Part Two
*

Morning came, crisp and clear. The sounds of birds or other animals were in the air, and Seven and Janeway were still awake.

Janeway stood, stretched. "It seems our friend is gone. Do you hear or see anything?"

Seven scanned the trees with her eyes, and checked her tricorder. "Nothing. I can smell the remains of a dead animal. Perhaps the creature has eaten and moved on."

"Perhaps..." Janeway dug into her pack, "I think we're safe. But let's keep our eyes and ears open." She had pulled a white tank top from her pack, and ducked just inside the cave.

When she reemerged, she had the snug white tank top on.

Seven averted her eyes almost immediately. All her assimilated knowledge of anatomy, human and otherwise, still didn't prepare her for the way she felt at the sight of a well formed physique. Kathryn was very well formed.

Walking toward the extinguished fire, Janeway watched the ground. "No paw prints."

Seven followed, "Captain, there is no guarantee that the creature has gone. We should stay near the cave."

Janeway had reached the now cold fire pit, and bent over to pick up the brownie box. It was empty.

"Not a crumb." She said, a frown on her face. "Licked clean."

Seven, straight faced and stoic said, "My condolences."

Janeway's mouth dropped open. "Seven, did you just make a joke?" She smiled, "You made a joke. And it was funny."

Seven allowed a small smile. "I am happy my attempt at humor pleased you."

Nodding, Janeway's eyes met Seven's. "It very much pleased me."

Seven felt the familiar pounding in her chest. The distraction as if nothing else existed for a moment. Just Kathryn's eyes. The warmth rushed to her womanhood. She wouldn't look away. Not this time.

Kathryn looked away first, and in an uncomfortable manner, began to wipe the dust from the box with her fingertips. "Well. You're right, Seven. Back to the cave."

She winced suddenly, and dropping the box, slapped at her leg.

Seven looked down to see tiny red beetles crawling up the Captain's leg. Then a few more.

In moments, dozens of the insects were quickly crawling up Kathryn's legs. She slapped at them, wincing again. They crawled onto her hands. "Seven..."

Seven dropped the phaser she'd been carrying, and began to slap at the insects on Janeway's leg also. It was futile.

The insects swarmed onto Kathryn, and began burrowing into her clothes. Seven saw the tiny hole in the ground at the edge of the fire pit where they emerged. Hundreds swarmed out at breathtaking speed.

Seven lifted Janeway swung her around and set her on her feet a few meters away.

Her Captain's face was a mask of pain. Seven picked up her phaser, set it on stun, and prepared to fire. Perhaps it would stop the insects.

"Your clothes!" A woman, from out of the woods, running toward them, yelling at Janeway, "Get out of your clothes!"

The young woman had reached Janeway and her hands were tearing at Janeway's uniform. Janeway, at a loss of what else to do, helped the stranger, and was soon standing nude. The young woman flicked a beetle off her hand, and kicked the clothes back to where the beetles had emerged.

Kathryn's eyes rolled upward. Seven caught her Captain as she fell. Kathryn's breathing had grown audibly labored.

Green eyes flashed at Seven. "Carry her. Follow me." The woman took off toward the forest.

Seven followed closely behind the silent moving woman in the tight black skin clothing. Her long black hair trailed behind her in waves, and soon she had led Seven to their destination.

A small pond of iridescent water shimmered in the light that filtered down through the leaves.

"Immerse her" The woman was tearing through the undergrowth ripping up plants, tearing up flowers.

Seven had immersed Kathryn as the woman had instructed, and in the moments it took to reach this pond, Seven's mind had already accessed information.

There was no translator in use; this woman spoke the common Earth dialect that the crew of Voyager used. There were linguistic patterns of both the French and Scottish peoples of Earth in her speech. No. It was older. Gaelic intonations.

Seven held Kathryn's head above the water, by grasping her shoulders just beneath the surface of the water. She stared helplessly down at her Captain.

Kathryn's skin was swelling all over. Red bites covered her body, the worst up to her waist. She twitched suddenly. Seven's world froze for a moment as Kathryn convulsed, and then was still.  No breath. Seven looked to the woman. No choice but to trust her. "Hurry."

The woman was next to Seven now, crushing the roots and flowers between two stones. She gathered up the paste they had made, and grabbed Kathryn's face. She held Kathryn's mouth open, and used her fingers to rub the paste onto Kathryn's tongue and the inside of her mouth.

She paused, ear down, and listened for Kathryn's breath. She reached her hands into the shimmering water, and took Kathryn's hand. She whispered. "Please. Show me I wasn't too late."

Seven stared across her Captain at this strange woman whose skin was so pale that delicate blue veins showed through at her jaw line. High cheekbones accented her almond shaped green eyes. She would have much to inquire of this woman. For now, only the Captain mattered.

Eyelids fluttered, and Kathryn moaned softly. A deep breath came, and she was breathing normal again, but still unconscious.

The relief swept over Seven. She would thank the stranger who saved Kathryn's life. She lifted her eyes to the woman, who was staring into the water.

Seven looked now, and saw the hundreds of tiny red beetles that had been embedded in Kathryn's skin, floating on the surface of the water.

"Those," the woman said, "are Fire Beetles." Her emerald eyes seemed to be counting them. "I don't understand why they didn't attack you." She directed her statement to Seven. "You were fortunate."

A deeper moan, and Kathryn's eyes opened. Her skin had already regained most of its usual complexion, the red welts quickly shrinking.

Kathryn's eyes were glassy, and she smiled up at Seven. "Hi..." She laughed and her head lolled to the side, and she saw the stranger smiling down at her. "Who the hell are you?"

The stranger grinned, and looked up at Seven. "The beetle root is an antitoxin for their bite, but it does affect the mind. She will feel a high for a few minutes." Green eyes back on Kathryn. "My name is Caela. You were attacked by Fire Beetles, but you're all right now."

Kathryn's head lolled to the center, and she wondered out loud, "Why am I naked? Why am I in a pond...? it's a lovely pond."

"Captain, it was necessary. The beetles were embedded in the fabric." Seven stopped, not knowing exactly why it was necessary.

"Dammit, Seven, call me Kathryn."

Caela seemed to be finding this all very amusing, and Seven arched her brow in disapproval.

Stifling her grin, Caela said to Seven, "We must keep her in the water for little longer, to be sure all the beetles are out. She'll have a headache to kill a Mountain Mammoth when the root wears off. It won't last long, and then she'll be good as new." Caela seemed to know what Seven was thinking. "I am sorry," she said, "for spying on you. You would not have known I was here if not for the beetles."

"Are we in any danger from them now?" Seven asked.

Caela shook her head, "They were attracted to the embers and ashes in your fire pit."

"Hence the name Fire Beetle." Seven said.

"That, and because their bite is like fire." Caela looked down at the Captain with sympathy. "Poor woman."

Seven did not like the idea that her Captain had just been attacked and bitten over most of her epidermis by insects that felt like fire. It was too much for her to think about, her Kathryn in that kind of pain. Thanks to this Caela, the pain was gone.

She asked the next question on her mind. "You are not from this quadrant?"

Caela had released Kathryn's hand, and checked her eyes. "Quadrant. I don't know that word." She began to reach for Janeway's far arm. "Let's get her out."

Seven's arm blocked Caela as she leaned forward. "I will carry her."

Caela stepped back, apparently not offended, and proceeded to sweep at the water with her hands to clear the floating dead beetles.

Seven slid her hands beneath Kathryn. She felt the muscles there, and put it aside. She lifted Kathryn easily, and held her in her arms. She kept her eyes forward.

Caela watched as Seven turned to walk back to the camp. She followed after a moment.

Kathryn cleared her throat a couple of times, and made a sour face. "That taste." She opened her eyes, looked up at Seven carrying her, and was more cognizant now, "Tuvok. He's alone, I have to watch the cave."

Caela interjected before Seven could say a word. "Your friend is in no danger. I looked in on him this morning."

Seven didn't like that this woman could be anywhere and Seven wouldn't know it. "Explain."

"There's a small maze of tunnels leading through the caves. Too small for any of the planet's predators." She said, "He's safe."

Emerging from the trees, Katherine asked, "Why wasn't Seven attacked by the beetles?"

"I don't know." Caela said, "They'll eat anything, but need warm blooded creatures to lay their eggs in. They prefer warm blood to eat, too. I've never seen them pass up an opportunity to attack before." Her green eyes were on Seven. "That they didn't swarm you is highly unusual."

They passed by the fire pit now, and where Kathryn's clothes had been, now just a few thready bits of cloth, and a combadge gleaming in the sunlight.

"They ate my brownies." Kathryn said.

Seven ignored what she hoped was the last of the Captain's high.

Kathryn returned to the subject at hand. "Seven…” she gathered her thoughts, “Any idea as to why they left you alone?"

"Perhaps it is my Borg Technology."

Caela thought for a moment. "Is that the attachment over your eye?

"Yes." Seven answered.

Caela thought about it before she asked, "What is Borg?"

There was silence, as both Kathryn and Seven weren't prepared for the question.

"It is irrelevant."

Caela took up a stick, and went back toward the fire pit, while Seven moved on to the cave mouth. With the stick, she reached over, and knocked the combadge out of the range of the beetles and picked it up. She quickly retrieved the brownie box, and made a little leap away from the pit, and joined Seven and Janeway again.

Seven had set Kathryn down on a bedroll, and handed her a blanket to cover herself with.

Caela set the box down, and handed Seven the combadge. "Here's your... " She stared at the combadge, and then looked up at Seven's brow implant. “Borg?”

“It is a combadge.” Seven took it, and handed it to Janeway, who was digging into her pack for clothes.

Caela stepped forward. Quietly, almost shyly, she spoke up. "You must be examined for eggs."

"Eggs?" A positively disgusted Kathryn grimaced.

Seven had stood, and pressed her combadge. "Seven to Voyager."

B'Elanna's voice chimed back, "Torres here."

"Wait." Kathryn held her hand up. "Caela, you're a healer?"

"My Grandmother was. She taught me."

"And, once you examine me for eggs, am I in any danger?"

"None."

Janeway nodded, "All right then, examine me. " She looked up at Seven who was still waiting to signal Voyager. "I made Tuvok a promise. I'm not leaving yet."

"Captain- Kathryn, you must be beamed to sickbay at once."

Janeway pressed the combadge she held in her hand. "Stand by, B'Elanna."

The Captain, holding her blanket around her, "Tuvok will be finished soon. Caela seems to have things under control."

Chakotay's voice chimed in, "Captain, is everything all right down there?"

"Yes, Chakotay. Everything is fine. Janeway out." She set the combadge on the ground next to her.

Caela kneeled next to Janeway, and lowered the blanket off her back. She began a quick but meticulous examination of Janeway's skin, starting from the scalp, downward.

"Captain, I must protest. You have been attacked by an unknown species-"

Caela stated, "Fire Beetles." Her fingers ran over every inch of Janeway's back.

"Seven, I appreciate your concern." She flinched from a tickle.

"Sorry." Caela went about the business of Janeway's waistline.

Janeway leaned forward, to give Caela more skin. "As I was saying, Seven, I appreciate your concern."

Caela sat back on her heels. "You'll have to lie down on your stomach."

Janeway nodded, "I guess there's no point in being modest now."

Janeway dropped the blanket, leaned forward and walked with her hands until she was on her stomach. The muscles in her back rippled and she stretched her legs out behind her, resting her head on her hands.

Caela quickly moved down Janeway's left leg.

Seven could only stand and watch. How could Caela be so close to the Captain in that state and not lose her concentration? She realized she was taking in every inch of the Captain when she met eyes. Janeway said nothing, but smiled a little.

Seven averted her eyes.

Janeway flinched again, as Caela reached the back of her right knee. "Caela, we were under the impression that this planet was uninhabited."

"There are thousands of species of animal and plant here, as you must know by now."

"Perhaps I should say our sensors showed no intelligent species."

"Many of the animals here are quite intelligent. If they weren't they couldn't survive the gray seasons."

Janeway didn't lose patience. "I'll rephrase. You're a humanoid species. Our sensors didn't find you here."

"Your sensors must have missed me."

Caela paused by Janeway's ankle, holding her leg by the one hand, and fishing a small silvery knife from her boot. "Ah- here we are, then."

Seven nearly pulled Caela to standing when she lunged forward and grabbed her hand.

Caela met Seven with a steady gaze, and very calmly said, "It's for the eggs. To get them out."

Seven slowly released Caela's hand. She stepped back. "I am watching you."

"Seven." Janeway gave her a look to calm her down.

Caela exhaled through white teeth, hands on hips. She blinked slowly, as if taking a picture with her mind's eye, as she stared down at Kathryn's ankle. "I have to find the sac again..." She did within a few seconds, and said, "This might sting a bit."

Tenderly, Caela dug out the egg sac with the tip of her knife. She held the tiny gelatinous globule in her palm. "A hundred beetles in there." She set it delicately on the ground.

"Destroy it." Seven said.

Caela shook her head. "No. It's life. I won't destroy life if I can help it." To Janeway, "I need you to turn over now."

Turning over, Janeway continued her earlier line of questioning. "Where are your people, Caela?"

"They died out. Many seasons ago."

"Are you alone here?" Janeway propped herself up on elbows while Caela examined her from the feet up this time.

"Yes."

Seven had stepped around to stand at Janeway's head. "You said we would not have known you were here if not for the Fire Beetles. Explain."

Caela had finished one leg, and began up the other. "I couldn't very well let your friend here die, could I?"

"Caela," Janeway said, as she lay back, "You look no older than Seven here. We look enough alike- we might be the same species. Why would you hide from us?"

"You're not tribe." She had finished with Janeway's breasts, shoulders and arms. "I'm sorry, but I must examine you everywhere."

"Understood." Janeway slid her legs apart, and bent at the knees.

Seven's jaw tightened. "Captain, the doctor would perform a sufficient examination."

Seven put forth the information she had gathered about Caela. "You speak an Earth dialect. You are human."

Caela looked up at Seven. "Human. Another word I haven't heard, and I thought Earth was a legend. In any case, I speak the tongue of my people."

Seven pointed out, "Humans are indigenous to the planet Earth."

Janeway was surprised to hear Caela's answer, "You have heard of Earth?"

Caela went back to her task, "My ancestors were supposed to have come here from a place called Earth, thousands of seasons ago."

Janeway looked up at Seven, making eye contact. But she spoke to Caela, "Perhaps you are human."

Caela finished now and slid Janeway's legs back together. "There was only the one egg sac."

Janeway had already begun pulling on a pair of trousers. "Thank you Caela. For saving my life, and for getting that egg sac out of my body."

Seven glared down at Caela, who stated easily, "I couldn't have done it unless your friend- Seven? -carried you. I could never have lifted you. Lifting you off the nest when she did made it possible for the root to work- more beetles would have meant more bites, and a small chance to live."

"Thank you, Seven." Janeway pulled on a silver tank top, and squinted her eyes. "Ooh. There's that headache."

Caela picked up the little egg sac. "I'm sorry, I know of no cure for a beetle root headache." She placed her knife back into her boot. "It'll help if you stay to the shadows." She turned, as if to leave, but paused, her green eyes serious. "Light no fires, and you'll have no Fire Beetles. They're one of few dangers here in this part of the forest. Them, and the Howl. I heard it last night. I suggest you leave by nightfall." She turned and began walking back toward the woods. "Warn your people to not come here again."

Kathryn went after Caela, and stepped in front of her. "I'd like to show you my thanks. Please come to my ship for a meal, and a tour. We'd love to have you."

"That you live is thanks enough." Caela faintly smiled. "This is my home. I won't leave."

Kathryn nodded, understanding as well as she could. "Caela, I'd really like to know more about your people. If your ancestors had a technology that brought them from Earth to here, perhaps it could help us. We're trying to get home to Earth."

Caela shook her head, "I know very little of technology. My people were of nature. Scientists, but of nature. And as I said, I thought the story was a legend. I know of no technology that might help you. I'm sorry."

Janeway nodded again, a little less hopeful. But she wasn't finished. "If you should change your mind about the visit, we'll be here until the first sundown. Just show up if you'd like to come with us. For a visit."

Without another word, Caela walked silently into the forest.

Janeway went back to Seven, shrugged and sat on her bedroll, looking down at her bare feet. Digging shoes from her pack, she sighed, "I hate to leave her here all alone. She seems so sad. Alone."

"It is her prerogative." Seven answered.

"Yes, of course."

"Are you in need of anything, Kathryn?" Seven awaited her Captain's word.

"I think we could both use some sleep."

Seven felt she could relax now. She had to roll out her bed again, next to Kathryn's. She noticed her Captain was staring off at the trees again.

"It's a shame." Kathryn said. "She's been alone for a long time. With that howling thing out there."

"She has survived thus far."

"Right, which means she can take care of herself. Or anyone else who comes along." Kathryn looked back at Seven. "Still, I hope she changes her mind."

Seven decided she had found only one thing about Caela intriguing. "She did not know of the Borg."

"I never thought I'd meet anyone who hadn't encountered, in one way or another, the Borg."

Seven's brow arched in an odd mix of shame and pride. "Nor did I."

*

End Part Two