“Welcome back.”  He told her as he moved in again aiming to kiss her neck this time.  She stopped him.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“I thought that was pretty obvious.” He chuckled at her, but his eyes told another story.  Those dark brown eyes reflected an unbridled desire.  Something that Chakotay had never allowed her to see before.  Her body shuttered involuntarily in response.

“You’re shivering.  Let’s see if I can warm you up.”  He pulled his long sleeve black silk shirt from his brown leather pants.  As he began to unbutton his shirt, the scientist in Captain Janeway took over.  He just came from the bridge, why would he be dressed like this?  With his shirt completely off, he approached her once more.

“Captain, you’re needed on the bridge.  The ion storm has strengthened and we’re having trouble breaking orbit.”  Harry’s voice rang through Chakotay’s comm badge.

“Understood.”  They both said.  Janeway stopped short when she saw the stern look he gave her.  He continued.  “Reroute all available power to reverse thrusters, but scan for a landing site, just in case.  I’m on my way.”

“Aye, Captain.”  Not only did Chakotay think he was the captain of Voyager, apparently everyone on the bridge believed it too.  She stared at him in disbelief.  He let out an awkward laugh, trying to break the strange tension in the room. 

“Duty calls, sweetheart.  I’ll have to finish this another time.”  She nodded in agreement, but remained silent.  Grabbing his shirt, he quickly pulled it over his arms, leaving it open.  He looked at the floor, tugging on his ear, trying to think of what to say that would help the situation.  Something was bothering her, but he couldn’t figure out what.  He didn’t have the time to dwell on it at the moment.  He finally looked back at her, smiling and flashing his dimples.

“Tell you what, I’ll remove the security lock out on my quarters and you can take a bubble bath while you wait until I get back.”

She smiled, but not at the thought of a bubble bath.  She hoped by investigating his cabin, she would be able to get some much-needed information.  His smile grew larger.  He knew how much she enjoyed a good bath.  He kissed her forehead.  He headed for the door, but stopped halfway there.  He turned around rushing her before she knew what was happening.  His lips pressed to hers so firmly she came close to losing her breath.  He ceased the kiss just as quickly as he had commenced it. 

“Remember that while you’re soaking in the tub.”  His eyes matched the mischievous tone in his voice.  This time he left without a backward glance, but she could hear him chuckle to himself as went out the door.  She quickly moved to the bedroom and sat on the bed.  Her heart was racing, her mind swirling and her lungs demanding more air.  Her fingers traced her swollen lips as she willed herself to calm down.  She knew there had to be a logical explanation for everything, but it escaped her for the time being.  Once her heart slowed and her breathing went back to normal, she got dressed and tried to analyze her situation.

“Computer, locate Chakotay.”

“Captain Chakotay is on the bridge.”  So much for just the bridge crew being delirious.  Let’s see what clues I can find in Chakotay’s quarters.  She went next door and true to his word, she was granted access.  Many of the personal belongings she found were items she recognized as Chakotay’s but they gave her no information.  She moved to his computer console.  Maybe with a little luck she could find a clue in his logs.  After several failed attempts at guessing his password, she accidentally came across the crew personnel files.  Apparently she was the First Officer on Voyager, with Chakotay as her Captain.  The events described paralleled many of her experiences.  The differences were very apparent, such as Starfleet being a militant dictatorship, and the Maquis being the Federation’s heroes and last hope.  After being stranded in the Delta Quadrant, the Maquis quickly overthrew the Starfleet crew.  They were given the option of joining the Maquis or staying on the next planet not inhabited by the Kazon.  The Starfleet crew adapted, since most had no true loyalty to the Starfleet armada.  Many joined Starfleet as a matter of survival.  Each file had a story to tell that she wanted to learn about every crew member, but she moved on to her own files first, hoping it would give her some insight. 

Her story seemed remarkable to her.  Reading about a life that was hers yet one she had not lived.  It seemed surreal.                

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