Alone In A Crowd. (VOY P/T) By Kevin Matsumoto kevinm@pixi.com This is a short "Missing moment" piece from the episode "Demon". It gets a PG Rating at best, probably G if the truth be told. The Duplicate Tom tries to talk a reluctant B'Elanna into donating her DNA. Being a fan of the Paris/Torres relationship, I had this whole darned scene play out in my head during the final moments of the episode. Obviously this story has spoilers for the last episode "Demon" in it. So if you haven't seen it and don't want to hear about it. Stop reading now. . Disclaimer: Do I really have to do this? According most "net lawyers" it won't protect me if Paramount decides to sue me. But I do feel that they do deserve some acknowledgement. I don't own Star Trek: Voyager or any of the characters therein. But I do claim copyright to this story. . Voyager: Shortly after the "silver blood" releases Voyager. "What a minute, Captain." B'Elanna Torres was close to a full blown Klingon snit. "This `Silver Blood' almost kills Tom and Harry, trys to ground Voyager permanently and you want us to allow it to make duplicates of us?" "It's on a strictly voluntary basis, B'Elanna." Capt. Janeway held up a hand in placation. "No one is forcing the issue." "Fine," B'Elana said slightly mollified. "Then I don't agree." "If that's your decision." Janeway managed a neutral expression as her chief engineer left the cargo bay. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * B'Elanna found herself making a beeline straight for Sickbay. She needed to reassure herself that Tom was all right. A she stepped thru the doors, the sight of the `other' Tom Paris brought her up short. "You said no." The `other' Tom said matter of factly. There wasn't any anger in his tone, just pain. "What did you expect?" B'Elanna strode over to face him. "I'm not going to leave a part of me here." "So you're going to leave * me * alone." "What are you talking about?" B'Elanna began pacing in of the containment field. "Some of the others have volunteered, you won't be alone." "I will." Tom took a deep breath. "No matter how many people are there. If you're not. I'll be alone." "That's ridiculous." B'Elanna began when a voice from behind her startled both of them. "He's right." Tom, the real Tom, said from the biobed. "Tom!" B'Elanna almost ran to the side of the bed, then she stopped short. "What do you mean he's right?" "Haven't you ever heard of being `alone in a crowd'?" The `other' Tom asked. "Sure, but ." "Trust me, I've lived that way for most of my life." The `real' Tom interrupted. "Would you two stop that?" B'Elanna held her hands up in a halting motion. "You're making me dizzy." "Sorry," Both Toms said at the same time. B'Elanna sighed. "Explain it to me, Tom." She took the `real' Tom's hand. The `real' Tom managed a weak smile. Slowly his hand traced a path along her cheek. "I've spent most of my life being alone in the crowd. I played the flirt, the life of the party. But I never felt like I fit in. Like I belonged. Not until I met you." "Don't do this to me," the `other' Tom said softly. "please?" B'Elanna heard the pain in his voice, more she could hear the fear as well. Sighing she made her decision. *********************************************** "B'Elanna! Tom!" The Ship's about ready to leave! Are you finished yet?" Harry shouted to the couple. "Just about!" B'Elanna shouted back. They had spent the better part of the day loading Deuterium onto Voyager and unloading supplies to help with building of a community. Now that ship was ready to leave it was time to say good-bye. "Any regrets?" Tom asked softly. "No," B'Elanna shook her head. "I made the right decision." Together the two of them waved as the Voyager made it's ascent back into space. End. Hmmm, like there was any other ending a P/Ter could come up with? ? I hope you enjoyed it. Kevinm@pixi.com http://www.pixi.com/~kevinm "I was actually at woodstock. I fed off a : Spike flowerperson and spent the next hour : From BTVS watching my hand move." : "School Hard"