Disclaimer: You know the drill. Paramount owns all things Trek and I'm merely borrowing some names for my story.

"I Don't Want No Stinkin' Legends!"

by Dee Price






"Enough Chakotay! I don't want to hear any more legends! I want action. I want facts. I want the truth!"

Chakotay smiled. "But listen to the words, Kathryn. The facts, and possible action for our situation, are in the words," he said softly, trying to defuse Kathryn's outburst.

"No! I don't want to hear your legends and I don't want you to tell me about the Scorpion and don't even try telling the Angry Warrior legend. It's useless information and I don't want to hear it! I want . . ." Kathryn slapped both hands to her cheeks and a horror-stricken look came over her face upon realizing what she had said, and looked aghast at Chakotay, who had a very, very shocked and hurt expression on his face.

Oh My God, I didn't mean that! Why did I say that? It's totally untrue! I loved, adored the Angry Warrior and what it really meant. I love what it reminds me of . . . memories of Chakotay, our time on New Earth and what could have been. Oh God, what have I done? I can't believe I said such a thing! She extended her hand toward him. "Chakotay I didn't mean how that sounded! Please, I. . ."

Chakotay silently turned and walked out of the ready Room, hesitated for a fraction of a second on the top step as he glanced at Tuvok, and then turned and walked off the Bridge. A few moments later Kathryn walked out, glanced quickly at the command chairs and noted Chakotay wasn't there. She walked to her seat, sat down, and turned to Tuvok.

"Report Tuvok."

"Everything is the same Captain."

Nodding she asked, "Did Chakotay go to Engineering?"

"He did not say his destination, Captain. I assumed he was leaving on some direction of yours."

"Harry," she said turning in his direction and not confirming or denying Tuvok's statement, "What do your sensors show?"

"Nothing Captain. No change."

Kathryn sighed and turned forward, her mind in turmoil, but not about Voyager's present circumstance, but about her thoughtless and untrue remark to Chakotay . . .

She had probably ruined not only whatever hope she had about Chakotay whenever they made it back to the Alpha Quadrant, but possibly their current friendship as well. She loved that man, more than she had loved anyone before in her life, with the exception of her father! Every time she loved someone she lost him . . . She was such a fool!

Suddenly she was aware Tuvok was speaking to her. "Yes, Mr. Tuvok. I'm sorry . . . what were you saying?"

As he looked at her, his eyebrow arched and he said, "I was saying Captain, that Lt. Torres was hailing you. Apparently she would like to see you in Engineering."

Rising, she tapped her Com Badge, said "On my way B'Elanna," indicated to Tuvok he was in charge and left. As Tuvok moved to the Command Chair, the ship lurched.

"Sorry sir," said Ensign Nambi at Helm.

"That's all right Ensign. I understand the turbulence in this area of space is quite difficult for you. In time you will learn to pilot Voyager smoothly."

"Thank you sir. I'll do my best."

Tuvok sat and frowned deeply as the current situation raced through his mind. Voyager had been in orbit above the planet T'Igre for almost a month. Their atmosphere was not friendly and blocked all sensor readings as well as communication, the latter being a real problem. Captain Janeway had sent Tom Paris, and Neelix as an Ambassador, in the Delta Flyer to see if they could penetrate this hostile environment, make contact with the natives and establish relations that would allow obtaining supplies. Somehow, someway Mr. Paris and Mr. Neelix had fallen into disfavor with the natives and he and Mr. Neelix had been taken into custody. The fate of the Flyer was still unknown.

All attempts to contact them or the planet had failed, but after two days a ship from the surface arrived, bearing an Envoy and Mr. Neelix. The Envoy explained they had Mr. Paris but were releasing the Ambassador as an act of good faith. During the following two weeks the Envoy flew up to Voyager daily, and the Captain, Commander and Mr. Neelix had attempted negotiations for Mr. Paris' release. Mr. Neelix reiterated his statement over and over again that they had done nothing wrong, and indeed that might be the case, as it has been determined this planet was an isolationist society and viewed all strangers as 'invaders'.

During these negotiations the Commander had delicately tried to find out why the Envoy's ship could fly in this environment while no one else could, all to no avail. One day while negotiations were going on in the Ready Room, the Captain had B'Elanna and Harry secretly try to study and penetrate the alien ship with sensors in an effort to discover the reason, but the sensors could not penetrate the hull nor could they determine what the ship was composed of, adding another roadblock to a frustrating month. This act, deemed 'aggressive' by the Envoy, had resulted in a breakdown of negotiations.

Now it seems the Captain and Commander had just had a disagreement if he had read their expressions correctly. Meanwhile B'Elanna, along with Harry, had been trying different methods of determining a means of either communicating or getting down to the planet and trying to make face-to-face pleas for Mr. Paris' release. The ship suddenly lurched again, much to the chagrin of the replacement Helmsmen.

Tuvok looked down at Ensign Nambi. She was actually an excellent pilot, but never had flown a ship as large as Voyager before and now, as a replacement pilot for the missing Paris, was having to learn 'on the job'.

"Steady, Ensign. Stay calm and just try to keep Voyager flying as smoothly as possible."

Ensign Nambi, her face flushed in embarrassment, merely nodded.

* * * * *

Janeway walked briskly into Engineering and noted Chakotay and B'Elanna huddled over a console. Chakotay looked up at the sound of the doors opening and turning his back to Janeway and quickly walked to the far end of the room. Janeway's heart lurched upon seeing this but she tried to maintain a stoic expression.

"Anything, B'Elanna?"

"Sorry Captain, it was a false alarm."

"Explain," said Janeway, her eyes flitting in Chakotay's direction.

"Well Chakotay and I thought we had figured out a way to send a message to the surface, saying you hadn't meant to offend them when we tried to scan their ship and were just concerned about our crewmember, but when Chakotay and I attempted a trial run just now it didn't work."

"I see," said the Captain, her eyes continually darting over to Chakotay's position. "The Commander authorized the message?"

"Yes Captain. I hope you are not upset we were doing that."

"No, no, it sounded well worded." She continued to glance toward Chakotay as she spoke. "Any thing else you might try?"

"Sorry, not yet. We do have another possible method but that has to be worked out."

"Well keep working on it and keep me posted. Also B'Elanna, rest assured we'll get Tom back. We won't leave without him," she said as reached over and squeezed B'Elanna's arm.

"Thank you Captain, I appreciate that," said B'Elanna.

She nodded and with one last glance over at Chakotay turned and left Engineering.

Chakotay immediately walked back to where B'Elanna was standing. She looked at him.

"What was all that about?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh come on Chakotay. The minute the Captain walks in you walk away and she can't keep her eyes off you the whole time she's talking to me. You two have a fight?"

"We had a small disagreement and I don't wish to discuss it okay? Let's get busy on this other idea."

B'Elanna looked at him for another second then turned to her console and the two spent an hour trying to work out Chakotay's new idea.

After his shift was over Chakotay headed for the Holodeck. He was still seething inside about Kathryn's remark and having to sit on the Bridge with her after returning from Engineering was not pleasant. He initiated a Handball game and began playing, hitting the ball as hard as he could. Thirty minutes later he took a particularly vicious swing at the ball and as it made contact with his hand the ball split in half.

He looked at the two halves spinning on the floor for a second, then bent over, hands on knees, breathing heavily and sweat pouring from his face to the floor.

"Feel better?" said a voice from behind.

Turning he saw Kathryn standing at the edge of the door and on a sudden burst of anger at seeing her turned and punched the wall. An audible crack was heard and Chakotay realized he had broken his hand. Trying not to show pain he turned towards the door just as Kathryn said, "Chakotay! You hurt yourself. Let me see your hand."

He brusquely brushed past her saying, "Sorry Captain, I have an appointment in Sick Bay," and walked out, leaving the Captain standing there.

* * * * *

That evening Chakotay sat staring out his Port view window when his door chimed. He felt irritated for a moment then called out rather roughly "Come In!"

The door slid open to reveal B'Elanna who smirked and said, "If you're going to bark at me I may not come in."

Chakotay smiled. "Sorry. Come in, I promise not to bite."

She grinned. "Scuttlebutt has it you broke your hand earlier this evening."

He shook his head and sighed. "I see the grapevine on this ship is better than the computer."

"Always has always will be. So how did it happen?"

"I was playing handball and after swinging I followed through too far and my hand hit the wall," he lied.

"That's your story and you're sticking to it," said B'Elanna with a smirk.

Chakotay laughed. "Right. That's what happened."

"Okaaay. Didn't see you at supper. Have you eaten?"

"I replicated a sandwich here. Not really hungry B'Elanna."

"Chakotay, I know something happened between you and the Captain. Care to talk about it?"

He shook his head. "Not really - at least not now."

"Well you know where I am. Anytime you want to talk just give me a yell, okay?"

Chakotay smiled. "I will, and thanks." B'Elanna nodded and left and Chakotay headed for bed.

* * * * *

During the next two days on the Bridge the Captain kept trying to engage Chakotay in conversation but he only answered her questions and said as little as possible even then. Finally he stood, told her he wanted to check with B'Elanna on the new method of communicating with the planet they were working on and left. He ended up spending most of his shift in Engineering. To his relief B'Elanna did not question him any further about the Captain, but he felt her eyes watching him closely several times.

That evening he still felt restless and irritated so again headed for the Holodeck and started up the Handball program. The more he thought about Kathryn's remark about the Angry Warrior legend the madder it made him and the madder he got the harder he hit the ball, until at last the same thing happened: a vicious swing and contact and the ball broke in half.

Familiar words were heard from behind. "Feel better?" But this time it wasn't the Captain it was B'Elanna.

"Not really. They don't make these balls very strong."

"I don't think it's the balls, I think it's the hitter," said B'Elanna softly as she walked to him. "Chakotay I think you need to talk about what's bothering you. For the last two days you haven't been yourself. I know you and obviously Handball isn't helping."

Chakotay looked at her a moment, nodded his head and walked to the wall, placed his back against it and slowly slid to the floor. B'Elanna followed and sat down beside him as he placed his arms on his bent knees and laid his forehead on his arms.

Sighing loudly he said, "I really don't know where to begin."

"So start anywhere you want Chakotay, and I'll piece it together," she said quietly.

"To put it bluntly she said my legends were a bunch of crap, and that they didn't mean anything."

"Are you sure she said that? That doesn't sound like the Captain," she said in a gentle tone.

"Yes I'm sure!" said Chakotay raising his voice. Just as suddenly he apologized and after swearing her to secrecy spent the next twenty minutes explaining what the Captain had said, including a detailed explanation of what the Angry Warrior legend was, that he had made it up on New Earth to tell her he couldn't define parameters, and she had accepted it because they joined hands after.

"We were so happy on New Earth, B'Elanna. You should have seen Kath . . . the Captain. She was so relaxed. She enjoyed New Earth and we laughed a lot and had so much fun together."

"You didn't do anything after the Angry Warrior legend?" asked B'Elanna with surprise in her tone.

"No, I didn't want to push it. I wanted her to be sure, but you know I firmly believe that in just two more weeks we would have been lovers. We were getting closer and closer and then . . ."

"Then Voyager returned."

Chakotay laughed. "And it's been all downhill ever since!"

"Well, Chakotay, after listening to what you say happened, I'm sure the Captain didn't mean what she said. You said yourself she was frustrated and angry over our situation."

"I know, but she still said it and it makes me angry every time I think about it. I just can't stop it."

B'Elanna then laughed. "You know this reminds me of the time in the Maquis . . ." and the two of them laughed and reminisced for over an hour about their various adventures while in the Maquis.

Finally they both decided it was time to retire and as they walked out of the Holodeck laughing uproariously over another incident in the Maquis they almost bumped into the Captain as she was walking by.

"Commander, B'Elanna," said the Captain.

"Captain," both said in unison and then walked on past without any further word.

Janeway stood looking after them for a few minutes before resuming her stroll of the corridors. Well at least he can still laugh, she thought. But why do I suddenly feel jealous over B'Elanna? She sighed and rubbed at her aching head.

* * * * *

Two days later the Envoy's ship suddenly appeared beside Voyager and he asked to be beamed over to speak to the Captain. As he materialized in the Ready Room he saw the Captain, Commander Chakotay, Mr. Neelix and Tuvok.

"Captain, I don't mean to appear rude, but I distinctly asked to speak to you," he said sharply.

Janeway turned and nodded to the men and Neelix and Tuvok immediately turned to leave. Chakotay stepped towards Janeway and said, "Captain? Are you . . . ?"

"I'll be fine Commander." Chakotay glanced at the Envoy a second then turned and walked out.

The Envoy smiled. "Your First Officer is very protective of his Captain."

Kathryn felt a thrill hearing those words but said without emotion, "It's part of his duties to protect the Captain. Now let's talk in good faith about my crewmember."

After Chakotay left the Ready Room he turned the Bridge over to Tuvok and hurried to Engineering.

"B'Elanna, the Envoy has suddenly returned and is in the Ready Room. Let's do it. Tie in the coordinates."

"Chakotay are you sure you want to do this? We haven't even tested it yet!"

"I'm sure. Look I trust your calculations. Besides it's the only chance we have."

"But if I'm wrong and it doesn't work. . . . Chakotay, I will have killed you."

He smiled, patted her on the shoulder, and they both turned to the console.

"Okay I have a reading on the Envoy," said B'Elanna after a few minutes of furious tapping on the panel.

"Good, now tie me in with him and our Transporter," said Chakotay.

After a few more minutes B'Elanna looked up at Chakotay and nodded, but fear and uncertainty were in her eyes. What they were about to do was to coincide the transport of Chakotay and the Envoy at the same time to the Envoy's ship. With all the communication and sensor failure Voyager had with this planet and ship, this attempt would be risky at best. Hopefully the transport would be successful and Chakotay could hide until down on the planet. If still undetected, he would try to rescue Tom. If found . . . well, he would join Tom and it would be the Captain's turn to be mad at him.

At this point they hurried to the Transporter room, relieved the Ensign and waited. An hour later Janeway called that the Envoy was ready to transport back to his ship.

"This is B'Elanna, Captain. We have a slight problem with the Transporter. I'm there now and I'll be able to transport in a minute."

Chakotay walked up on the pad and looked at B'Elanna. Smiling he said, "Look B'Elanna, if this fails please tell Kathryn I'm sorry and that I love her very much."

Numbly, she nodded her head, re-checked both Chakotay's and the Envoy's coordinates told the Captain she was ready, smiled at Chakotay and watched him disappear.

* * * * *

Chakotay's beam-out with the Envoy had been calculated to start one second ahead of the Envoy and several meters behind him, with the hope Chakotay would be able to keep out of sight.

As they materialized in the ship, Chakotay couldn't help but smile. It had worked and he was not only alive but on the ship. He quietly knelt down in a dark corner of the ship as the Envoy materialized in full and moved to the pilot's seat, this immediate movement keeping him unaware of Chakotay's presence. Even though he knew, Chakotay was surprised the Envoy did not have a pilot assisting him, but it was a blessing as another person would have seen him.

Chakotay listened intently as the Envoy relayed instructions to the computer but the directions were too fast and long for him to remember. He would have to worry about the return later. Within a few moments the cabin of the ship was full of light from the sun and a few moments later Chakotay realized the inhabitants of this planet had somehow created an artificial barrier around their planet to keep visitors away!

Chakotay could feel the ship going down and heard the Envoy in contact with the ground crew. Soon he could sense the ship gliding, and then the interior darkened, indicating they had entered a docking bay. Slowly the ship settled to the ground, the hatch opened and the Envoy stood and walked for the exit. Chakotay hunched as deep and tight as he could but one of his knees popped. The Envoy stopped at the sound and while Chakotay held his breath, looked directly in his direction. After a moment he turned and walked out and Chakotay could hear him tell a guard that he would be going out again in an hour, the ship was fine and to just stand guard.

He slowly crept forward and peered cautiously out the door. They were indeed in a large hangar and the guard stood with his back to him about 3 meters away. Suddenly the Envoy called to the guard and as he ran to the Envoy, Chakotay quickly crawled past the door and to the pilot's seat. Glancing down at his belt he smiled. B'Elanna had insisted he take a TriCorder and Phaser as well as a Hypo Spray with sedation ampoules from the Engineering Med Kit. He would thank her later . . . if he made it back.

Speaking softly he asked the computer for the coordinates to the ship Voyager in orbit above the planet and after downloading that also got the coordinates to safely navigate through the 'barrier'.

By then the guard was coming back to the door and as Chakotay watched he again took up a position near the hatch. He had to get the guard inside and put on that uniform!

Suddenly Chakotay had an idea and crouched near the exit. "Pssst!" he whispered and watched as the guard's head swiveled from side to side, frowned then turned forward again.

"Pssst!" said Chakotay again.

This time the guard stepped to the hatch and leaned into the cabin. In a flash Chakotay placed the Hypo Spray against his neck and as he started to crumple grabbed his shoulders and quickly pulled him inside, where he quickly set about changing into the guard's clothes.

That done he cautiously stepped out of the shuttle, pulled the cap down low on his forehead and slung the Phaser Rifle over his shoulder as the guard had. Then he slowly walked around the ship and noted they were in a large hanger. No one else seemed to be around but shock upon shock, the Delta Flyer sat quietly across the Bay, its hatch wide open! He smiled. That made things much easier.

Looking around the hanger he spotted a door and quickly headed that way, carefully opened it and stepped inside when he did not see anyone. He was in a long corridor with many doors which required him to slowly and cautiously make his way, being sure as he passed each door that no one was looking. His heart was beating so fast it felt like someone pounding on his chest and he had to wipe the sweat off his forehead. Eventually he found a schematic on a wall and located the position of the Brig, entered this information into his TriCorder then started in that direction.

Again it was a long, slow process, one corridor and junction after another. Once a woman came around the corner and he kept walking straight ahead, just nodding his head at her. She smiled and continued on her way. Sweat was now pouring from every pore in his body and his mouth was dry as a desert. He was this far and it wouldn't do any good to get caught now. Suddenly someone came out of an office and he flattened against the wall, but luckily the man turned in the opposite direction. At last he found the door to the Brig slid it open and quickly and silently stepped in.

The guard inside the door turned and started to smile at him, then frowned.

"Hey, I don't recognize you. Who are you?"

Chakotay walked quickly towards him while smiling. "I'm new today, just checking the facility."

Just as the guard started to reach for his Communicator, Chakotay quickly pressed the Hypo Spray to his neck. The guard crumpled noiselessly to the floor and Chakotay, not wanting to alert any of the prisoners assumed a guard march and slowly went by each cell. The first cell was empty, the second, third and fourth cells were occupied, but those men hardly looked up at him. At the fifth cell he saw Paris lying on the cot, very disheveled, dirty and with a full beard.

"Paris," he whispered.

"Go away. Leave me alone, I told you I don't know anything and haven't done anything wrong!"

"Paris," Chakotay whispered again.

Tom turned his head and started to say "I said . . ." but upon recognizing Chakotay's face shot off the cot, a large smile on his face. As he opened his mouth to speak Chakotay quickly put a finger to his lips.

"Sshhh."

Tom nodded and came forward. "Nice to see you Chakotay," he whispered.

"No time for niceties Tom. I'm going to release the force field and then you and I have to move fast." Chakotay moved to the panel and punched C-5 and Tom and Chakotay quickly moved out of the room and down a corridor.

Reaching a junction, Chakotay cautiously peered around the corner and down the corridor. Carefully they crept past door after door, in the same slow, nerve-wracking process, past more junctions and through other doors. At last they reached the last corridor, but just as they started moving a man stepped out of a room, saw them and moved in their direction.

"What are you doing with the prisoner?" he asked as he drew up to them.

"I'm taking him to the Envoy," replied Chakotay as he straightened into a military 'attention' posture.

"I don't think so and I don't recognize you," and as he started to reach for his Communicator, Paris let fly with a roundhouse right, connecting dead center on the man's chin. As he dropped to the floor Tom grabbed his hand, and wincing in pain started doing a little dance.

"Ow! Damn, that guy's chin was hard as a rock," he complained.

Chakotay quickly bent down, and as he administered the hypo spray to the man, smiled at Tom and quipped, "If you had given me time, this would have been so much easier. Now let's go."

They hurried down the corridor and burst through the door into the Hangar.

"Where's the rest of the rescue squad Chakotay," asked Tom as he looked around.

"No time for that Tom, it's a long story. Run!" and they ran as fast as they could for the Delta Flyer, Tom moving to the Pilots seat and Chakotay to the OPS station. As the hatch sealed shut Tom started up the engines.

"Guess they feel with that barrier up above they don't need much security," commented Chakotay as he tapped at the panel.

"The Flyer seems okay Chakotay. I don't think they've messed with it. But that door ahead is closed."

"We'll just have to punch our way through it Tom. I've put in the coordinates to Voyager and a way through that barrier up above. Let's go, we don't have any time to waste!"

"But if that door is made of the same material as the Envoy's shuttle the Flyer will crumple like an accordion," said Tom.

"We have to chance it," called out Chakotay. "Go!"

As Tom started lifting off the floor, a miracle! The door opened and a small ship came gliding through.

"Go Tom!" yelled Chakotay and as Tom punched the controls the Flyer shot through the opening and straight up into the air. As they entered the barrier the Flyer started shaking and slowing down.

"I don't think your coordinates are right Chakotay!" called out Tom. "We're not going to make it!"

"Checking . . . they're right Tom. Maybe they have different numbers for the trip up. Give it all you've got, we're almost through!" yelled Chakotay.

Tom increased the Warp drive and though seemingly moving in slow motion the Flyer kept moving until suddenly it burst out of the barrier. Tom slowed the Flyer down, tapped in the coordinates to Voyager and looked back at Chakotay with a big smile.

"We're going to make it Chakotay!"

Chakotay glanced down at his controls and smiled back at Tom.

"Voyager dead ahead!" he called out, and as Tom turned to look all he could say was "Wow, what a beautiful sight."

"Chakotay to Voyager. This is the Delta Flyer. I have Tom Paris! Open up that Docking Bay and once we're aboard get us out of here!"

"Understood Commander," said Janeway's cold voice.

"Boy she doesn't seem glad to hear from us. I would have thought she would be jumping up and down, with our success," said Tom.

"Long story Tom." As he noted Tom frowning he added, "You'll find out shortly".

The Flyer glided into Voyager's Shuttle Bay, the Bay was sealed and as the Flyer settled on the deck and the engines turned off, Tom opened the door. Upon exiting the Flyer, a shocked Tom Paris found Janeway standing there with arms folded across her chest and Tuvok, with two security men, all with Phasers pointed.

"What kind of greeting is this?" asked Tom as he stepped onto the deck.

The Captain tapped her Comm Badge. "Bridge, we have them. Warp Nine!" She looked at Tom, "Glad to have you back Tom," then turning to Chakotay her eyes became hard and cold as ice. In a stern tone she said, "Commander you have violated the rules of this ship by attempting an unauthorized, secret mission. You leave me no choice but to confine you to the Brig . . ."

"What are you talking about Captain?" asked Tom in surprise. "Chakotay rescued me!"

The Captain glanced at Tom and smiled. "As I said Tom we are very glad to have you back." She turned back to Chakotay and again the ice-cold demeanor took over.

"Commander Chakotay I hereby sentence you to fourteen days in the Brig. You will also lose your Replicator privileges for thirty days."

"What are you doing Captain?" shouted Tom, not caring that he was now yelling at his Captain. "Chakotay risked his life and saved me. You can't do this!"

"Easy Tom," said Chakotay in a quiet, soft voice. "The Captain is right. I did violate Starfleet rules."

"But Chakotay it isn't fair!" exploded Tom.

"It's the Starfleet way Tom," said Chakotay quietly.

"Starfleet!" snorted Tom. "If this was the Maquis you'd be hailed as a hero and we'd all be celebrating!" said Tom still yelling.

"Relax Tom. Look why don't you go get cleaned up and see B'Elanna? She has been really worried about you. And by the way" he said with a smile, "You owe me one of my lives back now."

Tom grinned. "I'll give them all back Chakotay, after what you did for me."

"Enough both of you!" snarled the Captain, tired of being ignored. Turning to Tuvok she said, "Tuvok, escort the Commander to the Brig."

"No! I won't let you do this to him," yelled Tom.

"Mr. Paris that is enough!" said Janeway. "Now please go to your quarters and clean up."

Tom looked at her. "What's become of you Captain? I don't know you anymore," and without waiting to be dismissed whirled around and stalked towards the door. As he reached it he looked back at Chakotay. "I'll come visit you every day Chakotay."

"No visitor privileges," snapped Janeway.

"I can't believe you," said Tom and walked through the door.

Tuvok stepped sideways as he looked at Chakotay, indicating for him to lead the way. As they entered the Brig and Chakotay walked into his cell, he looked back at Tuvok and thought he saw regret in his eyes, but Tuvok was a Vulcan and didn't show emotion.

Tuvok didn't leave immediately, but stood and looked at Chakotay. Finally he cleared his throat and said, "I must admit Commander, I regret having to take this action. What you did was very brave. . . . if foolhardy. Take care and rest Commander," then looked at the Lt who immediately erected the force field. Tuvok nodded to Chakotay and left.

Chakotay looked around his 'home' of the next fourteen days and lay down. With all the stress he had undergone he suddenly felt exhausted, but even as he fell asleep his last thoughts and vision were of Kathryn's cold voice and eyes.

* * * * *

As Janeway had decreed no visitors for the Commander, when Neelix brought lunch the first day he quietly observed this rule. However, on the second day he announced quite loudly that Commander Chakotay's lunch was here. Chakotay, curious, rose and went to the door.

Neelix was facing that direction and upon seeing Chakotay called out "Good afternoon Chakotay. I hope you are well!"

The guard immediately said, "That's not allowed sir! I'll have to report this to the Captain."

Neelix looked at him and said "You just do that Lt," smiled at Chakotay, waved and said "Goodbye Commander" and left.

The third day Tom Paris brought the lunch and Chakotay, upon hearing his voice rather than Neelix, plus another loud announcement that lunch was there, began to feel something was going on. Rising he went to the door and saw Paris looking in his direction. As Tom saw Chakotay he waved, smiled and said, "Hi Chakotay I brought your lunch today. How's it going?"

Chakotay quickly said, "Fine Tom, you look better than the last time I saw you."

Before Tom could reply the Lt. said sharply "That's not allowed sir. I'm reporting this to the Captain and I'll have to ask you to leave." Tom smirked at Chakotay and left.

On the fourth day it was B'Elanna, the fifth day Harry, and on the sixth day the Doctor, who got in a few more words before the flustered guard shut him up, not remembering all he had to do was close down the program. On the seventh day Chakotay heard the child's voice of Naomi Wildman. Rising quickly he went to the door of his cell and Naomi smiled and said, "Good afternoon Commander Chakotay. I brought your lunch today."

"Thank you Naomi, that's very nice of you."

She frowned. "I 'm sorry you are in the Brig."

"I broke the rules Naomi, so I must be punished."

"But you saved Mr. Paris' life. It's just not fair!"

Before Chakotay could respond the guard placed both hands on Naomi's shoulders and said she mustn't talk to the prisoner and had to leave immediately.

In a command voice Chakotay said, "She's just a child Lt., let her go."

The Lt. immediately jerked his hands back, not wanting to be accused of hurting a child. Chakotay smiled at Naomi. "You better go sweetheart, and thanks again for lunch."

Naomi smiled broadly said "You're welcome" looked up at the guard and said, "That's okay, I know you didn't mean to hurt me," and walked out. As she got out into the corridor Chakotay heard Neelix' voice telling her she did a good job.

On the eighth day it was Seven and on the ninth Tuvok, which surprised Chakotay that he would go against Kathryn's wishes. Chakotay immensely enjoyed this 'game' the crew seemed to be playing and around noon each day would be at his cell door waiting to see who came in.

On the tenth day it was Lt Ayala, the eleventh Ensign Vorick, then Lt Joe Carey, followed by Crewman Dalby who grinned and kidded Chakotay that he was glad he was behind a force field and couldn't again punch him 'the Maquis way,' and both men were still laughing as the guard unceremoniously ushered Dalby out of the room. On the last and fourteenth day both Ensign Tabor and Lt. Nicoletti arrived, with Tabor carrying a tray of Soup and Nicoletti an armload of PADDS consisting of messages of good wishes from the remainder of the crew who weren't in on the 'lunch detail.' An hour later while Chakotay sat reading the messages, Tuvok walked in and strode directly to Chakotay's cell.

"It's time Commander."

Chakotay rose and looked quizzically at him. "Actually my time isn't up until this evening Tuvok. Aren't you a little early?"

"Possibly Commander, but this is the fourteenth day and the Captain did not specify the number of hours."

Chakotay couldn't help it and grinned broadly as Tuvok nodded to the Lt to turn off the force field. Chakotay picked up the pads and the two men walked out into the corridor. As they strode along Tuvok said, "I must report to the Bridge, Commander. I suggest you go to your quarters and rest the remainder of the day. I'm afraid you still have two weeks without Replicator rations so you must eat Neelix' cooking." Without realizing it Tuvok grimaced as he said that and Chakotay had a hard time not laughing out loud. Tuvok continued with, "You will report for duty tomorrow at 0800 hours."

"Thank you Tuvok" said Chakotay and added, "and thanks for the different meal servers. I enjoyed that but I hope no one got into trouble with the Captain."

"Suffice it to say the Captain was disturbed the first few days, but I rather think as it continued despite her threats, she started to accept it and even stopped putting reports in the Personnel File, as well as deleting those she had done previously. As you might surmise, Tom Paris instigated this chicanery."

Chakotay smiled and nodded. "Thanks for everything Tuvok, and I'll see you in the morning." With that each man went his separate way.

Once in his quarters Chakotay took a shower, put on a fresh set of informal clothes, sighed deeply as he looked around, and then lay down on the bed. That felt good . . . his own bed! He gathered a few of the Padd's and started reading. Soon he felt hungry but knew he couldn't use his Replicator and dare not go to the Mess Hall until this evening, so just to be on the safe side, he picked up a book, turned the music on and sat down to read. However he couldn't concentrate on the words. Instead, his thoughts increasingly turned to Kathryn and her words about the Legends. Although not as angry as he was before, it still bothered him. Tossing the book aside he leaned back and eventually dozed off.

* * * * *

Kathryn sat in her quarters staring into space. She knew Tuvok had released Chakotay early, but with the way things had been going with different crewmembers taking his meal and making a point of saying something to him the early release did not surprise her. The crew really liked and respected Chakotay and it was their way of showing their support for him. She half smiled as she thought of that: it had turned into a 'game' with each person seeing how much they could say to Chakotay before Security stopped them and got them to leave. The Doctor won that one, hands down, as he was still talking to
Chakotay even as the guard led him out into the corridor. She hated herself for having to put her First Officer in the Brig, but rules were rules. Damn those rules she thought then rose and walked to the window. At that moment her door chimed.

"Come in" she called as she turned from the window.

B'Elanna stepped inside and smiled. She seemed to feel awkward so Janeway immediately waved to her to come over to the couch.

"What can I do for you B'Elanna?"

"Well actually, I was just wondering how you are."

"I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

B'Elanna looked at the Captain for a moment and finally, as if making a decision, took a deep breath and said, "May we talk candidly Captain . . . off the record?"

"Of course," said Janeway and she leaned forward and looked closely at B'Elanna. "Is something wrong in Engineering or personally?"

"No, everything is fine. . . . it's you Captain."

"Me!" she exclaimed. "What do you mean?"

B'Elanna swallowed. "Well it's about your fight with Chakotay actually."

"We didn't have a fight B'Elanna. I said something stupid and hurt Chakotay's feelings and he won't accept my apology. Now he runs off and makes this rescue on his own without authorization . . ."

"I know - I couldn't talk him out of it. We hadn't even tested it yet Captain! If I had gotten the coordinates wrong or the configuration wrong, Chakotay . . ."

"Oh my God, he could have been killed!" exclaimed Kathryn. She rubbed her forehead as she thought of what could have happened. "I didn't know it wasn't even tested," she said in an unbelieving voice.

"If I had killed him Captain I would never forgive myself! And you, you would never . . . you two would never . . . Captain, Chakotay loves you very much," she finally blurted out.

Kathryn reached out and took hold of both of B'Elanna's hands and smiled softly. "I know. He the same as told me that on New Earth. Not in exact words but . . ."

"The Angry Warrior Legend," interjected B'Elanna.

"He told you?" she said feeling somewhat hurt.

"That day we almost bumped into you coming out of the Holodeck. Chakotay and I had spent almost two hours talking - he was so upset and I tried to get him to talk about what was wrong - and he told me about your times on New Earth and eventually the Angry Warrior story and what he meant by it."

"It's a beautiful story," said Kathryn softly as she looked dreamily out the window for a few moments. Looking back at B'Elanna she said, "I love all his stories B'Elanna. They are beautiful and part of him and his culture. And I especially love the Angry Warrior. It is special to me, but after my thoughtless remark he just left and now he won't even talk to me."

"You know what would have been great? If you had been one of the people to deliver his meal," said B'Elanna with a laugh.

"I wanted to, oh how I wanted to after I realized what all of you were doing," she said giggling. "But that would have made a mockery of his sentence for me to participate. Oh B'Elanna, I . . ."and she stopped and looked at the floor.

"Tell me about New Earth Captain, your words, your feelings," she said as she crossed her legs and faced her.

Kathryn looked at her and smiled. "I loved it. I was free, I felt so alive. No responsibilities, at least after the storm. I even planted a garden, and Chakotay built me a bathtub and a headboard so I could read at night, he even did all the cooking - he said he would die if he had to eat my cooking!" Both women laughed loudly at that. "We went for long walks, talked into all hours of the night . . . it was wonderful. I often find myself wishing Tuvok hadn't come back." She hesitated and looked down at her hands and started picking at a fingernail.

B'Elanna smiled. "Boy you have it bad, Captain."

Kathryn's head jerked up, all prepared to deny that statement, but just as suddenly she knew she couldn't. Slowly she nodded her head. "And as Captain I can't do a thing about it. If we had stayed on New Earth I'm quite sure Chakotay and I . . . well we would have."

B'Elanna giggled. "Chakotay said if Tuvok hadn't returned he felt you would have given in to your feelings in two more weeks."

Kathryn laughed out loud. "More like two more days!" Then realizing what she had said she put both hands to her face and blushed deep red as she looked at B'Elanna. Slowly their smiles turned to giggles, then laughs, then outright guffaws.

Finally when they had calmed down and gotten their breaths, they sat and talked for another ten minutes, with Kathryn baring her feelings, almost her soul to B'Elanna. Eventually both women realized the time and B'Elanna said she had better go.

"I've really enjoyed this woman-to-woman talk B'Elanna. It's helped me a lot. Thank you for coming in."

"Anytime Captain, and I've enjoyed it very much myself." She stared at Janeway for a moment, and as she stood, said "Go talk to him Captain."

"He won't let me talk to him. I tried on the Bridge several times."

"I mean in private, where you can bare your feelings in an honest, open discussion. He loves you Captain, and knows there isn't anything that can be done about it, but tell him. Let him know where he stands and what might happen when we get home. He deserves that much. Just go talk to him."

Kathryn stared at B'Elanna for a long time before finally nodding her head. "If the right time and place occur, I will. Thank you again B'Elanna for being my confidante tonight. We'll have to talk again sometime."

"I'd like that Captain, I really would like that," and with a smile she said goodnight and left. Out in the corridor her smile became bigger and bigger as she strode along and finally in a fit of elation she jumped in the air, punched with her fist and said loudly, "Yes!"

* * * * *

Meanwhile Chakotay was very restless and certainly not sleepy. He had gotten a lot of rest in the Brig and maybe that was the problem, he was 'all slept out'. He stood at his window for a few minutes watching the blackness, and then asked the computer for the time. "It is 2200 hours," was the response. It was still early.

He started thinking about Kathryn again and suddenly decided to follow B'Elanna's advice and talk to his father. Retrieving his medicine bundle he sat on the floor and carefully and meticulously unwrapped and laid the articles out. Placing his hand on the Akoonah he started, "Akoochie moya, we are far from the bones of our people . . ."

Chakotay walked through the forest, eyes darting in every direction as he searched for his father. He knew he was here, he could smell smoke in the air. At last he came upon a small clearing and saw his father, Kolopak, sitting cross-legged before a fire.

"You still walk as loud as an elephant Chakotay," his father said. "Have I taught you nothing? You have probably scared all the animals."

"Sorry father I was anxious to find you," he said as he moved to the other side of the campfire and slowly sat down facing him.

"You look upset or worried my son."

"I am father. I need your advice."

Kolopak studied Chakotay a moment and smiled. "What is your woman's name, Chakotay?"

Chakotay smiled. "You know me too well father. Her name is Kathryn."

"Ah, Kathryn, a beautiful name. This is the name of your Captain is it not?"

Chakotay looked down at the fire and nodded his head. Kolopak remained silent, patiently waiting for Chakotay to tell of his problem. Finally Chakotay looked up and said, "Kathryn insulted me and our culture by belittling our legends father."

Kolopak studied Chakotay for a moment before saying "Not everyone believes in our legends Chakotay. Just what did Kathryn say?"

Chakotay explained the conversation and Kathryn saying she didn't want to hear the legends, that they were useless information.

Kolopak shook his head. "Chakotay, Chakotay . . . Listen to your own words. You said she was upset about your missing crewmember Tom Paris. Of course she didn't want to hear legends, she wanted Mr. Paris back!"

"But she belittled the Angry Warrior legend by . . ."

"Angry Warrior?" interjected Kolopak. "Forgive me if my memory is faulty, Chakotay, I am an old man, but I know of no Angry Warrior legend."

Chakotay's face flushed and he lowered his head and watched the fire for a few minutes. Finally he looked up and said, "It was actually a legend I made up when Kathryn and I were stranded on a planet we named New Earth."

"Tell me this legend my son. It intrigues me." So Chakotay told the Angry Warrior legend and what he meant by it. He also told his father he sincerely believed he and Kathryn were Soul mates.

Kolopak smiled and nodded his head. "It is a wonderful legend Chakotay. I wish I had thought of something like that to tell your mother. But no, I just told her I loved her. Three simple words, no long story, no legend . . . just I love you."

Anger flashed in Chakotay's eyes. "Don't you belittle that legend, too, father! It means a great deal to us . . . to me."

"I'm sure it does and I was not belittling it, just making a point that maybe you should tell her you love her."

"I can't," said Chakotay shaking his head. "She's the Captain and believes strongly in Starfleet protocol."

Both men sat quietly, with Kolopak staring deeply into Chakotay's eyes. Finally he spoke. "If you really believe you are Soul mates, then go to her and apologize, Chakotay."

"Apologize! Me? She's the one who should apologize!"

"Ahhh Chakotay, have you learned nothing about women? How many times I apologized to your mother for something she did just so I could see the smile on her face, laugh and talk with her, to hear her wonderful laugh again and hold her in my arms. I can't do that now." He sighed and continued, "Is it so important who apologizes? Is not your relationship, your friendship with Kathryn more important? Apologize Chakotay and be happy again and if you are Soul mates it will eventually be so."

Chakotay absorbed his father's advice. He was right. It wasn't important who apologized just so he and Kathryn would be friends again. Actually she had tried to apologize immediately, saying she didn't mean how it sounded, but he had refused to listen because his precious feelings were hurt! Suddenly he felt a great peace fill his being. He looked up at his father and found him just looking at him, somehow knowing he was evaluating his words.

Chakotay rose and smiled. "Thank you, father. As usual you are guiding me down the right path. I know what I must do. If I can't have Kathryn's love at least I can have her friendship."

Kolopak rose and gripped his son's forearm. Chuckling he said, "I knew I raised you to do the right thing. But do me a favor when you leave . . . don't scare the animals this time!"

Chakotay laughed. "I will be very quiet father."

Chakotay's eyes opened and realizing he was in his room he relaxed and sighed. Slowly he started packing his Medicine Bundle when he suddenly sensed someone else in the room. Turning his head towards the door he saw Kathryn leaning against the wall.

As she realized his Vision Quest was over and he had seen her she took two steps toward him. "I'm sorry Chakotay I didn't mean to disturb you, but I rang your door three times and when you didn't answer I became very frightened that something had happened to you and used my override. When I saw you were in a Vision Quest and looked so peaceful, I was afraid to move for fear I would disturb you. I apologize."

Chakotay rose from the floor, placed his Medicine Bundle on the dresser and walked towards her. Smiling he said, "That's all right Kathryn."

Kathryn's heart soared at the use of her name. "Chakotay we must talk, please let me talk to you," and before he could say a word she started. "You know deep in your heart I didn't mean anything against your legends. I love them; I love them all and especially the Angry Warrior. It is precious to me, but I was just upset about Tom and . . ."

Chakotay placed two fingers against her lips. "You are not only a 'wheedler' but you are a 'babbler' as well." They both chuckled at that remark and Chakotay continued. "I apologize to you as well Kathryn, for my behavior. It was childish. I also apologize for undertaking the rescue mission without informing you, but I felt sure you wouldn't have allowed it, especially as it hadn't even been tested, but I was so upset I didn't care, I didn't even care if it killed me." He looked into her blue eyes and saw they were pooling with tears and she was blinking furiously to stop them from spilling forth.

"Kathryn I love you. I know nothing can be done in our situation, but I just want you to know my feelings, with the hope that when we get back home you might consider . . . you may allow me to court you and . . ."

This time Kathryn put two fingers over his lips and smiling endearingly said, "I look forward to it," and surprised him by rising up on her tiptoes and kissing him lightly on the cheek. "A friendly kiss for now," she said to his surprised look.

"I liked that but I have to tell you Kathryn, your aim was terrible!" Both chuckled as he led her over to the couch.

Getting a mischievous look on his face he said, "Now before you start babbling again I would like to offer you tea or coffee, but my Captain has taken away my Replicator rations."

Kathryn smiled as she sat down. "Before we have coffee let me tell you that if you had died I'm not sure what I would have done, I only know I would have been devastated for the rest of my life." She then smiled and added, "Second, I'll loan you a couple of rations for some coffee."

"Loan? You'll loan me rations? After fourteen days in the Brig I would think the least you could do is treat me!" he said as he headed for the Replicator.

Chakotay handed her the coffee then sat down and as he looked at her he mused to himself, even though we can't do anything I am so damn lucky to have found her and have her in my life, even if only as a friend.

"Kathryn, let's promise each other to never stay angry or hurt with each other. I don't think I could go through that again, so let's always discuss problems."

"I agree Chakotay, but I would like you to do something for me . . . two things actually. As he nodded she said, "Will you promise me you'll never punch a wall again?" Both laughed at that and Chakotay swore he would never do such a thing again, besides it was too painful.

"And the second thing?" he asked.

She looked tenderly at him. "Please tell me the Angry Warrior Legend . . . I love it so and it's been so many years since I have heard it . . . please Chakotay, tell me that story."

Chakotay smiled mischievously. "You mean you want to hear one of my 'stinkin' useless legends?"

Kathryn face flushed, but she put her hand on his arm and said in a husky voice, "Yes, please tell the Angry Warrior legend. It means so much to me, personally."

Chakotay looked at Kathryn and his heart swelled with love. Quietly he told her the Angry Warrior legend and she sat, eyes riveted on his face, listening and absorbing every word. When he finished, and as at New Earth, she held up her hand and Chakotay joined his with hers.

"Thank you for telling it to me again, Chakotay," she said, her voice raw with emotion and leaning back she closed her eyes and slowly a contented smile appeared.

Chakotay watched her and said softly, "I'll tell you every day if you want." Kathryn didn't answer, just nodded her head.

Picking up his cup of coffee Chakotay leaned back and raised the cup to his lips. Just as he started to take a sip Kathryn, in a quiet, emotion-filled voice said, "I love you Chakotay."

The shock of those words coming from her made his hand go limp and the entire cup of red hot coffee spilled down on his lap, causing him to jump up and start hopping around as he tried to pull his trousers away from his groin. Kathryn couldn't help herself and started laughing and laughed uncontrollably for several minutes while Chakotay kept moving and pulling at his trousers, all the while complaining "It's not funny Kathryn, stop laughing. It hurts!"

While Kathryn got herself under control Chakotay stepped into his bedroom and changed clothes. When he returned Kathryn apologized for laughing, saying that she knew it was painful, but it really was funny.

Chakotay smiled then knelt beside her and taking her hand asked, "Did you really mean what you said?"

"Yes," she said softly, "I mean it with every fiber in my being, but at the same time you know we can't do anything. I just wanted you to know, so that in the event anything ever happened to one of us, at least we'd know how the other felt."

Chakotay raised her hand to his lips and kissed it gently while looking into her eyes. "I will always remember this moment, Kathryn."

"As will I," she said as she placed a hand on Chakotay's cheek. Suddenly smiling she said, "Now to show you I'm really quite a generous person go get yourself another cup of coffee."

The two of them sat on the couch for the next twenty minutes reminiscing about New Earth when suddenly a hail interrupted them.

"Neelix to Commander Chakotay."

Chakotay rolled his eyes as he looked at Kathryn, causing her to giggle. "Yes Neelix, what is it?"

"Well sir, I know it's a little late but as this is your first night out from the Brig and all, Tom has opened up Sandrine's and we just thought you might like to join us for a game of Pool. What about it Commander? It'll be fun and relaxing for you after being cooped up in that nasty old Brig."

Chakotay looked at Kathryn and she smiled while nodding her head. "You know Neelix, that actually sounds pretty good."

"Great we'll see you in a few minutes then. Neelix out."

When Kathryn and Chakotay strolled into Sandrine's they were laughing about something Kathryn had said just before they entered, and their happy appearance together caused everyone in Sandrine's to break out in large smiles, with B'Elanna Torres having the biggest smile of all.


The End
Feb.2000
Edited June 2006

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