Tight Places
By: K'lara7 (k_lara7@yahoo.com)
Thanks to Sirap for helping me with the ides for this story. She helped me solve a major plot twist with a great story development in the Cardassian Prison. This was supposed to be shorter, and it looks like it might become more than one story since the characters did their own thing. Please review it and let me know what you think.
This story begins during the episode One. I did try to be accurate in the time line.
"Dismissed," said the captain.
The senior officers stood and started out of the briefing room. The captain's words were ringing in their ears. As Lieutenant Tom Paris walked away he couldn't help the hopeless feelings washing over him as he walked into the mess hall.
"Tom?" Ensign Harry Kim asked, concern etched across his features. The normally outspoken pilot was very quiet. "Are you okay?" Tom hadn't said a word since they entered the mess hall.
"Yeah, Harry, I'm fine. Just thinking," he said distractedly. He walked across the mess hall to see the surprise Neelix had made for dinner.
The little Talaxian brightened up when he saw Tom. "Hey Tom, I made you some of that tomato soup you like. I got the tomatoes from the hydroponics bay. I thought you could use a little taste of home."
"Thanks Neelix. I really appreciate it. I'll take it to my quarters with me. I still have a few adjustments to make to Navigation for Seven."
A few moments later, Tom entered his quarters. He set the cup of soup down on his table. It really was thoughtful of Neelix to take time to make the soup for him, but his stomach just wouldn't settle down enough for him to eat it. Ever since Janeway had made that pronouncement at the senior staff meeting, Tom had been trying to control he involuntary reactions. He never liked being in tight places and although that was not much of a secret, he was pretty certain that Janeway was the only one who knew why. Tom had no doubt that his father had long since told the Captain of his son's irrational fear of enclosed spaces.
He knew the Captain understood. In her own way she tried to comfort him with out being too obvious. He had been in such a rush to be alone, before anyone realized just how upset he was. Seven estimated it would take a month to get through the nebula. That would be at least 30 days confined to a space the size of a coffin, not the most comforting thought.
Restlessly Tom gazed around his quarters. Remembering the last time he had been confined to such a tight place, he tried to hold back the shudder. On the wall next to his bed Tom had a small paper holo-mage of Harry, B'Elanna and himself taken by Neelix at the resort about six months before. The image represented his life on Voyager; the two people in the picture with him were the most important people in his life.
When he thought about the stasis chamber he had the irrational fear that he might not ever come back out. He knew he was being irrational but the feeling refused to dissipate. Time can't heal all wounds.
Absently he grabbed the picture off the wall. With a sigh he sat down on his couch. He had been lying to Neelix when he said he still had work to do. He had most of his work caught up. That was an unusual occurrence, but ever since the incident with Seth, he had been early with his reports and diagnostics.
A chirp from his combadge and the Captain's voice shook him out of his thoughts. "Lieutenant Paris, please report to the briefing room."
"On my way," he responded absently. Impulsively, he removed the picture from its frame, and before he could change his mind, tucked it into his jacket. He rushed out of his quarters.
"Tom, are you okay? I know this decision is hard on everyone, but I think it is hardest on you." Janeway looked at the young man with concern.
He thought about his answer for a moment. Over the years he had learned to temper his personal comments about his shortcomings. "Captain, I understand the necessity for the stasis chambers, and realize that there really is no other possible solution. If you had asked me ten years ago to do this, there would be no way I could. I will do my best to deal with it. But I don't like it."
"You know if there were any other way that wouldn't add a year to our journey, I would take it. The last thing I ever intended was for you to have to go through that ordeal again. When your father briefed me on the situation, we honestly believed it would never come up. I'm sorry about this Tom."
"All I ask Captain, is please don't let the others know. Including the Doc. I'm sure I can handle it."
"It goes against my better judgment. The Doctor should be informed at least." She thought for a minute. "I will leave it up to you to make that decision however. I'll see you on deck 14 in 2 hours. Dismissed."
"Thank you Captain," Tom said, barely above a whisper as he left her office.
***
"Kim to Paris," Harry said as they left the turbo-lift together.
Tom shook his head as if to clear it. "Yeah?"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Harry. I was just thinking about B'Elanna. We didn't have much time to talk after the Captain gave her orders. Her stasis chamber is in the other Cargo Bay. Besides, you know how much I look forward to assignments like these."
"I don't get it Tom. You have no problem being confined to a shuttlecraft. It's a small place, without any escape if something goes wrong, yet that doesn't seem to bother you."
"Harry you forget, there's always the EVA suits."
"Yeah that's true," he said with a chuckle as the Cargo Bay doors opened. The Doctor was in final preparation for the extended time in stasis for the crew. The Captain was reviewing final data on Seven's agenda.
***
In Engineering Torres was finishing up the automation sequence for Seven. "At these sustained velocities, you will need to perform a diagnostic on the warp coils and EPS manifolds at least every other day. Preferably more often."
"I understand Lieutenant. You have provided efficient data information for the next month. I will be able to maintain it."
"I know I'm nervous about this whole mission Seven. I've never been away from the engines this long before."
"They will still be here, in one piece when you wake up."
With a slight smile B'Elanna said, "Thanks. I have to report to the Doctor. See you in a month." She turned and left Engineering.
***
Three weeks into stasis, Seven was walking her rounds as an unexpected noise got her attention. Finding Paris unconscious on the floor, she tapped her combadge. "Seven of Nine to the Doctor. Mr. Paris has left his stasis chamber again." As Seven stood to order the emergency transport, she noticed a piece of paper poking out of the edge of Tom's jacket. Pulling it free, she saw that it was a small image of Paris, Torres and Kim.
"Doctor, I'm transporting him now."
***
Ten minutes later, Seven walked into Cargo Bay 2 and stood looking over at Tom's readings. They were normal and the Lieutenant would be okay. Remembering the picture she still held, she tapped a few buttons on the shell of the stasis chamber and cracked the lid. The Lieutenant started coughing and gasping, still in sleep. Quickly attaching the picture in visual range on the edge of the chamber, Seven resealed the lid.
"Doctor to Seven of Nine."
"Seven of Nine here."
"Could you check Mr. Paris's readings, my monitor says there is a problem."
"Mr. Paris is stable."
Seven stood there for a few minutes and then shook her head slowly, wondering how many more times she would have to put him back into his chamber. He seemed to be resting more peacefully now. Once again shaking her head, she continued with her duties.
***
In the mess hall a week later, Paris, Torres, and Kim sat quietly reflecting on the last month as Seven walked in. As Seven joined the conversation she heard Paris say, "Just think, we could have died in those coffins."
Seven raised an ocular implant at that. "Lieutenant, I'm sure you would have found a way out before that happened."
"What do you mean?" This came from Torres.
"On three separate occasions, the Doctor and I had to return the Lieutenant to stasis after he managed to escape his chamber."
"What, did someone lock you in a closet when you were a kid?" Harry asked.
"Look, I just don't like tight places, I don't know why," Tom said just a little red faced, hoping Harry would let it drop.
Seven, noticing his discomfort, decided to come to his rescue. Remembering the picture and reflecting on her own experience asked, "Perhaps you dislike being alone?"
***
Hours later, back in his own quarters, Tom stood staring at the picture on his wall. It seemed amazing to him that Seven, so out of tune with humanity, could sometimes unlock human emotions so well. She was right he didn't like being alone.
He had wondered who had put the picture on the edge of his stasis unit. It was Seven. She had come by his quarters a few minutes ago to return it. When Tom awoke from stasis he had been surprised to find it in plain sight. Thinking the Doctor would refuse to let him keep it, and not wanting to admit to his fears, he had put in his jacket. While he was in that coffin it was his one link to reality. He still lived in fear that one day he would be enclosed and his memories would take over and he wouldn't remember why he was trapped.
God, he hated feeling trapped. He always had to be in control, have access to the exit. It had taken years, but he thought he had control of his emotions. If what Seven said was true, then he hadn't been able to control his emotions this time.
The door chime brought him out of his thoughts. "Come in," he called.
"Tom?"
"Hi B'Elanna. What can I do for you?"
"I came to see how you were. You left the mess hall so abruptly earlier, that I was worried about you."
"I'm fine."
"If you say so." She walked in, sat down on his couch with a PADD in hand and said. "When you're ready to tell me what's wrong, I'll be here. But I warn you, Klingon's can be stubborn and I'll be sitting here until you tell me what is really bothering you." She noticed something in his hand. " What's that?"
He had forgotten that he was still holding the picture. "Nothing," he said, a little embarrassed. Not expecting a different answer, she had already made a move to grab it. "Hey, give that back!"
Turning it over, B'Elanna was surprised to find a picture of herself with Paris and Kim from their time in Neelix's resort. As she handed it back to him, she said, "Okay, Paris talk."
"It's nothing." At her look he said, "Okay, just give me a minute." Not sure where to begin, he started with the picture. "I took this picture with me when the Doc put us in stasis so I would have a small piece of my life on Voyager to keep with me."
"But the Doctor said we couldn't take anything with us."
"I know. I smuggled it in. Seven just returned it to me." Taking a deep breath he said, " When I came out of stasis the image was attached to the chamber where I could see it. Seven found it when she had to put me back into the chamber the third time. She said that after she put the picture where I could see it, I quit trying to break free." He was quiet for a moment. "Seven was right you know. I dislike being alone."
B'Elanna grabbed his hand and pulled him down beside her. Slowly she wrapped her arms around him.
"But you have probably already guessed that there's more to it than that. I don't like tight places. It's a long story. The summer before I started the academy, the Cardassian conflict had started to escalate. Dad was working on the Arias expedition with Janeway near Cardassian space. He'd been out of contact for a while.
"I'd just broken an aeroshuttle craft record. You know how the press can be. The next Paris following in the family tradition." He gave a self- depreciating sigh. "Sometimes I wish I had crashed instead. I sent Dad a subspace message to let him know how I did in the shuttle we built together. He wrote back and told me how proud of me he was."
"The next couple of days I hid from everyone needing time to myself. I got dressed in my flight suit, grabbed the latest radio controlled craft I had designed and took off to the Golden Gate Rec area…
To be continued… (Please R&R)
By: K'lara7 (k_lara7@yahoo.com)
Thanks to Sirap for helping me with the ides for this story. She helped me solve a major plot twist with a great story development in the Cardassian Prison. This was supposed to be shorter, and it looks like it might become more than one story since the characters did their own thing. Please review it and let me know what you think.
This story begins during the episode One. I did try to be accurate in the time line.
"Dismissed," said the captain.
The senior officers stood and started out of the briefing room. The captain's words were ringing in their ears. As Lieutenant Tom Paris walked away he couldn't help the hopeless feelings washing over him as he walked into the mess hall.
"Tom?" Ensign Harry Kim asked, concern etched across his features. The normally outspoken pilot was very quiet. "Are you okay?" Tom hadn't said a word since they entered the mess hall.
"Yeah, Harry, I'm fine. Just thinking," he said distractedly. He walked across the mess hall to see the surprise Neelix had made for dinner.
The little Talaxian brightened up when he saw Tom. "Hey Tom, I made you some of that tomato soup you like. I got the tomatoes from the hydroponics bay. I thought you could use a little taste of home."
"Thanks Neelix. I really appreciate it. I'll take it to my quarters with me. I still have a few adjustments to make to Navigation for Seven."
A few moments later, Tom entered his quarters. He set the cup of soup down on his table. It really was thoughtful of Neelix to take time to make the soup for him, but his stomach just wouldn't settle down enough for him to eat it. Ever since Janeway had made that pronouncement at the senior staff meeting, Tom had been trying to control he involuntary reactions. He never liked being in tight places and although that was not much of a secret, he was pretty certain that Janeway was the only one who knew why. Tom had no doubt that his father had long since told the Captain of his son's irrational fear of enclosed spaces.
He knew the Captain understood. In her own way she tried to comfort him with out being too obvious. He had been in such a rush to be alone, before anyone realized just how upset he was. Seven estimated it would take a month to get through the nebula. That would be at least 30 days confined to a space the size of a coffin, not the most comforting thought.
Restlessly Tom gazed around his quarters. Remembering the last time he had been confined to such a tight place, he tried to hold back the shudder. On the wall next to his bed Tom had a small paper holo-mage of Harry, B'Elanna and himself taken by Neelix at the resort about six months before. The image represented his life on Voyager; the two people in the picture with him were the most important people in his life.
When he thought about the stasis chamber he had the irrational fear that he might not ever come back out. He knew he was being irrational but the feeling refused to dissipate. Time can't heal all wounds.
Absently he grabbed the picture off the wall. With a sigh he sat down on his couch. He had been lying to Neelix when he said he still had work to do. He had most of his work caught up. That was an unusual occurrence, but ever since the incident with Seth, he had been early with his reports and diagnostics.
A chirp from his combadge and the Captain's voice shook him out of his thoughts. "Lieutenant Paris, please report to the briefing room."
"On my way," he responded absently. Impulsively, he removed the picture from its frame, and before he could change his mind, tucked it into his jacket. He rushed out of his quarters.
"Tom, are you okay? I know this decision is hard on everyone, but I think it is hardest on you." Janeway looked at the young man with concern.
He thought about his answer for a moment. Over the years he had learned to temper his personal comments about his shortcomings. "Captain, I understand the necessity for the stasis chambers, and realize that there really is no other possible solution. If you had asked me ten years ago to do this, there would be no way I could. I will do my best to deal with it. But I don't like it."
"You know if there were any other way that wouldn't add a year to our journey, I would take it. The last thing I ever intended was for you to have to go through that ordeal again. When your father briefed me on the situation, we honestly believed it would never come up. I'm sorry about this Tom."
"All I ask Captain, is please don't let the others know. Including the Doc. I'm sure I can handle it."
"It goes against my better judgment. The Doctor should be informed at least." She thought for a minute. "I will leave it up to you to make that decision however. I'll see you on deck 14 in 2 hours. Dismissed."
"Thank you Captain," Tom said, barely above a whisper as he left her office.
***
"Kim to Paris," Harry said as they left the turbo-lift together.
Tom shook his head as if to clear it. "Yeah?"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Harry. I was just thinking about B'Elanna. We didn't have much time to talk after the Captain gave her orders. Her stasis chamber is in the other Cargo Bay. Besides, you know how much I look forward to assignments like these."
"I don't get it Tom. You have no problem being confined to a shuttlecraft. It's a small place, without any escape if something goes wrong, yet that doesn't seem to bother you."
"Harry you forget, there's always the EVA suits."
"Yeah that's true," he said with a chuckle as the Cargo Bay doors opened. The Doctor was in final preparation for the extended time in stasis for the crew. The Captain was reviewing final data on Seven's agenda.
***
In Engineering Torres was finishing up the automation sequence for Seven. "At these sustained velocities, you will need to perform a diagnostic on the warp coils and EPS manifolds at least every other day. Preferably more often."
"I understand Lieutenant. You have provided efficient data information for the next month. I will be able to maintain it."
"I know I'm nervous about this whole mission Seven. I've never been away from the engines this long before."
"They will still be here, in one piece when you wake up."
With a slight smile B'Elanna said, "Thanks. I have to report to the Doctor. See you in a month." She turned and left Engineering.
***
Three weeks into stasis, Seven was walking her rounds as an unexpected noise got her attention. Finding Paris unconscious on the floor, she tapped her combadge. "Seven of Nine to the Doctor. Mr. Paris has left his stasis chamber again." As Seven stood to order the emergency transport, she noticed a piece of paper poking out of the edge of Tom's jacket. Pulling it free, she saw that it was a small image of Paris, Torres and Kim.
"Doctor, I'm transporting him now."
***
Ten minutes later, Seven walked into Cargo Bay 2 and stood looking over at Tom's readings. They were normal and the Lieutenant would be okay. Remembering the picture she still held, she tapped a few buttons on the shell of the stasis chamber and cracked the lid. The Lieutenant started coughing and gasping, still in sleep. Quickly attaching the picture in visual range on the edge of the chamber, Seven resealed the lid.
"Doctor to Seven of Nine."
"Seven of Nine here."
"Could you check Mr. Paris's readings, my monitor says there is a problem."
"Mr. Paris is stable."
Seven stood there for a few minutes and then shook her head slowly, wondering how many more times she would have to put him back into his chamber. He seemed to be resting more peacefully now. Once again shaking her head, she continued with her duties.
***
In the mess hall a week later, Paris, Torres, and Kim sat quietly reflecting on the last month as Seven walked in. As Seven joined the conversation she heard Paris say, "Just think, we could have died in those coffins."
Seven raised an ocular implant at that. "Lieutenant, I'm sure you would have found a way out before that happened."
"What do you mean?" This came from Torres.
"On three separate occasions, the Doctor and I had to return the Lieutenant to stasis after he managed to escape his chamber."
"What, did someone lock you in a closet when you were a kid?" Harry asked.
"Look, I just don't like tight places, I don't know why," Tom said just a little red faced, hoping Harry would let it drop.
Seven, noticing his discomfort, decided to come to his rescue. Remembering the picture and reflecting on her own experience asked, "Perhaps you dislike being alone?"
***
Hours later, back in his own quarters, Tom stood staring at the picture on his wall. It seemed amazing to him that Seven, so out of tune with humanity, could sometimes unlock human emotions so well. She was right he didn't like being alone.
He had wondered who had put the picture on the edge of his stasis unit. It was Seven. She had come by his quarters a few minutes ago to return it. When Tom awoke from stasis he had been surprised to find it in plain sight. Thinking the Doctor would refuse to let him keep it, and not wanting to admit to his fears, he had put in his jacket. While he was in that coffin it was his one link to reality. He still lived in fear that one day he would be enclosed and his memories would take over and he wouldn't remember why he was trapped.
God, he hated feeling trapped. He always had to be in control, have access to the exit. It had taken years, but he thought he had control of his emotions. If what Seven said was true, then he hadn't been able to control his emotions this time.
The door chime brought him out of his thoughts. "Come in," he called.
"Tom?"
"Hi B'Elanna. What can I do for you?"
"I came to see how you were. You left the mess hall so abruptly earlier, that I was worried about you."
"I'm fine."
"If you say so." She walked in, sat down on his couch with a PADD in hand and said. "When you're ready to tell me what's wrong, I'll be here. But I warn you, Klingon's can be stubborn and I'll be sitting here until you tell me what is really bothering you." She noticed something in his hand. " What's that?"
He had forgotten that he was still holding the picture. "Nothing," he said, a little embarrassed. Not expecting a different answer, she had already made a move to grab it. "Hey, give that back!"
Turning it over, B'Elanna was surprised to find a picture of herself with Paris and Kim from their time in Neelix's resort. As she handed it back to him, she said, "Okay, Paris talk."
"It's nothing." At her look he said, "Okay, just give me a minute." Not sure where to begin, he started with the picture. "I took this picture with me when the Doc put us in stasis so I would have a small piece of my life on Voyager to keep with me."
"But the Doctor said we couldn't take anything with us."
"I know. I smuggled it in. Seven just returned it to me." Taking a deep breath he said, " When I came out of stasis the image was attached to the chamber where I could see it. Seven found it when she had to put me back into the chamber the third time. She said that after she put the picture where I could see it, I quit trying to break free." He was quiet for a moment. "Seven was right you know. I dislike being alone."
B'Elanna grabbed his hand and pulled him down beside her. Slowly she wrapped her arms around him.
"But you have probably already guessed that there's more to it than that. I don't like tight places. It's a long story. The summer before I started the academy, the Cardassian conflict had started to escalate. Dad was working on the Arias expedition with Janeway near Cardassian space. He'd been out of contact for a while.
"I'd just broken an aeroshuttle craft record. You know how the press can be. The next Paris following in the family tradition." He gave a self- depreciating sigh. "Sometimes I wish I had crashed instead. I sent Dad a subspace message to let him know how I did in the shuttle we built together. He wrote back and told me how proud of me he was."
"The next couple of days I hid from everyone needing time to myself. I got dressed in my flight suit, grabbed the latest radio controlled craft I had designed and took off to the Golden Gate Rec area…
To be continued… (Please R&R)