep tonight. You were dehydrated. That's why you fainted. It's not good for you or the baby."
She sat up and Chakotay helped her off the biobed. "I'll walk you back to your quarters."
Tom stepped back out of the way. "I'm glad you're okay, Captain. I need to get back to the bridge."
"I'll be up to relieve you as soon as I get the Captain settled, Tom," said Chakotay.
In her quarters, Chakotay set about to make her comfortable. While she was in the head, he got out a gown and robe for her. Then, he went to the replicator and got a pitcher of cool water and a glass. Filling the glass, he placed both on the nightstand by her bed.
"You've been busy," said Kathryn as she stepped in the bedroom.
"Just wanted to make sure you have everything you need before I go to the bridge. Are you sure you feel okay?"
"I'll be fine, Chakotay. I just forgot to drink enough water today. It sure doesn't taste as good as coffee."
"Well, I laid out a gown and robe for you on your bed. I also sat a pitcher of water and a glass on the nightstand. I'll see you on my lunch break."
She smiled, "Thanks, Chakotay."
"Anytime, I'd better get to the bridge."
While Chakotay was taking care of the Captain, Tom had assured everyone on the bridge that the Captain was going to be okay and notified the away team as well.
The turbolift doors slid open and Chakotay stepped out. Tom stood up. "Maintaining standard orbit, the away team has been notified that Captain is well," reported Tom. He grinned mischievously. "I don't see any scorch marks from a compression phaser rifle, so I guess you didn't tell her 'I told you so.'"
Chakotay chuckled, "No, I just helped her get settled so she can rest per the Doctor's orders." He sat down in the command center. "She scared the crap out of me when she collapsed like that."
"Well, you call for an emergency beam up to sickbay had us scared too," admitted B'Elanna.
Chakotay turned to look at her. "I think it's going to be a long seven months until the baby is born. I just hope we survive it."
"Maybe she'll be more careful after this scare," said Harry.
"We can always hope," said Tom.