Back to Work--part two
by Jennifer Ferris
Tom Paris buzzed at the ready room door. "Come." When he walked inside, Janeway was standing at the viewport, staring down at the night side of the planet. She turned to him, her expression contained.
He indicated the cup in his hands. "I brought you some coffee."
She raised her eyebrows in surprise. The replicators were working fine in here. "Thank you, Lieutenant."
"Captain..."
"Yes?"
He looked as if he was choosing his words carefully. "This job is tougher some days than others, I guess." Janeway held the cup close, as if she needed the warmth. She didn't answer. He tried again. "The team's okay. They'd have gotten a signal through if there was real trouble."
"Maybe." She shook herself as if she knew that wasn't good enough. She drew certainty over her as if it were a sweater. "Yes, I'm sure they would. But it's...difficult waiting. For all of us."
"I wish I could..." Make you feel better, he wanted to say. Tell you it's all right. But he didn't say it. She was the captain. "Would you like me to take a shuttle down?"
"No." That was firm and clear. "They're the best judge of their situation. And...Chakotay...said they were safe. We can't run any more risk of contamination." She looked sideways at Paris. "It's important, Tom."
He grinned at her. "Not your usual speech, though."
She smiled wryly. "No. I don't much feel like giving it." She glanced quickly up at him. "I will if I need to, though."
"Never doubted it."
She nodded absently, her attention already back on the planet. Paris pursed his lips. It wasn't his place to say anything, but that didn't usually stop him. Maybe go at it sideways. "It's selfish of me. I was so damned glad Chakotay decided to take Joe Carey and not B'Elanna. I'm sure they're all right down there, but..."
Janeway straightened her shoulders. "But?"
"Well...I just know what it feels like."
She turned to look levelly at him. "Message received, Mr. Paris."
He flushed. "Yes ma'am. Well. I'll be at my post if you need me."
Her voice stopped him as the doors parted. "Tom? Thank you."
He nodded once. "Any time, Captain."
It didn't occur to her till after Paris had left that his duty shift had been over for hours. She smiled to herself. Maybe he was more concerned then he'd let on. Objectively she knew there was no real need for that. Or...he was trying, in his own way, to give her some support. What do you know, she thought.
* * *
"The field rations haven't gotten any better," Chakotay grimaced as he chewed dutifully at the concentrated energy bar.
"Sir?" Domanski quit rummaging through the pack and looked over at his commander.
"Since the last time I ate 'em. They haven't improved the rations."
Tuvok frowned. "The concentrate provides the energy of a full meal. Taste was never an important criterion."
Chakotay nodded deadpan. "That's what I said."
"Eh, since when would you turn away from fed packs?" Gonzales teased. "They used to be a delicacy."
"They were food, Rosalita," Chakotay shook his head. "They were never a delicacy." He leaned back against the wall of the cave, resting.
She shrugged. "You take what you can get."
The Vulcan eyed them both. "I gather ration packs were some of the supplies you...appropriated...when you were in the Maquis."
"You ate them too, Tuvok," Chakotay opened his eyes and stared at the Vulcan. "I'm sure you remember."
"Yes. At the time I had not realized they were stolen supplies. Of course, that would not have mattered."
"Nope." Chakotay got up, dusting himself off, and walked quietly to the ledge. "Any change?" He kept his voice quiet.
Harry Kim was standing guard. "No. Those two..." he whispered, pointing out two indistinct dark shapes in the gloom, "they're still parked there. A couple more beyond. Those are the only ones I can see."
"Getting any readings?"
"Only the radio waves we heard earlier. The signal's pretty clear right now. Line of sight, maybe. Can't tell where it's going."
"Keep your eyes open. If there's any change, let me know. Don't make any noise," Chakotay added, probably unnecessarily.
Kim nodded. "I know."
"Okay. We'll spell you in an hour or so." Chakotay touched the ensign's shoulder briefly before heading to the back of the cave. By general agreement, they had gathered there, where their small noises stood less chance of being detected.
He'd been right. It was getting cold. With the natives this close, they didn't dare use their phasers for heat. No energy emissions. The chill would bother Tuvok the most, perhaps, but the vulcan was also best equipped to compensate for the loss of body heat. "All right. We're going to have to huddle up as best we can. It's going to be cold enough if we're stuck here all night."
Gonzales shook her head. "I'd make some crack about 'in your dreams', but it probably wouldn't go over too well." She slid over to make room for Domanski. "Well, Kenny, might as well relax and enjoy..." She caught Tuvok's expression. "A joke, Mr. Tuvok."
"That was understood, Ensign."
She sighed, stuck the smallest knapsack under her head for a pillow, and scooted close to Domanski. She looked back at Chakotay. "You're next, Commander. Or Joe."
"Tuvok?"
"I will...keep watch with Ensign Kim."
"All right. Carey? After you." Chakotay turned back to the Vulcan. "You'll need to get some rest too. And there's no point in freezing."
"Understood, Commander. I will wake you in two hours if there is no change."
Chakotay nodded. "Fine. And then you'll sleep."
"Yes."
* * *
Janeway replicated a cup of soup during the middle of second watch, realizing that her headache was probably partly from hunger. She knew she could be contacted as easily in her quarters as her ready room, but right now she didn't want to leave. Not with Chakotay...with the team...still on the planet. Not to go to her quarters, where they'd shared love and breakfast.
She dozed fitfully on the couch in the dark of her ready room.
The relief at ops buzzed her in the middle of the night. "Captain?"
Janeway rolled up, instantly awake. "Something?"
"We're getting a signal. Commander Chakotay."
"Put it through."
"Captain."
At his voice she closed her eyes in relief, then opened them wide. "Report, Commander."
She could barely hear him. "We're fine. I thought you might not appreciate waiting all night to hear from us."
"No...any chance you can get out of there?"
"Probably not for a while. I'm standing watch. We can't actually see any of the natives, it's too dark. But it's very quiet. We haven't heard them leave, and they'd have to pull out pretty close to this position. I don't think we can chance it until daybreak at least."
"But you're well."
"Yes. Um...where are you?"
"In my ready room." Was he alone? She didn't ask. This wasn't a private communication.
"Oh...everybody's asleep here. Well, maybe not Tuvok. I...just wanted to keep you informed."
"Chakotay..."
"Yes, Captain." He was almost whispering, but she could see the smile.
"You're...okay, then."
"Fine. Cold. Hungry. I could use a shower."
She laughed in spite of herself. "Keep me posted."
"Yes. I'll...belay that. We'll call back when it's safe. Chakotay out."
Hugging her arms to herself, Janeway smiled for a moment. Then she shook her head, checked in with the bridge, and headed for her quarters. She took a hot shower, snuggled into the unmade bed, and finally slept an hour before her alarm woke her at 0600.
It got worse before it got better.
Janeway was glad she'd gotten some sleep. She was carrying the remains of her breakfast, half a bagel, when she relieved Tokugawa on the bridge. "Any word?"
Her relief slid from the center seat. "I was about to call you, Captain. Commander Tuvok called just a few minutes ago. He said they were getting ready to move. He didn't sound ...concerned. But he shut off in the middle of his transmission. We're waiting for him to call back."
Damn. "All right." She swiveled to Ops. "Are you getting their readings?"
"Yes, Captain. They're moving pretty fast. Running. And-" Wildman adjusted her sensors. "They've just split into two groups. One's heading off into those hills behind their previous location. The others are still near the cave."
Janeway swung back to the viewscreen. "Mr. Paris. Project a course that'll keep us equidistant above their position. As best you can."
"Aye aye, Captain."
"Now we wait."
* * *
Just when they'd thought they had a clear shot, Chakotay thought. Things were going downhill rapidly. They'd dragged the dilithium canisters and their gear toward the mouth of the cave, getting ready to sneak out and ask for beamup, when Domanski called him. "Heads up, Commander."
Chakotay joined him on the ledge. "What is it?"
"I think we've been spotted. Something's alerted them, anyway." The security man gestured down to the valley below. "Three of them. Moving toward this position."
"Damn."
"We could make a break for it, sir," Domanski offered. Tuvok looked over at Chakotay, eyebrow rising. Clearly an idea worth considering.
"Maybe. But we can't run and haul dilithium at the same time."
"The ore is less important than the danger of contaminating this culture, Commander." Tuvok, of course.
"I know that. But if there's a way to take it with us and not get caught-we need that dilithium."
Tuvok knew that as well as any of them. "What is your proposal?"
Chakotay was studying the terrain nearby. He turned back abruptly to the others. "Domanski. You and I are the biggest. We'll appear the most threatening to the natives. They'll want to catch us."
"Yes, sir?" Domanski nodded, not understanding yet.
"So we'll let them chase us." Chakotay turned to Tuvok. "If we create a diversion...can you get the canisters and the rest of the team over that ridge. The signal should be clear, that far from the cave."
"Of course. However, I-"
Chakotay spoke more sharply than he'd intended. "It's worth trying."
"Assuming you don't get caught."
"Yeah. Assuming that. Well. You game, Domanski?"
The security guard shrugged. "Sure."
"Then let's do it." Chakotay rummaged among the supplies and brought out two water bottles. "Here." He tossed one to Domanski. "Tuvok."
"Yes, Commander."
"As soon as they've followed us...if they do...clear out. Call for beamup."
"Yes."
"If you have to make a run for it without the dilithium..." Chakotay shrugged. "People are more important."
"Understood."
"Good. Tell the captain...we'll call her as soon as we've drawn them off."
"She will not be pleased."
"I'd say that's an understatement." Chakotay collected Domanski with a glance. They left the cave quietly.
Tuvok tightened his lips. He had refused to speculate last night when the captain called to inform him that both she and Commander Chakotay would be late reporting for duty in the morning. Her personal...entanglements...were her own concern. But he was not ignorant of the atmosphere between them. Tuvok's own senses, more acute than a human's, informed him of their changed relationship. No. If something happened to the commander, the captain would not be pleased.
* * *
"Got him on the line, Captain," Wildman said sharply, relieved.
"Go."
But it was Tuvok, not Chakotay. "Captain. Three to beam up." At Janeway's questioning look, Wildman nodded. "We've got them."
"Do it. Bring them straight up to the bridge."
"Captain...they've got cargo with them. It'll have to be transporter two."
"Fine. I'm headed down. Mr. Paris, you have the conn. Call me immediately if-"
"Understood, Captain."
Tuvok, Rosie Gonzales, and Joe Carey stood among the clutter of field packs and ore canisters on the pads in Transporter Two. Janeway strode in, jaw tight. She tapped her com badge. "B'Elanna? We're beaming the ore down to you. Let me know what we've got."
Torres had barely acknowledged when Janeway turned to her security chief. "Report."
"Captain." Tuvok stepped away from the transporter and watched the canisters disintegrate. "We were discovered approximately one hour ago. I am not certain of the extent of the damage. The natives were never closer to us than two hundred meters, in poor light, so the contamination may be minimal. But they knew we were in that cave. Or that someone was. At Commander Chakotay's suggestion..."
"Go ahead."
"He and Ensign Domanski led the natives away from our position. They...created a diversion."
Janeway grimaced. "Which means what?"
"He inferred that the two largest males in our group would seem the most threatening. And that they would therefore be pursued. I assume he is still...leading them away from the transport site."
"Still being chased, you mean."
"It would seem likely."
"And we don't know if they're in sight of the natives. So we can't just beam them up."
"Unfortunately."
"Or call them."
Tuvok nodded. He'd been right, of course. The captain was very far from pleased.
* * *
At the moment, Chakotay and Domanski, two of Starfleet's finest...well, in this sector, anyway...were precariously balanced near the top of the lushest, tallest... prickliest...stickiest tree it had ever been their misfortune to encounter. They were invisible up here. Chakotay hoped. They were also almost directly above the natives.
There were only three of them, he thought. Easy enough to scramble down, stun them, and get away. Except for the others scouting through the trees. If only it didn't matter whether or not they were seen...but it did. And it was worth a little discomfort to be able to face Kathryn, later, and tell her he'd been able to keep the natives from getting any information about aliens. Any concrete information, at least. He thought back to the debris they'd left in the cave. If anything, it would be ration bars, maybe a water pack. He hoped Tuvok had remembered to check for everything.
He almost groaned out loud. What was he thinking? Of course Tuvok had remembered.
So all they had to do was sit up here until the locals went away.
On top of this damn cactus.
It was four long hours before the last native had gone far enough away that Chakotay felt secure in calling the ship. "Chakotay to Voyager."
"Janeway here. Report." The captain's voice was clipped.
"Captain. First opportunity to call. Can you get a lock on us?"
After a brief muffled conference Janeway's voice returned. "We're beaming you up now."
There was just a moment for Domanski to eye Chakotay thoughtfully. It had sounded like the storm flags were up...
When transport was complete, Chakotay found himself sitting on the platform, Domanski struggling to stand behind him. Janeway in front of him. Arms crossed. Chakotay rose slowly, trying to brush himself off. It didn't work. He was covered in the sticky sap and needle-like leaves of the tree they'd been perched on. "Captain."
She looked Chakotay up and down for a moment. "You look... undamaged." She included Domanski in her impassive once-over.
"We're fine."
"I see. Well. Thank you, Ensign."
Domanski nodded gratefully, and escaped. Janeway narrowed her eyes. "Commander."
"Ma'am."
"Perhaps after you've had a chance to clean up...you could report to my ready room and explain your little maneuver."
Chakotay stood at parade rest. "Yes, Captain."
She stared at him. "On second thought, you can clean up later. Report to my ready room." She wheeled abruptly out of the room.
Chakotay let out a soundless whistle. Donaldson, manning the transporter, grinned.
She didn't hold the turbolift. Chakotay sighed. This was probably not a good sign. When he emerged from the lift onto the bridge, every eye turned to him.
Tom was grinning openly. "I'd say the word was 'marched'."
"Paris?" Chakotay frowned at the pilot.
"That's the word I'd use to describe..." he nodded at the ready room door. "Marched. Maybe...stalked."
Chakotay eyed the ready room. He squared his shoulders and buzzed at the door. "Captain?"
The door slid open.
Harry was back at Ops. He snickered.
Janeway was leaning on her desk, arms crossed. She waited for Chakotay to step away from the door. She didn't speak until it closed behind him. "Are you all right?"
Chakotay eyed her warily. "I'm fine."
She closed the space between them, still eyeing him impassively. "Well. It didn't quite work, then."
"What didn't? We got the dilithium aboard, didn't we?" he asked suddenly, concerned.
"We did. That's not what I meant." Janeway dropped the pose and let her smile show. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Chakotay's waist.
"You're not mad?"
"Should I be?"
"Um...no."
"Well then." She ticked off each point by tapping a finger on Chakotay's chest, still leaning against him. "One. We got the dilithium. If it can be purified, we might stick around and try for more. Two. Tuvok said none of them saw you. Not clearly. So they couldn't really identify you as an alien. Or did they?"
"No."
"Three. Nobody got hurt. You're back home. You're safe."
"Yes."
"Well, then..." Janeway said again, shrugging.
Chakotay gave up. "Interesting debriefing method." Still keeping his hands to himself, he leaned down and kissed the captain. "I like it."
She nuzzled for a moment. "That's it? You scare me half to death and I get a little half-hearted-"
"Kathryn. I'm a mess."
"I noticed."
"I mean..I'm really a *mess*."
"Uh huh." She wriggled a little closer, kissing his unshaven cheek.
To hell with it. Chakotay put his arms around her, letting his hands roam a little. "And I'm very glad to see you."
"That's better."
"But..." he looked down at himself, then at his captain.
She followed his glance. "Oh."
"Uh huh."
The sticky tar from the 'tree' would come off after all...with sufficient contact. The front of the captain's uniform now had several small, but unmistakable, patches of resin. In interesting places.
"Damn."
"Yep." On the other hand, the damage was already done. Chakotay kissed her carefully. He kept his hands to himself, this time. Mostly. "What did you mean, it didn't work?"
"What?" Janeway was eyeing her the front of her uniform in dismay. "Oh. The kiss for luck. It didn't work."
"Sure it did."
"Well..when you put it that way. How did you get away, after all?"
Chakotay gestured down at the mess on his uniform. "We shimmied up a tree. I guess you could call it a tree."
In spite of herself, Kathryn grinned. "That's what they taught you in command school, huh?"
"Strictly a Maquis maneuver, Captain." He nuzzled at her neck, brushing her hair out of the way. "Uh oh."
"What?"
"Here." He touched Kathryn's jumpsuit, a little lower on her hip than might have been considered strictly innocent.
She craned her neck, trying to see. "Shit."
"Uh huh."
"Think anybody'll notice?"
"Audacity, Kathryn. Remember?"
"Yeah." She sighed and picked a few tarry needles off her uniform. "Well, the uniform's dark. Maybe I can get away with it until lunchtime. Might as well tough it out. Come on." For the second time in two days, she led Chakotay out of the briefing room. This time she walked him to the turbolift. "You'd better get cleaned up, Commander. And get something to eat. You're off duty."
"Yes, Captain." Inside the open lift, he turned to her. Nobody was watching. He winked.
Janeway returned to her station. She sat down nonchalantly, willing an unruffled expression.
An hour later, getting ready to leave the bridge, she found she was glued to the chair. When she pulled away there was a sticky little...sffffft.
Nobody laughed.
Nobody dared.
THE END
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