Hunters (Missing Scene) Okay well maybe a few missing scenes. Disclaimer: Okay we all now that Paramount owns and we just pray that they won't sue. We are not earning any money with this just satisfying our depraved little minds. Okay, gang the episode just ended literally and this was just begging to be written. The last scene between both Tom and B'Elanna and Kathryn and Chakotay was just to priceless. Had to expound on it. Here we go: Kathryn and Chakotay walked on to Holodeck 2, the last two membersof the crew to join the celebration. As they came in very few failed to notice the fact that the Captain was hanging on Chakotay's arm. The betting pool would have new bets placed within minutes. They proceeded over to where the rest of the senior staff was gathering. Tom and B'Elanna were patiently standing there listening to Harry tell them about his parents. Harry was excited that he did not notice that Tom and B'Elanna didn't really want to be listening but they were listening to be there for their friend. Any one who did not look closely would not see it but Tom and B'Elanna were really doing a good job of covering up their disappointment. "They said my cousin, Sara got married and now has a little girl. And that they still have my clarinet. It is still in my room at home." "That's great, Harry." Tom said trying to be excited for his friend. He had just started to want to read the letter from his father then come to find out that it was lost. "Try not to be too excited, Tom." Harry replied. "I'm sorry, Harry. I am just not feeling very festive." Tom answered him. "Captain, Commander." B'Elanna said noting their approach. "Tom, B'Elanna, Harry. Are you enjoying the party?" "Trying to, Captain." B'Elanna answered. "Harry, I hope you had good news from home." Janeway stated. "Yes, Captain. Good news indeed." He answered opting not to elaborate further. "Did you have good news, Captain?" Tom asked. "Nothing I did not expect to hear." She replied. "I was sorry to hear that your father's letter was lost, Tom." Chakotay put in. "Thanks, Commander. I am kind of glad it was. Now I can pretend that he was proud of me and maybe he was going to tell me that he loved me and was glad I was alive instead of being told the usual. I would rather think the positive and hope maybe he has changed." No one needed to have ‘the usual' explained to them. They all knew the story. They understood the need he had to believe the better of the two possibilities. Just then Neelix stood at the center of the room and called for everyone's attention. "Could I have your attention, please?" Neelix called. Everyone silenced and gathered around. "Thank you, some of the crew has been saying they would like to dance so those of you who would like to dance can do so over here. Computer begin Neelix dance mix 1. Thanks." An easy going tune not to sad and not too fast filled the air. It did not take long for the floor to fill up with couples. After a few moments Tom led B'Elanna onto the floor and they danced, holding each other close. Each was a life line for the other. They were all the other had anymore. As the next song began many of the couples just kept right on dancing. Kathryn and Chakotay were standing off to the side watching the others dance. "I guess those two are more serious about each other than we thought." Chakotay put in indicating Tom and B'Elanna. "Well, are you just now noticing, Chakotay?" "No, I noticed Tom's attention's to her a long time ago. I guess I just never realized he really was in love with her." "They are very lucky to have found what they have out here. Not everyone has been that lucky yet." "Referring to anyone in particular, Kathryn?" "Maybe." She replied giving him a sly glance. "In that case would you care to dance?" He asked bowing grandly. *Oh, I can hear the rumors now.* she thought. "I would love to." She responded *Rumors be damned! I deserve to be happy, too!* They walked onto the floor and took a place close to where Tom and B'Elanna were mainly just swaying in place. They danced for what seemed like hours when they noticed Tom and B'Elanna leave. Tom and B'Elanna had decided to leave and head for her quarters. She was a little tired and all the excitement over the letters and the run in with the Hirogen had taken its toll. They walked into her quarters and curled up together on the couch. "B'Elanna, I..." "Shh. Tom, let's not talk about it. We both have a rough day. You lost something important and so did I. Personally I want to just be thankful we are alive and together. So let's just be here together and not get bogged down in what if's and analyze everything. Your letter is gone and so are my friends." "I know. I can't tell you how sorry I am. Especially for the way I acted. But like you said let's not talk about that. " He said. She turned around and leaned in close to his face. She pulled back and looked into his eyes searching. "What?" He asked looking back at her. "I'm trying to decide something." "What is that?" "Well, I guess I had better go ahead and tell you. I have been wrestling with this all evening. The truth is we lost your letter but not before I read some of it. I have been trying to decide whether or not to tell you what I read. I didn't want to think I was just telling you to make you feel better." "I know you wouldn't tell me something that wasn't true. So tell me what did it say?" "Well, it started out Dear Thomas, hope you are well and all that stuff. It went on to say that he hoped you were happy and that he was sorry for everything that had passed between you. He had reports from the Doctor and was glad you had been given a second chance and that he was proud of you." Tom just sat there. "It cut off there and I would like to think that he went on to say that he loved you. He was certainly headed that way. " Tom continued to sit there. "Tom?" He looked up at her with tears brimming in his eyes. He pulled her to him in firm embrace. "I'm fine. Thank you." He said against her hair. "Are you sure?" "Yes. I'm fine. I promise. I just didn't expect to hear him say all that. I'm glad you told me though. It gives me hope that when we get home there will a be chance for he and I to be father and son again." He answered letting her sit up so he could look into her eyes. "Do you want to talk about it?" "Later, right now I just want to spend some time with you. So what do you propose we do with the rest of our evening." "I'll leave that up to your imagination." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. After a moment he pulled back to look at her face. "This could be fun." "I certainly hope so." "Could take all night." "Don't forget we are both off tomorrow." She said leaning into to him and silencing what ever reply he might have had. Later that evening, Chakotay was walking Kathryn back to her quarters. "Thank you for a lovely evening and dinner, Chakotay." "It was my pleasure, Kathryn." "Chakotay, are you perhaps free for dinner tomorrow evening?" "I can probably be persuaded." "Good. 1900 tomorrow night. Holodeck 3." "Are you sure, Kathryn?" "My net is gone, Chakotay. I need to move on, too and start living again." she replied. They reached her door and he turned to her to say good-bye when she pulled him down to her and kissed him goodnight and slipped inside her quarters leaving him standing there looking very silly. Chakotay noticed how silly he must have looked when he noticed a young ensign come off the turbolift at the other end of the corridor. *I can hear the rumors now* he thought laughing to himself. *Oh, well. It doesn't matter. Life is good. So what do I care?* He returned to his quarters happy as can be because finally he had a date with Kathryn. Life was definitely good and looking better every minute closer it got to tomorrow night.