by Dakota
Part 2

Chakotay led Murphy and Telfer into the tunnel. They paused briefly about eight meters in to turn on the first torch before continuing to the second. Murphy waited until the other two reached the third, then turned the second off before following. Telfer kept track of the number of torches and made notes about curves in the tunnel. About fifty meters into the tunnel, it split. 

The next torch was about five meters ahead along the left side so they turned it on. The additional light also allowed them to see a second split about ten meters farther along the left tunnel. Chakotay studied the tunnels leading to the right. If the tunnels connected the caverns, those two were more likely to lead back to the caverns. The tunnel to the left was more likely to connect with the one the captain was exploring.

"We'll check out the right tunnel first."

The three men moved quickly along the tunnel. They had gone about fifty meters when they saw a hint of light. Chakotay breathed a sigh of relief when he saw they had come out in the second cavern.

"That answers that question. Let's check out that next tunnel. Hopefully it will lead to the next cavern."

Fifteen minutes later, the three had confirmed that the second tunnel did lead to the third cavern.

"If this keeps working, the next branch should bring us to the mess hall." Telfer was optimistic.

"You know, Commander," Murphy commented, "We have plenty of these plastic sheets. Why don't we put one on the wall of each tunnel indicating where the tunnel comes out?"

"Good idea. Any suggestions how we can attach them to the walls?"

"Uh, no. I didn’t think about that. We could leave them on the floor for now."

"We'll do that." Chakotay confirmed. "Make a sign that says 'Canyon Trail' with an arrow pointing back the way we came. It will help anyone who has to find their way through here without us."

"Yes, Sir."

As soon as Telfer had placed a sign for each tunnel and the route back to the Canyon Trail, they continued along the main tunnel. This time they traveled more than one hundred meters before they found the next side tunnel but this time a tunnel crossed the one they had been following. Chakotay considered the possibilities.

"Ok, Murphy and Telfer, you follow the tunnel to the right. If it follows the pattern you should come out in the mess hall."

"Commander, there were two tunnels there. Do you want us to come back in this one or try the other?" Murphy was obviously thinking ahead.

"Try the other tunnel and wait when it splits or joins another one, but don’t go more than about one hundred meters. I'll wait here and see if the others come along from the left. If they do, we'll continue along this tunnel. Hopefully we'll meet the second mess hall tunnel farther along. If no one arrives after you've been waiting an hour, return to the mess hall. We'll put a sign that says mess hall here. If you don't come out in the mess hall, pick up the sign on your way back. I'll leave a sheet with an arrow on it to tell you which way the rest of us went. If it points back the way we came, return to the caverns however you prefer. We'll meet you back there. Otherwise, follow the arrows to catch up with us."

Chakotay waited for the others to make sure they understood their instructions. They nodded slowly. "Aye, Sir."

Chakotay waited until they two were out of sight then sat down and made himself comfortable while he waited for the captain.

The captain looked down at the river as they approached the next trail leading to a tunnel. There was something about it that drew her attention. She could see a trail not far ahead that led down to the river. She looked up the side trail toward the tunnel then back at the river and made her decision.

"Let's check out the river. It won't take us that long."

Ten minutes later, the group was standing three meters from the river's edge next to a small pool at the bottom of a short cascade. The river moved slowly and they could see the bottom. The captain moved to the edge of the water and dipped her hand into it and jerked it back as soon as she made contact. Her reaction startled the rest of the group.

"Are you all right, Captain?" Sam Wildman moved quickly to her side.

The captain smiled with embarrassment. "I'm fine, Ensign. I was just surprised. It's warm." The captain lifted her hand to her mouth and tasted the water. "It's also a bit salty. I guess that's why Q didn’t include it in our sources of drinking water."

The rest of the group had moved closer to the water to test the temperature for themselves. Robertson commented, "Well, at least we'll have a place to clean up this winter that isn't icy cold."

"We'll send a team down to explore the river more thoroughly tomorrow." She made her way back to the trail. "Let's get back to the tunnels."

As they made their way up the slight grade to the trail along the rock face, the captain again noticed that it did not feel like they were walking uphill. It was a reminder of where they were and the events that led to their being there. She pushed those memories to the back of her mind as they reached the main trail. She hadn't noticed it before, but the trail from the river continued directly to the tunnel.

"Larson, Platt, you two can take the lead and turn on the torches for us."

"Aye, Captain." Their voices echoed as they moved into the tunnel. They quickly fell into the same routine they had used earlier. They had gone about eighty meters when Platt spoke again before he turned on the next torch. "Captain, I can see some light up ahead of us."

"Can you tell its source?"

"No, Ma'am."

"Keep going. If these tunnels connect it could be Chakotay's team."

It was only a few minutes before the entire group could make out the form of someone farther along the tunnel. The form stood and the captain recognized her first officer. She stopped when she reached him.

"Commander, it seems at least two of the tunnels connect. Where are Murphy and Telfer?"

"More than two, Captain. I sent them farther along this tunnel," Chakotay nodded to the tunnel directly ahead of the captain's group and to his right. "It should lead them to the mess hall. We found connections to the other two caverns about half way to the trail."

"Why didn’t you go with them?"

"I was waiting for your group. If they don't find the mess hall, they'll come back and can catch up with us. If they do, I told them to go out the other tunnel and follow it to the first intersection and wait. If my theory is correct, we'll find them farther along this tunnel." Chakotay pointed along the tunnel to the captain's left.

"All right. Let's keep going then." The captain agreed then eyed Chakotay curiously as he pulled out a plastic sheet. "What are you doing?"

"Making a sign for the next group." He wrote "Canyon Trail" on the sheet and placed it on the ground about a meter along the tunnel. That's when the captain noticed the sign on the ground in the tunnel Chakotay had been following that said "Small Caverns, Canyon Trail".

"It seems you've been making some command decisions."

Chakotay smiled at her teasing. "All part of the job, Captain."

The captain turned toward the group. "Lead on, Larson. You and Platt know the drill by now."

The group had gone another seventy meters or so when a tunnel opened into theirs from the right. Not far ahead, they could see their tunnel end where it connected with another running perpendicular to it.

"You think this is where Murphy and Telfer will find us?"

"If my theory is correct, yes. That tunnel up ahead should lead to the cavern where we slept last night."

"If your theory is correct." The captain inserted.

"Captain, there's something here you should see." Platt's voice interrupted the command team.

He had found two more openings to their left but they were not much more than archways opening into a large grotto. The group moved into it and stared. It was beautiful. The stone was dark gray, almost black, and glinted in the limited light like it had flecks of glass or diamonds in it. Chakotay found a torch along the side and turned it on. He nodded for Platt to check along the other wall.

The captain couldn't believe what she saw. Water fell slowly down one wall into a large pool. That pool fed others of various sizes. The water was clear and she could see ledges under the water at varying depths. She could see steam rising slowly from the water.

"It's hot, Captain," Chakotay's voice brought the captain's attention back to the others, "perfect to use as a hot tub."

"A communal hot tub?"

"Sure, why not? It will give everyone a nice place to relax at the end of the day."

"Hey! What's this?" Murphy's voice came from the main tunnel. "A natural hot springs?"

"Did you find the mess hall?" Chakotay demanded.

"Just like you thought, Commander." Telfer answered as he reached into his carry pouch. "Tuvok's group is back. We brought you all something."

Murphy and Telfer pulled apples out of their pouches and passed them around as Telfer continued. "They found a whole orchards of fruit but only the apples were still good."

"Captain, Lieutenant Morgan asked me to tell you they'd have dinner ready in about two hours." Murphy added.

The captain led the group back into the main tunnel. "All right, Commander. What does your theory say about this next tunnel?"

"Going to the right should bring us out in the sleeping cavern. The one to the left looks like it heads back to the Canyon Trail."

The captain nodded. "We'll see how good you are." She turned to the group and issued orders for two teams to continue the exploration of the tunnels. She also assigned two people to investigate the grotto more thoroughly. Then the captain looked around and found some convenient rocks. "Let's talk, Commander." She sat down and motioned for him to sit next to her. "What have we learned so far?"

"Q told us the caverns were all connected by the tunnels. We know that for at least three of the caverns, that's true. But we also know that the equipment tunnel does not lead to another cavern. It leads to the canyon."

"Is it critical that the caverns all be connected by a tunnel?"

"Q certainly seemed to imply that. The only reason it might be important is because of the weather. We have no idea what a winter here will be like, or the summer either. The tunnels could provide protection from either excessive heat or excessive cold, or both."

"True. Which brings us back to the canyon. Did Q consider it part of the tunnels?"

"Maybe he considered it another cavern, in which case the tunnels do connect all the caverns."

"That's a possibility. I wonder why the river is warm." The captain mused.

"You went down to the river?" Chakotay was surprised.

"I was curious." The captain explained then realized she had no need to explain her actions to him and glared at him briefly. His only response was a grin. "It's warm and salty."

"That's interesting." Chakotay considered. "You know, we might need the salt. I don't recall anyone mentioning seasonings, spices or preservatives among the food supply."

"We'll have to put someone on extracting the salt. I thought I'd send at least one survey team to explore the canyon tomorrow." She sighed. "I really miss my tricorder. I never realized how much we relied on technology for the routine things. Even salt is now something we have to plan to obtain."

"We'll manage. Everyone is really working to get us settled in." Chakotay glanced around the grotto. "This is going to be a great place for them to come later to relax and clean up."

"You think it's safe?"

"It's as safe as any other part of this bubble."

"All right. You can tell them after we eat."

Chakotay seemed to hear more than her words. "Kathryn, it's going to be all right."

"It's not that easy for me, Chakotay. I made all the decisions that led to this point. I destroyed my ship and killed my crew in the process. It's going to take me a while."

"Just remember that because of your decisions, out there in time is another Voyager and another crew making their way back to Earth."

"I remember – our journey ended so theirs could continue." Kathryn allowed a trace of a smile to cross her face. "I do listen to you, Chakotay, even if I don't always act like it."

"I meant everything I said."

"I know." Kathryn's voice was low as she spoke. She abruptly forced herself back to her responsibilities and the task at hand. "Let's help check out this grotto before we send the crew down here."

An hour later, both teams had returned from exploring the tunnels. As expected, the one to the right did lead to the next cavern and the one to the left opened out on the Canyon Trail. Murphy, Telfer and Robertson had found another grotto about half the size of the first. They had only checked to see if it had torches before they had continued along the tunnel.

"That's all we can do today. We need to turn off the torches. Murphy, Telfer, Robertson, Larson and Platt – make your way back along the tunnels. Murphy, take the first branch to the Canyon Trail. Robertson, you turn off the torches leading to the mess hall. Platt and Telfer, you each cover a tunnel to one of the smaller caverns. Larson, continue to the Canyon Trail where you should meet Murphy. Then you and Murphy come back through the tunnel to the equipment cavern. "

Voices blurred acknowledging orders as the five moved down the tunnel. The captain led the rest along the second tunnel to the mess hall asking Megan Delaney how the mapping had progressed. Chakotay waited until the group had reached the next torch before turning off the one at the intersection and following.

The captain and first officer had barely entered the mess hall when Kes approached them. "Could I have a word with you, Captain?"

"Of course, Kes." The captain looked around before pointing to a nearby table. "Let's sit down." The three sat down. "Now, what can I do for you, Kes?"

"About half an hour ago, several of us started setting out food for dinner when we noticed something new in the cavern."

"I take it this is something that wasn’t brought up from the equipment cavern?"

"No, Captain." Kes motioned to cavern wall behind the table being used as the serving line. "There are six recesses in the cavern wall and inside each one is some type of food. Three of them have different kinds of cheese, one has milk, one has cream and one has butter. When we take something out, another one appears."

"Did you try putting something back?" Chakotay asked.

"Yes, if we put something back, the other one disappears. We had quite a few people who were thirsty so they drank three containers of milk. When we put the containers back, they each disappeared as the next was put back and the final one was refilled with milk when we took it out."

"It seems that Q has provided us with another little surprise." The captain commented.

"Is it all right to put out some of the cheese for dinner?" Kes inquired.

The captain glanced at her first officer who nodded slightly. "Yes, of course, Kes. I'm sure the crew would enjoy it."

"Thank you, Captain." Kes stood. "I'll see to it now."

The captain and first officer stood and moved toward the serving line to get their dinner. As they neared the end of the line, they noticed something else had been added during the afternoon. Instead of water in ration bottles, there were glasses at the end of the table. Slightly confused they picked up glasses and moved toward their table. As they put their food down, they realized that most of the others went from the serving line to a place near the door.

"I'll check it out, Captain." Chakotay volunteered as he picked up both glasses. When he returned, he had Vorik with him. "I think you'll want to hear Vorik's report." He sat down and motioned Vorik to do the same. "Go ahead, Ensign."

"You assigned us to install a pipeline to bring water to this cavern. We took several lengths of pipe to a point along the trail that was sufficiently elevated to allow the water to flow unimpeded to this cavern.

"While attempting to confirm that there was sufficient flow, we discovered that each section of pipe appears to act as a directional pump. Water will flow through a section in only one direction, but it will flow in any direction at the same rate. Since it will flow uphill, it is possible to place the pipe in the most convenient locations. In this case, that meant the point in the river nearest this cavern.

"We had sufficient pipe with us to reach the upper caverns. Since water in that location might have some future application, it was logical to leave a pipeline at that location as well.

"We then returned to the equipment cavern and proceeded to install a pipeline from the river to this cavern." Vorik paused. "It was most curious that whenever we needed a section of curved pipe, the next one in the supply was the required length and shape. When the pipeline extended from the river to the trail three meters from the tunnel leading into this cavern, we saw an opening in the rock slightly larger than the pipe that extended into this cavern. No one recalled seeing the opening before that time."

The captain and first officer exchanged looks -- another of Q's surprises.

"The next section of pipe was unlike any of the previous. It had the normal connection at one end but at the other, it had a box about forty centimeters wide and twenty centimeters high that was open on one side. Inside were three mechanisms to dispense water into glasses. At the side was a valve that could be opened to fill larger containers with water. After it was connected to the pipeline, we pushed it against the wall and it remained in place, almost like a magnetic field was at work despite the fact that it was not metallic."

Like one made by any Vulcan officer, Vorik's report had been complete, lengthy, detailed and delivered in a voice that made any other species lose their concentration. The captain was grateful that she was practiced in listening to such reports as she watched Chakotay stifle a yawn.

"Thank you, Ensign. It seems you and your team had a most interesting experience. You should all be commended on completing your assignment in one day." The captain complimented the young officer. The report might have been boring, but the day's work merited the praise. "What you learned about the pipe will be invaluable when we have to lay irrigation lines next summer."

"Thank you, Captain." Vorik stood and waited.

"You're dismissed, Ensign." The captain allowed the young officer to leave. She turned to face her first officer across the table to see him holding out a glass of water. She took it and sipped it tentatively.

"It's good water, Captain."

"It's not the taste I was worried about. I'm used to water coming from bottles or replicators, not from rivers."

"Not an outdoor person?"

"No, I'm definitely the twenty-fourth century type."

The command team exchanged smiles and ate their meal discussing the tunnels and the priorities for the next day.

The captain looked around the mess hall after she had eaten. Most of the people had left to investigate the grotto. A few were sitting and talking. 

Chakotay had cleared the table and stopped to talk to some of the people working in the equipment room, leaving the captain a few minutes to think over the day's discoveries. She looked around and saw Sam Wildman sitting alone at a nearby table.

"Do you mind if I join you, Ensign?" The captain waited for Sam Wildman to acknowledge the intrusion.

"Of course no, Captain. Please sit down."

"Thank you." The captain took her time. "How are you doing, Sam?"

"I'm doing ok." The captain could see the tears gather in her eyes. "I'm so worried about my baby. I'm glad she wasn't on the ship when it exploded. I know she's alive and safe but I still wish she were here with me." Sam sighed. "And I feel so guilty about that."

"Why do you feel guilty? You loved your daughter. It's only natural that you'd want her with you."

"If she were here, it would mean she had been killed in the explosion. I'm glad she's on the other Voyager. I want what's best for her. But I still want her here with me."

"I can only imagine what you're going through. Have you talked to anyone else about it?"

Sam nodded. "I did, but I hate to bother anyone else with my problems."

"Don't feel like that. I'm sure they want to help any way they can. Let them." The captain studied the young woman. "Do you need some time off?"

"No. Keeping busy helps."

"Give yourself time."

"Thanks, Captain." Sam stood. "I'd better get going. I have to help clean up.

The captain watched as the young mother walked over to help finish cleaning up after dinner. As the group finished their task and left, the captain turned her thoughts to what they had learned that day. Chakotay's theory about the tunnels had been confirmed and she knew it had been a good idea to send the crew to the grotto to relax. She walked to the exit and headed up the trail toward the small cavern where she would be sleeping. She didn’t notice her first officer watching her as she left.

The captain entered the smaller cavern and subconsciously counted the beds made up – five. Only Tuvok, Paris, Torres and Chakotay had moved to this cavern with her. The few other officers who had been originally included had asked to remain with the other groups. The captain had not objected because she knew they were not all comfortable in her presence. She turned to the entrance as she heard a step on the ground.

"May I have a word with you, Captain?" Tuvok's voice broke the silence.

"Of course."

"I have a request to make." Tuvok's voice and face were normal but something in his manner made the captain think he was uncomfortable. "I have been approached by the other Vulcans in the crew. As you know, we are accustomed to considerable privacy. I would like your permission to move into the small cavern at the top of the trail."

"You all want to move into a cavern as far from the rest of us as possible?"

"The distance is not a factor. I merely suggested it as the one least likely to be needed for other purposes."

"You might not be able to stay there once winter sets in."

"We do not object to moving again if it becomes necessary."

"Permission granted, Lieutenant." The captain looked around the room. "I take it you all plan to move tonight?"

"Yes, Captain."

The captain nodded and sat down at the table that had been added. She had a sheet of the plastic and a marker, which she used to make a few notes about the day's discoveries. She watched Tuvok out of the side of her eye as he gathered the blankets and pillows from one corner and left the cavern. She stood and moved around the room a minute or two before the tunnel drew her attention. She stared at it a minute before making her decision and walking towards it.

"Care for some company?" 

Chakotay's voice made her jump slightly. "I wish you wouldn't do that."

"Do what?" He asked innocently.

"Sneak up on me."

"I wasn’t sneaking." He grinned. She glared.

"You can come along if you want."

"Thank you."

The two made their way slowly down the tunnel lighting the torches as they progressed. They had only been walking for about five minutes when they saw a wide gap in the tunnel wall. They entered slowly and searched the wall for a torch. The captain found one first. They were in another grotto, much smaller than the first with only one large pool of water. The steam rose gently. The small waterfall that ended at one end of the pool sent ripples across the pool, blurring the bottom.

"It looks like Q gave you your own private hot tub, Kathryn."

"How did he know?" Kathryn's voice was soft. She hadn't realized she had spoken aloud until Chakotay responded.

"How did Q know what?"

"That I find nothing so relaxing as a nice long soak in a tub." She shook her head regretfully. "I'll have to share this. It's too wonderful to keep to myself."

"The crew has the other grottos. I think this one was meant for you. Q did tell you to enjoy yourself."

"Maybe." Kathryn glanced at Chakotay a bit nervously. "But someday I might want to share it."

They stared at each other for a minute before the captain spoke. "Where do you think this tunnel leads?"

"I think it opens on the Canyon Trail. A private trail to the cavern Q intended for you to use."

"Then we can explore it tomorrow." The captain turned back toward the cavern. "We'd better be getting back. It's getting late."

"Whatever you want, Kathryn." Chakotay turned off the torch in the grotto and followed her silently back to the cavern.

The next day saw teams exploring the second grotto, the remaining tunnels, and the canyon. About one-fourth of the crew was assigned to collect fruit. Lieutenant Torres had more than twenty people working with her to figure out how all the equipment worked. They complained that it took them an hour with the instructions just to figure out the names for all the parts of the loom but seemed determined to master its operation. Chakotay had a group making an inventory of the seeds they had stored and was busy with a group planning when various crops should be planted, how much space they would require and where to plant them. Once he was satisfied the botanists in the crowd would listen to the advice of the few people who had come from agricultural worlds, he left them to work on their own.

The captain looked up from the briefing room table. "I thought you were busy farming."

"I left the others working out the details. There's no hurry for that project. We can't start planting until spring." He walked over and sat down across from her. "You look like you have a problem."

"We do." The captain shared the problem willingly. "It's the grotto."

"What about it? From what I heard, everyone thinks it's great."

"That's not the problem. It seems that a question has arisen about the dress code. Some of the crew come from cultures where clothing optional applies to communal hot tubs. Others are not quite so comfortable with that option."

"Ohhhh. That does raise an interesting question."

"It's not made any easier by the fact that we don't really have any clothing that's particularly appropriate for a hot tub."

"Have we heard back about that second grotto yet? Maybe each group could have their own."

"Not yet."

Chakotay stood. "Let's go see how big that second one is. We have time before lunch."

The captain stood and followed her first officer out to the main trail. "Why not use the tunnels?"

"I don't want to come back to turn off the torches."

As the entered the tunnel from the Mess Hall, Chakotay asked, "Did you hear Tom's name for the first grotto?"

The captain shook her head. "Do I want to know?"

Chakotay chuckled. "Hernando's Hideaway."

The captain grimaced and shook her head.

Chakotay chuckled at her response. "It's better than his first suggestion… the Hangout."

The captain managed not to groan. "Please promise me one thing, Chakotay. You will not let him name the small grotto."

"I'll do my best."

Ten minutes later, they reached the first opening to the second grotto. Chakotay found a torch along one wall that lit the grotto. It was like the first, dark stone that glittered in the light. The most significant difference was its size. It was less than half the size of the first grotto.

"Well, as long as the crew isn't evenly split, we can let one grotto be clothing optional." Chakotay commented.

"Which group gets the larger one?"

"The one with the most people." Chakotay was practical.

"All right. I'll let you figure out which group gets Hernando's and which get this one."

"You know, I prefer the small grotto. It's much more… personal." Kathryn looked up to meet Chakotay's eyes and knew he was talking about the one with the single pool. "Don't you agree?"

Kathryn licked her lips then wished she hadn't because she saw a flash in his eyes. When she felt herself start to lean toward him, she made herself to break eye contact.

"You're right, as usual, Commander. We'd better get back to the mess hall."

She felt Chakotay's eyes on her as she walked through the arch to the tunnel. She waited for him to join her, and then they made their way along the tunnels, emerging to find lunch ready and the room slowly starting to fill with people. 

Silently, the two picked up their lunches, which included fresh apples, and sat down at what had become the senior officer's table. Tuvok and Torres were already there eating silently.

"Captain, Commander." Tuvok acknowledged their arrival and started to stand.

"As you were," the captain instructed. "How are things going in the valley?"

"We've finished rudimentary maps marking the location of various edible plants and fruit bushes and trees."

"Fruit bushes?"

"Yes. I believe they are raspberries although they are quite pale."

"Maybe they're white raspberries." Chakotay offered. "Did you bring any back?"

"We had no suitable container. I have instructed six of the crew to return there after they eat with appropriate containers to pick a supply."

"First apples, now raspberries," the captain smiled. "You seem to have a talent for finding food."

"Indeed." Tuvok managed to sound slightly offended.

"I don’t suppose you found the coffee trees?"

"I have not. However, after lunch we will be exploring the area across the river. It is possible we will find them."

"How are you crossing the river?" Chakotay asked.

"We found a shallow area with several large rocks. We moved several other rocks close enough to make crossing possible. I have assigned three crewmen to improve the crossing this afternoon."

The captain nodded her approval as she turned to her chief engineer. "What did you find out about those torches, B'Elanna?"

"Not a lot, Captain. The one you sent back to us yesterday stayed lit for about twelve hours then just went out, no fading or blinking, just out. I put it back in its storage slot and checked it a couple hours later and it was working again. I can't tell you what its power source is unless I can get it open and I can't find any way to open it without damaging it."

"It might be worth giving up one torch to find out how they work."

"Captain, even if we find out how it works, we couldn't repair a damaged one. We have no tools. It might better to just accept them as one of Q's surprises." Chakotay commented.

The captain didn't like not knowing how something functioned and from Torres's expression, she felt the same. It was probably just another in a long list of things they would have to accept without explanation.

"For now, we'll settle for knowing how long they'll stay lit. What else did you find in the equipment room?"

"A kiln and an oven." Torres seemed displeased about something. "And before you ask, I don't know what their power source is either. All I know is if you put something in them, they get hot almost immediately. They take quite a while to cool off though and give off a fair amount of heat."

"Heat?" The captain jumped on the statement. "Enough to boil water?"

"Possibly, if we had something to put the water in." Torres considered the supplies they had. "I think I remember seeing some pots and pans that might work. I'll let you know what I can find."

"Do the kiln and oven give off sufficient heat to keep a cavern warm all winter?" Chakotay asked.

Torres looked skeptical. "I'm not sure they'd keep one warm enough in really cold weather but they should put off enough heat to make it possible to work without cold weather gear most of the year."

The captain looked around the cavern they were using as a mess hall. "If we moved the oven in here, it might keep it warm to be comfortable while we eat." She turned back to Torres. "Can the oven be moved?"

"With enough people helping, yes. It won't be easy but we'll manage somehow."

"See to it this afternoon."

"You won't believe what we found this morning!"

Tom Paris clearly had no idea that he had interrupted a conversation as he sat down. Or perhaps he didn't care. The captain wasn’t sure which was more likely. "Really?" The captain's cold tone took the edge off Paris's excitement.

"Yes, well," Tom stumbled over the words, "my group crossed the Canyon River to explore that rock face. Well, we found a whole string of really small caves. I lost count at thirty but I'd guess there were at least fifty."

"Slow down, Paris," Chakotay commanded. When he saw that Paris finally realized he was being reprimanded, he continued. "Now, start at the beginning."

"I'm sorry." Paris took a moment to think before starting again. "My group was exploring along the rock face on the other side of the Canyon River. We found at least thirty, possibly as many as sixty, small caves. They don't have tunnels leading from them but all the ones we checked out had small lav facilities like the caverns. They're just caves, about three meters square, all along the river."

"So why are you so excited about some caves, Paris?" Torres commented.

"Quite a few have been commenting about a lack of privacy. Tuvok could tell you about that. Anyway, I thought some of us could move over there."

"So you want your own private cave? Is that it, Paris?" The captain picked up on one point.

"Well, I wouldn't mind that, Captain, but I was thinking more like letting people share the caves. We've all had to share quarters at some time or another, but you have to admit sixty people sleeping in one room is a bit much." Paris allowed the captain to consider the situation before he pushed one more factor into the conversation. "There are quite a few couples among the crew, Captain. I'm sure they'd really appreciate being able to share a small cave rather than stay with the rest of us."

"Your suggestion certainly has merit, Lieutenant. I'll consider it." The captain was reluctant to agree too quickly.

"Once the couples find out about the caves, it's going to be hard to keep them from being used." Chakotay commented. "It might be better to come up with a policy now, even if it's only temporary."

"Tuvok, what do you think?" The captain turned to her tactical officer.

"The commander is correct. It would be wise to adopt a temporary policy and make changes as they become necessary."

"What do you think this policy should be?" The captain challenged Chakotay and Tuvok.

"Whether people can move into the caves more or less permanently should be included. The one thing that would have to be made perfectly clear is that they might all have to move back to the caverns during the winter. If the caves are assigned like quarters, we need some way to identify each cave. We have carving tools. Let the occupants mark their own caves."

"How would you assign the caves?" Torres asked.

"Well, depending on the number of caves, that could be tricky." Chakotay acknowledged. "We'll have to come up with some way to choose among those who want a cave. Paris, I want you to go back and count those caves this afternoon. If there are more than sixty, it will make things a lot easier."

Paris stood. "Maybe Vorik kept count. Let me ask him." He was gone before anyone could comment. A few minutes later, he returned. "Yep. He kept count. He said we actually saw forty-seven. We didn't get all the way to the end of the cavern so there are probably more. He said if they continued with the same frequency, there should be seventy-one caves."

The captain looked at Chakotay. "That would be enough, wouldn't it?"

"It should be." Chakotay agreed.

"Captain, it occurs to me that the caves might be more suited for cold weather than the caverns."

"Why is that?"

"How high are the caves, Lieutenant?" Tuvok directed his question to Paris.

"About three meters, some are a bit lower, others higher."

"The river is warm, Captain. It warms the air in the cavern and therefore in the caves. It is also possible that whatever warms the river also warms the rocks slightly around the caves. The lower ceilings and the absence of openings to admit light mean less heat is lost at the top of the cave. All those factors could result in the caves being warmer."

"What about those who don't request shared quarters or don't receive them because of availability? The caverns are too large for only a few if they're going to keep warm." Torres asked good questions.

"There are smaller caverns, Captain." Paris offered. "Maybe some of the people would prefer to share with five or six others. They could use the caverns on the other side of the second bunkroom."

"That might work." The captain concurred. "Any other comments on this policy?"

"Captain, "Joe Carey had been silently following the conversation from the end of the table, "we found some other types of larger markers. Since they wouldn't come off the plastic sheets or anything else we tested them on, I put them to the side. You might be able to use them to number the caves."

"I remember seeing those." Torres commented. "Weren't some of them pale colors, almost white?"

"I think so."

"Those might work in the tunnels instead of using the plastic sheets to mark where the tunnels lead."

The captain nodded. "Good idea. Tom, it sounds like you're going to have a busy afternoon. Numbering the caves and labeling the tunnels. Chakotay, let the crew know what's going on and come up with a way to assign the caves to those who request it." The captain stood, signaling the end of lunch." It's going to be a busy afternoon. We'd all better get to work."

Ayala entered the supply cavern shortly before dinner to drop off unused supplies. A few people who were still working chatted as they made their way to the entrance but a solitary figure along the far wall caught his attention. He recognized Sam Wildman and walked over to her. She was standing next to the supply of yarn fingering some of the pastel shades.

"How're you doing?" 

"I miss her. I see this yarn and all I can think about is that it would make a nice blanket for her."

"Can you knit?"

Sam shook her head. "I can crochet a little though."

"Then make a blanket, a nice big cozy blanket. Then when you use it you can think about her and how she's growing, what she's doing."

"Some of the others are telling me to try not to think about her." Tears welled in Sam's eyes.

"I doubt you could do that even if you tried."

"I want her with me. I want to hold her." The tears slowly started running down her cheeks. 

Ayala turned her into his arms and let her cry. He whispered comforting words and rubbed her back soothingly.

When the tears had slowed, Ayala loosened his hold and Sam lifted her head. "You must think I'm crazy."

"I think you're a mother missing her daughter and perfectly normal."

"I did it again… cried all over your uniform."

"That's your shoulder, remember?" Ayala reminded Sam.

Sam nodded and whispered. "Thank you."

"Anytime." Ayala smiled. "Ready for some dinner?"

"Clementine's Cavern! What kind of name is that?" B'Elanna Torres's voice carried to the captain from the other end of the table two days later.

"It's a perfectly good name." Tom Paris defended his suggestion. "And it certainly is appropriate for the smaller grotto."

"Why do you get to name everything?" Torres challenged. "And why is it always something from Earth's twentieth century?"

"Fine. You have a better idea, then you name it." Paris sounded annoyed.

"I don't care what you name it. All I said was it was a stupid name."

The captain smiled as the argument continued. It was strange to see Torres and Paris talking without Harry Kim being with them. The captain sighed softly. Harry Kim's absence was another reminder of what had happened. He had been Paris's first friend. Harry Kim had been a promising young officer. The fact that he had been friends with two such different personalities intrigued the captain. What had drawn the three together? She studied her two senior officers and realized that unless they were working, they seemed to be constantly together.

"Oh, no. You're not going to get me in trouble with the captain. That's her grotto. No way am I going to name it." Paris's voice jumped in volume.

"Why not? You name everything else." Torres challenged.

"Even if she didn't care, the commander would have my head." Paris shook his head. "Nope, that's her grotto. She'll name it if she wants it named."

"Seems like your grotto is Her Grotto, Captain." Chakotay's voice startled the captain. "That is unless you want to name it something more interesting."

"I'll pass." The captain smiled at the mild teasing from her first officer. "That oven really makes a difference, doesn't it?"

"It's almost too warm in here right now." Chakotay agreed. "But these baked apples are worth it."

"How many more things have turned up with a dispenser in the wall? Eggs, sugar, brown sugar, flour, spices."

"But no salt." Chakotay reminded the captain of one missing item.

"It seems that Q thinks we have to keep busy. This has to be the most illogical combination of primitive camping and high tech living imaginable. We can make water run up hill but we have to wash dishes by hand."

"Don't forget the way things grow. We found half a dozen kinds of nuts, most of which wouldn't grow in the same climate yet the trees are only a few meters apart."

"How many have we identified so far?"

"From Earth, we have almonds, pecans and hickory nuts. Then there are k'marlebs from the Klingon home world and qotems from Vulcan. There's a sixth one that we haven't identified yet. Neelix thinks it might be a Kazon pinogn but he isn't sure. Whatever it is, it tastes good."

"How many have requested caves so far?"

"Twenty couples and I've had three or four more watching my every move since I came in so I suspect I'll have a few more requests as soon as I finish my lunch."

"How are you keeping track of all this?"

"I have a list of the cave numbers," Chakotay motioned to a stack of plastic sheets on the table, "and I'll add the names of the people assigned to each cave. The first group drew lots for their caves. Everyone else gets to choose from those available when they make their request."

"What do you think of the progress in the equipment room?"

"Why do you ask?" Chakotay was curious.

"They seem crowded, like there are too many people in there."

"I was going to ask your permission to move all the supplies to the next cavern and set that up for the crafts that don't require the larger equipment. There's no heat in there so they might have to move back or use the mess hall when it gets colder."

"Is there any way we can heat that room?"

"I think we can use an open fire. It has a small opening in the ceiling to vent smoke but I'm not sure we can gather enough wood to last the winter."

"Get a team on it. Even if it only lasts half the winter, we'll at least have adequate work room for that much time." The captain picked up her fork and took a chunk from Chakotay's baked apple. "Mmmm, these nuts are good."

Chakotay laughed and took one last bite before he pushed the plate in front of her. "Here, enjoy my lunch. I'm going to face the new requests. I'll see you at dinner."

The captain smiled at her first officer's back as he left the cavern before taking another bite of the apples. She had just finished when Sam Wildman stopped at the chair across from her.

"Captain?"

The captain looked up. "Sit down, Sam. What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to let you know that I've been talking to someone about my baby."

"I'm glad to hear that, Sam."

"I wanted to ask you about something else." The captain nodded for her to continue. "I'm not sure how I feel about my marriage anymore."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"I'm confused about my feelings. I don't feel married any more. That wasn't true before. I know some of the crew who left a husband or wife behind decided long ago to build completely new lives with new relationships. I wasn't one of them. I was pregnant and always felt a very strong tie to my life in the Alpha Quadrant. I always knew I'd wait and hope we got back to the Alpha Quadrant before my husband married someone else. But since we came here, knowing we can't get back, I don't even feel married."

"That's a tough one, Sam. I'm not sure what the right answer is for you. It's possible that it's partly a reaction to having the baby go with the other ship. Before, she was a strong link to your husband and your life in the Alpha Quadrant. You had a piece of home that none of the rest of us had. Now you've lost that link and you're reacting to both being so far in distance from your husband and the knowledge that you now know you'll never see him again.

"Sam, it's incredibly hard for all of us to accept that to all the people we knew and loved, we're dead. The other Voyager is carrying another 'us' back to our friends and family." The captain sighed and shook her head. "It may sound cruel, but I think you're lucky if you don't feel married and can build a life here without feeling you're betraying your husband."

"Do you feel guilty about moving on and forgetting about your fiancé?"

"I feel guilty because I don’t feel guilty. I don't feel guilty about moving on even though a part of me thinks I should." The captain debated about how much she should say. "At times, I think I'm the lucky one. That other Kathryn Janeway is the one who has to decide whether to put her life on hold for as many as seventy years. I don't have to decide. The decision was made for me. Mark is engaged to the woman on the other ship, not me."

"Then why do you feel guilty?"

"I feel guilty because I'm glad I'm not that other woman."

"Does that mean you're going to get involved with another man?" Sam Wildman looked at the captain.

"I'm not going to walk away because I was engaged to another man. I'll be making my decisions based on what's right for me here and now." The captain brought the topic back to the other woman. "I think you should do the same. Make your decisions because they are right for you here and now. Don’t rush into a relationship until you're comfortable with it but don't run away from one because of misplaced guilt or habit."

Sam Wildman considered her captain's words for a moment. "Thank you."

Long after the younger woman left, the captain sat and considered the advice she had given and what she had admitted about her own feelings.

A week later, the captain was staring over the valley at the regimented stars in the night sky when she heard a footstep.

"Thanks."

"For what?" Chakotay was curious.

"For not sneaking up on me tonight."

"You're just paying more attention to the sounds of the night. What brings you out here?"

"I was just thinking."

"What about?"

"Nothing. Everything. How everything has changed. How nothing has changed."

"I'm not sure I'm up to a philosophical discussion tonight."

"Me neither." The captain sighed. "Have you noticed Tom and B'Elanna lately?"

"Yes. I'm not all that surprised."

"You aren't?" The captain was not expecting that reaction.

"No."

"Well, I am. I thought B'Elanna was closer to Harry. They were both engineers and seemed to be interested in the same things. I'm surprised she's been with Tom so much."

"I guess I know a different side of B'Elanna than you do. She tends to keep her distance. She and Harry were friends. They had a lot in common. Harry was also Tom's best friend. For a long time, he was Tom's only friend. It was a while before Tom accepted B'Elanna as his friend but I don't think 'friend' is quite what B'Elanna was looking for with Tom. They both miss Harry. He was their common ground. Now they've found new common ground."

"You've managed to surprise me. You really think they'd make a good couple?"

"Depends on what you mean by 'good couple'. I don't think they'll ever have a peaceful relationship. She's too volatile and he likes to stir things up. I think they could be good for each other. Neither of them likes things too easy and both have spent most of their life at odds with those around them, including their parents. They have a lot more in common than you might think."

"Maybe." Kathryn shivered and Chakotay stepped closer. "Winter is coming."

"Yes, and all the people in the caves are convinced it's warmer over there."

"I still can't believe we have only a few caves empty. I never expected the crew to pair off so quickly. How did that happen?"

"Well, at least half of them were already involved to some degree. Twenty or thirty paired off with close friends just to get some privacy. There will probably be some rearranging later because of that. There are still a few others that might request a cave."

"Like Paris and Torres?" She shivered again.

"Among others." Chakotay stepped closer and put his arm around her shoulders. "Did you know most of those remaining in the caverns slept in Clementine's last night?"

"Really? Why didn’t you mention it earlier?"

"I only found out after dinner. That's why I came looking for you. I wanted to make a slight change in the rules for the grottos."

"Oh? I'm glad you decided to consult me."

"I had to figure out what I thought would work before I made my recommendation."

"And what exactly is your recommendation?"

"Clementine's has plenty of space for everyone to sleep. The only problem that I've come up with is keeping all the bedding dry when the pools are in use."

"What's the solution?"

"No splashing."

Kathryn finally realized he was teasing her about the change in policy and chuckled. "For that you had to think?"

Chakotay chuckled. "No, but I wanted to hear you laugh. So, can I tell the rest they can sleep in Clementine's?"

"As long as you make sure they know noise and splashing is at their risk."

"I don't think it will be a problem. Almost everyone has been using Hernando's anyway."

"After all the discussion about clothing optional?"

"Strangely enough, almost everyone prefers to wear something and they tend to ignore those who don't."

"I'm glad it's all working out." The captain looked at Chakotay's profile in the dark. "Which grotto do you use?"

"Are you asking whether I parade around naked in front of the crew?"

The captain was glad of the dark as she felt her face blush what was surely a deep red. "No."

"If you must know, I've been sneaking into your grotto for a few minutes before dinner when you're busy working on something. So far, it's worked out well because you don't use it until after we eat."

"Well, you can stop sneaking and if you want to wait until after dinner, it's fine with me. I don't mind as long as I know you're there."

"Thank you." Chakotay nodded.

The captain felt the mood change almost imperceptibly. Something in Chakotay's manner put her on alert. "What is it?"

Chakotay tugged his ear with his free hand and looked down. "Your comment earlier about Paris and Torres – they made the request for their own cave this afternoon and I approved it. They left the cavern with the last of their things just before I came out."

"So it's just the two of us." Kathryn turned to stare across the valley.

"I'll sleep in Clementine's if you want."

It was too soon to make this decision. Kathryn wanted more time but knew she didn't have it. She wasn't ready. She was also convinced that he knew she wasn't ready yet. She felt the tension in his arm disappear.

"The crew will think what they want to think no matter what we do. Don't leave unless it's what you want." Kathryn shivered again.

"Then I won't leave." Chakotay shivered. "I think we'd better get back inside. We're both half frozen. I'll go tell the people in the cavern they should all sleep in the grotto tonight."

Kathryn was feigning sleep when Chakotay entered the cavern and sat down on his bed. She heard him stand, walk toward her bed, pause, and then return to his own. She knew he hadn't been fooled but was allowing her to avoid further conversation.

An hour later, Kathryn was shivering constantly. She could hear Chakotay moving restlessly and knew he must be just as cold. Suddenly, he spoke.

"Enough is enough." She heard him stand. "Get up, Kathryn. We're both freezing."

He crossed the cavern and held out his hand. "Come on." She reached out and was pulled to her feet almost violently. She watched as he picked up her pillow and blankets and thrust them into her arms before crossing to his bed and picking up his.

"Come on."

Kathryn was halfway across the room before she remembered she was in command. "Who do you think you're ordering around?"

"No one. Now come on." Chakotay was impatient.

"It certainly sounded like an order."

"You're cold. I'm cold. You can lecture me about orders in the grotto. At least we'll be warmer." Chakotay stared at Kathryn. "Now, are you coming?"

"No." Kathryn allowed pride to overrule her common sense.

"Fine." Chakotay turned and entered the tunnel leaving a stunned Kathryn shivering in the now empty cavern. Slowly she turned and walked back to the corner where she slept. She had just finished spreading the blankets on the ground when Chakotay reappeared. He walked over and stopped next to her, picked up her blankets and wrapped them around her. He grabbed the pillow and thrust it in her arms. He picked her up and was in the tunnel before she reacted.

"Put me down!"

"I will."

"Now!"

"In the grotto, not before. I'm not going to let you freeze to death."

Kathryn stopped arguing. They entered Her Grotto and Chakotay put her on her feet. Kathryn quickly located Chakotay's bed. She shifted the blankets around her and marched silently in the opposite direction. It wasn't far, but it made her point. Silently she spread the blankets on the ground and crawled under the top one. She turned to face the wall and listened while Chakotay spread his blankets on the ground. Then he left and headed back toward the cavern. A minute or two later he was back but the torches were off. He stopped by the one remaining torch then turned it off before lying down. A glow from the tunnel told Kathryn that a torch somewhere in the tunnel had been left on to provide minimal lighting.

An hour later Kathryn was much warmer than she had been in the cavern but still chilled, physically and from the argument with Chakotay. She sighed softly. It was like all their arguments – he was looking out for her welfare and she was protesting.

Kathryn could hear Chakotay's regular breathing over the sound of trickling water. She knew how warm the water was and how soothing. Moving as quietly as she could, she quickly stripped and slipped into the warm water. The tension flowed out of her body as she felt the warmth envelope her. She considered her options. Her favorite spot was at the other end of the small pool, next to Chakotay. Slowly she moved across the pool careful not to make any sound.

Kathryn found the ledge she preferred and settled into the hollow that cushioned her head. She sighed in contentment and relaxed.

"Don't fall asleep." Chakotay's soft voice broke the silence.

"I didn't mean to wake you."

"I wasn’t asleep. Are you warm now?"

"Yes." Kathryn kept her remarks brief. She wasn't sure she was quite ready to let him off the hook yet.

"I'm sorry that I didn't discuss moving down here to sleep with you."

Kathryn was almost angry all over again. She didn't want him apologizing yet. Why couldn't he be the type to insist she acknowledge he had been right? Why did he have to accept responsibility so readily?

"Why won't you fight with me?"

"I thought we just had a fight."

"I mean… I don't know what I mean." Kathryn sighed in exasperation.

"If you want to know why I apologized, it's because I don't like fighting with you and don't like knowing you're angry at me."

"You don't mind having the entire rest of the crew angry at you for days at a time."

"I'm not sure I can explain it, but I can tell you a story, an ancient legend among my people. It’s about an angry warrior who lived his life in conflict with the rest of his tribe, a man who couldn’t find peace – even with the help of his spirit guide. For years, he struggled with his discontent, but the only satisfaction he ever got came when he was in battle. This made him a hero among his tribe, but the warrior still longed for peace within himself. One day, he and his war party were captured by a neighboring tribe led by a woman warrior. She called on him to join her because her tribe was too small and weak to defend themselves from all its enemies. The woman warrior was brave and beautiful and very wise. The angry warrior swore to himself that he would stay by her side, doing whatever he could to make her burden lighter. From that day on, her needs would come first. And in that way, the warrior began to know the true meaning of peace… and love."

Kathryn listened to the words and heard much more. Again, he was moving faster than she was. But this time, she needed to set the pace. She whispered. "I'm not ready yet."

Chakotay seemed to accept her answer for he didn't push her to discuss it further. "I meant to ask you something the other day but forgot. What are the rules for this grotto?"

"So far they've been 'clothing optional'."

"Are you going to change that?"

"I don't think so." Kathryn smiled. "But I think I'll keep it one person at a time."

"Does that mean I have to leave every time you decide to take a midnight soak?"

"No, but you do have to stay out of the pool. The same applies to me. If you get in first, I'll stay out."

Kathryn slowly made her way across the pool and climbed out. She crawled under the blanket and wished she had had a towel to dry off. A few minutes later, she heard Chakotay crossing the grotto before feeling another blanket fall over her.

"I wouldn't mind if you joined me." Chakotay's whisper barely carried to Kathryn's ears. He returned to his bed. Long after his breathing told Kathryn he was asleep, she whispered. "I wouldn't mind if you joined me either."