Path: newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net!stamper.news.atl.earthlink.net!elnk-atl-nf1!newsfeed.earthlink.net!newsswing.news.prodigy.com!prodigy.net!newsfeed.cwix.com!border1.nntp.dca.giganews.com!nntp.giganews.com!newsread.com!newsstand.newsread.com!POSTED.newshog.newsread.com!not-for-mail
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated
Approved: ascem@earthlink.net
Organization: Better Living Thru TrekSmut 
Sender: ascem@earthlink.net
Message-ID: <cq7sst+kmr1@eGroups.com>
From: "temara.rm" <temara@rocketmail.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Mailing-List: list ASCEML@yahoogroups.com; contact ASCEML-owner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: NEW: The Healer Triad VOY C/f, C/P/f NC-17 9/14
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Lines: 780
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 05:55:07 GMT
NNTP-Posting-Host: 209.198.142.218
X-Complaints-To: Abuse Role <abuse@prismnet.com>, We Care <abuse@newsread.com>
X-Trace: newshog.newsread.com 1103608507 209.198.142.218 (Tue, 21 Dec 2004 00:55:07 EST)
NNTP-Posting-Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 00:55:07 EST
Xref: news.earthlink.net alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated:86100
X-Received-Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 21:56:11 PST (newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net)



************
Part Nine
************
See Part One for disclaimer

Tamara leaned on Chakotay as they walked slowly to their quarters.=20
They could have done a site to site transport, but Tamara was still=20
leery of transporters even after all this time on board Voyager,=20
besides she really wanted to stretch her legs. Chakotay had wanted to=20
carry her, but she wouldn't let him, insisting that she'd only lean=20
on him; she knew that if she gave in the big guy would never give her=20
an inch of breathing room.=20

People greeted her warmly as she made her way home. Tamara smiled at=20
the warmth she felt and the acceptance as she entered their quarters=20
using more of Chakotay's power than she would have been willing to=20
admit. She collapsed on the couch, her breath raspy and her face=20
flushed.
=20
"You still need a Doctor, Tam." Exclaimed Chakotay taking a good look=20
at her, as his concern turned to anger at how the doctor could be so=20
incompetent to let her leave sickbay so soon. "I'll get him to come=20
here!"

"Don't you dare, Chakotay." snapped Tamara. "I don't need the damn=20
Doctor to make me feel better, I need my babies."

"Quiet, both of you." B'Elanna Torres said gently as she came out of=20
the nursery. "I just got them to sleep."

Tamara made to get up from the couch but her strength was gone and=20
Chakotay was able to get her back down with one hand. "Stay put, and=20
take a nap," he ordered.

"All right," Tamara yawned and gave in without a fight. Yawning=20
again, she curled up on the couch and fell right to sleep. Chakotay=20
pulled a light afghan over her then turned and gave a tired smile at=20
B'Elanna.=20

B'Elanna looked at him curiously, "What was that all about?"

"She gets irritable and upset when she's feeling weak or ill. I think=20
it's a defensive reflex," he explained. "People on Rashela are=20
scorned for showing weakness."

"Tamara reminds me of Tom when she gets so defensive like that."=20
B'Elanna remarked, and then gave her dearest friend a supportive hug=20
just before she left the First Officer's quarters.

************
Charlin and Kolotay Chakotay became the center of attention on=20
Voyager. Chakotay and Tamara spent the first week alone with the=20
children bonding, resting and getting used to being a family. They=20
made sure to include Cat in just about all the activities except the=20
breast-feeding and diaper changing.=20

After the first week a very reluctant Chakotay went back to work for=20
the ship needed her First Officer and so he went, but he made sure to=20
adapt his schedule to include his new family. This left Mom at home,=20
so Tamara made sure that word got out that anyone who wanted too have=20
a chance to fuss over the twins by taking them either to the=20
Observation Lounge next to the mess hall for an hour after lunch and=20
dinner should let her know. Captain Janeway was first in line to take=20
the twins and give mom a well deserved break.

But once the family was all together again at home, especially when=20
it came to the babies, the big strong Commander was reduced to a pile=20
of mush, oohing, kooing, and simply smothering his children with=20
affection, including Cat; who was his eldest as far as he was now=20
concerned. Charlin and Ko had the foreboding First Officer wrapped=20
around their little fingers very tightly and Cat was not far behind=20
getting either.=20

When he was home, they became the center of his existence from=20
feeding, bathing, dressing or changing diapers, he was right in the=20
middle of it, with Cat as his number one helper.  This left Tamara=20
free to take naps so she could catch up on her sleep and not feel the=20
slightest bit guilty of leaving the children with their father; glad=20
to see that Cat was fitting into that category as well.=20

Things were starting to settle, but there was definitely a change in=20
the formally stoic First Officer, even Tuvok had noticed how much=20
more relaxed and easy going the Commander was since his return and=20
the birth of his children. Chakotay even started joking and bantering=20
with Tom Paris as if the past never occurred and the two started on a=20
fast track to being friends. The result was that Chakotay started to=20
join Tom, Harry and B'Elanna for lunch a few times a week. Then it=20
developed into a night out with the boys at Sardines, where in a huge=20
surprise Chakotay showed Tom that competition was alive and well on=20
board Voyager when it came to pool.=20

Indeed, life was settling down into a good rhythm for everyone as the=20
tiny starship continued its journey home.=20

***********
When the twins were six weeks old, Tamara went back to work in=20
Sickbay doing half-shifts in the morning. A corner of Sickbay was=20
turned into a nursery for the babies since they were being breast-fed=20
and still required to be near by mommy. Andy, Voyagers new mascot,=20
would come along to keep an eye on the babies when Mama was busy with=20
her duties, not that it was needed, but it made Tamara feel better=20
knowing he was there.=20

It was not hard to find sitters in the afternoon so Tamara could get=20
a break to spend time on the holodeck or continue her medical=20
studies; in fact the real challenge was developing a rotating=20
schedule so everyone that wanted a chance got a turn in order to=20
avoid hurt feeling. It never occurred to her till she saw it first=20
hand at just how much the crew could be worse than babies if they got=20
skipped or someone got more time than someone else. But between=20
Chakotay and her, a fair and rotating schedule was made, along with a=20
bi t of a reminder that they were Starfleet officers.=20

Tom had even suggested that  Tamara charge the crew for the privilege=20
of watching the little tykes, and was seriously considering it; till=20
she made the mistake of telling her upstanding and forthwith mate,=20
who squashed the idea all together.=20

Voyager then entered a quiet part of the Delta Quadrant and the twins=20
provided the best amusement for the crew at the resort. The list for=20
baby-sitters grew to include almost the entire ship. The top three=20
favorites were Tuvok, Tom and B'Elanna and Miguel Ayala from=20
Security. Even Seven took a turn with Harry Kim helping her baby-sit=20
for an evening and get a up-close perspective of parenthood.

//Pity,// Tamara had thought, when she looked at the huge list of=20
offers and recalled how they could have made a killing if they had=20
charged the crew; it would have more than covered the cost that she=20
and Chakotay had put aside for the wedding. She still recalled how=20
out of nowhere Chakotay walked into the living room, where she sat=20
resting, staring at the stars, and simply knelt before her as he took=20
her hand. He gave it a simple but loving kiss, and told her that he=20
would always care for Kathryn, but he loved her, and wanted her to be=20
his wife; if she would have him after waiting so long to ask her.=20

Tamara was a good person, but she made Chakotay sweat=85for about ten=20
minutes, for she couldn't stand it anymore and said yes. A week later=20
the two were married after a very simple ceremony, and Cat had a=20
Father who she adored and adored her, and she had a husband=85they=20
really were a family now.=20

***********
When the twins were four months old, Tamara and Miguel Ayala went on=20
a trading run to a nearby system while the ship stopped to=20
investigate an intriguing anomaly. Chakotay was far from happy about=20
Tamara going on this mission much less taking the twins, but she was=20
still breast-feeding them and Voyager needed the supplies and it was=20
a fact, she was the best `horse trader' on board; and from what=20
Neelix had informed everyone before Seven and Ensign Culhaine and=20
himself were sent out in the Delta Flyer for a food-gathering mission=20
to a nearby Class-M planet, that the Frellions respected a good=20
haggler. It became a matter of need verses personal desire, and even=20
the Commander knew what was best and quietly gave his wife his=20
blessings.=20

Noting the scowl on the Commander's face the next morning, Tom spent=20
the day teasing his favorite First Officer trying to keep things=20
light, but to the dismay of the pilot, Chakotay did not rise to the=20
bait no matter how far Tom sank in his attempts to raise the=20
Commander's spirits. The Commander only blushed at the raunchy jokes=20
and kept his silence as it was clear the he keenly felt the absence=20
of his family to the point where he decided to work late in his=20
office after his shift in order to keep busy or he'd worry himself=20
into an early grave. He made arrangements for Cat to stay with Naomi=20
while Mom was gone for he knew he would be no good to his oldest=20
girl, since he was barely holding together as it was.

When Tom got off shift that evening, he noted that Chakotay was still=20
in his office buried in his work. Since B'Elanna was working late in=20
engineering, Tom decided to bring the First Officer some dinner and=20
perhaps a second chance at easing the stress he knew the older man=20
was feeling with his wife and two youngest children gone from the=20
ship.  Knowing that Chakotay was a vegetarian; he got some soup,=20
fruit and rolls from the mess hall on a covered tray and brought it=20
to the office.  Feeling a bit shy all of a sudden, his hand shook as=20
he touched the door pad to announce his presence. //Geesh,// he=20
scolded himself wondering what that was all about, but before any=20
thoughts would develop in his head he heard the Commander's voice.=20

"Enter." Chakotay's voice sounded neutral.

"Hi, Commander. I thought you might be hungry so I brought you a tray=20
from the mess hall." Tom said cheerfully as he entered the office and=20
set the tray down on the desk in front of the Commander.

"Thank you, Tom. I appreciate it." Chakotay grinned at him for a=20
quick moment. Pushing the PADD's off to one side; he picked at the=20
food but didn't have much of an appetite.=20
"Miss the family?" Tom asked as he sat on the chair in front of the=20
desk and crossing his arms to hide his sudden nervousness.

"Yes, I do. I never fully appreciated my family until last night.=20
Even as I cuddled Cat in my arms the place still felt=85empty,"=20
Chakotay said, as he still felt the emptiness that he knew only his=20
wife could fill.=20

"Would you care for a game of pool at Sandrine's later this evening?=20
I promise not to take too many of your rations from you. And it'll=20
help keep your mind off of unnecessary worrying." Tom smiled warmly,=20
his blue eyes sparkling.=20

 Chakotay suddenly found himself wondering what it would be like to=20
kiss those perfect firm lips. "What time?" He mentally shook himself=20
free of the notion, but still wanting some kind of company so he=20
wouldn't brood in his quarters all night he would go with Tom and=20
play a nice=85safe=85game of pool.

"Say 2000 hours, Chakotay." Tom saw the flash of lust in those warm=20
brown eyes for just a split second and blushed. He thought of=20
B'Elanna and felt ashamed for at the same split second he had felt=20
the heat of lust in his own body for the older man. He shook off the=20
notion, for tonight was for his `friend' who was in need of=20
a `friend' nothing else.

"All right, I'll see you than." Chakotay suddenly found himself with=20
an appetite after all and started to eat his dinner as Tom left the=20
office.

**********
At 2000 hours Chakotay entered Sandrine's on Holodeck 2 wearing black=20
pants and a tan sweater. Tom was already there beating the pants off=20
of Harry at the pool table. Chakotay got a beer from the bar and sat=20
down at a table near the two pool players to watch and wait his turn.=20
He found himself admiring the perfect ass of Tom Paris as he bent=20
over the pool table to take a shot. Taking a big gulp of his drink,=20
he felt a stirring in his loins and managed to spill his drink down=20
into his lap in his surprise at the rush of lust he was feeling for=20
the young blond.=20

Sandrine came over with a bar towel and helped him wipe up the mess=20
while Tom and Harry looked on in amusement, to Chakotay's=20
embarrassment. Handing the towel back to Sandrine and thanking her,=20
he headed for the exit his intent on just going home and forgetting=20
about the pool game and Tom Paris.

"Leaving so soon, Chakotay?" Tom said in a teasing tone coming up=20
behind the Commander's right shoulder, not seeing how upset the=20
Commander really was about the situation that just occurred.=20

"Yes. Is that a problem for you?" He was starting to get annoyed and=20
his wet pants were cold against his thighs and groin and having Tom=20
so close to him was not helping his cause any.

"Are you coming back to play?" Tom pouted as a joke until he saw the=20
look in Chakotay's dark eyes as the older man turned to look at him.

"What I would like to play, I can't, so drop it, Paris," Chakotay=20
warned in a hushed whisper, his face dark with anger and guilt. The=20
thought of that long lean body wiggling in passion beneath him=20
flashed through his mind once more and his groin was no longer=20
feeling the cold, just the heat building from his desire of the young=20
man before him.

"What would you like to play, Commander?" Tom snapped back in an=20
equally hushed voice, though it suddenly took on a sultry tone.=20
Thoughts of exploring the First Officer's body with his hands and=20
mouth made him aware of the tension filling the room between them,=20
while any thoughts of his B'Elanna were completely gone.

Fortunately, Chakotay's com badge chirped for his attention and he=20
slapped it in irritation. "Chakotay here."

"Commander, you have an incoming communiqu=E9 from the Seymour. Shall I=20
route it to your location?" a voice from the bridge asked.

"Route it to my quarters, please. I'll be there in a few moments.=20
Chakotay out." Without another word, he turned briskly and left the=20
holodeck.

Taking a deep breath, Tom slowly turned and went back to the pool=20
table trying to force his mind back on B'Elanna where it belonged.=20
Harry Kim simply picked up his pool cue and joined Tom in another=20
game and wondered what was going on between the Tom and the=20
Commander, but could see he wasn't going to get any answers tonight,=20
if ever.

**************
Morale rose when Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres suddenly announced=20
their wedding plans with the permission of the Captain and it was=20
even higher on the actual wedding day.

Chakotay was proud to be giving B'Elanna away at the wedding. She had=20
been the closet thing to a sister for a long time. Plus, Tamara was=20
drooling over him in his dress uniform, giving him something to look=20
forward too after the reception.=20

Tamara caught a mental flash of regret and lost chances between Tom=20
and Chakotay and wondered about it, but love of B'Elanna overrode=20
their thoughts and hearts and so she put it to the back of her mind,=20
not feeling any concern over the sudden realization that something=20
existed between her husband and the soon to be groom. The small=20
wedding was preceded by a huge reception in the mess hall compliments=20
of Neelix and Seven.
She was having too many erotica thoughts to pay too much attention to=20
the ceremony for she was loving the way the black pants outlined that=20
firm round ass of her lover. Arrangements had been made ahead of time=20
for care of the kids for the night and they had the quarters to=20
themselves for the whole night pending a red alert.

The wedding reception was magnificent with the majority of the crew=20
attending. After some great food (not a trace of leola root anywhere)=20
the dancing commenced with Tom and B'Elanna leading off followed by=20
the Captain and Tuvok and Chakotay and Tamara. Soon the dance floor=20
was full while the music played. Seven even got Harry out on the=20
floor, for Harry and Seven had been seen a lot together recently it=20
didn't' surprise anyone.

Chakotay had a dance with B'Elanna, Kathryn and Seven while Tamara=20
had a dance with Tom, Neelix and Harry. The rest of the dancing found=20
Chakotay and Tamara intent on each other with their sensual movements=20
and oblivious to the rest of the ship. People were too caught up in=20
the reception to the raising sexual tension between their First=20
Officer and the Healer, but its passion only added to the=20
undercurrent that was already flowing between several of the couples=20
there that night.

About an hour later, Tamara asked Chakotay to give her ten minutes=20
before meeting her back at home. Reluctantly, he agreed, then joining=20
the Captain to give the newly married couple in a farewell toast as=20
they left in the Delta Flyer for a four-day honeymoon.

When he arrived he found that candles were lighted and place=20
strategically throughout the living room and bedroom giving off a=20
soft glow and ambiance greeting. Tamara was waiting wearing a green=20
silk teddy that matched the green in her eyes and accented the copper=20
red hair. His black pants were suddenly too tight as his cock rose in=20
response to the sensuous woman in front of him.

"Chakotay," she breathed softly. It sent a chill down his spine as=20
her eyes darkened with passion.

Chakotay held still his lust for this woman. She had planned this=20
night and he would let her lead for she rarely took the initiative=20
lately. Her hips swayed seductively as she approached him while her=20
hands slowly caressed her upper body through the silk. A deep growl=20
rumbled in his chest as he saw her nipples got hard and poking the=20
silk in invitation.

`This uniform is defiantly too hot,' he mused as Tamara started to=20
undress him. A wave of pleasure washed over him as she opened up a=20
mind link with him. It had been quite awhile since they had shared=20
love on both physical and mental levels.

He could barely think or breathe by the time she finished undressing=20
him. Standing naked in all his bronze glory before her, he could=20
hardly stay still as her heated gaze traveled from his hair down his=20
body to his toes and back to his face. Her eyes were so dilated they=20
were almost black with just a trace of green when they came to rest=20
on his cock standing at attention.

"Would you like some help with that?" she asked licking her lips.

"What can you do to help it?" he teased her by stroking his cock.

"Treat it like an all day sucker," she took his other hand and led=20
him into the bedroom. Having him lay down Tamara knelt between his=20
legs and sucked on his cock until he came with a roar. She swallowed=20
most of it and wiped him clean with a soft towel she had placed by=20
the bed earlier, while her love laid there trying to regain his=20
composure.=20

"Come up here, baby," he pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her=20
deeply tasting his fluids mixed with hers making for a delicious=20
taste.

Resting for a few minutes, she made no protest when she ended up on=20
her back with Chakotay kissing her hard and his hands kneading her=20
breasts. He left a trail of hot wet kisses down her neck while=20
rubbing his newly erected cock against her public mound. She lifted=20
her legs and wrapped them around his waist while rubbing herself=20
shamelessly against his hard body enjoying the growling rumbling in=20
his chest.

A com badge chirped and they both groaned.

It was Tamara's and she smacked it in annoyance. "What!" she=20
exclaimed rudely and making her annoyance known. For at that moment,=20
she didn't care if it Captain Janeway.

"This is the Doctor. I urgently need your assistance in Sickbay,=20
Healer."

"Whatever. I'll be there. Tamara out." Her annoyance was very evident=20
as she got up from the bed and a dark look of trouble crossed her=20
face, for she suddenly had a foreboding feeling about things, but it=20
wasn't clear as to what the actual problem was.

Chakotay lay there and grinned at her while she yanked a tunic over=20
her head grumbling to herself. But he suddenly could tell it was more=20
than the fact that sex had been postponed. "What's the matter, Tam?"=20
He propped himself up on one elbow resting his hand against his head,=20
starting to worry.

"Nothing." Her tone was bitter and very cold as she left without=20
looking back leaving a stunned lover behind her, not realizing she=20
should have spoken up when she had the chance.

**********
The heavy metal door clanged as the guard opened it and light entered=20
the stone brick cell illuminating the prisoner within. He was=20
kneeling on a moldy mass of dried grass with his hands chained behind=20
him. Blinking against the light, he tried to make out who was at the=20
door of his cell. A rush of cool air made his sturdy frame shiver=20
with a sudden chill. The command uniform had been reduced to a few=20
rags from the punishment he had suffered at the hands of his captors.

A figure in a dark cloak descended on him and he flinched in sudden=20
concern of the unknown.  Then creamy colored arms encircled his neck=20
pulling his face close to a familiar sight, sound and smell.

"Chakotay," his wife whispered in relief next to his ear.

"Tam," he whispered hoarsely in delight and in sudden fear for her=20
safety. "What are you doing here?"

"Verifying you're alive and safe as part of the bargain before any=20
negotiations for your release begin," Tamara answered as she pulled=20
out a medical tricorder and started to run a scan over him.  She=20
kissed him full on the mouth to keep him from asking anything else.

It didn't work for he was a stubborn man, but she loved him anyway=20
and she was determined to get him out of this place, for she had come=20
to realize he was just as much a part of her as was the children she=20
gave birth too.=20

"How did you talk the Captain into letting you come?" Chakotay asked=20
curious, for knowing Janeway, she would've been here herself, not his=20
wife.

"I made her see reason=85my way." Tamara grinned wickedly pulling a=20
hypo spray out giving him an injection that would assure he would be=20
all right.

"How Tam?" he demanded knowing from the look on her face that she had=20
done something very wrong.

"I knocked her out with a hypo and than used the Seymour to come here=20
and make a deal to get you out," Tamara confessed as she put the=20
equipment away in one of her cloak pockets.

"You didn't?" his look was incredulous.

"I most certainly did! Captain Janeway is not expendable and I am."=20
Tamara kissed him long and hard. "I'll be back for you shortly."

"Tam, get out of here! You are not expendable! You need to think=20
about the children!" Chakotay whispered fiercely behind her. His=20
chains rattled as his rage and fear grew for her safety.

The leader came into the cell and towered over the healer with his=20
dark eyes calm and foreboding. His gray skin mottled seem to blend in=20
with the gray walls like a chameleon. Long black hair was groomed=20
impeccable and flowed down over his jumpsuit. He lowered his rifle=20
and ran a finger through her red hair.

Tamara did not flinch, but locked eyes with the leader and refused to=20
back down. She could feel his interest in her and Chakotay's growing=20
rage.

"Is this a normal color for hair among your species?" The leader=20
asked feeling the silken strands.

"Red is, though not this extreme shade. Would you care for a lock as=20
a keepsake?" Tamara asked casually as she slipped a knife into her=20
hand. Reaching up real quick with both hands, she loped off a thick=20
handful of red hair and offered it to the leader. "I am Healer=20
Tamara. Do you have a name I can use for our dealings for this one's=20
release?"

"Omal of Clan Zier," Omal said taking the red hair and studying it=20
appreciatively. "How important is this male to you?"

"That depends on what you're trying to get from us?" Tamara=20
countered, for she knew she had to keep Chakotay's true value to her=20
and Voyager from her opponent or she would never be able to meet=20
their demands. "Do you mind if I speak to him in `private' for a=20
moment?"

"Be my guest. I will arrange for a meal for us and some=20
entertainment." Omal was gracious. "I thought Captain Janeway was=20
coming."

"This is my male, not hers. I used my persuasion to convince her to=20
let me come, since it will be me that will be put out if he is lost=20
to us, not her," Tamara smirked turning her attention to Chakotay.

Tamara directed her thoughts to the chained man fighting a deep rage.=20
[Will you calm down before you stroke out on me? I could always put=20
you to sleep.]

[Don't you dare!] His mind growled.  It was bad enough him being=20
helpless as it was.

[Now listen,] she did mind to mind once she was sure of the link.=20
[Follow my lead in whatever I throw at you. I will get you out one=20
way or another, Love,]

[Get out. Leave me. The children,] his mind was dwelling on them, for=20
that was where his heart was, there for ignoring her efforts and=20
thoughts.

Anger suddenly welded up in her and she did what she had never done=20
before, she slapped him; hard enough to leave a hand print plus she=20
felt a couple of bones snap in her wrist. "Will you ever have any=20
confidence in my abilities and me? Or yet simple trust?" she shouted.=20
Turning from him in disgust, she held her wrist while healing it as=20
she approached the cell door and left him without looking back.

Chakotay crumpled to the mattress in shame and frustration. To a=20
degree Tamara was right. Ever since she had come with him to Voyager,=20
he had been over protective of her and the children. But didn't she=20
see it wasn't because He had failed to see how she had blossom into=20
the headstrong independent woman; she was like that from the first=20
day they met. Yes, he had kept trying to protect and shelter her from=20
the harsh realities of the known universe, but didn't she understand=20
by now that this was his nature? To protect what he loved with=20
everything he had? It was never a matter of trust on his part, for he=20
trusted her with his heart and soul and had full confidence in her=20
abilities! No wonder, they've had their share of fights. She wanted a=20
partnership with him not a controlling mate as she obviously saw him=20
and he just wanted to make sure she and their children were safe at=20
all cost. With tears running down his face, he steeled himself to=20
accept that it would be her who would be doing the protecting and him=20
the one protected.

****************
Omal and Tamara enjoyed a pleasant meal together after which they=20
retired to the conference room to begin talking. Omal had recognized=20
the famed healer as soon as she had opened the door to her ship and=20
stepped out. Twenty minutes later, they emerged and a guard was=20
waiting for them with Chakotay beside him. A large bruise was forming=20
on his left cheek and eye. He winced as he smiled when she came over=20
to check on him.

"I'm fine," he said leaning into her hand as she caressed his face.

"Let's go home, handsome." Tamara said as the guard removed his=20
chains. "I am so sorry, that I hit you. I don't know what came over=20
me."

"We'll talk about it later. Let's get out of here," he said calmly,=20
trying to show `her' that he really did trust her in this matter.

As the Seymour left the planet, Tamara set course for Voyager and put=20
the ship on autopilot so she could tend to Chakotay. After healing=20
his face and wrists, he pulled her into his arms and went exploring=20
with his lips and tongue. She responded to his advances sensing his=20
love for her.

"Voyager to Seymour." Janeway's voice cut through their arousal.

"Uh oh! I'm in for it now." Tamara said as she detached herself from=20
her lover. She hit the communication console. "Seymour here."

"Did you retrieve him?" Janeway's voice was icy.

"Yes, Captain. The Commander is here with me. The trade was=20
successful. It turned out that they recognized me and so all I had to=20
do was some `doctorin' in exchange for my Husband. We should meet up=20
with Voyager in about an hour. Seymour out." She cut the link.

"Why did you cut her off like that?" Chakotay asked as he pulled off=20
the rags he had been wearing and took her in his arms.

"Because when we get back, I'll be in the brig for who knows how long=20
and I want to take some of your loving with me, baby. Now shut up and=20
put those lips to work." Tamara said as her tunic hit the floor and=20
they tumbled onto the bunk at the back of the ship.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied to her order, for he knew if she did go to=20
the brig, they would have plenty of time to talk about everything=20
that happened. They would find out one way or another soon enough.=20

********
 "I hereby sentence you to ninety days in the brig for assault on my=20
person. Do you have anything to say in your defense, Healer Tamara?"=20
Janeway announced in her ready room where Tamara stood flanked by=20
Chakotay, Tuvok and Ayala.

"No, Captain. I fully accept the responsibilities of my actions and=20
the punishments therein as the result of them." Tamara said firmly=20
and quietly.

"Commander Tuvok, please escort the Healer to the brig," Kathryn=20
asked her Security Chief.

"Yes, Captain," Tuvok gently laid a hand on Tamara's arm. "Healer, if=20
you please."

"Yes, Commander," Tamara said as she let Tuvok and Ayala escort her=20
away and she did not even try to look at Chakotay as she left.

"Captain, I wish to protest this," Chakotay advanced towards her desk.

"Protest noted and logged, Commander. I'm relieving you of duty for=20
the next three days so you can make arrangements for the care of your=20
children," Janeway stated.

"Is Tamara allowed to have visitors, Captain?" His tone was curt with=20
anger.

"Of course, Chakotay. I was not trying to deprive her of her family.=20
But what she did was a serious offense; even you have to admit that.=20
If we were back in the Alpha Quadrant, she would be put in prison for=20
a year, and you know they don't allow minors to visit for the first=20
three months. I had to set an example, and I'd like to think you=20
would do the same if you were in my place. Perhaps after some time,=20
I'll find a way to let her off for good behavior, so put me at the=20
top of the list for babysitting." Her face softened. "Now go take=20
care of my god-children."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Janeway sighed and stared out the view port knowing that had she been=20
in Tamara's shoes, she would've done the same thing, but that still=20
didn't make it right and she meant what she said, she had to set an=20
example; she was only sorry that the situation occurred in the first=20
place to force all this to occur in the first place. //What is done,=20
is done,// she thought to herself, and sat back and got back to work=85
finding a reasonable amount of time before she could release her best=20
friend's wife.=20

**********
Tuvok noticed that Tamara flinched slightly when the containment=20
field snapped into place behind her entering the cell that was to be=20
her home for the next three months. She turned and faced him still in=20
her professional mood of non-emotion.

"Ensign Sanders will be your guard for day shift, Healer. I shall=20
check on you from time to time. Do you have any questions?" Tuvok=20
asked and saw her relax a little.

"Am I allowed to listen to music or have some reading material or=20
should I plan on some serious meditation sessions?" Tamara asked=20
seriously. Now that she was here, she wanted to consider her options=20
on passing the time.

"Yes, you are allowed limited access to the computer. May I make a=20
suggestion?" the Vulcan offered.

"Certainly, Mr. Tuvok," green eyes regarded his dark eyes solemnly.

"I can make certain selections in the library on the Vulcan culture=20
that would help in our upcoming lessons. This seems like a good study=20
time for you." He answered not wanting to lose his student. He=20
enjoyed her different slant on life as she called it.
"Please do and thank you. Would you inform the Doctor I need to see=20
him for an exam. I did something on the planet and I need to know if=20
it was physical or mental reaction. Now, if you will excuse me I see=20
a bed with my name on it and I wish to take a nap." She nodded to=20
Tuvok in a gesture of respect to her teacher and flopped down on the=20
narrow bunk. She curled up facing the wall and fell asleep.

By request, the Doctor came into the brig to make a house call and=20
ran his scanner over Tamara finding nothing physically wrong with her.

"It must be post-traumatic stress, Doctor. I'm decompressing and the=20
rage is coming out at the wrong times," Tamara admitted her common=20
sense and intuition kicking in.

"Maybe you should be the Doctor if you are analyzing yourself and=20
I'll go play golf on the holodeck," the EMH sniffed. "You should have=20
gone to the counseling I suggested months ago. Between being forced=20
into the future, having a child, and other things on the planet your=20
found yourself on; you add to that two more children another culture=20
to adapt to, and last but not least, having your husband kidnapped=20
and held hostage for the last seven days. "

"Okay, who is qualified to be a counselor besides Chakotay, Doctor?"=20
Tamara asked. "I'm not talking to him about this. He's too close to=20
the situation, and besides, if I could talk to him, I wouldn't be in=20
this mess now would I?"

"That would leave Tuvok, the Captain or myself," he replied.

"In that case, I chose Tuvok if he'll accept. We are already working=20
together on a project and I trust his judgment." Tamara mused as she=20
sat down and tried to relax and think about what had set her off down=20
on the planet.=20

************
"Hey there. Are you all right?" the voice of Tom Paris broke through=20
her meditation as she sat with crossed legs on the floor of the cell=20
with her hands folded in her lap. Not even three days in and people=20
were sneaking in to visit her. Tom made the sixth while Tuvok turned=20
a blind eye. It never occurred to her that she had been allowed=20
visitors; she just assumed that since the Captain was so angry to=20
give her three months, she'd make her do hard time.=20

"Hello, Tom. I'm fine=85so far. What brings you here?" she opened her=20
eyes and watched the tall blond with interest.

"I was concerned about you as a friend, especially when I heard what=20
happened. You're lucky to be allowed visitors," his voice trailed off=20
and a red flush spread across his beautiful face in remembrance.=20

"I'm aware of your last visit here, Tom and I agree with the decision=20
you made," she smiled and stood up to stretch her tight leg=20
muscles. "It's not like I haven't been to prison before either."

"You have?" His blue eyes widened in astonishment.

"I spent a few months in prison back on Rashela when I broke=20
Deevick's nose and killed a couple of his guards, in self-defense,"=20
Tamara admitted. "This is heaven compared to that time." Her eyes=20
grew shadowed by a haunted look for a moment and passed.

"Was it bad?" His eyes mirrored her own, haunted by dark memories of=20
a bad time they couldn't forget.

"Yes and I don't want to talk about it." Her defenses snapped into=20
place and Tom recognized them as well. He took a step back and=20
regarded her with a thoughtful look.

"I see the convicts are getting to know each other," Dalby sneered as=20
he came into the brig to relieve the day shift security guard.

"Oh great, Crewman idiot is back. I am so lucky to be blessed with=20
your fucking presence once again," Tamara snarled and turned her back=20
on both of them. After sitting back on the floor, she crossed her=20
legs and attempted to meditate once again facing the wall.

"Shut your face, Dalby." Tom snapped at the former Maquis. There was=20
a history of bad blood between the two.

"Is there something going on I should know about, Tom?" Commander=20
Chakotay asked as he entered the brig and noticed the tension in the=20
air and feeling his protective nature kick in, not only for his wife,=20
but for Tom.

"Nothing, sir. I just stopped by to say hello to Tamara. I'll be=20
going," Tom choked back his anger.

"Thank you for coming, Tom." Tamara said softly from behind the=20
containment field.

"You're welcome, Tamara."  Tom left the brig area.

"Take a break, Dalby. Say about thirty minutes." Chakotay suggested=20
to the crewman.

"Yes, sir." Dalby quickly left the area.

Chakotay dropped the containment field and stepped into the cell as=20
she turned around to face the man in her life. Tears formed in her=20
eyes as she stood there.

"Hey, are you all right?" Now he was worried.

"I'm sorry I hit you down on the planet. I've talked to the Doctor=20
and he's arranging for me to talk to Tuvok as my counselor if he will=20
agree to it." Tamara slipped into his outstretched arms wanting to=20
feel loved and secure. "It's just=85I think its all just starting to=20
get to me=85you know?" she cried.=20

"It's all right, Tam. The Doctor came by my office and we had a talk.=20
I understand how much your going through and there's nothing to be=20
sorry for." He hugged her gently and sat down with her on the narrow=20
bunk and let her cry. "I love you, baby, which is the reason I'm such=20
a jerk when it comes to being over protective of you. I know how much=20
you've taken on=85I just don't want anymore to be added=85you know? But I=20
think with some time, and a bit more communication, I'll stop keeping=20
the world from your doorstep and you'll see I do trust you love and=20
your abilities; after all I trust you with my heart and soul don't I?"

"I love you so much, `Tay," she whispered feeling better than she had=20
in a long time and really felt that everything was going to work out,=20
regardless of the dark visions she was having of things to come.

************
End of Part Nine
************


 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 ASCEM messages are copied to a mailing list.  Most recent messages 
 can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCEML.



NewMessage: