Doctors Orders

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Disclaimer: Paramount owns the world - at least the beautiful world of Star Trek - and we only play with their characters now and then to let them have some fun. Iris and I own the page and we have fun and play with that every now and then as well. After all, that’s what friends are for.

~~~~ a Y a ~~~~

The story takes place just before the events in season 3’s episode Macrocosm.

Captain Kathryn Janeway sat silently fuming on the biobed as the Doctor scanned, checked his tricorder, clicked his tongue and scanned again. She knew she couldn’t take much more before she exploded and quite possibly blew his program to kingdom come. After all, how long should it take to make a few scans to determine why she had a splitting headache?

“Aren’t you finished yet?” Kathryn fumed as she tried using her famous death glare to melt his program into oblivion. The pain in her head leant strength to the glare, and even though it was an effort to maintain it she was determined to see his program in a puddle at her feet. Better yet, she imagined little pieces of his program floating softly to the floor like little white chicken feathers, with his annoying superior attitude the first part of him to go.

“Patience, my dear Captain, I’m almost finished,” the Doctor replied as he continued to scan, check the readings and click his holographic tongue. He was trying very hard to ignore her glare, the same one that sent crewmembers and lesser gods running for their very lives.

Still fuming, she revised her opinion of only a moment ago as she imagined that damned clicking tongue in little pieces and floating softly to the floor like little pink flamingo feathers. Yes, pink. This prissy Doctor was really getting to her today, more so than usual. Maybe the pounding in her head had something to do with it.

Finally he snapped his tricorder shut with a loud whack and turned to face her. The sound startled her and instinctively she jumped. The increase in the intensity of her glare made him take a step or two back, but he was determined to win this round even if she did threaten to decompile his program.

“Captain,” he addressed her thinking that maybe the use of her title would pacify her, if even for a moment, “your stress levels are off the scale, your caffeine levels are so high that your body might as well be composed of the stuff, you’re underweight, exhausted and out of shape. Much of this is quite normal for you, of course, but your body isn’t getting any younger and you just have to learn to take better care of yourself.”

Her glare intensified as she slowly brought her eyes up to meet his. “What?” she hissed as she glared directly into his eyes. She was NOT a happy camper. No, definitely not happy judging by the look on her face.

“I said,” he gulped as he took another step back, “you have to start taking better care of yourself or you’re going to have a breakdown. The human body can only take so much abuse and you’re almost at your limit. Ever since the Triboli attacked us almost two weeks ago you’ve been running constantly with little or no food or rest. Coffee isn’t one of the major food groups and your body needs more than that. Plus, you haven’t really given your injuries a chance to properly heal, so that’s part of your problem too.”

“Doctor, I’m the Captain and I really can’t just take time off when my ship is in ruins and people are hurt and unable to work. I am able to work and I have to set an example for the crew. What would they think of their captain if I just lounged around and did nothing while they worked themselves to the bone? Besides, my injuries weren’t that severe. There were others injured much worse than me,” she stated as she raised her throbbing head, folded her arms across her chest and dared him to contradict her.

Thinking that maybe he did have a death wish after all, the Doctor continued. “I’m glad you call a severe concussion and two broken arms nothing to worry about, but unfortunately your body doesn’t agree with you. No wonder you have the mother of all headaches, and your caffeine levels aren’t helping.” The Doctor quickly looked over his shoulder just to be sure that Commander Chakotay was still standing nearby in case the Captain got homicidal when he delivered his diagnosis.

After noticing the Commander standing in the background trying his best to hide a smile, while shifting himself between leaning on his right leg, then his left leg, the Doctor gathered what courage he had left and continued.

“Captain, you’re now in your mid-40’s and not getting any younger, and even though medical science has expanded the human lifespan significantly, we haven’t yet found a way to reverse the process of aging, only slow it down. You neglect your health in every way you can. You’re stressed beyond normal limits, you’re not in the best shape of your life, and you need to eat better. You need to get more rest to let your injuries fully heal and you need more sleep to help reduce your stress levels. Therefore I’m restricting your coffee intake to two cups a day. I’ll prepare an exercise and diet regime for you which I expect you to follow to the letter, and I’ll use my medical override to insure that you follow my instructions. I hope you realize that I’m doing this for your own good, both as your Doctor and as your friend,” he said as he rushed to get everything out before she decompiled him.

Kathryn just stared at him in horror as she attempted to take this all in. In an effort to clear her mind so she could better understand all that the Doctor was saying, she shook her head. Bad mistake! She very quickly realized that she wouldn’t do that again as the room momentarily spun around her and another sharp pain penetrated her brain. Why didn’t the damn hologram just give her a shot and end her misery?

The Doctor glanced again at the Commander who was doing his very best to look serious throughout this whole ordeal while remaining inconspicuous in the background. He wasn’t succeeding in hiding his smile, and his attempts to melt into the background were failing.

“And just to insure that you cooperate, I’m appointing Commander Chakotay to monitor you and make sure you follow my instructions,” the Doctor finished as he stepped back once again. “I’m appointing him to be your personal trainer.”

Chakotay’s gasp and look of horror drew everyone’s attention. So much for remaining inconspicuous, although the smile was now gone from his face and the amused glint from his eyes.

Kathryn tried to get the gist of what the Doctor was saying although the pain in her head was hampering her efforts. She finally looked up and directed her gaze toward Chakotay, who was trying even harder to melt into the background and control the look on his face.

“Chakotay, tell me if I’m wrong, but did the Doctor just call me a skinny, flabby old woman with PMS?”

“Er……..Captain?” Chakotay stammered as he tried desperately to think of something to say.

“Never mind, you’re no help.” Turning to the Doctor, Kathryn slowly and concisely stated, “Doctor, I just came in here with a little headache and all I need is an analgesic to get rid of the pain. Do you think you could just give me a hypospray so I can get back to Engineering? It’s really a simple concept – pain/hypospray/pain goes away. B’Elanna needs my help with the gel packs.”

“Little headache?” the Doctor replied as he climbed once again onto his soapbox. “You were found unconscious in a Jeffries tube and were carried here by the Commander because fortunately the Jeffries tube was on this deck. If B’Elanna hadn’t tried to hail you and gotten no response, you might still be there. Your concussion hasn’t fully healed and you quite literally dropped over from exhaustion, hunger and your injuries, which as I’ve told you aren’t totally healed. The only way you’re going to leave sickbay today is if you promise to go straight to your quarters, eat a meal that does not contain any caffeine and then go to bed and sleep for the rest of today and tonight. That means at LEAST ten hours of sleep until I want you up and about again, and that doesn’t mean back to work. You’re off duty for the next three days.”

Before Kathryn could react, the Doctor pressed a hypospray to her neck and quickly jumped back. She was amazed at the speed at which he managed to accomplish this because, as far as she could tell, he had no hypospray in his hand when he started his speech and she never saw him reach for it. Her headache must be worse than she thought since she was on the lookout for any sneaky action he might take. The Doctor was becoming even sneakier in her old age or she was getting slower. Kathryn would have shaken her head again, but she learned her lesson the first time.

“There, that should give you some relief from the ‘minor’ headache that must be pounding like a base drum inside your head. I’ve also included a sedative, so don’t think you’re going to be sitting up all night reading reports because about an hour from now it will kick in and you WILL sleep whether you want to or not.”

The Doctor turned to Chakotay who was now almost cowering in the corner while once again trying hard not to smile. “Commander, I’m putting you in charge of ‘tucking her in’ once you’ve fed her. There are no exceptions to this rule unless you want to spend the next three days in sickbay Captain,” the Doctor concluded as he turned to the Captain and smiled. He knew the sedative would soon take effect so he was reasonably sure she could not try to tamper with his program while she slept.

In all honesty he did realize that most of her attitude was directly resulting from the throbbing pain in her head and worry about her damaged ship and injured crew, but like all the Voyager crew he had a healthy respect for her authority. He also loved her and knew that she loved him, just like the family they had become, but that didn’t mean she’d listen to him concerning her own health. Oh no! The Kathryn Janeway they all knew and loved would listen to him about anything but her own personal health. He also knew that if any crewman was being as difficult as she was presently being that she’d personally be the first one to march said crewman to their quarters and tuck them into bed, after threatening them with dire punishment if they didn’t listen to the Doctor.

Kathryn noticed right away that much of the pain in her head was already gone, and she looked from the Doctor to Chakotay and then back again. Knowing by their expressions that she would get no support from Chakotay and that the Doctor wasn’t about to back down, she gave a small sigh. Besides, she really was too tired to argue and it was too late to stop the sedative. She’d have to make the best of the situation. “Very well, I’ll be in my quarters, and I don’t need a babysitter, thank you very much.”

Smoothly sliding down from the biobed she marched through the doors of sickbay, which barely managed to get open before she was through them, and continued at a fast pace toward her quarters. The Doctor quickly shoved Chakotay out of the door after her, and he had to run to catch up. He didn’t want to risk her taking a detour through Engineering, the bridge, her ready room and then maybe the Jeffries tube network before she arrived at her quarters. The Doctor would really be pissed with him if he lost her now.

Knowing that the battle was lost for the moment, Kathryn marched straight to her quarters, removed her uniform jacket, and plopped herself down on the sofa with a loud sigh. Chakotay barely got through the doors before they snapped shut. “Commander, I really can take care of myself, my headache is getting better, and I’m sure you have plenty of work to do. By all means, don’t let me keep you from it.”

Chakotay almost laughed at her use of his rank and her futile attempt to get rid of him so she could sneak back to Engineering. But it was hard to take her seriously as she sat there in her regulation t-shirt with her hair mussed, her face and hands dirty from the work she was doing, her legs pulled under her and a little-girl-lost look on her face. He knew by her glassy eyes that it wouldn’t be too long until that sedative took effect and he didn’t want to risk having to fetch a sleeping captain from somewhere else on the ship. The crew would love it, but she’d be embarrassed once she woke up.

“You know the Doctor’s orders, Kathryn, so I’ll replicate us food and then you can get some sleep,” he said as he moved to the replicator. Fortunately the replicator system was one of the ship’s systems not severely damaged by the attack and was one of the first systems repaired afterward. Chakotay suspected Kathryn was responsible for that so she wouldn’t miss even one day without her coffee, but he had no proof and B’Elanna would never tell on Kathryn. They often told him that not telling on each other was a ‘girl thing’ but he suspected that they were now very close friends, much to his delight.

“My shift is long since over so I’ll be staying with you per the Doctor’s orders. If you’ll get me a pillow and blanket I can sleep on the sofa,” he suggested with a big smile as he finished with the replicator. He knew she couldn’t resist his dimples for very long, and he used them shamelessly.

“That really isn’t necessary Chakotay. I’m a big girl and can take care of myself. Besides, if this sedative kicks in like the Doctor threatened, I won’t have a choice but to sleep.” Kathryn looked totally disgusted as she stated that fact.

“Go wash up while I replicate our meal. You have five minutes,” Chakotay said as he pulled Kathryn up from the sofa and gently pushed her toward her bedroom. In less than five minutes she was back with a clean face and hands and her hair combed and shining with the red/gold highlights that he loved so much.

After giving the final command, Chakotay turned from the replicator with a smile on his face and two plates in his hands. Placing the plates on the table, he gallantly offered Kathryn his arm to lead her to the table, and like a gentleman he pulled out her chair and gestured for her to sit.

They ate in relative silence, Chakotay realizing that Kathryn was trying to come to grips with the whole situation the Doctor had placed them in and most likely looking for loopholes to get around the Doctor’s orders. He realized her position and her attitude towards always being the strong one for the crew to look up to, and she was right – to a point. But in this case the whole crew knew how long and hard she worked since she worked right along side them, and they all knew she had been injured as well. There was no way they would think her lazy for taking a day or two off to rest and recuperate. Of course, that was assuming he could keep her confined for the requisite three days.

In fact, some of the crew in Engineering would probably be glad to get her out of their areas for a few days so they could work in peace. Even though Kathryn never asked more of them than she did of herself, very few of them could keep up with her. Only B’Elanna and maybe Vorik and Carey were her equals in expertise, but B’Elanna and the others had the good sense to rest and eat when necessary, unlike their intrepid Captain.

Kathryn managed to eat some of her meal, although her plate was a long way from being clean. Finally putting down her fork, she rested her chin on her hand and looked Chakotay straight in the eye. “Where’s my coffee?”

“Nice try, Kathryn. You know what the Doctor said. No caffeine tonight, but I will get you a cup of decaffeinated tea.” Quickly jumping up from the table before she could argue, he replicated two cups of his favorite herbal blend for them. Kathryn grimaced as she took the first sip, but as she adjusted to the taste she found that she actually enjoyed it. She would never let Chakotay know since she had her reputation to uphold, so she tried her best to look like she didn’t like it. It didn’t work and Chakotay smiled softly to himself.

“Why don’t you go get yourself ready for bed and I’ll clean up in here,” Chakotay offered as he noticed Kathryn’s eyes start to slide shut. Her eyes quickly snapped open.

“I’m fine and you can clean up later. Why don’t we just sit and talk for a few minutes? We haven’t had much chance lately with all the extra work we’ve been doing.” She propped her elbows on the table and smiled her crooked smile at him. Chakotay’s heart beat faster. God he loved that smile!

Kathryn’s eyes again started to glaze and droop, and Chakotay noticed that her hand holding her mug wasn’t quite steady, but he knew she was fighting sleep if for no other reason than the principal of the thing. She liked to be in control, and there was no way she was going to sleep just because the Doctor ordered, and if there was any way at all that she could stop it she’d fight to stay awake. Chakotay knew it was only a matter of time. He also knew she’d talk about the ship and demand to know what was going on even though he wanted to keep it more personal.

“So how are repairs to the long range sensors coming along?” Kathryn opened the conversation in a truly predictable manner. “Once they’re back on line I want to increase our speed to warp 5.”

Chakotay started to give her a brief report and her eyes were starting to seriously droop when the whine of a transporter beam drew their attention to the table beside the sofa. Once the sound disappeared, a padd and note appeared on the table.

“What’s that?” Kathryn asked as she once again forced her eyes open and started to rise.

Chakotay gently pushed her back onto her chair as he hurried to retrieve the items. “I think the Doctor just sent my instructions on your care and feeding,” he grinned. “I’ll read over them once you’re asleep and give you the highlights tomorrow. Your eyes are almost closed and you need to get into bed.” He secretly prayed she would accept this, but in all reality he knew better.

“If you know what’s good for you Chakotay, you’ll hand them over now. I want to see what kind of torture he’s planning to subject me to so I can plan my revenge.” Kathryn reached out her hand and wiggled her fingers, so Chakotay reluctantly placed the padd into her hand. He had seen the paper note attached which only said ‘good luck’. He wasn’t about to show that to her so he quickly shoved it into his pocket and hoped she wouldn’t notice. The Doctor must have been pretty sure she’d be asleep by now or he’d never have sent that note. He obviously didn’t know how stubborn Kathryn Janeway could be.

Kathryn activated the padd and started to scan through its contents. As Chakotay watched, her eyes grew huge and her expression changed to one of horror. She continued to read and he started to squirm as he wondered just what was on that padd. Her mouth finally formed a perfect ‘O’ which he knew meant trouble for both him and the Doctor.

“I’m going to kill him,” she stated as she looked up from the pad. “I think he’s trying to kill me first though. He’s actually sending me to the gym to work out for two hours every day. One hour on the treadmill, 30 minutes with weights, and another 30 minutes with various other exercise equipment. I have too many responsibilities to spend two hours a day playing games in the gym. There’s not even a mention of Velocity, which I would enjoy after all and is quite a workout in itself.”

Chakotay stepped to the replicator as she was reading and returned with two more mugs of tea, one of which he held out to her. He was sorely tempted to slip another sedative into her cup, but then thought better of it. “I think he’s trying to get you into shape and make you so tired you’ll have to relax and sleep,” he smiled as he took a sip of his tea and tried to figure out how to protect the Doctor’s program. He’d put B’Elanna on it after Kathryn was asleep. It wouldn’t be long now, he hoped, since it was way past the time the Doctor predicted and her eyes were glassy and drooping. She just wouldn’t give in and sleep.

“We’ll see about that,” she firmly stated as she finally handed him the padd. “Then there’s the matter of the diet. If he thinks I’m going to eat all that crap he’s mistaken. I don’t need to be fattened up, and besides I don’t even like creampuffs.”

Chakotay smiled as he started to read the padd. He realized that Kathryn had only scanned its contents, and that was probably a good thing. He sipped his tea as he read, and didn’t even realize how quiet it had become until he was finished about ten minutes later. Looking up from his reading he expected to have to argue with her about the Doctor’s plan, but the sight that greeted him brought a broad smile to his face. Kathryn Janeway was fast asleep sitting at the table and her head was resting on her mug.

Chakotay took just a moment to enjoy the sight before he went into her bedroom and turned back the bedclothes. He returned for Kathryn and went to pick her up to move her into her bed when he noticed that her hand was still wrapped around her mug. Gently trying to pry her fingers loose he soon realized that this wasn’t going to be as easy as he thought, and he certainly didn’t want to risk waking her. Thankfully the cup was empty and all his efforts to remove it from her hand failed, so he picked her up, cup and all, and carried her into her bedroom. He was amazed because the cup never once tipped. After gently laying her on her bed, he removed her boots and once again went for the cup, which was still in the upright position and resting on her stomach. She still had a death grip on it and he just couldn’t pry her fingers loose, so he pulled the covers over her and her cup.

“Some people like teddy bears, Kathryn,” he whispered as he gently kissed her forehead. “Then there’s also me if you need something to hold onto. Leave it to you to be different.”

Since Chakotay really did know where she kept her extra blankets and pillow, he helped himself and prepared to spend the night as per the Doctor’s orders.

The Doctor appeared first thing in the morning, and his cheerful ‘good morning sleepyhead’ was the first thing Chakotay heard.

“Wha…..? How did you get in here?” he inquired as he fought to come fully awake.

“I beamed myself directly here to see if you were still alive. The Captain has been in her ready room for almost an hour and I wasn’t sure if she killed you in order to get past, or if you just slept through it. I see the latter is the case. I’m about to face the lion in her den, and I would appreciate you accompanying me in case she gets homicidal. I’ve programmed the gym you’ll need on Holodeck 2, and I’ve reserved it for the next three hours, and for two hours every day thereafter. I am using my medical authority to assign you to be her personal trainer because you’re the only one she’ll listen to where her own well-being is concerned. You’ll need to get dressed so we can begin. I guess the three days off duty part of my orders didn’t quite register through her headache.”

“I’ve also restricted the whole replicator system to only allow her two cups of coffee per day, and she’s now working on her second cup. I expect you to remain strong and not give in to her pleas to use your rations for more coffee, no matter how much she begs or flutters her lovely eyelashes at you. Now, get dressed and we’ll head for the bridge.”

Chakotay’s head was spinning as he pulled on his boots and uniform jacket. He wasn’t a heavy sleeper so how did she manage to get past him? Just how devious and sneaky was Kathryn Janeway?

After taking a minute in her bathroom to take care of his morning routine, he and the Doctor headed for the bridge. Chakotay was not looking forward to the coming confrontation but was relieved that Kathryn must be feeling better. Then again, her being in her ready room didn’t necessarily mean she was feeling better – only stubborn and she knew the Doctor would come for her. Oh my, what a way to start the day!

The turbolift deposited them on the bridge much too quickly for Chakotay’s liking, but he dutifully followed the Doctor and watched while he rang for admittance. Tuvok was sitting in the Captain’s chair and merely raised his eyebrow as they passed. ‘Not good,’ Chakotay thought as the door swished open to admit them.

Kathryn was sitting at her desk reading a padd when they entered. “Good morning Doctor, Chakotay,” she said as she looked up. She was expecting them, Chakotay could tell. “Before you ask, I’m feeling much better, thank you. You did a wonderful job, Doctor, and my headache is gone, so I saw no reason why I couldn’t do a little light duty. I hope you slept well, Chakotay.” She figured it was better to head them off at the pass, and the Doctor’s ego liked to be stroked. “I promise not to help in Engineering unless there’s an emergency.”

“What part of three days off duty didn’t you understand? I know you, Captain,” the Doctor started. “I’d bet you haven’t eaten any breakfast, you haven’t done any of the exercises I’ve prescribed, all you’ve ingested is coffee, your headache is still in evidence, and as soon as we leave your office you’ll head straight for the nearest Jeffries tube to fix something. Don’t make me relieve you of duty for a week, because you know I will. Your body needs some care and attention, not more battering, and I’m here to see that you take care of yourself. After all, you’re our captain and this crew needs its captain.”

“You wouldn’t relieve me of duty, I’m fine,” Kathryn lowered her voice to make it somewhat threatening.

“Yes I would. Now Holodeck 2 is expecting you and Commander Chakotay and I will accompany you. Everything you need is there and I’ll oversee your first workout so the Commander will know what is expected. If you don’t come with us now, I’m fully prepared to relieve you of duty immediately, and believe me when I say you’ll be off duty for a week rather than a few days.”

Tuvok was sitting in the captain’s chair trying desperately to concentrate on the view screen, which showed absolutely nothing unusual, as he speculated about what he was sure was a battle going on in the ready room. Knowing Kathryn Janeway as well as he did, he knew she wouldn’t go down without a fight. He was well aware of the Doctor’s instructions because Chakotay sent him a copy of the document last night once the Captain was asleep. He knew this wouldn’t be easy, and having seen her march into her ready room early this morning, he knew she was preparing her defenses. Yes, he knew Kathryn Janeway very well.

But he had to admit that he agreed with the Doctor. Having worked alongside her for the past two weeks he knew that she never quit for the day until it was impossible for her to hold her head up any longer. Even then she would only rest for a couple of hours before she was back helping with repairs. Yes, it was time for her to rest for a few days, and he would help where he could.

The swishing of the ready room door drew his attention from the view screen. The Doctor emerged with a satisfied smile on his face, which could only mean one thing. The prisoner would be following. The Captain soon followed the Doctor with a murderous look on her face, not at all unexpected by Tuvok. After all, she hated to lose. Chakotay trailed behind as if he hated every minute of the whole ordeal and was trying to figure out where to hide until this crisis was over. Tuvok took a moment to be glad he wasn’t the one having to deal with forcing Kathryn Janeway to comply. Yes, being third in command was at times a true blessing. He softly sighed hoping no one was looking at him, but all of the very silent crew were suddenly totally engrossed in whatever was showing on their consoles and they were all trying very hard not to look up.

The turbolift doors swished open as they approached, and in a few seconds it was gone leaving Tuvok once again staring at nothing unusual on the view screen.

As the Holodeck doors swished open, Kathryn grudgingly admitted to herself that the Doctor programmed a very nice gym. Every kind of exercise equipment was there, along with a shower/dressing area, a small kitchen/dining area, and even an area to get a massage from a holographic masseuse. It reminded her of the officer’s gym at Starfleet Headquarters.

The Doctor gently guided her to the dining area where a light meal was waiting for them. Salad, potatoes with gravy, chicken, vegetables, bread, fresh fruit and a large pitcher of water were on the table just waiting for them to sit and enjoy. There was also a large tray of sinful desserts, topped by two very large creampuffs. Like the gentleman he was, Chakotay pulled out a chair for her, and once she was seated he moved to seat himself. As she looked at the selection her stomach growled, much to her embarrassment. “I guess I am a little hungry,” she sheepishly admitted. “But those creampuffs are all yours. I hate creampuffs.”

Chakotay’s eyes widened as he took in the size of the creampuffs. No way could he eat a meal and then two of them, no matter how much he wanted to help Kathryn.

“Dig in,” the Doctor beamed as he moved to check out the program he was so proud of. “I want to see most of that meal gone, including the desserts,” he happily quipped as he started playing with some of the equipment.

Chakotay passed the salad bowl and they both enjoyed a very pleasant meal, but when they were finished most of the desserts and one very large creampuff remained on the plate. Chakotay could, alas, only manage one. The Doctor scowled as he checked over what had been eaten, but he let it pass for now. He really didn’t have a death wish and the Captain hadn’t once bugged him for coffee which was a miracle in itself. And with the healthy meal that she had eaten, she wouldn’t be too full to exercise. Yes, he had to admit to himself that he’d done a very good job.

Now it was time for her to work out, and the Doctor already had his plan in place.

An hour later a staggering, sweating, out-of-breath, mad-as-hell Captain was panting her way through the last half mile on the treadmill as her hands maintained their death grip on the side rails. The Doctor was controlling the speed and incline as he stood there encouraging her to finish, and doing his best to ignore the death glare that was fixed on him and the controller in his hand. As he looked from her sweat streaked face to the controller, he fully expected it to burst into flames right there in his hand.

Finally he slowed the speed and lowered the incline so she could wind down before moving on to the weights, and Chakotay wasn’t sure she had enough left in her to make the short walk from one piece of equipment to the next, let alone do another hour of exercising. By now her hair was hanging in wet clumps and the sweat was running down her neck and cheeks. The tank top she was wearing was wringing wet and he was sure her feet were swishing around in her sneakers. The Doctor controlled a mean treadmill and he took a minute to thank the spirits that it wasn’t him being forced to work out under the Doctor’s supervision.

Once the Doctor had her lying on the weight bench, he instructed her on doing lifts and ordered her to start. If looks could kill, the Doctor would be dead, but he just ignored her and continued to offer instructions and hints as she struggled to lift the weights. Fortunately he started with lighter weights, but Chakotay knew from the instructions that it wouldn’t be long before the weight was increased. After about fifteen minutes of lifting with short rests between sets, the Doctor gave her a set of dumbbells and oversaw several sets of exercises with them. Chakotay just knew that if she had the strength, Kathryn would have hurled them at the Doctor.

By this time Kathryn’s death glare was tinged with exhaustion and therefore less potent than usual. She was doing arm curls, and could barely lift the weight high enough to move it into the curl.

The sound of something heavy hitting the floor drew his attention sharply back to the matters at hand. Chakotay had been daydreaming instead of paying attention to the Doctor’s instructions, and was shocked to see one of the heavy dumbbells lying squarely on the Doctor’s foot. Apparently it had slipped out of Kathryn’s tired, sweaty hand and landed right on the Doctor’s foot. If he had been human, his foot would most certainly have been broken. He made a mental note and mentally highlighted it to stay well away from Kathryn when she had lethal weapons in her hand during workouts. He liked his feet just the way they were, thank you.

Once Chakotay realized that the Doctor was OK, he looked at Kathryn. Her tired eyes pleaded with him to deliver her from this torture, but he was helpless to do anything for her. The Doctor, however, was in his glory as he practically lifted her off the weight bench, wrapped his arm around her waist and dragged her to the thigh machine.

“You’ve got to be kidding,” Kathryn panted as she looked with horror at the line of machines she suspected the Doctor wanted her to use before this session was finished. “I hurt all over and don’t have the strength to move any of these machines,” she finished as her legs started to wobble and collapse.

“Nonsense, you’re just out of shape and we’re going to fix that,” the Doctor quipped as he held her up long enough to drag her to the machine.

“Do we have to fix this all in one hour?” Kathryn groaned as she moved. “Can’t we spread this out over say a year or two?”

“We’re only getting started,” the Doctor smiled. Kathryn groaned.

After plopping her on the seat and adjusting the weights, he cheerfully told her to do three sets of 25 repetitions. “You’re doing fine and we’ll have you back in shape in no time. And the good news is that none of these exercises will prevent your injuries from healing. I’ve gone light on the arm exercises.” She groaned once again.

Kathryn didn’t even have the strength to lift her head to glare at him, so she just mumbled under her breath. Chakotay caught part of something that sounded suspiciously like “…….be dead first.” He had to fight to keep himself from smiling as he thought of Kathryn in shape with her muscles gleaming with sweat, although he had to admit that even out of shape she looked pretty good right now.

By the time the two hours was up, the Doctor and Chakotay had to literally carry Kathryn to the shower. They left her sitting on the bench inside the shower so she could strip off her sweaty clothing and take her shower. They finally heard the sound of the water running, so they sat on a bench to wait for her to finish.

“That seemed to go well,” the Doctor beamed as he contemplated his Captain’s physical health. Chakotay only stared at him. “Her arms seem to be nicely healing and I don’t expect her concussion to give her any more problems, unless she drinks too much caffeine or has too much stress. I won’t allow her back on duty for three more days, so by then she’ll be fully healed and on her way to being in shape.”

“If she’s not dead of exhaustion,” Chakotay mumbled under his breath, but the Doctor heard it anyway.

“She won’t be, trust me. The good news is that she’ll sleep well and get the rest she needs. She’ll also be in the best condition she’s been in since we entered the Delta Quadrant, although part of that assumes that she’ll continue to work out. You know, it wouldn’t hurt you to work out with her,” the Doctor looked intently at Chakotay with his meaning very clear.

Desperate to change the subject, Chakotay ignored the Doctor and looked hard at the dressing room where the sounds of running water could still be heard. “You know, Doctor, she’s been in there a long time. Don’t you think she should be done by now? Maybe we should check on her.”

“Yes, it has been a while. I know the Captain enjoys her baths, but by this time she should be a prune,” the Doctor stated as he headed for the dressing room calling, “Captain, are you finished yet?” After two more calls Chakotay joined him with concern written all over his face.

“She should at least answer you. Captain……….Kathryn?” he called several times and still got no answer. “We’d better check on her.”

Both men headed for the shower, which was still running. The Doctor reached out and pulled the shower curtain aside and Chakotay prepared to avert his eyes in case she was standing there naked. Neither man was prepared for the sight of their fully clothed, but barefoot Captain sitting on the shower’s bench fast asleep. The warm water was still pouring over her, but she slept through it all. Apparently she had removed her socks and sneakers before turning on the water, but that was all. She was leaning back against the shower wall with her head turned to the side so very little water hit her in the face.

“She should be clean by now,” the Doctor promptly stated as he turned off the water and reached for a towel. “Here, wrap her in this and I’ll beam you directly to her quarters so you can put her to bed. I’ll be by to check on you in a little while. Our Holodeck time is almost up, and somebody else has it reserved after us.”

Chakotay shifted Kathryn into the towel, wet clothes and all, and gathered her into his arms as the Doctor was ordering the transporter room to beam them directly to the Captain’s quarters. Once there, he laid her in her own bathtub and tried to wake her. It took a few minutes, but she finally started to stir, and then slowly opened her eyes.

“Ohhhhhhhhhh, she stuttered as she looked around trying to figure out where she was and why she was so wet. Her eyes finally focused on Chakotay who smiled at her and said, “Hi there sleepyhead. Wake up so we can get you dried off and tucked into bed.”

“Whaaaaaaa….?” was all she could manage as her senses continued to try to sort out the situation.

“You fell asleep in the shower and apparently decided to wash your clothes as well as yourself since you never took them off. The Doctor beamed us directly to your quarters and I put you in the tub so we wouldn’t get your bed all wet. Here are some dry towels and if you’ll tell me where you keep your night clothes, I’ll get them for you to change into.” Chakotay handed her a fluffy dry towel and pointed to another one on the floor beside the tub.

“Dresser, bottom drawer,” Kathryn managed to sputter as she attempted to sit up.

“Aggggggg!!!” she practically screamed as her aching muscles protested any movement at all, and she leaned back into the tub. “I can’t move.”

Chakotay helped her into a sitting position, trying not to hear her moans of pain as her muscles protested. “I guess you had a pretty good workout.”

“Workout? You call that a workout? I call it the Doctor’s attempt to kill me. Are you paying him to kill me so you can take over as Captain?” she accused as she looked at him with her pain-filled blue eyes. He knew she didn’t mean it.

“Never Kathryn. I would never intentionally hurt you, but the Doctor is right. You’ve neglected yourself for too long and you’re just going to have to get back into shape. I’m here to help you and I have my orders from the Doctor. Just remember that I’m your friend and that I care very much for you.”

Chakotay helped Kathryn to sit on the edge of the tub. “I’ll be back with your pajamas shortly,” he said as he quickly left hoping that he’d find something other than lacy skimpy nightgowns in her drawer. He returned less than a minute later with a dark blue nightgown that matched the color of her sleepy eyes and laid it on the top of the closed toilet seat. He quickly left to wait for her in the bedroom. Kathryn had just started toweling her hair and hadn’t yet removed her wet clothing. It hurt a lot to move, so she was taking things slowly.

Fifteen minutes later Chakotay heard the sound of the bathroom door opening, so he looked up to see Kathryn leaning against the door frame, barely able to stand up straight. “Do you need help?” he asked as he moved to steady her as she started to move away from the frame. He tried very hard not to smile or laugh, but then he remembered the Doctor’s not-so-subtle suggestion as to his own physical condition.

“I hurt,” was all the explanation he got as he moved her to the bed and eased her onto it. She fell straight back onto the pillow with a soft ‘whoosh’ and he then lifted her legs up onto the bed and pulled the covers over her. Before he could say anything her eyes closed, her breathing evened out and she was fast asleep. Chakotay smiled.

Harry Kim whistled as he strode onto the bridge and moved directly to the Captain’s chair. He was finally, finally getting his chance to play captain on alpha shift after a year of only doing this for a few hours on gamma shift, and he was going to relish every minute. Tom Paris looked up in surprise as Harry, smiling broadly, seated himself in Captain Janeway’s chair and the crew waited for an explanation.

“Lt. Tuvok contacted me first thing this morning and asked me to fill in for the Captain, since the Doctor won’t allow her to return to duty yet. And since Commander Chakotay has been ordered to oversee her rehabilitation and training and Commander Tuvok just worked a double shift, I’ve been called to duty,” Harry smiled even more. In fact, it was a cat that just got the cream smile.

Turning to the view screen he gave his best Captain Janeway imitation as he ordered, “Report.”

“You forgot to put your hands on your hips, Harry,” Tom Paris teased as he shook his head and turned back to his console. “You’re going to have to get it right.”

The others quickly gave their reports as they returned to their duties.

“Come on, Chakotay, you can do better than that,” Kathryn smiled as she and Chakotay ran side-by-side on twin treadmills. “It’s only been five miles. You can’t be giving out already.”

“Who (gasp)……says…(gasp)……..I’m giving….(gasp)…….out?” Chakotay replied as he valiantly tried to force his legs to keep moving. This was his third day of working out with Kathryn and it was an eye-opening experience. He thought he was in pretty good shape for a man of his age, but the small woman running by his side was sure putting him to shame. She had been working out for three weeks beyond the five weeks the Doctor demanded, and was now probably in the best shape of her life. Of course, Chakotay really liked her shape no matter what condition she was in, but her arm and shoulder muscles gleamed with sweat as she easily ran beside him, and imagining what her leg muscles looked like under her sweat pants wasn’t helping his concentration. She wasn’t even breathing too hard, whereas he was gasping for breath. He wondered for the umpteenth time how he ever allowed her to talk him into working out with her.

Upon reflection, he knew how she managed it. He loved her so he’d do anything for her, and of course the fact that she was getting fit and even more beautiful than ever before helped persuade him. The additional fact that they could spend even more time than usual together played its part as well.

“How……(gasp) much………(gasp) ……..further?” he managed as he hoped they were almost done.

“Two more miles and we’ll call it a day,” she said as she checked the readings on her display. “I feel like I could run a marathon today.”

The look of horror he bestowed on her only made her giggle. “You can do it, I know you can,” she encouraged. He rolled his eyes and kept running. “When we’re done I’ll even treat you to a creampuff,” she teased.

Chakotay groaned.

Four weeks later Captain Janeway and Neelix left for a trade mission. Chakotay was there to see them off in the shuttle that was to take them to the Tak Tak homeworld. Neelix was adamant that only the Captain would be accepted by the Tak Tak as Voyager’s negotiator, and since he knew their customs and language, he went along as well to assist as necessary.

Voyager’s sensors also detected a mining planet only three light years away that was willing to sell them food and dilithium crystals, which they desperately needed. The decision was made that the Captain and Neelix would go on the trade mission while Chakotay took Voyager to the planet to obtain the crystals and search for food.

“We should be back in five days,” Kathryn said as they loaded the last of their bags into the shuttle and Neelix headed for the co-pilot’s seat. “We’ll meet you at the coordinates Seven suggested.” She then turned to Chakotay and softly brushed her lips across his cheek.

Since Neelix was already in the shuttle and nobody else was around, Chakotay gently pulled her to him and kissed her soundly. “Something to remember me by while you’re away,” he whispered into her ear. “Come back safely.”

“Never fear, I’ll remember,” she smiled as she turned to enter the shuttle. “I’ll see you in five days and I’ll do my best to keep out of trouble.”

The trade mission had been successful even though the Tak Tak had been difficult to understand. Try as she might, Kathryn never did understand the idioms that made up their language. Thank God Neelix had a flair for their language and was able to smooth their ruffled feathers when she put her hands on her hips. How was she supposed to know that was an insult when she could hardly understand anything they were saying? Without a doubt Neelix saved the mission, and her dignity as well. Kathryn only hoped that Chakotay had been as successful at the mining colony.

Neelix and the Captain arrived at the specified coordinates to find that Voyager wasn’t there. Puzzled, Kathryn started a sensor scan and quickly located her ship. “There they are,” she announced as she punched the coordinates into the shuttle’s computer and they headed for their rendezvous.

Kathryn tried to hail Voyager as they approached, but received no reply. She and Neelix were able to use her Captain’s codes to open the shuttle bay doors, and once inside they tried to ascertain what happened to her crew. Before long they were sweating profusely because Voyager’s systems were shutting down and they couldn’t vent the heat. Kathryn decided then and there that a sweating Talaxian was not a good thing.

After climbing through the Jeffries tubes for what seemed like hours, Kathryn briefly left Neelix alone so that she could get him a hypospray for the fever he was developing. After hearing his cry, she hurried back to him, only to find him gone.

Left alone, it was up to her to find her crew and find out what happened to them so she proceeded to Engineering to arm herself against whatever enemy she was facing. The ship had become so hot that Kathryn had to shed her uniform jacket and turtleneck, leaving her only in her regulation tank and uniform pants. After strapping weapons to her waist and fitting a backpack over her shoulders, she hefted her phaser rifle and set out to slay the enemy.

Looking every bit like a female version of Rambo, an old 20th century movie and favorite of Tom Paris, she headed for the bridge to find out what was happening. While sending out a distress call, she was sharply bitten by a small insect, but she was successful and the call went out. She then went in search of her crew after sensors reported that some of them were in the mess hall.

What she found were crewmembers unconscious and scattered throughout the mess hall. Quickly kneeling by Chakotay, she tenderly turned his head and saw a growth on his neck from which insects were emerging. “Oh Chakotay, what happened? You weren’t there to meet me and I was so worried about you,” she whispered as she became aware of a threat rising behind her. Quickly spinning around, she was knocked backwards over some furniture, but once she landed painfully on the floor she got off her shot and vaporized the…….something. Injured from an impact with a table and still alone, she left the mess hall and limped toward sickbay.

Chakotay faintly registered someone turning his head. He was semi-conscious but unable to move because of a paralyzing sting he and every other crewmember had received from the macro viruses that came on board at the mining colony. He heard Kathryn whisper to him but he was unable to speak to warn her of the danger. ‘Please be careful,’ he thought but couldn’t manage to say, although by concentrating and struggling he did manage to slightly open one eye.

Kathryn was starting to rise, and through his blurry eye he saw her muscled, sweat covered body looking wonderful in her tank top and uniform pants. As she raised her phaser rifle she moved out of his line of sight, and he couldn’t turn his head to follow her movements. He heard the sound of an impact, a grunt of pain and then the whine of the rifle,

“Kathryn!” his mind screamed, but he still couldn’t move and things became quiet once again.

When she finally reached sickbay the Doctor, who had been hiding there from the macro viruses, treated her injuries and explained their situation.

“Captain, you’ve been infected and if I don’t treat you now you’ll end up like the rest of the crew,” he stated much to her dismay. “I’ve developed an antigen but I haven’t had a chance to test it.”

“Looks like I’m your guinea pig,” she said as she tilted her neck so he could inject her.

Once it was determined that the antigen worked, she and the Doctor set out to distribute the antigen through the environmental system. The Doctor wound up trapped in a shuttle, but Kathryn managed to get to environmental control just as the Tak Tak started firing at Voyager. After persuading the Tak Tak to give them an hour to cure the crew, she ordered the Doctor to the mess hall while she destroyed the macro viruses on the Holodeck. The crew was cured and started to regain consciousness and the macro viruses all over the ship were destroyed.

Once Kathryn was sure the crew trapped in the Holodeck were starting to awake and get their bearings, she put Tuvok in charge and left for the mess hall to check on Chakotay. The Doctor was there checking his patients. Chakotay was sitting up as she stalked into the mess hall and the gasps from the crew who saw her first drew his attention to her. She looked amazing in her sweaty tank top with her glistening arm and shoulder muscles exposed for all to see. The weapons strapped to her slim waist and the phaser rifle she carried made her look just like the woman warrior of his dreams. Oh yes, this picture would paint his dreams for a long time to come.

Obviously the crew wasn’t used to seeing her like that, and they all marveled at the view as their respect for their captain grew exponentially.

Kathryn smiled at her bug-eyed crew as she passed them and headed directly to Chakotay. She was aware of the sensation she was creating and right now she just didn’t care. The men were all panting and the women were all getting jealous and considering the merits of working out. The Doctor observed the crew’s reaction and was already gleefully planning workout classes. The Captain just managed to do more in thirty seconds for his entreaties to the crew to work out than he could have done in a dozen lectures. He’d have to find a way to have her stalk around the ship half naked more often – or maybe not. Oh yes, he could see it now. He would stand at the front of the class and before long they would thank him for their beautiful bodies. He then considered asking B’Elanna to enhance his own body and maybe that would encourage the crew as well.

Then again,…… maybe not.

“Put your tongue back in your mouth, Chakotay,” she smiled. She was so relieved to see everyone recovering that she was willing to overlook the way they all stared at her. Besides, a woman always liked to be admired no matter what the circumstances and even if she was sweaty, half naked and dirty. Maybe she should stride around in her tank top more often. Then again, …….maybe not. After all, a captain had a certain dignity to uphold.

Chakotay was just sitting there admiring the view, and he had no idea that a silly grin was plastered on his face. “Are you all right?” he finally managed to stammer out. “Are the viruses gone?”

“The Doctor managed to find a cure and we were able to kill the viruses. The crew is going to have a massive cleanup to get rid of the goo the macro viruses left all over the ship, and I really made a mess of Holodeck 2, but that will keep them busy for a while. After that I want them to have a day or two of R&R.

“How about you?” he asked. “Do you want to go to the gym for a workout?”

“I’ve just had a good workout, thank you. Now how about we get back to our quarters and clean up so we can get back to work?” She offered her hand to help him up, and he took it.

“I want you to tell me all about it. I really want to know how you came to look like you do,” he then wiggled his eyebrows appreciatively at her, which made her laugh.

“Let’s go. I’ll tell you the whole story once we’re back on the bridge. Right now I need a bath.”

Two weeks later Voyager was once again headed for the Alpha Quadrant. The Tak Tak were very grateful for the cure the Doctor provided for the virus and they provided Voyager not only with a generous supply of food, minerals and metals, but they also gave the crew a chance for some planet-side R&R. The Engineering crew was able to do some much needed maintenance so Voyager was once again free of goo and in good running order.

Kathryn spent a good deal of time learning the idioms of the Tak Tak language, which their ambassador was only too glad to teach her. And she was able to teach the Ambassador about some human gestures, including the act of putting one’s hands on one’s hips. It took all of her training to give her the strength to not laugh as they were ready to leave the planet when the Ambassador made his farewell speech.

The bridge crew watched the viewscreen as the Ambassador droned on bout how grateful they were for the cure for the virus and about how much they enjoyed meeting the Voyager crew and learning from them. Kathryn returned the compliments and made all the appropriate gestures. As they were ready to leave the Ambassador carefully put his hands on his hips and said, “Bon voyage brave crew of the starship Voyager. Have a safe trip home so you can cool your jets at your own pads and make whoopee under the sun of your home planet.” He then raised one hand, smiled a large toothy smile and waved as he cut off the communication.

The whole bridge crew took a few minutes to pick their chins up off the floor, except for Tom Paris who just chuckled.

Once Kathryn managed to gather her wits about her, she chuckled. “Mr. Paris. I know this is your doing. Please review Starfleet’s protocols on first contact. I’ll expect a report on the protocol by this time tomorrow.” She tried to sound stern but just didn’t succeed.

“Yes Ma’am,” he replied with a grin.

“What do you say, Chakotay, do you want to work out with me?” Kathryn asked as they were returning to their quarters after a long shift on the bridge. Chakotay groaned inwardly but would never let a chance to be with Kathryn pass by, no matter what he had to do.

“Why not, unless you’re going to make me run a 26 mile marathon,” Chakotay answered. “I’m not quite ready for that yet. But if I keep working out with you I’ll be ready in no time,” he smiled as he wondered just what torture she had in mind for them today.

“Don’t worry, I’m not up to that right now either. I just want a nice peaceful workout at my own pace with my angry warrior there with me for encouragement. Now that the Doctor isn’t climbing down my throat about being in shape and threatening to relieve me of duty if I don’t comply, I find I’m once again enjoying the exercise. I just forgot about it for a while with all the problems we’ve had here in the Delta Quadrant.”

“Go change and I’ll meet you here in the hallway,” Chakotay smiled as he entered his quarters. He wasn’t about to miss a chance to see Kathryn in her workout tank and shorts which she now wore instead of sweat pants, and he enjoyed the view very much. In fact, he had taken to wearing loose shorts or sweatpants to their workouts. This allowed room for expansion.

A few minutes later they were both standing in the hallway outside of Holodeck 2 studying the display of the program that was running. “I don’t understand, I reserved this Holodeck for us this morning and told the computer to have the gym program running when we got here,” Kathryn said as she wondered who was using her time and her program. “There’s no privacy lock on the program so we can go in.”

The doors swished open to reveal her gym program running, and every piece of equipment was in use. In one corner of the gym about 10 crewmembers were doing a step aerobic class and the Doctor was leading the group. Everyone there seemed to be enthusiastic about what they were doing and were, in fact, almost cheerful even though they were sweating and in some cases straining to do their exercises. The Doctor was making the most of the situation and was obviously enjoying himself being the class leader. Of course, since he was a hologram he didn’t sweat, strain or get out of breath.

“What’s going on here?” Kathryn asked as she and Chakotay approached the Doctor. “Why are all these people here when I had this Holodeck reserved?” The Captain did not look too happy.

“Ahhhh, …….Captain,” the Doctor stammered as he looked decidedly nervous. “Computer end music. Oh my, is it that time already?” the Doctor finally got out as he looked around him at the busy crewmembers. “We’ll be out of your way in just a minute.”

Before he had a chance to end the program or make any announcements, Kathryn interrupted him. “Just tell me what’s going on and why so many of my crew are here working out. They were never this enthusiastic about being fit before, so what’s happening now? Why all of a sudden do they want to get fit?”

“Ahhhhhhhh…….wellllll…….you see,” the Doctor stammered as the Captain stared at him waiting for his answer. Figuring she would probably decompile his program anyway, he finally regained his senses. He pointed at the wall behind Kathryn and Chakotay and said a silent prayer that the algorithms B’Elanna developed to protect his program would really and truly work.

They turned together to see what the Doctor was pointing at, and Kathryn’s gasp was heard across the suddenly totally silent gym. There on the wall, larger than life, was a projected picture of Captain Kathryn Janeway in her sweaty tank top and holding a compression phaser rifle. Her toned, defined arm and shoulder muscles were glistening with sweat as she hefted the rifle, and her combadge pinned just above her left breast drew attention to the feminine shape of her chest. The tight sweaty tank emphasized her shapely figure and trim waist, and her uniform pants hinted tantalizingly at the muscled shapely backside and legs beneath. Her sweaty face looked determined and her stance was one of ‘don’t mess with me - or else’.

Chakotay gasped as he looked appreciatively at the larger-than-life vision before him and was glad he was wearing loose shorts. The word ‘Rambo’ came to mind as he remembered some of the old movies Tom Paris insisted they watch, and he knew that her efforts to defeat the macro viruses could rival Rambo’s accomplishments. He looked forward to the next showing of one of Paris’ Rambo movies because he would never look at them the same way again. “Ahhhhh,” he sighed.

“Put your eyes back in your head, Commander,” Kathryn ordered as she turned to the Doctor and firmly placed her hands on her hips. “All right – explain,” she ordered in her best annoyed Captain’s voice. “What’s the meaning of this?” she asked as she indicated the picture on the wall.

“Wellllllll……., you seeeee……” the Doctor stammered as he looked around at the now silent and frozen in place crewmembers who were watching intently and suddenly fearing for their lives. All the machines had come to a complete stop and the sudden silence was so profound that you could hear a pin drop, if anyone had one to drop. If they could have sunk into the floor the crew would have willingly done so.

As the Doctor frantically searched his memory circuits for something to say, Chakotay glanced around and noticed that most of the crew were now silently sliding toward the exit hoping not to be seen. A minute later he heard the telltale swish of the doors opening so he again looked around at the now empty gym. In fact he, Kathryn and the Doctor were the only beings still populating this program. Their brave, unstoppable crew just demonstrated their true colors. The cowardly sniveling people had just slunk out of the Holodeck, running in terror from their intrepid captain.

“The security computers recorded pictures of us when we were battling the macro viruses, and this seemed like an especially good shot of you, Captain. The crew appreciates what you did for them, and you looked mighty good doing it if I may say so myself. Of course this is all thanks to me and the workout program I developed for you,” he proudly preened as if all the credit was his. The Doctor extended his hand as if to include everyone there in his explanation and quickly realized that he was now alone. His smile and demeanor quickly faded.

Suddenly mollified and realizing that she might not appreciate having her body be the focus of the crew’s desire, he desperately tried to think of something to say to defuse the situation.

Glancing at the photo on the wall and then back to his Captain, he finally managed to stammer, “Captain, you’re our inspiration.”

End August 2003

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