Copyright 2000 Cassatt
"Missing" Scene from "The Fight"
Chakotay has been asked by the Captain to put his fear of going insane aside to save the lives of the Voyager crew. He does what she asks of him at great personal risk. A hallucinating Chakotay, on the bridge, enters adjustments to the sensor array into Ops console, instructs Paris on flight parameters and Janeway orders the hesitant crew to follow his instructions ...
Chakotay collapsed over the console. The Doctor grabbed one arm, Janeway the other. "Captain, he must get back to sick bay immediately. He needs to be treated and he needs sleep."
"Doctor, could we take him to his quarters? I think he would feel more comfortable."
"Yes, I suppose it will be all right. I have my med kit here. Let's go, quickly..." the Doctor urged.
"Should we do a site-to-site? Or will the walk do him some good?"
"I think getting him to move a bit would be a good thing"
"Harry, come over here and give us a hand. I can't carry him that far."
"Of course, Captain." Ensign Kim got his shoulder under Chakotay's arm and with the help of the Doctor, half-carried the Commander to the turbolift.
The Doctor tried to get his kit open with one hand. "I can do some preliminary repairs of his temporal lobe synapses, that way his hallucinations should recede. " The Captain took the kit and held it open for him. With Harry keeping Chakotay somewhat upright in the lift, the Doctor moved the beam over his patient's forehead.
Chakotay started mumbling and groaning. The four of them got out of the lift and headed down the corridor to his quarters. The Captain gave an over-ride command to open the door and between them, Harry and the Doctor managed to get Chakotay onto his bed.
The Doctor opened up the med kit and continued to work on him with Kathryn and Harry anxiously waiting for some indication that he would be okay. After what seemed an eternity to her, the Doctor turned to Kathryn. "I think he will recover sufficiently now. He needs fluids ..."
She went quickly to the replicator and got a glass of water and a tube-straw. She sat on the edge of the bed and gently put it next to Chakotay's mouth, encouraging him to drink. He reflexively sipped as the straw was put into his mouth. She got him to take about a third of the glass then put it on the ledge behind his head.
"That will be a good start," the Doctor said gently to her.
"Come on, let's get him out of those clothes and into bed," the Captain ordered.
Harry looked at her. "Captain? I think the Doctor and I can take care of that."
Kathryn thought to herself, well it isn't like I haven't seen a man ... "Very well, Harry..." and she turned her back, allowing that Chakotay might not like to learn later that she had undressed him when he was so vulnerable. She listened to the rustles, moans and some grunts from both the patient and the helpers, smiling to herself. At least he was going to be okay...
"All right, Captain, he's all set," the Doctor touched her arm.
She turned and smiled at Ensign Kim. "Thank you, Harry, for your help. I'll be sure to tell the Commander that it was you who got him into bed if he asks."
"I'm just glad he's going to be all right. I don't like to think what it would be like without him, Captain." Harry gave them both a small smile and a nod, turned and went back to the bridge.
Kathryn walked to the side of the bed and looked down. "Doctor, would you give us a little privacy? I'd like to sit with the Commander and make sure he's comfortable."
"Of course, Captain. I'll be right outside."
She sat on the edge of the bed, straightened the covers a bit then reached over and gently touched Chakotay's face. "Thank you, Chakotay, for taking the risk you did. You are a very brave man..." she said softly. He stirred and began to open his eyes. She wasn't sure he knew who it was sitting there with him. He mumbled something she couldn't quite make out. She leaned closer. "I can't understand you. Do you need something?"
"I couldn't let you die, Kathryn... not ... " he whispered, then closed his eyes and drifted off. Kathryn's heart constricted and her eyes filled with unshed tears. She tried to breathe and was partially successful. She smoothed his hair, straightened the blanket again and went to the door.
"Thank you, Doctor," she said, letting him back inside. "Let me know when he wakes up please. And if you need to get back to sick bay at any time, I'll relieve you here."
"My pleasure." He looked over to the bed. "I couldn't help but notice that back there on the bridge, you were the one who trusted the Commander unconditionally." He turned back to her. "He will appreciate that, if he ever realizes it, Captain."
Kathryn looked at the Doctor. She was having difficulty
keeping her emotions under control. "I trust him with my life. Keep me
posted." She turned and walked out of the room, stopping once in
the corridor to lean against the wall and close her eyes. After a
long moment she took a deep breath, raised herself, wiped the corner of
each eye, tugged her uniform down in front and headed for the bridge.
End.
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