PLAGUEBy: R. MackenzieDate: February 10, 1999Setting:  Voyager comes to the aid of a planet suffering from an unknown disease.Disclaimer:  Paramount owns them, I'm just borrowing them.Ensign Tom Paris exited his quarters and made his way to theturbolift, shifting the bag slung over his shoulder and walkingquickly, ignoring his surroundings.  The Captain wanted the connschedule for the next two weeks before he left and he was almostout of time.  She had actually wanted them earlier this morning andhe had attempted to work on them last night, but had gotten alittle distracted.Work had been conspiring to keep him from seeing the woman heloved, Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, for the last several weeks. Finally, last night they had found sometime together and spent ittogether.  She had been gone when he had been awoken by his alarm,but that was nothing unusual, engineering was always calling fortheir chief at odd hours.  He just wished that he had had thechance to say good-bye.  After all, he was going to be gone foralmost two weeks.Sighing, he tried to push the thoughts of last nights activities tothe back of his mind and concentrate on the data padd in his hands. But every time he moved his body shouted out its reminders.  He wassore in places that he didn't think should be sore.  He may nothave been able to say good-bye to her, but she sure tried to givehim a proper send off.As the turbolift doors opened, Tom stepped inside, called for hisdestination and returned his full attention to the data padd in hishands.  He had to get this done or the Captain was not going to behappy with him.  Trying hard to keep his mind focused, Tom didn'trealize that he wasn't alone until he felt a finger drawing lazycircles across his back.  Starting, he was about to turn around anddemand what was going when he recognized the familiar smell ofplasma coolant.Feigning ignorance to the other person's presence, Tom continued tomake entries on his data padd.  He was able to pretend that shewasn't there until the finger turned into insistent hands that slidup and down his back a couple of times before moving along hissides.  The ministrations briefly stopped while his duffle bag wasremoved from his shoulder and dropped to the floor.  He tried toremain impassive as the hands returned to work their way under hisuniform jacket and began running up and down his chest.  Hadn't shehad enough after last night?  As the hands became more insistent,he realized that she hadn't.Closing his eyes, his arms dropped uselessly to his sides.  Agrowing man could only ignore this kind of assault for so long.  Asthe familiar, soft body moved closer to his, pressing firmlyagainst him, he nearly moaned out loud.  He didn't have time forthis.  Remembering where they were and where they were heading, Tomdecided that he was going to have to be the one to put a stop tothis.  Or else he would be in no condition to report for his awaymission."You know, I have to report to the shuttle bay in fifteen minutes.""A whole fifteen minutes, huh?"  He heard her voice purr.Tom could feel her smiling as she began to plant kisses along hisback.  He no longer cared if they were caught, his desire alsothrowing out any thought of fighting her."Computer, halt lift," she commanded while continuing her multisensational assault against the body she knew and loved so well.For his part, Tom was surprised she hadn't already tried to crawlinto his uniform with him.  She was driving him crazy between thesensations her lips and teeth were making on his back and the onesher hands were creating across his chest.  Just what did she havein mind for him?  And what ever it was, he wished that she wouldget on with it.Tiring of the slow pace, B'Elanna used her inherited Klingonstrength to spin Tom around, snarling in satisfaction as his bodyslammed against the turbolift wall.  She moved in quickly, claiminghis mouth with her own, not wanting to waste any more of whatlittle time they had.  Both gave in as the kiss quickly became oneborn of need and desire.  One would think that at some point theywould be satiated, that they would have had enough, but there wasjust something that seemed to happen when they came together.Discarding the data padd that hung uselessly in his hands, Tomtried to wrap his arms around the woman who was pressed tightlyagainst his body.  As B'Elanna pinned his arms to his sides, hequickly realized that she wanted to be in charge of this littletete a tete, her kisses moving purposely down to his neck."You know, this would be a lot more satisfy for us both if you'dlet me do more than just stand here," he grounded out betweenclenched teeth.B'Elanna smiled at his frustration and continued with her teasingof his neck, alternating between licking and nipping at his paleskin.  Ignoring the moans Tom was making, she felt his body totallyrelax.  Her smile deepened as she continued her assault, tracingthe lobe of his ear with her tongue.  The relationship they sharedscared her.  Never before had she been given the trust and freedomto act upon her feelings so extravagantly with a lover.  But thanTom wasn't just any other lover.  At least not to her.Sensing that B'Elanna had pretty much assumed that she was incontrol, he waited for an opening.  Not that he was complaining, byany means.  He had absolutely no problem with what she was doing tohim, he just wanted to participate as well.  Give as good as he wasbeing given.A few moments later, B'Elanna shifted positions to administer tothe features on the other side of his face, loosening her grip onhis arms.  Taking his cue, Tom inched one of his legs between hersand pushed forward with his upper body, completely throwing her offbalance.   As B'Elanna exclaimed in surprise, losing her hold onhim completely, Tom expertly and efficiently reversed theirpositions, pushing his dark haired beauty to the turbolift wall,meshing his body to hers.  B'Elanna growled at him as he grinnedand leaned over to first plant a kiss on her ridged forehead andthan once again claim her mouth, taking his time to explore itsvaried textured surfaces with his tongue.While Tom took his revenge by slowly torturing her, B'Elanna beganto unzip his uniform jacket.  The time for game playing was over. She wanted him and she wanted him now.  Sensing her thoughts, Tombroke the kiss and took a step back.They stared at each other, lust filled blue eyes to brown ones,while they both tried to catch their breath.  They didn't have muchtime left.  Eventually, someone was going to realize that theturbolift had been halted and put it back into motion.  Both hopedthat it would be after they were done.  Neither wanted to spendtime on report.  Not to mention the embarrassment of being caughtin such a compromising position.Both sensing the others desire and need, they moved together.  Allthoughts of possible repercussions disappeared.  He wanted her andshe obviously wanted him too.  That was all the motivation thatthey needed.*****Captain Kathryn Janeway stood in the shuttle bay, surveying thefinal preparations being made for the away mission.  It was simple,really, Voyager was in need of mineral and food supplies.  Theminerals more than the food.  Sensors had detected an uninhabitedplanet several light-years away rich in mineral deposits, but theplace was a virtual waste land.  They could get all the rawmaterials they needed, but none of the food.  Which presented themwith an all to familiar predicament.In their recent travels, they had met up with several traders whospoke of a planet notorious for it's abundance of foodstuffs andit's willingness to trade.  Only problem, it was in the oppositedirection of the supply of minerals.  Not wanting to miss anopportunity when it presented itself, she decided to send an awayteam to make contact and obtain any supplies they could.She watched as Commander Chakotay and Ensign Harry Kim directedvarious crew members in stocking the long range shuttle.  Allcalculated, they figured round trip would probably take ten totwelve days, with Voyager and the shuttle scheduled to rendezvousback at their current position.  As always, there was the feelingof dread whenever she had to send members of her crew out into theunknown of the Delta Quadrant, but they were use to this.  With noStarfleet to fall back on, they had to rely on themselves and takeadvantage of the opportunities that came along.But that didn't stop her from worrying.  These people had becomeher family and she had no desire to lose any of them."Everything about ready, Commander?" she asked as the last of thesupplies were loaded.  Paris had been put in charge of the missionand she had been expecting to find him already here, overseeing thepreparations.  Instead, she had found Chakotay and Kim doing hiswork for him.  Curious about his absence, she had queried thecomputer for his location.  Noting that more than ten minutes hadpassed since the computer had divulged that he was in a turbolifton his way there, she idly wondered what was keeping him.  It wouldjust be like Paris to go and get himself hurt or into troublebefore leaving on such a long away mission.  It was a constantwonder to her how one man could attract so much bad luck.  Or maybeit was just a large case of dumb luck.  Who knew."All supplies have been loaded and all systems check out okay,"Voyager's first officer reported while walking over to hiscommanding officer, coming to stop by her side, "they're ready togo.""Just missing one pilot," she commented dryly, casting her eyesabout the spacious room, coming to rest on her first officer. While his attention was focused on making entries on the data paddin his hands, she took the moment to study his features.  Darkhair, dark skin and that irresistible tattoo, all features thatperfectly offset her own short, strawberry blonde hair, fair skinand light eyes perfectly.  She shook her head, sighing in theprocess.  What was she thinking?"Something wrong?" Chakotay asked, seemingly oblivious to herscrutiny.  This was an old game between them.  Always willing tolook, but never willing to touch."I hate that we're having to separate to do this," she voiced herconcerns, looking into his brown eyes, wanting to get lost in them. No matter what their personal turmoil, she knew he'd back herwithout question if she changed their mission plans, even thislate, "We could go and mine the minerals we need and then go getthe supplies.  It's not like we're that pressed for time.  But thenagain, why waste time if we don't need to."Chakotay smiled and just listened as she debated the issue withherself.  She had already made her decision and unless somethingcame along to show her that it was the wrong one, they would gowith the planned separation.Before either could comment further, the shuttle bay doors openedand a disheveled Tom Paris sprinted through.  Taking a look at hermission leader, she placed her hands on her hips and addressed theman coming to a stop before her, trying not to let on to heramusement, "Usually when someone reports for duty, Mr. Paris, theyare to be properly attired."Tom cast her a questioning look before glancing down at hisuniform.  Shifting his duffle bag, he mumbled an apology and tuckedin his turtle neck, silently cursing B'Elanna for not telling himthat he hadn't gotten his clothes back on properly.  It was afterall her fault that he was in the state he was in and late on top ofthat."Mr. Paris," Janeway continued in her best command voice, "Ithought that you would have been here to oversee the preparationsfor your away mission.  Instead, you show up late looking like youjust dragged yourself out of bed.  Care to explain?"Self-consciously clearing his throat, Tom tried not to shuffle hisfeet while avoiding the questioning looks his superior officerswere giving him.  He could feel his skin turning a bright shade ofred.  Of all days for B'Elanna to want to have her way with him ina turbolift.  "I, uh, was delayed?" he stated simply, trying not tosmile.Janeway gave him her sternest, disapproving look.  Just what had hebeen up to?  Before she could ask, the doors opened once again toadmit a slightly rumpled B'Elanna Torres.  Janeway took one look ather and rolled her eyes.  It was more than obvious what had delayedthe pilot.Keeping her face a mask of professionalism, she nodded to her chiefengineer as she made her way over to them, and then turned herattention back to Paris, noting that he looked like a little boywho'd just got caught doing something he knew he shouldn't havedone.  Sighing inwardly, she asked, "Mr. Paris, do you have theconn schedule?"She heard Chakotay cough to cover his laugh as B'Elanna cast thema sheepish look and handed the report over.  While accepting thedata padd, Janeway continued to scrutinize her two junior officersand wondered if maybe she should press the matter.  Then sheremembered where the computer had said the young man was and thatit had taken an awfully long time for that lift to reach itsdestination.  No doubt, if she asked, she'd end up with more thanshe ever wanted to know."Do you have any questions about your mission?" Janeway asked,returning to the reason they were gathered together, deciding therewere some things that one didn't need to know about."No, ma'am.""All the information we have about the Rivvans has been uploaded tothe shuttle's computer, along with the flight plan and long rangesensor readings.  Make sure you study the information before makingcontact.  We don't want any incidents," ignoring the who me look onTom's face, she continued, "As soon as you're clear, Voyager willbe heading out.  You'll be out of communications range withintwenty-four hours."  She still had an uneasy feeling and attributedit to the man before her.  Some days he was absolutelyirrepressible."The shuttle's been checked out," Chakotay continued the informalbriefing, handing Tom the data padd he'd been fiddling with,"Crewmen Gerron and Ayala are already aboard.""Anything else?" Tom asked, switching from little boy to Starfleetofficer before their eyes as he accepted the proffered instrument. When no one said anything, he added, in the way only Tom Pariscould, "Well then, I guess we'll see you all later."Janeway held her tongue at the non-regulation remark.  "Good luck,Ensign."Nodding his head at his commanding officers he turned toward theshuttle, shooting a special smile at B'Elanna.  She answered itwith a smile of her own, knowing that the next two weeks were goingto be extremely lonely and long.  She wanted the mission to be overalready so they could return to their previous activities.Shaking his head, Tom climbed into the shuttle.  He hadn't evenleft and he was already starting to miss her."Harry, unless you're coming along, I would suggest you get out,"Tom stated to his best friend as he stowed his things and climbedinto the pilot's seat, "'cause this ship is leaving, with orwithout you.""I can tell when I'm not wanted around," the Asian Ensign commentedwhile displaying a wounded look."No offense, there buddy, but you're holding us up," Tom threw backwhile beginning his pre-flight check.Harry just shook his head.  "You've got a one track mind," hestated while gathering his things.  He knew exactly what his friendwas thinking- the sooner he left, the sooner he'd be back and inB'Elanna's arms.  "Good luck, Tom," Harry called as he moved toexitthe shuttle, "try to stay out of trouble this time.""Harry, Harry, Harry," Tom responded, turning in his chair to facehis friend, "Have you no faith in my abilities?"Rolling his eyes, Harry just laughed and walked out the door,letting it slide shut behind him.Returning his attention to the flight preparations, Tom noticedthat Ayala and Gerron were trying their best not to laugh.  Tomsighed and wondered why the Captain couldn't have let B'Elanna comealong.  She would have been much better company for him.Harry joined his fellow officers as they watched Tom effortlesslymaneuver the shuttle out of it's holding cell and into the waitingdarkness of space.  As it jumped to warp, Janeway again had thenagging feeling that something just wasn't right.  Shaking herhead, she chalked it up to over protectiveness and brushed thenegative thoughts aside."Commander," she called, breaking the silence that had descended asthey watched the shuttle disappear from sight, "let's get goingourselves."  Without waiting for a response, she walked out thedoors, knowing that her officers weren't far behind her.*****"Paris!  Paris!"Tom turned at the gleeful cries of his name.  A tired, loving smilespread across his pale, worn features as he watched the littlered-haired, five year old girl run down the aisle toward him. Pulling himself up from the chair he had been occupying, ignoringthe stiffness of his muscles and joints, his blue eyes tracked heras she bound his way.  Her cheerfulness brought a bright spot tothe suffering and death they were surrounded by.It had been nearly two weeks since he had sent Ayala and Gerronback to Voyager for help.  Help that he had hoped would have comelong before now.  The information that they had been given wasslightly out dated and their mission to obtain supplies turned intoone of mercy.  The Rivvans were suffering from some type of plague,one that their medical researchers had not been able to identify orfind a cure for.  One that Paris couldn't let them just succumb towithout attempting to help.Without having to think about it, he had the shuttle's medicalsupplies beamed down and then told Ayala and Gerron to return toVoyager.  He was leaving it to them to explain what was going onand to bring her back to help, hoping that with Voyager's moreadvanced medical equipment and knowledge a cure could be found.Paris may have been the outcast during his time on Voyager, butthat didn't mean the others in his away team were just going toabandon him under such conditions, leaving him alone among a peoplethat he didn't even know.  But Tom proved just how stubborn andsacrificing he could be.  Pulling rank, he ordered them to leave,not letting either risk themselves to the unknown disease that hadalready wiped out a fourth of the planet's population.  Grudgingly,the two men broke orbit, taking with them samples of blood and bodyfluids for their Doctor to study.  Hopefully he would be able tofind a cure by the time they returned.Seemingly immune to the debilitating effects of the disease, Tommoved among the sick, offering aid and comfort where he could.  Hisoptimism and pleasant smile giving hope that eventually a curewould be found.  Even during the first days, when the smell ofdecaying flesh and death hung thickly in the air, he continued tobelieve that there could be a positive ending.  Somehow, someway,everything would work out for these people.  They just had to holdon until help arrived.As the end of the first week approached, his optimism began to sagjust a little.  The sight of the dead and dying was haunting him atnight, making it difficult to sleep.  More and more people werebeing taken by the day, by the hour.  His mind began to wonder-What if Voyager arrived too late?  What if they arrived, but therewas nothing they could do?  Had he made a mistake by staying? Would he also become one of the many nameless, faceless victims?With a smile that reached to the very core of his blue eyes, Tomheld out his arms as his little angel flung herself into his arms,wrapping her own around his neck and resting the side of her headagainst his.  Returning the hug with just as much enthusiasm, heasked, "What have you been up to, Miss Ahgy?""I was playing.  But Batta says it's nap time," she stateddisappointedly, pulling back to look at Tom's face, "could you tellme a story, one to keep the bad dreams away?" she asked shyly.This had been their ritual for more than a week, ever since he hadfound her huddled by one of the many beds, her tiny hands claspedin the lifeless ones of her mother.  He had picked her up and heldher while she cried, whispering gentle words of comfort until thetears abated.  Tom later learned that her mother had been the lastof her family, all the others had already been taken by the plague.Just as much as she had needed some one, so had he.  In the daysthat followed, they became inseparable.  Where ever he went, so didshe.  Many commenting that she was his little shadow.  Tom was justgrateful that she had come into his life.  Because of her hislonging for Voyager, his friends and especially one very specialwoman, stopped being so painful.Holding her in his arms, he walked out of the large room, to asmaller one toward the back of the building.  Many of the sick hadbeen transported to the large buildings in the main cities with thethought that caring for everyone in one place would be easier thanhaving to travel all over the countryside.  The number of the sickfar exceeded the number of people who could care for them, they hadno one that could go house to house.Laying her down on the bed, he removed her shoes and pulled hisStarfleet issue blanket up to her shoulders.  Placing a kiss on herforehead, he sat down on the simple, wooden chair next to the bed. The room wasn't much, but it was their's, a place for them toescape the horrors that existed on the other side of the walls.  Aplace for them to pretend that all was well and they had nothing tobe afraid of.  Getting comfortable, he asked, "So, what story doyou want to hear today?""Tell me about Voyager," her soft voice demanded as she snuggledunder the blanket, turning her small frame so she could see hisface, "I like it when you tell about your ship.""All right than, a story about Voyager."  Tom tried not to smile,imagining what Captain Janeway would think of his little angelcalling Voyager his ship.  Closing his eyes, he thought about themany things that he could tell her.In the last week he had already recounted many tales for hisfixated audience and Ahgy had listened to them all, hanging onevery word as he spoke.  Her eyes lighting up as he told of theadventures that the great Starship and her mighty crew had faced. "Well, there is the story of Kes.""Yeah, that one," she nodded her head in agreement, her eyes widewith anticipation.Tom smiled, folding his arms across his chest and relaxing back inthe chair, "Okay, then.  Once upon a time...""Wait!" Ahgy exclaimed, sitting up and looking around the roomfrantically, "Where's Fus?!""I'll find him," Tom reassured her, standing up to look around thesmall room.  He quickly found the missing Fus under the bed,exactly where she had placed him that morning for safety.  "Hereyou go," he said while placing the ragged looking stuffed animal inher arms and nudging her to lay back down.  He had quickly come torealize that it was the last thing she had left that was hers andshe used it as an object of comfort and security while she slept.Sitting back down, he waited for her to get settled, Fus huggedtightly to her chest.  When she looked up at him, her brown eyeswide with anticipation, he took that as his cue and he began, "Onceupon a time...."****Two more days passed and still there was no sign of Voyager. Totally exhausted, Tom finished with his latest pass of the roomand then collapsed on the nearest, empty bed.  He and the fewothers that hadn't attracted the disease, had been working almostnon-stop doing what they could for those laid out around the roomsin the various buildings scattered threw out the city.  It justnever seemed to be enough.  But no matter how futile it seemed, hecouldn't stop, couldn't give up on them.  Even the dying needed toknow that someone cared about them."Paris, please, you must wake up."The persistent shaking of his shoulder and the frantic wordsquickly brought him awake.  He hadn't realized that he'd evenfallen asleep until he was struggling to open his eyes.  Rubbinghis hands across his face, he sat up, vaguely wondering how longhe'd been out.  Focusing on the petite, gray haired woman standingin front of him, he drew in a deep breath and stood up, "What'swrong Batta?""I'm sorry, Paris."Tom saw the unguarded sadness in the woman's eyes before she bowedher head, unable to look at him."No!" he gasped between clenched teeth, closing his eyes andshaking his head."We found her a few minutes ago," Batta tried to explain."Where?" he asked, his closed lids unable to stop the tears thathad begun to roll down his face."She's in your room," she reached out her hand as he went to movepast her, "Paris, she's too little.  There's nothing..."She stopped talking as Tom continued to shake his head vehemently. He wasn't going to lose her.Dropping her hand, Batta stepped to the side, "I am sorry," shestated again to his retreating form, her heart breaking for him. Without being asked and without thought to himself, he had stayedto help them.  Giving everything to care for those who could nolonger care for themselves.  And now, the one ray of hope he hadfound was quickly fading away.  Batta cursed anyone and everyonefor the state of her people.They had tried to always live in peace, giving to those who were inneed, helping who ever came their way.  When the disease began, itbecame their turn to seek for help.  But no matter the amount ofpleading, no one would come.  Instead, everyone fled, afraid theywould contract the disease if they even spoke to them.  Not thatshe could blame them.  Fear was a very powerful adversary and theknowledge that less than one percent of their population seemed tobe immune was proof enough that the risk was too great.  Until thepeople from Voyager came.She had watched in awe and trepidation as the blonde haired,uniformed man beamed down, figuring that he'd take one look attheir hopeless predicament and leave as fast as he'd come.  Insteadhe offered what help he could, sending those with him to bring backmore.  Everyday he kept saying, soon his ship would be there, soonthey would have a cure, soon everything would be okay.But with the imminent death of Ahgy, his little angel, Batta knewthat Paris's hope wouldn't last too much longer.  She hoped that hewas strong enough to survive the pain of losing her.Tom quietly stepped into his room and looked at the listless bodylaying on the bed, a shadow of the happy, playful person she hadbeen just that morning.  Walking over to her, he knelt down by theside of the bed, taking her small, frail hand in his own.  Thetears continued to fall as he watched her struggle against the painto open her eyes and look at him.  He smiled at her gently, hopingthat she could focus, see that it was him."Paris?"He fought down the sob that threaten to escape his throat, "Yes,it's me, angel."Her pale lips turned upward in a small smile as she asked, "Willyou tell me a story?" she struggled over each word, her breathcoming in painful gasps, "one to take the bad dreams away?"He stood and gently picked up her small body, his heart tearingwith each gasp of pain that escaped her pale lips.  Settlinghimself on the bed, his back to the wall, he held her close. Kissing her damp forehead, he began his tell of a place far away,where they were together, laughing and playing, where there was nopain, only happiness and love.As he talked, his eyes roamed over her face, memorizing every line,every tiny feature.  They had found each other, had so little timetogether and now she was leaving him.  He fought to control hisvoice, he had to finish the story, had to finish it for her.Batta stood in the doorway, feeling so much older as she watchedhim lovingly cradle the little girl's small, frail body.  He spoketo her softly, brushing a hand across her fevered forehead as hetold her the tale.The disease had been a fickle one, attacking without thought to ageor sex.  In one victim it would slowly consume them, in the next,it attacked quickly, taking them before a good-bye could be said. She again cursed whatever had brought this death to them.  If shecould, she would trade places, give Ahgy the chance to experiencea full life.  But it was not to be.She watched as Ahgy struggled with her last breath, her small bodygoing limp in the arms that held her.  The sight and sounds of thegrieving had become common place for her over the weeks since thedisease began to decimate then, she hadn't cried since those firstfew days.  But as she watched Tom wrap his trembling arms aroundthe small, lifeless body, pulling it tightly to his chest, itbecame too much for her.  She backed out of the room, tearsstreaming silently down her face.  When was it going to end, shethought bitterly, when would this nightmare end?Much later, as his tears slowly subsided, Tom took one last look atAhgy's precious little face.  "I'm sorry," he whispered to her ashe leaned over to place one last kiss on her forehead.  Taking adeep breath, he stood up and walked out of the room.Batta walked over to him as he emerged and held out her arms.  Asshe had done for countless others, she would prepare her small bodyfor burial.Tom shook his head at her out stretched arms, his dull, pain filledeyes silently pleading with her to understand.  He couldn't saveher life, but he could at least see her body safely to it restingplace.  It was the least he could do for her.Stepping aside, Batta allowed him to pass.  She had seen the lookin his eyes many times over, one of a father who had just lost hisbeloved only child.  She understood his need to do this.*****Three days later, Voyager finally arrived, cure in hand.  CaptainJaneway, flanked by the Doctor and Commander Chakotay had beameddown, anxious to find their missing officer and friend.  What theyfound was a man that was a shell of the person they knew.  Hismovements were mechanical, almost as if it was a struggle to doanything and his eyes, usually so bright and full of expression,were lifeless and dull.  From what Ayala and Gerron had told them,they knew things were bad, but Tom's face told them it had beenmuch worse than they had ever imagined.  Janeway cursed theaccident in engineering that had delayed their arrival.  Fateseemed to hand Tom Paris another raw deal.Over the next few hours, people from Voyager were beamed down tohelp administer to the sick, giving everyone doses of the cure theDoctor had found.  The results were almost non-existent at first,many fearing that the great Starship had indeed arrived too late. But as the hours passed, slowly, improvements could be seen.  Itwas working.Although, not for everyone.  There were those that were just toofar gone and no amount of medicine was going to save them.  Forthem, they could do nothing more than offer relief from the painand a small amount of companionship.Two days later, the survivors began to stir from their beds.  Itwas time to try and piece what remained of their lives backtogether.  In total, more than two-thirds of the population hadfallen victim to the still unnamed disease.  They had never everfound it's origins.  There were many speculations, but no oneseemed to really care, it was over.*****"Doctor," Janeway called to her medical officer as she and Chakotaymade their way over to the hologram.Four days after their arrival, almost everyone had recovered enoughto leave the main cities and head toward their homes.  The few thatremained were quickly improving and were being moved to the centralhospitals.  Soon the buildings would no longer be giant hospitalsand mortuaries, they would be cities, communities, once more.Her crew had helped out as best they could, even transportingpeople to their homes to save them from having to travel longdistances.  It had been difficult to watch as the people, nowrecovering, could openly grieve for their loss.  Janeway tried notto focus on it, they had done what they could.  She just wishedthat they could have arrived sooner.  Maybe if they had, they couldhave saved more lives.  Especially that one little life that hadmeant so much to her chief helmsman."How is everything?" she asked as he closed his tricorder andturned to them."Although we have been unable to determine the exact cause andorigin of the disease," the Doctor stated boastfully, "it is safeto say that it is gone.  The Rivvan physicians and I all believethat we have successfully wiped it out.""That's good to hear, Doctor," Janeway stated, reflecting thegrateful smile that Chakotay had on his face.  The nightmare wasfinally coming to an end.  At least for some, she thought as hereyes fell upon the lone figure of Tom Paris.  She watched as helistlessly walked between the few occupied beds at the other end ofthe room.  He hadn't spoken more than two words to anyone sincetheir arrival.  "What about Tom?""He's suffering from exhaustion and malnutrition," the Doctorstated, following her gaze to the man across the way, "My initialscans showed that he had the beginning stages of the disease, butwe've been able to successfully treat him.  As for the rest," heturned to face them, his eyes showing his own sadness and concern,"He's going to need time and more than likely a bit of counseling. Commander, I believe that would fall under your realm of things."Chakotay nodded his head.  He had involuntarily become Voyager'scounselor, a job that he had been trying his best to do.  But howwas he suppose to help Tom Paris through something like this?  Theyoung man had shut himself off, not letting anyone near him,including his best friends, B'Elanna Torres and Harry Kim.  Hewished for the disheveled, irrepressible man that had left Voyagerall those weeks ago.  They all did.He would have to consult his spirit guide over this one and hopethat something would get Paris to drop his walls and let them in.****That afternoon, the crew of the Starship Voyager began to return totheir ship, it was time for them to continue with their ownjourney.  Janeway watched as the last group gathered at the beam upsight.  Her eyes filled with concern as Tom walked over to them,not acknowledging anyone, even B'Elanna and Harry as they took uppositions on either side of him.As Janeway accepted the final farewells and thank yous from thesurviving members of the Rivvan government, she watched as Battamade her way over to them, coming to a stop in front of Tom.  Theother members of the group watched as she pulled out his hands andset a ratty looking mess of stuffed material in them."She would want you to have this.  To remember her by," Battastated as she watched Tom's listless eyes focus on the animal,"Remember her always.  She loved you dearly."  Squeezing his handsaround the mass of stuffing, she placed a kiss on his check andthen turned and walked away.Janeway and the others watched as Tom just stared at the object inhis hands, the expression on his face was one of confusion. Looking toward her first officer, she returned his small,comforting smile.  They all knew Tom needed time, she understoodthat, but it was so hard to see him standing there looking so aloneand lost.Motioning for everyone to take their positions, she waved goodbyeand called for Voyager to beam them up.  As they materialized inthe transporter room, she stepped down from the platform, anxiousto get underway.  The others followed her, also wanting to put theplanet and it's nightmares behind them.Noticing that Tom wasn't beside her, B'Elanna turned to see himstill standing where he materialized.  "Tom?" she askedtentatively, stepping toward him, unsure of what to do.The others stopped their departure and turned to look at thedesolate man."Why?" he asked so softly, the others weren't sure that he had evenspoken.  Silence hung in the air, no one knew what to say to him.The tears he had denied, began to fall, one after the other, downhis grief stricken face.  The pain in his heart had become toomuch.  He had tried to shut it away, tried to push past it.  Wasn'tthat what he was suppose to do?  Wasn't he suppose to live hislife, even though apart of it had died with that little girl andhad been buried with her on the planet below?  What was he going todo?  How was he suppose to go on without her?Unable to hold himself upright, Tom crashed to his knees, his handsstill wrapped around Fus, Ahgy's precious stuffed animal.  B'Elannawas instantly beside him, wrapping him in her arms, bringing hishead to rest against her shoulder.  She wanted so much to take awayhis pain, wishing that he hadn't had to loose something, someone,so dear to him.Chakotay stopped the others from going to the couple.  There wouldbe a time for them to offer Tom their support and comfort, but nowwas not it.  Silently, he moved everyone out of the room, leavingB'Elanna to help the distraught man, hoping that her love would beenough to see them both through the pain and anguish Tom wasexperiencing.