The Star Trek: Voyager premise and its characters belong to Paramount Studios. No infringement on Paramount's rights is intended.  This round robin group story was written by fans and is meant for fun only.  Please keep this disclaimer attached to the file.Plasma ChillsB'Elanna looked up at the engine's pulsing blue plasma core and shivered.  Blue is a cold color and B'Elanna was catching a cold.  With all the advancements in science, everyone was still baffled by the common cold."Great," she muttered aloud to no one.  She hadn't realized that the comforting pulse of the great engines would make her wish for her bed and hot tea.  What she didn't want at that minute was an emergency or an emergency medical holograph.  She turned to find Vorik standing there.   She sneezed and he leaped out of the way.  "Sorry, Vorik.  I hab a code in my node," she said as she sneezed again.  The usual calm unemotional Vulcan made a face and scurried away."Great," she muttered again, thinking, *A Vulcan makes a face and I don't have a camera.  No one will ever believe me and I feel lousy.*She realized she was alone in Engineering.  "I don' hab the plague, just a code!" she announced.  She leaned up against a panel.  *They can cure the plague, they can cure Antarian fungus, they can cure all sorts of hideous diseases that would make a Klingon quake, but they can't cure the common cold,* she thought, glaring at the empty engine room.  Then loudly she announced, "I'b going to my quarders, you can all come oud from hiding."  She sneezed again.As the Engineering doors whooshed shut, Vorik and two other ensigns wearing protective face coverings and carrying what looked like cans of antiseptic spray (carefully acquired from Sickbay), entered and immediately began spraying the entire area.  The doctor had said the spray might help.  Fortunately they hadn't heard the resulting conversation after all three were safely out of Sickbay.  Kes had looked at the doctor asking, "Might help?  That?""Well, it can't hurt, and it will make them feel better," he had said."But they aren't the ones who are sick!""Whatever," shrugged the doctor. Back in her quarters, B'Elanna, comfortably ensconced in her red satin pajamas, replicated herself a cup of Tarkalian tea and a box of tissues.  She then headed for bed where she crawled under the covers.  *This is miserable,* she thought, taking another sip of tea.  *I can't breathe, I can't even think.  Wonder what was in that disgusting stuff?  The computer said it was a "make-my-symptoms-go-away-drain-my-head-so-I-could-breathe" kind of medicine.*  She fluffed up her pillow and sipped more of the tea.  It felt wonderful on her scratchy throat.  Then she leaned back, balancing the cup in her lap.  *Let's see, what do I have to do tomorrow?* -- sniff -- *Tomorrow I have to realign the plasma coils, they're getting out of synch.  They -- hic -- need to be in perfect balance.*  She felt the warm, slightly uncomfortable sensation of a drug induced sleep stealing over her as the warm tea began to relax her aching body.  *Perfect balance.  Like matter/anti-matter.  Like time/anti-time.  Like two dancers swirling across a ballroom floor, waltzing to the music, complementing each other.  In a blue gown, just the color of his eyes . . . .*B'Elanna jerked awake, sloshing a little of the tea on herself.  *Great Conquering Kahless!  Blue eyes?  Where did *that* come from?  Just what was *in* that stuff?!*  She finished off the tea and jumped out of bed, putting the empty cup back in the replicator and resetting it.  Wearily she slid back under the covers and sank toward oblivion.  A few seconds later, she sat up suddenly, angrily grabbed a handful of tissues and blew noisily.  She flopped back just as her door chime sounded."Abandon hope, all ye who enter here," she intoned, sitting up again.  Agitated, she glanced around, then wadded up the tissues and tossed them in the general direction of the bathroom."No, thanks," said Chakotay from the relative safety of the door.  "I just came to see if you are okay.  Vorik reported that you blew up at him.""On him.  Not 'at' him.  Get it right, Chakotay," she replied, plopping back into a supine position, sleepiness abruptly overtaking her diseased body.Chakotay raised his eyebrows a couple of centimeters.  "I conferred with the doctor.  He said for you to rest, drink some juice, and contact him in the morning.""Rest.  Juice.  Morning.  Got it.""The doctor checked the Medicine Requests Log.  He told me you had replicated a cold syrup to help ease the symptoms.""Mmmmm," she said."Well, don't replicate any Tarkalian tea, B'Elanna.  It's got a weird side effect on Klingons who are also taking ColdMed4.  B'Elanna?  Did you hear me?""Rest.  Juice.  Eyes." she mumbled drowsily.Chakotay turned to go, satisfied B'Elanna and Tarkalian tea would not be getting to know each other better any time soon.  He started down the corridor, then paused.  "Ice?"  Paging Sickbay, he asked Kes if she could bring B'Elanna some ice.*****Tom looked at the sleeping B'Elanna, then at all the tissues lying around.  She really was sick.  He got up, went to the replicator and requested more Tarkalian tea and a new box of tissues.  As he walked over she sneezed waking herself again.  Grabbing the proffered tissue, she looked at him foggily.  Another sneeze seized her aching body.  *Someone will pay for this misery,* she thought.Glaring at Tom's concerned face, she snarled, "Paris, what are you doing here?""Hello to you, too" was his reply.  "Chakotay said you wanted some ice.  I was the lucky one who happened by Sickbay just then so I got drafted.  Here, have some tea.  It's supposed to be good for you."  Cautiously sipping the hot tea, she began to sober up.  She also began to cough.  Helpfully, Tom handed her some cold syrup from her night stand.  She took two capfuls and washed the taste out with another swig of tea.  Within seconds, the combination of drug and tea began to work.  B'Elanna rose to her knees on the bed and looked Tom in the eyes.  She giggled and said, "Your eyes are as blue as my warp engines -- hic -- my engines, they -- hic -- need re-aligning -- hic -- and so do your eyes."Without warning, she punched Tom right between the eyes.  He went down, out cold.  "Oops," she said.  "Torres to Sickbay.  Mr.  Paris had an accident, he's -- hic -- on my floor -- *sneeze* --  Shall I drag him to the engine room?"B'Elanna leaned over Tom and pried his eyes open.  "Pretty, pretty eyes, like my pretty blue warp core," she cooed.  *I want pretty eyes like Tommy,* she decided, and started pulling Tom's eyelashes.  "I want pretty warp core eyes like my shweet liddle Dommy, pretty eyes," she purred, pulling and tugging at Tom's eyelashes.Tom came to only to find B'Elanna on her knees beside him muttering something about blue eyes and her warp core.  "OW!" he shrieked, as B'Elanna pulled yet another eyelash from him.  "What are you doing to me?!"B'Elanna held the blond eyelash in front of Tom's now aching eyelids, and smiled brightly.  Looking at her, Tom thought she looked just like a child who, thinking she had done something useful, had instead made everything worse.  *Much worse,* decided Tom, rubbing his eyelids.  He got to his feet and started backing away, hoping to get to the door before she noticed.  No such luck."Tommy, why are you leaving with your pretty warp core eyes?" B'Elanna asked, sadly.  "Don't you like me?""Sure, I like you.  Though for some reason, B'Elanna, when people punch me and try to pull my eyelashes out I don't appreciate it too much," Tom replied as kindly as he could, still backing away slowly, wanting to lunge at the door.B'Elanna started to cry.  "Tommy's being selfish," she sobbed.  "He doesn't want to share his pretty eyes with anyone.""Wonderful," moaned Tom softly.  "Now's she *crying* on me.  I'm no good with crying women!  What do I say?"  He took another couple of steps back then paused undecided.  *Hold it a minute, Paris.  B'Elanna just knocked you out, destroyed your eyelashes, and you're trying to think of ways to console her?  Are you nuts?*  But try as he might, he couldn't leave with B'Elanna wailing like a newborn."Dommy doesn't like me, he's so selfish," sobbed B'Elanna.  In the middle of whining about how unfair it was that she didn't have warp core eyes, she fainted dead away.Tom was stunned.  "Paris to Sickbay.""Kes here.""Kes, B'Elanna just fainted.""Fainted?  Klingons don't faint.""Well apparently this one does," Tom informed Kes, looking down at B'Elanna's motionless form, still massaging his eyelids."What was she doing before she fainted?" Kes asked."Moaning about the fact that she doesn't have eyes like mine.""What?  Why in the world would she do that?""I have no clue.  I was completely shocked.  All I did was give her Tarkalian tea and some cold medicine."  Hearing Kes moan softly on the other end of the communicator, he abruptly demanded, "What's the matter?  You told me to keep her company, and I did.""Tom, in Klingons Tarkalian tea and cold syrup don't mix.  It causes them to become, um, inebriated."Tom's blue warp core eyes lit up with sudden understanding.  "You mean she was drunk?  Why didn't you tell me not to give her Tarkalian tea?  We both know how much she likes it.""Never mind.  Give me a minute and I'll be right there.  Kes out.""Great," muttered Tom.  "*Now* she tells me tea and cold syrup don't mix."*****B'Elanna woke up to find herself on her bed with Tom Paris looking at her suspiciously.  "Paris, what are you doing in my quarters?" she asked groggily, looking at Tom more closely.  He had a nasty looking bump between the eyes, and he kept rubbing his eyelids -- one of which was red and puffy.Tom looked shocked.  "You mean you don't remember?""No, the last thing I remember was you giving me some more tea and cold medicine.  Why?  Did something happen?"Tom snorted.  "Did something happen?  I'll tell you what happened.  First, you punched me out, right between the eyes, and then you kept muttering something about your warp core and my eyes.  Then you tried to pull all my eyelashes out!""I did what?  What would I want with your eyelashes?  And why would I punch you?" demanded B'Elanna belligerently as she started to get up, only to sway as the cold reminded her why she had gone to her quarters in the first place.  "Oh, never mind," she snapped.  "I'm going to sleep now, but first get out of my way so I can take my medicine and some tea.""Wait!  B'Elanna, that was what --" cried Tom belatedly, too late to stop B'Elanna from gulping down the remaining tea in her cup and the cold syrup.  Tom lunged toward the door, hoping and praying that he could make it, but, as luck would have it, he didn't."Tommy, don't go.  You still didn't give me your pretty, pretty eyes," whined B'Elanna.  "Please, Tommy, I'll do anything.  I want pretty eyes like my sweet little Tommy.  B'Elanna sat swaying on the bed, singing off key, "My little Tommy has pretty, pretty blue eyes, just like my warp core, warp core.  Tommy has such pretty eyes, oh, yes, he does, all the world wants to have his eyes, and my little Tommy has them." Tom leaned against the door and put his hands over his eyes.  "OUCH!"  *Don't do *that* again,* he thought.  He looked at the Chief Engineer, staggering around the room, an off-key burble emanating from her lips.  He sent out a mental plea, *KES!  Where are you?*  Then B'Elanna mercifully slid to the floor once more.  She lay there in an undignified heap.*Man, I hope she doesn't remember any of this!* he wished fervently.  Moving to her side, he dropped to one knee and began to straighten her into a less awkward position.  Dragging a blanket and pillow from the bed, he tried to make her more comfortable.  As he gazed at her, peacefully snoozing once more, he couldn't help thinking, *Is this one of my teenage fantasies or what?  I'm in a beautiful woman's quarters with her passed out.*  He snorted to himself.  *I've certainly come a long way since I was a teenager.  Besides, she'd rip me to shreds if she suspected I even thought such a thing!*  He tenderly smoothed the hair back from her forehead.  *Hey, it's kind of nice to feel like someone so independent needs me.  And she can't even glare at me!*  Reluctantly, he contemplated his feelings for this complicated half-Klingon woman stretched out before him.  She was the most unpredictable female he had ever known.  As reckless as himself, she was just "one of the guys" half the time, yet often startled him with a powerful femininity.  *How can those two things even go together?* he mused.  They certainly seemed to in B'Elanna!  Well, he couldn't resist just one stolen kiss!  He leaned over and gently touched his lips to hers.  Just then the door slid open.  There stood Kes in front of the doctor, a surprised look on her face.  "Oh, no," he moaned, turning slightly red.  Covering his eyes once again, he thought as he winced with pain, *Paris, you have the *worst* luck!*Kes stared at the blushing Paris kneeling on the floor over an unconscious B'Elanna.  What she saw didn't surprise her, but Tom's appearance did.  His nose was obviously broken and his left eyelid was very puffy.  The doctor brushed passed Kes, looked at the pair and said sharply, "Lieutenant, you look terrible and Ms. Torres will never get better if she insists on sleeping on the floor.  By the way, her breathing is fine; you did not need to administer artificial respiration."Getting up slowly, Tom muttered, "Thanks, I'll remember that."The two security guards commandeered as aides by the doctor entered the room red-faced and slightly breathless from their struggle to keep from laughing.  Continuing his exam, the doctor ordered B'Elanna moved to her bed and began to do a quick scan with his tricorder.  Dismissing the guards with a wave of his hand, he turned to Tom and asked, "Just how much cold medicine and Tarkalian tea did Ms. Torres have?"  Without waiting for an answer, he continued in annoyance, "No one on this ship can follow simple medical instructions.  I may as well not even be here.  Lucky I don't have feelings."  Turning to Tom he added, "Your nose is broken.  It must be packed and set before it stays like that.  And what happened to your eye?  No, don't tell me.  Klingon mating rituals?"Stunned, Tom shook his head in total denial."Humpf!"  snorted the doctor, then ordered, "Sickbay."Heading towards the door, Tom stopped and asked, "Will she be okay?""Yes," was all the doctor had time to say before B'Elanna woke and lunged for Tom.   Being much stronger than he looked, the doctor deftly stopped her.  Ordering a forcefield placed around her bed, he passed through it as if it didn't exist.  Speaking to her as if she were a small child, he tried to explain what was going on between her Klingon side and the side effects of the tea.   All she knew was that Pretty Warp Engine Eyes was about to leave.  Not caring about the forcefield, she stood on her bed, bounced twice, then threw herself at Tom -- bouncing off the forcefield and knocking herself out.  Luckily she landed on her bed.  Not thinking clearly himself, Tom rushed to help her.  He also bounced off the forcefield, landing not so gently on the floor out cold, again.The doctor looked from B'Elanna to Tom to Kes, then commented, "Physical pair, aren't they?"  Activating his combadge, he ordered, "Beam Lieutenants Torres and Paris immediately to Sickbay and put them both under restraints."  Smirking with pride in his judgment, he added to Kes, "At least there they can't continue to hurt themselves."*****Tom awoke to a strange sensation that he was being held down.  "B'Elanna, you need to get off me," he muttered.To his shock, it was the doctor's biting tone that answered, "I am not B'Elanna.  Hold still if you want me to finish to fixing your nose, unless you prefer to look like the loser in a Klingon brawl."*Oh, no!  Now he will never believe this was not part of the Klingon mating ritual!* Tom thought.  As he lay in sickbay, he could see the beautiful B'Elanna lying on the next bed only meters away.  He longed to hold her, but he could see he needed a long course in Klingon defense and physiology just to stay alive and healthy. B'Elanna woke and realized she couldn't move.  What was worse, the doctor was the one she saw when she opened her eyes.  "Where is my warp, uh, Tom, uh, where is Lieutenant Paris, AND WHY AM I BEING RESTRAINED?!"  B'Elanna roared in her semi intoxicated state, struggling to free herself."B'Elanna, everything is under control -- " Tom began.  He groaned, realizing control wasn't the best word to use, as B'Elanna struggled harder.  He started again.  "I'm right here, B'Elanna.  Everything is okay.  Tarkalian tea and cold medicine don't mix too well in Klingons and you, um, you, well, you sort of became intoxicated," he explained.B'Elanna stared at Tom, then at the doctor, then Kes, then back at Tom.  "You mean I . . . oh."  Greatly embarrassed, she turned to the doctor and demanded furiously, "Why didn't you tell me?""You didn't ask," the doctor replied primly.*Oh, that's great,* B'Elanna thought grimly.  *Tom knows intoxicated Klingons always show their true feelings.  Now he knows how I feel about him, about his eyes, those pretty warp engine blue eyes.  How will I *ever* explain this?* The doctor finished fixing Tom's nose and face.  His eyelashes would just have to grow back on their own.  Without further time wasted, he ordered him back to duty -- tomorrow.  Tom turned to ask how B'Elanna would be, but the doctor pointed towards the door and ordered him out.  B'Elanna, lying in restraints, glared at the doctor as he came over to her with a large glass filled with some kind of bright yellow liquid in one hand.  Releasing her bands, he helped her to sit.  Handing her the glass, he ordered, "All of it."  Cautiously, she sniffed.  "Drink!" he snapped, adding caustically, "Your inept search for a cure only compounded your problems.  Surely you don't intend to refuse something that will actually help?" "What is it?""Something to replace potassium and electrolytes -- I think old earth called it Alligator Juice."B'Elanna finished it, then began to get off the biobed."And just where do you think you're going?" demanded the doctor, handing her another glass of "alligator juice," this one colored blue.  "You're here for at least 48 hours, so just sit there and relax."*****During the morning staff meeting, the doctor, taking advantage of his portable holo emitter, explained that B'Elanna's reaction had been caused by her Klingon physiology reacting to the combination of cold medicine and Tarkalian tea.  The combination created very powerful hallucinogenic responses.  He requested keeping her in Sickbay for another 24 hours just to make sure it was purged out of her system.  After the meeting adjourned, everyone returned to their stations. Entering Sickbay, the doctor looked at a much improved B'Elanna and dryly announced, "You're here for another day.  Try to contain your obvious elation."Warily, B'Elanna asked, "What did you tell them?""I medically explained your actions and why you are not to be held responsible for them.  You weren't inebriated, you were drugged.  One dose of ColdMed4 and Tarkalian tea would have nasty side effects, but you had four doses in a relatively short period of time.  In Klingons, the effect is cumulative -- the more you take, the worse the effect will be.  It will not be completely out of your system even after I release you from Sickbay tomorrow.  You will need to drink lots of alligator juice.  By the way, which color tasted best to you?"  "The clear one" she replied flatly.  "The reddish pink one was the worst.""Thank you, I will note that.  When you are released, it will be to your quarters only.Here B'Elanna sneezed and the doctor fastidiously handed her a tissue, then moved away to clean his hands.  "You will have replicator privileges but you may NOT replicate anything without my permission.  Is that understood?" Relieved, she eagerly nodded.*****B'Elanna twisted uncomfortably in her bed and glared at the glass on her night stand.  "I am really getting sick of you, you know," she informed the glass.  The glass stood there unmoved.  Sighing, B'Elanna picked up the glass and began gulping it down.  *At least I'm not sneezing any more, and my head isn't splitting.*  She couldn't wait until she could choose her own drinks again.  She was almost done when her door chimed, startling her into spilling the stuff all over her red satin pajamas.  "Aggh," she yelled.  "Hold on, I'm coming," she snapped as the door chimed once again.  Quickly tying a red silk robe around herself she barked, "Come."Tom Paris entered looking slightly nervous.  "I hope this isn't a bad time?""Every time is a bad time," snarled B'Elanna, "if I have to drink any more of that stuff I think I'm going to kill the doctor."Tom sat down on the couch trying to hide his nervousness.  "Well, B'Elanna," he said soothingly, "I'm sure you won't have to drink it much longer."  The glare B'Elanna sent his direction warned him she was not in a amiable mood."Well, I, um, anyway, I just wanted to see if you're feeling better," said Tom, feeling flustered.  He wasn't sure why, but it probably had something to do with the silk robe B'Elanna was wearing.  It accentuated every curve and she definitely had nice ones.  Why was it that Starfleet uniforms hid a woman's figure anyway?"I'm fine," flashed B'Elanna.  "If I can't go back to work soon I'm going to scream."  Angrily pacing around the room, she growled, "Hogan and Carey are probably destroying Engineering right now.  If they do anything at all to my engines, I'm going to kill them."Tom murmured soothingly, "I'm sure they're taking good care of your pretty warp core engine, B'Elanna," he said, adding in a mutter, "they better be."  Realizing his inadvertent choice of words, a slight flush crept up his face.  He felt very uncomfortable sitting on her couch, but tried to not to show it.B'Elanna, mortified by his reference to her drug induced comments, fumed silently as Tom kept shifting awkwardly.  Deciding it was better to attack than sit there, she blurted out stiffly, "You don't have to force yourself to sit there.  I can do fine without your eyes."  *YOU IDIOT!  Why did you say 'eyes'?  The word was help!*Paris' face went even redder as he tried to think of how to get out of this one.  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to . . . .  His voice trailed off and he swore under his breath at his clumsiness.Her face dark with embarrassment and fury at herself, B'Elanna flared out at him, "Just leave me alone.""B'Elanna, I . . . ."  Tom reluctantly headed for the door as a dead silence filled the room.  He paused, thinking.  *This is really awkward.  We're both embarrassed by something so childish.  C'mon, Paris, time to act like a man.*  Slowly he turned and said quietly, "I don't know what to say."  An ironic laugh escaped, "I've always known exactly what to say to smooth over any situation and now I can't think of anything."Jolted into really looking at him, B'Elanna realized he was as embarrassed as she was.  Why should he be embarrassed?  It really was quite endearing to see him looking so nonplused."I don't like being mocked," she muttered to the floor."Mocked?"  Tom's shock was not feigned.  "I -- ""You obviously didn't want to be here."  Her tone was more aggressive now.Picking up the echoes of hurt feelings, Tom swallowed and said huskily, "I've never seen you in red satin before, B'Elanna, you . . . you look . . . uh, good.""'Good?'" she repeated suspiciously.He nodded, thinking wryly *Great move Tommy boy.  Never say a woman looks good.  Say she looks radiant, she's the most beautiful person in the universe or -- uh oh, here it comes.*"'Good?'  Well, thank you, Mr. Expert!"  B'Elanna jumped off the couch and started for Tom, with a look that sent him backing up abruptly."Hey, what are you so upset about!?  You do look good.  That robe accents every curve."  B'Elanna stopped in her tracks.  *Whew, Paris, keep it up, you're finally getting through to her.  She liked that.*"What did you just say to me?" Torres demanded."Uh, nothing.  Nothing much, just that you have great cur -- I mean . . . ."  His voice and assurance withered rapidly under her glare.  *Great move, Paris.  If you were hoping to make the trip home and get there still alive, you just blew your chances.*Torres grabbed a handful of his hair and marched him over to the door.  Slapping him with all her force, she knocked him outside as the door swished open.Captain Janeway and Chakotay were just walking past.  Torres, wavering slightly from the exertion, smiled wolfishly and moved back inside, the door silently shutting after her."Mr.  Paris, what is it with you and women?" Captain Janeway asked with patent disbelief dwelling on her face."My fatal, unfailing, famous charm?" Paris riposted, ruefully eyeing the closed door."From what I hear, it could be fatal for you," the captain replied dryly.As Tom picked himself up, Chakotay looked at him, and asked, "Are you in love with B'Elanna?"Caught off guard by the question, Tom couldn't believe that was really his voice replying quickly and confidently, "Yes, I am."  Obviously not expecting that answer, Chakotay stared at him in stunned amazement.  Hurriedly Tom excused himself and bolted around the nearest corner.What had happened to him?  He had never been able to say he loved someone, had never even thought about it, but now B'Elanna was all he was thinking about.  Ducking into Sandrine's, which was empty, Tom had a drink then left for his quarters.How empty his room seemed.  He stared at the stranger with his face in the mirror.  Something had to be wrong; he had never felt like this before.  Something caught his eye.  Looking down, he saw a padd lying open on his dresser.  Cautiously picking it up.  He stared in horrified fascination at the detailed description of Klingon relationships and mating rituals.  *What?*"Computer, who has been in my quarters in the last two hours?" he demanded."Insufficient data to reply," came the pleasant mechanical response.*Wonderful!  Does everyone on this blasted ship know I'm in love with B'Elanna?* he moaned silently.  Holding his aching, confused head, he moved wearily toward the bed, only to misjudge the distance and bump into it.  Already off balance, he went completely down as a large pillow flying through the air whacked him in the head.  "What -- who -- computer -- B'Elanna, how did you get in here?""Coming through the door was not beyond my resources," came the smug reply.  "I do have *some* talents, you know," she added.  "After all, I am Chief Engineer."  Glaring at him, she growled, "There's more to me than curves.""B'Elanna, what is up?  Are you okay?" Tom asked, thinking to himself, *She still must be intoxicated.  I better call Sickbay before -- *  Before he could say another word, everything went black.*****"Mr. Paris?  Lieutenant, please open your eyes," the doctor firmly requested. Tom opened his eyes to find himself in Sickbay surrounded by an intriguing and intrigued group: the doctor, glaring at him with a long suffering expressing; Kes, looking very concerned; the captain, who, although concerned, also seemed quite amused about something; and Chakotay, inscrutable as usual."Captain?  What am I doing in Sickbay?  I was in my quarters with a . . . with nobody." Tom muttered."You were obviously dreaming, Mr. Paris.  B'Elanna slapped you across the face and threw you outside the door.  After that you went for a little snooze."  The laughter in Chakotay's voice belied his grave announcement."That's putting it mildly," snorted the doctor.  "You have a broken cheek bone, Lieutenant.  I've repaired it as much as I could, but it will be sore for the next few days.  You may return to your quarters," he stated, adding immediately in an "I-doubt-it-will-happen tone," "and Lieutenant, this time try not to break anything else.""Well, thanks," Paris muttered as he fled Sickbay and scurried for his room.  Diving through the door, he aimed himself for the bed and everything went black.  From far away he heard someone calling, "Tom, Tom," and felt a gentle shaking on his shoulder.Opening his eyes, he saw Kes standing over him.  Tom lay there stunned for a moment and then, blinking a couple of times, he tried to sit up.  The doctor's hand on his other shoulder wasn't necessary to hold him down as he nearly passed out."Just relax, Mr. Paris, you had a violent reaction to the medicine used to reduce the swelling of your nose and eyes," the doctor calmly stated.  "Lucky for you, Mr. Kim came to see if you wanted to join him for breakfast before your shift.  He found you on the floor sweating profusely and babbling something about your hair, red pajamas, and trying to answer some question the commander asked you.""Huh?  What?"  Still very foggy from reaction, Tom blurted, "Is B'Elanna okay?" before his brain caught up with him, at which point he blushed a deep red and stammered, "She was, um, her reaction, I -- "With a martyred sigh, the doctor snapped testily, "I released Lieutenant  Torres to her quarters this morning.  She is restricted, however, and will be for two more days.  You, on the other hand, will be with me for a few more hours.  If," he paused and looked sternly at Tom, "IF you can manage not to injure yourself any more during that time, you may be allowed to go back to your quarters."Sinking back into the biobed, Tom thought, *Great.  Now *I'm* the one hallucinating.*Later that afternoon Harry dropped by to see his friend.  Finding him asleep, he turned to leave but then Tom stirred, moaning slightly.  Slowly his eyes opened and focused on Harry's concerned face.  Blinking, he said, "I had the strangest dream, Harry.  I was in B'Elanna's quarters and she had on red pajamas, and she attacked me.  No, not that way," he said when he saw Harry's reaction.  "She belted me; I went flying out her door, and there was the commander and the Captain.  The commander asked me a question and then I don't remember much.  It was so weird."Harry tried hard not to laugh as he innocently replied, "But Tom, it's all true.  B'Elanna did injure you."Totally appalled, Tom implored, "Harry, tell me you're joking."  As Harry burst out laughing Tom moaned in acute embarrassment.  "Please, Harry, say this is a joke."  Realizing that at least part of his dream had to be reality, Tom next begged, "Harry, if you are truly my friend, keep me away from B'Elanna for a while."Still laughing, Harry said, "That won't be hard; you're stuck here and she is stuck in her quarters with a quarantine lock on her door.  After you are released, she will still be stuck there.  Even if you wanted to visit, you couldn't."  Thoughtfully, he continued, "I guess you could use the ship's internal communication system, but I'll keep you from that, too, if you want."Smiling weakly, Tom replied dryly, "Thanks, pal."Casually Harry added, "I just finished uploading a new holodeck program from the computer banks.  If the doctor lets you out and says you're okay, want to try it with me?"Shuddering, Tom raised an eyebrow and looked at Harry.  His last program had left Tom covered in mud with another lieutenant he would rather not think about right now.   "Ah, maybe tomorrow Harry.  I'm still not up to it."Disappointed, Harry sighed, "Okay, I'll let you know how it is.  Right now, I have to get back to Ops.  Bye."After sitting there for what seemed to Tom like an hour, the doors whooshed open and in walked the Delaney sisters.  "Hi, Tom," they chirped in unison.  "Harry said you were a bit lonely down here by yourself." Tom groaned inwardly.  Sure, the Delaney sisters would be interesting company to say the least, but right now, he just wanted to be alone.  He needed to think."Now, Tommy," cooed Megan, reaching behind his head to fluff up his pillows.  "We're just here to help you.  Harry said you were all alone in Sickbay.""I'm going to kill Harry," thought Tom, plastering a smile on his face.  "Well, that was nice of Harry, but really, I don't need anybody."Jenny cut him off with a wave of her hand.  " That's enough, Tommy.  You just sit back and relax."  Walking over to the replicator, she asked, "So what will it be?  Tarkalian tea?"Tom had to stop himself from leaping up and slapping Jenny's hand off the replicator.  "No, NOT Tarkalian tea!" he snapped.  Looking at their startled faces, he hastily added, "Uh, mint.  Some mint tea would be fine."  Tarkalian tea brought back images of B'Elanna.  He rubbed his eyelids, almost as if he could feel the pain the word brought back.Concerned, Megan peered into his eyes.  "Did something get into your eyes Tommy?  Here, let me see."  She pried open Tom's eyes and peered worriedly into his baby blues.  "No, nothing there."  Frowning slightly, she added thoughtfully, "You do seem to have lost some of your eyelashes.""I'm fine," Tom yelped, slightly exasperated.  "Look, I really appreciate your help, but I'll be fine by myself, really."  Getting out of bed, he ushered the concerned sisters to the door.  "Really, I'll be fine, now go," he commanded, practically shoving them out the door and closing it before they could utter another word.Outside Sickbay, the sisters looked at each other.  "What's the matter with him?" asked Megan, puzzled.  "We were just trying to cheer him up.""I thought he loved Tarkalian tea," added Jenny in bewilderment.  The sisters shrugged their shoulders and decided to go place a bet in the ship's betting pool on how soon Lieutenant  Paris was going to be back to work. *****B'Elanna lay on her bed, glaring at the ceiling.  *This is boring, boring, boring!* she thought grumpily.  *The doctor has me under quarantine and no one is allowed in here.  What does he think I'm going to do anyway?*  She had to admit that her memory seemed awfully patchy since her close encounter with Tarkalian tea and ColdMed4.  Memories nibbled at her, but nothing seemed very clear.  She looked at the "alligator juice" and gagged slightly.  Just then she was hailed with an incoming message."B'Elanna?" a voice said.  "This is Jenny Delaney.  Do you have a clue about what's bothering Tom?  Megan and I stopped in to cheer him up in Sickbay and he's just not himself!  He even kicked us out!  We usually can work magic with him, if you get my meaning."Suddenly furious, B'Elanna was no longer bored.  Frostily, she replied, "I haven't the foggiest notion what's bothering Lieutenant Paris!  Why ask me?"Hesitantly, Jenny answered, "Well, we heard that you were somehow involved with his injuries and maybe you could fill us in."B'Elanna snapped back, "Well I CAN'T!  And don't bother me with any more questions about Lieutenant Paris!"A muttered, "Well, excuuuse me!  You needn't bite my head off!" came through quite clearly just before the connection was broken.Leaping off the bed, B'Elanna reached for something to throw.  A few seconds later, with a resounding crash, the despised beverage shattered against the closet door.  *Why am I so angry?* she wondered as the sticky liquid dripped down on to the carpet.  In her mind she could see those bombshell Delaney sisters in Sickbay with Tom and him enjoying every minute.  "Magic, hah!" she seethed.  *Those are *my* warp-core eyes, not theirs,* she thought furiously.  Sitting on the bed, she put her face in her hands.  *I wish someone would come and tell me what the hell is going on!  And why does the thought of Tom and the Delaney sisters make me SO MAD!?*  She tapped her communicator, "Harry?" "Yes, B'Elanna?""Harry, I think I'm losing my mind!  Can you come down here?""On my way", came the cheerful reply. Since she was locked in her room, Harry stopped by Sickbay to ask the doctor for permission to visit B'Elanna.  Giving him an *it's-your-funeral* look, the doctor said he should be fine, but insisted he take Kes with him.  Without pausing, he barked, "Get back in that bed, Lieutenant!  Ensign Kim does not need your help to visit Lieutenant Torres."  Turning back, he continued, "I suggest you take this medkit, Kes, just in case Lieutenant Torres is still feeling some, um, side effects.  Klingons can have very bad tempers when recovering from a hangover," he understated dryly.Taking the medkit, Kes walked with Harry to B'Elanna's door.  "Remember, Harry, the doctor said that you could talk for awhile but you must remember B'Elanna has been sick.""Harry, I -- What are you doing here, Kes?" B'Elanna growled, before realizing she was being rude.  "You have been quarantined.  The only way the doctor would let me visit was if Kes came also," Harry replied.  "Oh, well, I, -- Just what were the Delaney sisters doing with Tom and why is he in Sickbay?"  B'Elanna blurted demandingly.*Oh, oh, if I tell her I'm the one that sent them in to see Tom, I'm dead!  Maybe if I run, NOW, I can escape alive!* Harry thought frantically, then, drawing a deep breath, he began to explain what had happened.  With great trepidation, he added, "I asked the Delaney sisters to keep an eye on Tom while he is recovering in -- "Harry's voice vanished in one gasp as B'Elanna got up, grabbed him by the front of his uniform, slammed him against the wall and, nose to nose with him, said forcefully, "Don't EVER let those two women get near my T -- uh, Lieutenant Paris again!"  Before B'Elanna could say any more, the hiss of a hypospray sounded and she suddenly went limp.Trying to catch her before she hit the floor, Harry looked thankfully at his rescuer.  "Thanks, Kes," he said fervently.  "I am so glad you had that hypo.  If I'd known she cared about Tom this much . . . ."  A shudder ran through him as he realized what could have happened."Maybe we should just beam her to Sickbay and let the doctor make sure she is okay," Kes suggested, privately thinking it would not only let B'Elanna see Tom, but also keep Harry alive.  *****B'Elanna Torres opened her eyes to find herself staring up at the doctor.  *Oh, no.  Not again,* she thought."Ms. Torres, you are going to have to learn how to control your temper," the doctor's bland voice slowly acquired a beleaguered tone as he continued, "I cannot have you going around Voyager strangling innocent ensigns.  I am, after all, the one responsible for the general well-being of the crew, not to mention being the one who has to restore what you've left of them.""What happened?" asked B'Elanna, struggling to sit up. "Apparently, after summoning Ensign Kim to your quarters, you attacked him.  If Kes hadn't accompanied him, who knows what would have happened to Ensign Kim?"Glimpsing Tom across from her, B'Elanna began sliding off the bed in what she hoped was an unobtrusive migration in his direction.   She pointedly inquired, "Am I free to go now, or are you going to keep me here for more senseless tests?""Humph!" the doctor sniffed.  Then he added sarcastically, "As much as I enjoy your pleasant company, you can go now."  Turning away, he went back to updating his medical records, thinking as he did, *With Lieutenants Paris and Torres, I have to keep updating them every few hours.*B'Elanna gazed down at Tom, looking like an innocent little boy, peacefully sleeping.  She couldn't resist.  She leaned over to brush a stray lock of hair out of his eyes.  At that moment, Tom awoke."AAAAHHHHH!" he screamed, as he saw B'Elanna's hand pass over his eyes.  *She must be drunk again, now she's come back to take my eyes and eyelashes,* thought Tom wildly.  All he knew was that he did not want to relieve the pain of having his eyelashes plucked out again.The doctor spun around.  "Lieutenant Torres, didn't I just speak to you about assaulting your fellow crew members?""But, but," B'Elanna sputtered, "I didn't DO anything!"  She gripped her hands tightly behind her back and looked at Tom.  He had the blanket up to his blue eyes and was staring at her suspiciously.  She gazed up at the ceiling for a moment, trying to think of what to say."Tom," she began, blushing furiously, "Harry told me the whole story and I'm really sorry!"  Remembering what she had done to Harry at that point, she cringed inwardly as she thought,  *Great, B'Elanna, damage ALL your best friends.*  She tried again.  "I was under the influence of Tarkalian tea and ColdMed4 and the doctor says I was hallucinating." Looking at her red face, Tom relented.  With a mischievous smile, he said, "I always wanted to know what you'd be like with a snootful.""'Snootful?'" she repeated, confused."Drunk!   Trust me, it's not something I ever want to see again!""Well, now you know why I only drink synthehol!", she told him.Not to be outdone by a mere human, the doctor exclaimed from his console, "It's a good thing I don't have enough biobeds to care for the injured if you went on a real 'bender!'""'Bender?'" echoed B'Elanna, puzzled."Really, Lieutenant Torres, you need to access the data banks on Terran slang," he replied in an odiously superior tone.She glared at him, standing there looking so smug and superior, thinking of ways to inflict damage on a holographic image.  Just then the door whooshed open and there stood Harry.  Seeing B'Elanna, his hand went to his throat, thinking of their last encounter.  He hesitated, then walked in, carefully positioning Tom's biobed between himself and B'Elanna."Smart, Harry," Tom said kiddingly.  "I can't do much to protect you from her lying down in bed!"B'Elanna blushed again, tentatively reaching out a hand to Harry.  Barely managing not to flinch, he took her hand in his.  "Sorry, Harry!" she whispered.Tom reached up from his bed and clasped their two hands in his.  "Why don't we all just forget the past few days happened?"The two men looked at each other, then at B'Elanna.  "Well?" they chorused."I agree!" she replied fervently."I'll drink to that!" quipped Tom.  Harry and B'Elanna glared at him."Tom," warned Harry, "you never know when to quit!"Kes smiled happily, listening to the amiable bickering of true friends.  It would sure be boring around here after they were gone.  But of course that was only until the next incident.  Which, with these three around, wouldn't be too long.A week later, everyone was back on duty.  Harry was at Ops, Tom was at the conn and B'Elanna, back in Engineering, was happily realigning her warp coils, totally unaware that on the bridge, something was about to happen that would send a cold chill of dismay down several backs.Just then, pausing from surreptitiously rubbing his aching head, Lieutenant Tom Paris sneezed.End