Escalation
Author: Sara

Epilogue

[8:17 p.m.]

The door chime sounded and Kathryn responded gruffly. "Come."

Chakotay stepped in and immediately noted her somber mood. "I am really hungry," he said lightly, "hope you cooked enough."

She smiled slightly, "You mean you hope I replicated enough. We've made the mistake of me cooking."

Chakotay grinned and held out a bottle of wine, "True, but after the last two days I just might be able to eat your cooking. You know, once you've faced one terror you can face others."

This time Kathryn grinned and playfully jabbed the bottle into his ribs. "Funny." She put the bottle on the table and tossed him a PADD. "The Doctor wasn't exactly able to work magic this time."

Chakotay scanned the list. "Twelve out of twenty-three have already been released," he said optimistically. "Did he say anything about the others?"

"Hickman and Ashmore will be fine in a few days, he thinks. There are others he's not sure about, Pierce and Gilmore are the worst. He can't seem to bring Marla out of her coma."

Chakotay nodded. "All we can do is hope. She really came through when we needed her, you know."

"Yes, B'Elanna made sure I was aware of that. Speaking of status, how's Icheb?"

Chakotay frowned, "I think he's alright, but it's hard to tell. He's not an easy young man to read anyway. I think this experience has shaken him more than he wants to admit. He thought he was invulnerable to the Collective, couldn't be drawn in and he was wrong."

"At the memorial service tonight he seemed almost non-responsive."

"Exactly. I think he'll work through it. Seven and B'Elanna were going to keep an eye on him."

"Hmm, we might want to find him a different counselor. Maybe someone who likes to talk about their emotions."

Chakotay grinned as he finished pouring the wine and took his seat. "I'll talk to him."

"Good."

"Speaking of the memorial," Chakotay added quietly, "I thought your speech was the perfect sentiment."

Kathryn sighed, "I hope so, not that I want an excuse to try it out again. We've buried enough of this family. It seems like every time I turn around we've lost one of them."

"You can't dwell on that. Everyone on this ship knows you did what you could to protect them."

Kathryn nodded, not trusting herself to answer that statement she remained silent.

"Let's have a toast." Chakotay suggested. Lifting his glass he let his mind see each of their fallen crewmembers. "To those we have lost. You will not be forgotten."

Kathryn added hers before he could lower his glass, "And to Ken Dalby, Maquis, Starfleet officer, friend and warrior."

"Thanks, he would have liked knowing you offered a toast for him."

Kathryn lifted her glass once again. "To Mortimer Harren, Devon Mitchell, Tim Dorance and Alex Kiran you will be missed."

They ate quietly for awhile, reflecting on the days events and on how quickly things had fallen back into the regular routine. Finally Kathryn voiced the one thought on both their minds. "She'll be back. If she can change them, make them so formidable, she'll try again."

"I know. She wasn't out to assimilate us this time. It wasn't about defending her territory or retrieving Seven. This was about getting rid of us."

"She's going to have to try harder than that." Kathryn quipped bravely.

"She will. After this I hope we'll be ready."

"Ready and waiting."