"A Separate Peace"
by Andra Marie Mueller

PART ELEVEN : 'Fatal Encounters'

SUMMARY : A day of fishing with his nephew takes a nearly fatal turn for Chakotay

See Part one for author's notes and disclaimer

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Two days passed, and Janeway and Chakotay continued to avoid each other, the latter having appointed a young Human named Derek Dubuque to keep a watchful eye on Janeway. They had not spoken since the curt exchange following their kiss, unwilling to address both the issues preceding it and the feelings arising from it, and the tension between them was nearly tangible.

Early in the afternoon of Janeway’s fifth day on Cornellia, Chakotay had left her with his sister while he took Little Wolf fishing on the beach just outside the forest. Little Wolf had quickly grown bored with his lack of success at fishing, however, so with Ebony in tow he vanished into the woods in search of more productive entertainment. Wandering into a small clearing, Little Wolf came across a small bear cub, but a quick glance of his surroundings revealed no sign of the mother.

"Maybe his mama left him," Little Wolf wondered aloud, and glanced at Ebony. "I think we should take him to Uncle Chakotay and ask if we can take him home with us. He won’t survive very long without his mama."

Gently gathering the cub into his arms, Little Wolf headed back for the beach. By the time he reached Chakotay, his arms were beginning to ache from the weight of the cub, and he deposited it at his uncle’s feet as he glanced up at him.

"Look what I found, Uncle Chakotay!" he declared gleefully. "Isn’t he cute?"

Expecting a small bird or perhaps a squirrel, Chakotay glanced down at his feet in amusement, which quickly faded upon seeing the cub.

"Little Wolf, where did you get this cub?"

"I found him in a clearing by the blueberry bushes. I think he’s lost his mama, Uncle Chakotay. Can we take him home?"

Half expecting the mother grizzly to come charging out of the forest while they were talking, Chakotay forced himself to keep the anxiety out of his tone as he addressed his nephew. "Little Wolf, this cub is a wild animal, and he belongs with his mother. I want you to stay here with Ebony while I take the cub back to its den."

Little Wolf frowned in disappointment but reluctantly stayed put as his uncle confiscated the cub and started into the forest. Chakotay reached the den site in just over a minute, and said a silent prayer of thanks that the mother bear was nowhere in sight. Carefully setting the baby bear on the ground, Chakotay turned to return to the beach when he heard the unmistakable roar of an angry grizzly and spun around just in time to meet the bear’s attack.

 

Unaware of the events being played out in the forest, Janeway was seated in Gray Feather’s kitchen, chatting casually with the younger woman over lunch. Dubuque was seated on the porch outside, eating the meal Gray Feather had given him while ensuring Janeway stayed put.

"I’m curious how Tara wound up in Starfleet while you followed in Chakotay’s footsteps by joining the Maquis," Janeway said.

"Tara never approved of the Maquis," Gray Feather replied. "She felt it was just making a bad situation worse by antagonizing the Federation, and she decided to join Starfleet. She felt she could make more of a difference by working with them than against them."

"What about you?"

"I love my sister and respect her choice, but I will never serve an organization that values its politics more than its people."

Just then the door flew open and Little Wolf burst into the house, covered in blood. Dubuque stepped inside a moment later, his concerned gaze resting on Little Wolf.

"Mama, come quick!" Little Wolf demanded.

"Spirits above…" Gray Feather muttered, quickly grabbing her son. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

Little Wolf shook his head. "It’s not my blood, Mama, it’s Uncle Chakotay’s. He got into a fight with a bear and he’s hurt real bad."

Janeway felt her heart skip a beat, and her stomach turned to ice. "Where is he?"

"He’s in the forest," Little Wolf told her. "Ebony’s hurt, too."

Shifting into command mode to suppress her fear for Chakotay, Janeway glanced at Dubuque. "Go get Doctor Bashir. I’m going to Chakotay."

"Kathryn, maybe you should wait until we get help," Gray Feather said. "If that bear is still around, you might be its next target."

"If that bear is still around, then I need to get to Chakotay before it does."

Without waiting for a response, Janeway headed out the door and into the woods. As she neared her destination, she forced herself to slow down and be alert for signs of the bear. Reaching the edge of the clearing, Janeway nearly tripped over a clearly dead Ebony, lying on the ground in a pool of his own blood. Grimacing at the sight, Janeway scanned the clearing, and spotted Chakotay a few yards away, his condition much the same as Ebony’s.

"Oh God…" she whispered.

Quickly composing herself, Janeway crossed over to kneel beside him. At first glance she thought he was dead, but the faint rise and fall of his chest told her he was still breathing.

"Chakotay…Chakotay, can you hear me?"

To Janeway’s surprise, Chakotay’s eyes flickered open, and Janeway felt her heart contract at the agony reflected in their depths. "Kathryn…"

"Don’t try to talk," Janeway instructed. "Just lie still and concentrate on your breathing."

"Little Wolf…okay…?" Chakotay asked weakly.

"He’s fine," Janeway assured him. "He’s with Gray Feather. Dubuque went to fetch Doctor Bashir."

Chakotay ever so slightly shifted his head in the direction of Ebony. "Ebony…"

"He’s dead, Chakotay. I’m sorry."

Chakotay shot Janeway an anguished glance before again closing his eyes, and from the slight relaxation of his features, she realized he had slipped into unconsciousness. Releasing a sigh, Janeway gently placed her hand against his ashen cheek, finding his skin cold to the touch.

"Don’t die on me, Chakotay," she pleaded. "Please don’t die."

 

Several hours later, Janeway sat in a chair just outside the infirmary, awaiting word on Chakotay. The bear’s attack had left him with five broken ribs, a broken jaw and massive internal injuries, not to mention the blood loss from the deep gashes left by its claws. News of Chakotay’s encounter with the bear had spread rapidly, and several Maquis now stood outside the infirmary, keeping vigil with Janeway.

Oblivious to the fact that her clothes were still drenched in Chakotay’s blood, Janeway had not left the infirmary since Chakotay’s arrival. She had not spoken a word to anyone since he had disappeared inside the surgical bay, unwilling to share her anxiety with a group of people she knew would just as soon see her in his condition. Despite the seriousness of his injuries, she was unwilling to consider the possibility that Chakotay would die, and her obvious concern for him was softening his people’s attitude toward her.

"For someone who’s supposed to be his enemy, she certainly doesn’t look too happy about his condition." The observation came from Brev Korran, his tone more one of curiosity than the casual indifference his body language would indicate.

Standing next to him, Paris afforded him a brief glance. "You sound surprised," he noted.

Brev shrugged. "It just strikes me as odd that a Starfleet captain would be concerned with the life of a Maquis, especially one who trashed her ship and took her prisoner."

From his position on the other side of Paris, Red Hawk smiled. "Hasn’t anyone bothered to tell you why Chakotay issued the ‘hands-off’ order regarding Captain Janeway?"

"I just figured it was because he wanted her for himself," Brev replied.

Red Hawk’s smile widened. "Allow me to enlighten you, Korran. Once upon a time when Chakotay was still Starfleet, he had a relationship with Janeway. They were even engaged."

"Engaged?" Brev echoed incredulously. "The captain?" Red Hawk nodded, and Brev let out a low whistle. "Well, maybe there’s something to her after all. Why’d they separate?"

"Chakotay called off their engagement when he joined the Maquis," Red Hawk revealed.

"Yet given his behavior the past few days, is it safe to assume that he still has a thing for her?" Brev pressed.

Paris snorted. "I suggest you quit while you’re ahead, Korran. If Chakotay finds out you’re poking into his personal business, you’ll be on a liquid diet for the next six months."

Red Hawk smiled at Paris’ remark, then glanced over at Janeway. Although still seated, she had not taken her eyes off the entrance to the surgical bay, and the Dorvanian walked over to stand beside her.

"Perhaps you should change into clean clothes before you catch a chill," he suggested quietly.

Janeway afforded him a brief glance. "If you want me to leave, than you’ll have to remove me physically, because I’m not going anywhere until I know what’s happening with Chakotay."

Any response from Red Hawk was prevented by the sudden arrival of Seska, who stormed into the infirmary with all the subtly of a Red Alert klaxon. "Where’s Chakotay?" she demanded.

"He’s still in surgery," Red Hawk answered. "Where have you been?"

Seska ignored the question as she whirled to face Janeway. Taking in the other woman’s blood soaked clothing, she shot her an icy glare. "What did you do to him?"

"I’m not in the mood to deal with you Seska,’" Janeway responded.

"If you’ve done something to Chakotay you’re going to have to deal with me," Seska retorted. "Did you attack him during an escape attempt?"

"Chakotay was attacked by a bear, Seska," Paris interjected. "Captain Janeway had nothing to do with it."

"Maybe not, but she has no right to be here," Seska returned.

"I’m fairly certain Chakotay would see it differently," Red Hawk countered evenly.

Seska turned her angry gaze on him. "I didn’t ask for your opinion, Red Hawk!" she snapped.

"The truth hurts, Seska."

Bashir’s arrival interrupted the argument, and Janeway immediately got to her feet to stand in front of him.

"How’s Chakotay?"

"He’s going to be pretty sore for the next week or so, and he’ll have to take it easy for a couple of days, but other than that he should be as good as new."

Janeway closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer of thanks heavenward, then again addressed Bashir. "I want to see him."

"I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Captain. He’s still unconscious, and I want him to rest for at least a day before he has visitors."

"Julian, please," Janeway pressed. "I need to see him."

"What part of no didn’t you understand, Captain?" Seska asked sarcastically.

"Shut up, Seska!" Paris instructed. "I think we’ve all had enough of your mouth."

"Give her five minutes with him, Doc," Brev interjected. "I’m sure the captain won’t mind."

Janeway shot the Bajoran a quick smile, obviously surprised by his support but grateful for it nonetheless.

Bashir sighed. "All right, Captain. You’ve got five minutes."

Janeway nodded once in silent acknowledgement then made her way inside. Once she was out of earshot, Red Hawk turned to Seska. "I don’t think the captain would appreciate your continued harassment of Janeway," he said evenly, "and under the circumstances, neither do I. Keep your mouth shut and stay away from her, or you’ll wish you had."

"Are you threatening me, Red Hawk?" Seska asked coolly.

"I don’t make threats, I make promises."

Seska took a step closer to him. "Don’t cross me, Red Hawk. You won’t like the results."

Turning on her heel, Seska flashed the others a cold glare before exiting the infirmary.

"She’s up to something," Brev surmised.

"I’m sure she is," Red Hawk allowed, "but right now I’m more concerned about Chakotay. He can deal with Seska once he’s back on his feet."

 

Chakotay lay on a biobed in the center of the recovery room, the adjacent computer monitoring his vital signs. Coming to a halt at his side, Janeway glanced down at his face, her anxiety fading as she noted that Chakotay’s coloring had returned to its normal bronze. "You must have more lives than a cat, Captain," she remarked aloud.

The sound of her voice penetrated Chakotay’s subconscious, and a moment later his dark eyes flickered open. It took a minute for him to focus on his surroundings; but once he had, he shifted his gaze to Janeway and flashed her a tired smile. "Hi," he rasped.

Janeway returned the smile. "Hi, yourself," she whispered. "How do you feel?"

"Been better…" came the weary response.

Janeway’s smile widened. "I’m sure you have," she allowed. "Can I get you anything?"

"Just you."

The simple plea caused Janeway’s eyes to well with tears, and she reached down to take his hand gently in hers. "I think I can manage that."

Chakotay’s only response was a slight squeeze of her hand; then his eyes fluttered shut, and he returned to his slumber. Once he was asleep, Janeway spoke aloud: "Kathryn, my dear, you are in serious trouble."

Letting out a sigh, Janeway leaned over to press a light kiss to Chakotay’s forehead.

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Part 12