Basic Resolutions

Author's Notes: I wrote this story in 1996, and it was originally published in Delta Quadrant 4. This story takes place shortly after "Resolutions."

"We're just going to leave?"

B'Elanna Torres leaned over the captain's desk, her eyes wide, her expression one of disbelief. It was an effort for her to hold in her anger, and she could feel herself trembling.

Janeway could see it: the tightness in the engineer's face, the rigid set of her shoulders, the hands that shook slightly despite the fact that they were braced solidly on the desk before her.

"Yes, Lieutenant," the captain answered in a measured tone, "we're going to leave. And we're going to consider ourselves damned lucky to have gotten them back."

Torres shook her head as she pulled back from her position. "But what they did... what they tried to do..."

"Is an accepted practice in their culture," Janeway defined. "And although we may not agree with their methods, we have no right to... seek revenge." She studied the young woman standing in front of her. She could see the anger and fear in her dark eyes. And she could sense her feelings of helplessness. They were feelings Janeway felt all too well. "B'Elanna..." Her tone softened. "I know how you feel. How we all feel. But there's nothing we can do except leave. Retaliation won't... solve the problem."

"But it was a mistake," Torres persisted, although the harshness in her voice was fading. "It was… a bar fight. They... he... didn't deserve what was done to him."

Janeway swallowed around the lump in her throat; she could feel tears stinging her eyes. "No, he didn't deserve it. And we will do everything we can to help him. But punishing the Delsorians won't bring him back. You know that."

Torres blinked at the tears that had suddenly filled her own eyes. She crossed her arms tightly in front of her chest and looked away. She knew the captain was right, but it all felt so wrong.

"B'Elanna," Janeway continued, "I want you to take a few days off. Spend some time in Sickbay. I know the Doctor and Kes would welcome your assistance. And so would Chakotay."

Torres looked back at the captain. "He doesn't even know I'm there."

Janeway felt the fist around her heart twist tighter, and her next breath actually hurt. "Maybe not," she heard her voice responding, "but you'll know."

~vVv~

Delsor was the only habitable planet in a system of eight. Neelix had known very little about it except for the fact that their society had made contact with other space faring civilizations. And, since Voyager needed supplies, it had been a logical place to stop. A routine that had played itself out on many a planet already in the Delta Quadrant.

A routine that went terribly awry when Chakotay and Paris found themselves engaged in a brawl in a public meeting place.

A bar fight.

Torres' words echoed in Janeway's mind. A common, run of the mill, bar fight. And her officers had inadvertently been involved.

They'd been arrested, tried, and convicted before anyone on the ship had even been made aware of the circumstances.

And they'd been too late.

Janeway's hand tightened on the edge of her desk as her mind reviewed the situation. Violence of any type was dealt with swiftly on Delsor. Violators were treated psycho-genically. In some ways, it reminded her of Tom Paris' encounter on the Benean Homeworld. Only this time, Paris had been spared. Tuvok located him before his treatment had been delivered. Commander Chakotay had not been so fortunate.

Janeway reached out and touched the computer in front of her. The Doctor's report outlined the damage that had been done to the first officer's brain. Although many of the higher cognitive functions seemed to be unaffected, the readings were confused. Neural pathways had been partially destroyed, and it was impossible for him to access information or process responses.

The Doctor had a unique way of explaining his condition: He's in there; we just can't get him out.

The door chime sounded, and Janeway blinked. "Come in," she called, taking a deep breath, and shrugging her shoulders. She brushed her hair back from her forehead.

The door slid open.

"Kes." The captain smiled and rose from her desk. "Come in."

The young Ocampa woman stepped into the ready room, and the door closed behind her. "Please, have a seat." Janeway indicated the chair in front of her desk. Kes sat down on the edge of it. Janeway sank back into her own chair.

"How is Commander Chakotay?" the captain asked, already suspecting the answer to her question.

Kes shook her head. "There's been no change. The Doctor is doing everything he can, but..." She sighed, and her voice trailed off.

"I know he is," Janeway offered, sensing her frustration.

Kes drew in a deep breath and continued. "That's why I'm here, Captain. The Doctor believes there's very little that can be done for the commander from a medical standpoint. The neural pathways can't be fully regenerated, but they can be strengthened and re-trained. Other pathways can actually be taught to assume the responsibility of damaged ones."

Janeway rubbed her hand over her chin. "Yes, I'm familiar with the process."

Kes nodded, a slight smile lighting her eyes. "Someone needs to help him re-learn basic functions; guide him through physical and mental tasks in order for those pathways to grow strong again."

Janeway leaned back in her chair, suddenly following Kes' chain of thought. "You think I'm that someone?" she questioned.

"We both do," Kes answered quickly. "The Doctor and I discussed it."

"And on what do you base this conclusion?" Janeway consciously allowed the scientific portion of her mind to take over; it was safer that way, much easier than trusting her emotions.

"You spent many weeks with Commander Chakotay on New Earth. You've been closer to him than almost anyone else on the crew."

Janeway shook her head. "But he's spent a far greater time with his Maquis shipmates. B'Elanna, for instance. I feel she might be a more appropriate choice."

Kes looked down at the top of the desk for a moment, and then back up into Janeway's eyes. "He may have spent more time with them, but not in the same situation. You and he had to depend upon each other during your stay on the planet. The rapport you developed was very strong. Even stronger than the natural relationship between a captain and a first officer."

Kes hesitated, and Janeway felt as if her eyes were looking through her.

"He needs someone he can trust completely." Kes smiled and reached over and touched the captain's arm. "He needs you."

Janeway was silent for long moments, and then she nodded and cleared her throat. "I...understand. And...I'll have to speak with the Doctor in further detail. I appreciate the fact that you both think that I'm the...best choice for this...position, but..." She smiled weakly. "I'm not sure. I'll... I'll speak with the Doctor."

~vVv~

"Kes is correct, Captain. I have done everything medically possible for the commander. What he needs now is therapy."

"But I'm not a therapist," Janeway replied taking a step closer to the Doctor.

"I am aware of that. I am also aware of the fact that we have no recognized therapists on board. If we did, they would have been appropriated for medical duty." He hesitated for a moment, fixing Janeway with a steady gaze. "Captain, I am simply delineating the best possible treatment for Commander Chakotay. I cannot guarantee that any intervention will be effective, however, I do believe that with your assistance the odds of success will be greater."

Janeway sighed and shook her head slightly, pushing a strand of loose hair away from her face. She moved away from the Doctor and stopped next to the windowed wall of his office. Through the glass, she could see Chakotay lying on a biobed. Kes and Torres were with him.

"Perhaps B'Elanna would be a better choice. After all, she's known him much longer than I have."

"True. Lieutenant Torres and the commander are good friends. But, they did not spend over two months alone together on an alien planet." Janeway felt the Doctor move up behind her. "The bond that the two of you forged during that time could be very crucial to his recovery."

She turned and stared at him. She had asked him for his recommendation and he had given it. Now it was up to her to accept or reject it.

"I'm the captain of this ship, Doctor. As much as I want to help Commander Chakotay, I can't simply forego my responsibilities."

"No, of course not. But Lieutenant Tuvok is a more than capable officer. And you wouldn't be giving up your command totally. I'm not suggesting that you spend every hour with the commander. Kes and Lieutenant Torres are more than willing to assist in his rehabilitation. And I will be available for consultation at all times."

Janeway raised her eyebrows. "Consultation?" she questioned. "Then I assume you're suggesting that he be taken back to his quarters."

The Doctor nodded and returned to his desk. "Familiar surroundings would be beneficial," he explained as he settled into his chair. "I find many of my patients are uncomfortable in Sickbay." His eyes squinted slightly as if in thought. "Although I am not sure why."

Janeway moved to the desk and leaned against the edge of it. Her eyes were still focused over her shoulder and through the window. "And you think that Chakotay is uncomfortable?"

"I don't know if he is uncomfortable. But he is frightened."

She quickly turned her gaze back to the Doctor. "Frightened? How do you know? He hasn't spoken..."

"No, he hasn't said anything, but many of his vital signs are increased: heart rate, respiration, blood pressure. Autonomic responses that are indicative of a fearful state. And," he concluded thoughtfully, "Kes has informed me that... she feels his fear. I have come to trust her instincts."

Janeway nodded. "So have I."

"Then it should be settled," he stated.

"What?"

"It was Kes' suggestion that you be the one to work with Commander Chakotay. If we both agree that her instincts are to be trusted, then our treatment can proceed."

It was not a question, but Janeway detected the interrogative tone of his voice. And she nodded again. This time in agreement.

"We can proceed, Doctor. But I'll need some time to brief Lieutenant Tuvok."

"Understood. I will need time as well. I must generate guidelines and treatment suggestions for you to follow. To begin with, you will need to address some very basic skills."

Janeway's expression creased with concern.

"Do not worry, Captain. I will supply you with very detailed instructions."

"Thank you." She stepped away from his desk and turned toward the door.

"Don't forget to bring clothing."

She stopped and looked back at the Doctor. "Clothing?"

'Yes. Commander Chakotay will need clothing. That is unless you want him to return to his quarters wearing a pair of Sickbay pajamas. Of course, I could replicate him something to wear, but I think familiar clothing would be an appropriate first step in his recovery."

Janeway shrugged slightly and gripped her hands together in front of her chin. "I hadn't thought of that. In fact, I assumed that we would transport back to his quarters. It would be quicker."

"And possibly traumatic. The commander was unconscious when he and Lieutenant Paris were transported back from Delsor. I believe that in Commander Chakotay's present state of mind, molecular transfer would not be advisable."

Janeway sighed. "You're probably right." She noted the Doctor's raised eyebrows. "No. I'm sure you're right. And I will...bring some clothes when I return."

~vVv~

She stood in the middle of Chakotay's quarters and realized that she would be spending a lot of time here in the next few weeks. She'd discussed the situation with Tuvok. And he had been in agreement with the Doctor and Kes. Janeway smiled slightly at the memory of the Vulcan's exact words. You are the logical choice. Well, she would have to have been for Tuvok to agree in the first place. But at the moment, she didn't feel like the logical choice. She felt a little too emotionally involved to be logical about her newly acquired status.

She and Chakotay had come to an understanding in regard to their alliance as captain and first officer. And after their months together on New Earth, they were finally beginning to define some parameters concerning their relationship as friends. They were parameters they'd chosen not to talk about too often, now that they were back on Voyager, but they were parameters none the less.

On the planet, it was understood that they would take care of each other, and she smiled again remembering Chakotay's story, his promise that her needs would come first. And she knew that she would have done anything for him. But she'd never imagined being his or anyone's therapist.

She shook her head and sighed wearily. Out here in the Delta Quadrant they were everything to each other. She had a responsibility to fulfill, a responsibility to this crew and to each individual crew member. And if that meant helping Chakotay find his way back to the strong, competent first officer that he'd been, then that's what she had to do.

She blinked and looked around the room, reminding herself why she was there. Clothes. Familiar clothes. She headed into his bedroom and started opening drawers. Despite her initial surprise in the Doctor's office, the moment he'd mentioned familiar clothing for the first officer, her mind had remembered him on New Earth, dressed in clothes that she was sure were reminiscent of his Maquis days. It had taken her some time to get used to seeing him in his Starfleet uniform again. He had seemed so much more comfortable in his civilian clothes.

And she knew what she was looking for. And she found it. His faded, orange shirt was folded in the top drawer, and his dark brown trousers in the drawer below it. She gathered them in her arms and turned to leave his quarters. The sleeve of the shirt brushed against her chin, and she remembered how soft the material was. She wondered if the shirt were really a favorite of Chakotay's or just a favorite of hers. It doesn't matter, she reminded herself, just as long as it's familiar.

~vVv~