The Star Trek: Voyager premise and its characters belong to Paramount Studios, a Viacom company.  No infringement on Paramount's or Viacom's rights is intended.  This round robin group story was written by fans just for the fun of it.  Please keep this disclaimer attached to the file. "Inheritance," by the P/T Collective*Well, well, well,* thought the ship's captain, carefully considering the bright object on the viewscreen.  *A Federation starship, Intrepid class -- a warship.  Hm.  Bioneural system circuitry, 148 life signs, cruising at warp six, heading straight for Federation space.  How very interesting.*  Aloud he said, "K'Fin, scan their weapons systems.""Weapons are operational but not powered up, Jinar.""Shields?  Sensors?""Shields are operational but also not activated.  The ship is running standard sweep scans.  They haven't detected us.""Slip into their warp trail and monitor their every move.  Do nothing to make them suspect we are here.  Power down all non-essential systems.  Do not decloak for any reason.""Jinar!  To stalk a ship, hiding behind a cloak!  It's not -- "The captain swiveled around in his command chair and faced his companion.  "DO IT!" he barked, then turned back to the enigma on the viewscreen.  *The Federation starship Voyager.  Running amok in the Delta Quadrant.  Very interesting indeed.*B'Elanna Torres squeezed her eyes shut and let the sensations of the moment take over.  A wonderful dinner, fine wine, a lovely dress, beautiful music, privacy, and the warm, solid embrace of Tom Paris.  *What more could I wish for?* she asked herself.  *Some engineering problem to solve?  Yeah, right.*  She chuckled softly.  She felt him pull away and knew he had glanced down at her."Fill me in?""Oh, nothing," she replied with a cryptic smile.  "I was just dreaming about . . . plasma conduits."Tom pulled her back into his arms.  "Great.  Wonderful.  Nice to know I inspire women to dream of such romantic things as plasma conduits."  He rested his cheek on the top of her head and could feel her laughing again softly.  "You know, I've decided Making B'Elanna Laugh should be my number one priority.  I've never thought you laughed enough, Lieutenant.  You're so uptight all the time.  Time to kick back and enjoy life a little."B'Elanna considered this.  In truth, she had never had much to laugh about.  Her whole life so far seemed to have been one constant struggle with her mother, her classmates, her colleagues, and especially, herself.  Maybe he was right.  Maybe it was time to let go and just . . . be."B'Elanna?""Hm?""My number two priority is to make you completely forget about plasma conduits."She opened her eyes and looked into his.  Without words, a question was asked and answered.  She felt a warm glow of anticipation come to life and slowly start to spread though her body, along with the almost irresistible urge to give him a little nip.  Just one.  A little one.  Or two.  "Maybe we should -- ""Kim to Torres.""Not now, Harry," Tom warned him, answering for her.Ensign Harry Kim felt a momentary sensation of intense satisfaction.  So they WERE together somewhere.  He had thought as much when he couldn't find her either on the bridge or in Engineering, and when his hails had gone unanswered at both her quarters and his.  But there was no way around it; this might be important and he needed her input.  He didn't want to alert Tuvok or the captain before he was sure."Hey, I wasn't talking to you, Helmboy," he replied.  "I'm getting some unusual readings from the sensors.  B'Elanna, can you meet me in Engineering?""I'll be -- oh! -- there in -- ah! -- ten . . . um, make that fifteen minutes.  Torres OUT."She pulled out of his grasp.  "That wasn't funny," she snapped.  "What do you think you're doing, nibbling on me like that with Harry listening?""Just trying to convince you not to go," he said sweetly.  "Didn't you like it?""Like it?  Like it.  Didn't I like it," she said dazedly.  Then she pulled herself together.  "Of course I liked it!  But right now we've got a job to do, Count Paris.  Maybe later we can, um, get together.""'Maybe' and 'later,'" he sighed.  "Story of my life."Kathryn Janeway glanced at each member of her assembled senior staff: Chakotay, Tuvok, Kim, Neelix, Torres, Paris.  Told simply without any explanation to report to her ready room, all looked alert and ready for action despite the late hour.  She felt an overwhelming sense of pride.  So many disparate personalities, brought together and forced by circumstance to function as one unit under her leadership.  This was a crew any captain would be proud of.She had in hand only the most basic of preliminary reports.  She nodded now at Harry Kim.  "Ensign, I understand this story starts with you.""Yes, Captain," said Harry, leaning forward.  "I detected an unusual low-energy tachyon resonance wave of some sort.""What was the origin of the wave?" asked Tuvok solemnly."That's what is so unusual.  It came out of absolutely nowhere -- empty space -- and disappeared almost immediately.  When my watch on the bridge was over, I went down to Engineering to study it further and I finally got a lock on it for a few seconds.  Then it vanished again into thin air."Kathryn smiled at Harry's odd use of the metaphor as Lieutenant Paris jumped in.  "What could explain that?""A cloaked ship," she replied thoughtfully."Yes, exactly," said B'Elanna, taking up the tale.  "Harry and I ran a series of tricky scans, but we couldn't find anything.  The space all around us seemed completely undisturbed.  It was as if the wave or the ship had never existed.  Then Lieutenant Par -- I mean -- someone . . . ," she faltered.Harry covered for her.  "We were reminded that someone can easily sneak up behind you if you are only concentrating on what is in front of you, say 'Boo' and scare us both half to death."  He stole a quick disgruntled look at Paris.All of the assembled officers had razor-sharp wits.  Harry's unintentional switch in person from 'you' to 'us' did not escape their notice.  Five other pairs of eyes came to rest on their pilot."What?" he said defensively.B'Elanna charged in and took over, hoping to preclude any further commentary.  "Harry and I released a stream of charged thoron particles into our own warp trail.  It immediately diverged behind us and then recollected again.""Like water flowing around a boulder in a stream," said the captain."Just so, Captain.  There is no doubt about it.  We are being followed," said Harry.Chakotay leaned back in his chair.  "The next questions must be by whom are we being followed?  For how long?  For what purpose?""I could make a guess as to how long," replied B'Elanna.  "About two hours.  But as to who they are?"  She shook her head."Two hours is long enough no matter who they are," the captain said decisively.  "It is time they showed themselves.  Return to your stations; we're going to red alert.  Let's knock this rock out of the water and see what it has to say for itself."  She rose from her chair as the Klaxon sounded.  "B'Elanna, ship's engineering from the bridge."  They resolutely filed out of the ready room and relieved the junior officers of their stations.  The captain launched her orders."Lieutenant Paris, I want you to turn the ship hard to port and immediately drop out of warp.  Ensign Kim, prepare to raise shields.  Re-calibrate the sensors.  Look for the resonance wave, tachyon emissions, disturbed space, anything.  Tuvok, be ready to power the weapons; I hope to avoid a fight, but we will if we have to.  Lieutenant Torres, try to get a lock on their warp signature as they go by us.  We have to be able to identify the ship; we can't just fire on a curious space bystander.  Chakotay, ready some concussive energy pulses we can launch and detonate to shake them loose.  We're going to make this rock come up for air.  Everyone ready?  On my mark.  Go."Tom's heart pounded as his fingers flew over the controls of the conn.  This was the kind of action he lived for.  "New heading: 270. 135.  Switching to full impulse power.""Shields up, weapons powered to maximum," said Tuvok calmly."I've got a possible reading -- Captain, they're right on top of us!" yelped Kim."Tom, stay with them!" barked the captain."Re-engaging warp engines," he responded."Launching pulses now, Tuvok," said Chakotay.  "Be ready to detonate them!  All hands brace for impact!"  A series of white shock waves filled the viewscreen, and the ship rocked as they sailed through the backwash of their own explosive devices."Captain, I may have a lock on their position," announced Harry."Hail them.""No response.  Shields are holding.""Another round, Chakotay," ordered the captain.  "Let's let them know we mean business."  Voyager rocked again as Chakotay deployed and Tuvok detonated another volley of concussive pulses."Captain!" said Harry excitedly, "It worked!  The ship is decloaking!""Onscreen.""It's a -- " Harry stopped, dumbfounded, but it didn't matter.  Now they could all see for themselves what it was.Harry punched a few sensor controls.  "It's the Gin'tak," he announced.  "A bird-of-prey of the Klingon Empire.  Their weapons are powered.  Captain, we are being hailed."Kathryn Janeway took a deep breath and rose from her command chair.  Things were going from bad to worse in a matter of seconds.  "Mr. Kim, onscreen," she ordered sharply.Several seconds later the image of a Klingon filled the viewscreen.  "It's curious," he said in a deep voice, "that a Federation starship would be almost 70,000 light years away from Federation space.""I could say the same for you," Janeway retorted.  "Why are you following us?" she demanded.  At the engineering station, she heard B'Elanna take in a sharp breath, as if she had seen something shocking.  She would have to deal with that later, she decided, turning her attention back to the viewscreen. "First, we should have proper introductions," the Klingon said smoothly. Chakotay shot a look at the captain.  This was definitely not normal Klingon procedure."I am Jinar, captain of the vessel.  Whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?""I am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager.  I ask again, why are you following us?"  Kathryn was not going to stop interrogating until she got some answers.  "What are YOU doing 70 thousand light years from the Klingon Empire?""Captain, must you be so . . . belligerent?" asked Jinar.  "I thought Federation starship captains excelled in diplomacy."Kathryn was getting very suspicious.  This was definitely not normal.  "And I thought the Federation and the Klingon Empire had a treaty."Jinar laughed.  "Obviously you have been out of contact with your Federation for some time.  The treaty was broken, and there was war between our people."Kathryn sat back down in her command chair before her knees could buckle out from under her."But do not worry," added the Klingon helpfully.  "Now that the Cardassians and the Dominion have formed an alliance, the Klingon Empire and the Federation are allies again."At the helm,  Lieutenant Tom Paris took in a deep breath.  The thought of the Dominion and the Cardassians together was appalling.  He looked at B'Elanna for her reaction, and found her still staring at the viewscreen, not at Jinar, but at someone behind him.  Maybe it was just because she was surprised to see Klingons in the Delta Quadrant, he figured.  He'd have to ask her about it later."That still doesn't explain what you're doing in the Delta Quadrant following us," Kathryn said, trying to absorb all the information Jinar had given her."Obviously, we have much to discuss, Captain Janeway.  Permission to come aboard?  I'll explain everything then.""Permission granted," answered the captain."Captain, may I remind you we still do not know the precise reason the Klingon bird-of-prey was following us?  They could attempt to fire upon us when we disengage our shields to transport Captain Jinar aboard," Tuvok reminded her.Jinar answered before the captain could.  "I am a man of honor, Captain Janeway.  I would not attempt to fire on a defenseless ship," he answered, sounding almost hurt at the accusation."Mr. Tuvok, while your concern is noted, I do not believe they will fire upon us," said Kathryn.  "Lower shields to transport Captain Jinar aboard.""May I ask if I may bring aboard my first officer, Commander K'Fin?" requested Jinar.  "She may be helpful in answering some of your questions.""All right, then.  Mr. Tuvok, meet our guests in Transporter Room 2," ordered Kathryn.  Jinar's image vanished from the viewscreen.  "Paris, Torres, Kim and Chakotay, meet me in the conference room."B'Elanna stood up, and faced the captain.  "Captain, I request permission not to attend this conference."Harry, Tom and Chakotay looked at her, befuddled.  B'Elanna had never liked briefings or conferences, but out of all of them, they thought she would be the most curious to know how the bird-of-prey was able to follow in their warp trail.Kathryn stared at her for a minute and then said, "No, Lieutenant Torres, I think you're needed at this conference.  Request denied."  Kathryn headed toward the turbolift, entered and ordered the computer to take her to the conference room.  B'Elanna followed her, her displeasure obvious.  Tom, Harry and Chakotay followed B'Elanna into the turbolift.  As the doors hissed shut, Tom couldn't help noticing B'Elanna's face.  It was stiff and hard, and she seemed to be reliving a very important occasion of her life inside her head.  It was totally opposite to the laughing, carefree B'Elanna who had been on the holodeck with him earlier.  Tom wanted to reach out and help her, but they were in the middle of a turbolift, and the captain and Chakotay were standing in his way.Captain Janeway watched silently as the small procession filed in: one customary security officer, Ensign Ethan Simms, followed by the two Klingon officers, and, close behind, Lieutenant Tuvok.  No one spoke until Captain Jinar, Commander K'Fin and Lieutenant Tuvok had taken their seats.  This gave Kathryn time to examine her officers' responses to the situation.Beside her, Chakotay's face held no clue as to his thoughts, but the familiar sparkle in his eyes betrayed his curiosity.  Harry sat next to the first officer, though his expression was the complete opposite.  It was obvious the young man was suspicious of the unexpected appearance of the bird-of-prey and its passengers.  Despite that, Kathryn knew she could count on him to be on his guard.  Tom Paris was seated in his usual spot, yet his attention was not trained on the Klingons or the situation they represented.  His chair was turned towards B'Elanna so he could study her countenance, which was troubled.B'Elanna sat rigidly in her chair, her gaze focused on the Klingons taking their seats across from her.  *No,* Janeway decided, *just the woman, K'Fin.  All B'Elanna sees is the woman before her, the rest of the room is tuned out.*  Kathryn could only guess what this meant for the younger woman; K'Fin might, in some way, represent a side of B'Elanna she had tried to hide and forget, but that was pure speculation.  If the problem persisted, Janeway would have to approach her on it, but as K'Fin, her captain, and Tuvok settled into their chairs to Janeway's right, B'Elanna's form relaxed noticeably.  A small, embarrassed smile seemed to be creeping its way onto her lips and her cheeks blushed a light pink.  Janeway, assured that her officers were alert and ready, turned to greet the new arrivals."Captain Janeway," Jinar began, beating her to the punch, "thank you for permitting us to come aboard.  I will admit my intentions in coming here are divided.  Of course, I wish to learn your story, but I also wanted to get a better look at your ship.  I have heard of Voyager.  Three years ago we received word of a newly commissioned starship with bioneural circuitry.  Many looked forward to the chance of fighting beside such a ship."Janeway met the flattery with a gracious smile and didn't fail to notice K'Fin's shocked expression as her head shot around to face her commanding officer.  All the more reason Kathryn was doubtful of Jinar's sincerity."But then we heard nothing more of it, as if it had never existed.  It was thought that some problem had occurred with the new technology, and the ship had been forced to be put out of service.  Very  unfortunate, and something we could not understand.  Our scientists reviewed the possibilities and could find nothing that might seriously hinder the ship.  And now we find it here.  Very curious," he finished, prompting explanations.Janeway sat silently for a moment, considering her options.  She wasn't buying Jinar's story, not even for a minute.  Though it wasn't impossible for the Klingons to have knowledge of Voyager and its features, it was highly unlikely.  Security around her ship's technology, if not its bare creation, had been strictly enforced."First, Captain, I believe we should have proper introductions," she said."Of course, Captain."  He turned and indicated K'Fin beside him.  "My first officer, Commander K'Fin."  The Klingon -- Janeway guessed her to be in her late thirties or early forties -- nodded her salutations.  Kathryn returned the sentiment then began to introduce her own crew.  As she came to B'Elanna, she noted the curious smile Jinar gave the engineer, but ignored it when B'Elanna remained unfazed.  Her voice brought Jinar's attention back to her."Before we exchange stories, Captain, there is something you said that troubles me.""Oh?""Over the comm you said the treaty established at the Khitomer Peace Conference had been dissolved and we were at war -- ""Well, I tend to exaggerate.  There were battles, but nothing the Klingon Empire is considering a war, though I believe the Federation has marked it as one," he said, his voice condescending.  "The treaty has been re-established and the Empire and the Federation are once again friends and allies.  You have nothing to worry about.""I see.  Then -- why were you lurking behind us?""Lurking?  Captain, we were not lurking, merely taking up a defensive posture.  We did not know who you were, but were well aware of your capabilities."Janeway smiled thoughtfully and nodded.  "You did not see the words 'USS Voyager' written across our hull?" she asked, trying to pull the carpet from under his feet.Jinar knew what the woman was trying to do and was ready.  "Of course we knew it was a Federation ship.  But as to who was commanding . . . ?"*Damn,* Kathryn thought.  *This is not your typical Klingon.  Any other would have taken that as an accusation of dishonorable action.*"Captain, I would like to hear how you came to be this far from home," he said, interrupting Janeway's thoughts."Of course."  She paused to consider her words carefully.  "Starfleet sent us into the Badlands along the Cardassian border.  They wanted to test Voyager's maneuvering capabilities in type five-plus plasma storms and received permission from the Cardassian government to do so in their space."  She ignored the puzzled looks she received from her officers and continued.  "While we were there, a coherent tetryon beam appeared and propelled us here.""A tetryon beam?  Very curious.  Did you ever discover its source?""Yes, we did.  It was an array stationed approximately three years distance from here.  A non-corporeal life form had been bringing ships to the sector for quite some time."Jinar's eyebrows raised and he sat forward in his chair.  "A hostile entity.  I trust you took proper actions against it.""On the contrary, Jinar, we didn't have to.  It died soon after.""Then this 'array,' -- why did you not use it to send you back?""The array was destroyed."He heaved a sigh and sat back, clearly disappointed.  "Hm, I suppose you would not have remained here if there were any other way of returning to the Federation.""No, we would welcome any way of returning home.  You -- ""Captain," he said cutting her off, "I believe I know what you are about to ask.  You wish to know how we came to be here, and whether you can use the method as a way back.""That's correct.  You arrived after us, so you couldn't have come the same way we did.""No, much differently, though it was also by accident.  I am not very knowledgeable about the science behind the procedure . . . ."  His voice drifted off and K'Fin picked up the tale, though not before some hesitation."The Empire has received valuable information from the Trill government.  For some time, a small group of scientists had been trying to create a stable wormhole.  In a joint operation between the Trill scientists and Starfleet, they took a starship into the Gamma Quadrant and attempted to constitute a wormhole.  They succeeded in establishing one, but it was not stable enough to travel through.  They also were not sure where the other opening was."  She paused now, her features darkening at some ill thought.  "Because of the Dominion threat, and Starfleet's . . . . decision not to attack our enemy or destroy the Bajoran wormhole making the Alpha Quadrant inaccessible, and because Deep Space Nine posed a strong resilience to any attack, Chancellor Gowron assembled a group of scientists to attempt to use the information to our advantage.  Three bird-of-prey were sent to remote areas of space, where they began to try to set up wormholes that would give the Klingon fleet an open route to the Gamma Quadrant.""Then you succeeded?!" Harry jumped in eagerly.  Both Janeway and K'Fin gave him a disapproving glance and he quickly shut up."We did succeed," K'Fin told him, "but only in creating the wormhole.  We still were not sure where the other end was, either.  Because we did not have the same resources, and because we were altering procedures as we thought they were needed, the outcome was different from what Starfleet and the Trill encountered.""We sent in sensor probes," she continued, "but because of the amount of verteron particles we would constantly lose their signal.""A month ago, the Dominion began a large assault.  Gowron -- " Jinar stopped as if to keep from saying something he might regret.  After a moment, he continued.  "Gowron decided the risk was worth it and sent us into the wormhole.  If we were able, we were to return and report directly to him.  We waited a week for a supply ship to deliver what we might need, and then entered the wormhole.  Apparently, in that week relations between our peoples were re-established.  The supply ship received a subspace message ordering the mission aborted.""The captain of the ship was STUPID enough to enter at warp speed," K'Fin spat out.  "We obtained a partial message describing the situation before the ship's warp engines disrupted the already unstable cohesion of the wormhole, destroying the supply ship and depositing us here.  We have attempted to recreate the wormhole and return, but the integrity of the surrounding space has become so delicate we are unable to set it up."Silence filled the room and everyone's hopes quickly died.  Once again, they were showed another possible way home only to have it taken away.  And once again, Kathryn Janeway was willing to exhaust every option in hopes of a way home."Perhaps, Captain Jinar, we might work together.  Our chances would surely increase," Janeway suggested.At her captain's considering gaze, K'Fin quickly spoke up, "Jinar -- ""I believe that would be acceptable," he said, sending K'Fin a warning look."Captain, if I could review their infor -- " B'Elanna began."I will have it sent over immediately," Jinar said with a smile directed at B'Elanna.  She attempted to smile back, but knew it came out a grimace."Fine," Janeway said, standing.  The others followed suit.  "Mr. Tuvok and Mr. Simms will escort you back to our transporter room."Ethan Simms, who had been standing near the door during the briefing, waited until the Klingons were out of their seats and walking towards the door before he exited.  Tuvok followed behind an obviously irked K'Fin.As the doors slid shut, Janeway turned to her officers.  "B'Elanna.""Yes, Captain?""I have a feeling you're going to end up working rather closely with K'Fin since she seems to be in charge of the science portion of their mission.  Do you foresee any problems with that?""Oh -- uh, no, Captain," she said, feigning ignorance."Good," the captain replied and sat back down in her chair.  She motioned the others to follow.  "Comments?"  She knew what was on everyone's mind.  They all wanted to know why she had lied about Voyager's initial mission.  But to inquire might sound as if they were questioning her judgment.  Finally, Chakotay spoke up."Captain?  'Testing maneuvering capabilities?'""I was waiting for this," she said with a wry smile.  "You all have a right to know.  I did not tell Jinar the truth for two reasons.  One, I don't trust him.  Even if he hadn't said anything about Starfleet being at war with the Klingons, he's highly suspicious.  I gave him what most Klingons would consider an insult -- more than once -- but he didn't bait.  And second, I doubt he was telling the complete truth either and I don't want to give him the upper hand.  If he had any reason to suspect this crew was not complete, that we were of two factions, he might see that to his advantage.""But we're not, Captain.  What difference does it make?"Janeway shook her head, "I just don't want Jinar getting any ideas.  Anything else?  Then dismissed.  Get some sleep.  I want everyone on his toes tomorrow."  With that last order, Janeway exited with Chakotay and Harry.  As B'Elanna moved to follow, Tom grabbed her arm and held her back."Hmm?" she asked."What's wrong?" he asked, his tone conveying his concern.She gave a short laugh and removed herself from his grip.  "What do you mean?""You seemed to find K'Fin pretty interesting.  You know her?"B'Elanna looked down at the floor, back up at Tom, then at the door.  She felt uncomfortably hot, her face burning red with embarrassment.  Even more so because she knew he'd eventually push it out of her.  *Why me?!* she asked herself."Tom, it's nothing," she reassured him.  "Just a stupid mistake.  Everything's fine."  She turned away and walked briskly towards the door.Tom's long legs carried him faster and he beat her to it.  He wasn't going to let up.  Standing with his back to the door, he blocked her passage.  With a slightly teasing smile he said, "If it's nothing then why not tell me?"She gave him an apathetic look but didn't answer.Becoming serious again, in a quiet voice he said, "You looked almost scared.""Scared?" she said incredulously."Or shocked.  Do you know Commander K'Fin?" B'Elanna sighed heavily and looked up at his face.  "No, I don't know her.  I thought I did, but . . . no.""Who did you think she was?""It's so stupid, Tom!"  When his expression didn't falter she gave in.  "She bears a striking resemblance to my mother," she rushed out."Your mother?  It isn't her, though, right?""Gods, no!"  She jerked away and moved closer to the door.  "The similarity is there, but up close K'Fin is very different.  Her attitude is nothing like my mother's, not to mention she looks about ten years younger."Tom turned to watch her.  "I know you didn't have a very close relationship with your mother, but had it been her, would that have been so bad?"In her normal tone she asked, "If that were a Starfleet vessel out there and your father had been on board, how would you be feeling?"Tom considered his answer carefully and was about to answer when she came up to him and kissed him gently."There's nothing to worry about," she told him, her smile genuine.  "I'm going to bed.  I want to be wide awake tomorrow when I take a look at those reports and sensory information.  Harry and I should have a field day with this."  She walked out grinning at the thought.  Tom followed her example.K'Fin waited a second longer to be sure the transporter had released her before stepping down off the pad to follow Jinar."Captain!" she called, catching up to him.  He slowed his pace and waited for her to catch up.  "Jinar, was it so wise to lie to the Starfleet captain?""K'Fin!"  He stopped and turned to her, pushing her up against the bulkhead.  "You will NOT question my actions!"By now very aware of Jinar's short fuse, she lowered her voice.  "What good does it do to lie about knowledge of their ship?  You only dishonor us and put us in an unstable situation.""SILENCE!  The only reason you are on board this ship is because you understand this wormhole nonsense.  Remember that!  You will hold your tongue when it comes to my command decisions or I will take it from you with my blade."  With one last shove he moved away and started back down the corridor.  Over his shoulder he called, "Prepare whatever information they will need and have it my hand and ready to beam over by 1300.  You will remain here until you are needed; I will take it myself."Jinar left K'Fin on the bridge and entered his ready room.  He compared the sparse confines to Voyager's more spacious surroundings,  *Thank Kahless, we are nothing like those pampered Federations!  We will be ready when the time comes!*  He sat at his desk and removed his communicator pin.  Taking a small instrument, he removed a tiny chip from the pin and placed the chip in his desktop terminal.  An image of each officer present at the meeting appeared on screen.  Jinar paused briefly on the image of Chief Engineer B'Elanna Torres.  *She may become the key to this whole operation!*"G'Ruhj, come to my ready room!" Jinar barked.  He grunted with approval when G'Ruhj arrived with appropriate promptness.  This Klingon was tall, but lanky.  He demonstrated none of the brute Klingon strength, instead G'Ruhj moved with feline grace."I am at your service, Captain!" the younger Klingon responded."I have obtained images of Voyager's senior officers.  Look in our database and find out everything you can about the ship and the crew!  I know we rarely use those databases, but -- "G'Ruhj interrupted.  "Captain, how did you obtain these images? Surely -- ""That is none of your concern!  My first duty is to this ship and the Klingon empire!""Yes, sir!" G'Ruhj responded.  Privately he thought there was no honorable way for Jinar to have obtained these images.  His slanted green eyes shielded his thoughts."I want a complete report!  Dismissed!"The young Klingon left the ready room and returned to Engineering.  Before the turbolift's door closed, he met K'Fin's eyes.  *Why was she not given this assignment?* he wondered.*Most rumors always begin in the same location,* thought Janine Lamont after she delivered next week's duty roster to Stellar Cartography.  *On Voyager, rumors undoubtedly begin in one of the science sections, most often Stellar Cartography or Biology.*  Engineering, security and command teams all had specific roles and duties to be carried out.  Not so for Stellar Cartography.  Indeed, mapping stars was virtually impossible while Tom Paris was taking Voyager through evasive maneuvers.  Similarly the study of life could not be conducted in the vacuum of space.  While most crewmen had crisis duties in other areas of the ship, a skeleton crew had to remain in the laboratories to monitor on-going experiments.  Weeks of work could not be jeopardized just because Harry Kim thought he saw a wormhole and it turned out to be a routine gaseous anomaly.  More importantly, the job of the crew was to stay out of everybody's way until the crisis was resolved.  So while they hung on to their seats, they talked and speculated."A cloaked ship is following us?" a Bolian crewman asked."I bet it's the Borg!" responded Ensign Pavelich."Don't be silly!  A ship that big could never be cloaked!"Soon after the Klaxon fell silent, Jenny Delaney waltzed into Stellar Cartography and announced she had heard from someone in Biology who was dating a security officer who happened to be on the bridge, that a bird-of-prey had just decloaked.  Again, this was dismissed out of hand.  "Someone's been pulling your leg, Delaney!"Jenny Delaney could not help a smug smile when two Klingons were positively identified being escorted through Voyager's corridors by Tuvok and Simms."Have you talked to Ethan lately?" she asked Ensign Lamont when Janine arrived with the duty roster."No," Lamont replied warily, "Why?""I just wanted to see if you had heard anything about the Klingons on board.""No, Jenny.  I would have thought that you would have had the scoop by now," replied Janine wryly."I just want some confirmation; you know how much I detest rumors!""Uh-huh."The mess hall was packed during the dinner hour, and the Klingons were the only topic of conversation.  When Mikel Hudson passed the galley, Neelix muttered, "I doubt they can taste my delicious Dashemin Jac'hastoq with all this talk of Klingons!"Mikel sat down at the same table with Janine and Ethan.  "So, have you heard the Barzan wormhole dumped those two Ferengi back in the Delta Quadrant, and they orchestrated a mutiny on that bird-of-prey?"  There was a brief pause before the three began laughing.Hours later, G'Ruhj completed his report for Jinar.  He stretched at his station one vertebra at a time .  His eyes narrowed in tiredness as he made his way to the captain's ready room.Captain Jinar had been correct in questioning the Federation captain's story.  Even though the Klingon files were far from complete, they did contain enough information to point out inconsistencies.  "Captain Janeway has an honorable record," G'Ruhj told Jinar and K'Fin, "as does Tuvok, the security chief.  None of the remaining senior officers appears on the original crew manifest with the exception of Ensign Kim.  Furthermore, there is nothing in our databanks about the ship or why she was in the Badlands.""Do you have any information on the others?" K'Fin prodded."Yes, but there is not much.""Continue.""First Officer Chakotay left Starfleet about four years ago at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.  He was rumored to have joined the Maquis.  The helmsman, Paris, comes from an honored Starfleet family, but he was dishonorably discharged from Starfleet."  G'Ruhj spat out distastefully, "According to our records, he should be in prison.  Following his discharge, he joined the Maquis.  He was caught and thus sent to a penitentiary on the island of New Zealand.  I cannot imagine how he comes to be here in the Delta Quadrant.""Chief Engineer, B'Elanna Torres."  G'Ruhj's voice purred as he said her name.  "Our records show she entered Starfleet Academy, but there is no record of her graduation."  G'Ruhj gazed at Voyager's chief engineer's image again.  Usually half-breeds turned his stomach; the Klingon beauty bred out of them, but this one looked different.  Jinar's scanner had caught her in profile.  Although her human parentage softened her features, G'Ruhj found strength in her countenance.  G'Ruhj's attraction was not lost on either Jinar or K'Fin.  Each made note of it to encourage it for his own purposes.G'Ruhj snapped  back to attention.  "Of course, we have no record of the Delta Quadrant inhabitants Kes and Neelix.  Why the Federations allowed those two to tag along is a mystery," G'Ruhj finished."Undoubtedly, the two wanted to explore strange, new worlds and seek out new life and new civilizations," Jinar replied facetiously.  "I have changed my mind.  I think it important to establish a rapport with Voyager.  K'Fin, I will arrange for you and G'Ruhj to transport over to the ship to discuss the wormhole technology with their half-breed engineer."  His gaze strayed to the images on the monitor.  "Prison, hm?  And a Maquis rebel.  I am going to invite their helmsman and first officer to partake of our . . . hospitality.  I don't want any more Starfleet personnel other than them running around my ship just yet!  They are too well-known for their curiosity.  Dismissed!"G'Ruhj left the ready room, but K'Fin remained behind.  "What are you up to?  Do not alienate the Federations or they may prevent us from returning to the Alpha Quadrant!"Jinar growled, "Do not question me!  If you do, you will not find the consequences pleasant when we return to the Alpha Quadrant."  He entered the bridge and barked, "Establish a channel to Voyager."K'Fin moved behind him and growled low enough so only Jinar could hear.  "You have threatened me twice today.  You will not do so ever again.  Remember, I am the only one who can return us to Qo'noS, and I am the one whose family sits on the Klingon High Council.  Think of those consequences.""Janeway here.  What can we do for you, Captain Jinar?""I would like to send the wormhole information with one of my officers, Commander K'Fin.  This is a ship with few conveniences, so the discussions should take place in a more comfortable site.""Fine.  Tomorrow, shall we say?""Perfect."  At least he would get rid of that interfering K'Fin for a short time!With no further contact from the bird-of-prey, Captain Janeway relieved her senior officers from duty.The day had been long and Tom was pleased Janeway had let him off ten minutes early.  He rushed back to his quarters to prepare dinner for himself and B'Elanna.  He had left a message both in Engineering and her quarters asking her to join him at 1830.  *That should give her enough time to clean up and get here*, he thought.  Tom had made an elegant dinner for two: fettucini, garlic bread, and a dinner salad.  Then, for a super special treat, a bottle of champagne.He took the present from his drawer.  It was the one thing he had brought with him on this mission from his former life.  The one thing he had from his mother.  Tom had never thought he would ever be giving it to someone.  Never thought he would find the love he had for B'Elanna.He suddenly realized it was almost 1840 hours.  Where was B'Elanna?  He knew she had received his message because he had made sure if she read it the computer would acknowledge it.  "Paris to Torres," he said as he tapped his combadge.  He waited and after a couple of moments she finally replied."Tom, I'm sorry.  I was just thinking and lost track of time.  I'll be right there."Tom once again looked at his present.  Was she thinking maybe things were not right between them?  He set the present down on her plate, deciding to take a chance on giving it to her and letting her decide if things were going too fast.  If so, he would respect whatever she wanted.B'Elanna approached Tom's door.  All she wanted at the moment was to be with him and feel safe.  She just hoped he wouldn't want to talk about that Klingon vessel and her reaction toward its crew.  She had never been able to come to terms with her Klingon heritage, and she thought she had escaped ever having to deal with that side of herself again.  Now here she was face to face with Klingons; not to mention one who resembled her mother.  Just then Tom's door slid open and she heard his voice come from within."B'Elanna are you there?""I'm sorry, Tom.  I just -- ""Shhh."  Tom put his finger to her mouth.  "Come on in and relax.  Let's talk about work later."As she went into his quarters, she saw he had managed to get enough credits to do one of his special dinners.  On her plate was a small present.  *What could that be?* she wondered."You like?" Tom asked.Janeway was sitting in her ready room when the call came in from the bird-of-prey.  Captain Jinar was acting the same as he had when she had first encountered him."Captain, I would like to invite your first officer Chakotay and your helmsman Lieutenant Paris to the Gin'tak to discuss with us the life forms you have encountered here in the Delta Quadrant."Janeway was a little disturbed by this; she was not about to send her first officer and chief helmsman onto a bird-of-prey with a captain whom she could not trust.  "Jinar, why don't you come over here to discuss this with me, or we can even discuss it right now."  She waited to see his reaction."I am allowing K'Fin to come to your ship to give your chief engineer, Torres, the information we have on the wormhole."  Jinar knew that would be hard for her to resist; he loved to see humans squirm.Janeway kept the same look on her face.  "Well, I would consider letting them go if you will allow my security chief to go with them."  She still did not like this; but with the wormhole information as advantage, who knew?  Maybe she would be able to get her crew home.  She knew she could trust Tom and Chakotay on the Klingon ship; however, could she trust the Klingons?"Captain I am sending K'Fin by herself as a show of faith and trust, so could you not allow Lieutenant Paris and Commander Chakotay to visit us as a show of yours?"Janeway still did not like it, but she knew Chakotay and Paris could also take care of themselves.  That still did not make her feel any better."Captain, are you saying you do not trust these two officers to come to my ship?  I assure your men's safety and after all, you will have K'Fin, who has all the information for the making of the wormhole."Janeway finally gave her last option.  "I will allow them to come over with two of my security officers; Ensigns Hudson and Simms.  Otherwise I will have to decline."Jinar, knowing this was a battle of wills, and knowing he could take care of the other two security members, agreed to allow them to come along.  "Then I will expect them at 0700 hours tomorrow, and I will send K'Fin at that time also, if that meets with your approval, Captain Janeway."  He knew he had the captain all confused and thus had the upper hand in this charade."That will be fine, Captain.  I look forward to meeting K'Fin again and exchanging information."  Janeway still did not like it, but they needed the information.Tom and B'Elanna had just started to sit down for dinner, when his combadge chirped."Janeway to Paris: I will need to meet with you in 30 minutes in my ready room.""Yes, ma'am."Tom sighed.  "I'm sorry, B'Elanna," Tom said, "maybe we can have a better -- "Just then, B'Elanna's combadge went off as well."Janeway to Torres: I will need to meet with you in 30 minutes in my ready room."  Before Torres could reply, Tom snickered a little too loudly and she knew the captain could hear him.She answered in haste.  "Yes, Captain!"B'Elanna started to chastise Tom, but he grabbed her present off her plate.  He wanted to wait till they had time together to give it to her, and he did not think now was the right time."Hey, I think that's mine, Helmboy," B'Elanna stated half jokingly.  She grabbed the present and quickly unwrapped it.  She couldn't believe her eyes.  It was a gold bangle bracelet with the inscription, "To the most beautiful woman whom I love."  She did not know it, but this had been given to all the Paris wives in the past seven generations.  His mother had given it to Tom just before she died.She was speechless.  Why would he give her such a beautiful present?  She did not deserve something like this; after all she was part Klingon and was not beautiful like the Delaney sisters.  "So what is this for?" she asked sharply.  She did not mean for it to come out so rude, however she was shocked and her Klingon emotions were taking over.  No one had ever told her she was beautiful, let alone given her a gift to show it."It's for you.""Well, we had better eat dinner and head to the meeting."  She did not want to focus on the gift Tom was attaching to her wrist.Tom was not sure what to say or do, so they sat down and had a quiet dinner.  Just as he had the first time he saw her he thought, *She is so beautiful and does not even know it.*Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay sat in the ready room.  It would be five more minutes before Tom and B'Elanna would arrive.  Janeway had mentioned to Chakotay that Tom and B'Elanna had been together when she had told them to come to the meeting.  They would probably come together and then they could start.Chakotay looked at the captain in dismay thinking, *Why him of all people?*Janeway noticed Chakotay was trying to mask his feelings about the young couple.  She knew he was not in favor of B'Elanna's and Tom's relationship and wondered if he weren't romantically interested in B'Elanna himself.  After the time they had spent on New Earth, she had thought his interest in B'Elanna was more that of a father. Chakotay drew a breath to comment just as Tom and B'Elanna entered the room.  Both Janeway and Chakotay saw the small bracelet on B'Elanna's wrist.  Janeway smiled slightly.  She made a mental note to ask about the bracelet later.  She had seen it before, if she recalled correctly, in a picture on Admiral Paris' desk -- picture of his wife.  It might be a family heirloom then.  If this were so, she wondered if she would have to find larger quarters for these two soon.B'Elanna saw the slight shift of the captain's eyes and realized with a rush she had forgotten to take the bracelet off.  She was out of uniform!  "Captain, I -- "Janeway interrupted.  Now was certainly not the time to bark at a valued senior officer for so small an infraction while off duty anyway.  She went straight to the point.  "B'Elanna, Commander K'Fin will be in Engineering at 0700 to brief you on the wormhole technology they have."Tom could see B'Elanna was bothered by this news and reached to touch her hand for support, which made Chakotay squirm.  Tom was surprised B'Elanna did not pull away from his touch; he could tell she was in deep thought again.Janeway looked at Tom and said, " Lieutenant, you have been invited to visit the Gin'tak.  Will you be ready to transport at 0700 with Commander Chakotay?"Tom was surprised she asked.  "Yes, ma'am," he said casually."I'll leave your orders here and Chakotay will fill you in on the rest.  B'Elanna, I will meet you at 0630 here to discuss further details of Commander K'Fin's visit."  Janeway thought it would be best to let Tom and Chakotay discuss their mission on their own.  Who knew what would happen?  There was something bothering B'Elanna and she knew it would be easier to discuss everything after a good night's rest.  "Dismissed.  I will see everyone in the morning."Tom and B'Elanna went back to their quarters and rested.  Tom could tell she wanted to be alone and he respected her privacy.As soon as she entered the mess hall at 0545 hours, B'Elanna looked around to find Tom.   Only a few people were having their meal at that early hour, and Tom was not visible.  She could see Harry seated with someone at a table by the windows that looked out into the field of stars, but it certainly was not Tom.  It was not until B'Elanna walked to Neelix's food line and grabbed a tray that she could see Kes' golden cap of hair behind Ethan Simms, who was breakfasting with Janine Lamont."Good morning, Lieutenant Torres," called out Neelix breezily.  "May I recommend some of this excellent Karvon fruit bread?  It's just wonderful spread with a little of the bilisberry jam.  And some arhrhmatha eggs, perhaps?"  The name of this last dish sounded much like someone clearing his throat, and the food unfortunately resembled the results of that action.  B'Elanna passed on the eggs but accepted the bread and jam along with Neelix's special coffee of the day.  As she turned around, looking for someplace to sit, she noticed Janine's right hand softly stroking the top of Simms' left hand, her eyes sad even as she smiled into his face.  *She's certainly not looking forward to his going over to the Gin'tak any more than I am having that woman come over here,* thought B'Elanna. As she started to walk to an empty table, Harry stood up and waved her over.  "B'Elanna, come over and sit with us!"  Kes gestured to the engineer as well."Has Tom been here yet?" asked B'Elanna as she moved to their table."Haven't seen him this morning, B'Elanna.  Actually, from what he said to me last night, I'm not sure he's coming to breakfast.  He was talking about eating in his quarters so he could review his orders."B'Elanna's disappointment showed clearly on her face.  As she sat down with Harry and Kes, she took a sip of coffee, making only a slight face at the taste of the beverage while doing so.Looking at B'Elanna's tray, Kes questioned, "Aren't you having any water with your food?""Why?"The Ocampa looked up at Harry, who gave an answering nod and walked off to the wall with the replicator and drink dispensers.  "It's a good idea to have water handy when you're eating," she said.  "It's excellent for the digestion and, well, at times it comes in kind of handy."  By the time Kes had finished this odd speech, Harry was walking back from the water dispenser holding a glass of water which he placed on B'Elanna's tray."Uh, thanks, Harry," said B'Elanna, at a complete loss about what had just transpired.At that moment, Harry's combadge beeped.  He tapped it.  "Kim here.""Lang here, Ensign Kim.  I'm sorry to bother you, sir, but I'm experiencing some difficulties at the Ops station.  The readings are all fluctuating.  It looks like an equipment malfunction.""I'll be right there, Lang.  Kim out."  Picking up his tray with the leavings of his meal, Harry told them, "Got to go.  See you later."As he left, B'Elanna took a bite of the fruit bread and jam.  Looking up, she realized Kes was staring at her rather intently.  "What?" B'Elanna said a little sharply. "How is the bread?" Kes replied, with what appeared to be concern."Fine," said B'Elanna, a split second before the burning sensation began in her throat.  As her eyes widened, she grabbed for the coffee cup.  Kes stopped her."Use the water, B'Elanna.  For some reason, the coffee makes it worse."She was right.  The water eased the fires.  Kes smiled as B'Elanna started to push the plate away from her.  "Really, the bread is quite good.   If you scrape most of the jam off and drink some water between each bite, I think you'll enjoy it.  Just save the coffee for last."  B'Elanna cautiously took this advice."You're right, the bread is tasty.  Just a little . . . tangy?""I think explosive might be a better word, but don't tell Neelix I said so."  As Kes shared this with B'Elanna, an elusive smile glimmered on her gentle, youthful face.  B'Elanna had been speculating about the status of the relationship between the two Delta Quadrant natives now that Kes was living in her own quarters and no longer the partner of the Talaxian.  She was not sure how she could broach the subject, but Kes did it for her.  "Now that we aren't together any more, there are some things I feel awkward saying to him.  Especially about  his cooking; he's always been so proud of it.""I guess that's understandable."  For a couple of minutes neither woman spoke, as B'Elanna ate her fruit bread and drank water while Kes sipped her coffee."B'Elanna, do you mind if I ask you something?  I've been meaning to come to talk to you about this, but we never seem to talk unless it's something about the doctor.   The only other time you come into Sickbay is when you're injured or something, and then you're hardly in the mood for talking.""Sure.  What did you want to ask me?""I'm the only Ocampa on Voyager, of course, just as you are the only Klingon, and I wanted to ask you how you deal with being the only one.  I knew when I asked to join with all of you that would be the case, but now I guess I'm feeling a little odd about it.  I'm a bit lonely, and even though I have met some wonderful people here, there are certain things I can't seem to talk to them about."Since Kes' closest friends were currently a Vulcan, a hologram, and a former boyfriend, this admission was not exactly a surprise to B'Elanna. "What things?" she asked.Kes looked away for a moment before replying.  "Well, I'm not living a traditional Ocampan lifestyle, and I have been feeling guilty.  The Ocampa mate for life, and that's not going to be true for me unless things change a great deal between Neelix and me, and I don't expect that change.  I hope we can go back to being good friends, but I can't see myself as being that close to him again."B'Elanna considered a moment before answering.  "I'm certainly not an expert on love, Kes.  But may I ask you something?"  At Kes' nod, she went on.  "You were only a year old when you came on Voyager, and you had already hooked up with Neelix by then, am I right?""Actually, I climbed to the surface and met Neelix at the Kazon camp just before my first birthday.""I know an Ocampa's usual life span is nine years, but isn't one year still a little early for someone to settle down for life?"Kes shrugged her shoulders as she answered affirmatively."What's the usual age?""Two or three years old, I guess."  Rueful smiles appeared on each of their faces at the same time.  Kes acknowledged softly, "Yes, more at the age I am now." "Maybe you just--rushed things a little?  I imagine you couldn't have had many boyfriends other than Neelix in your life.  Most people find they pick a very different person to be with when they are a little older and have more experience than they did when they were very young.  You shouldn't be so hard on yourself.""Are you speaking from experience?""Unfortunately, yes."  Having finished her fruit bread, B'Elanna began to sip her coffee.  "I'm not sure how much actual picking I did, though.  I wasn't exactly popular.""Why not?  You're so pretty and intelligent.""And so Klingon to humans, and so human to Klingons.  Half and half -- I never really fit in anywhere.  You know my father left my family when I was a child, and my mother and I -- well, she wanted a Klingon warrior for a daughter.  I inherited her wicked Klingon temper, but I certainly didn't measure up to her standards in other ways.  She tried to mold me into her idea of a warrior, but I held back from what she wanted for me.  I was a big disappointment, and finally she gave up on me.  And boyfriends -- I never had a real date until I was at Starfleet Academy, and when I did have a few dates, I -- "  B'Elanna hesitated before going on.  This was painful to admit to anyone, let alone the trusting young woman who was sitting across from her.  "I guess I didn't have the best taste in guys.  They all seemed to want one thing.  They wanted to see if, well, my Klingon 'nature' made up for my ugliness.""B'Elanna!  That's awful. How could they?  And you are beautiful, absolutely the opposite of ugly!"  Kes' indignation was so genuine B'Elanna felt comfortable enough to continue her tale, ignoring what Kes had said.  Kes was beautiful, she herself was not."When I left the academy and worked as an engineer, it really wasn't any better.  I kept everyone at arm's length, so at least I didn't have any more bad experiences.  When I joined the Maquis, though, I did get involved with someone, and it was the same thing all over again.  He just wanted to 'try me out' to see what being with a half-Klingon was like.""He's not on Voyager now, is he?"  The look in Kes' eyes told B'Elanna he would be in serious trouble if he were anywhere nearby."He was killed during the trip from the Badlands to the array.""Were all your boyfriends human?""Yes.  All the Klingons I met made it clear I was too ugly for them to even consider taking as a mate.  Klingons are supposed to mate for life, too, you know.  Honor, and all of that."Kes sighed, "B'Elanna, I'm sorry I even brought this up.""It's all right, for some reason I don't mind talking about this with you.  I hope I've put it behind me.  But I will tell you this -- everyone else on this ship may want to get home soon, but I could not care less.  Everyone I really care anything about is on Voyager.""Especially Tom, right?  He certainly thinks you are beautiful!"B'Elanna looked at Kes in surprise.  How did she know that?  Then she thought, *How silly of me.  Tuvok has been working with her on her mental talents.  She should know.*Kes grinned sweetly at B'Elanna as if divining her thoughts.  "B'Elanna, it's plain to anyone willing to use their eyes how Tom feels, he just glows whenever he looks at you.  No telepathic powers needed to recognize what that means!"B'Elanna felt herself flush up to the top of her ridged forehead.  The words on the bracelet Tom had given her echoed in her head; *To the most beautiful woman whom I love.*  Although B'Elanna knew Tom had once been attracted to the young woman before her, she did not think he had given Kes anything like it.  B'Elanna was about to mention the bracelet to Kes when she realized how late it was getting."I'm sorry, Kes.  I have to be going.  I have a meeting with the captain before the scientist from the Gin'tak comes over at 0700 hours."  B'Elanna took the last sip of her drink and started to gather her dishes onto her tray.  Kes followed suit."I have to get to Sickbay myself.  B'Elanna, I want to thank you for being so honest with me.  I'm sure a lot of what you said to me had to hurt, but I really think you've helped me.""That's all right.  I'm glad we did this.""I hope this isn't the last time we have a chance to talk like this."B'Elanna thought about how few friends she had, either male or female, and said briskly, "What do you think?  Since we're the only ones of our kind on board Voyager, does that make us the same kind?""Maybe it does," Kes agreed.  The two women, so different in history and appearance, moved with equal grace out the mess hall door to the turbolift as they traveled to their respective duties. Captain Janeway smiled at her chief engineer as B'Elanna entered the ready room promptly at 0630.  "Coffee, B'Elanna?  I was just going to get myself a cup.""Thank you, Captain.  I can use some to counteract Neelix's 'special blend.'"Accepting the cup of black coffee from her commanding officer, B'Elanna started to take a seat by the desk when the captain waved her over to the couch by the windows.  The two spoke briefly about the need to obtain as much information about the wormhole generation process as possible.  "Even if Commander K'Fin is right and we cannot use the information now because the conditions in this area of space are not favorable to the process, there's no telling when we might be able to use it in the future.  Should we find different conditions elsewhere, perhaps a nascent wormhole we can encourage to open fully . . . . you understand, Lieutenant?  Any knowledge that can increase our probability of returning home is valuable.  But don't press the commander too far, and please, volunteer as little as you can about our history in either quadrant.  Let's play this one as close to the vest as possible.""Understood, Captain.  You really don't trust them, do you?""If we had some means to check their information I would feel much better about it.  A rupture of the Khitomer Accords, war and alliance between Cardassians and the Dominion -- frankly, I don't know what to believe.  I've always been impressed with the Klingon code of honor, but as I mentioned in our meeting yesterday, Captain Jinar is not acting the way I would expect, given that code.  He's hiding something, and I don't think his first officer liked what he was saying, or maybe what he was omitting.  Perhaps having Commander K'Fin here by herself will allow us to ask her a few tough questions and get some straight answers.  Do you think you can do that, Lieutenant?"The younger woman hesitated only a split second before assuring the captain she could, but it was enough.  "B'Elanna, are you sure about this?  When you asked to be excused from the meeting yesterday, I knew something about her was bothering you.  Do you have some kind of history with this woman?""No, Captain.  I've never met her or even heard of her before yesterday.""Then what was yesterday about?"B'Elanna knew she could not conceal this from her commanding officer any longer.  "It's just that at first glance, well, she resembled my mother so much I found myself experiencing all kinds of emotions I'd hoped I'd gotten over long ago. I was dredging up all kinds of memories that, I don't know, I guess I just ended up feeling like a little kid again, waiting for my mother to express her displeasure about all my shortcomings.  Actually, from what I've seen of her so far, Commander K'Fin doesn't seem to really be much like my mother at all, except for looks."  She paused and sighed, "It's pretty discouraging to feel these emotions threatening to take over again after all the work I've done to avoid them.   I've been trying so hard for so long to conquer this temper of mine, but it's still there, ready to flare at any time.""Perhaps conquering what you call your temper isn't what you really need to do, B'Elanna.  Whether you realize it or not, it's an important part of your strength of character, your qualities of leadership, even your creativity and unwillingness to give up when solving problems.  Maybe harnessing your temper, making it work for you instead of against you, would be more important in the long run.""At least my Klingon side didn't jump out and break anybody's jaw this time."Janeway's low, resonant laugh caused a similar response in her lieutenant.  The captain's expression became more serious again as she continued, "B'Elanna, may I remind you having a dual nature isn't exactly unique, even among people who are not born of two species?  The legend of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde appears in many forms in Earth literature, in cultures throughout the Alpha Quadrant, for that matter.  It's part of all of us.  Think about just accepting it, and moving on.""I'll certainly try, Captain.  It just seems to be one of those 'easier said than done' kinds of things.""You're right about that, Lieutenant!"  Janeway conceded.  Checking the time, the captain added, "I think it's time we appeared at the transporter room to greet our guest."Tom went into his bathroom, changed, quickly reread the orders on the datapadd, then reported to Transporter Room 1.  Ensigns Hudson and Simms were already there.  Tom looked at Chakotay and said, "You think we're going to run into a major problem, don't you?""Just remember, Klingons don't take well to traitors."Putting a hand over his heart Tom said, "Commander, that really hurts," as he tried to hide the fact it actually did hurt.  He wanted Chakotay's respect and, even considering everything he had done, he still didn't feel as if he had gained it.  Since B'Elanna respected Chakotay so much, Tom wanted to make sure he had Chakotay's respect and trust, for he wanted his blessing when it came time for him and B'Elanna to marry."Look, Paris, they've only asked for you and me to come.  The captain finally got permission for Simms and Hudson to come along.  I have a feeling they may know our history; that I've been out of Starfleet for four years and you've been in prison for being a traitor.  I just find it a little strange Captain Jinar insisted only you and I come and not the captain, so we need to be on the lookout.  I don't want any of your antics on this mission," Chakotay criticized.  He just hoped B'Elanna realized what Tom was like before it was too late.*I wonder if I should ask her about the bracelet?* thought Captain Janeway as the two women strode to the turbolift.  *I don't want to unsettle her, especially now.*  Seeing the engineer was visibly relaxed compared to her mood on the previous day, Janeway decided to risk a comment.  As they entered the lift, she casually mentioned, "By the way, I meant to compliment you on the bracelet you were wearing last night.  I don't remember seeing it on you before.""Tom gave it to me.  Actually, he was giving it to me when you contacted us about meeting you last evening.  I'm sure you could hear him snorting in the background when I was speaking with you.""As a matter of fact, I could," chuckled the captain.  "It is a lovely gift."The lieutenant could not keep from blushing, and Janeway decided not to pursue the subject further as they entered Transporter Room 1.  The away team was already assembled and looked ready to depart.  As Janeway walked over to her first officer, her helmsman positioned himself next to the engineer.  They nodded at each, saying nothing aloud, but their hands brushed together softly, their eyes eloquent as each one met the other's eyes.  Both the captain and Chakotay caught the look and exchanged glances of their own.  In the barest of whispers the captain breathed, "Let it go, Commander."  The first officer nodded acquiescence, but his lips tightened in disapproval.Hudson and Simms watched their superiors' interactions in absolute silence.  As trained security men, they were used to interpreting the actions of others in body language as well as in words.  Body language was speaking volumes at the moment.As the away team took their places on the transporter pad, the beep of a communications signal was heard.  "Commander K'Fin is ready for transport, Captain," announced the transporter chief, Lonzo Zoomo.  Responding to Chakotay's gesture, the shimmer of the transporter beam enveloped and spirited away the four Starfleet officers.  Seconds later, the shimmering reappeared and coalesced into the figures of Commander K'Fin and a male Klingon."Commander K'Fin," Captain Janeway greeted her somewhat coolly.  "I had been told you were coming to Voyager alone.""This is second officer Commander G'Ruhj, Captain Janeway. He will be returning to the Gin'tak immediately."  K'Fin's tone implied immediately might not be soon enough. "Captain Janeway.  I asked only to accompany Commander K'Fin as an honor guard to your vessel.  Also, I had heard you had a Klingon Chief Engineer.  I wished to be introduced to her."  He moved with liquid grace from the pad to stand toe to toe with B'Elanna, a feral gleam in his startling green eyes.  The faintest hint of a growl could be heard as he confronted her.B'Elanna's first reaction was to belt him for his insolence, but she quickly contained herself.  That could easily be construed as a romantic overture -- the last thing she wanted to encourage!  Another tactic swiftly came to mind, triggered by a brief recollection of her breakfast companion.  Summoning up every scrap of Kes-like ethereal sweetness she could muster and bowing her head ever so slightly in G'Ruhj's direction, B'Elanna murmured, "Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres.  I am sorry to disappoint you, second officer, but I am only half Klingon."The male Klingon's scowl at B'Elanna's tepid response to his approach quickly transformed itself into a toothy grimace after he caught the stern look shot over to him by his commander.  "I am corrected, Lieutenant Torres," he replied.  Stepping back onto the transporter, he added, "I am ready to return to my ship."  Seconds later, his form also dissolved in a sparkle of light.K'Fin watched them silently, observing the flash of B'Elanna's eyes as G'Ruhj disappeared.  She decided this Federation half-breed was much more than she seemed; G'Ruhj still might serve some purpose.  Turning to Captain Janeway, K'Fin said, "He was difficult to dissuade, Captain.""I understand, Commander."  Janeway smiled more warmly at the Klingon scientist as they left the transporter room.  "Lieutenant Torres will accompany you to Engineering.  I'm afraid my place is back on the bridge, but our conference room is also at your disposal for your briefing.  If you choose to work in the conference room later and if my duties permit, I would like to join you, if I may.""Of course, Captain.  I look forward to it."  Despite the pleasantry, K'Fin was clearly nonplused by the captain's comment.  At the turbolift, the three parted company.As they took the lift down to Engineering, B'Elanna followed her orders and offered nothing to the Klingon Commander.  Since K'Fin also said nothing at first, it was a quiet ride until the Klingon finally broke the silence.  "Is Captain Janeway actually interested in the wormhole generation project, or is it just Federation diplomacy?""She's very interested in your work.  Captain Janeway was a science officer before she went into command.  In a crisis, she's been known to come down to Engineering to help wrestle out an answer to a problem.  She's pretty good with a hyperspanner, too.  Captain Jinar isn't, I take it?  As I recall, he said he was not very well versed on your project.""No."  The bluntness of the response killed any further conversation until they reached Engineering.  As Voyager's chief engineer displayed her warp engines with unconcealed pride, she could see the spark of envy in K'Fin's eyes.  *I'll just bet we have something you need,* thought B'Elanna, *and it's my job to figure out what it is -- and what it's going to cost.*Tom felt reality rematerialize under his feet, and took a quick look around the bird-of-prey.  It was dark, stark, and just a little too warm.  *Karg actually got it right,* he thought to himself, stepping off the transporter pad.During his days at Starfleet Flight School, Tom had spent most of what little free time he had in the holosuites at an arcade run by a Ferengi named Karg.  Tom and a few buddies from his squad had spent hours chasing and shooting at each other in holograms of various air and spacecraft -- everything from W.W.I Blerot biplanes to Vietnam era Cobra gunships to 23rd century YFighters.  After they were bored with that, Karg had promised them a program featuring genuine replica Romulan and Klingon warships, and had even charged them an extra "finder's" fee.  *For once, a Ferengi delivered on a promise,* Tom thought.  He realized suddenly that if he had to, he could probably fly this killing machine.Captain Jinar stood waiting.  "Commander, Lieutenant," he said, then stopped as the hum of the Klingon transporter beam was heard.  Tom and Chakotay turned to see a tall male Klingon materialize behind them.  He did not look at them, but went to stand next to Jinar."Welcome to the Gin'tak," continued Jinar.  "This is my second officer, G'Ruhj."  Without further preamble, he turned and smashed his fist into G'Ruhj's face.Tom heard the sickening crunch.  Hudson and Simms snatched their phasers from their belts, and Chakotay reached out to stop the captain should he try to make another blow. "That is for leaving the Gin'tak without permission," Jinar said coolly.Bright pastel pink blood poured from the Klingon's obviously broken nose.  "Yes, sir," he responded.Tom felt a pang of sympathy for G'Ruhj.  Tom knew Chakotay had no love lost for him, but he certainly didn't worry about sudden violent physical attacks from his superior officer.  Not usually, anyway."That looks pretty nasty," he said.  "You'd better have your medic take a look at it.""We have no medical staff," said Jinar sharply.  "Now, Commander, if you will come with -- ""No, this must be seen to," interrupted Chakotay.  "Let us take your officer to our sickbay.""No.  A Klingon warrior does not run yelping from every mere scratch.  This way -- ""This man must be tended to," said Chakotay firmly.  "I insist."Jinar studied the Starfleet officers, realizing this unexpected show of sympathy might be worked to an advantage.  The plan had always been to split them up and learn if they could be useful."Well, if one of you wishes to -- ""I will," said Tom.  "I've had some practice with things like this."  G'Ruhj turned away and Tom followed him.Chakotay glanced at Simms and jerked his head almost imperceptibly at the departing figures.  Simms followed them both. They were approaching the door to G'Ruhj's quarters before the Klingon uttered his first words.  "Watch your -- "WHACK!  Tom saw stars as his forehead thwacked across a stout metal bar installed across the door frame.  "It is for exercising the arm muscles.  Our facilities are limited.  I apologize.  I do that myself sometimes.  It doesn't hurt."*Well, of course not, with a forehead like THAT,* thought Tom crossly, rubbing his bruised brow.  "You don't happen to have a dermal regenerator handy, do you?""A dermal regenerator," G'Ruhj repeated slowly with obvious distaste."Never mind," replied Tom.  *Great.  How am I going to explain this?*  He turned to Simms and said sarcastically, "Watch your head, Ensign.""Aye, sir." G'Ruhj's quarters were cramped and nearly devoid of furnishings, with only a narrow cot, a small table, a chest, a computer terminal, and surprisingly, a few books.  One wall was covered with wicked looking swords and knives, and an ornate bat'telh was centered on the wall above the bed."Nice place," said Tom.  "Very cozy.  Who's your decorator?  The Marquis de Sade?""I am G'Ruhj of the House of Tebit," the Klingon said abruptly, ignoring Tom's remarks."Paris, of the House of . . . Paris," responded Tom.  *Well, that sounded lame.* G'Ruhj dug around in the chest and came up with a wad of polyfilament fiber.  "I know your name," he said haughtily."Well, doesn't everybody," snorted Tom, suddenly tired of being someone everyone thought they knew before they had ever met him.G'Ruhj grunted and began stuffing the gauze up his nose.  "It will be difficult to set this straight without a mirror.""Hey, don't sweat it.  You'll look good crooked.  Scarier.  Klingon women will adore you."G'Ruhj gave Tom a cold stare.  "You talk too much.""You're actually not the first person to tell me that, but she was a lot cuter than you are.  Here, let me."  As gently as he could Tom pushed the Klingon's nose bone back into place.  He knew he must be causing the man excruciating pain, yet the Klingon did not even flinch."You are the son of a Starfleet admiral.""Yes, and the grandson of one or two and the nephew of two or three, and the -- well, you get the picture.  So what?""You take no pride in your family."Tom felt his temper rising.  This was getting annoying.  "Why are you so interested?  Why are you asking me all these questions?""I have asked you no questions," G'Ruhj replied, wiping the bloodstains off his leather tunic."Oh."  Tom realized he was right."I do not know all your story," G'Ruhj admitted.  "I know you were Starfleet, then you were found guilty of treason for serving in the Maquis.  You are a traitor twice over, then, since now you again wear Starfleet insignia on your collar.  You appear to be a man who can be bought.""Yeah, well, appearances can be deceiving, can't they?" Tom retorted.  He strolled over to the bat'telh, determined to change the subject.  "Cool sword.""It was my father's, and his father's before him.""Can I hold it?"G'Ruhj narrowed his brilliant green eyes and studied Tom's blue ones for a full ten seconds.  Then, without a word, he turned and pulled the bat'telh off the wall, twirling it gracefully in his hands.  Simms readied himself, but the Klingon simply turned the instrument of death handle outwards and handed it to his guest."So you see, Commander," said Jinar sipping his raktajino, "we are in great need of haste.  We must return to the Alpha Quadrant immediately, as I am sure we are sorely missed.  Of course, if we can open a nascent wormhole we will invite you to travel through with us.""Two ships at once might destabilize the wormhole.  Why take such a risk?""You are Maquis.  You fought the Cardassians, did you not?  They have made very powerful allies in the last few weeks.  There is war in the Alpha Quadrant, Commander.  I am sure your help is still desperately needed by the border colonists, and Voyager is a powerful ship.  Your enemies are our enemies." "But not necessarily my captain's." "Ah, yes.  Your captain, Kathryn Janeway," said Jinar loftily.  "Tell, me, Commander.  How does it feel to follow a woman's orders?"Chakotay's contact with Klingons other than B'Elanna was limited, but even he knew they were not generally as sexist as this.  "She is a fine officer -- the best I have ever served with.""She must be good, or you'd all be dead.  More coffee?"Chakotay could tell he was being baited, but decided to play along.  They needed to know exactly what these Klingons were up to."Paris!  What are you doing?  Do you consider your various appendages expendable?  You will cut something important off if you continue this way.  I tell you again, keep your arms up!""We need more room," Tom complained."The Gin'tak is a bird-of-prey," snapped G'Ruhj.  "There is no more room.  Give it to me."Tom handed the bat'telh back to the Klingon.  At the last moment, he gave it a reasonable facsimile of the twirling flourish G'Ruhj had done.  Unfortunately, the twirl included a rather large wobble.  He grabbed it to regain control, and got a slice across his palm for his trouble.  "Come back to Voyager with me.  We can work out on the holodeck.  You can show me some more moves," said Tom, watching the dark red blood ooze out of his injured hand, so different from a Klingon's.G'Ruhj reverently put the sword back on the wall.  Tom saw the interest kindle in his eyes.  Obviously there was something on Voyager he wished to know more about."You seem to be very interested in the ways of a Klingon," he said, tossing the roll of fiber to the lieutenant."Hey, you're not living if you're not learning.  Why did you go to Voyager this morning?  You were not expected," replied Tom, making a rough bandage around his cut."I wished to pay my regards to your captain," replied Commander G'Ruhj.  It was not in his code of honor to lie, so he added, "and I wished to meet your chief engineer.""B'Elanna?  What for?""B'Elanna," replied G'Ruhj slowly, repeating the name as if tasting it.  "She is half-Klingon." "Some days more than others," replied Tom.  A warning bell sounded in his mind, and he was suddenly sorry he had invited the Klingon to visit Voyager.  He heard a popping noise and realized it was an opening comm link.  Jinar's voice was heard."G'Ruhj, shall I assume from this prolonged absence that you have bled to death and a new second officer should be named?""No one has bled to death yet.  I will attend you within the minute, Jinar.""No.  Show the lieutenant around the Gin'tak.  Jinar out."Tom took a last look at the bat'telh.  "Don't you ever worry that thing will fall off some night and kill you in your sleep?" he asked. "Perhaps it will," replied G'Ruhj grimly, "but a warrior does not go into battle without his weapon."*Oh,* thought Tom.  *And here I thought you said this was a scientific mission.*There wasn't much to see on the Gin'tak.  It was built strictly for war, not scientific exploration.  The few Klingon soldiers they passed in the narrow corridors looked respectfully at Commander G'Ruhj and scowled at Tom but said nothing.  There were no holodecks or hydroponics bays.  The only thing of any interest at all was a small shuttlecraft tucked away in one tiny cargo bay.  Tom had never seen anything like it.  It was sleek, with powerful little warp engines, and looked extremely maneuverable.  His hands itched to try it, but G'Ruhj didn't offer him a test drive.G'Ruhj paused outside some double doors. "This is Main Engineering," he said as he passed through.Tom looked around curiously.  A few engineers glanced up, but quickly bent back to their tasks.  "Funny, when you think 'engineers', you don't always immediately think 'Klingons,'" he mused aloud.  Heads again snapped up, this time with sharp glances.  "Well, at least I don't," he added.  Maybe it was time to shut up.Tom studied the warp core.  It was the paralithium powered type, and thrummed softly as he stood watching.  He sniffed.  There was just a hint of a sharp tang, like ozone maybe, in the air.  Had they had a plasma leak, perhaps?  He strolled around the core, looking up, trying to find the source of the trouble.  Unfortunately one of the Klingon engineers had been working on the containment field generator under the core, leaving the hatch open in the floor.  "Have you -- haaaa!" "Lieutenant!" shouted Simms, making a grab for him, but it was too late.Tom opened his eyes to see four heads, three Klingon and one human, looking down at him from above."Can you stand, sir?" Simms asked."Yeah," said Tom, wincing as he stood up.G'Ruhj reached down and hauled Tom up with one arm.  "I think we should go to the canteen.  It is nearly time for the noon meal.""It is my sincere hope, Commander, that we can work together to return to the Alpha Quadrant," said Jinar gravely.  "I certainly believe the attempt to be worth the risk.""That remains to be seen, Captain," answered Chakotay."Perhaps you will join us for food.  You and all your men are welcome to share what we have.""It's not gagh, is it?" asked Tom.  "I'm allergic to gagh.""It is pipius claw," said G'Ruhj.  "It is good.  Eat it."Tom glanced sideways at Simms.  Both men looked doubtful.  "It's not alive, is it?" Tom asked.  "I prefer my food dead."  Heads swiveled in his direction.  "Is this blood wine?""Do you intend to stop asking questions long enough to eat?" snapped G'Ruhj."Actually, my favorite for lunch is peanut butter and jelly.  You don't have any, do you?  PB and J with milk to drink."  At this, eyes rolled up and one Klingon actually made a noise of disgust.  "But I'm sure this is great too," he continued.  He closed his eyes and took a bite, chanting a mantra in his head, *think chicken,* swallowed, then immediately changed his mantra.  *Think oysters.*"Lieutenant," said Chakotay coming into the cramped room.  "The captain has ordered us to return to Voyager.""Yes, sir -- ah!" said Tom standing, forgetting his damaged ankle."What's wrong with your foot?  And what happened to you hand?  Oh, never mind.  Tell me later."Tom turned to face G'Ruhj.  "Thanks for showing me around."  He picked up the cup of whatever.  "Um, glory to the House of Tebit," he said, and drained it.The hum died away and Jinar turned to G'Ruhj.  "Well?  What about the pilot?""No.""Are you sure?  What about his record?""I cannot say about his past, but he would not now betray his comrades.  He is no mercenary.""No, neither is the other.  So.  We must find some other way.""This is dishonorable.""This is necessary.  We MUST have control of Voyager.""So you were able to counteract the graviton wave problems the Trill experimenters encountered by changing the shield resonance signatures?"  B'Elanna studied the sensor readings on the computer display carefully.  There was something about them that seemed familiar, but the more she tried to recall where she had seen readings like this before, the more the recollection seemed to back away from her."Once the harmonics from the shielding were synchronized with the magneton pulse, the wormhole was stable enough for traveling, but only at half-impulse speeds; and of course, the warp bubble completely disrupted the wave patterns from the probe.  If we had not been almost out of the other end of the wormhole, we would have been destroyed when the other ship was."  Leaning forward, K'Fin pointed to the readings indicating the fluctuating waves of subatomic particles that led to a burst of energy, marking the collapse of the wormhole.  Without being conscious of it, B'Elanna and K'Fin both settled back to the same positions on their chairs at the work station in Engineering as the sensor readings told the tale of the implosion.  "As you can see by the wave pattern here, the Gin'tak survived only because the end of the wormhole became distorted and pulled away from the rest.  As it dissipated, the texture of space in this area became unfavorable for recreating the wormhole effect.""Too many residual particles expelled by the wormhole's breakdown?""Yes, exactly."  The Klingon scientist looked at the engineer in approval at her quick grasp of her work."Why not move off to another area of space and start over?""Repairs to the Gin'tak were necessary.  We plan to try this in the near future."  A wariness appeared in K'Fin's eyes for a moment, and she turned her attention back to the viewscreen away from B'Elanna.  She seemed on the verge of saying more but held her tongue."Yet you were able to travel at warp speeds and even use your cloaking device when you were following us."  B'Elanna did not bother to add that the Gin'tak had traveled a considerable distance while cloaked.  The part of space where the two Alpha Quadrant ships were now located was highly unlikely to have enough residual traces from the destruction of the wormhole to interfere with recreating the experiment."The generators for the magneton pulse are still damaged."  K'Fin was clearly uncomfortable, and B'Elanna knew that while she was trying to tell the truth in the strictest sense, there was still much being left unsaid.  To pursue the subject would be a risk, but it seemed to be a risk worth taking."Assuming, of course, that the Gin'tak's generators CAN be repaired well enough to create a magneton pulse of sufficient magnitude.  That's why you need Voyager."*Only half-Klingon might she be, but extremely intelligent nonetheless,* thought Commander K'Fin.  She met B'Elanna's gaze unflinchingly and nodded assent, realizing she would not need to spell out the danger this fact represented to Voyager's crew.B'Elanna looked back at the sensor readings on the screen as she determined her plan of action.  She needed to speak with her captain about this immediately, yet it bothered her that there was still something right in front of her that she was missing.  B'Elanna studied the sensor readings again.  "What are these chroniton particles doing here?  Did you have to compensate for them, too?""No, Lieutenant Torres.  As you can see, they were not much in evidence during the Trill experiments, so we did not even think about compensating for them."This new bit of information apparently cleared B'Elanna's mind; she had been grasping at the elusive memory before, and this time she was able to make the connection.  Grabbing her personal index data padd, she quickly pounded out her code for wormhole encounter dates, plus one other significant event that had occurred to Voyager's crew.  Becoming visibly excited, B'Elanna crisply called out, "Computer, split screen and display sensor log readings for stardates 48579.4, 50074.3, and 50312.5."  For several minutes B'Elanna analyzed columns of data as they flowed down the screen side by side with the figures from the Trill experiments.  K'Fin studied the statistics avidly as well.  Neither of the women spoke more than a few words, although occasionally each pointed to the screen as a correlation in the data on each half of the screen could be made.  Finally, B'Elanna grinned up at the Klingon scientist.  "Commander K'Fin, I cannot believe I was so stupid not to see this before.  Do you have any objections to sharing these findings with my captain?""Not at all, Lieutenant Torres," she said, with a fierce grin of her own showing, never having dreamed that the Federations would have this kind of information to be shared.B'Elanna tapped her combadge.  "Torres to Captain Janeway.""What is it, Lieutenant?""I hope you're not too busy on the bridge.  Commander K'Fin and I have some interesting things to show you in the conference room.""I can meet you in ten minutes in the conference room.  Janeway out."After giving the captain a brief overview of the experiments K'Fin had worked on with the Trill scientists, B'Elanna ceded the floor and the viewscreen to the Klingon commander.  The human captain's eyes strayed to her engineer on several occasions as K'Fin spoke in greater detail.  The Klingon scientist noticed her two listeners exchanging vivid expressions with each other, as if they were speaking in a sign language or some kind of facial code.  As the streams of data were displayed side by side by Federation stardates, K'Fin could see the captain become as excited as her chief engineer had been.  Finally, the captain laughed a loud, hoarse, "Ha!  Now I understand about that tiny time warp wormhole.  I wonder how many more of those there may be around.""Yes, Captain.  Bits of pieces left over from experiments, and scattered in various locations and times.  And the basic instability of the 'natural' wormholes, too.  Do you think all of them are results of the experiments?  Are any of them truly natural?""Who can say?  Unless we can find something that is distinctive in radiation signatures, something that can be measured so we can compare them, it would be difficult to say which pieces end up where, or when, for that matter.""It gives me new respect for the prophets of the Bajoran wormhole, the entities who manage to keep that one so stable.""Yes, indeed, Lieutenant, it certainly does.""The time ship -- Captain Braxton -- do you think this is why Voyager had to be sent back to the Delta Quadrant?  Instead of leaving us near Earth, at least?""He also must have known about the Gin'tak's history.""So we had to meet here?   How ironic that is.  Or was?  Using time travel terminology is almost as bad as getting involved with it in the first place," groaned Janeway.K'Fin could stand no more.  "What in the name of Kahless are the two of you talking about?""Sorry, Commander.  As I'm sure you've guessed from these sensor log readings, we are privy to some information to which you and the Trill could not possibly have had access."  Janeway took several minutes to describe Voyager's experiences speaking with a Romulan scientist through the tiny wormhole, only later to discover he was living 20 years in the past.  B'Elanna picked up the narrative with the story of the two Ferengi who had flown into a supposedly stable wormhole in the Alpha Quadrant during negotiations for development rights that were taking place on the Enterprise-D.  The wormhole had not in fact been stable, however, as the end snapped between various locations like the tail of a whip.  The Ferengi had made maximum profits while marooned in the Delta Quadrant, taking advantage of the local populace of a relatively primitive planet by posing as prophets described in the people's legends.  When their scheme had been found out and they had been captured, the Ferengi had managed accidentally to destroy the wormhole during their escape from Voyager, ruining the chance for a shortcut home.After B'Elanna had concluded her description of the Ferengi incident, Janeway continued, "Obviously, if one or both ends of wormholes can become untethered and land you somewhere you don't expect, it isn't much of a stretch for the wormhole to become untethered in time, also.  The wormhole is, after all, a disruption in the time-space continuum.  That IS what happened to you, I take it.  You certainly didn't plan on coming to the Delta Quadrant.  And what about the time factor?  Is that what broke off the end of the wormhole the Gin'tak was in?"K'Fin gaped for a moment at the captain before she was able to choke out, "In a matter of a few minutes you and Lieutenant Torres have figured out on your own what required three days of explanation to Captain Jinar, and I am not sure he really accepted all of it until we compared our chronometers to your stardates, which was proof of it.""The chroniton particle readings were a dead give away, Commander, and of course, we did have our own information to provide us with clues you couldn't have had.  So, how much time did you lose -- or was it gained?""We exited the wormhole seven linear time days prior to entering it; and you are right, of course, about the rest, too.  We expected to be a mere three light years from Qo'noS when we came to the end of our journey.  Jinar was most discontented when he learned where we were."  The Klingon woman sat down heavily in the conference room chair before asking, "What is this you are saying about this Captain whomever person?  Who sent you BACK to the Delta Quadrant?  I do not understand this at all.""It's a long story that I do not think we should go into in too much detail.  Suffice it to say we have some knowledge, and even a piece of equipment that came from our future, that we probably must not share with you.  What is relevant and which I believe we must share is that the sensor readings of the time rift that was responsible for our time travel incident had readings remarkably similar in key ways to readings in the artificial wormhole experiments.  Captain Braxton was a temporal officer from the 29th century who caused us to come back to this present from our Alpha Quadrant Earth's past -- I truly do hate trying to talk time travel, it is ALWAYS so confusing.  He obviously had some reason to send us back here to the Delta Quadrant, since we asked him to leave us near Earth when he returned us to our time.  Because he refused, there must be some task or tasks that make our presence here still essential.  I think, and Lieutenant Torres also thinks," Janeway looked at B'Elanna, who gestured affirmatively so the captain knew they were both thinking along the same track, "that these experiments at least potentially will pave the way to the technology used by our time-traveling Captain Braxton.""If you are to be pivotal in a time travel discovery, then why should he not have brought you back to be in the Alpha Quadrant?""Maybe the discovery will take place in the Delta Quadrant, or our impact on someone in this quadrant may also be pivotal to future events.  Perhaps it is not we who will pave the way for any time travel advances as such.  It may be that you yourself will be the one to make the discoveries, or someone you come in contact with later.  We may have had to be in the Delta Quadrant so that you could obtain our data when you landed here to add to your own and bring it -- wherever.  Home to Qo'noS, to the Trill scientists or to whomever.  There is really no way to know which scenario is the one that has happened in order to create Captain Braxton's time-line."  Captain Janeway sighed.  "As I've said, I simply HATE time travel paradoxes, and here we are, smack in the middle of a dandy one.""Kim to Captain Janeway.  Captain, we need you on the bridge.  There's something we need you to see.""I'm on my way.  Janeway out."  She turned to K'Fin and B'Elanna.  "Duty calls, Commander.  My scientific investigations will have to wait a bit."After Janeway walked through the doors to the bridge, K'Fin turned to Voyager's chief engineer. "You are right about your captain, Lieutenant Torres.  A pity such a fine scientific mind was turned to command.  I can see why a Maquis warrior such as yourself could hold allegiance to such a one as her."From B'Elanna's sudden confusion, K'Fin knew she had hit the mark.  "Your insignia, Lieutenant Torres.  I recognize your Maquis rank insignia just as well as I do the Starfleet rank buttons on Captain Janeway's uniform."B'Elanna did not know what to say.  They picked up several scattered padds on the table in silence before B'Elanna was able to suggest, "It's lunch time, Commander.  Will you accompany me to our eating hall?"K'Fin agreed.  B'Elanna hoped fervently the menu of the day included something the Klingon scientist would find edible.  As they walked to the turbolift, the engineer berated herself for the silly oversight.  After she had tried to be so careful about not saying anything about the Maquis or Starfleet or a divided crew, the facts were plain for any observant person to see.  Voyager's crew had advertised the fact themselves, just by the pins they wore on their collars.Tom stepped off the transporter pad, and let out a relieved sigh.  "That was . . . certainly an original meal," he commented to Simms.Ethan managed to stifle a laugh as he commented, "You certainly seemed to enjoy it, sir."  That was a complete lie of course; from the look on Paris' face, he had certainly not been happy eating Klingon food.  Running his hand through his bright red hair -- god how he hated it -- Simms offered, "Do you want me to help you to Sickbay for the doctor to get a look at your ankle and your hand?""Ha," snorted Tom, with a slight look of disgust, as he limped toward the door.  "And give him the satisfaction of knowing I managed to injure myself once again?  I don't think so, Ensign.  Besides, 'A Klingon warrior does not run yelping from every scratch,' and neither does a Paris."  Before Simms could object, Tom limped out the door.Ethan shook his head, letting his last thought go unsaid.  *But you're not a Klingon warrior.*In the mess hall, Commander K'Fin stared in revulsion at the big blob sitting on her plate. "What is this?" she demanded, glaring at the lump of food.  Most species thought Klingon food was inedible, but as the humans said this "took the cake."B'Elanna tried not to smile at the horrified look on K'Fin's face as she gazed at her own red blob.  "It's really not as bad as it looks," she replied, trying to sound convincing, but it was futile.  Even she, after three years of Neelix's food, couldn't stand to eat this.  "Just be glad you aren't going to turn purple.""Purple?  I was not aware eating human foods caused Klingons to turn purple," said K'Fin, suspiciously poking at her blob.  How was she supposed to eat this?  It looked as if it were alive.and jiggled every time she touched it, but it was obviously not a living natural thing.  She found that rather unnerving."No, not Klingons, but Ensign Kim became ill and turned purple after eating breakfast a few weeks ago," explained B'Elanna. "I don't think it affects Klingons the same way; I was fine when I ate it.""Well, perhaps, your body chemistry is different; after all you are only HALF-Klingon," sniffed K'Fin, waiting to see B'Elanna's reaction.  She could not figure out this young engineer.  When B'Elanna had met G'Ruhj, it appeared she was going to punch him, as a true Klingon would have, because of the insolent tone G'Ruhj had taken with her.  However, she had backed down and acted like a mere human.  It was rather puzzling, almost as if B'Elanna had two halves, one Klingon and one human.  Pushing the thought away, she asked, "What is the name of this . . . delicacy?""Gelatin," replied B'Elanna, trying not to appear insulted by the half-Klingon remark.  It wasn't so much the statement, it was more the tone that had angered her, as if she weren't good enough because of the human blood in her, but she would not give K'Fin the satisfaction of seeing her riled up.  "It's some kind of human dish Commander Chakotay submitted the recipe for.  All the humans appear to love it, but I can't seem to develop a taste for it.  They lovingly call it 'Jell-O.'"Pushing away her tray of dead gelatin, K'Fin stood up with a look of disgust.  "I must report back to the Gin'tak anyway.  I will return to Voyager in four hours.""All right," agreed B'Elanna. "Four hours then.  I don't need to escort you to the transporter room, do I?" asked B'Elanna condescendingly, deliberately looking up at K'Fin as if she were looking at a child."I'll be fine," retorted K'Fin, understanding the obvious insult.  Turning on her heel, she stalked out of the mess hall, almost colliding into a limping Tom Paris.Walking over to B'Elanna's table and taking a seat, Tom gazed at K'Fin's plate with delight.  "My favorite, B'Elanna.  You must be telepathic -- I'm starved!" he exclaimed, taking a big bite of the quivering red mass, and hiding his cut hand under the table."How you can eat that stuff is beyond me," sighed B'Elanna, wrinkling her nose and shaking her head.  "Besides, I thought you told me your favorite food was marshmallows.""They are, they are," said Tom, trying to talk through a mouthful of the wiggly stuff, "but this is a close second."  Finishing up the last of it he asked, "How did it go with Commander K'Fin?"B'Elanna's disgusted look evaporated as she remembered the discoveries she and K'Fin had made, and a big smile came over her face.  "Well, we discovered the wormholes are -- why are you staring at me like that?" she demanded.Tom had stopped eating, and was now gazing at her with a strange look in his eyes.  "You . . . you are so beautiful when you talk about something you're passionate about," he answered, still gazing at her.  She was the most beautiful woman he had ever known.B'Elanna flushed, and looked down at the table.  No one had told her that before.  Clearing her throat, and trying to look as if Tom's remark hadn't affected her, she said, "Tom, there's something I need to talk to you about.""What is it?" asked Tom, now beginning to eat the gelatin on B'Elanna's plate.  *I don't remember doing anything stupid today.*"Well, it's about -- " B'Elanna stopped in mid-sentence.  It looked as if everyone in the entire mess hall were hanging on to her every word.  Rising to her feet, she tugged on Tom's arm.  "Come on, let's go to the hydroponics bay.""All right," agreed Tom, stuffing the last cubes into his mouth.  It was one of the only dishes Neelix made without leola root and he wanted to savor it.  He followed B'Elanna out of the mess hall, still trying to think of what he had done she would be upset over.On the Gin'tak Commander K'Fin stepped off the transporter pad, her nose still wrinkled from the wobbling cubes.  *How humans eat that thing is definitely beyond Klingon comprehension,* she thought.  Exiting the room, she headed toward the canteen to eat some decent food.  *Hopefully there'll be some fresh gagh to eat today.*  Halfway there, she almost collided with Captain Jinar."Ah, Commander K'Fin, I was just coming to see you.  What did you find onboard Voyager?" greeted Jinar.K'Fin let a low growl of triumph come from her throat.  "We discovered the wormholes are really -- ""No, not about those wormholes, about Lieutenant Torres!" demanded Jinar, looking annoyed."Lieutenant Torres, she's a strange one," began K'Fin.  "When I deliberately baited her to see what her reaction would be, it looked as if she wanted to hit me, but she managed to control herself.  Obviously Lieutenant Torres has a lot of self control.  I'm guessing she's not prone to frequent bursts of emotion.  If anything, she seemed like she had some Vulcan blood in her," K'Fin snorted.  She had little respect for Vulcans.  What was the use of having all that strength if they didn't use it?"G'Ruhj did not find anything useful on this Lieutenant Paris, either," scowled Jinar.  He did not like the way things were proceeding at all.  "And Commander Chakotay was of no use at all.""Captain Jinar, I still think this plan is too dishonorable," started K'Fin.Jinar silenced her with a deadly glare. "I am captain of this ship, and you will do as I tell you.  It is not open to debate!  You are dismissed."  Giving her one last angry stare, he stormed off in the other direction.K'Fin glared at his retreating form, and then headed toward the canteen.  Jinar was the captain of the Gin'tak, and she had to follow him, but once they got back to the Alpha Quadrant, she would be in power, for she was the one with family on the Klingon High Council, not Jinar.B'Elanna stepped into the hydroponics bay and glanced around.  No one was there; Kes was in Sickbay at the moment.  B'Elanna took a seat on a bench by the viewport, and patted the empty space next to her.  "Have a seat, Tom."Tom looked at her slightly warily.  B'Elanna looked way too serious for him to be comfortable.  Taking a seat and hiding his hand behind his back he asked," What did you want to tell me?"Taking a deep breath, B'Elanna decided to cut right to the chase.  "It's about the bracelet.""What about the bracelet?" demanded Tom, beginning to panic.  *What's wrong with the bracelet?*"It's just that . . . it's not true.  I can't accept something that has lies written on it," blurted out B'Elanna, turning as red as one of Kes' Tarkalian tea roses.  She glanced away, and then turned her gaze towards the stars."What?" Tom was flabbergasted.  "All the bracelet says on it is 'To the most beautiful woman whom I love.'  B'Elanna, you know I love you.  I thought you knew that.""No, not that.  The other part.""You mean 'the most beautiful woman?'" Tom reached up and turned B'Elanna's face toward him.  She still refused to meet his gaze.  "You ARE the most beautiful woman I know.""No, I'm not beautiful," insisted B'Elanna.  "Kes tried to tell me the same thing, but I can't believe her because I know the truth!"  Jumping to her feet she began to pace back and forth, just like she had on the Borg ship.Tom watched her silently for a few moments, trying to find an explanation for why she was acting this way.  "B'Elanna, you are beautiful.  You're absolutely gorgeous.  Who would tell you anything other than that?"B'Elanna stopped pacing, and stood pretending to examine the roses.  With her back to Tom, she laughed bitterly.  "Who didn't tell me?"  Memories of Javier washed over her, and she tried to push them to the back of her mind thinking, *I told myself I would never think of him again.*Tom gritted his teeth against the pain of his sore ankle and managed to hop over to B'Elanna.  "Who told you?" he asked firmly.  It looked as if B'Elanna hadn't spoken about this to anyone, and it might do her some good if he could get her to talk to him."I don't want to talk about it!  Are you going to take back your bracelet or not?""First of all, it's your bracelet now, and I'm not going to take it back because it's absolutely true!  Every single word of it.  Now, are you going to tell me who made you think you weren't beautiful?"Tom's voice left no room to argue.  B'Elanna had never seen him so stubborn before, except when they had met up with the Kyrossi and he had become determined to save them from the Vyarri.  "All right, I'll tell you," snapped B'Elanna angrily.  If he wanted to hear the entire sordid story, fine then, she would tell him.  The only person who knew about this was Chakotay, and when she had told him she had been dead drunk.  "It was with this guy named Javier," she began."Go ahead," encouraged Tom, all ears.Taking another deep breath, B'Elanna continued her tale. "It was before I turned 18, and it was back on Kessik IV.  I wasn't really in love with him, but at the time it didn't really matter.  He told me he loved me, and that he cared, and that was all that mattered to me.  I was so happy, but then -- "  Her voice broke off."But then?" prodded Tom.  Vague memories began to swim through his head.  Not his own, but B'Elanna's -- leftovers from the Borg assimilation they had shared.  He had a strange feeling he knew how this was going to end."But then one day I caught him in the arms of another woman."  B'Elanna stubbornly brushed away the tears that threatened to fall.  "I just stood there like an idiot with my mouth hanging open.  He just looked at me and laughed.  He told me, 'It's just a game, Chica, just a game.'  Then he started kissing the other woman again, right in front of my face."  This time the tears began to fall, but B'Elanna didn't bother to brush them away.  She turned to face Tom, who was looking absolutely astonished.  "That's when I lost it.  I pounced on him, and I started beating him -- punching him, kicking him, doing whatever I could to hurt him, just like he had hurt me.  It took five of his friends to drag me off.  Even as they dragged him away, all he kept shouting at me was, 'You're lucky I paid you any attention, you ugly half-breed!  Why don't you go back to the Klingons?  You're too ugly to be a human, no one will ever love you with those ridges on your forehead!'"  The tears became more like a waterfall as they rolled down B'Elanna's cheeks, but she managed to keep her voice from shaking.  "So, that's why, Tom.  Forgive me if I don't believe you when you tell me I'm beautiful."  She began storming away, determined to go down to Engineering and make everyone's life a living hell."B'Elanna, wait!" shouted Tom chasing after her, forgetting about his ankle and his hand.  He caught up with her before she exited, grabbed her by the shoulders and whirled her around to face him.  Before she could say anything, he began to ramble.  "B'Elanna, I know what you went through with Javier was very painful.  But I'm not Javier!  I think you're beautiful.  You are the most gorgeous woman in the entire Delta Quadrant.  I love you, and I'm never going to leave you. Tu es ma belle femme!" he shrieked.  "You're my Bella!""I'm your what?" asked B'Elanna, taken back by his tone.  He sounded deadly serious."You are my beautiful woman, you are my Bella," translated Tom lowering his voice and taking B'Elanna's hand in his.  "Bella means beautiful in Spanish and Italian.  I'm serious about this, Bella, I think you're beautiful.  Why won't you believe me?" pleaded Tom."You . . . really think I'm attractive?" asked B'Elanna, uncertainly."YES!" cried Tom, becoming slightly exasperated.  Maybe she would finally understand.  "You are.""You mean it?""Of course.  If I'm wrong you can spoon feed me leola root stew for the next sixty-seven years," deadpanned Tom.A smile broke over B'Elanna's face.  "You do mean it," she said incredulously.Taking her face in his hands, he planted a soft kiss on her lips.  "More than anything.  If I have to prove to you that you're gorgeous, I'll tie you to a chair and give you a thousand kisses," threatened Tom jokingly."Sounds like a dirty job," remarked B'Elanna."It is," agreed Tom, nodding his head.  "But someone's got to do the dirty work."  He pretended to examine her.  "You know, I think you still don't believe me.  I think I'm going to go ahead with it.""If you have to," sighed B'Elanna, keeping her smile locked inside."I have to," said Tom with the utmost seriousness.  He leaned forward again and kissed her.  "One."  He kissed her again.  "Two."B'Elanna could no longer stand it.  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him close, and planted on him the longest, most drawn out kiss in the entire history of kissing.  "One thousand," she concluded, pleased to see that his face was bright red, and that he was gasping for air."So I take it this means you'll keep the bracelet?"  *If she says no after all this, I'm going to throw myself out the nearest airlock!*"I'll keep it," promised B'Elanna, still looking slightly uncertain.  "Thank you, Tom.""It was nothing you don't deserve."  *I am going to convince her, until she does not have a doubt in her mind,* decided Tom, but it would wait until another day when he could save up enough replicator rations."Now tell me what happened to you hand.""It got cut a little.""Well, come on, and I'll fix it."  B'Elanna gestured toward the door. "People are going to start wondering."  Linking her arm with Tom's, they walked out of the hydroponics bay, the two most satisfied people on Voyager, with Tom's face still cherry red.Jenny Delaney walked down a corridor bored out of her mind.  Nothing interesting was going on at the moment.  True, she could have her pick of guys whenever she wanted, but they were all just too boring.  There was no new gossip either.  There had been the Klingon bird-of-prey, but it was old news now.  *What I need is something new, something totally unpredictable -- like Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres walking out of the hydroponics bay arm in arm?!*  Jenny blinked her eyes just to make sure she wasn't hallucinating.  Yes, it was them, arm and arm, and Tom's face looked bright red.  "Oh, this is good," smiled Jenny aloud, and she changed direction and headed toward Deck 11 Holodeck 2 where Neelix's resort program was running. "Wait 'till everyone hears about this!"Tom walked in silence for a few minutes, until he realized something.  "Umm, Bella, where are we going, anyway?"B'Elanna turned to look at him as if he had grown two heads.  "To my quarters, Helmboy, where else?""Bella, I had no idea -- "B'Elanna shot him a warning glare.  "Get your mind out of the gutter, Paris, we're going to fix you up and watch 'A Briefing with Neelix.'  Because of the Gin'tak, he's putting it on this afternoon instead of in the morning like he usually does.""I didn't know you were a fan," commented Tom.  "Does Neelix know?""Absolutely not!" snorted B'Elanna.  "He tried to get me on the show once, but I refused.""What did he want you to talk about anyway?"  Somehow Tom couldn't picture Neelix asking B'Elanna to talk about the recent repairs to the plasma conduits or something to do with engineering.B'Elanna heaved a sigh.  "He wanted me to talk about Klingon mating rituals.""He what?"  Tom burst out laughing.  "Why in the world would he do that?  Did he have a deathwish or something?" he choked out between giggles.  If it hadn't been for B'Elanna's grip around his arm, he probably would have collapsed on the deck."Be quiet before you make me take matters into my own hands," she threatened as she entered her quarters.  Tom stumbled in after her, clutching his stomach, still chuckling.  *It's amazing what he finds funny,* she thought to herself, diggin around in a drawer and coming up with a dermal regenerator.  She tossed it to him.Switching on her monitor she collapsed onto the sofa and glared at Tom.  "Are you going to stop laughing now?"Tom stumbled over, his laughter reduced to little snorts. "I'm okay, really.  Just one thing.  What did you tell him when he asked?""That if he ever asked again, there was going to be a mysterious accident while he was cooking," answered B'Elanna casually."Figures," mumbled Tom.  "You know, I bet that's what happened, and that's why I burned that twelve kilo -- ""Shhh, it's starting," she interrupted, her eyes fixed on the screen.  Tom managed to keep his grumbling to himself and attempted to pay attention while working on the cut.On the monitor, the visage of Neelix popped up.  "Greetings, ladies and gentlemen, I'm coming to you live from my resort program.  I thought you might want the guided tour to find those little hidden spots I programmed in," explained Neelix, gesturing around.  "But before I do, I want to share a little information with you, a tip I was just given by a very reliable source."  The camera pulled in closer to Neelix's face, so close all his spots were countable.  His tone turned confidential.  "I just want to say congratulations to a certain red-shirted lieutenant junior grade and a gold-shirted lieutenant, an engineer, who were seen coming out of the hydroponics bay looking VERY, VERY cozy.  It's about time they got together."  Neelix smiled and rubbed his spotted hands together in delight.  "Now, first I want to show you -- ""Computer, shut off monitor," ordered B'Elanna, jumping to her feet and looking as if she were going to punch the bulkhead.  "I am going to kill him!""Calm down, Bella, maybe no one will figure out who it is," offered Tom.B'Elanna's eyes shot daggers at Tom.  "Oh sure, like no one will be able to tell who the red-shirted lieutenant junior grade and the gold-shirted engineering lieutenant are!""I don't see why you're so upset.  I mean, unless you don't want anyone to know.""No, it's not that," said B'Elanna, once again pacing around the room like a caged lion.  "It's just -- I'm a very private person, and I don't want the whole ship to know about us when I don't even know what's going on between us!""Look, Bella," began Tom, getting to his feet and putting his arms around B'Elanna's waist, "this is a very small ship.  Everyone is bound to find out sooner or later.  And about us -- I'm not saying we should move in together next week or anything, but still, I'd like to think, and let everyone know we're a couple.  You know, Tom and B'Elanna, B'Elanna and Tom, Paris and Torres, Torres and Paris . . . .""Yes, I get the idea," sighed B'Elanna, leaning back into Tom's embrace.  She breathed in the comforting scent of his musky aftershave, and tried to get a hold of her anger.  "It's just that Neelix telling the whole ship isn't exactly the best way to let everyone know.  Am I making any sense?""Yes, you are," comforted Tom, stroking her hair.  "But that doesn't mean you have to go out and kill Neelix.  If you're going to kill him, it should be because of his leola root, not because he let everyone know about our relationship."  He kissed her neck.  "Okay?""Oh, all right, I won't kill him," sighed B'Elanna, feigning reluctance.  "But can you do me a favor?""For you, Bella, anything.""Shut up and kiss me.""Oh, you are a slave driver," grinned Tom.  Turning B'Elanna around, he began to kiss her slowly but passionately.  *If Harry interrupts again, I will kill HIM,* was Tom's last thought, as he lost himself in B'Elanna's kisses.Captain Jinar sat in his quarters brooding over his plan.  Why couldn't those weak Federations make it easy for him?  He had the feeling Commanders G'Ruhj and K'Fin had not tried hard enough.  All humans were weak at the core.  If his people couldn't find the weak spots . . . .  Well, he was stuck in the Delta Quadrant with this crew, and he would have to make up for their incompetence.  He had a new plan.  If he thought about it, it was probably a better plan.  Yes, this plan would definitely work.  He rose and left his quarters to brief his crew.Tom's mind was on fire.  He was kissing B'Elanna slowly, gently, wanting to savor every sensation.  As he ran his hands along her back, B'Elanna let out a little moan.  Tom's heart picked up speed and he found he almost couldn't breathe.  He moved his mouth down along her jawline, softly nipping his way to her neck.B'Elanna was breathing in gasps and she let out low growls as Tom bit her jawline.  Tom caressed her back as his mouth found its way to B'Elanna's throat.  B'Elanna arched her back and let out a gasp.  "Oh, Tom," she murmured in a low breathy voice.  She fumbled with the zipper on his uniform jacket, her hands trembling with the urgency to feel his bare skin.He stepped back and tossed the uniform jacket to the floor and pulled his turtleneck over his head, throwing it by the jacket.  B'Elanna looked him over appreciatively and stepped back into his arms. A shiver went through Tom and he let out a gasp.  B'Elanna felt goosebumps rise on his bare flesh and for some reason it excited her even more.  She kissed his neck, nibbling here and there, her hands relishing the feeling of his chest.Tom's mind exploded.  The feel of her lips, her hands, the taste of her mouth, the smell of her hair, it all combined to leave him almost dizzy.  He cradled her in his arms, never wanting to let her go.  B'Elanna was busy sucking on his ear lobe, driving him near insane as he felt the puffs of her breath in his ear.  B'Elanna growled softly in to his ear."God, Bella," he whispered, "you have no idea what that does to me.""Oh, I think I might," she whispered into his ear.  She kissed him long and hard.Tom let out a groan so guttural it was almost a growl.  It rocked B'Elanna to the core.  She had to taste his mouth again.  Their lips met with passionate intensity."Chakotay to Torres."Tom jumped and dropped B'Elanna, who hit the floor with a thud."Are you all right, B'Elanna?" Chakotay's voice asked over the comm."I'm fine, Commander.  What can I do for you?" B'Elanna replied evenly.Tom was impressed that her voice gave no hint as to what had been going on.  If it were him, he'd be stuttering and stammering."The captain and I need to speak to you.""Now?" B'Elanna asked rising off the floor."If it's not a problem."B'Elanna looked at Tom.  "No, Commander.  I'll be right there.  Torres out.""I swear," Tom fumed as he pulled his shirt back on.  "It's a ship-wide conspiracy."B'Elanna sat in Janeway's ready room with the captain and Commander Chakotay."And then we went to the mess hall for lunch," she concluded her report.  "She decided gelatin was not a Klingon food and went back to the Gin'tak.  We are supposed to reconvene in . . . " B'Elanna glanced at Janeway's chronometer, "about an hour and a half.""Very good," Janeway said.  "Thank you for all the effort you're putting in, Lieutenant.  I think that about wraps this up.  Report to Commander Chakotay after you and Commander K'Fin finish your work this evening.""Yes, Captain," B'Elanna said, rising.Chakotay also rose.  "If we are through here, "he said, "I've got to head over to help Harry reconfigure our shield array.""Dismissed, Commander," Janeway said.Chakotay left and B'Elanna took a step to follow."B'Elanna," Janeway said, stopping her."Yes Captain?""I know I might be over stepping my bounds, but this is my ship and you are a member of my crew."B'Elanna looked at her expectantly, feeling a little apprehension."I heard a rumor about you and Tom and, well, to put it bluntly, what IS going on between you?  If you don't mind my asking, that is."B'Elanna took a breath.  "It's true," she blurted out.  "We are a couple."  She hadn't expected it to come out so easy, but here, like this, it was more like Kathryn and B'Elanna -- just two friends.Janeway leaned forward.  "I thought so, especially after I saw the bracelet.""The bracelet?" B'Elanna asked."I first saw it in a picture on Admiral Paris' desk.  It was a picture of Tom and his mother.  The bracelet was so beautiful that I had to ask about it.  Admiral Paris told me it had been in the family for generations.  Then he explained how it was passed from mother to son, each wife giving it to the oldest son who then gave it to the woman he was going to marry.  It's a beautiful tradition.  I had a feeling things were getting serious between you and Tom when I saw you wearing it."B'Elanna felt the room closing in on her.  How could Tom have given her such a gift?  A gift given to the women the Paris men wanted to marry.  She had to talk to him.  She took a deep breath.  "Well, we are definitely together," she managed to get out.  "I have got to get to Engineering and prepare for the commander's return.""By all means, B'Elanna," the captain smiled. "And B'Elanna, tell Tom I said congratulations."While B'Elanna was speaking to the captain and Chakotay, Tom sought out the company of Kes.  He found her in the kitchen helping Neelix.  The two Delta Quadrant natives were talking amiably and working on the food for the night's meal, while Tom stood to the side and watched.Neelix tasted a soup he was working on.  "It needs something," he decided.  "I think . . . glermark.  Yes, definitely glermark.  Too bad we don't have any.""Actually," Kes said with a smile, looking up from the sauce she was stirring on the stove, "I've been growing some in the hydroponics bay.  You could go get some if you'd like.  I can manage here until you get back.""Kes, you are a great friend," Neelix said as he headed for the door.  "I'll be right back."After Neelix left, Kes turned to Tom.  "Would you help me by stirring this until it boils?" she asked with a smile.Tom was a little startled, but stepped to the stove, taking the spoon from her."Now," Kes said as she got pots and bowls out, "What did you want to talk about?""Oh, I didn't come to talk," Tom said quickly.  Realizing how stupid the lie was, he continued, "I came to . . . ."  He looked at the small Ocampan girl.  She had proven herself to be a good friend and a great listener.  *Oh, what the hell,* he thought, " . . . talk to you."Kes let out a musical laugh.  "Well, I'm here," she said."When you were in the Kazon camp, did they make you feel . . . ugly?  Useless?" Tom asked softly, stirring a little faster."Yes," Kes said simply."Did you believe them?" he asked, stirring faster."It was hard not to," she remarked, lining up ingredients on the counter.  "When you hear from everyone that you are something, it takes a lot to realize you're not.""But you believed Neelix," Tom pointed out, stirring faster."That took quite a bit of work on his part," Kes said, noticing Tom was stirring the sauce so quickly that some was slopping over the side of the pot.Tom stopped stirring, turning with the spoon in his hand, dripping sauce on the floor."How much work?  What did he say that finally convinced you?""Tom, the sauce," Kes said.He turned.  It was boiling over the sides.  "I'm sorry," he said, taking it off the burner and putting it to the side."That's all right," Kes said with a smile, feeling relieved he was away from the stove.  "Could you come here and help me get down the Grolian flour from that top shelf?"Tom strode over and reached up to a shelf just above his head.  The bag was heavy and Tom started to tug on the end to move it."It wasn't what he said," Kes said, resuming their conversation.  "It was the way he looked at me.  The belief in his eyes.  The way he treated me.""What if that hadn't worked?" Tom asked, tugging harder."It's not something that happened overnight.  Neelix was very patient and VERY persistent."Tom gave the flour one final tug, and the end of the bag came off in his hand.  A small shower of flour trickling over him."Oh, Tom!" Kes exclaimed, trying not to laugh.  He was coated in flour."I'm all right," he mumbled.  "Could you get me a cloth?"Tom retrieved the flour for Kes and cleaned himself off as best as he could.  Kes was putting all the ingredients in a bowl to make cookies for the evening meal's dessert.  "Are things all right between you and B'Elanna?" she asked, stirring."How did you know that's what this was about?" Tom asked picking a little of the dough out of the bowl.  Kes just smiled at him."It's not our relationship," he sighed, picking out more cookie dough.  "She was hurt by people telling her she was ugly and when I tell her I think she is beautiful, she can't believe me.  I just want to know how I can convince her.""YOU can't!" Kes said.  "She will come to trust that you believe it, but it will take time.""But she's NOT ugly," Tom said, fishing out more cookie dough.Kes was starting to lose her patience.  He had already made a huge mess and now he was eating all her cookie dough.  She softly slapped his hand as he tried to get more.  Tom's face flamed a little and he smiled sheepishly.Kes laughed.  "You just need to give her time.  She feels ugly and alone.  She is the only Klingon on Voyager.  Just love her the best you can and she will come around.""Thanks, Kes," Tom smiled, absently snagging more cookie dough."TOM!""All right!" he laughed.  "I'll go.  Thanks again."Kes just smiled after him, then let out a sigh as she surveyed the damage he had done to Neelix's kitchen.Tom left the mess hall and decided to look for B'Elanna.  Just as he was about to ask the computer where she was, she came storming around the corner."Bella!"  he said with a smile.  "I was just looking for you.""Tom," she began without acknowledging his greeting, "I can't take this bracelet.""What?" Tom asked, feeling like he had just been punched.  "We've been over this.  You deserve it.  It's yours."B'Elanna whirled to face him.  "That was before -- "  She stopped mid-sentence.  "What is that all over your lips?" she asked with a bewildered look on her face.Tom blushed slightly and looked at the floor.  "Cookie dough," he said to the floor.Captain Jinar sat sprawled behind the cramped desk in the space that served as his ready room, thoughtfully fingering a wicked looking kut'luch.  *I must proceed very carefully.  I cannot risk being challenged by G'Ruhj for command of the ship.  He is dangerous and he has the heart of the crew in his hands.*  His eyes narrowed at the clang of the door sound.  He slipped the kut'luch back into its hiding place in his tunic.  "Come," he barked.Sub-Commander T'Taj, ship's navigator, strode in.  He was tall -- not as tall as his good friend G'Ruhj, but broader and heavier.  He had fair hair, with a short cropped beard, and he had an uncanny ability to detect dishonesty.  He came from an ancient and proud house of distinguished soldiers, was known for his straightforwardness, and was one of the finest warriors Jinar had ever seen.  Jinar knew that T'Taj hated him to the core."You summoned me," he said to Jinar shortly."The first officer has told you to accompany him to Voyager.""Yes.""Do you know why he wishes to go?""Some nonsense about helping to teach one of their officers the art of the bat'telh," he replied.  Clearly he had little respect for this idea, but Jinar knew he would not have told G'Ruhj that.  T'Taj had sensed that G'Ruhj was not telling him everything, but had trusted his friend and not asked questions."Yes, I thought G'Ruhj would shield the truth from you.  He knows how you feel about dishonorable men.""The Federation is dishonorable?""Paris is his name, and he is indeed dishonorable.  I have researched his background thoroughly.  He is not what he pretends to be.  He is a cold-blooded assassin.  He killed three of his colleagues -- over a woman perhaps, he seems the type -- and he got away with murder because he is the son of a Starfleet admiral.  He escaped into the Maquis and he seems to have hidden the truth from these other foolish Federations.  You know how they are."T'Taj studied his commanding officer.  He felt uneasy about this story, as he did about most things Jinar said, yet could not find in Jinar's words any outright lie.  He said nothing.  Jinar continued."Whatever we personally think of these Federations, they are allies.  They are weak, and they should be protected from this monster.  I want him brought here, where he can be made to answer for his crimes.""Does G'Ruhj know this?"Jinar was very careful.  "He knows of Paris' background.  I want G'Ruhj to go through with this charade, to facilitate Paris' removal to the Gin'tak.  Let G'Ruhj occupy his attention.  Then choose an opportune moment, grab Paris and signal the ship.  We'll keep a transporter lock on you and beam you all off.""What business is this of ours?""You think it is honorable to allow a murderer to walk as a free man?""No, of course not -- ""And there is the half-Klingon engineer," Jinar interrupted.  "He seems to look on her with a predatory eye.  Do you wish her to be dishonored?""Certainly not.""You have your orders.  I expect them to be obeyed.  Qapla'!""Cookie dough," B'Elanna repeated.  "Paris, your face is a mess.""Wanna kiss it and make it better?" he said reaching for her, but his heart sank.  "Paris" usually meant trouble.She blithely stepped out of reach.  "Forget it," she snapped.  "Some things are beyond even me.""Worth a try, a least.""Can't you be serious for one second?  The captain told me about the significance of this bracelet-- SHHH!"Tom now could also hear the voices approaching from beyond the corner, Mikel Hudson and Ethan Simms by the sound of it."Here, quick," she said.  Grabbing his arm she pulled open the door of a storage closet recessed into the wall behind him and shoved.  "Get in there!""What?  Why?  Ow!  Watch it, Torres, I've got a hurt foot.""Oh, poor baby," she said still shoving.  "Move it, Helmboy.""All right, all right!  Don't get your panties in a twist!""Shh!" she repeated in a whisper, jumping in behind him and pulling the hatch shut.  "I'm tired of my personal life being the talk