Disclaimer:  All Star Trek characters belong to Paramount.

CHOICES
by Timina@aol.com

     Background:  After six years in the Delta Quadrant, USS Voyager found a 
wormhole that they determined to be safe and was able to return to the Alpha 
Quadrant.  Although B'Elanna Torres and Chakotay were still officially 
members of the Voyager crew, they had serious discussions about what their 
future would be and the possibility of rejoining the Maquis group and 
continuing the fight against the Cardassians.  Kathryn knew of Chakotay's 
discussions and felt a deep sadness in her heart for she had grown to love 
her first officer but knew that Chakotay's dedication to his cause would 
preclude their having any future together.  She knew in her heart that she 
would never leave Starfleet.
     B'Elanna and Tom had also grown quite close during the last few years of 
their mission but their return to Earth caused them to think about quite a 
few issues:  like what their future would be like if they stayed together, 
should they go back to Starfleet....  In the end, B'Elanna felt she belonged 
more with the Maquis. Tom, not wanting to be separated from her, has decided 
that he would leave Starfleet and join her.  His decision was all the more 
suprising for he had received an official pardon from Starfleet Command in 
view of his long service on Voyager and the glowing words of recommendation 
from Captain Kathryn Janeway. Tom was initially torn between re-joining 
Starfleet and being an officer again but in the end his heart made his 
decision for him.  He loved B'Elanna too much.
     His decision shocked Janeway and Torres.  Janeway had such high hopes 
for Paris after learning of the official pardon but eventually understood the 
reason behind it.  Torres on the other hand was more shocked that Paris would 
make such a big sacrifice for her.  That was why she enlisted Harry's help to 
convince Tom to stay with Starfleet.
     They were still on Voyager orbiting Earth.

     "Harry, you have to help me!  You have to convince Tom to stay with 
Starfleet.  Tell him anything.  Tell him we're running away together," 
B'Elanna clutched desperately at Harry's sleeve.
     Harry glanced up at his friend's face.  He knew what B'Elanna was 
feeling. After Tom had found out that B'Elanna was going back with Chakotay 
and the Maquis group, he decided to resign his Starfleet commission.
     "It's not going to work B'Elanna.  Tom's made up his mind about this. 
And," he smiled crookedly at B'Elanna, "that stuff about us running away 
together won't wash with Tom.  He knows us too well," Harry sighed 
resignedly.
     "It can work Harry.  I'll tell Tom that I've realized I love you and 
will go back to Earth with you on the next transport."
     "B'Elanna!  I can't do that to Tom.  He's my best friend.  Think how 
betrayed he'll feel."
     "At least he won't be sacrificing his life.  He's already been captured 
once by the Federation and this pardon from his prison sentence really meant 
a lot to him.  And to his father too although he won't admit that.  If he 
joins the Maquis, he'll go to jail again if he's captured."  B'Elanna combed 
trembling fingers through her tousled hair.  "I don't think I can face that.  
I love him too much."  The words tumbled out unconsciously from B'Elanna's 
lips.  Shocked at the words she just uttered, she looked at Harry.  "Please 
Harry, help me! You'll be helping him too!"
     Harry pondered her words.  He knew she was right.  He felt the same way 
that B'Elanna did: that Tom was going to throw everything if he joined the 
Maquis.  But he had to weigh his friendship for Tom too.  Did he have the 
right to interfere with Tom's decision?  And if he and B'Elanna went through 
with this charade, he would lose Tom's friendship forever.  He felt a huge 
weight on his shoulders.
     "I'll talk to Tom," Harry suggested.  "I'll try but I'm not promising 
anything."  But now knowing B'Elanna's feelings about Tom, he looked closely 
into her eyes.  "Maybe it would be better if Tom joins you guys.  At least 
you'll be together."
     B'Elanna lightly punched Harry on the shoulder.  "Harry, he's Starfleet. 
I'm Maquis.  It'll never work out in the long run."  Harry winced kiddingly, 
pretending to be hurt and rubbing his shoulder.
     "But think about the time you two will have being together.  Life is too 
short B'Elanna.  Why not give him the chance and spend it with each other?"
     "Don't talk me out of it Starfleet."  B'Elanna didn't tell Harry that 
she was sorely tempted to tell Tom to join her.  She wanted it more than 
anything but what if he regretted joining the Maquis someday?  She knew Tom 
well enough that he would never say it but she would somehow feel it.
     Harry turned towards the door to leave and as the doors swished open, he 
found Tom standing outside with his right hand on the door buzzer and his 
left hand clutching one long stemmed red rose.  "Tom!"
     "Harry!" Tom was equally surprised.  "What are you doing here?"
     There must have been some kind of guilty look on Harry's face for Tom's 
blue eyes narrowed suspiciously.  "What are you two up to?"  His gaze flashed 
to B'Elanna who had a little trouble meeting his eyes.  *What's going on with 
this two?* he wondered jealously.  He saw Harry look at B'Elanna and give a 
little shrug and Tom's eyes fell on B'Elanna's unmade bed, his mind leaping 
to the totally wrong conclusions.
     Harry and B'Elanna both followed where Tom's eyes were looking.  Harry 
knew at this point that whatever he said would come out wrong so he decided 
to retreat instead.  "I gotta go," Harry fled towards his own quarters, 
leaving B'Elanna to face Tom.
     Tom stared at his friend's receding back, his mind in a whirl.
     "Hi Tom," B'Elanna reached up, kissed him on the cheek and led him 
inside.

     The doorbell chimed to Tom's quarters.  "Come in!", he called out, 
continuing to empty his closet and stuffing it into his suitcase.  His face 
turned serious when he saw that it was Harry.  "Oh hello," his voice was 
cool.

     He still hadn't figured out what Harry was doing in B'Elanna's room and 
she had steadfastly refused to tell him, commenting only that nothing 
happened between her and Harry.  She had merely forgotten to clean up that 
morning.  They almost got into a fight until Tom decided drop the matter with 
B'Elanna but to confront Harry instead.  When he returned to his own quarters 
a few hours later, his jealous mind was already conjuring up secret trysts 
between Harry and B'Elanna.  *Oh Tom, don't be ridiculous*, he finally 
scolded himself.  *Harry's your best friend, for goodness sake.  They 
wouldn't do anything to hurt me*, he reassured himself.
     "I know what you're going to say Harry.  Don't even persuade me to do 
otherwise.  My mind's made up.  I love B'Elanna and I'm willing to risk 
everything to be with her."
     Harry looked at Tom.  "Even if it's means the possibility of going to 
prison again?"
     Tom laughed mirthlessly.  "I've been to prison Harry.  I can take it."
     "What if B'Elanna doesn't share your feelings?"
     "I know how B'Elanna feels.  She hasn't said it to me yet but I know she 
loves me too."  Tom said that most decidedly.
     Harry almost smiled at that for he knew Tom was on the mark.  There was 
no stopping Tom when he made a decision.  He smiled a little guiltily at Tom.
     "What?" Tom asked inquisitively, stopping his packing long enough to 
look at Harry.  He had caught that guilty little smile and was besieged again 
by thoughts of his two friends being together.
     "B'Elanna and I wanted to stop you from leaving Starfleet and....," 
Harry laughed a little self-consciously.
     Tom flipped over the lid of his suitcase and snapped it shut.  "And...?"
     "We were going to cook up this little scheme that B'Elanna and I were in 
love all along and she was returning to Earth with me.  That way, you'd 
thought she was no longer with the Maquis and you'll stay with Starfleet.  
That's why I was in her quarters.  We were talking about you."
     Tom suddenly smiled warmly at Harry and was glad that he had such good 
friends who were really concerned about his welfare.  "It's my decision but I 
do appreciate you guys looking out for me."  He playfully punched Harry on 
the shoulder. "And your little scheme wouldn't have worked anyway."  Tom 
laughed at the idea.
     Harry stood up and hugged Tom briefly.  "You're my best friend.  I'll 
miss you."  He groaned as he suddenly realized something.  "Oh God, I hope 
B'Elanna doesn't hurt me."
 A few days later...

     "Harry!  Harry!  Wake up!"
     Harry stirred sleepily, half-wondering who was shaking him.  What little 
light there was in his room illuminated the tense face of Tom Paris. 
Immediately, all sleepiness fell away from Harry.
     "What is it?"
     Tom started pacing the room.  "B'Elanna's gone."
     Harry had gone to the bathroom and splashed some water on his face.  
When he heard Tom's announcement, he started in surprise and accidentally 
spilled water on his chest.  "What?  When did you find out?"
     Tom sat down on the sofa and buried his head in his hands.  "This 
morning when I went to her quarters.  I've got to find her Harry."
     Harry sat down beside him.  "Does Captain Janeway know she's gone?"
     "Chakotay doesn't even know.  He's even more surprised that she's gone." 
Tom looked at Harry and Harry was worried at the empty look in his friend's 
blue eyes and there were circles under his eyes.
     "We'll find her Tom.  Don't worry.  We'll ask the Captain for help."

     "Doctor to Lt. Paris."  Tom's combadge chirped and the Doctor's voice 
filled Harry's room.
     Tom slapped at his combadge.  "Paris here."
     "Lt. Paris, do you know where Lt. Torres is?  She was scheduled for a 
checkup at 0800 hours but she has not shown up."
     "She's gone Doctor.  Nobody knows where she is."  Tom looked dejectedly 
at Harry.
     "It's imperative we find her."  Tom noted the urgency in the Doctor's 
voice and immediately got concerned.
     "What is it Doctor?"  he demanded.
     "There might be complications...." the Doctor's voice trailed off.  "I'd 
rather not discuss it over the comm system if you don't mind.  Please come 
down to Sickbay."
     Tom looked at Harry as the Doctor signed off.  There was a scared look 
on Tom's face.
     "What is it?"  Harry asked, a niggling fear beginning to build in his 
heart for his missing friend.
     "Will you come down to Sickbay with me?"
     Harry nodded, understanding his friend's need for moral support.  "Let 
me throw on some clothes," Harry said and as he turned to go to his closet, 
his combadge chirped.
     "Chakotay to Kim."
     *Oh no.  I forgot I was supposed to be on duty 5 minutes ago.*  "Kim 
here sir.  Sorry I'm late sir.  I'll be right there."  He nodded 
apologetically at Tom.
     "Is there a problem Mr. Kim?" Chakotay queried.
     Harry looked at Tom, wondering how much detail he could get into, not 
wanting to invade Tom's private life.  But Tom nodded at him to go on.  "Sir, 
the Doctor summoned Lt. Paris to Sickbay regarding Lt.Torres and I was going 
to accompany him."
     Silence on the other side.  "Very well Mr. Kim.  But be ready for duty 
in an hour.  Chakotay out."
     "C'mon Tom, let's go."

     Tom and Harry charged into Sickbay like the hounds of hell were at their 
feet.  They found the Doctor hunched over his medical padd in his office.  He 
looked up as the two officers entered.
     "Mr. Paris, I don't know if you're aware of this or not, or that even if 
Lt. Torres told you, but she's pregnant."  the Doctor's voice was flat, 
devoid of any inflections.
     But the news was a bombshell to Tom.  "Pregnant!"  He sat down abruptly 
on the couch.  Kim  was also dumbfounded.  He hadn't realized how really 
involved Tom and B'Elanna were.
     "Judging from your reaction, it's safe to assume you did not know. 
Nevertheless, I've been checking her earlier scans and found some anomalies.  
It could be nothing or it could be serious.  That's why it's imperative you 
find her."

     Tom and Harry reported for duty on the bridge right after they visited 
the doctor.  Harry assumed his usual post at the Operations Station while Tom 
sat down behind the helm.  Before he sat down, he caught Chakotay's eye.  
Chakotay nodded at him in understanding.  He too was worried about B'Elanna.
     Tom mechanically did his duties.  His fingers moving automatically to 
the buttons that would keep Voyager in orbit.  In the meantime his mind was 
on B'Elanna.  *Where are you B'Elanna?  Come back to the ship.  Come back to 
me!*
     His mind was so occupied with worry that he barely heard Janeway telling 
him something.  His face flushed at his inattentiveness as he faced his 
captain. "Sorry, Captain."
     "Mr. Paris, my ready room please."  Janeway stood up and strode towards 
her office.
     Tom steeled himself for a reprimand at his inattentiveness as the doors 
closed behind him in Janeway's ready room.  The unexpected kindness in 
Janeway's voice surprised him.
     "Tom, about B'Elanna.  She apparently got in touch with some Maquis 
sympathizers while on Earth and they picked her up yesterday.  We've alerted 
Starfleet."  Janeway felt compassion for her pilot as he looked at her, his 
eyes betraying his worry for their Chief Engineer.  "I've also informed them 
of B'Elanna's condition and needless to say it has become a priority."
     Janeway's badge beeped.  "Janeway here."
     Tuvok's calm voice came through.  "Captain, we have located Lt. Torres."
     Paris was almost out the door before he remembered that Janeway hadn't 
dismissed him.  He waited for Janeway to nod at him and they entered the 
bridge. "Report," Janeway ordered as she assumed her position.
     "Her shuttle developed engine trouble and had to dock in the repair 
station in Mars," Tuvok reported calmly.  "We have been cleared to leave 
orbit."
     "Coordinates laid in Captain," Tom confirmed, his fingers fairly itching 
to punch the engage button.
     "Engage Mr. Paris."  Janeway was grateful that Mars wasn't far away.  
She had been talking to the Doctor and was also worried about B'Elanna's 
condition.

     Janeway, Paris and Tuvok beamed down to the Starfleet repair station.
     "Captain!"  they were greeted by a burly fellow.
     Janeway smiled.  "Hello Destin.  How've you been?"
     "Never felt better," Destin boomed, clearly happy to see Janeway.
     Not wanting to interrupt but clearly anxious, Tom ventured a little 
timidly, "Captain...?"
     Janeway understood.  "Destin, a shuttle came in here from Earth for 
emergency repairs with one of my crewmembers.  Do you know where they took 
her?"
     "What's her name?" Destin walked over to a console and punched up the 
repair log.
     "B'Elanna Torres."
     "Aye, I remember her.  She almost fainted when they docked.  Luckily one 
of her crewmates caught her.  They took her to sickbay."  Destin clucked 
sympathetically.
     "Excuse us Destin.  We need to check on my Chief Engineer," Janeway 
excused herself and her crew as they headed straight to sickbay.

     Tom's head swiveled around the sickbay as soon as they entered the room. 
It was a small clinic and it wasn't hard to spot B'Elanna.  Tom was 
immediately at her side.  He glanced down at her pale face and stroked her 
forehead gently. Janeway and Tuvok remained at a short distance to give them 
a few moments together.
     As if responding to his presence, B'Elanna's lovely black eyes opened 
and for a moment revealed her joy that Tom was beside her.
     "Hey there," Tom said in the softest and gentlest voice B'Elanna knew 
was reserved just for her.
     "Hey Tom," she responded weakly.
     "You gave us quite a scare.  Why did you leave B'Elanna?" Tom clasped 
her hand tightly in his own.
     "Yes, B'Elanna, why did you leave?" Janeway finally joined in, concern 
for her Chief Engineer written all over her face.
     B'Elanna glanced first at Tom then at Janeway as if unsure how to 
answer.
     Looking down at Paris' hand, B'Elanna seemed to gather the courage to 
say what was on her mind.  She looked up again bravely to meet inquiring 
eyes.
     "I love him," she said simply and her eyes shone when she looked at Tom. 
"I couldn't let him throw away his life for me.  He has a much brighter 
future now that I could never share..." her voice broke as unshed tears 
brightened her eyes.
     Janeway nodded to Paris and joined Tuvok outside Sickbay to give her two 
officers more privacy.  Paris was grateful to share this private moment with 
the woman he loved.
     Grasping her hand with both of his he said, "B'Elanna, what kind of 
future would it be for me if you're not there with me?  I love you," he 
poured out. "And our unborn baby."
     B'Elanna was shocked.  "How did you know?  I didn't tell anyone except 
the doctor."
     "He only told me because he was worried about your condition and when 
you didn't show up for your check-up, he asked me where you were and that was 
after we found out you were gone," Paris explained.
     "Excuse me," a voice chimed in the background.
     Tom and B'Elanna looked at the newcomer.  "Hi Doctor," B'Elanna greeted 
him.
     Doctor Benjamin walked inside and smiled at his patient and at Tom. 
"Hello," he held out his hand to Tom.  "I'm Doctor Benjamin.  I was on duty 
when Lt. Torres was brought in."
     Tom shook his hand.  "Lt. Tom Paris from USS Voyager.  Doctor, is 
something the matter with B'Elanna?"
     The doctor nodded approvingly at Tom's directness regarding the health 
of his patient.  *He must care for her very much*, he thought.  He consulted 
his charts for a few minutes.  "Your doctor on Voyager hailed me almost 
immediately when your ship came into range, demanding to know about Lt. 
Torres' condition. For a hologram, he sure cares a lot for his patients."  
There was a note of admiration in his voice.  "Anyway, Lt. Torres lost 
consciousness when they got here and I had her take some tests.  Now not to 
worry," he added as he saw Tom's brow furrow with concern, "it's not as 
serious as your doctor thought it would be.  She'll be fine."
     Tom suddenly hugged B'Elanna as a wave of relief swept over him.  His 
B'Elanna was going to be okay and she was in his arms right now.  He felt 
that nothing could go wrong.
     "But," the doctor cleared his throat to get their attentions and waited 
until both B'Elanna and Tom gave him their undivided attention.
     "But..." Tom and B'Elanna both asked worriedly, as they waited with 
bated breath.
     "You'll have to avoid stress for the rest of your pregnancy."  Doctor 
Benjamin looked pointedly at B'Elanna.  "No running around trying to fix 
engines."
     B'Elanna guessed that the doctor knew about her connection to the Maquis 
and was trying to be subtle about it.
     "B'Elanna?"  was all Tom could ask, the unspoken question reflected in 
his eyes.
     "Excuse me," Janeway interrupted as she entered the clinic again.  "Tom, 
Tuvok and I will return to the ship.  You can stay here with B'Elanna and 
escort her back to the ship when the doctor decides to release her."
     "Aye, Captain."
     "I'm sorry but you'll have to go too," Dr. Benjamin told Tom, "she has 
to get some rest."
     Tom looked at B'Elanna.  "I'll be back soon," and he leaned over and 
kissed her tenderly on the forehead.  As he bent over her, he whispered 
quietly, "I love you."
     B'Elanna closed her eyes as emotions swept over her.  "I love you too 
Tom," she whispered back.  Her eyes were shining when Tom took one last look 
at her and left with Janeway and Tuvok.
 One week after, B'Elanna is released from the Mars clinic, Janeway calls 
B'Elanna to her ready room.

     "Well B'Elanna, it's your choice.  Starfleet has offered not to press 
any charges against any Maquis members who served onboard Voyager."  Janeway 
gestured to B'Elanna to sit down.
     "Really Captain?"  B'Elanna didn't know whether to be happy at that bit 
of information.
     "Yes, they even offered to reinstate Chakotay to his Starfleet rank.  
And you know Tom was granted full pardon from his prison sentence.  They're 
still reviewing whether to give him back his officer standing."
     "That's great!" B'Elanna was happy for Tom.
     "And that leaves you," Janeway stood up and sat beside B'Elanna.  "Look, 
B'Elanna, if you want to talk, not as officers, but woman-to-woman, I'm 
willing to listen."
     B'Elanna looked at Janeway and nodded.  "I love Tom.  I don't know what 
I'd do without him.  We didn't mean for this to happen.  Getting pregnant I 
mean. But now I know I have his baby growing inside me, it seems like nothing 
else is important but the baby and being with Tom."  She paused.  "I was 
going to rejoin the Maquis with Chakotay, you know."
     Janeway nodded.  "Chakotay told me as much.  He also told me he tried to 
discourage you from joining the Maquis when we came back to Earth."
     "He tried but...."
     "But?"
     "I figured Tom would go back to Starfleet once he was pardoned and I 
don't have anything to go back to except the Maquis.  And it would look bad 
for Tom if he got involved with a member of the Maquis so I thought we would 
break up once we reached Earth.  I didn't think Tom would give up Starfleet 
for me."
     "He loves you B'Elanna.  I don't think he'll be happy with Starfleet if 
you two are separated."
     "But with the baby, it changes everything.  I can't risk the baby." 
B'Elanna looked at Janeway and seemed to come to a decision.
     Janeway saw the look in B'Elanna's eyes and understood.  They both stood 
up and hugged each other.  Janeway tapped her commbadge.  "Janeway to Paris. 
Please report to my ready room."

     On the bridge, Chakotay nodded to Paris who motioned to a crewmember to 
take over the helm.  Paris quickly stood up and strode to the Captain's Ready 
Room.  The doors swished open as the ringer chimed and Janeway said "Enter".
     "You wanted to see me Captain?"
     "Yes Mr. Paris.  Lt. Torres here has something to tell you.  I'll be on 
the bridge."  Janeway exited.
     B'Elanna looked shyly up at Tom and unconsciously patted her belly.  
"Hey there!" she greeted Tom, who smiled at her.
     Tom sat beside her and enveloped her in his arms.  They remained like 
that for a couple of minutes, savoring their closeness.
     After awhile, B'Elanna pulled back.  "I've made a decision."
     Tom felt his heart beating rapidly.  He wanted to ask B'Elanna something 
but it all depended on whether she decided to stay or not.
     "Well, aren't you going to ask me what it is?" she asked coyly up at 
him.
     He smiled nervously.  "Okay, what have you decided?"
     "I won't join the Maquis anymore.  You and the baby mean too much to 
me." B'Elanna stated her decision simply.  Any doubts she might have had 
disappeared and she knew she had made the right decision.
     The look on Tom's face was priceless.  Expressions of relief and joy 
mingled on his face as B'Elanna's statement sank in and he merely grabbed her 
closer and kissed her.  "Thank God!" he murmured against her hair.  "I was so 
afraid I'd lose you."
     B'Elanna chuckled. "I'm afraid you're stuck with me sweetheart."  Tom 
smiled at her first use of endearment for him.  He moved to the floor and 
knelt on one knee in front of the woman he loved.
     "B'Elanna, will you marry me?"
     She looked at the beautiful man kneeling in front of her, still half- 
unbelieving that he loved her enough to give up everything for her.  She 
reached out and framed his face with her hands.  "Yes I will marry you Thomas 
Eugene Paris."  She pulled him closer and they kissed tenderly at first then 
passionately.
     They pulled apart a few minutes later, out of breath.  "I think we 
should get out there and tell the Captain, don't you think?" Tom asked.
     "Okay."
     Tom stood up and held out his hand to her.  B'Elanna took his hand and 
their fingers intertwined.  They looked at their joined hands and knew it 
symbolized what their life would be together from now on, joined forever.  
They smiled happily at each other and stepped outside to the bridge.
     Tom cleared his throat.  "Captain, everyone, we have an announcement to 
make.  B'Elanna has agreed to marry me."
     Everybody on the bridge crowded around to congratulate them.
     Harry hugged Tom.  "Man, I'm so happy for both of you!"  He caught 
B'Elanna in a hug too.  "Who would have thought my two best friends would get 
hitched?"

     Chakotay shook Tom's hand.  "Congratulations Tom.  I only ask that you 
take good care of her okay?"
     Tom smiled.  "I will Chakotay.  Don't worry."

     Tom and B'Elanna married after two months and requested that Janeway 
marry them onboard Voyager, a duty that Janeway was only too happy to 
perform.  Harry was Tom's best man.  Kes served as matron of honor while her 
husband Neelix catered the reception. Tom and B'Elanna even insisted that 
Neelix prepare his leola root stew.  Marshmallows dotted the ambrosia fruit 
salad.
     Tuvok and his family were in attendance as well.  Due to his long 
absence from his family, Tuvok requested an assignment that would enable him 
to spend more time with his family which meant that Janeway now had to find 
another person to be Chief Security Officer for Voyager's next mission.
     Libby was also a guest at the wedding and she brought along her 5 year 
old son who looked just like his father Harry.  Libby wasn't aware that she 
was pregnant until after Harry started his mission with Voyager.  Harry was 
equally surprised when after agreeing to meet in San Francisco that Libby 
showed up with a little boy.  Libby told Harry that she never really intended 
to marry after Harry's parents had delivered the news that Harry died in the 
Badlands because she had Harry's son.  They discovered they still loved each 
other after all these years and their wedding next month would also be 
officiated by Janeway.
     The festivities was tinged by a little sadness by the absence of former 
First Officer, Chakotay.  But before he left, Chakotay spoke with B'Elanna 
privately and told her how proud he was of her.  B'Elanna told him that she 
felt like she was betraying the Maquis by not re-joining.  Chakotay reassured 
her that she was making the right decision and that she had a new future now 
with Tom and the coming child.  And that they would always be friends.  
Chakotay also said a private farewell to Janeway where they shared one last 
final intimate moment together.
     B'Elanna was offered a position at Starfleet Academy to teach at the 
Engineering Department.  She was unsure at first about accepting because she 
didn't feel qualified enough to teach at the Academy.  Starfleet had her take 
difficult engineering courses and after passing the qualifying exams with 
flying colors, it was only then that B'Elanna felt self-confident enough to 
accept the position.
     Now that B'Elanna was no longer with the Maquis, Tom decided to stay 
with Starfleet who finally decided to reinstate his officer status which 
delighted his father, Admiral Owen Paris.  Tom and his father found peace 
with each other after his father, believing his only son Tom was dead, 
realized that Tom's prison record was nothing compared to the idea that his 
son was dead.   B'Elanna was so nervous about meeting Tom's distinguished 
father. Admiral Paris, however, saw that B'Elanna was truly in love with Tom 
and became genuinely fond of B'Elanna after Tom introduced them.  Admiral 
Paris was so ecstatic at the idea of being a grandfather that he immediately 
outfitted a room in his house as a nursery for future visits.
     Janeway was awaiting word from Starfleet Command on where her next 
mission would be.  She merely requested that Tom Paris be her Chief Helmsman, 
who gladly accepted, and Harry Kim also agreed to stay on as Chief Operations 
Officer with a promotion to Lieutenant.  After their return to the Alpha 
Quadrant, she found out through mutual friends that Mark had married and 
divorced a few years after her disappearance.  She had contacted him and were 
still taking the relationship one day at a time.  She wasn't sure yet whether 
she could tell Mark about Chakotay but decided there should be no secrets 
between them.  Mark said he was glad that Janeway shared that part of her 
life with him.
     They were all a little older and a lot wiser now after their sojourn 
into the Delta Quadrant but it had made them all into a family.  Even though 
they were now scattered throughout the Alpha Quadrant, Janeway knew that in 
their hearts they would always think of themselves as the Voyager family.

The End
 Any comments would be very welcome and appreciated!  Thanks!