Two figures stood in the center of a large rotunda. Bright lights encircled them from above, almost blinding them. Their hands were shackled in front of them, their legs chained, allowing little movement. Neither could see their jury nor their accusers. They had been brought in for a minor crime, a small error in judgment on part of other members of the crew. They stood motionless, chins held high, trying to maintain the dignity and honor they upheld as Starfleet Officers.

Around and above them, the jury and accusers sat, talking in an alien language that neither could understand. Their comm badges had been confiscated when they were brought into the detention center, their only means of knowing what was said. They had been stripped down. . .

**

. . .clothing was carefully looked through and put through a sterilization process. They themselves, had been prodded, examined, the hosed down, using a powerful spray. Each were forced to stay in that room; naked, cold, and wet together for their first night on the planet.

Both had been embarrassed by the procedure; so embarrassed that neither could look the other in the eye. Eventually the cold and dampness became too much and modesty was thrown to the wind. They ultimately crawled to each other, for a certain level of comfort and to find warmth that only the other could give. She slid between his legs facing him; pressing her torso against his, her legs over his and ankles crossed behind him. He was positioned the same. No air, no light could be seen between them. An observer may have thought they were making love. This was more intimate; intimate because it was for survival.

Cold, lonely hours were passed this way. The only motion was the restless movements of each others arms rubbing the cold from each others back and arms, not daring to move the hands any where else. There was a moment of arousal on his behalf, but he fought it when she began crying. She had never cried in front of him. In front of him she had fought it. Now, she let it out; wet warmth against his chest. Wetness and tears he couldn’t see—only feel. They had continued to hold each other through the night.

The only indication that the sun had come up was from the small crack of the boarded window of their cell. They cautiously uncurled themselves from the other, standing in unison, each supporting the other. Each stretched, needing to get the blood circulating again. Two walked around the cell, avoiding one another by touch, by sight. They tried to ignore the heat of the others body, which was becoming more difficult. The only sound were of two pairs of bare feet padding on the rough concrete floor.

Tiring of pacing, they sat against the back wall. Neither said a word, just staring at the door in front of them. Their sides pressed against one another to fend off the chill brought in through the cracks. Both had their knees pulled up to their chests. Occasionally he would look at her sideways and wish that this was only a nightmare. He had even tapped the back of his hand three times to ensure that he wasn’t dreaming. She would look at him noting that his face said more then words.

It didn’t take a mind reader for her to figure out that he was remembering a promise he’d made her long ago. A promise that he’d stay by her side, no matter what. He would help shoulder her burdens, make her life easier. Now, neither of them had that chance. The promise had been stretched taut. The smallest word could snap it. She realized that it might be all that got them through this ordeal alive.

Soon, the door did open and the same officials came back in, bearing the uniforms. Turning their backs to each other they dressed in silence, the silence broken only by the rustle of fabric and the zipping of zippers. Once dressed, they were escorted to another room where they were sat at opposite sides of the table, a meal put out in front of them.

Again they had been left alone. Again, no words were spoken. Then they were put into separate cells, separated by a stone wall. He sat on the bunk provided not wanting to lie down and sleep. On the other side of the wall he could hear her nervous pacing, knowing that she was chewing on a finger. He heard the squeak of the springs as she sat or laid, he never knew which, on her bunk. The muffled sounds of her crying again filled his ears. He knew she was trying to stifle the noise as much as possible, not wanting to show weakness.

And he cried with her. . .

**

. . . a week of solitary confinement, a few stolen words, and here they were. They had been shackled and led together to the assembly. They each looked at each other sideways, matching the step they had always done. Left legs in unison, then the right legs. Their silence was their united front. Defiance would be communicated by body language alone.

There they stood. Heads held high. Chests puffed out with pride. Shoulders squared. Their legs in a parade rest position, shoulder length apart. They breathed at the same time, blinked at the same time. If anyone had been monitoring their bodies, they’d note their hearts beat in rhythm. They stared straight ahead, knowing that Voyager was going on without them, that they had finally met an enemy that was stronger then they. Kathryn Janeway and Chakotay gave themselves to save not only two good friends, but to give Voyager a chance to go on.

They were given translators that they held up to their ear. As one, they would hear the final judgment.

“It is the decision of the assembly of accusers and jury, that the two in question, Alpha Quadrant citizens, are found guilty of the crimes of which they are accused. Captain Kathryn Marie Janeway, step forward.” Kathryn stepped forward slowly. Her face betrayed none of her emotions.

“You are guilty of crimes of which are punishable by death. How do you plead?” She stared up to where the voice she thought, was coming from.

Her voice was steady. Kathryn had to force the words from her throat. No other words were acceptable. “I plead guilty,” she stood silently again.

The voice resumed. “It is the decision of the assembly of accusers and jury, that the two in question, Alpha Quadrant citizens, are found guilty of the crimes of which they are accused. Commander Chakotay, step forward.” Chakotay stepped forward, even with Kathryn. He too, looked up into the darkness, his answer already known.

“You are guilty of crimes of which are punishable by death. How do you plead?”

Chakotay held the honor he had always held. His body stiffened slightly. “I plead guilty.”

“So it is entered. Being not of this world, the sentence of death is transcended. You will each be sent to work camps, separated. You will work. Due to exceptional circumstances, neither of you will be allowed to see the other.”

For the first time they turned toward each other and searched out the others eyes. This was almost worse then death. Unable to see each other again, separated by circumstances beyond their control.

“For the rest of your days,” the voice said. Kathryn and Chakotay were then led away to meet their fates.