The characters and Voyager belong to Paramount. Not me. But thisstory does. I would appreciate all comments going to me, since i wrote thestory. You can copy it if you'ld like, but i would like to hear what you haveto say. You can contact me at Kenick15@aol.com                                  "Suspension"           A worried looking Janeway walked across the bridge. She glanced atthe padd in hand, and then again at the main screen. Nothing. She tapped hercommbadge in frustration.         "Lt. Torres, why does the bridge still have no main power?" Secondspassed, as she stood there waiting in partial darkness.          "Lt. Torres to bridge, main power will be online any second. We hadan overload of the warp core energy conduits during testing. It will be on inminutes, Captain." Janeway scowled, looking around at her crew, working, orat least trying to in the darkness lit only by back up power.         "See that this doesn't happen again, B'Elanna," She told her. "Yes,Ma'am." Tom Paris crossed the bridge to his position, trying to keep a lowprofile.         "Relieved," he told the ensign in his helm seat, in a hushed voice.He sat down and started his work. Janeway crossed the bridge, towards Tom.          "Tom, you're fifteen minutes late for post. I hope you have a damngood reason," she demanded, looking overly serious. He glanced up, knowinglycaught, trapped like a little kid accused of lying to his parents.         "Sorry, Captain, I was on the holodeck, working out, and I losttrack of time. I went to my quarters to take a shower and was interruptedthree times."          "I don't suppose you know why Lt. Torres was not in engineeringduring her duty shift, and we have a power failure on bridge. Was she with you?" Janeway asked. There wasno right answer for him.          "Captain, according to Starfleet regulations, my personalrelationship with B'Elanna has nothing to do with my work," he said, figuringhe had this one won.         "Except when it means I have no power to bridge, and no one at helm,Lt. Paris." she said, obviously annoyed. She tapped at her commbadgefiercely, "Lt. Torres, find someone to cover for you, I'd like to see you inmy quarters, as soon as possible, and make it quick."         "Lt. Paris, Ensign Wildman will cover for you, you have beenrelieved. In my quarters." Paris glanced at the work he was almost sorry thathe couldn't do. He was almost sorry. He stepped out of his place, leaving wayfor the young ensign. He caught up with Janeway in the turbolift. Not one ofhis top choices at the moment, however.         "Captain, I…" he began, but she cut him off.         "Tom, I'm not interested. Talk to me in the meeting." He closed hismouth, and forgetting his dignity, fought back the urge to pull his phaserfrom his belt. That would be very illogical, he thought, then laughed tohimself at how he sounded almost Vulcan. They proceeded their way to herquarters, where B'Elanna was standing, outside. She half-smiled at Tom, untilshe noticed his worried look. She looked at her captain, whose face was alsocontorted in disdain. They entered the quarters. B'Elanna was starting tofear the worst. Little did she know it was yet to come.        "Lieutenants Paris, and Torres. I have gathered you two here to talkabout this relationship. As Mr. Paris has pointed out, it is none of mybusiness," she said, looking for a second like this wasn't bad news,"However, when it turns out that you are using holodeck time reserved forothers, using extra replicator rations, and arriving fifteen minutes late forpost, it is my business. My first business at hand is this. One weekssuspension from shift." She stood there, surprised at her own harshness. Herheadaches were affecting her judgement again, and she knew it. She almostcould hear the Doctor telling her exactly what he thought of her being sooverworked. Paris looked almost happy, but B'Elanna looked ready to kill.             "Captain, if I don't finish with the tests, I'll have to restartthe entire program, my two weeks of work lost," B'Elanna said, keeping calm.Janeway looked less than sympathetic.             "Well, next time at least there won't be power outs, will there,Lieutenant?'' she asked.            "No ma'am." Torres said.            "Tom? No complaints from you?" the Captain asked. He looked up ather.             "No, Captain," he said. Torres looked at him, ready to stranglehim for the look on his face.             "Dismissed." B'Elanna and Paris left together. B'Elanna wasfrustrated about the whole thing, thinking of the work she would have toredo. Thinking of two more weeks of working with that Borg over her shoulder.She was going to lose her temper, and Tom had better watch out.          "Where are you headed?" Tom asked. She grimaced as he spoke.          "To my quarter, I guess," she said, trying to be civil. Shecouldn't hold it in. "Tom, why were you so happy to be suspended?" sheyelled, pushing him against the wall. Tom stepped up startled.         "B'Elanna, what is your problem?" he asked her trying to break looseof her grip. She looked at him, and loosened her hold on him.         "Tom, you don't realize what this means." She looked at him angrily.         "It means we have a weeks vacation to relax and be together," hesaid looking at her hopefully.         "Your crazy. Insane.  I have to finish this testing I'm doing orthis two weeks work will have been useless. I will have to start all overagain, not to mention explain this to Seven of Nine and Harry. I will have topick up my padds in engineering before my voice command gets shut down forthe week." She started to walk around him.        "Bella, look at yourself. Relax, take the week. She needs us, sheknows that. They can't suspend two senior officers. They can't go two dayswithout us!"        "Even if your right, I need to finish my work," B'Elanna said, andwalked past Tom. He watched her walk away. "Well, I might as well go to myquarters," he thought, "I could go for a nap."  Meanwhile, power to thebridge had been restored.        "Janeway to engineering, get me Ensign Schlater."        "Ensign Schlater reporting, yes captain."        "I wanted to tell you that your chief will be out for one week, myorders, if you see her, make sure she knows she is not to be working. If wego under any alert she will be reinstated."        "Understood, captain," the young ensign said.B'Elanna Torres walked the long way to engineering, trying to keep her cool.She looked up as she was about to walk into Harry Kim.        "B'Elanna," he said.        "Harry."        "I heard the news. How are you doing?"        "I'm not dying, Harry, it's a suspension," she told him.        "Right, I know, but I thought…" he started, but she kept walking."We're in a good mood today aren't we," he thought.At the same time, Janeway was enjoying her power. She was sitting on thebridge reading the padd she had been trying to get to since the powerfailure.         "Captain, we're being hailed," Tuvok announced.        "On screen," Janeway said, barely glancing up.        "You are out of your territory. Prepare to die," the harsh voicesaid. The picture on screen was fuzzy, but the race of the hailer was quiterecognizable.        "Klingons," Janeway muttered. "What in the Hell are Klingons doing inthe delta quadrant?"        "They are powering weapons, Captain." Tuvok announced.        "Evasive maneuvers," she ordered. The beam of light from the ship wasstrong enough to rattle Voyager. Paris in his quarters awoke from his shortnap quickly. He picked up his commbadge off his table.       "Paris to the Captain, what is going on?"        "We seem to have run across some unpleasant Klingons, Lieutenant. Icould use your help on the bridge.	"Sure thing ma'am," he said, smiling. "They just can't live without me," hethought. Paris threw on his shoes and pinned on his commbadge. "Tom toB'Elanna," he said, and walked out the door, waiting for his response.      "This is B'Elanna," she said sounding more annoyed than before. "I hopethis is important, Tom."      "Klingons firing at us, does that count?" he asked her sarcastically      "What the Hell?" she asked.      "I suggest you meet me on the bridge," he told her.      "Torres out," she said jogging to the turbo lift.In the mean time, Tom had almost reached his destination. The bridge doorsopened, and the first thing he saw was the view screen. Out in the blacknessof space was a Klingon bird of prey, firing at them.Voyager shook again, and Paris practically threw the ensign from his seat athelm.       "Mr. Paris, I didn't ask you to take over," Janeway said. Another shotfired at them rocked the ship hard enough to cause Tuvok to raise an eyebrow.      "Shields at 90%," he reported.      "Ensign, be on standby," Janeway told Paris' replacement. "Fire on mymark," she told Kim.      "Weapons powered," Kim announced.      "Mark," Janeway said, and the powerful phaser shot across the sky. TheKlingon ship shook violently, as if it had no shields.       "The other ship's shields are at 3%, and falling," Tuvok reported,surprised at his own news.      "Hold fire," Janeway reported.       "They're hailing us again captain," Harry told her.      "Open the channel," she said. All eyes turned to the viewscreen. AKlingon face shown through, still staticy. Just then, B'Elanna came into thebridge. She gave Tom a look, and then noticed Janeway's expression. She stoodin silence.      "You have chosen war," The voice told the crew of Voyager.      "We weren't left much of a choice now were we?" Janeway said, gettingfrustrated, "I will try this again. I am Captain Kathryn Janeway, of theStarship Voyager. We mean you no harm." You could tell she didn't mean the noharm part by her aggravated tone.      "You may pass," the Klingon said.      "Where are you from?" The captain asked the Klingon.      "My name is Jah'K Dahr. I am from Behlanar, a planet near here," heresponded in a caustic tone, "Where are you from?" he asked.      "We are here unwillingly, sent from the Alpha Quadrant," she told him.	"Prisoners?" he asked.      "No, by chance," she told him. "I didn't know of Klingons in the DeltaQuadrant," Janeway said.      "You don't know much," he said, and closed the channel. The view screenshowed the retreating vessel. Janeway looked around at her crew.	"That was most interesting," Tuvok commented.	"Thanks, Tuvok," Paris nodded.      "Tom, I believe you are still suspended, you may leave," the captaintold him.      "But it was just getting good," he thought, as he stood up. The ensignreplaced him again. He walked towards B'Elanna.      "And B'Elanna, why are you here?" Janeway asked her.      "Tom said there was a problem on the bridge, something about Klingons.I was interested," she told her quite honestly.      "You don't take orders from Mr. Paris, B'Elanna," the captain said."Dismissed."B'Elanna and Tom left the bridge together. B'Elanna looked indignant, and Tomchose not to speak. They had gone but a few steps when B'Elanna stoppedwalking.      "Tom," she said, turning to him, "I've been thinking." He looked at herhesitantly, wondering what was to come next.      "Would you be interested in Sandrines tonight, Holodeck 4, say 2100hours? He looked stunned.                                   "B'Elanna, as long as it's not bad news." He told her.      "I think I need a vacation, that's all. No warp core, no plasmainjectors or warp core relays. Just a break. With you." Tom couldn't havesmiled a bigger smile.      "I'd love to. Have you decide yet on my question?" he asked her.      "Your question?" she asked, trying to recall one.      "Yes, oh no, wait," he said, flustered. "I forgot to ask you earlier."She looked at him with her big brown eyes. "B'Elanna, I was wondering if youconsider us an item now?"      "You mean boyfriend/girlfriend type of thing?" She asked.      "Well, yes."       "Tom, that sounds silly. A grown woman with a boyfriend?" She smiled athim, but took his hand. His look was purely indescribable. "I'd love to beyour girlfriend, Tom." If it could have, his jaw would have hit the floor.      "B'Elanna, thank you," he said, and pulled her closer. She smiled.      "Anytime," she told him. He looked at her again. He felt like it washis lucky day.                     "What do you say we go to my quarters?" She asked. Tom was dumbfounded.      "N-Now?" He stuttered. She looked at him and smiled.      "Yes, I have some "work" to go over with you," she said, still smiling."But you'd better behave," she told him. He pulled her in and kissed her,right on the lips. Just then, bridge doors opened and the captain walked out.      "Paris, Torres!" She said, angry and frustrated. Then she relaxed abit. "I'd appreciate less of the PDA in the corridors. Take it to yourquarters please." Tom and B'Elanna looked like two deer caught in theheadlights of a car. Janeway started to walk away again, but stopped andturned to them. "On second thought, keep this little fling short, sweet, andto the point," she said, "I'm expecting you both back to work in one hour."They looked at each other. "I was young and in love once," she told them,looking wistfully. "I know how it goes."       "Captain, I-I, well, thank you," Paris said, unable to grasp quitewhat words he wanted.       "On third thought," Janeway said. "Take today off. But I want to seeyou back on the bridge tomorrow morning with smiles on your faces." Shelooked at Torres and noticed her blushing. "You know that isn't what I meant,B'Elanna," she said, and chuckled to herself. They both laughed. Tom lookedas if he missed the joke. "Goodnight you two," the captain said, and walkedaway. Tom and B'Elanna were both smiling as they watched their captain walkaway. B'Elanna turned to Tom.       "She said to take it to our quarters," she said, explaining thethought that had amused her, "and then she said she wants to see us withsmiles on our faces in the morning." Tom looked at her, and understanding theidea the phrase implicated, he smiled shyly. He looked at her before hespoke.       "I'd hate to disappoint our captain," Tom said, and he pulled her inclose.       "So, I guess we had better turn in, so we will be well rested for ourwork tomorrow," B'Elanna told him.       "Bella, no," he whined. He looked at her with those eyes. The pleadingeyes that said, B'Elanna please. They seemed to beg for her.       "Tom, it was a joke, are you coming to my quarters or what?" sheasked.       "Right behind you, lieutenant," he told her, as she began to lead theway. They walked to the turbolift, in silence the whole way. Nothing told oftheir feelings more than the expressions on their faces. Paris looked like hehad just seen a ghost, but at the same time, he had a mischievous grin spreadacross his whole face, and his eyes seemed to smile. Torres couldn't help butto gaze into the blue pool his eyes were, whenever he didn't notice. But healways noticed. He watched B'Elanna carefully, every move she would make, hecould call. It was her harsh, unpredictable Klingon side that he feared. Thewalked past crew and friends on their way to B'Elanna's quarters. No onewould suspect a thing. With a ship as small as Voyager, not that it was smallby any means, but word traveled fast. No one dared look at the two withquestioning eyes. B'Elanna opened the door with a swish, and before theycould enter Harry Kim was standing beside them.	"B'Elanna, Tom, good evening," the ensign said.	"Sorry, StarFleet, no Sandrine's tonight. Important business," Paris toldhim, making no implication that the business was Torres. Torres looked atParis, but must have missed the wink. If she had caught his only indicationto the ensign, he might be going to his own quarters. She smiled at Harry afake smile, and took Tom's arm.       "We really should get to work," she told him. Tom looked at Harry thenB'Elanna. Harry knew what was up. He walked away without a goodbye, simply apat on Tom's shoulder.	"Well, goodnight Harry," B'Elanna called after him. Harry seemed amused whenhe turned around.      "You too, B'Elanna, and Tom, you too," he said, chuckling. As soon asHarry had turned around B'Elanna pulled Tom into her quarters and the doorwhirred shut. She grabbed Tom's commbadge, and her own, and put them on thetable by her bed. She sat down on the edge of it, and looked at Tom as if tosay, what next? He sat down beside her and took her hands in his. He leanedtowards her and kissed her. She kissed him more deeply, more passionatelythen he could ever remember. They played with each other's hair as theykissed, and B'Elanna playfully pushed Tom until he was laying on the bed.They were both laughing.	"Tom, what I said under that Pon Farr, do you remember?" she asked.      "About you meaning it and not saying it because you were afraid?" heasked.      "It was true." He smiled at her, and fumbled for her zipper that washolding her uniform to her perfect body.  He found it and tugged itplayfully. She smiled at him, and did the same.      "This is a two way street," she told Tom.      "Last chance before there is no turning back," Tom said. She smiled,and it gave him his answer.*********************************************************************************************************	          The following morning Tom Paris awoke to a room of darkness. He hadno idea where he was. He tried to sit up, but felt an unusual weight. It wasthen that he realized where he was. B'Elanna Torres was sleeping, her headresting on his left arm. He wasn't left with many choices of position to tryto sleep. He gazed at her, assuming she was asleep. Her breath was even andcalm. He remembered all that had happened, and closed his eyes. He openedthem again only to glance at the clock. He still had three hours before hewould need to get up, and wake B'Elanna. He closed his eyes to fall asleepand dream. B'Elanna opened her eyes to look at her lover. She smiled, anddrifted off to sleep.