Safe In The Arms Of Love




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Safe In Arms of Love
2nd in The Music Box Series

By: Heather (Ktarra617@aol.com)

This is the sequel to To the Moon and Back. I will try to make this so that 
you don't have to read the first story to understand the second. But since 
this is part of a series you really should go back and read the first story. 
PLEASE!!!! I live for feedback!!!!!

To those of you that notice the generous amount of J/C in this and 
subsequent stories you have my roommate Kathy to thank or curse. Take your 
pick!! She is a big JCer and as I am a closet JCer. I decided to make her 
happy and bring them together in my stories. Hey, we can dream can't we?

Thanks really do need to go to Kathy though. She is my editor, sounding 
board and note taker. You guys don't know how many times she has sat on top 
of the washing machine scribbling notes as I ramble on some idea that has 
just struck while I was cooking dinner. At any rate she has been a great 
help to me and a source of encouragement. She kept after me to finish TTMAB 
and now she is after me to finish this one so you guys owe this to her. 
Thanks, Kathy!!!!


Disclaimer: Same song and dance. They (Paramount) own em and we(or rather 
myself) play with em. The story and all characters not created by Paramount 
belong to me. Copyright 1998 by Heather. The Title is borrowed from the song 
of the same title by Martina McBride. No infringement is intended.

Now on with the story:


"Now, Lieutenant Torres, I am releasing you to your quarters. You are to 
rest and not report for duty for at the very least three more days. You 
managed to do enough damage the first time around so let's not add to it, 
hmm." the Doctor said as he finished his final scans of the restless 
half-Klingon.

"Careful, Doc, or you're going to find someone has accidentally tampered 
with your programming." Torres threatened.

"In anticipation of such a threat, your engineering codes and authorizations 
have been locked out, until such time you are returned to duty. At that 
point you will be too busy with engineering to worry about exacting your 
petty revenge against me."

"Doctor, are you done yet?" B'Elanna asked.

At that moment Tom walked through the doors of sickbay. The Doctor had 
notified him that he would be releasing B'Elanna this afternoon.

"Come on, Bella, surely you don't want to leave the presence of our friend." 
Tom teased.

"Tom, I have been here for four days. I am ready to kill someone and since I 
can't hurt him, you are the lucky winner." She said getting up.

"But, Bella, if you kill me you have to put up with Kalor, remember?" Tom 
said standing his ground.

"True." she answered sitting back down.

"Finished yet, Doc?" Tom asked cheerily.

"Yes. Lieutenant, you are released. Please get some rest. You are on medical 
leave for three days. I am backed up by the Captain so please do not go 
anywhere near your duty station."

"Hmmph." she said slowly making her way out of Sickbay and heading for her 
quarters with Tom following close behind.

They slowly made their way to deck seven. Once inside her quarters B'Elanna 
sat down on her couch. The walk had tired her more than she thought it 
would. *Guess, I was worse off than I thought.* She thought to herself.

"So what do you want to do this evening?" Tom asked.

"Rest. Let's just relax, ok?"

"Sure, no problem. We'll have dinner and I'll read a novel to you. That 
sound ok?"

"Yes. It does." The idea of sitting and listening to Tom reading was very 
enticing. She could get spoiled this way.

"Well, then, what would you like to have for dinner?"

"I don't care. Whatever."

"Bella, the last time I chose something when you answered 'I don't care. 
Whatever' led to you in sickbay for a day and not speaking to me for three 
days. I don't want a repeat performance so what do you want to eat?"

"Something light. How does a salad sound?" She returned.

At that moment the Captain's voice came over the comm.

"This is the Captain. All off duty personnel please report to Holodeck 2 
immediately. Thank you." the comm quickly cut.

"Well so much for sitting here and relaxing." B'Elanna said.

"We won't be there long." Tom responded, getting up and helping B'Elanna to 
her feet. He offered her his arm and she took it. They proceeded slowly to 
holodeck two.



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



By the time that Tom and B'Elanna arrived most of the off duty personnel had 
arrived too. They walked over to where Harry, Tuvok, and the Doctor were 
waiting patiently.

"Hey, Tom, B'Elanna. How are you feeling?" Harry asked.

"Better, but I think I'm going to take those few days off. The walk from 
sickbay to my quarters and then here has really tired me out."

"You should, Lieutenant. It would not help to have a less than healthy Chief 
Engineer." Tuvok stated.

"Thank you, Dr. Tuvok." B'Elanna replied to the Vulcan not even trying to 
hide the sarcasm in her voice. Tuvok just raised an eyebrow. That was how he 
reacted to anything. The eyebrow arched. That was it. *It really is 
infuriating sometimes.* B'Elanna thought to herself.

"Do you need a chair, B'Elanna?" Tom asked, concerned. She so seldom ever 
admitted to any discomfort that the fact she had this time had him worried.

"No, Tom, thank you. I think I'll make it." she answered.

"Ok, just let me know." He said softly to her.

"So what do you think we're all here for?" Harry asked.

"I imagine to hear what the Captain has to say." The Doctor put in.

"Besides that. The rumor is that she'll be announcing that we're staying." 
Harry said.

"Could be." Tom simply stated.

"So what do you think, Tom? Do you want to stay?" Harry said asking another 
question.

"I'd have to think about and discuss it with someone first." Tom replied.

"What about you, B'Elanna?"

"I'll get back to you, Harry."

That moment the Captain chose to make her speech.

"Attention! May I have your attention please." The Captain started, "As I am 
sure you are all aware we have been in orbit of a planet colonized by 
members of the Federation. They have invited us to stay. I know I have been 
insistent on making it back to the Alpha Quadrant and I know a lot of us 
would like to. But we have to face reality that none of us will ever likely 
make it back and if we do it will be just in time for us to die. I can not 
make this decision alone for the crew. I know some of you are weary and want 
to stop. We have been offered some land on the west of New Meridia to build 
our own community and homes. I am leaving this decision up to you. There are 
still things that we need to finish up. You have four days to decide whether 
we go on or stay here. Please forward your anonymous votes to Commander 
Chakotay at your earliest convenience. Majority will rule on this issue. 
After the votes have been counted I will make the announcement. That is all. 
Dismissed."

"Well, now what?" Harry asked.

"We think about what we want." Tom stated simply before taking B'Elanna by 
the arm and leading her out of the holodeck and back to her quarters.



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



Kathryn Janeway walked out of the Holodeck and back to her ready room. That 
was her place. Somewhere she could go when she needed to think. No one would 
disturb her there. *Well, almost no one.* She thought. *He'll be along to 
check on me shortly. Maybe now would be a good time to discuss the 
'parameters' of this thing we call a relationship. We have been dancing 
around this for three years. I know what he wants. I just have to be strong 
enough to let him in. I have to learn to depend on him. I can't always be 
the rock. Not that he wants me to be. He just wants to be there for me.*

She walked over to her replicator and punched up some coffee. *If I know 
this then why is it so hard for me to let him in.* she thought, *You know 
why. The walls have been up a long time and taking them down is not going to 
be easy. You need help to learn how to depend on someone again. He's 
patient. He won't push you.* She finished to herself.

Just as she sat down, the door chime rang on cue.

"Come in."

"Captain."

"Kathryn." She corrected.

"Kathryn."

"Yes, Chakotay?"

"How do you think it went?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

"Well, I was listening to some of the crew after you dismissed them. I don't 
want to call it too early but I think we had better get used to this place 
as home."

"You really think so?"

"Yes, I do." He answered her.

"Well one thing is for sure. Things are going to be different."

"Yes, they will. We will no longer be constrained by the fact that we are on 
this ship. We will be free to have a life on a planet. We can see the stars. 
Go outside. Not to have to see this stuff on the holodeck only."

"I know. The last time we spent any significant time on a planet was New 
Earth." she stated before she realized what she had said.

"Speaking of New Earth. We both know we've been kidding ourselves about 
this. There is something here. We've denied it because of our positions. But 
down there we won't be just the Captain and Commander anymore. We'll be 
Kathryn and Chakotay. You think maybe there will be a chance for us?" He 
asked quietly.

*Well, here's your chance, Kathryn.*

"I have been thinking about that, Chakotay. I think when the crew makes its 
decision, be it one way or the other, I want to give this a try. I am tired 
of being alone. But we have to move slowly. The walls have been up for a 
long time and won't come down easily."

"How about I stop by later and we can talk?"

"That would be nice."

"Ok, I'll be by later." He answers not bothering to hide his relief that she 
agreed. His smile was warm and it made her smile in return and feel better 
about her decision.

"See you then." She said.

He stood and made his way towards the door. At the door he paused and turned 
to look back at her. She smiled and he turned and left.



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



In the mess hall a group was discussing the Captain's announcement.

"Just think, we can walk outside and feel the wind and it will be real, not 
on some holodeck." Ayala said.

"I know. I want to be able to sit out in the morning and watch the sunrise." 
Ensign Danielle Brooks replied.

She was Danni to her friends. She was also very much in love with Ayala but 
he didn't seem able to let go of his wife and children. Maybe one day. He 
seemed determined to live his life alone if he couldn't be with them. She 
would just have to do something about that.

"Well, I for one can't wait to see where we are all going to live." Ensign 
Cates replied.

"Rumor has it that if we stay we'll be building our homes to the west along 
the other side of the river." Ensign Brooks replied.

"I heard we would be adding to the west side of the colony, too." Ayala 
added turning to look at Brooks, the slightest of smiles pulling at his 
mouth. *She really is a lovely woman.* He thought to himself.

"I guess we will have to be patient and wait and see what the Captain says 
when the votes are in." Harry interjected.

"So who thinks the vote will be to stay?" Danni asked.

"The betting pool isn't even running on it. No one is betting that we won't 
stay." Harry answered.

"Awe, that's no fun. Surely someone would be willing to bet against the 
odds." Ayala replied.

"Apparently not this time. Besides I think everyone wants to stay." Harry 
returned.

"Do you?" Danni asked.

"Yeah, I think I do. I used to think that all I wanted was to get back to 
the Alpha Quadrant and be with my parents and Libby again, but everyone here 
has become family. We are all each others family. Besides, Libby will have 
moved on by now. Why not find someone here and be happy." Harry answered.

"Yes, why not." Danni agreed looking pointedly at Ayala, who suddenly found 
his drink very interesting.

Harry noticed the by play going on and decided to excuse himself. *About 
time there was another couple on this ship besides Tom and B'Elanna.* Harry 
thought, getting up.

"If you will excuse me I have some things to do before our favorite Chief 
Engineer makes the surprise drop in visit to Engineering that I know she 
will be doing here in a little bit."

"How do you know she is going to do that?" Ayala asked.

"Because she was released from Sickbay this afternoon and hasn't been to 
engineering for four days. Even though I am sure she has plans with Tom this 
evening I am sure she will find some reason to get rid of him for a little 
bit and sneek down to engineering. Any minute I guarantee you Tom will come 
through those doors looking for me because B'Elanna has told him to get lost 
for a little bit."

As if on cue the doors to the mess hall opened and Tom Paris walked through. 
His eyes were searching and when they landed on Harry he headed in his 
direction.

"Wow." was all Danni and Ayala could say.

"Wow about what?" Tom asked as he came to a stop in front of their table.

"I was telling them a prediction about B'Elanna." Harry answered.

"Let me guess, you were going to try to get down to engineering before 
B'Elanna." Tom replied, his blue eyes twinkling.

"I was but since you're here, I have to assume she has already snuck out and 
is either on her way there or already there."

"Yup. She is on her way there as we speak. I watched her leave her quarters. 
I told her I would be back in an hour. If I were you, Harry, I would go down 
there and see what trouble she's getting into. You know how she gets and I 
am not supposed to know where she's at. So it's your turn to babysit. Get 
rid of her fast before the Captain finds out that she was there, too."

"Listen to you two. Talking as if she were a child." Danni said not 
bothering to hide the irritation in her voice.

"Lighten up, Danni. She has done worse to me whenever it was me who was 
injured. Last year when I was busted up pretty good by the Trakians in their 
little war she and Harry here didn't leave me alone for four whole days. 
Just to make sure that I didn't do anything or go anywhere I shouldn't. She 
can be a lot worse. Besides, she knows I know what she is up to. This is 
just a little game and she won't relax and rest anyway till she has seen 
first hand that her engines are ok. So I pretend stupidity when the 
circumstances call for it. Lot less arguments that way."

"Alright. Well I'll see you all later. I have to report to SC for duty in a 
half hour. Bye, Mike." Danni said getting up to leave. Everyone else called 
him Micheal, she was the only one who persisted in calling him Mike.

"Bye, Danni." Ayala said to her as she turned and walked out.

All three men watched as Danni left. As soon as the doors shut both Harry 
and Tom turned to Ayala.

"Micheal"

"Ayala"

"Are you..."

"...out of your mind?" Tom finished.

"How do you guys do that?" Ayala asked.

"Don't change the subject." Tom said.

"What?!" Micheal asked.

"Are you really that blind?" Harry asked.

"What, you mean about Danni? No, I am not blind. I can see how she feels."

"Do you feel the same way?" Tom asked.

"It wouldn't matter if I did. I am a married man."

Tom and Harry could see his dilemma if not understand how he felt. Neither 
one of them had any permanent ties to the Alpha quadrant.

"Michael, I can see why it would be a problem but don't you think after four 
years your wife would have moved on by now. Besides it is quite possible 
that the crew will vote to stay. Do you really want to spend the rest of 
your life here alone?"

"No, I suppose not."

"Don't take this the wrong way but if you don't do something about it soon 
it may be too late by the time you do. Danni is not the type to wait around 
forever and besides, she is an attractive girl. It won't be long till she 
has a long line of guys from the colony chasing after her." Harry put in.

"I'll give it some thought. I gotta go. Catch you guys later." he said 
standing and heading out the door.

"I hope he takes our advice." Tom said.

"I hope so, too. Well, I guess I should get down to engineering and chase 
someone out."

"Yes, you should. I'll see you later, Harry."

The two men parted ways after making further plans to meet later for a game 
of pool.



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



"Come in." a voice called from inside.

The man stepped inside the doors and was greeted to quite a different site 
than he was used to upon entering his Captain's quarters.

The lights were low but not too low. There was soft music playing and a 
table for two with candles and place settings. *Quite romantic. So Kathryn 
is a romantic after all.*

"Captain." Chakotay called.

"I'll be out in a moment." She called from her bedroom. "Just make yourself 
comfortable." she added after a moment.

"Alright." he answered

A moment later she came out the bedroom to stand in her doorway. He had 
turned around and was studying the objects on display in her living area. He 
was quite engrossed. He was learning bits and pieces about this woman by 
what she kept displayed.

*No pictures of Mark!!!* his mind screamed at him.

"Hmm. Hmm." Kathryn cleared her throat to get his attention.

He turned around to see her and his jaw made an immediate trip to the floor.

"Chakotay, when you pick up your jaw up off the floor do you think you could 
join me at the table for dinner?" She asked with a smile.

He was completely stunned. He'd seen her in a dress before and out of 
uniform on several occasions, but what he saw tonight was totally different. 
Her hair was down and hanging straight down her back and the dress she was 
wearing was one he had not seen before. It was the same shade of blue as her 
eyes and was absolutely stunning on her.

"Uh, yeah. You look beautiful, Captain." He finally managed to say.

"Chakotay, when it's just you and me by ourselves outside of work we can 
leave the rank at the door. I am not the Captain this evening, alright?"

"Fine, Kathryn." He answered walking over to the table.

They sat down to have dinner. They ate slowly, enjoying the meal and each 
other. They talked of many things, mostly about where this thing between 
them was headed and where they wanted it to go. However they still only 
skirted the issue. Soon dinner was eaten and the table cleared.

"I'm not ready for you to leave just yet. How about some tea or coffee and 
we can sit and talk some more." Kathryn offered.

"That would be great."

"Then go have a seat on the couch and I'll be right out. Which did you 
want?"

"Tea will be fine."

"Alright." He went to sit down. He heard her talking to the replicator and 
just as he was about to sit down an explosion rocked the ship and he was 
thrown to the floor.

A few moments passed before Chakotay comprehended what had happened. He 
heard the alarms going off. His first thought was Kathryn. Where was she? 
Was she hurt? He managed to get up. As he stood up his worst nightmares were 
imagined. Kathryn's quarters were a disaster zone. The explosion had 
originated here.

He moved in the direction of the replicator and after a few moments found 
her buried under debris by the wall of her dining area. He cleared the 
rubble away and quickly checked for pulse. He sighed his relief when he 
found it. Her pulse was strong but he knew that could change at any minute.

"Kathryn." he said hoping she would hear him. "Kathyrn, can you hear me?"

She moaned a little bit and looked like maybe she was beginning to come 
around.

"Come on, Kathryn. Wake up." He said nervously. He was scared as hell. He 
felt like his insides were being ripped out seeing her like this. Deep down 
he knew there was nothing he could have done and that he should be thankful 
she was alive. And he was grateful but a part of him still felt guilty. It 
was his job to protect her after all. As first officer it was his 
responsibility.

Finally she slipped back into unconciousness. It was then that he finally he 
tapped his badge.

"Chakotay to Bridge. There's been an explosion in the Captain's quarter's. I 
need to beam two directly to sickbay."

A moment later he was helping the doctor gently lift Kathryn onto the 
biobed.

"Commander, what happened?" the Doctor asked.

"Near as I can tell the replicator exploded."

"That is conclusive with her injuries. Third degree burns along her face and 
chest area. Some bruising and lacerations along arms and legs. No doubt from 
flying fragments of the replicator." the doctor stated absently.

"No doubt." Chakotay answered.

The Doctor continued to work for a few moments, until his concentration was 
broken by the doors of sickbay opening to admit Lt. Cmdr Tuvok and his 
security officers.

"Commander."

"Tuvok."

"I have sealed off the Captain's quarters and an investigation is already 
under way. May I inquire as to what happened?"

"We were getting ready to have some tea and she went to the replicator to 
get it. I went in to sit on the couch to wait for her and next thing I know 
I'm waking up on the floor."

"May I inquire as to why you were there?"

"You may not."

Tuvok's only response was to arch his eyebrow.

*That really is irritating.* thought Chakotay

"It's personal, Tuvok. You may ask the Captain when she wakes up and if she 
chooses to tell you that is her business." turning to the Doctor, "Doctor, 
what is her condition?"

"Well at the moment, barring any nasty surprises she should be waking up in 
a few hours. I'll be keeping her sedated till atleast tomorrow morning. The 
dermal regenerator has its work cut out for it. It will be quite irritating 
for her so I will just keep her sedated until I am finished."

"But she will be alright?" Chakotay asked.

"Yes, Commander, I expect a full recovery. She was lucky not have been right 
in front of the replicator or she would have been killed." The Doc replied.

"Thank you, Doctor. Commander, I think a briefing for the senior staff 
should be held as soon as possible." Tuvok interuppted.

"Call a meeting for one hour. Have the preliminary report of the findings 
from the Captain's quarters ready by then. Dismissed."

Tuvok didn't really know what to say so he just nodded and left.

"Doctor, may I have a moment alone with the Captain." Chakotay asked.

"Of course, Commander." The Doc answered turning and heading in the 
direction of his office.

Chakotay stared at Kathryn. Her face was relaxed as though she were only 
sleeping. The only difference was the red and swollen cuts and burns on her 
face, arms and chest. He hesitantly reached out and pushed some hair out her 
face, slowly sliding his hand down the side of her face. He didn't expect 
her to move but she did. Her face turned toward his hand as though she 
sensed he was there.

"Kathryn," he whispered, "We'll find out who did this. I promise. Then we 
will finish our talk. I promise you that, too. I'm not losing you now that I 
have found you." He bent down and placed a kiss gently on her forehead.

"Keep me informed of her condition. I'll be back later." He called as he 
turned and left sickbay.




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After much discussion over dinner the two had finally decided how they would 
vote on the issue of whether to stay or not.

As soon as they had finished their dinner and sat down to read. Tom had been 
reading to B'Elanna until he realized she had fallen asleep. They had been 
reading Anne of Green Gables. It was a twentieth century earth novel about a 
little red headed orphan girl who wasn't wanted by her family or anyone else 
for that matter . She'd had no home or family till she came to Green Gables 
and found people willing to take care of her and raise her. The book was the 
first in a series about her adventures, which turned out to be many 
considering her temper was always getting her into trouble.

The book was apparently one of the few that B'Elanna had read from the 
period and liked. She had asked Tom to read that one to her. He had never 
read it.

*Guess I'll have to finish it later.* He carefully laid the padd down on the 
couch and prepared to carry her into her bedroom and put her to bed. Just as 
he was laying her down on her bed, his commbadge chirped.

"Tuvok to Lt. Paris." He finished pulling the covers up over B'Elanna and 
went back to the living area.

"Paris here."

"There will be a briefing for the senior staff in about an hour. Please 
report to the briefing room at that time. "

"Tuvok, what's up? I just got B'Elanna into bed. You know she needs her rest 
right now."

"Lieutenant, I regret the disturbance. However, there has been an explosion 
in the Captain's quarters and the Commander wishes to hold a briefing to 
discuss the matter."

"An explosion! Is the Captain ok?"

"She will make a full recovery. She's in sickbay and most likely will be 
there until tomorrow at the latest."

"Alright, we'll be there. Paris out."

*Damn! Just when things start going good. They have to take a turn for the 
worse.*

What Tom was really worried about was what the latest incident could mean. 
He was still not sure about the shuttle accident and now the explosion in 
the Captain's quarters. He didn't want to think of the implications at the 
moment.

He sighed to himself and went in to wake B'Elanna and tell her what was 
going on.




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Exactly one hour later the entire senior staff was sitting anxiously waiting 
for Commander Chakotay to grace them with his presence so that they could 
learn what was going on. However, he was running a little late.

Everyone was just this side of stressed out. Everyone was thinking the same 
thing about why this meeting had been called. No one wanted to put a voice 
to the reason however. It meant they had yet again another traitor in their 
midst and that was a possiblity that no one was ready to accept and deal 
with as yet.

At that moment Commander Chakotay walked through the doors of the briefing 
room. He looked tired and worn out.

"Thank you all for joining me here so late tonight. We have some very 
important issues to discuss. It seems we have a problem."

"What kind of problem, sir?" Harry asked.

"First, would you tell us how the Captain is?" Tom interrupted.

"The Doc feels she will make a full recovery. But she will be out of 
commision for a few days. He will keep her sedated until the morning at 
least. " Chakotay replied.

"What happened?" Neelix asked.

"The replicator in the Captain's quarters exploded." He answered simply.

"WHAT?" B'Elanna replied sharply.

"Yes, the replicator exploded."

"I just serviced that particular replicator unit myself two weeks ago. 
Everything was fine." She returned defensively.

"No one is blaming you, B'Elanna."

"The replicator's come under my department. I AM responsible for them." She 
returned hotly.

"That point is not in debate. However, I think the matter has been taken out 
of our hands."

"What do you mean, Commander?" Tuvok inquired.

"I mean that I have been thinking about everything. Putting two and two 
together so to speak. Last week we had a shuttle crash that so far has only 
yielded evidence of a ruptured fuel line. But no other mechanical reason for 
the shuttle to crash. There is no reason to declare it an accident. As a 
matter of fact the evidence points to the fact that the line may have been 
cut, but as yet we are reluctant to believe that. Now we have this latest 
incident. I think it is just a little odd."

"Has an engineering team been over the Captain's quarter's yet?" B'Elanna 
inquired.

"No, I want you to do it. I am pulling you off medical leave....." Chakotay 
began.

"Just a minute, Commander.." Tom began.

"Tom, let me finish."

"Yes, sir."

"Both of these little accidents had to be done by someone with engineering 
experience or knowledge, so as far as I am concerned no one in engineering 
except B'Elanna goes near the Captain's quarters. Tom, you can help her. She 
is only to do scans and retrieve data and investigate the remains of the 
replicator. No physical stuff, B'Elanna." He finished looking pointedly at 
her.

"When do we begin?" Tom asked.

"In the morning. I want us to tackle this after we have all rested and 
relaxed this evening. Tuvok, I want security posted outside the Captain's 
Quarters. NO one except members of the senior staff inside until after 
B'Elanna has checked things out tomorrow. Also post security outside 
sickbay. No one goes near the Captain this evening unless it is the senior 
staff or they are cleared through me."

"Yes, Commander. Prudent course of action. I would suggest posting security 
at both Lt. Torres quarters and Lt. Carey's as well."

"Excuse me?" B'Elanna inquired.

"Lieutenant, Mr. Carey and yourself were the only ones on board the shuttle. 
The shuttle was inspected before take off and everything checked out. So, if 
this is sabotage it was done after the inspections were completed. It is 
safe to assume that either you or Carey was
the target." Tuvok answered.

That knocked the wind out of B'Elanna's sails. She slumped back slowly in 
her chair. She had never considered the idea that perhaps someone was trying 
to kill her.

"You okay?" Tom asked.

"I just never thought of myself as being the target. I suppose it's 
possible. We all know I have made more than a few enemies in my time here."

"In all fairness to Lt. Carey, I think it is safe to assume that B'Elanna is 
the target. She is after all the Head of Engineering. She would be in more a 
position to make a decision that would make someone mad than Carey." Harry 
put in.

"Thanks, Harry." She answered.

"I'm not trying to be bad luck or anything, just calling it as I see it." He 
responded.

"Chakotay, for the time being I don't think that will be necessary. I am 
more than capable of taking care of myself."

"B'Elanna, your ability to take care of yourself would not normally be as 
issue but you are recovering from some serious injuries, so until further 
notice there will be a security team assigned to your quarters."

"They will just get in my way!!"

"Then tell them to get out your way." Chakotay responded.

"Not funny. Can we go now? I'm tired." B'Elanna retorted.

"Yes, we will reconvene at noon tomorrow. B'Elanna, don't try and get rid of 
the security either."

"Sure. Fine. Whatever." she answered stalking out of the room. Tom watched 
her leave.

"Have a good evening, Tom." Chakotay called after him as he headed out after 
B'Elanna.

"Has anyone ever told you that you have a twisted sense of humor." Tom 
asked.

"Yes, on more than one occasion."

"Figures." Tom replied turning and walking out of the room. Chakotay 
couldn't help but laugh. B'Elanna wasn't easy to live with on a good day. 
But she was going to be really difficult for awhile. Scratch that *she used 
to be really difficult to live with on a good day.* It had gotten easier 
over the last few years but she still had her moments.

And he could tell that tonight was definetly going to be one of those 
moments. Chakotay sighed to himself and decided to go on down to sickbay and 
sit with Kathryn for awhile.





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The next morning found Tom and B'Elanna in the Captain's quarters 
investigating the scene of the explosion. Tom was mainly watching and 
helping when B'Elanna asked for it. Otherwise there wasn't much else he 
could do.

"Look at the debris patterns, Tom. It's surprising that the Captain survived 
at all."

"Can you tell what caused the explosion?"

"Not at the moment. I will need to clear away some of this debris first 
before I can get any real scans. Here, help me get this panel off." She 
replied.

He moved to help her and together they pulled the front face panel off. 
B'Elanna took her tricoder and began scanning the inside of the destroyed 
replicator.

After a moment B'Elanna knew exactly what caused the explosion but did not 
understand the why. She knew she had to go to Chakotay.

"Come on, Tom. We need to talk to Chakotay." she stated gathering her things 
and standing. Problem was she stood too quickly and nearly fell right back 
down.

"Take it easy, Bella." Tom said jumping to catch her.

"I'm all right, Tom. Just stood up too quickly." she replied placing a hand 
on his chest.

"You're sure?"

"Yes. Let's go."

The turned to go. Outside the doors B'Elanna turned to the Security guards.

"From this moment, no one but myself Commander Chakotay or Commander Tuvok, 
goes in that room. Understood?" B'Elanna stated her tone making it clear 
that they had better understand.

"Yes, sir!" they replied in unison. Tom and B'Elanna turned and went in 
search of Chakotay.

They found him in Sickbay. *Big surprise!* thought B'Elanna.

"Chakotay, we gotta talk." She said cutting straight to the point.

"Yes, Lieutenant?"

"Sir, I would prefer we talk somewhere a little more secure." She responded.

"Alright." He answered. They headed for the doctor's office.

Once inside Chakotay turned to her.

"Report."

"It was an explosive device. Deuterium as a matter of fact. The device was 
set at an angle so that the explosive charge would not destory the device. 
Which in and of itself is unusual. Deuterium is odd to use at any rate. It 
has great explosive force but does not burn hot enough to destroy the 
device. Usually the charge is placed so that the device is destroyed in the 
explosion, effectively covering the tracks of the would be assassin."

"So we have an assassin aboard?" Tom asked.

"Tom, I have seen enough of these devices in the Maquis to know what I am 
looking at. Who ever did this wants us to know about it!"

"I agree. If the person wanted to remain anonymous then they would have used 
another device to blow up the replicator. Have you spoken to Tuvok yet?"

"No. I wanted to discuss it with you first." She answered.

"Okay, I will call a meeting of the senior staff in 30 minutes. Mention this 
to no one. I want you to go over the shuttle again this afternoon. I want an 
answer to was that shuttle sabotaged! In the mean time assemble your report. 
I will see you shortly. Dismissed." He ordered.

Tom and B'Elanna turned and left.

Chakotay walked back to Kathryn and held her hand a few moments longer. Then 
he turned and left.



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



Half an hour later the senior staff was assembled in the briefing room to 
hear the report.

"B'Elanna, would you be so kind as to enlighten everyone?" Chakotay asked.

"Yes, Commander. I found a Deuterium device that was rigged to the inside 
panel of the replicator. The device was rigged in such a way that the 
detonator would not be destroyed in the explosion."

"Deuterium? That is kind of odd to use. Doesn't burn hot enough to destroy 
all evidence." Harry put in.

"Exactly, Starfleet. It doesn't burn hot enough. So this leads me to believe 
that who ever set that charge wants us to know it. I will be going over the 
shuttle this afternoon. I would like Harry to help me if possible." B'Elanna 
stated.

"Alright."

"Commander, in light of this new evidence I would like a security team 
attached to the captain at all times, as well as Lt. Torres. " Tuvok 
interjected.

"Absolutely not!!" Torres stated firmly.

"B'Elanna.." Tom started.

"No, Tom. I am not invalid. I will not be followed around by the security. I 
can take care of myself."

"Bella.." Tom started again.

"I said no, Tom."

"B'Elanna, no one is questioning your ability to take care of yourself, 
but..." Chakotay started.

"Chakotay, it is not going to make a difference whether or not I have 
security or Tom with me. Our would be assassin apparently likes to strike 
from afar so if he or she decides to blow something else up whether or not I 
have a guard will not make a damn bit of difference. They will just be in my 
way. Unless they are Vulcan, there is not anyone on this ship that I am not 
stronger than at any rate."

"I doubt that the assassin is Vulcan." Tuvok put in.

"Why would you say that?" Tom asked.

"It is not logical. For starters, the use of two different methods. There is 
no logic to theseattempts. No same pattern. No order. Even a Vulcan driven 
to murder still keeps some sense of order and logic. It is too ingrained in 
us for it to be otherwise."

"He has a point there." Tom chimed in.

"Agreed. Our next course of action is to try to come up with a list of 
suspects. Does anyone have any suggestions?" Chakotay stated.

"Right now we are going on the basis of only one attempt each on both the 
Captain and Lt. Torres. It is quite likely that this deals with one 
incident, in which both officers were heavely involved. The Captain is 
always invovled but unless engineering is effected then Lt. Torres would not 
neccessarily be involved. "

"That's still a long shot, Tuvok. You are talking about 4 years worth of 
missions! There is no telling how long ago this incident may have happened." 
Harry replied.

"It is likely this is an event within the last year." Tuvok answered.

"Look, while you all sit around arguing about this I will be down in the 
shuttle bay. Let me know what you come up with." B'Elanna said as she got up 
and strode quickly out of the briefing room.

Everyone stared out after her. She hadn't pulled a stunt like walking out in 
the middle of a briefing in a long time. But then things were rather 
stressful and she always hated feeling useless. She would much rather be 
doing something. So she did the only thing she could and went to study the 
shuttle craft.

Tom had started to go after her but decided to let her be. She was right. If 
their would be assassin decided to strike again it wouldn't make a 
difference who was with her.

"Commander, is there anything else?" Harry inquired.

"Only that I think you all understand the seriousness of this situation and 
how important it is that we do not discuss it with the crew. I don't want to 
alert our would be assassin that we are already investigating."

Everyone nodded their understanding.

"Very well then. Dismissed."

The officers got up and filed out of the briefing room to their respective 
duties. Tom and Harry headed off to the shuttle bay to assist B'Elanna with 
the damaged shuttle.

Tuvok returned to the bridge and Chakotay returned to sickbay.




<Picture: [IMAGE]>



Upon entering sickbay he noticed the atmosphere was definetly not a gloomy 
one. The Doctor had some music playing and he was softly humming to himself 
as he took a new scan of the Captain.

"Doctor?"

"Ah! Good evening, Commander, you'll be happy to know that the Captain has 
moved from her unconscious state into normal sleep. She should be waking up 
anytime."

"Excellent. Um, Doc, why the music?"

"Besides my general love for music, it has been well documented that by 
providing auditory stimulation for patients in any unconsious state reminds 
their subconscious that there is still things going on around that person. 
In this case I felt music would b appropriate. I doubt my voice is the *one* 
that the Captain wishes to hear!" He finished, not missing the blush that 
rose to Chakotay's face.

"Very good, Doc." He answered making his way over to Kathryn's side. The 
music was still playing softly in the background. He did not recognize the 
peice. It was beautiful though. Light, happy and quite entrancing. *Just 
what the Doctor ordered.* He thought trying to stifle a laugh.

"What's so funny?" a groggy voice asked.

"Kathryn! How do you feel?"

"Like I took B'Elanna up on a game of Parisses Square and lost." She replied 
weakly.

"You don't look that bad. Remember I have lost to her at Parisses Squares 
and you don't look nearly as bad as I did."

She chuckled slightly. The movement caused her to wince from the pain in her 
side.

"Easy. Guess I shouldn't make you laugh any time soon."

"That would not be advisable, Commander." The Doctor cut in, coming to stand 
on the other side of the bed.

"Captain, how do you feel?"

"I hurt. Sore mostly. My back hurts, too."

"I am not at all surprised. Your third and fourth thoracic vertebrae were 
ruptured and you had a couple of broken ribs and various other injuries." 
The doc replied.

"So what's the prognosis?" Kathryn asked.

"Well as long as you will refrain from running around the ship and in 
general acting like the Captain of Steel that you are not, I will probably 
release you to your quarters this evening. If I do you are still on medical 
leave for at least the next four days. No going to the bridge, or anywhere 
else for that matter. You are to relax and heal! Is that understood?"

"You do realize I could just deactivate your program?"

"You could but the next time you need me to save one of the crew from 
something stupid I won't be here."

"Kathryn, it's not going to kill you to rest for a few days. Besides I will 
keep you updated on things. I promise."

"Oh, alright. I can't out argue both of you at the moment."

"Good. This should help with the pain." The Doctor said placing a hypospray 
against her neck.

A moment later Kathryn was slowly drifting back to sleep. Never realizing 
that she had hold of Chakotay's hand.





<Picture: [IMAGE]>



Tom and Harry arrived at Cargo Bay 2 where the remains of the shuttle were 
being stored. As they entered the Cargo Bay their ears were assailed by a 
string of Klingon curses that made even Tom blush. Tom and Harry looked at 
each other. Each contemplated not going in, but she was expecting them.

B'Elanna for her part didn't hear them enter. She was too busy under the 
starboard side of the shuttle swearing loudly at the damn thing. She had 
been hoping that maybe they had been wrong and the shuttle accident had been 
just that. An accident. However, upon further examination she had discovered 
the the fuel line had indeed been cut. It was a small cut, clean and 
precise. Whoever did it knew exactly what they were doing. They cut it just 
enough to start a fuel leak. But not all the way through the line so as to 
tip the computer off when the shuttle was powered up.

*We have a lunatic on our hands. A damned smart one, too!* She thought to 
herself.

At this revelation she began to swear because the evidence just kept going 
from bad to worse. As she kept scanning she noticed other little things that 
had been tampered with in case the fuel line didn't rupture!

"B'Elanna?" Tom voice called anxiously.

She took a few calming breathes before answering him.

"Down here!" She called.

A moment later she saw Tom's face appear down where her legs were hanging 
out from under the shuttle.

"You ok?"

"Fine." she answered too fast.

"Now why don't I believe that?" Harry answered.

"Who asked you, Harry?" B'Elanna replied.

"As I recall you asked for my help with this." Harry returned.

B'Elanna started to try and move out from under the shuttle, but moved just 
a little too quickly. She stopped with a sudden gasp as a sharp pain grabbed 
her middle.

"B'Elanna!"

"I'm ok, Tom. I just moved too fast. Help me, would you?"

"Of course. What do you want me to do?"

"Just sort of pull me out very slowly. It hurts when I wiggle my sides."

Tom very gently grabbed her knees and started pulling. As soon as she was 
able she used her arms to push herself the rest of the way out. She lay 
there for a minute and just to catch her breath.

"Lanna?"

"I am fine, Tom. Just give me a minute."

After a moment she was able to sit up slowly by herself.

"Well one things for sure. The shuttle crash was no accident. The fuel line 
was cut deliberately." B'Elanna stated.

"You're sure?" Tom asked.

"Yes. Upon further examination there were several other problems that had 
the fuel line not ruptured the shuttle still would have crashed."

"Such as?" Harry pressed.

"A feedback circuit was placed in the shuttle's phaser array. The first time 
we fired our phaser's for anything we would have been blown out of 
existence, for starters."

"Oh my god!" Harry replied.

"Ditto." Tom said.

"Well, anyway, none of this is surprising. I was hoping that we were wrong." 
B'Elanna finished.

"Why don't you go rest, B'Elanna. I'll take this new evidence to Chakotay." 
Harry offered.

"This is one time I won't argue with you." B'Elanna answered standing 
slowly. "Tom, care to keep me company?"

"Of course."

"Here, Harry. We'll see you later." B'Elanna said handing him the PADD. 
Harry watched them leave.

As they were walking towards her quarters Tom decided it was time to remind 
her about dinner with her parents.

"Bella, your parents called earlier today. They wanted to know if you felt 
up to dinner this evening?"

"Sure, but after I take a nap."

"Good. I'll let them know!"




<Picture: [IMAGE]>



Later that evening, Tom and B'Elanna were having dinner with her parents. It 
was not the most comfortable situation but neither could say that they 
weren't enjoying themselves.

"How is the Captain?" Miguel asked.

"She is doing much better. The Doctor is going to release her to quarters 
this evening." Tom replied.

"That's good. When do you return to active duty, B'Elanna?" K'Tarra 
inquired.

"I've already returned to active duty."

"What?" Both her parents exclaimed.

"I returned to duty this morning."

"But you were just released from sickbay yesterday." Miguel stuttered.

"Yes, I was." B'Elanna replied simply not offering any explanation for her 
quick return to active duty.

"Why did you go back so fast?" KTarra interjected.

"I was needed."

"We know that you are a valued crew member but surely in light of your 
recent injuries surely they could have found some one else to take care it." 
Miguel returned.

"Not likely." Tom answered.

"That's no explanation." Miguel asked tersely.

"No, unfortunately, right now we can't offer an explanation for my sudden 
return to duty." B'Elanna stated cutting in.

"Look, B'Elanna we don't mean to overreact but we are just concerned about 
you. You were very seriously injured."

"I know. Don't worry about me. I will be fine. Besides Tom is here to make 
sure I don't do anything to reinjure myself."

"What are you going to do about Kalor, Tom?" Miguel asked catching Tom 
completly off guard.

The look on Tom's face was that of a deer caught in the headlights of 
oncoming traffic.

"What do you mean?" B'Elanna asked quickly not liking where this discussion 
was going.

"You don't know?" K'Tarra asked her daughter.

"Know what? Tom, what haven't you told me?"

"I didn't see the need to tell you right away. I wanted you to concentrate 
on gettting better. I figured I could handle it anyway."

"Handle what?" B'Elanna asked between clenched teeth.

"When we returned to Voyager we were informed that you were missing. We had 
no other shuttles prepped to go and his ship was the only one available. I 
had to agree to a duel of sorts to get him to let us use his ship to help in 
the search."

"WHAT!" B'Elanna all but yelled.

"B'Elanna, calm down." her father stated.

"Stay out of this. And you agreed to this?" She asked Tom.

"I didn't have a choice. I had to help look for you."

"Tom, Kalor could kill you. He is even a match for me. Three years ago it 
would have been a draw between he and I now I would have to work at it. But 
you.."

"B'Elanna, I will deal with this." Tom stated cutting her off. He was 
starting to get really mad now.

"Tom, I....How.....Are you out of your mind?"

"Yes, over you."

"Don't do that." She hissed.

"Do what?"

"Don't tell me you love me and expect that to make it all better."

"I don't expect that to make it all better, but I do expect you to 
understand that I did what I felt I had to! I am not sorry for that."

"Well then you understand that this duel is not going to happen. I will not 
be the reason for two men to fight to the death and if that means we are 
finished then so be it. I will not be manipulated this way!" B'Elanna stated 
before getting up and leaving.

"B'Elanna....." Tom said standing to go after her.

"Let her go. When she is this mad there is no talking to her. Give her a few 
hours and she will be fine." KTarra told Tom.

"Not on your life. My future just walked out that door! And I am not letting 
it go without a fight!" He returned heading out the door.




<Picture: [IMAGE]>



When he got to the street he looked all around but B'Elanna was nowhere to 
be found.

"Paris to Voyager."

"Tuvok, here. Is there a problem, Lieutenant?"

"Did B'Elanna beam back to the ship in the last few minutes?"

Tuvok did a quick check of the computer.

"No, Lieutenant she has not beamed back aboard. Is there cause for concern?"

"No, Tuvok. Paris out." He was not about to tell Tuvok on an open channel 
that they had had a fight.

*Well she's not on the ship which means she's still down here and not in a 
good mood.* He thought to himself. *Now where would she go? She doesn't know 
where a lot of stuff is. Hell, she's probably just wandering around.*

*Yeah, wandering herself straight into trouble!* His mind added a few 
moments later.

"I guess I can just wander till I find her." He said outloud to himself.

He began walking. He walked for a few blocks before he ran into Kalor.

*Just who I wanted to see.* thought Tom.

He wondered briefly if simply ignoring him would do the trick but he would 
have no such luck! Kalor saw him and quickly headed in his direction.

"Lt. Paris."

"Kalor"

"I wish to know when we settle our dispute?"

"Whenever, it doesn't matter to me. But I think I should warn when we fight 
we will both lose her! Hell, I may have already lost her!"

"We shall see. I will see you tomorrow night about this time. My training 
area is on the other side of the hanger." He said.

"Yes, we shall." Tom replied to Kalor's retreating back.



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



On the other side of the settlement, near the river's edge, B'Elanna was 
wandering around and thinking. *How dare he!* She thought. *I will not put 
up with this!*

"Are you calm enough to talk?" A voice behind her asked.

B'Elanna turned suddenly to see who it was and was surprised to see her 
mother.

"I suppose." She replied.

"They both love you, you know."

"I know."

"Admittedly, Kalor is way out of line but don't doubt his feelings."

"I don't doubt his feelings for me, K'Tarra. What I doubt is his judgement. 
If he fights Tom and Tom is killed, I will kill him. Make no mistake about 
that."

"I have no doubt of your ability to do just that. However, the problem here 
is that Kalor is a student of his Klingon side. Whereas you are not. He has 
challenged Tom under Klingon tradition."

"I don't adhere to Klingon tradition. I never have!" She fairly yelled.

"I know and I am probably to blame for forcing it on you so much. Anyway, 
regardless of whether you adhere to it or not Tom has chosen too so you have 
no choice but to use it to find a way out."

"How can I get out of it?"

"As far as Klingons go, you are not married or engaged. There has been no 
formal or informal betrothal. No bites exchanged or...."

"Did you just say bite?" B'Elanna asked suddenly interrupting.

"Yes."

"How could I have been so stupid!!" B'Elanna said to herself.

"I'm sorry. I don't understand."

"I can't believe I didn't think about this before. Actually I know why. I 
have been trying to forget all about it."

"Forget about what?" K'Tarra asked getting rather exaperated with her 
daughter.

B'Elanna turned and looked at her mother suddenly realising that she didn't 
have a clue as to what she was talking about.

"It's a long story but the short version is last year while I was under a 
chemical imbalance I bit Tom. By Klingon tradition that makes us engaged."

"Where you concious and aware of what you were doing? If you were under the 
influence of something it may not stand up."

"Listen, I guess I have to explain the situation to you. You can not breathe 
a word of this to anyone. NOT even Dad and especially not Kalor. My word 
will have to be enough. Last year one of the Vulcan crewman that works under 
me in Engineering went into the Pon Farr. He chose me to be his wife. 
Naturally I refused. He wouldn't take no for an answer and tried to bond 
with me anyway. To make a really long story short he managed to transfer his 
little problem to me bringing on the Klingon Blood Fever. I chose Tom. I may 
have been affected but those feelings and decisions were mine. It just took 
something like that to make me act on them."

"And how did Tom react?"

"He resisted every advance I made. I had already turned him down so many 
times before that he was afraid I was just saying that. He didn't want me to 
do something that I would later regret when I recovered. He valued my 
friendship too much."

"I can see why you fell in love with him." K'Tarra answered simply.

"I can see why, too. Then there are times when I ask myself why? He can be 
so infuriating at times."

"All men do that at times. Your father is terrible about it. Your 
grandmother used to complain about your grandfather all the time."

B'Elanna turned away to sit a fallen tree limb and stared out at the river 
watching the currents move across the water. A small green leaf floated down 
and started to twist in the water. It was being pulled in several different 
directions at once by the many different currents. B'Elanna chuckled softly.

"What's so funny?"

"I was just thinking I feel like that leaf there on the river. The currents 
are pulling that poor thing in so many directions. I am being pulled just 
like that and I don't know which direction to go. And you're not making this 
easy for me."

"Me?"

"I don't know how to relate to you anymore. We fought all the time and to 
sit here and actually have a conversation is something new. It is a little 
unsettling."

"I know. I am not exactly what you expected to find. I hope I have changed 
for the better. For what it's worth. I am proud of you. So is your father. 
You have grown into a beautiful young woman. You are intelligent, proud, and 
confident. You are the Chief Engineer of Voyager. You always wanted to be 
the Chief someday and now you are. Granted it is little farther away from 
where you started out, huh?"

"Yea, it is."

"And you have a man who loves you for all that you are and respects your 
heritage even if you don't."

"It's not that I don't respect my heritage, Mom. I just don't like it very 
much." She replied not even realizing she had called her mom.

"Well, you know your way out now. I would suggest that you talk to Tom 
sometime and work things out with him, but before you go can I ask you a 
question?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Earlier at dinner you made a comment that three years ago it would have 
been a draw between you and Kalor but that now you would have to work to 
defeat him. What did you mean by that?"

B'Elanna was silent for several moments. This was not her favorite subject. 
She rarely if ever mentioned it and everyone knew not to bring it up with 
her.

"Our first year here, Tom and I were on an away team when we were captured 
by the Vidiians . Did you ever run into them?"

"We heard of them, but were lucky enough not to see them."

"Well, anyway, we were captured. They had heard of me. Not really sure how 
they had. I didn't think I was that popular. Anyway they wanted to run some 
experiments. They were looking for a cure for their Phage. Turns out that 
the Klingon DNA is Phage resistant."

"What did they do to you?"

"Their medical technology is quite advanced. They were able to separate my 
DNA at the cellular level. Literally creating two of me. One fully human and 
one fully Klingon. It was a rather unique experience. In the end the Klingon 
me was killed. It was later determined that I could not survive without the 
Klingon genes. The doctor reintroduced them back into my body. Before this 
my DNA was structured so that my Klingon genes were dominant but now they 
are stuctured more so that they are equal. If you look at pictures of me 
when I left for the academy my ridges then were more pronounced than they 
are now. "

Her mother got up and began pacing in a manner that reminded B'Elanna of 
herself. *So that's where I get it from!* She thought to herself.

K'Tarra was pacing and swearing in Klingon. B'Elanna was hard pressed not to 
blush. She had never been as fluent as her mother but she always knew enough 
to get by.

"Mom, it happened a long time ago and I am fine now. So please don't go 
getting yourself worked up over this. It's done. Geez, now I know where I 
get my temper from!"

K'Tarra stopped and turned to B'Elanna. She knew she was right. Still didn't 
make it any easier though.

"You're right. I will try to not let this get me too upset. But I can't help 
but be upset, B'Elanna, you are my daughter and I love you. I'm sure I 
didn't say that to you enough as a child. As a Klingon we didn't say such 
things but humans did so I guess I should have since you were half human."

"Water under the bridge now, Mom. I gotta go find Tom. I'll see you 
tomorrow, ok?"

"Alright. I think I saw Tom wandering around the town square when I came 
down here to find you."

"Thanks, for everything." B'Elanna said turning to leave.

"Your welcome." They smiled at each other then each walked away not seeing 
the shadow following B'Elanna toward the center of town.



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



B'Elanna was on her way back towards the center of town in search of Tom. 
She was so set on her destination that she did not see that she was being 
followed.

She continued on her course. She was deep in thought. She had her way out of 
this whole mess with Kalor. *In a way I should be flattered.* She thought. 
*He doesn't even know me and he wants me.*

*Of course no one said that he was very intelligent!* She thought to herself 
just as she caught sight of Tom. She called out to him just as a phaser beam 
pierced the dark of the evening.

"Tom!" B'Elanna called just before the phaser struck her square in the back.

Tom saw her as she fell.

"B'ELANNA!!" He called running to her side.

He quickly checked for a pulse and finding a very faint and weak one 
immediately hailed Voyager.

"Paris to Voyager! Two to beam directly to sickbay!"

"Chakotay here. Understood."

On board the Voyager Chakotay nodded to Harry who immediately beamed Tom and 
B'Elanna to sickbay.

"Harry, who beamed aboard with Tom?" Chakotay asked.

"B'Elanna." He answered.

"Understood. I will be in sickbay." He said heading to the turbolift.

In sickbay the scene appeared as though all hell had broken loose. A very 
worried Tom was hovering and making a general nuisance of himself.

The Doctor was busy running scans.

"Is she going to be ok?" Tom asked worriedly.

"Aside from some minor nerve damage and burns to her back she should be 
fine. It seems our would be assassin did not intend to kill her this time. 
The burns are contingent with the highest stun setting available."

Tom let the breath loose he didn't even realize he was holding.

"When is she going to wake up?"

"I am going to keep her sedated for a couple of hours so that I can treat 
her without having to argue with her. I suggest you come back in the 
morning."

At that moment Chakotay strode through the doors of sickbay.

"Report." He ordered.

"I had been walking around looking for B'Elanna when we had just spotted 
each other she called to me and the next thing I knew there was phaser fire 
and she was hit in the back." Tom answred as quickly as he could.

"Why were you separated?" Chakotay asked.

"It's a long story but suffice it to say we had a fight and she took off and 
when I went after her I couldn't find her. I walked around for about an hour 
looking. I was about to give up when we spotted each other."

"I see. What are her injuries?"

"Well, like I told Mr. Paris, aside from some nerve damage and burnt skin 
where she was hit she should make a full recovery. But this time around I 
really must insist on her recovery time. Her system was already down from 
her previous injuries. These will take a little longer in healing."

"Chakotay to Tuvok."

"Tuvok here."

"Tuvok, send a security team to sick bay and have one standing by. Also send 
a security team down to the planet and do a thorough search of the town 
square. Let me know what you find."

"They are on their way, Commander."

"Thank you, Tuvok." And the comm channel closed.

"Doctor, is it your opinion that this was an attempt on her life or just a 
warning?"

"Her injuries are indicative of the highest stun setting possible. This was 
not a shoot to kill scenario. I would say our assassin is sending a 
message."

"And that would be?"

"I am only hypothisizing here but so far all the attempts have not been 
fatal. I would say this person is toying with us and wants us to know that. 
They want to show us that no matter what we do we are completly at their 
mercy and when they are through playing is when the game will indeed turn 
deadly."

"This is not a game, Doctor." Tom fairly growled.

"I do not pretend that it is, Lieutenant. However, the facts of the matter 
seem to fit the probability that we are dealing with an unstable mind here 
and to them this is a very serious and soon to be very deadly game. Either 
the Commander, Tuvok and yourself will apprehend this person or they will 
kill both the Captain and Lt. Torres. Those are the only two solutions 
here." The Doctor finished.

"We will catch this person." Chakotay stated firmly.

A groan from a biobed off to the side alerted those in sickbay of the other 
occupant, one Kathryn Janeway.

Chakotay was immediately at her side. The Doctor joined them after 
administering a pain medication and another drug designed to help speed up 
the regeneration of the nerves in B'Elanna's back.

"Ah, Captain, and how are you feeling this evening?"

"I'm still a little groggy but I feel better." She replied, her eyes 
scanning the room. Her gaze fell on B'Elanna.

"What happened to B'Elanna?!" She asked suddenly.

"Somebody shot her with a phaser a little bit ago when were down on the 
planet." Tom replied.

"She will be fine." Chakotay quickly put in.

"You're sure?" Kathryn asked.

"Yes, the Doctor is quite sure that this was just a shot to prove a point. 
Whoever it is was not shooting to kill."

"What have you got on all this. I assume you have some sort of 
invesitagation going on."

"Captain, you have been relieved of duty. That means no work. I will be 
releasing you to your quarters tonight but you are not to go anywhere near 
the bridge for atleast the next two days. You must rest! Commander, I am 
placing her in your care. You are to see that she does as she is told."

"DOCTOR! I am quite capable of taking care of myself." Kathryn replied 
indignantly.

"That is not in question. What is in question is your ability to follow 
medical orders. SO until I am satisfied that you are healed enough I have 
relieved you of duty. Understood?"

"Doctor! I will not stand for this!"

"Captain, he is right. You need your rest. I can always tell him to keep you 
here in sickbay." Chakotay stated quietly.

Realizing she was out manuevered this time she silently aquiesced to their 
wishes.

Thirty minutes later Chakotay was escorting her out the door of sickbay 
heading for her quarters. The last thing she heard as she was leaving was 
Tom and the Doctor arguing over whether or not Tom could spend the night in 
sickbay with B'Elanna.

In the end Tom won by being just to damned stubborn to leave. He planted 
himself next to her bed and simply refused to leave.



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



Chakotay lead a very tired Kathryn Janeway back to her quarters. The mess in 
her dining area was still there. Once inside Chakotay changed his mind and 
lead her back out and down the hall towards his quarters.

"Chakotay, where are we going?"

"Well, your quarters are still quite a mess. So you are going to stay in my 
quarters until this whole crisis is over. You can sleep in my room. I'll 
stay on the couch. "

She was stunned. Soon they were standing in his living area. He was ushering 
her into his bedroom so that she could rest.

"Chakotay, really I can't. I can sleep in my own quarters."

"Nonsense. As the First officer of this ship it is my job to see to your 
safety and I have decided that it is no longer safe for you in your 
quarters! So you will sleep in here and I will sleep out there on my couch. 
No problem."

He gently lead her to the bed and sat her down. She laid down slowly. She 
was really too tired to argue with him tonight anyway. In the morning she 
would give him a serious what for, but tonight she knew she would sleep 
soundly knowing that he was in the other room.

"I guess one night won't hurt." She said sleepily.

He watched as she drifted off to a deep sleep. He leaned down and placed a 
small kiss on her forehead.

"Pleasant dreams, Captain." He whispered before turning out the lights and 
turning in himself.




<Picture: [IMAGE]>



The next morning found Chakotay and Kathryn snuggled up together on his 
couch. She had woken up during the night with a nightmare and had lain down 
on the couch with Chakotay not wanting to lay back down alone on that bed. 
He was asleep and she didn't want to wake him so she just laid down next to 
him and gone back to sleep.

"Good morning, Kathryn." Chakotay said rather groggily. He was just waking 
up to the rather wonderful sight of Kathryn in his arms.

"Morning." She replied sleepily. She was not quite awake yet and was so 
comfortable that she really didn't want to wake up.

"As much as I hate to do this. I need to hold a briefing for the senior 
staff in a few hours and I have some things to do first."

"Hmm."

"If you promise to be really good I may let you attend the briefing." He 
replied jokingly.

"I was already going to attend. Whether you approved or not. I am just going 
to be sitting there." She returned sitting up and sliding off the couch. 
"Now if you will excuse me I am going to slowly return to my quarters and 
change clothes. I can't very well be running around the ship in my pajamas."

As she was speaking she was slowly making her way to her door.

"Hold up a minute, Kathryn. Let me get dressed and I will escort you back."

"Chakotay, just meet me there in about 30 minutes. I will be fine." She said 
heading out the door before he could protest.



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



Five minutes later Kathryn sat down on her couch considerably tired out. She 
rested for just a moment then got up and proceeded to get and change 
clothes. She had opted not to wear her uniform as the layers of clothes 
would irritate the slight burns she still had across her chest. She chose 
instead a lightweight pants type outfit with a blue pants and loose fitting 
shirt. She had just finished dressing when Chakotay appeared at her door.

"Come in, Chakotay. Told you I would be fine."

"Yes, but I think we are just getting lucky at the moment. The Doctor has 
informed me he just released B'Elanna from sickbay and she and Tom are 
headed to the briefing room with the rest of the senior staff. We need to be 
on our way." He finished taking her arm and leading her to the door.

"Then let's go."

They walked through the doors of the briefing room just as everyone was 
sitting down.

Everyone was a little surprised to see the Captain as well as B'Elanna 
there.

"How are you feeling, Captain?" Tom asked.

"I am fine. B'Elanna, what are you doing here?"

"I might ask the same of you, Captain. It appears that someone wants to see 
how much we can take."

"Agreed." Kathryn replied slowly taking her seat at the head of the table.

"Okay, report. What new evidence do we have?" Chakotay stated.

"Well, we have searched the area surrounding where B'Elanna was shot and we 
found one phaser. It is one that came from the supply in Engineering,which 
in and of itself does not mean anything. Anybody could have gone down there 
to get it. We have determined that he shuttle was sabotaged to make sure 
that one way or another it would be destroyed. That is all the new evidence. 
We are still looking for someone with engineering experience who may have a 
grudge against both the Captain and B'Elanna." Harry answered.

"Do we have any possible suspects?" Kathryn asked.

"As of this time we do not." Tuvok answered.

"Well, has all the voting been done?" She asked.

"Over half the crew has voted and we are still waiting on the rest. I am 
sure we will have all the votes by tomorrow night."

"Good. Commander, please contact Mr. Torres and inform him that I would like 
to hold a gathering on the planet to announce the outcome of the vote. But 
still our first priority is finding our wannabe assassin. I assume you are 
analyzing the phaser found at the site?"

"Yes, Captain, but as maintance was just done on that area of engineering 
there have been personel in and out of that storage locker. There are at 
least a dozen different DNA signatures on it."

"I see. Well, we just keep working on it. If that is all your dismissed." 
The officers stood and began to file out. All but Tom and B'Elanna.

"Is there something else, B'Elanna?"

"Captain, I was just thinking about a few things. I don't know why I didn't 
think of this before. Two weeks ago I moved Lt. Mysti Knight from Gamma 
shift back to Alpha shift. She wasn't happy with me."

"Lt. Knight? Wasn't she involved with Crewman Darius?"

"Yes, she was until he died six months ago on the away team mission that you 
headed up on Idaria. I was also on that mission. He took a shot that was 
meant for me. You called for beam out but the transporter could not lock 
onto Darius' body and because of the ensuing hostilities we never returned 
for his remains."

"I remember. What has she been like since then?" Kathryn asked solemnly.

"She immediately requested transfer to Gamma shift where I left her until 
two weeks ago. She has become reclusive. Not speaking to anyone. When she 
does speak she only talks about Crewman Darius. She does her work and goes 
back to her quarters. She does not socialize. She will make an appearance in 
the holodeck or Sandrines every once in awhile but no one attempts to speak 
to her. No one wants to hear about Crewman Darius again. He was a good man, 
Captain. And we were all sorry to lose him but she is bordering on the 
obsessive."

"You may be on to something, Lieutenant. She does seem to have motive if she 
holds us responsible and she certainly has the skill to pull of the various 
acts against us. I will have Tuvok check this out."

"Aye, Captain."

"Dismissed."



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



Tom and B'Elanna turned and left the briefing room. They were headed for 
B'Elanna's quarter's where Tom had every intention of getting B'Elanna to 
rest and then he was going to go get ready for his "discussion" with Kalor.

"Tom, we need to talk."

"About?"

"Kalor."

"What is there to say?"

"Since the both of you seem dead set on following Klingon tradition. I have 
had to go to tradition to find a way out of this mess. It seems that last 
year when that whole mess with Vorik was going on I bit you, remember?"

"Yea, so?"

"Well, if you were really half the student you claim to be then you would 
know that a bite is binding. By Klingon standards we are engaged. Not 
married but engaged to be married. Only it's an engagment neither party can 
honorably back out of. Human standards we are nothing but a couple." She 
finished spelling it out for him.

"B'Elanna, you and I both know that happened but he doesn't and he could 
accuse us of lying to get out of a duel I could lose but one I have no 
intention of losing."

"Tom, you have absolutely nothing to prove to him. I meant what I said 
before. I simply will not be manipulated like this."

"How are we manipulating you? This is just a fight between two guys over the 
same girl. It happens everywhere in the galaxy."

"I don't care where it happens! It's stupid and immature and just downright 
infantile. Besides we wouldn't be lying! There are medical records of the 
doctor healing your bite last year. And if you persist in this I will bite 
you again to ensure that he sees it!" B'Elanna returned getting up and 
trying her best to pace but not doing a good job.

"Dammit, B'Elanna, why are you making this so difficult?"

"Difficult? ME? I'm not the one running off to fight an unneccessary dual. I 
have given you a way out. You know that the Klingon honor and way hold no 
appeal for me. So you don't have to worry that I will think less of you. I 
just want you with me."

"I just didn't want you to think me weak or incompetent. Besides that I am 
not about to let someone else destroy the best thing that ever happened to 
me." Tom declared getting up and coming to stand right in front of her.

"You think I'm best thing that's ever happened to you?" B'Elanna asked her 
voice barely a whisper.

Tom took her face in his hands and gently kissed her. After a moment he 
pulled back.

"You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I never want to 
lose you. I guess I let my insecurities get the best of me. I suppose if you 
think we can get out of this with the bite then we will try it."

She smiled! She had won! She pulled him back for another kiss and things 
started to heat up. B'Elanna had not really planned to go through with 
biting him again but before either one realized what was really happening 
she had turned his head and sunk her teeth into his jaw claiming him. His 
yelp of pain and surprise jarred them back into reality.

"Oww! Bella!" Tom shrieked.

"Tom, I'm sorry. I got carried away."

Tom ran his hand along his jaw and saw the blood on his fingers. He walked 
over to her bathroom and grabbed a small towel to start cleaning up his 
face. *One things for sure. There will be no mistaking what this mark is. 
Kalor will have to accept it now.*

B'Elanna followed him from the living area to the bathroom. She took the 
cloth from him and began cleaning up his jaw.

"Tom, I am so sorry. I hadn't really planned on biting you. I know I said it 
but I really wasn't planning on it. The implications are so serious. It is 
not something I would casually do."

"I know that. What do mean by implications?"

"It means we are engaged Tom and I am not sure either one of us is ready for 
marriage. I know I don't want to be without you but I don't know if I am 
ready to get married. It is not something I had ever considered before. I 
always wanted to someday but never thought I would find anyone who would 
want to marry me."

"Marry me, B'Elanna." He said seriously taking her hands from his face.

She just stared at him for a second. Not sure she had heard him correctly.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. I asked you to marry me."

"Are you serious?"

"Of course. This was not how I had planned to ask you of course but it 
seemed the right time. There is no one else I want to spend my life with. I 
want you to marry me. We are already engaged by Klingon tradition. Let's 
just make it official by human standards too! Please, Bella, marry me?" Tom 
asked again getting down on one knee before her.

B'Elanna was stunned. This man was down on one knee before her asking her to 
be his wife. She looked into his eyes and had she been the emotional and 
sentimental type she would probably have cried at the love she saw shining 
in his blue eyes. But she wasn't the emotional and sentimental type. Atleast 
she didn't used to be.

She felt the tears starting to fall. She pulled him to his feet and hugged 
him to her.

"Yes." She whispered into his ear.

"Y..Ye..Yes?" He stuttered repeating her answer.

"Yes, I will marry you. Not anytime very soon. But I will marry you. I 
promise you that."

"That's good enough for me. Whenever you want is fine by me."

He pulled her into another kiss. This time though she wasn't watching how 
she turned and pulled the new skin on her back and she gasped in pain.

"Agh!"

"Bella?"

"It's ok, Tom. Just pulled on my back. I think I need to lay down for a 
bit."

He helped her to her bed and lay down with her. In no time she was asleep 
the rigors of the last few days catching up with her. He decided to stay 
there and just hold her. He just couldn't believe it he was holding his 
fiance. This incredible woman had agreed to be his wife.

He laid there a while longer until he too drifted off.



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



Later that evening Chakotay and the Captain were in her ready room going 
over the reports from the last few days.

"As you can see from the reports, Captain, that these three incidents are 
all the work of one very upset individual. I have been looking into Lt. 
Mysti Knight. She is or has been a good officer. B'Elanna was right she is 
an excellent engineer. I can see why B'Elanna didn't want to waste her on 
gamma shift doing routine maintance. But there have been a few problems."

"Such as?"

"Apparently when she was at the academy when another girl made a play for 
her boyfriend it ended up with the other girl in the hospital and her in the 
brig. Charges where filed but summarily dropped. She was known for violent 
outbursts of temper out of nowhere. With no apparent provacation. Then for 
no apparent reason she dropped out of the Academy and ended up in the 
neutral zone where she joined my group after awhile. She was an ensign for 
two years here and then last year upon mine and B'Elanna's recommendation 
you promoted her to Lieutenant (j.g). She had apparently gotten her temper 
in line because we have not had any problems with her."

"I remember. I promoted her shortly before Crewman Darius died." She replied 
solemnly.

"Actually, you promoted her almost six months before he died. As of yet we 
have no proof. As far as we can tell she has an alibi. Tuvok is discreetly 
investigating them as we speak. He's fairly sure the computer has been 
tampered with. B'Elanna was not understating her ability. With her skills 
she could easily tamper with the computer."

Kathryn nodded in acknowledgment. She really was just beginning to wrap her 
mind around the concept that she was hunted. She had never had anyone 
actively stalk her and try to kill her. Sure plenty of people have tried in 
the heat of battle before when they were at war or someother dangerous 
situation. But never when they were orbiting a friendly world that was 
likely to be their home for the rest of their lives.

"Captain?"

"I was just thinking. I have never been hunted before. I don't quite know 
what to think. In a way I feel responsible for this situation. I am the one 
who was in charge of the away team. I gave the order not to return for 
Darius' body."

"Captain, we could not have returned for Darius' body. Not without risking 
the ship. We discussed that when it happened. You wanted to return but it 
was clear that if we did we risked being brought into the war and possibly 
destroyed. The risk was just too great for a crewman whom we knew was 
already dead. I know that sounds morbid and like I don't care, I do care, 
but you made the right decision."

"I know you're right, Chakotay. I just feel responsible."

"I would like to suggest we place Lt. Knight on suspicion of attempted 
murder."

"With what evidence? We have nothing tying her to the attempts. I will not 
confine her without proof. We start doing that and we are just a few steps 
from a mutiny. I will not start disregarding the crews rights and freedom 
for my personal safety."

"She is the only suspect we have at the moment. It would be a prudent move."

"Maybe it would be the prudent move but not neccessarily the right one. We 
start confining people on suspicions where do we stop. I am afraid to go 
down that path. I will however agree for her to be monitored by the computer 
and security personel. We do need to keep an eye on her."

"Okay, I don't agree with it but if thats what you want. I'll have Tuvok set 
up the computer to monitor her whereabout at all times and notify us if she 
gets near you or Torres."

"Very well, Commander. Is that everything?"

"Oh, by the way, I spoke with Miguel a bit ago and he says that tomorrow 
night will be fine. We can use the town square as it is large enough to 
handle all the people. It does pose certain security risks."

"I knew you were going to say that. There is nothing we can do about that. 
Let Tuvok know and let him take necessary precautions but he is to be subtle 
and discrete. NO and I mean absolutely NO visble weapons. We don't want to 
cause a riot or spook our would be assasin."

"Captain, how do you expect us to protect you? If you won't take the 
precautions we ask you to!" Chakotay asked finally getting up. He was really 
getting up with this martyr attitude of hers. She didn't want to hide that 
was fine by him but he did expect her to be reasonable about it.

"Chakotay, you know I won't cower in my quarters. Neither B'Elanna or myself 
are the cowering type."

"No, you're not, but atleast B'Elanna is not giving Tom all kinds of hell 
refusing to be protected. Even she's convinced now. She's not taking 
unnecessary risks."

"Neither am I. That is until tomorrow night. Chakotay, if Lt. Knight is the 
one responsible for these attacks then I am going to set her up. By placing 
myself in a open setting she may feel secure enough to try something. If she 
does then you and Tuvok will be there to grab her. Either way this will be 
over tomorrow night. I don't want to start off in our new home being afraid 
to walk out of my quarters."

Chakotay continued to pace. As much as he hated to admit it she was right. 
To stop this madness they were going to have to set a trap with the Captain 
as bait.

"What about Torres?" Chakotay asked facing out the window towards the stars.

"We can ask her. If she wishes to attend the party tomorrow night then she 
can help us. I think it will make the odds better of something happening if 
both of us our present. I will discuss it with her in the morning."

"Alright. I don't agree with it, but if it will get this nightmare over with 
then I will go along with it."

"Good. Now I would like to get some sleep. If you will excuse me, I am 
returning to my quarters."

"One more thing, what are you going to do about Tom and Kalor?"

"Well, until it becomes a ship matter it doesn't concern either you or me. 
Right now it is just a dispute over a woman. You know the old saying: Two 
men, One woman, trouble. I think B'Elanna and Tom can handle themselves."

"That is not the answer I expected from you."

"I know. This time though I think it would be best to let them sort this out 
for themselves. This is not just about two starfleet officers. We are 
dealing with two different cultures. Klingon and Human. Two cultures that 
have always had problems. I don't want to complicate matters by getting 
involved in what is a personal matter."

"Fair enough."

"Now can I go to my quarters and get some sleep?"

"Of course. I will escort you there, and then spend the night on your couch. 
And I will not take no for an answer, so you might as well just come along 
like a good little captain." He replied with a smile, starting to lead her 
to the door.

"The things I let you get away with." She said as they headed out of her 
ready room. She was trying to hide her own smile but was not succeeding.



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



"Hey, Mike."

"Hi, Dani."

"Can I join join you?" Dani asked.

"I suppose."

"Well, if its that much trouble. I won't bother you." Dani said starting to 
turn around and leave.

"No! Please, Dani. Stay. I'm sorry. I'm just not in a very good mood right 
now." He said quickly not wanting her to go.

She sat down next to him and started to eat her breakfast.

"So what's got you so down?" She inquired a few moments later.

"Things."

"Such as?"

"My wife and kids. Tomorrow would have been our tenth wedding anniversary. 
My oldest son will be eight next week. I guess I am just missing my family."

"That's not a bad thing. I know it's hard but we all go through that. I miss 
my family terribly. I still miss my fiance at times."

"I didn't know you were engaged." Mike said raising his head to look at her. 
This little peice of info had caught him totally off guard. She had never 
mentioned a fiance before.

"I know. I don't talk about him much. We were engaged for two years before I 
was assigned to Voyager. It's in my records but we were a long way off from 
being married. It was kind of an arranged thing. My parents and his parents 
were very close. They thought it would be great if we got married. They put 
a lot of pressure on us. Eventually we did start dating and in a way I 
suppose we loved each other. We were best friends before anything else."

"You don't want to get back to him?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Don't misunderstand me. I love him as I would my brother or my best friend 
but he was never my choice as a husband. It was my familys. I think 
eventually we both would have realized it and called the whole thing off. I 
think we knew it on some level anyway because we both kept putting off the 
wedding. Our families were pushing us to set a date and we kept finding 
reasons not to get married just yet. Usually having to do with our careers. 
At any rate I was never *in love* with him so I have no desire to go back 
there. I hope he has moved on by now."

"Was he in love with you?"

"No, when I last spoke with him before we ended up here he mentioned a woman 
that he had become friends with. He thought he was falling in love with her. 
I wished him luck and told him to contact me when he wanted to break 
everything to our families."

"Amazing. He was a fool. To have someone like you handed to him and not want 
you."

"You would know."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I am going to spell it out for you. You know I care about you but still you 
push me away. You moan and groan about a family you will probably never see 
again and insist on living in the past when there is someone in the present 
who wants you in the here and now and the future. Do the math, Ayala!"

"What do you want from me?" Mike asked getting frustrated.

"Nevermind. I can see I am wasting my time." Without further discussion she 
got up and left.

*Good move, Micheal. Now what are you going to do?" He thought to himself. 
*I know what I want but I have to let go of the past to do it. That's the 
hard part.*

"Hello, Micheal." He heard a voice say behind him. It was Torres.

"Hey, B'Elanna. What's up?"

"Nothing much. I saw Dani leave in rather a hurry. Thought I would ask if 
everythings ok?"

"Sure, everythings fine. Why wouldn't it be."

"Come on Micheal. This is B'Elanna remember. I've known you too long to buy 
that crock. You probably said something to tick her off. So what was it?"

"Something stupid. Did you know that Dani used to be engaged?"

"Yea, she told me a while back. Some arranged things between the families. 
Kinda sad really. To be engaged to someone you don't love and who doesn't 
love you."

"I told her he was a fool. To have someone like her handed to him and not to 
want her. She told me I should know."

"Good for her. You need a good kick in the pants. I know you miss your wife 
and kids but you gotta move on with your life. Dani is very much in love 
with you but eventually she will move on and find someone else."

"Tom told me the same thing. I guess I am just having a hard time letting go 
of the past. I took my vows seriously. You know the till death do us part 
and all that jazz. It's not like I don't care about Dani. I do. I just also 
feel like I am cheating on my wife."

"I can't say that I understand but I can tell you this. Your wife would not 
want you to be alone if this situation were reversed. She more than likely 
thinks you are dead and has moved on. You can't spend the rest of you life 
alone and miserable. Dani is a wonderful woman. You should count your lucky 
stars she wants you. I mean not many woman would have stuck around with as 
many brush offs as you have given her."

"Since when have you taken to playing cupid, B'Elanna. I didn't think you 
were the type?"

"I'm not. Just trying to point something out to a friend. Don't change the 
subject anyway. We were discussing your inability to live in present."

"Message recieved loud and clear, Torres. I'll apologize to her and try to 
work things out. Look I gotta go now. I got things to do. I'll catch you 
later,ok?"

"Sure. Tom and I will see you at the party tonight then, ok?"

"Yea, great." Micheal said getting up and heading out of the mess hall.

After a few moments B'Elanna decided it was time to go back down to 
engineering and remind them that they did have a Chief Engineer. She had not 
been down there for days because of one thing or another. Joe had been 
keeping her up to date on everything but she preferred to give them a 
reminder in person. With that decided she headed down to engineering.



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Meanwhile a few decks down, a woman was pacing in her quarters. The plan had 
gotten all screwed up. They were onto her now. If only she hadn't shown so 
much hostility when she was moved from gamma shift. Torres was too smart 
sometimes. She knew that Calinda Dawson, the geologist from the planet had 
also spoken to Torres about her behaviour on the mining expidition.

Granted, that usually doesn't lead to suspicion of attempted murder but the 
fact that Darius had died just six months ago, coupled with everything else 
that had happened had helped them zero in on her.

She knew right now that it was all suspicion. They had no concrete proof. If 
they did she would be in the brig.

*Well, I am not going to spend the rest of my life confined for avenging his 
death. The next time I'll take them with me. Then I can be with Darius 
forever. They will pay. Torres for assigning him to the away team and 
Janeway for letting him die!*

With that she began to plot. Tonight would be the perfect chance she would 
have. They would both be in the same place at the same time. She sat down on 
the floor and began to think.



<Picture: [IMAGE]>



B'Elanna had spent the morning in Engineering getting caught up and 
generally making her presence known. Around lunch time she got a call from 
her parents wanting to know if she wanted to come down for lunch. She 
politely turned them down and told them that she would see them this evening 
at the party.

Shortly afterwards she recieved a call to report to the Captain's ready 
room. She left engineering in Joe's capable hands and reported to the ready 
room.

She made her way up to deck one as quickly as she could. The whole way she 
was constantly looking over her shoulder and watching everything around her.

*This is crazy. I'm bordering on paranoia! This has got to stop!* She 
thought.

She approached the door and pushed the announcer.

A moment later the doors opened to allow her entrance. She approached the 
desk.

"You asked to see me, Captain?"

"Yes, I did. I want to discuss something with you. Please have a seat."

B'Elanna sat and looked at the Captain before she realized that Chakotay 
wasn't hovering anywhere nearby.

"Where is your guarddog?" B'Elanna asked jokingly a smile pulling at her 
lips.

"Banished to the bridge for the moment. I could ask the same of you. Where 
is Tom?"

"I told him to get lost for a bit. I am tired of this. This whole mess is 
bordering on the absurd! It has to stop!"

"I agree. This madness has gone on long enough. I have a plan."

"Okay. I suppose you are going to tell me your little plan?"

"Yes. We are going to set a little trap for our little would be assassin. 
Since it is obvious that they want both us dead one way or the other we are 
going to give them a target they can't refuse. The whole crew will be at the 
party. The votes are in and the decision has been made. So tonight we will 
both be very visable and open. If this person is so intent upon our deaths. 
They won't turn this opportunity down."

"So we are going to be the bait. Have you discussed this with Chakotay yet?"

"Yes. He's not exactly thrilled with it but he will go along with it. I'm 
sure he will be plastered to my side the whole evening. So what do you 
think?"

Torres thought for a few moments. She wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea 
but if it would bring an end to this madness then she was all for it.

"Well I can't say that playing the target is appealing but if it will stop 
this game now then let's do it."

"Good. I'll inform Chakotay that you are willing and coordinate with Tuvok. 
I don't like it but I am going to agree to security guards not in uniform. 
Maybe confuse our friend so they think we are not guarded. Be a little 
easier to apprehend the person."

"Alright, I will inform Tom and we will meet up with you later this 
afternoon. Now if you will excuse me I have somethings to take care of this 
afternoon."

"I do hope I won't be attending a funeral in the next few days." Janeway put 
in.

"No, Captain, you won't be. Tom and I have found a way out of this mess."

"Oh, really. How?"

"Don't take this the wrong way but everyone will find out tonight at the 
party."

"Alright, I suppose I can be patient."

"Thank you, Captain. I'll see you later."

With that B'Elanna stood and proceeded out of the ready room back to 
Engineering. On her way back to engineering she couldn't help but think of 
everything that had happened over the last two weeks.

They had come across a message bouy that had a message for them. The message 
was sent by her father, a man she thought never to see again. They had come 
to New Meridia and she had been reunited with both her parents. They had 
even come to an understanding of sorts.

She had never thought anything like this would happen. She had reunited with 
her parents and and now she was engaged to the love of her life. Life would 
be wonderful if it wasn't for their would-be assassin and Kalor. Mustn't 
forget him! *Time to take care of him!*

"Computer, location of Lt. Paris?" She inquired of the computer.

"Lt. Paris is in Main Engineering." the computer replied.

*Looking for me no doubt.*

"Torres to Paris." She said tapping her commbadge.

"Paris here. B'Elanna where are you?"
he asked over the comm.

"I am on my way down to engineering. I'll meet you there and then we have an 
appointment."

"I'll be here." He replied closing the channel.

She boarded the turbolift and proceeded to engineering.



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B'Elanna stepped off the turbolift to deck 16 and headed for main 
engineering. She walked through the doors as Tom was coming out of her 
office.

He walked up to her and had to stop himself from taking her in his arms. She 
was okay with some public displays but not in her engine room and in front 
of her staff.

"Hey." She said .

"Hey, yourself. How are you feeling?"

"Like I have been shot with a phaser. But the fact that I can feel this bad 
is a good thing. It's getting better though. In a few days I'll be just 
fine!"

"Good. You ready to go?" He asked guiding her out of engineering.

"Yeah, lets go get this over with." She responded.

They boarded the turbolift and headed for transporter room 1. They beamed 
down to the surface and went in search of Kalor. They didn't have to look 
far. They found him behind his hanger practicing with his bat'leth.

They stood there watching him for a few minutes. He hadn't given any 
indication that he had noticed their arrival.

Kalor went through several more moves before he stopped and turned to them.

"I see you have come to answer the challenge finally." Kalor stated.

"Well there isn't going to be any challenge or fight for that matter." 
B'Elanna put in before Tom could answer him.

"You lie!" Kalor screamed charging Tom. B'Elanna had other ideas. She got in 
between Tom and Kalor and blocked him. Kalor was not prepared for this. He 
was prepared to jump Tom and thus he was way off balance to take a hit from 
B'Elanna. She tackled him and took him to the ground.

B'Elanna grunted with the effort it took for her to take him to ground and 
hold him there.

He was putting up a fight but for the moment B'Elanna had him pinned.

"Quite galling, isn't it?" B'Elanna asked through gritted teeth.

Kalor stopped struggling long enough to look at her.

"Isn't it?" She asked again.

"Is what?" He finally asked.

"The fact that I have you pinned. Your target was Tom and you could have 
seriously injured him and come out the winner but instead I have you pinned 
to ground like a helpless targ! How does it feel, Kalor? How does it feel so 
out of control?"

"I haven't any idea of what you are talking about?"

"You should, Kalor. After what you have put her through since we got here."

He looked at Tom. As if suddenly remembering that he was there.

"I have nothing to say to a man who lets his woman do his fighting. I will 
take great pleasure in ripping your coward's heart out!" Kalor spat.

"I am not even going to justify that with a response!" Tom returned.

"Excuse me. I hate to interrupt this male bonding but I am making a point 
here!" B'Elanna cut in.

"Then by all means, B'Elanna go ahead." Tom said stepping back.

"Thank you. Now where was I? Oh, yes I remember. I was asking you how it 
felt to be out of control?"

"I am not out of control. I could get up at any time I wish." Kalor replied.

"Maybe. Maybe not. The point is that right now you are in a helpless 
position. The same kind I have been in until last night. Now I am not going 
to bother explaining myself because quite frankly it is none of you damn 
business but as far as tradition both Klingon and Human Tom and I are 
engaged and that settles any challenges on your part. It can't be undone. So 
I suggest that you drop this challenge or you may find out what kind of hell 
I can raise, got it?" B'Elanna stated.

Kalor looked up at her. He didn't doubt her ability to carry out her threat. 
He was not afraid of her or of him, but she did have a point about 
tradition. Since she had bitten him and apparently made her choice nothing 
could undo it. He did the only thing he could. He honorably yielded his 
challenge to them.

"I have no choice but to yield at this time." Kalor resonded.

"Good answer." B'Elanna said letting him loose and standing up to stand next 
to Tom. "I don't expect you to apologize but I do expect you to stay out of 
our way and not give any problems. Do I make myself clear?"

"Hmmph." Kalor grunted turning and leaving.

They watched him leave. They were a little surprised at his reaction but 
then again they weren't. Kalor was an honorable Klingon he would abide by 
tradition. B'Elanna had obviously made her choice and he simply had to live 
with it!!

"Well, that was productive." Tom said sarcastically.

"Don't knock it, Tom. He gave up, didn't he?"

"For now. I'm not holding my breath."

"Try not to be too optimistic there, Tom."

"I'm sorry."

"Well, look at it this way. He has to abide by my decision since it's backed 
up by tradition. He has no choice in the matter."

"I know you're right. I just still don't trust him."

"I don't think you two will ever completely trust or like each other."

"Well, anyway, we have other things to do. We have to get ready for this 
evening. Let's get back to the ship." Tom stated taking B'Elanna by the arm 
and leading her away.

"Are you nervous?" B'Elanna asked.

"Of course I am nervous. I don't like the idea of using you as bait."

"I wasn't talking about catching our friend. I was talking about our little 
announcement that we are making tonight."

"Nervous? About announcing our engagment. Never! I have never been so sure 
of something in my life. I can't wait to announce that I am marrying you." 
He responded strongly.

"Good." She replied leaning up to kiss him. "Now let's get back to the ship"

They quickly called for beam up and proceeded to meet with the Captain, 
Chakotay and Tuvok to discuss the security for the evenings gathering.



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At the same time on Voyager Janeway was sitting in her ready room reading. 
She was trying to relax before the evening. It had been quiet all day and if 
she really tried she could almost forget about the fact that someone was 
trying to kill her. If she sat real still she didn't feel the injuries that 
were still healing.

She was so engrossed that she almost didn't hear the door chime go off. The 
door chimed three times before she finally heard it.

"Come." She called. The doors opened to admit her darkly handsome first 
officer.

"Ahh, Commander. I take it all the arrangements for this evening are taken 
care of?"

"Yes, Captain. Tuvok has made all the security arrangements. All the 
security officers will be out of uniform and neither you nor B'Elanna will 
be out of their sight the entire evening."

"Excellent." She replied putting her report down on her desk.

Chakotay was still standing in front of her desk. His back was as stiff as 
board. She hadn't let him voice his opinion of the plan earlier when she 
ordered him to make all the arrangements. *Better get this over with now.* 
She thought.

"Okay, Chakotay. Sit down and tell me what is on your mind."

He sat but didn't relax.

"Chakotay?"

He looked her in the eye and finally spoke,

"Are we having this discussion as Captain and Commander or as Kathryn and 
Chakotay?" He asked.

"Does it matter?"

"Yes, because I don't want to confuse our professional relationship with out 
personal one."

"I appreciate your concern, but at this point I think they are pretty much 
one and the same. We both know what is ahead for the crew of Voyager. So 
tell me what is the problem or shall I tell you?"

"Well, why don't you tell me." He told her.

"Okay, you are concerned about what could happen if something goes wrong. 
You are afraid of losing me, just as I am afraid of losing you. But at the 
same time I refuse to go on living like this. This person needs to be 
caught. I am sure there is another way to do this but the fact is that this 
is the perfect set up. I have complete faith in you and Tuvok." At this she 
stood up and walked around her desk to face him.

"Your very confident."

"Yes I am. I know you don't want me haunting you the rest of your life." She 
had intended it to lighten the mood, until he added.

"It would be a short life."

"Oh, Chakotay. I didn't realize you felt that way."

"Didn't you?"

"I suppose on some level I did. I just never wanted to admit it to myself." 
She turned and walked over to the windows to gaze at the stars. He followed 
her.

She could feel his presence directly behind her. She leaned back a little 
and let him take her in his arms. She needed to feel his strong arms around 
her. She needed his strength to help her get through the evening. In truth 
she was scared. More scared than she would ever admit to him.

He pulled her against him and buried his face in her neck.

"I love you, Kathryn. I have for a long time and..."

"Chakotay...."

"Shh. I don't expect you to say it. I just want you to know. I want you to 
be absolutely sure when you tell me. Because once you do there is no going 
back. I will not let you go. Once I have had your love I won't want to go on 
without it."

She didn't know quite what to say. So she did the only thing she could do. 
She turned in his arms and raised her face to his and kissed him. The kiss 
threatened to sweep them away. After a few moments the broke apart.

"Soon." was all she said as she stroked his cheek. "Soon."

He pulled her to him again. They stood there holding each other for what 
seemed like ages. They were soon interrupted by the door.

They separated and each returned to their respective seats before Janeway 
allowed the other person to enter.

"Come." Janeway called.

Tuvok, Paris and Torres walked through the door.

"Captain, the arrangements are completed as I am sure the Commander has 
informed you." Tuvok stated.

"Yes, he informed just a few minutes ago. Are we all clear on the 
proceedings for this evening?"

Everyone nodded.

"Good. This party will go on just as it is until such time as our friend 
makes her presence known and we apprehend her. Tuvok's security personel 
will be all around in plain clothes so that they are not readily visible. 
Neither B'Elanna or myself will be far from one. Tuvok, do you have any one 
specifically assigned to either B'Elanna or myself?"

"Yes, Lt. Ayala is assigned to Lt. Torres and Lt. Eriksen is assigned to 
you, Captain."

"Very Good. Well then if everythings in place and we all understand the 
plan, that will be all. Dismissed."

"Um, Captain, as soon as you make the annoucement on the how the vote turned 
out, B'Elanna and I have an annoucement to make." Tom interjected.

"You're getting married." Chakotay stated not hiding his disappointment too 
well.

"At some point yea. Is there a problem with that." Tom replied.

"No, not that you can fix. I have made no secret of the fact that you are 
not one of my favorite people, Tom. However, you have made vast improvements 
over the last four years and I guess the bottom line is I will just have to 
trust B'Elanna's judgement." Chakotay finished.

"Thank you, Chakotay." B'Elanna said and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Well, at any rate, you would marry him whether I approved or not. So I may 
as well save myself the arguments." Chakotay responded returning the kiss.

"I fail to see the logic. She loves Lt. Paris, so why is Commander 
Chakotay's approval necessary for them to marry?" Tuvok asked.

The question provided a moment for laughter. Tuvok looked even more confused 
by the time they stopped laughing.

"I fail to see the humor." Tuvok stated.

"You would." Tom replied.

"I'll explain later, Tuvok. Right now we have to finish getting ready. I for 
one need to change clothes." Kathryn replied.

"I hear that. We'll see you down there." B'Elanna replied pulling Tom along 
with her out of the ready room.

"I shall retire myself." Tuvok stated and turned to leave. A moment later 
the Captain and Chakotay were once again alone.

"I guess you should go." Kathryn stated.

"No, Captain, I'm gonna escort you back to your quarters. Then I'll go back 
to mine, change my clothes and meet you back at yours."

"Then what?" Janeway asked.

"We go to the party, capture our little friend and then we go on with OUR 
lives."

"Then by all means what are we waiting for?" the Captain stated taking his 
arm.

"After you." He returned gesturing towards the door. She started out with 
him close behind.



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An hour later, Kathryn and Chakotay beamed down to the surface. They quickly 
located Tuvok and the security guard that was to protect the Captain.

The party had been planned for the town square to let all the colonists and 
the as much of the crew as possible attend. There were tables with food and 
drinks. Decorations had been placed everywhere. Neelix's influence was in 
full swing. He had thrown all into this party. Most of the crew had already 
arrived and were mingling with many of the colonists.

Yet in the shadows one crew member was taking pains to disappear and not be 
noticed but whether she realized it or not she was being watched and her 
every move was being relayed amongst the security personel present.

"Alright, I guess we should get this show on the road. I know everyone is 
anxious to hear the decision." Janeway stated heading for the small stage 
area.

"Let's mingle for just a bit. We can make the announcement in a little 
while." Chakotay said quietly taking her arm and pulling her back.

"OKay. We can wait just a bit." Kathryn said smiling back at him.

"Captain, Commander." Tom stated as he and B'Elanna approached.

"Tom, B'Elanna. I don't see your parents or Kalor. Are they here?"

"My parents are over on the other side of the square. They didn't take the 
news of my impending marriage to well. They'll get over though. Kalor, I'm 
told will not be here."

"Big loss there." Tom muttered.

"Agreed. So how is everything going so far?" Chakotay asked.

"It seems to be going ok. Security has located our friend. She is among the 
among the trees on the west side of the square. The minute she tries 
anything they will grab her."

"Well she probably won't wait long. As soon as she has a good shot at both 
of us she will take it." B'Elanna put in.

"I wish we had hard evidence against her now. I won't arrest her till I have 
proof that she is behind this. I know she is the most logical suspect given 
her agression and reclusiveness these past weeks. I just want to make sure 
we catch the right person." Janeway stated.

"Captain, Commander, Lieutenants." Tuvok said walking up to join them.

"Hello, Tuvok. Report." Janeway requested.

"Captain, I had an inspection and power check done on all hand phasers and 
phaser rifles this afternoon. There are two hand phasers missing. One which 
we assume was used to shoot Lt. Torres which we have not recovered as yet. 
Another that we can only assume Lt. Knight is in possesion of at this 
moment. One is from the storage unit in Engineering. The other is from the 
wall unit down the hall from her quarters."

"I see. Well security has located her. We don't want to spook her yet. I 
don't want her shooting the phaser randomly. She could hurt others in the 
crowd. I think she will take her shot as soon as we go up to make the 
annoucements." The Captain replied.

"Agreed." Tuvok returned.

"Well, the sooner the better. I don't know about you all but I'm tired of 
waiting for something to happen. Let's get this over with." B'Elanna stated.

"Yes, lets." The Captain said agreeing with her. The Captain turned and 
headed for the small stage area and walked up. Chakotay, Tom, B'Elanna and 
Tuvok were right behind her.

She called for everyone's attention. After a few moments everyone quieted 
down and gave her their attention.

"Thank you. I have a few announcements that need to be made. Four and half 
years ago we found ourselves stuck out here 75,000 light years from home. So 
far away that at maximum warp it would take us 75 years to get home. You 
have been an excellent. The best I have ever served with. I have been 
honored to be your captain. It has been a hard trip. I know I promised you 
that I would see this crew returned to earth. I don't know if that was a 
good promise to make."

"Four days ago the crew took a vote. The decision to be made was whether or 
not to stay and become members of this colony or go on and try to make it 
home. The Commander and I have reviewed the results and the majority of the 
crew voted to stay. So everyone welcome to your new home. In the days ahead 
there will be decisions to be made. Plans will be made over the next few 
days as to what will happen. We will not be abandoning Voyager."

"The crew's new homes will be built on the west side of the river. 
Construction will begin in just a few weeks. All this will be passed onto 
you in the next few weeks. This will be a slow process. Please be patient 
and if you have any questions please feel free to speak to either the 
Commander or myself. Now...."

"Captain, Look out!" Tuvok yelled drawing his phaser. He tried to get a 
clear shot but couldn't because of the crowd.

The Captain turned and saw the danger.
The scream that filled the air was ear peircing. Lt. Knight was rushing the 
stage and firing randomly. People were diving everywhich way to avoid being 
hit. Chakotay dove and knocked the Captain to the ground. Tom had done the 
same to B'Elanna but not before being grazed in the leg by a random shot.

Lt. Knight got about 100 feet from the stage before three security personel 
tackled her. She was wrestled to the ground and disarmed.

"Bring her here!" The Captain ordered.

The three security guards picked her up and marched her upto to where the 
Captain and Commander stood.

"So we meet at last." Janeway said looking into the face of her would be 
killer.

Mysti said nothing.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Janeway asked.

"Only that I'm sorry I didn't succeed. You let Darius die!" She replied.

"Mysti, Darius was dead before we beamed off the planet. There was nothing 
the Captain or I could have done." Torres put in.

"Wrong. You were his commanding officer, Torres. You could have pushed the 
Captain to go back for him but you didn't. As far as I'm concerned you both 
are responsible." She spat.

"I can see there will be no reasoning with you. Take her back to ship and 
place her in the brig. We will decide what to do about her tomorrow."

"Aye, Captain." The guards replied and turned to go back to the beam up 
site.

"NOOO!!!" Mysti screamed. She managed to get an arm free and elbowed one 
guard in the eye. Then turned and knocked the other one down. She made a 
grab for the phaser and almost got it before she stopped suddenly in place. 
A shocked look crossed her face and glanced down at her chest before 
collapsing to the ground.

Everyone turned to see Tuvok lowering his weapon. Chakotay walked over to 
Lt. Knight. He placed a hand on her neck feeling for a pulse. There was 
none.

"She's dead."

"I'm sorry, Captain. I did not have a choice. I could not let her kill you."

"It's alright Tuvok. I know. Please have her beamed to sickbay as soon as 
possible." The Captain turned and headed back to the stage.

She couldn't believe it was over. It had only four days but it seemed like 
it had been forever. She noticed B'Elanna bandaging Tom's leg.

"How bad it it?" She asked.

"Not bad at all, Captain. I'll be alright in few days." Tom replied.

"Glad to hear it. Was anyone else hurt?"

"No luckily no one else was hurt." Chakotay returned walking back to join 
them.

A moment later Tuvok joned them.

"Lt. Knight's body has been removed to sickbay, Captain. I will ofcourse 
need everyone's statement at your earliest convience tomorrow to close this 
investigation." Tuvok reported.

"First thing in the morning." The Captain answered, "Now before we were so 
rudely interrupted I believe there was another announcement to be made. Have 
you set a date?"

"No..." Tom started.

"Six months from today." B'Elanna said cutting him off. Tom smiled and 
pulled her into a big hug.

"What made you change your mind?"

"I don't know. I just know that if we keep putting it off we will never get 
around to it so I don't want to get caught in that cycle. So six months from 
today I'll be Mrs. Tom Paris. Or you could always Mr. Tom Torres. She 
finished winking at him.

"We'll discuss it." He said giving her a quick kiss.

"Alright. Everyone could I have your attention again. Just for a moment 
please!" The Captain yelled. The crowd, which was just starting to calm 
down, turned to her.

"Thank you. I am sorry that you all had to witness that but things happen. 
Now before we were interrupted there was another announcement about to be 
made. Tom, would you care to take the stage."

"Sure. Uh, most of you know that B'Elanna and I have been seeing each other 
for awhile now. Well, I have asked her to marry me and she has said yes. So 
six months from today you all our invited to our wedding!" Tom finished. The 
crowd burst into cheers and screams of congratulations.

Everyone was clapping and whistling.
After a moment they quieted down.

"Thanks for your attention. Now with our difficult business taken care of we 
can get down to serious partying." More cheers and clapping greeted her 
statement. The Captain and Chakotay stepped from the stage, followed by Tom 
and B'Elanna.

Many of the crowd came up and congratulated Tom and B'Elanna. After a while 
the music started up. Everyone began choosing partners. Tom pulled B'Elanna 
out on the floor. Chakotay soon talked the Captain into dancing.

They danced the rest of the evening. Both women knowing they were both safe 
in the arms of the men who loved them.


The End............For now!

You are <Picture> to read my new story. Thanks for reading!!!