Disclaimer: Star Trek Voyager & its characters belong to Paramount, only the headache is mine :-)

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Not Quite Invincible

Chapter One

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Approximately three-quarters through what could thus far be described as an uneventful Alpha shift and currently in the Captain's chair, Chakotay found himself fervently hoping that things would stay peaceful. Since starting to serve as First Officer almost five years ago, he had learnt to accept that the Captain would regularly lead away teams and while Tuvok had assessed this excursion as relatively low risk, he knew that he would not feel at ease until she and those with her were safely back on board. Kathryn had an uncanny knack of running into trouble, whether this was solely a Delta Quadrant phenomenon remained to be seen (and was a frequently debated topic between them), but he had evidence enough since their journey had begun to justify feeling just slightly on edge.

Standing to stretch his legs, he kept his hands clasped lightly behind his back as he took a few paces and then, careful to maintain a feigned nonchalance, briefly allowed his gaze to wander around the Bridge. A slightly nervous movement from the Helm caught his attention, the Ensign currently in the pilot's seat a little ill at ease, understandably so perhaps, Tom Paris' were big shoes to fill. Their chief Helmsman had accompanied the Captain on the trade mission to D'araa II, along with Mike Ayala and a few of the junior Engineering Crew. Their objective was a fairly straightforward one and while they were hoping to procure some much needed Dilithium, B'Elanna had opted to remain onboard and take the opportunity to finish supervising some modifications to the Transporter systems. Stiff muscles eased, Chakotay returned to his chair and wondering how repairs were progressing, sent their Chief Engineer a quick message to that effect. Next, he turned his attention to finding a way to pass the remaining time until they reached the pre-arranged rendezvous coordinates and retrieving the latest duty roster PADD, started work on the following month's shift allocation.

Hell, he might even give Paris an easy week of his preferred Beta shifts if he got them all back on time.

Checking a small smile at this thought, he considered arranging his and the Captain's Holodeck hours so that they coincided the following day. He was planning to invite Kathryn to try a new sailing program that he was running, it would do her good to relax for a few hours. He had designed and built the small boat himself, woodworking a recently resurrected hobby. She was just about watertight and ready for a test and if he was fortunate, he might have enough rations to replicate a picnic lunch to share.

"We have an incoming message from the shuttle Commander."

Behind him, from Ops, Harry Kim's eager voice broke this pleasant train of thought and Chakotay's sense of unease returned. He'd had a strange feeling about this mission from the instant the Delta Flyer had departed and this unexpected communication only served to reminded him of that fact. Taking a gentle breath, he reasoned that it was only an hour or so before their expected arrival time and that the shuttle just might be returning ahead of schedule.

"On screen, Mr Kim."

"It's audio only Commander."

In spite of himself, Chakotay now sighed aloud. There was a sudden, sharp crackle of static and an apparently distant, but familiar voice filled the Bridge.

"Delta Fly...Voyag...?"

He turned to glance over his shoulder. "Can you clear up the transmission?"

Fingers flying across his console, Harry's young face was perplexed and he shook his head earnestly. "I'm sorry Commander, the problem is with the Flyer's transceiver. The signal strength is very low; it looks like their communications array may have taken some damage. I'm boosting it to maximum this end, but that's all I can do."

Chakotay nodded, raising his voice a notch. "Voyager to the Delta Flyer. Mr Paris we weren't expecting you just yet, is everything in order?"

The ensuing pause resulted in an unpleasant churning sensation in the pit of Chakotay's stomach. He'd always known that his ancestors had a certain amount of second sight, but thought that the trait had largely skipped his generation. Now, however, he knew only too well that he was about to hear something that he wouldn't like. The audio line crackled again as Tom's voice filled the air.

"...concluded negotiations early, but...caught... severe ion storm...heavy damage. Emergency containment fields... holding...Rendezvous...ahead of schedule; you'll need to... Doctor...casualties."

"All received Lieutenant, a medical team will meet you in Shuttlebay two."

"Understood... Paris ou..."

Standing, he walked smartly across to the Helm. "Ensign increase our speed to Warp eight and plot a direct intercept course with the shuttle. Mr Kim, contact Sickbay and alert The Doctor."

"Aye Sir"

Chakotay rubbed his hand across his chin and tried to look more relaxed than he felt. Typical, he thought, Tuvok's analysis of their mission didn't include a weather report and no doubt the Vulcan was already chastising himself for that oversight. He'd have to try and remember to remind their Security Chief that it wasn't possible to predict forces of nature at the next Senior Staff meeting. Back at Command, his foot tapped impatiently as he waited for the Delta Flyer to appear on the main viewer. Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long and as the craft came into visual range he found himself leaning forward.

"On screen. Increase magnification."

He knew his tone was sharper than usual and hinted at the tension all the Bridge Officers were feeling. As the Flyer came into focus, what he saw caused his heart to thump with an unpleasant force in his chest, she looked like she had taken a real pounding. The storm had buckled their hull, panels and plating torn off by sheer force and gas was venting heavily from their Starboard Nacelle. Forcing himself to sit back in his chair, he could only wait as the Shuttle came into range and Harry gave the all clear for docking.

"Chakotay to the Doctor. The Flyer is about the dock, what's your status?"

"I'm in Shuttlebay two Commander, as requested."

Somehow, the EMH managed to sound more piqued than usual. "I'll update you regarding casualties in due course. EMH out."

Slowly, Chakotay forced himself to ease his grip on the arms of the dark command chair and tried to relax the frown he could feel forming on his forehead. Now came the waiting game. He had to judge how long to remain on the Bridge and maintain the appropriate professional distance. This wasn't one of his strengths in situations like this, especially where Kathryn was concerned and he was all too aware of the fact. His immediate desire to vault over the railings and head to the Turbolift suppressed, he concentrated on the console in front of him where the initial damage report from the Shuttlebay engineers would shortly be uploaded.

Time seemed to slow to standstill as they all waited. Eventually, it was Tuvok's calm, monotone voice that broke the silence.

"Commander, if I may make a suggestion?"

Taken by surprise at this unexpected deviation from protocol, he turned his gaze towards Tactical. "Mr Tuvok?"

"As the Senior Officer in command at this time, I believe that it falls to you to de-brief the away team. There were several key components that they were due to acquire while on D'araa II and it would be prudent to establish if negotiations were successful."

Chakotay turned his torso further and regarded Tuvok's seemingly impassive face with care, was he implying what Chakotay thought he was? Surely not, but as he continued to analyse, trying to decide how to reply, Tuvok's left eyebrow arched almost imperceptibly and in that second, no small understanding passed between the two. With permission apparently given and almost before he realised what was happening, Chakotay found his feet propelling him from his chair.

"Very well. Mr Tuvok you have the Bridge," he said as evenly as he could, and strode what he hoped was purposefully, but without undue haste, towards the turbolift. Silently thanking Tuvok and feeling all eyes watching his departure, he stepped inside.

"Deck five."

Alone, the hiss of the door closing gave him the privacy to exhale deeply. He rested one hand on the inside of the capsule, placing his palm flat against the smooth, cool interior and briefly closed his eyes.

"Please be safe" he breathed.

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In the instant before the doors to Sickbay slid open, Chakotay braced himself for the Doctor's barrage of sarcastic comments. The last time Kathryn had been injured, he'd heard a disconcerting rumour that the EMH had won holodeck rations from Tom Paris after correctly wagering how long it would take him to arrive. Mildly irritated at being so predictable, but reluctantly resigned to the fact, he was aware that today it was the price of admission as he crossed the threshold and paused to survey the scene before him.

Three of the Flyer's five crew were on biobeds and he recognised Mike Ayala who looked to have a nasty leg injury that the Doctor was busy treating. A steady river of blood was running down his limb, along the side of the bed and dripping into a pool on the floor. Momentarily fascinated, he watched as the dripping slowed and then stopped with the Doctor's interventions. To Chakotay's relatively untrained eye, none of the injured appeared critical, but the atmosphere in the room was purposeful and it looked as if none of the shuttle crew had escaped without injury of some sort.

This analysis was interrupted by the appearance of Paris, his red tunic branded by a large, horizontal scorch mark across its chest, sporting a bruise on his cheek and a cut above one eyebrow. He hurried from the far side of the room, a hypospray in each hand and headed towards one of the Crewmen, his unusually bedraggled appearance evidence of the rough ride back to Voyager. Chakotay approached the Doctor with just a hint of caution in his steps.

"Ah Commander..." the EMH said without turning around. "If you're looking for the Captain, I'm afraid you've just missed her."

Missed her?

Chakotay looked blankly at the Doctor's back for a second before allowing his gaze to sweep around the room again, the Captain was indeed absent.

"As fast as you got here," the EMH continued, a heavy undertone of sarcasm lacing his words, "...And I must congratulate you on improving upon your previous time - it was not fast enough. The Captain discharged herself all of five minutes ago, against my express medical advice of course."

He spun quickly to face Chakotay, scowling countenance and drawn eyebrows making his annoyance obvious.

"I really must protest Commander, She of all people should know that even the Captain has to submit to medical treatment when recommended by the Chief Medical Officer. It is a poor example to set the Crew."

Chakotay felt his head nod forwards slightly and deliberately kept his voice low, "Doctor, can I ask why you didn't insist that she remain?"

"Because as skilled as a physician as I am-" the Doctor snapped a little louder than was appropriate. "I am not a security officer and the Captain made it very clear what she would do to my program if I went against her wishes."

Chakotay was having a little trouble imaging the scene the Doctor had just described. Although famous for her reluctance to visit Sickbay, to his knowledge Kathryn had never upped and left before being treated and he wondered what had caused her to do so. Even she, usually respected the Doctor's expertise and submitted to his treatment when necessary. It was a strange scenario.

Tom, who had moved towards him, broke this train of thought with a forced half smile.

"The Doc's telling the truth Chakotay. The Captain did threaten to delete his program and to throw me in the Brig if we tried to stop her from leaving."

He sighed lightly before continuing, carefully angling his back to the rest of the room. "She was at Tactical when the storm struck and got thrown around pretty badly in the turbulence. She was knocked unconscious and I'm concerned that her behaviour just now was..." Clearly slightly wary and perhaps struggling for the appropriate word he paused so Chakotay decided to suggest one.

"Uncharacteristic?"

Tom nodded, lowering his voice. "To be honest Chakotay, I was just about to call you over the Comm, the Captain's going to need medical treatment sooner rather than later for that head injury and I've a feeling that you're the best one to persuade her of that. She seemed fine when we docked, but the minute we arrived in Sickbay, she went right back into Command mode and refused to listen, she's... hard to reason with when she's in that kind of mood."

Feeling a little like a co-conspirator, Chakotay attempted to keep his expression neutral, checking a slight smile. "You did an excellent job getting back Tom. I'll go and...discuss the matter with her. Can I rely on you for house call if necessary?"

Paris nodded smartly. "Of course Sir."

As he left Sickbay still feeling slightly dazed, Chakotay heard the Doctor's voice floating into the corridor after him.

"When you have a minute Commander, you might want to remind the Captain that it is highly inappropriate for her to threaten to decompile me every time she doesn't agree with my medical opinion."

That's something he definitely wouldn't be mentioning Chakotay thought, not if he wanted to avoid ending up in the Brig himself.