Subject: P/T - Mostly in B'Elanna's POV.
Rating: G
Synopsis:  An in-between scene as it might have happened in 
the episode of Vis a Vis, after everyone was returned to 
normal, and before the scene in the garage.  Kind of old, 
but I need the practice.

By: AnnieL

B'Elanna was in her quarters going over the days efficiency 
reports.  She was actually not really paying much attention 
to the data on the padds in front of her.  She was thinking 
about the recent alien experience they had just been 
through.  Steth.  She was very relieved that the Steth 
episode was over with, and was looking forward to things 
getting back to normal.  *Normal hah* she thought.  Even 
though she knew that it wasn't Tom who had been in her 
quarters putting his stupid golf balls, or who had promised 
he would stop shutting her out, or even who had kissed her 
(every time she thought about the alien kissing her, she was 
revolted).  Only the thought that it was Tom's actual body, 
Tom's lips that she was really kissing made the thought 
tolerable.  She also realized that it wasn't Tom who said he 
would stop shutting her out, or who had treated her so badly 
yesterday in the transporter room.  She hated to admit how 
much his words hurt her when she thought it was him saying 
them.  She had been stunned speechless by his words, and 
just stood there for a few minutes before she could even 
move.  Then everything had happened so suddenly.  The body 
snatching alien attacking the Captain as Tom, and then 
stealing into the Captains body, and trying to escape.  She 
was relieved when the whole story had come out, and everyone 
was returned to their own bodies.  She was also relieved to 
realize that it hadn't been Tom who had said those cruel 
words to her.  The whole thing was just too bazaar to think 
about.  She and Tom still had issues to resolve between 
them, she'd avoided him since he had been released from 
sickbay.  She stayed in Engineering well past her shift, 
just for that reason.  Mostly because she didn't think she 
could handle a confrontation with him right now.  Maybe 
tomorrow.  Before she left Engineering, she asked the 
computer his whereabouts, and was informed that he was in 
Holodeck two.  Well, she thought, either it was Sandrines, 
and if it were, he would probably be in there all night 
telling everyone of his adventures.  Or he was in the 
mysterious" program, he didn't feel the need to share with 
her.  So, she resolved to return to her quarters, certain he 
would be busy for hours.  When she got there, she changed 
into her pajamas, and curled up on her sofa with the 
efficiency reports, intending to prepare for the next day.  
Instead, she had done nothing but think of him.  She 
realized that she was still angry with him for shutting her 
out, and for the scene in the Messhall.  He had been so 
unreasonable, accusing her of needing to know his every 
move.  Making it sound like she was smothering him.  Just 
thinking about it again made her angry.  She was so deep in 
thought that hearing her door chime surprised her.  She 
hesitated for a moment, wondering who would be calling on 
her this late.

"Come in."

The doors opened, and there was Tom.  The last person she  
expected, or for that matter wanted to see.

"Hi," he said stepping into the room.

"Hi," she returned, looking at him briefly.  She uncurled 
her legs from under her, and put them on the floor.

"Can we talk?" he asked hesitantly, seeming uncomfortable.

"Actually," she said standing.  "I was just getting ready to 
turn in for the night.  I had a long day, and I'm really 
very tired."  She made a business of collecting her padds, 
and placing them on the table.

"Look B'Elanna, I know I have been acting like a real jerk 
lately. . ."

"Tom, I don't really want to discuss this right now," she 
interrupted.

"B'Elanna, please.  This is important.  Just give me a few 
minutes, and then. . ."

"Important!" she fumed, slamming a padd down on the table, 
her temper suddenly coming to life.  "Since when!" she 
turned to face him eyes ablaze.

"Since always B'Elanna!  My behavior lately, has nothing to 
do with you," he said pleadingly.

"Oh that's an understatement!  Since I'm the one you have 
been avoiding spending any time with, I think I have 
everything to do with it."

"That's not true," he said softly.  He was trying his best 
to remain calm.  

*The last thing he wanted was for her to think he did not 
care for her, that she wasn't important to him.  He had to 
make her understand.*  He looked up at her and she was 
standing with her hands crossed in front of her defensively, 
glaring angrily at him.

"B'Elanna," he said stepping toward her, reaching out.  She 
dropped her arms, and turned away from him.  He stayed where 
he was, and continued.  "I have just been feeling restless.  
Everything we have all gone through recently, having to put 
ourselves back together after the mess the Hirogen made of 
us, and the ship.  It made me feel needed, useful.   Lately, 
there has been no disaster, no evil aliens, no need to save 
the day.  I guess I've just been feeling restless.  I needed 
to be doing something with my hands.  Busy work to keep my 
mind from dwelling on how useless I am."

"Useless?" she turned to face him disbelieving.  "How can 
you possibly believe that you are useless?"

"Well, maybe that's the wrong choice of words.  Maybe just 
feeling unnecessary unless we are facing some sort of 
disaster.  Flying this ship in a straight line day after day 
is not really all that difficult.  At least you have 
Engineering to keep you busy on a daily basis.  You keep 
this ship running.  You are important on a daily basis."

"Tom." was all she could say.

"B'Elanna, I have been a fool to neglect you the way I have.  
Maybe I have even been a little jealous of you, I don't 
know.  What I do know, is that I want to fix things between 
us."

"What do you suggest?"  Her temper had all but disappeared 
with his speech.  The sincerity in his eyes told her that he 
was very serious.

"Come with me.  I'd like to show you something."

"What is it."

"I think I'd like to just show you.  Will you come with me?"

She thought for a moment, and finally agreed.  "All right.  
Let me change my clothes."

He took her to the holodeck, and showed her his "Camaro in 
the Garage" program.  He let her know that he was trying his 
best to share a part of himself with her, and also let her 
know that she was important to him.  He then kissed her, and 
she responded gladly.  After the kiss, they sat in the car, 
and talked for a long time holding hands, touching each 
other.  Just enjoying being close again.  Something they 
both had missed in the past few weeks.  Before they left, 
Tom opened the hood of the car, and showed her the engine he 
had been working on.  He explained some of the other repairs 
and improvements he had made to the vehicle.  It was clear 
that he took pride in his project, and that made her smile 
inwardly.  He invited her to join him the next day to help 
him with some repairs on the car, and she agreed.  When they 
left the holodeck, they went to the Messhall for a late 
night snack.  All in all, the whole evening had turned out 
well B'Elanna decided.  She and Tom had come to a better 
understanding, and had overcome yet another hurdle in their 
ever turbulent relationship.

The End