Genre: Drama
Rated: PG
Date: 2-24-00
Chakotay and Janeway are stranded on a planet. When Chakotay is badly injured Janeway confesses to EVERYTHING.
The sun is beginning to set as two beings find shelter in some nearby trees. One is badly injured while the other is nursing his wounds. Thank goodness it was during the summer solstice, the nights were warm and the plants were green.
"Chakotay, I really think that we should find something to nurse your wounds that you have on your head. I could try to find some sticks to splint your arm and leg, but I don't know how to stop the bleeding. What are some of your Indian cures?"
"They are not cures, they just take the edge off of the pain and stops the bleeding."
"Well what are they I'll go get them."
"It is a very good thing you are a science officer because you will be able to find those roots easily."
"What roots?"
"Any just find some, break off a piece and taste it."
'Taste it, what do you mean taste it?"
"Don't swallow it, if it is bitter, rub it on your hand if it turns yellow it is the right root."
"You don't even know the name of the rood do you?"
"I rarely paid attention to my father when we went on our nature journies. I just remember what they tase like and stuff. Now go you are wasting time!"
Janeway scurried to her feet and off into the distant trees. While breaking off a piece of rood Chakotay groans. She hears him and runs to his attention.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, but if you don't find those roots I won't be for long."
Coughing he gasps as blood trickles down his chin. Janeway takes a piece of her uniform and wipes it away.
"You had better hurry."
Still coughing she turns and runs to the roots nearby. Breaking off a piece she tastes it. Spitting out the smally particles she knows this is what he wants. Meanwhile when he is waiting for her return he coughs again more blood spills from his lips.. He knows that there is some lung damage. With handfuls of roots Janeway runs to him nearly tripping on a rock in her path.
"I found them, now what am I suppose to do?"
"Break off small pieces and crush them into a soft dust. When that is complete put it on my forehead and legs. It should stop the bleeding.?
"You are shaking, what's wrong?"
"You should know this when you took that medical course from star fleet and the doctor."
"Oh my god you are going into shock!"
Chakotay nods as he tries to stop his teeth from chattering.
"You wouldn't have brought an extra blanket did you?"
"Chakotay it was an away mission, not a sleep over. Of course I didn't."
"Just try to keep me warm, it should help a little."
Janeway nods and removes her uniform jacket and places it over Chakotay as she retrieves some large leaves to keep them warm during the night, if it were to get cooler.
Darkness falls and the night is lit up with millions of stars. Janeway gazes at the stars as Chakotay begins to doze off. Janeway sees this and shakes him lightly.
"Chakotay you shouldn't go to sleep yo could go in a coma, you might hav a concussion."
"But I'm tired I got up to early, need to sleep."
"Tell me a story Kathryn."
"Me tell you a story, I am not good at stories, that is your speciality with all of those Native legends."
"Just make up one."
"Okay, Once there was this young girl, she loved her father very much but she rarely got to see him because he was always away. She use to wait up until the early hours of the morning just to get a sight of her father. But one day he didn't come home, her mother had told her that he was someplace warm and sweet. You could go there and see white horses on clouds of marshmallows. Each person got their own to ride and you could race. And when yo played games no one had gotten picked last because everyone was friends with everyone else. She fell asleep in her mother's arms dreaming those wonderful dreams."
Janeway notices him slipping away again and shakes him lightly.
"Chakotay I stayed awake when you told stories, now it's my turn to tell one and I will not accept anyone to sleep."
"Yes, ma'am."
He knew she hated when people called her ma'am. With a discouraging sigh and clearing her throat she continued.
"Years went by and she was forced to leaver her home because it was her turn to stay away for many days and then to return only to leave again. She went ot this place onece that reminded her of the story her mother told her when she was a frightened child. She felt as if this was the one place she could be to be close to her father and her mother. In the stars. She loved the stars so she felt that this was what her father wanted her to become. A few years went by and she was given an assignment to go to the stars and to be there with her mother and father, she accepted the assignment. But she left behind a kind man a man she loved deeply and promised she would returen agian in a few short days. Only to get thrown further away from her home world. She knew that she was going to be away for many years and was saddened to learn that a few years after that assignment her love had found a new love. She wept tears for days. She thought that this was going to be the only love in her life. But she met another man and he was a wonderful man. He would walk on eggshells for her, he would take a bullet in the heart for her to be safe. One day her love had been injured and she needed to take care of him until their people would return for them. And now she just wants to go home and love him. So she waits everyday for him to come and rescue her from the burden she was plagued by."
"Who was the new love?"
"It was you Chakotay, I was talking about me and you."
"Me?"
"You. I loved you so much Chakotay so you can not die here today. I need you to rescue me from my burden."
"I will when I can feel my body again. I want you to be my lover and best friend, can you?"
"I will."
The Heart Won't Lie
Janeway:
Looking back over the years
Of all the things I've always meant to say
But the words didn't come easily
So many times
Through empty fears
Of all the nights I tried to pick up the phone
So scared of who mightbe answering
You try to live your life from day to day
But seeing you across the room tonigt
Just gives me away
Chorus: (Both)
Cause the heart won't lie
Sometimes life gets in the way
Janeway:
But there's one thing that won't change
I know I've tried
Both:
The heart won't lie
You can live your alibi
Who can see you're lost inside
Janeway:
A foolish disquise
Both:
The heart won't lie
Chakotay:
Long after tonight
Will you still hear my voice through the radio
Old desire make us act carelessly
Long after tonight, after the fire
After the scattered ashes fly
Through the four winds blow an gone
Will you come back to me?
You try to live your life from day to day
But seeing you across the room tonight
Just gives me away
Repeat Chorus: (Same parts)
Janeway:
The heart won't lie
She stokes Chakotay's head as he closes his eyes and drifts into a dreamless sleep. Janeway knew that VOYAGER would come to their rescue before he awoke.
All characters belong to Paramount. But the story is all mine.
The Heart Won't Lie belongs to Reba McEntire from her It's Your Call CD/Cass.