Rethinking_Parameters - Featured also in VAQ

[Kathryn_Janeway_Jr]

Rethinking Parameters

Kathryn Janeway sighed. It was yet another uneventful day in Starbase 4. Being an admiral was starting to make her feel restless. She sat all day on her chair, talking to Starfleet's officers, reading reports, and reading more reports. In short she was utterly bored. Now, she wished for something more than just her routine
daily activities.

"Ensign Nolans to Admiral Janeway." The comm. hail interrupted her reverie.

"Janeway here. What is it Ensign?"

"You have an incoming subspace transmission from an incoming private shuttle, Ma'am."

"Patch it through my office…"

"Yes Ma'am."

Who could it be? She thought.

Her desktop console beeped and the face of her former First Officer flashed before her eyes. Her face lit up in a smile as she greeted him.

"Chakotay!"

He smiled. "Hello Admiral, I mean Kathryn. How are you?"

"I'm fine!" Janeway lied. Chakotay looked at her knowingly. "Well okay, I'm not. I'm practically bored to death and I've been reading science reports for days now and I still have a stack of them left here for me to finish on."

"Well then I guess you might be interested in my proposal…" Chakotay teased.

"What proposal?" When Chakotay only smiled. She egged on. "Come on, Chakotay, what is it?"

He still smiled. She then gave him an all-too-familiar glare.

"You can't take the suspense can you?"

She flushed self-consciously. "Yes I can't. Now spill Mr. Chakotay or I'll have your shuttle impounded and you thrown to the Brig!" She threatened mockingly however bursting into laughter.

"Are you threatening me, Admiral?" Chakotay asked in between laughs. Then
his face became serious.

The two of them became silent. "I'm on my way to your Starbase after an archaeological trip in a moon a several light years from this sector… I need to refuel before I get back to Earth and handover my findings. Permission to come aboard?"

Janeway smiled. "Request granted. Now Chakotay will you tell me what you had in mind earlier?"


***

Janeway took a sip from her coffee and sighed. It was great to see Chakotay again. Not because he was her former First Officer but because he was her friend.

The door chimed.

"Come in."

As it opened, it revealed Chakotay and a Starbase escort behind it. He smiles boyishly at her as they stepped inside her office.

"Hello Admiral."

"Hello Mr. Chakotay." She greeted cordially yet formally as she gestured the escort to leave. "Please have a seat."

Chakotay took the seat offered to him. As soon as the escort left, he couldn't help stifle a chuckle. Janeway stared at him, confused, and asked. "What?"

"Nothing. I'm just noticing that you have been trying to keep a straight face in front of that junior officer the moment I entered. Are you always this goofy?"

"Goofy? I was not goofy and you should know better!" The two of them burst in laughter.

She looked at him. "Have you been shown to your quarters? I hope you find them to your liking?"

He nodded. "I couldn't thank you more for your hospitality, Kathryn. In fact it's too much…"

"Nonsense, Chakotay, you are my guest and I presume that you will be staying here for quite sometime before you return to Earth? Your quarters will be where you'll be staying for quite sometime, I only want your stay to be cozy."

"Whatever you say, Admiral." he smiled boyishly at her. "So have you eaten already?"

She shook her head. "computer what time is it?"

"The time is 2104 hours."

"You planning to miss dinner?"

She smiled sheepishly. "No, but I guess I got carried away with work…"

He grinned.

"I guess my duty shift has ended." She announced as she replaced the unfinished PADD on her desk and smoothed her uniform and stood up. "Care to join me for dinner in my private dining room, everything is replicated of course…"

Chakotay grinned. "Could I ever refuse you Kathryn?"

***

"Dinner was lovely, Kathryn... Thanks." Chakotay said as he wiped his
mouth with his napkin.

"I'm glad you liked it. Being an admiral has its own advantages, one having abundant replicator rations and the other having an efficient replicator at your disposal twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week..."

"I bet it does..." All of a sudden, both of them were at a loss of words. They both avoided each others' eyes until they met inevitably.

Instinctively, Chakotay cleared his throat and shifted into a more comfortable sitting position. Janeway looked away and reached for the wine bottle. "Would you like to have some more?"

"No thank you, one is enough..." He refused, then smiled. "But I would like a glass of water though. Can I replicate some?"

"Sure... Please do help yourself..." She watched him move to her replicator and come back with his drink. "So how long are you actually going to be around, Chakotay?"

He looked at her and sighed inwardly. Spirits bless him, she was beautiful, he mused. "Hmm...? You were saying?"

Janeway noticed that he was lost in his own thoughts again. "I asked if how long you were going to stay?"

"A week or two maybe... It depends. I still have to contact Starfleet's Archaeological and Anthropological Research Institute to know if I should proceed to Earth to submit what I've found..."

"Well let me know if you do because I've decided to take a leave of absence during the duration of your stay. I think I deserve a break from reading all those horrendous science reports!!!"

The two of them burst out laughing.

In Chakotay's point of view, her private dining room was well furnished, in accordance to Starfleet standards of course, however, it gave him a feel of familiarity. One that he seemed to have felt when they were in New Earth years ago.

"Chakotay?"

"Yes? You were saying something?"

"Actually I've noticed that you've been lost in your thoughts every now and then. Is something the matter?"

He smiled at her reassuringly. "No, it's nothing. I was just thinking..."

"About..." he stole a glance at her, and saw her looking at him. "...about my findings..."

"Oh..." was all she could say. Unsure of what else to do, she replaced her glass at the table in front of her and stood up to reach for the wine bottle, almost at the same time Chakotay stood to do the same.

"Here let me..." he said.

She stiffened at contact with him, making her unsure whether or not she should or shouldn't look at him right now.

Chakotay, on the other hand, couldn't do anything but stay still. He was afraid that any sudden move that he might do might make her uncomfortable. Even the current situation was uncomfortable.

All of a sudden the air around them spawned a familiarity that both of them feared years ago after leaving New Earth.

Sensing the uneasiness between the two of them, Chakotay slowly moved a step away from her and rubbed his neck. "I... I uh... It's getting late..."

"Yes, I think it is isn't it?" She agreed on unsurely. In defense from her uncertainty, she asked, "Computer what time is it?"

"The time is twenty-two hundred hours..."

"Yes I guess I should go then..." He said finality, unable to think of what else to say. "Well, I'd like to thank you for that lovely dinner Kathryn, it was really nice talking to you again..."

She smiled. "Yes, me too, Chakotay. It's great to talk to someone about things other than work..."

He smiled back. "Same here... Well, I have to go now so that you may get some rest... Would you like me to walk you back to your quarters?"

She looked up to him. "You don't mind?"

"Of course I don't... Besides, I've decided to take a walk around the starbase..."

She nodded. "I hope you'll find my starbase to your approval, Mr. Chakotay..."

The two of them burst out laughing again as the two of them left her private dining room and proceeded to her quarters.

All of a sudden, two crewmen passed by.

"Good evening Admiral." The two of them acknowledged in unison.

"Good evening..."

The two of them proceeded to the turbolift silently. It was as though they were communicating through a non-verbal language only the two of them could comprehend.

When they finally reached her doorstep, they both stopped and faced each other.

"Well, I guess this is good night then...?"

"Yes I guess it is isn't it? Well good night then, Kathryn. I hope to see you in the morning..."

"You will Mr. Chakotay because I'm planning to start my leave by tomorrow morning! I'm filing my vacation leave application early tomorrow morning... Would you like to join me for a cruise in the 22nd century Pacific Ocean?"

"Of course I'd love... I mean I'd like that..." Chakotay said. He hoped that she wasn't paying too close attention to what he had just said to her a while ago. He held his breath on what she'd say but was relieved when just she grinned and patted him on the shoulder.

"Then it's settled. I'll see you tomorrow then! My personal Holodeck around 1400 hours...?"

"Fine by me..." He smiled boyishly, his dimples deepening as his smile broadened. "See you tomorrow then."

***

Janeway groaned as she to her side for the twelfth time that evening. Eversince she lay on her bed, she had been restless. And for some unknown reason she felt as though either she didn't know or she didn't want to know what it was...

"Computer what time is it?"

"The time is 0225 hours..."

"What?"

"Please re-state your question..."

"Nevermind. Computer cancel that query."

Janeway got up from her bed and sighed. She put on her robe and went out of her room.

"Computer locate Mr. Chakotay."

"Mr. Chakotay is in his assigned quarters..."

"Computer specify location."

"Guest Quarters Alpha Three."

Unknowingly she nodded and went to her replicator. "Coffee, black."

A steaming cup of the dark brew materialized before her eyes. She took it and took a small sip from it.

She sat down her favorite couch and thought, "What is bothering you, Kathryn?"

***

"Computer what time is it?" Chakotay asked as he got up from bed.

He has been having a hard time getting some sleep since dinner that night. He couldn't seem to get Kathryn Janeway out of his head.

After they left New Earth, Kathryn had made it sure that what she wanted from him was his friendship. ONLY HIS FRIENDSHIP and nothing more.

However, after her initial reaction during that unprecedented incident during dinner that night, he was now unsure what their status, in terms of relationships, was...

"The time is 0300 hours."

"Computer locate Admiral Janeway..."

"Admiral Janeway is in her quarters."

He nodded and paced his room. "What is bothering you Chakotay?"

All of a sudden, the desktop console in his room blinked. "Incoming subspace transmission..."

Chakotay sat down in front of it and accepted the transmission.

"Greetings, Chakotay..."


***

"Admiral Janeway, what a surprise... WHat can I do for you?"

"Admiral Paris, I'm filing a leave of absence... Just for the week..."

"How so?"

"I have a friend who is staying here in the starbase... I was hoping to show him around the place and..."

Owen Paris arched an inquisitive brow. "And?"

"Well, I wanted to relax for a bit that's all..."

"Very well. However, you'll have to let your subordinate there know you're going off duty for a while... You were asking for a week right?"

She nodded. "A week would be fine."

"Very well Admiral. Your request is granted. Oh by the way, be sure to show your guest around the surrounding places, I hear there's a beautiful paradise getaway in the fifth planet of that system. It's in the base colony at Lenora Prime..."

Janeway grinned. "Thank you very much sir."

Paris smiled. "You're very much welcome, Kathryn. I hate reading those reports as much as you do..." He winked and Janeway realized that he saw the stack of report PADDs on her desk. "Enjoy your trip and take care. Paris out."

"Admiral Janeway to Commander Rayner, please meet me in my Ready Room in
ten minutes..."

"Yes Ma'am."

***

Chakotay pressed the door chime outside Janeway's quarters.

"Come in."

Chakotay looked around. It was only 1100 hours and earlier that morning Janeway had told him that she was cancelling the holodeck cruise because of some important things to attend to. She had also told him to pack light.

"Kathryn?"

"Chakotay! Please make yourself comfortable... I'll be out in a minute..." Janeway called out from inside her room.

Chakotay settled his luggage down on the floor and sat down. "what is she upto now?" He thought as his eyes continued to scan the room.

It was only until a few moments later that she emerged from her room, dressed in civilian clothing and what seems to be her luggage slung on her shoulder.

From the look on her face, she looked as though she hadn't had much sleep, and from the expression on her face, she seemed to be banking on enjoying whatever she was planning to do that day.

"You look terrible... Get any sleep?"

She looked at him and grinned wearily. "Look who's talking! You didn't get any either did you?"

"Nope, a friend from the institute called... We talked around until five in the morning..." He partially lied, looking away, so that she couldn't see that he was.

"Oh..." Was all she said. She groaned and acted as though she was irritated by the weight of her pack on her shoulder. But the truth was, she was longing that he stayed up because of her...

"You?" he asked. Breaking her away from her reverie.

"Well, I had to finish reading half of the reports that were submitted to me for this week..." She let out a white lie. "I wanted to make this week-long vacation worth it."

His brows shot up in confusion. "Vacation? Where?"

"Lenora Prime."

"Care to tell me more?" he asked as he picked up his own things and followed her to the door.

"Sorry but my lips are sealed. It's a surprise..." she smiled deviously. "Computer lights out."

The two of them exited her quarters and entered the nearest turbolift.

"Computer, shuttle bay 3."

The lift hummed as it moved towards its destination. Moments later it beeped, signaling their arrival.

"So how did you manage to get Admiral Paris to agree on your leave of absence...?" Chakotay asked as he followed her out of the turbolift and to her private shuttle.

"Well, Mr. Chakotay, as an Admiral that's one thing I ought to keep to myself..." she winked at him as they deposited their luggage in a compartment in her shuttle. "However, what I can tell you is that he suggested that we visit that Paradise getaway in Lenora Prime."

"Sounds good to me..." He smiled. "I see that we're all packed but do we leave now?"

"The sooner the better... I'm not getting any extensions on my leave, Chakotay, and those PADDs on my desk aren't going to disappear... So I've got to make the best out of this impromptu vacation!"

"Yes Ma'am..." Chakotay teased as he followed her to the bridge of the shuttle.

The two of them sat in front of the helm and entered a few commands on the helm control panel.

"I'm initiating the shuttle's pre-launch sequence..." Janeway said as she tapped on her control panel. The entire shuttle's bridge was now dimly illuminated with the flickering of the various control panel buttons surrounding them.

"Environmental Control systems, navigation, sensors, warp and impulse engines are at optimal efficiency levels..."

Janeway nodded in approval.

"StarBase 04 Shuttle Bay Controller to Admiral Janeway..."

"Janeway here."

"You are clear for launch Ma'am..."

"I read you, Janeway out."

The space doors of shuttle bay three opened and in front of them was open space. Even after several years in a deep space mission, Janeway couldn't help feel drawn to the beauty of the star systems in front of them.

"I'm easing her out nice and slow." Chakotay said as he slowly moved the shuttle out of the starbase's shuttle bay in a consistent but orderly fashion.

Once they were out in the open, she set the helm controls to automatic. "Computer set a course for the Lenora Prime Colony, warp 4."

"Course laid in and engaging warp 4..."

"Computer how long would it take us to reach our destination?"

"At current warp speed, we will reach Lenora Prime in sixteen hours and thirty minutes..."

"Excellent. Computer extend the scanning range of long range sensors to maximum. Scan for anything out of the ordinary."

"Command complied."

"Care to join me for some late lunch?"

He smiled and followed her out of the bridge exit.

***

"What was that?" Janeway asked as she fell off her chair.

The entire shuttle shook as it took it what felt like weapons fire.

Chakotay and Janeway raced out of the shuttle's galley and into the bridge.

"Computer report!" Chakotay ordered as he took his place at the helm.

"A Romulan starship is firing at us from our port bow..."

"Computer damage report!"

Instead of a reply, another console blew up from behind them. Smoke started to fill the bridge as the fried circuits were now going ablaze. The computer's response was now muted by the damage brought to them by their assailants.

"Shields are down to forty-seven percent!"

"Hail them, Chakotay!"

"No response." He said as he frantically fought to keep the shuttle steady. The Romulans continued to fire. "Shields are down to thirty percent… Twenty-five percent!"

"Chakotay, initiate evasive maneuvers Delta three." She commanded as she fought the flames behind them. "Computer initiate Fire Suppression System."

No response.

"Computer?"

"No use Kathryn. The main computer processor has been totally damaged. I don't see another alternative but to abandon shuttle! Shields are now down to twenty percent…"

"Where is the nearest moon or planet?"

"There is a class-M moon several thousand miles from our current position, 125 mark 32."

"Set a course. As much as possible, stay away from weapons range…"

"Kathryn, we don't have any other options… Our shields are at fifteen percent maximum, our warp engines are down and our weapons array have been disabled!"

"Then proceed to that moon at full impulse! We must escape to that moon!"

Chakotay struggled with the controls as he maneuvered the shuttle away from the Romulan pirate ship. He was already near the orbit of the moon, when they got hit again from behind. The shuttle shook as it received its final blow.

"Kathryn?!?"

There was no response. The bridge was now full of smoke.

"Kathryn!"

Still there was no response.

Chakotay squinted as he scanned for Janeway from behind. He found her lying unconscious beside a burnt out console.

He tapped a few commands on his console and was able to bring backup processor online.

"Computer, lock on to Admiral Janeway and my comm. Badge and beam us to the coordinates I have given you!"

"Command complied. Initiating emergency beam out."

***
"Kathryn…"

Janeway blinked, slowly adjusting her eyes to her surroundings, as she roused herself from her unconscious stupor. Her head was throbbing in pain.

Chakotay assisted her as she sat up.

"What happened?"

"You collapsed behind the bridge while you were trying to put out the fire."

"Where are we?"

"We are on the moon…"

Kathryn tried to stand up but pain overtook her entire body, sending her falling back to the ground. She screamed in pain as a stabbing pain from her leg greeted her once again.

"Easy, easy. You have a badly sprained ankle..." He said as he caught her in time, slowly settling her on the ground. "I think you were taken aback by that last weapons hit and you stumbled back, sprained your ankle and fell and hit your head on one of the burnt consoles…" He said as he gestured towards what she felt as the origin of the searing pain in her head.

"How long have we been on the surface?"

"About an hour or two maybe… I don't know. Everything we have was destroyed along with the shuttle except for this phaser over here…" He said as he pointed to the phaser by his belt.

"The shuttle is gone?" she asked incredulously.

"The computer initiated an emergency transport for us here while in orbit before the shuttle was completely destroyed…"

Chakotay sat beside her, as he continued to support her.

"Who were they?"

"Romulan pirates."

"I see…" was all she said as she scanned the area. They were situated on the mouth of a cave, approximately fifteen meters from the edge of a small hill, overlooking what seems to be a vast valley. From her point of view, the area they had been transported to was an equivalent to the equatorial regions on Earth and it was almost like New Earth, just a little less on the vegetation.

It was now getting dark, and in front of her she noticed that Chakotay had started a small fire, just enough for the both of them.

Janeway groaned as her head throbbed painfully.

"Here, drink this…"

She saw him hold a makeshift drinking cup made from a huge leaf rolled into a cone. She took it and slowly sipped from it. Her head still didn't feel as better as she'd hope but the water seemed to have soothed her in whatever little way it could.

However the pain that was on her ankle and on her head was getting worse by the second. She felt as though it was eating through her. In the earlier parts of her Starfleet career, she had been exposed to pain countless times. But it was only now that she felt so affected by it.

"Kathryn, I suggest that you lie down and get some rest…"

"Chakotay I'm not tired… The best course of action I can think of right now is finding a way of contacting Starfleet!"

"But you are hurt! You should get some rest so that you can let it heal!"

"The only way I can think of that can take away this pain is through a hypospray and a dermal regenerator!"

"Unfortunately, we don't have that here now right now do we? And the nearest communication beacon in this moon is beyond that mountain over there… That's a very long itinerary ahead of us, and I can't carry you all the way there the whole time!" He pointed out to the darkened outline of mountain he was referring to. From this vantage point, the two of them saw light emitted by what Chakotay had assessed as an alien communication beacon.

Kathryn fell silent. It was no use arguing with Chakotay, he was right. They didn't have Starfleet's medkits, rations, tools and weapons at their disposal right now! They were on their own and they were practically roughing it!

"Okay I'll lie down and rest, but that doesn't mean I agree with you…" she said resignedly as she shifted into a sleeping position.

Contented with her gesture, he lay down as well, three feet away from her. He looked at her as she closed her eyes to sleep, and smiled inwardly and closed his eyes as well.

Kathryn Janeway is the most stubborn woman he had ever known! He thought to himself before he drifted off to sleep.

***

"Chakotay, wake up!"

Chakotay's eyes slowly opened as he sat up. He saw Janeway by his side, her face ridden with anticipation. "Chakotay, we should get moving now!"

"What? What are you talking about Kathryn?"

"I think we should get moving! From the looks of it, that beacon is still miles away from our present location and I am this close to going crazy over the pain my sprained ankle and my bruised forehead have produced!"

Chakotay chuckled. "You didn't get any sleep last night, did you?

Janeway glared at him. He had the nerve to laugh at time like this!

"Isn't it obvious?" she asked, her annoyance getting the best of her.

"Aye, aye Admiral!"

Chakotay rose from his squatting position, and brushed off the dirt on his shirt. "Kathryn, I suggest that you hop on my back…"

Janeway's eyebrows arched. "I beg your pardon?"

"I said I want you to hop on my back!"

"What for?"

"Unless you have another alternative on how I'm supposed to bring you down this hill, I suggest you do it…"

"I will not get on your back, Chakotay!" She said defiantly, struggling to stand up. "As you can see, I am capable of taking care of myself!"

For a few seconds there, she managed to put both feet on the ground. It was only a few seconds later when the weight of her entire body bore itself heavily on her sprained ankle. Pain seared from her leg to her upper thighs…

Her legs buckled as she struggled to keep herself upright. The pain of her injured ankle was now dangerously playing at the borderline between tolerance and intolerance. She kept her face straight, trying to hide the soreness that she felt at her right ankle. Instead it manifested in her face, effecting a heavy red flush across her face.

Chakotay looked at her with concerned amusement as she tried to prove that she was capable despite of the obvious contradiction.

Her mind swirled as the pain finally engulfed her.

"See… I told you that I can take care of myself…" Janeway's knees finally gave way as she collapsed to the ground.

"Kathryn!!!" He called out as he ran to her side.

"I am not an invalid, Chakotay! Now let's haul our asses out of here and get moving!"

"I know that but…"

"Listen, I will repeat this for the last time! I am not an invalid and I will not tolerate this behavior of yours, treating me like one!"

In a sudden surge of anger, he grabbed her forearms and shook her. "Listen here, Kathryn! You are not in your precious starbase, nor are we in Voyager! You can't order me around just like that! I am not one of your cute little ensigns who quiver everytime you give an order! We are trapped in the middle of nowhere and WE ARE ALONE!!! We only have each other! Now is not the time for you to start giving me the attitude!!! Do you understand that!?"

Janeway fell silent as everything dawned to her. "You are right, I am wrong…"

Silence loomed between them as Janeway fell speechless at what she had done earlier, as Chakotay was.

Still not breaking the silence, Chakotay moved in front of her, his back facing her. As though he was issuing a silent request, she slowly eased herself onto his back. He slowly rose, bringing her with him. He slowly edged forward and began pacing downhill.

***

"Chakotay, how long do you think would it take us to reach that beacon?"

"I think at least, five more days..."

"Five days? Are you serious?"

"Do I look like I'm trying to amuse you, Kathryn?"

"No... But I guess I was hoping it was a bit sooner than that..."

Chakotay chuckled heartily. He had been carrying Janeway on his back for almost five hours now downhill. She wasn't heavy but for someone with a sprained ankle and a bruise on the forehead, she was quite restless.

"Well, we'll just have to hope that we do get there sooner because I'm sure by the end of this, I'll need your CMO to check on my back for spinal abnormalities..." he said with mock sincerity.

"Am I really that heavy?"

"No, but you are as restless as a toddler on her father's back, that's for sure..." he teased.

From that remark, Janeway made a face at herself and decided to restrain herself from making any other unnecessary movements while she was on his back. Out of the blue, she decided to lean her head on his broad back and close her eyes.

Chakotay slightly stiffened at the contact. It was so unusual of her to do such a gesture. But he felt happy, nevertheless, since she had decided to be at ease in his presence, even just a little bit...

He continued walking down the path he had found, a smile plastered on his face. He was happy now. Very happy. He closed his eyes for a while and felt the warmth of the sun on his face.

However as he walked on, he suddenly felt an eerie feeling of dread...

***

Janeway opened her eyes, and gasped. It was already dark and it seemed that she was lying asleep on the ground. A small bonfire illuminated their makeshift camp, however she saw no one else there but herself. Was she alone?

"Chakotay?"

There was utter silence.

"Chakotay?"

Again, the only sound she heard was the sound of her voice echoing in the dark. She grabbed the nearest object her hand took hold of - a rock as big as her fist!

"Chakotay! Come out! This isn't funny! Where are you?!?"

This time she got a response. The breaking of twigs… However it wasn't the response that she had expected.

"Hello? Chakotay?" she asked nervously, slowly raising the rock above her head, putting herself in a defensive posture.

A low growl greeted her from behind. She turned and saw, in the shadows, the outline of a creature unknown to her. It crept slowly out from the shadows and revealed itself.

It was a canine-like creature, more or less the same in physical features as that of a Terran wolf, approximately three times bigger in size. It had thick grayish-brown fur and legs as big as her thighs. It growled, its teeth exposed. Janeway gulped as she saw its razor-sharp incisors reflect against the light from the campfire.

Oh spirits!!! She thought as she sat stock-still, the rock still above her head.

Fighting the urge to call out his name, Janeway remained still, her eyes darting from one dark corner to another.

The wolf-like creature edged closer, his demeanor - threatening. Janeway hypothesized that he was just like Terran wolves about to take on their prey. His menacing eyes were glued onto her as he got closer and closer.

Janeway held her breath as the creature was only inches away from her. Its breath was hot against her face as it sniffed at her. It growled again, as though it had approved of her as his meal. Janeway shivered inwardly as she felt the beast circle around her one last time and hovered behind her.

In a sign of resignation, she closed her eyes and breathed deeply.

"Kathryn!!!"

She turned and saw Chakotay from behind, a phaser in his hand, aiming at the beast. She also noticed that the beast had turned its attention towards Chakotay. It growled and turned his attention back to her. The creature looked at her straight in the eyes, and raised its claws above her. If Chakotay didn't act fast soon, she was going to be minced meat!

"Don't you ever lay your paws on her or else I will shoot!!!"

"Chakotay, it doesn't look as though its cooperating..."

As the creature brought its claws down on her, he shot it with his phaser. The creature groaned and fell unconscious beside Janeway.

Janeway let out a huge sigh of relief.

"What took you so long?"

"I was looking for some supplies and..."

"And?"

"And I was trying to find cover from that..."

"You were hiding?!? How could you! You were planning to make me bait!?"

He shook his head. "No, no, what I meant was I felt its presence a couple of hours back. It was only after several minutes ago that I decided to hide, wait and see what it was... And I was right..."

"Right about what?"

"That it is like a Terran-like wolf..."

Chakotay approached her and took her into his arms. He carried her several meters away from the creature.

"Is it dead?"

"No. I set my phaser to stun, maximum output though. So I think he will be out for a few hours..."

"What are you planning to do with him?

"I don't know, tie him up..."

"Chakotay we don't have a rope..."

"Yes we do..." He said, walking back to his previous location and took the huge vine-like loops on the ground. "I'm going to tie it up, here hold this for me..."

He threw her the phaser. She caught it and held it firmly. He on the other hand, started tying the limbs of the creature together. When he finished the task, he grabbed the rest of the supplies that he had gathered and joined Janeway.

"Now what do we do?"

"We wait and see..."


***

Garfun opened his eyes slowly as he roused from his unconscious stupor. He groaned as he felt a stinging feeling at the back of his neck. He reached for it but to no avail. He was immobile! He looked down at his limbs and saw them tied up together.

"Oh I see that you are now awake!"

Garfun turned and saw the prey that he almost had sitting several feet away from him. He growled menacingly and spoke, "I see that I haven't killed you! Why have you done this to me?"

Janeway and Chakotay exchanged startled looks. This creature had the ability to communicate verbally.

"I was about to ask you the same question..." Chakotay countered.

"I was just about to slaughter me another one of you humanoids!"

Janeway arched a brow curiously at him. "Why? Why do you want to kill us?"

"It is you humanoids who have wiped out my race! I am the last of my kind!"

"I'm very sorry to hear that, Mister?"

"I am Garfun of the Gorths! Why haven't you killed me humanoid!?"

"Mr. Garfun, you must have mistaken us for someone else. We didn't come here to kill you... We are here by accident..."

Garfun laughed sarcastically. "And you expect me to believe that! My forefathers were killed for food and clothing by humanoids like you who said that they were here by accident!"

Janeway turned to Chakotay. "This wasn't the first contact I expected when I imagined inhabitants on this moon..."

Chakotay turned to Garfun. "Garfun, we assure you that we are not like those humanoids which you have encountered in the past... We are prefer peace..."

"Hah! Don't try to blind me with false impressions, humanoid! You shot me with your light blaster! I was surprised that you didn't finish me off and skin me for my meat and my fur!!!"

"Kathryn, this is no use..."

Kathryn crawled towards Garfun, and looked at him straight in the eye. If I cut your bindings and ask Chakotay over there to lower our phaser, will you give us your word not to harm us as we to you?"

Garfun looked at the tow of them suspiciously. What could a helpless female humanoid do to harm him...?

He nodded and Janeway signalled Chakotay to untie him. Once he was free of the vine bindings, he sat in a defensive posture and looked at them.

"I don't know what your motives are but I must say you two are the most unusual humanoids that I have ever encountered..."

"The feeling is mutual..." Chakotay said as he stood beside Janeway.

Janeway noticed that there was a huge burn at Garfun's neck. She reached for it and Garfun glared at her.

"You seem injured, may I take a look at it?"

Garfun looked at her and then at Chakotay. He nodded cautiously at Janeway as she knelt beside him and studied the injury.

"You have sustained minor phaser burns, however, I suggest that we cover it... So that it wouldn't sting that much..."

"Very well, what do you propose that we do?"

Janeway tore a sizeable portion of her dress and wrapped it around Garfun's injury. At first Garfun winced at the contact of the fabric on his skin, but the stinging lessened gradually, just as she had said.

"Why are you here in Gorth, humanoid?"

"We were transported here from our ship after it was attacked by Romulans..." Janeway replied, as she shifted into a more comfortable sitting position.

"Romulans? Are they humanoids too?"

Chakotay nodded. "Yes they are. Speaking of which, can you describe the way the humanoids who killed your people look like?"

"They are more or less like you, but their head's fur is very dark, as dark as the dead of the night... Their eyes are the same. However, like you, their bodies have no fur, and their flesh are very pale. Their ears are like mine, pointed and stiff, yet without fur. However, they were accompanied by humanoids who are like you..."

"That explains your uncanny hatred for our kind..." Chakotay concluded.

Garfun nodded. "If you are not here to kill me or plunder the resources on this moon, where are you headed?"

"Actually we were planning to go to that communcation beacon over there... We want to contact our people and take us away from here..."

"Will your people plunder this place like the Off-Worlders did?"

"No, they won't... Kathryn here is a high ranking officer..."

"Officer? What is that?"

"It's someone who is occupying a high position in their organization..."

"Ah, a matriarch!"

Chakotay shook his head in amusement. Kathryn, a matriarch? That she ought to see. He mused.

He glanced towards Kathryn's direction and saw her amused with the thought as well.

"No not really. Let's just say that I have an important function in my pack..."

Garfun shook his head in confusion. "I do not understand... But Chakotay is your mate, am I right?"

Janeway and Chakotay fell silent. The two of them avoiding each other's eyes.

Garfun, noticing the silence between the two humanoids in front of him, took it into consideration that their silence meant the answer that he was looking for.

"Very well, I will take you to the beacon, but I must warn you, it will take us several more days of four feet to get to it. The short path that leads to it is flooded… We'll have to wait till it subsides… So be prepared..."

Janeway beamed at Garfun's offer. "Thank you, Garfun."

"Now we must rest... We still have a very long way to go..." Garfun merely said. "Thank me, when I see you with your people..."

***

For the next five days, Garfun led the two humanoids to the other parallel path towards the beacon. It was longer but it was safer compared to the flooded short path. In those five days, he had realized that not all humanoids were like the ones who had killed his kin. He also noticed that the male humanoid, who calls himself by the name Chakotay, has deep protective instinct over his mate, Kathryn.

Kathryn, on the other hand, seems to be slightly strong willed. She reminded her of her own mother, who had died, protecting his younger Gorth brothers as he went off with his father and his brothers to fight off the humanoid Off-Worlders.

"Chakotay, Kathryn, in a few more days, we will reach the beacon… You have a Gorth's word!" He reassured them as he continued move on, Kathryn on his back and Chakotay trailing behind him.

***

"Kathryn, wake up!"

She didn't answer. This worried Chakotay. Janeway had been murmuring in her sleep and was perspiring profusely.

"Kathryn!"

Still she gave him the same response. Her skin was unusually pale and was damp with the perspiration. He placed a hand on her neck and discovered that she was having a high fever.

He looked at Garfun. He was still asleep. However, as much as he didn't want to disturb his slumber, he needed his help with Kathryn.

"Garfun, wake up! I need your help..."

"What is it?"

"Kathryn, she is getting worse than I thought. I can't stand looking at her like this... Do you know any plants or anything that could make her fever subside..."

"Yes. But what is this fever, Chakotay?"

Chakotay explained and Garfun agreed to help him. In not less than several minutes, Kathryn was now on Garfun's back, still half-conscious...

"Kathryn, hang on, please..."

"Chakotay, get on my back and observe your mate's condition… I'll try and get you to Vapor Pool. There are many plants there which you can use to treat her, and you can give her a vapor bath…"

"Vapor bath?"

"Yes a vapor bath. Vapor Pool is known to cure sicknesses like this fever that Kathryn has…"

Chakotay nodded and got on Garfun's back. "How long does it take to reach Vapor Pool?"

"If we hurry, we will reach it before Gorth's third sun sets…"

"Then let's get going then…"

***

Vapor Pool was definitely beautiful! If they had been there for a vacation, he knew by heart that they would have enjoyed the place.

It was a huge hot spring which was subdivided into three tiers. Its name was an exaggeration of what it was. In contrary to what he was expecting, Vapor Pool was radiated the heat that it got from what seemed to be a deep geothermal source. And although the water in the spring was tolerably hot, it wasn't enough for it to produce a thick fog around the area.

And just as Garfun had said, they had arrived just in time that Gorth's third sun was starting to set. Chakotay looked on as the rays of the setting sun glistened and reflected on the spring's water.

"Chakotay, you get Kathryn over there and start bathing her in the shallow pool over there…" Garfun instructed as Chakotay got off his back. "The heat from the pool will help her condition get better. However, you must also get some of that plant over there, the one with the yellow blossoms… Crush them with the rock and put them on top of her head injury… That will retard the infection that you said she is having…"

Garfun kneeled, giving Chakotay access to Kathryn's half-conscious form. He scooped her in his arms and asked. "I will do just that. Where will you be, Garfun?"

"I will find us something to eat…" was all Garfun said before he fled.

***

Chakotay slowly lowered Kathryn at the bank of the lower most pool. She was still half-conscious, her body still fighting off the infection that her head injury had produced.

"Cha… Chako… Tay… Where…?" She asked groggily.

Chakotay cupped her face with his hands and let her face him. "We're in Vapor Pool. Garfun led us here… Save your strength…"

"What… are we… doing… here…?"

"I'm going to take care of you as much as I can. You're head injury has developed an infection which needs to be treated. Garfun said that the combination of a bath here at this pool and the juices of pounded medicinal plants will slow down the spread of your infection…"

Janeway smiled weakly. "If I hadn't known you better Chakotay…"

She didn't finish her sentence since she fell unconscious. Chakotay checked her pulse and was relieved that she was out.

Unsure of how to go about with what Garfun had instructed him to do, he tore the sleeves of his shirt and started soaking it with the pool water. He then started wiping it on Janeway, making sure that she was entirely washed. He placed the damp cloth on top of her forehead.

He then got himself a handful of the plant Garfun had indicated, washed it and applied the pulverized leaves on top of her head injury, covering it with the damp cloth.

Chakotay looked helplessly at Janeway. He wanted very much to help her in whatever way he could, but with only a phaser at his disposal, he couldn't think of what to do.

He smoothed her hair back, and caressed her pale cheek lightly. This was the woman he had learned to respect and trust the moment he set foot on Voyager and had grown to love during the weeks they shared together in that quaint little shelter in New Earth.

He had told her about what he felt. He recalled the Angry Warrior story he had narrated to her that night after the plasma storm. He had given her a back rub then, and that was the moment he knew that there was something between them. The moment his fingers touched her back, he felt a jolt. He knew she felt it because she stiffened and decided not to carry on with the massage.

He remembered that she told him that she was going to retire early. She had thanked him for the massage, and smiled at him. However she had a hard time looking straight into his eyes.

That was the night where she had defined parameters. Huh! Parameters that were forgotten, or so he thought, the moment they returned to Voyager.

"Chakotay, I can't continue doing this…"

"Doing what?"

"Seeing you at a more personal, a more intimate level… It's not right…"

"Not right? Please explain it to me because I don't understand..."

"Chakotay, I'm the Captain of this ship… You are my First Officer… What happened in New Earth was something special and I am happy to have shared those moments with you… However…"

"However?"

"However, it doesn't apply here, here in this ship… You should know better. We can't let our personal lives interfere with our responsibilities to this crew…"

"I see…"

"Chakotay please, don't make this harder than it already is… I need you… I mean I need you and your counsel. You are my most trusted friend in this ship! I trust you with my entire life…"

"But you won't trust me with your heart… I understand Kathryn, really I do… If you'll excuse me, I have duties to finish…"

"… Um… You're dismissed, Commander…"

A tear escaped and ran down the side of his cheek. That was the time that they had restricted themselves to being "strictly friends". No matter how much he tried to look at her in a more impersonal manner, no matter how much he tried to think of her as just his friend, he couldn't. He was in love with her. Then again, she had made it clear that it wasn't possible while they were running Voyager together.

"Chakotay…"

He was taken out of his reverie. He saw her talking in her sleep and she was shivering. "Chakotay… Don't leave me… Please don't leave me… I'm cold… I'm cold…"

Her pleas tore his heart. Instinctively, he lay beside her and gathered her in his arms. He then placed a gentle kiss on her head and whispered, "Ssh… It will all be alright… It will all be alright…"

***

"I guess I'm not used to that kind of work. My knots are getting knots."

"Here, let me help."

"Oh, that feels good. "

"I've had a lot of practice at this. My mother used to get sore necks all the time. I was the only one she'd trust not to make it worse."

"That's much better. Thank you. Well, I'm gonna go to bed now. I'll see you in the morning."
"Sleep well, Kathryn."

"Yes. You too."

…

"We have to talk about this."

" All right."

"I think we need to define some parameters about us."

"I'm not sure I can define parameters. But I can tell you a story, an ancient legend among my people. It's about an angry warrior who lived his life in conflict with the rest of his tribe, a man who couldn't find peace, even with the help of his spirit guide. For years, he struggled with his discontent. But the only satisfaction he ever got came when he was in battle. This made him a hero among his tribe, but the warrior still longed for peace within himself. One day he and his war party were captured by a neighboring tribe led by a woman warrior. She called on him to join her because her tribe was too small and weak to defend itself from all its enemies. The woman warrior was brave and beautiful and very wise. The angry warrior swore to himself that he would stay by her side, doing whatever he could to make her burden lighter. From that point on, her needs would come first. And in that way, the warrior began to know the true meaning of peace."

"Is that really an ancient legend?"

"No. But that made it easier to say."

***

Kathryn opened her eyes slowly as she felt her energy come back and her fever gone. Chakotay had taken care of her quite well… The pain of her sprained ankle was subsiding as well…

When she was fully awake, she noticed that she was in his arms. Afraid of waking him, she remained still, enjoying what she was looking at. She traced his face with her eyes, noticing the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.

He looked peaceful, lying there, beside her. Although, she could see concerned etched on his face, what touched her the most was the idea that he had gone through all the trouble to see to it that she was going to be fine.

Finally giving into the urge, she traced the tattoo his forehead lightly, making sure that he wouldn't wake up and that he wouldn't find out that she had done so.

She also recalled the dream that she had. It was what happened to them at New Earth. That was when he had told her how he felt. She was happy that he had told her about it, for she was a coward herself. She was afraid of telling him how she felt about him too…

Chakotay stirred and opened his eyes slightly. "… Kathryn?"

She smiled. "Yes it's me…"

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes I am, thanks to you…"

He smiled, then realized their current situation. He slowly removed his arms around her and sat up. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to… You were shivering last night, I just wanted to keep you warm…"

"I know and thanks… I feel a lot better now…"

Garfun approached them from behind. "Kathryn, Chakotay, I have good news… The short path towards the beacon is now clear of the flood. We can cut the journey shorter than we thought…"

Janeway's eyes glistened as she listened to Garfun's news. "How short?"

"A day at most…"

"That's the best news that I've heard so far…" Janeway said as she sat up herself. "Did you hear that Chakotay? We're going to go back home soon…"

"Yes… Home…"

Janeway noticed his lack of enthusiasm. "Garfun, can you excuse us for a moment?"

Garfun nodded and left.

"Chakotay, is something bothering you?"

"No, it's nothing…"

"Chakotay…"

He looked into her eyes and sighed. "I'm happy that we're almost going back home… At least you are going to have your finally treated by the professionals…"

"But you seem…"
"No, really Kathryn, it's really nothing…"

Silence loomed between them. She felt the same as he did, however, she had done a very good job in hiding it.

"Kathryn… I…"

"Chakotay I…"

The two of them spoke in unison. Both fell silent again. This time, they were now unsure of what to tell each other.

Breaking the silence, she started. "I have been thinking…"

"About what…?"

"About… About us…"

"And…?"

"And... And after having a very long time to think about it, I think its about time that we rethink parameters between the two of us..."

Chakotay glanced at her, and found the sincerity in her eyes and her face.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I've been thinking, Chakotay, ever since we left New Earth and found it to be a very bad decision of mine to tell you that we couldn't continue our relationship, more than friends that is… Well it wasn't a very bad decision, since I was only looking after the welfare of the crew… However, when I realized when you and Seven were intimately involved, I regretted having to tell you that… I… I…"

She was at a loss for words. And so was he. His heart was now beating faster than it should be. He felt as though his chest were to explode with utter joy! He was the happiest man in the entire galaxy now. The answer from her that he had prayed had finally arrived. She had finally reciprocated his feelings for her.

Unable to think of something to say, he took her into his arms and embraced her. He then kissed her hair, her cheeks. He stopped and looked at her deeply into her blue eyes and kissed her.

Janeway's mind swirled as she finally felt happy again after so long a time. The kiss seemed to last forever. However, as soon as he broke it, he wrapped his arms around her more, uncertain if this was reality or just a dream.

She leaned her head on his chest. She felt it heave up and down, his heart beating fast inside it. She smiled contentedly and closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of him near her.

***

Later that day, they finally arrived on the site where the communication beacon stood. It was a small but sophisticated infrastructure. The three of them entered and initiated a communication link with Starbase 4.

"Admiral!" Janeway's subordinate, Commander Rayner asked surprised.

"Commander, how are things there?"

"Fine Ma'am. Where have you been? We received a automated distress signal from your shuttle, however we were never able to pinpoint its location because the communications link was severed before we could get the source… What happened Ma'am?

Janeway smiled. "It's a long story, Commander. Nonetheless, I want you to get the coordinates of the source of this transmission. Have me picked up by a ship, not a shuttle. Be very wary of Romulan pirates…"

"Romulan pirates?"

"That's the reason why we were stranded here in the first place…"

"Yes Ma'am. I'll have a ship deployed to pick you up in a few hours…"

"Excellent. I'll see you then Commander. Janeway out."

***

A Katana class starship picked them up several hours later. Janeway and Garfun were treated for their injuries while Chakotay met with the Captain of the ship and told him about what happened.

Several hours later, Garfun was given a clean bill of health by the Chief Medical Officer of the ship. Chakotay made sure that he was there when he will be transported back to Gorth.

"I guess this is goodbye…" Chakotay said as he looked at Garfun.

"I am not used to humanoid customs, however, I do want you to know that it has been a privilege meeting the two of you… You have definitely changed my perspective over your kind…"

"Same here… Hopefully, you will live and prosper in Gorth, my friend." Chakotay said as he patted Garfun on the back.

"I'm so sorry that Kathryn couldn't join me here in seeing you back to Gorth. She is still under observation for the infection that she has developed while she was in Gorth… She was indeed thankful for the help you have extended to help alleviate her pains…"

The wolf-like creature bowed and smiled. "A female as strong-willed as she is is worth helping… You are lucky to have her as your mate, Chakotay. Be sure to keep her by your side…"

Chakotay smiled. "Yes I will."

"Now I shall go."

Chakotay signaled the transporter controller. "Energize."

***

Starbase 04
Several hours later

Janeway had just finished her treatment and was given a clean bill of health by her Starbase's Chief Medical Officer. She felt a little bad that she wasn't there to see Garfun off, however, she was happy that Chakotay had relayed her message to him.

As for Chakotay, ever since her treatment regimen had started she hadn't seen him. Even after they were transported to the Starbase. She smiled and wondered what he was up to…

She had just finished a changing into her civilian clothes when her comm. Badge chirped.

"Chakotay to Janeway"

"Janeway here. What is it, Chakotay?"

"Can you come down here at your private holodeck, I have something to show you."

"Give me a five minutes… Janeway out."

Janeway hurriedly boarded the nearest turbolift and went to her private holodeck.

She neared the door, however, she was surprised that it didn't automatically open.

"Entry Clearance is for Admiral Kathryn Janeway only…"

"Computer open the holodeck doors, authorization Janeway Alpha Three Five Seven."

The doors opened and Janeway caught her breath at what she saw… It was Gorth, just before its third sun sets…

***

THE END

[Kathryn_Janeway_Jr]

Hey guys! Here is the virtual episode that I've made for the Voyager Alpha Quadrant site... It's supposed to be J/C but I don't know on what degree its supposed to be J/C... Maybe you guys could rate it, in a scale from 1 to 10... Thanks... Hope you guys like it...

For more VAQ Virtual Episodes:
http://www.geocities.com/voyageralphaquadrant/

[Chakotays Angel]

I give this story a rating of 10 for its writer has a super imagination and ideas on J/C's relationship

[janewaykat]

I give it a 10!!!

[Kathryn_Janeway_Jr]

hey thanks... I'm glad you liked the story... I thought it was a weird plot though, at first... coz of the stuck in the middle of nowhere and stuff... but glad you guys liked it.. makes me wanna write some more...

[Voy_Girl]

Awesome, as Always!

And as always, the J/C lies thick in the air....

[Lxe]

ooh kaye that was great I love it. umm i'm going to double it to 20....

[Tyvek]

WOW need I say more? that was just WOW

[Seven of Nine]

Wowsaluka!