We got bored...again...this masterpiece was written by Kathryn, Kadith and AJ.....

The story begins at Kath's house, where she, Kadith and AJ all sit down together to enjoy a night of watching a taped episode of Voyager, (taped because they were out partying...) Setting the tape in place, all three hum along with the theme music....

The opening title of tonight's episode...

"Lessons Learned"
by Panty man Braga..

*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*

Chakotay sat alone in his office, his head resting on his hands. Waiting. He stayed like that for the next hour, praying. Finally, the call came. "Tuvok to Commander Chakotay."

His entire body jerked slightly, "Chakotay here, go ahead."

He was mildly surprised at how calm his voice was, but then - part of him already knew the answer.

AJ mutters, "I'm gonna get myself a drink, diet Pepsi with vodka, grenadine, and cranberry liqueur all together. Anyone else want some?"

Kadith gags, "You're gross!!"

AJ just smirks, "But you love me!"

Kath keeps guard over her Rum and coke...

"We have reached the last known coordinates of Captain Janeway's shuttle. Sensors show debrie consistent with a type 2 shuttlecraft. There is residual evidence of weapons fire, both from the shuttle and from an unknown entity." Tuvok's voice paused, "Sensors have detected no life signs."

Chakotay's eyes closed, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. "I want a closer look. She had to have gotten out of there."

"But, Commander--"

"Just do it, Tuvok. Chakotay out," he spat. Deep down, he knew that she must be alive. He'd have felt it if she'd died....wouldn't he?"

"OH MY GOD....SHE'S DEAD?!?!?!?"
*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*

Kathryn cursed loudly as she was tossed around the shuttle, alert klaxons sounded, hurting her ears, alerting her of the danger she was in. She struggled against the gravity of the spiraling shuttle to reach the emergency eject control, but could not. The last klaxon went off, alerting that she was within a kilometer of the surface, it was now or never. One last time, she reached for the eject control again...

A blaze of white, burning light surrounded her, then nothing. She opened her eyes looking into Q's smiling face.

"Q! What is going on here?"

Q smiled, obviously feeling pleased with himself. "Why isn't it obvious mon Capitan? I'm here to teach *you* a lesson."

Her eyes narrowed, giving Q a look that would have sent Harry or Tom running for cover. "Return me to my shuttle, stay out of my life!"

Q smirked, totally unimpressed with her 'Death Glare'. "That isn't possible my dear, your shuttle has been blown to bits by the Octogonian frigate I sent your way. You need to learn a lesson about life, the best way to do that - is through death."

AJ breaks into a wide grin, "Oh kewl!" and a matching chorus of "SHHHH!! HUSH!! I can't hear..." is heard from Kathryn and Kadith. Kath grabs that remote control once more as Kadith urges her one..."Rewind it - oh oh...stop there...now hit play hit play!!!"

So saying, he snapped his fingers, and she found herself standing in Chakotay's office. Alone. "Q!!!" she raged, "Damn it this isn't happening!"

His laughing voice taunted her, "The rules are simple, learn the lesson- and you will be restored. For now, you exist as, a ghost if you will. Once my lesson has been learned, and you've passed the test, you will return to normal. Alive and healthy, ready to continue your long journey home."

No amount of cursing brought a further response from him.

She paced the office, then turned at the sound of the door opening. Chakotay walked in. "Chakotay!" she cried. "Look at me! Talk to me!"

But he simply walked right through her to sit at his desk. She watched him rifle through the drawers of his desk. Then he pulled out a small bundle. To Kathryn, it looked like a smaller version of his medicine bundle. She watched as he opened it, tenderly laying the items out on his desk. Stepping closer, she gasped, those were her things, little things. Her missing pip from a few months ago, a lock of hair, how he'd gotten that she had no clue. And, among other things, tears welled in her eyes, a stone she'd found and given him on New Earth. "Chakotay, please tell me what's going on," she asked desperately as she stepped forward.

Of course he didn't answer, instead he sat heavily behind his desk, gently fingering each and every item. She saw a tear slide down his cheek, it was followed by another, and then the door chimed. Chakotay quickly wiped away the tears, "Come in."

The doors swished open to reveal Lt. Paris. "Is everything ready?" he asked the younger man.

Tom nodded, "Everyone is there, and waiting for you. You going to be all right?"

Chakotay nodded as he placed the items back in the pouch, the placed it around his neck. Standing he said only, "Lets go. The sooner its over with the better."

"Chakotay," Paris began, "You know she wouldn't want you to be like this." He paused, "Captain Janeway would want you remember her joyfully, not like this."

"You're right Tom, she would, but I just can't. Maybe, someday - but not now...." Then he walked out of the office, Tom close behind.

Kathryn started to follow, stopping as the door closed behind Chakotay - cutting her off. She muttered, not certain what to do and lashed out to hit the door. A startled yelp escaped her as her hand went right through the door and she nearly fell into the passageway. She brushed herself off, then headed down the corridor following them.

Kadith suddenly makes an odd sound, causing Kath and AJ to both turn questioning looks in her direction. She's got this...odd look on her face...nostrils flared. Her eyes widen in disgust..."WHAT IS THAT SMELL?!?!"

Kath and AJ look at each other innocently, as one they shout "I DIDN"T DO IT!!!" Their faces soon follow Kadith's, all three pulling shirts up over noses in a desperate search for clean - unoffensive air to breath.

Suddenly, the dog is noticed, slowly trying to sneak away...a chorus of curses is followed by various objects being hurled at the miserable flatulent canine. Doors and windows are opened to let in fresh air...and once more, the rewind button is used on the VCR....

The crew was assembled together, all of them looking sad, troubled. She frowned, watching as Chakotay stood before them. "Today, we say goodbye to one of us. Captain Janeway was lost on an away mission trying to find fuel for us...." his voice broke and he stopped speaking. He shook his head, "The Captain left orders for us all, I've sent her message to all of you on a private comm channel. You can access it later. Basically, she wants us to go on, find a way home. Without her."

Tears flowed freely down his face, unnoticed. "We...." he stopped, sitting down overcome with emotion. One by one, the rest of the senior staff stood and spoke. All of them grieving. She stood there, frustrated and becoming angry at Q for putting her crew through this.

She couldn't take it, and left. Going to the bridge, where Tuvok and a skeleton crew manned the helm. Keeping watch. Tuvok was replaying a message, she leaned over to see what.

AJ grabs the remote, hitting the pause button..."Be right back". Kath and Kadith glare darkly, "WHAT??" AJ exclaims, "I GOTTA PEE!!!"

Finally returning, the tape continues.....

Her own face appeared, hair mussed and face dirty. There was smoke filling the air around her, her voice harsh with tension. "Voyager, Voyager...This is Captain Janeway - I'm under attack by an unknown vessel. They aren't responding to any hails..my shields are failing. I've lost power to the warp coil..." The message broke up.

A soft sound from Tuvok caught her attention, looking up she was stunned to see a single tear fall from the stoic Vulcan's eyes. She flinched, stunned to see the display of emotion. Turning, she left the bridge and returned to her quarters where she sat down on the couch. "What the hell am I supposed to do? What lesson does he want to teach me?"

The door opened, she looked up to see Chakotay slowly enter the darkened room. Chakotay moved within the darkened room carefully, reverently touching things. She watched as he moved toward her bedroom. Curious, she stood and followed him. Her eyes took in the sight of Chakotay gently sniffing her perfume bottle. He moved on to her brush, delicately running his fingers over the handle.

In this manner, he touched everything on her dressing table. Reverently, as if paying homage to the woman, not the Captain. She watched as he moved to her bed, reaching under her pillow to pull out the peach silk nightgown that was her favorite.

He sat on the bed, brought the gown to his face, inhaling the scent of her on it. Then he lay down on the bed, curled up in a ball, head on her pillow, gown clutched tightly to him. And he cried. At first, only silent tears slipped down his cheeks, but the longer he lay there, the louder the tears became, until great wracking sobs tortured him, her name a constant mantra on his lips.

Her heart broke then, just what the hell was she supposed to do? He couldn't hear her, couldn't see her. *Goddamn you Q! I don't care about me, Damn you for doing this to him.*

She couldn't watch him any longer, feeling helpless she walked back into the outer room, where she sat, and waited. The soft light filtering in from the stars passing by was the only light in the room. She sat still, listening to his grief peak and slowly taper off. A rustling sound alerted her as he walked slowly out of the bedroom. His handsome face was streaked with tears, he looked much older than he was. His eyes empty and hurt. "Oh Chakotay..." a soft whisper of sound.

Kadith looks at Kath, both of them with tears in their eyes - "OH CHAKOTAY!!!!!" They wail, falling over on each other in sympathy. AJ gives them both a look, and simply turns the volume up a bit...

To her surprise he froze, his back tensing. "Kathryn.." He turned to look at her, his eyes filled with some unnamed emotion. He blinked, shaking his head. She was there, sitting on the couch looking at him. The light filtering in from the stars outside shimmered through her. He shivered uncontrollably, "I'm going insane..."

He didn't trust his sight, she was there - yet not there. Her rich auburn hair shimmering in the light, giving off a light of its own. He could see right through her to the stars and the couch she sat upon. Kathryn blinked, stunned. She stood up slowly, reaching one hand towards him, "Chakotay..." a question in that simple word. She wanted -- NEEDED to touch him, to let him know she was truly there. A harsh sob escaped her lips as her hand went right through his chest, rather than resting against it.

"Chakotay, please hear me," she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't be going through this. I love you, and I could never tell you to your face. I had to wait until I died to admit and accept it, but now it's too late. I've been such a fool....."

He tried to touch her cheek, only to fall to his knees as his hand passed right through her. "Goddamn you Kathryn Janeway!" He looked up at her with as much anger as there was pain in his eyes. "How dare you do this to me now, I tried for five goddamn years to get you to say that, and you wouldn't. You wouldn't so much as let me hold your hand. And now, now that you are gone from me forever, you tell me that you love me?"

He stood up then, fueled by his anger, "What the hell am I supposed to do now? You should know after everything we've been through together that I can't live my life with out you. I'm nothing with out you Kathryn, and this damned ship of yours, that you love so much. I give it 3 weeks, maybe more before it falls apart completely. There's now way this crew can continue their journey without you here to lead them. Who do you think has gotten them this far, had it not been for you they would have given up a LONG time ago." He paused, running a hand raggedly through his hair, which seemed to have grayed in the last few days. “I don't know how you expect me to run this ship without you. We have never been able to run this ship when we were apart."

He stepped closer to her, "Kathryn, we are two halves of the same soul, it has to both of us or neither of us." He turned away from her then, he'd already made his decision on what he was going to do. He really could not go on without her, and he had no intention of doing so.

He left her quarters, with her following close behind. She followed him to his own quarters, next to hers. Tears ran down his cheeks, "I hope you're still here Kathryn, wait for me all right?"

He lifted a phaser, moving the power setting to full. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, his arm lifting the phaser towards his chest as she moved forward to try to stop him somehow.

She grabbed for his hand, grasping his arm at the wrist and pulling the weapon away from him as she did so. The weapon fired, his eyes widening in shock. Kathryn felt the bolt of energy strike her shoulder, white hot pain flared through her. The last image she saw was his face, staring at her in shock.

The phaser fell from numb fingers as Chakotay watched Kathryn's body solidify and fall to the floor. "KATHRYN!" he screamed, lunging for her. He held her close, trying to stop the rush of blood flowing from her open, raw shoulder. "Oh gods, Kathryn, hang on! Please hang on!"

All three turn to star at each other, and then, "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The combined screech is followed by a loud series of "SHH SHH!! HUSH UP!! I CAN"T HEAR THEM DAMN IT!!"

He held her tightly, then called out, "Computer, initiate a site to site emergency transport to Sickbay. The Captain's been injured."

Upon rematerializing Chakotay lifted her and placed her on a biobed, then quickly called for the Doctor. "We don't have time for questions now doctor, just help her!" Chakotay stepped back, grief and guilt washing over him, what had he done?

The Doctor gawked, his mouth hanging wide open. "But...she's dead...how..."

A low moan came from her, Chakotay grabbed the Doctor by the front of his uniform and pulled him towards her bed. "I don't understand it either, she just appeared out of nowhere! I don't know how she got here, only that she *is* here and she's hurt!"

Kath and Kadith hoot in unison, "KICK ASS!!!" Then both duck as AJ throws pillows at them..

The Doctor got himself going, moving to stop the bleeding. Chakotay stepped back, shaking violently as he watched. The Doctor questioned him over his shoulder as he worked, "This is a phaser wound, how did she get it? Do you know?"

Chakotay's voice was a harsh whisper, "Stopping me from shooting myself...I couldn't stand being without her..."

The EMH's jaw dropped once more, leaving another dent in Sickbay's floor for B'Ellana to fix, and he turned to stare at Chakotay. "Commander, are you saying that the up-to-now deceased Captain suddenly appeared in your quarters to quell a suicide attempt?"

Kath snickers, "Look at Doc's face!!!" Once more, the pause button must be used until all three are under control and able to continue watching...

"Yes!" Chakotay snapped. "That doesn't matter. Just save her. She can't die again. I can't go through that again....I won't." He moved to stand at Kathryn's other side, took the hand of her uninjured arm in his. "Kathryn, I swear to you. If you die now, I'll follow you very soon. I would follow you to hell and back. I think I already tried to prove that. Don't make me do it for real."

"Oh....that's so SWEEEEET!!!!"

"DAMN IT KADITH! SHUT UP!!"

She moaned softly, her head slumping toward him. "Chakotay," she barely whispered, "I'm so sorry..." A terrible rattling sound echoed up from her chest, her body shuddered and fell still. Chakotay froze, his heart nearly stopping. "KATHRYN!! KATHRYN!!!"

The EMH was quick to calm him, "It's all right Commander, she's merely asleep. I gave her a heavy sedative for the pain...She's all right. And she will be all right, fortunately you have me here to save the day. I have stopped the bleeding, and the damaged tissue is regenerating nicely. Captain Janeway is fine, I'm not certain just how that is...for a dead woman - she remarkably healthy."

Kathryn awoke to a blinding flash of light. She opened her eyes to find herself in her darkened quarters, sitting on the couch, staring at the stars. "Have you finally learned your lesson, Kathy?" came a soft voice to her left.

She looked at him. He wasn't his normal grandiosely posturing self. He was almost humbled. "What do you want from me, Q?" she asked wearily, thoroughly drained by the events she'd been through. "Do you want me to grovel at your feet? Beg you to let me live?"

Q actually looked hurt. "You wound me, Kathy. I merely wanted you to learn a very important life lesson."

"Did I?"

"You are the only one who can answer that Kathy." He looked disappointed in her.

"If you're asking me if I learned that Chakotay needs me, the answer is yes. That this crew needs me, yes. That I'm indispensable, yes. That I'd rather live a lifetime alone, rather than hurt Chakotay the way I did with my death, yes. I don't know what else you want me to say Q?"

He smiled at her, "What do you think I want you to say Kathy my love?"

"For starters stop calling me Kathy," she muttered.

Muffled giggling erupts all around at that comment from our darling Captain...

Q broke into laughter at that, "Oh Kathryn Kathryn, I can see why Chuckles loves you so very much..."

The next thing she knew, she was back in that biobed once more, her shoulder was sore as hell. Opening her eyes, she wasn't at all surprised to see Chakotay there beside her, his face haggard with grief, worry and confusion. "You look like shit," she told him.

Kath jerks upright, "HE DOES NOT!!!" Then scrambles to escape the pillows that Kadith and AJ are trying to shove in her mouth..."SHUT UP KATH!!!"

His head came up to hers, "Kathryn? Are you all right?" The emotion she heard in his voice brought tears to her eyes, "Chakotay, don't - its all right."

He broke down, "Oh gods, my Kathryn - you've come back to me...I don't understand.."

She forced him to look at her, "One word Chakotay, 'Q'," she almost laughed at the sudden flare in his eyes. "I'll explain it to you in a minute, first can you get the Doctor in here with something for my arm? It's sore as hell..."

Chakotay turned to call for the EMH, but the hologram suddenly appeared at their side. "Ah, Captain, you are awake. Altho' I don't understand how this is happening. You are supposed to be dead."

"All I'm going to say is that Q was involved," she said, then closed her eyes. "Please, Doctor, give me something for the pain."

He pressed the hypo to her neck. Seconds later, the pain began to dissipate. "You will need to rest, Captain. You have been through quite a bit."

"Can I please rest in my quarters?" she asked softly, eyes opening to gaze at Chakotay. "I would feel more comfortable there."

Before the Doctor could answer there was a flash of light, and Mrs. Q stood before them, leaning casually against a monitor. "You don't really think I'm going to let Bozo get all the credit do you, this *was* all my idea." Then she snapped her fingers and was gone.

Kathryn and Chakotay exchanged a look, then looked at the doctor. "I would REALLY, be more comfortable in my quarters."

Once more, mild pandemonium rules as all three fall onto each other laughing madly....finally getting under control, muttered threats reign supreme. "Where's that damn remote??" "How the hell should I know, its your house!!" 'YOU HAD IT LAST!!!" "oh...here it is...REWIND!!!"

The Doctor nodded, "Very well, but I would like an explanation as soon as you are feeling up to it, and I believe the crew deserves one as well." Then he turned and walked back to his office, leaving the two of them there, alone.

Chakotay helped her to her quarters, where she settled down on the couch - Dispite his wanting her to lie down on her bed. "Chakotay, I need to talk to you..about what happened." Her dark blue eyes met his, "Why were you about to kill yourself? I don't understand.."

His expression darkened, eyes closing, but not before she saw the pain in them. She reached up a hand to rest on his arm. "Talk to me, Chakotay. Help me understand."

"I told you, Kathryn. I cannot survive without you. I need you in my life....even if not as I want things to be. I need to know that you are there, alive and healthy, by my side on the bridge." He took a deep breath. "Don't you understand? Kathryn, I love you."

All three hold their breath, fingers crosses....nearly hanging from the ceiling by their toenails in excitement... "OOOERS!!!!!"

Chakotay was about to say something, but was cut off, as Kadith ran screeching through the room just then, "CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!!!!!!!!" Another few minutes are lost and AJ and Kathryn hold Kadith down and tickle her soundly...Calm once more, the cry is raised - "REWIND IT!!!"

Tears stung her eyes, she could only manage a slow nod, she didn't trust her voice to speak. Chakotay continued, "When I thought I'd lost you, my life stopped, nothing mattered anymore. It was like suddenly I was drowning, I couldn't breath. Its like you are my respirator Kathryn, without you in my life, the machine is turned off."

Gently, she leaned forward to brush the back of her hand over his cheek. The roughness of his day-old beard brought a soft smile and a gentle light to her eyes. "Do you know how long I've wanted to do that?"

"LOOK LOOK LOOK!!! SHE'S GONNA KISS HIM!!!! SHE'S GONNA KISS HIM!!!"

His brow furroughed, "What?"

Kadith crows happily, "Like oh bodacious babe type dude...she wanted to touch you. To feel your manliness, to bask in the testosterone that is you dude!"

Still touching his face, her fingertips running along the lines of his jaw and over his cheek, "Ever since we were on New Earth, every morning - you'd get up with just this little shadow of beard. Each day, it was all I could do not to offer to shave your face for you." Her eyes drank in each part of his face as she spoke, her hands both on his face now, exploring. “Why the hell didn't you just pull me to you and kiss me that night? When you told me your 'Angry Warrior' story? I wanted you to.."

As AJ and Kath squeal, Kadith falls over drooling, all three lean forward softly chanting, "kiss her kiss her kiss her kiss her......"

Chakotay pulled back, amused surprise on his face. "You did?" She nodded, staring at him through half-lidded eyes. "I wanted to, I would have, but I wasn't sure...."

"WUSSY!!! SHE WANT'S IT!!!! GIVE IT TO HER!!!"

Her voice was soft, husky. "You should have. Or I should have. Maybe we wouldn't have had to come to this if we had."

He shook his head then, "I don't want to spend the rest of my life thinking of what if's. I do love you Kathryn, and I suppose there is nothing else for me to say to you."

A wry smile spread across her face, "I was wondering when you'd shut up." With that she leaned forward, pressing her lips gently to his, timidly at first.

"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!" convinced that the three have lost it, the dog runs to hide behind the washing machine again...

He groaned at the first touch of her lips to his, pulling her hard against him. She melted into his arms, drowning in his embrace. Chakotay broke the kiss first, looking at her - eyes dark with passion.

She looked at him, "I do love you Chakotay, I was a fool.." His fingers brushed her lips, silencing her. “Yes you were.." with that, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her again.

"LOOK WHERE HIS HANDS ARE!!! oh my GAWD!!! LOOK WHERE HER HANDS ARE!!!!"

Kadith cackles, "Oh no! like totally bodacious ones are about to commit to serious smut!! I must cover my totally bodacious virgin type eyes dudes!"

Later: (after the commercials...)

She stretched like a cat against his warmth. "Chakotay..."

His sleepy, satisfied voice came to her through the darkness..."Kathryn..."

She poked him with her fist, gently, "This is my bed, just because you're in it with me doesn't mean you get all the blankets...MOVE OVER!!"

Chakotay smiled. "Nope."

"Nope? NOPE?" She stared at him. "Did you just tell me nope?"

"Yep."

She slapped at him. "You're incorrigible."

"And you're beautiful, my love." He pulled her into his arms, cradling her close. She sighed contentedly, drifting off to sleep, knowing that life was right again.

Then she opened her eyes, "Wait who said anything about love, I just thought you were a really good lay." Chakotay started to say something, but laughed at her expression, he was silenced with a kiss.

THE END!!!!!!!!!

The scene is rewound, the paused once more...to allow the three to sit and drool at the marvelous sight of Chakotay's broad, muscular chest, bare to the waist. AJ also drools, staring at the soft curve of Kathryn's breast, just visible against Chakotay's bronze form....