Janeway's heart fell as Tom Paris's verdict was pronounced. This judgement was going to be hard for B'Elanna to accept.
It was two months since Voyager's heroic return from the delta quadrant. And what a roller coaster those two months had been! Chakotay and Tuvok had been promoted to Captains. Harry Kim, now a lieutenant was negotiating an assignment aboard the Enterprise. Janeway had been made an admiral. B'Elanna, now mother to beautiful baby Miral, had knocked back several coveted engineering positions at Starfleet headquarters. There was no denying Starfleet's interest in gaining her expertise. But Tom was a different story. His situation had been complex – and dramatically controversial – from the moment he set foot back on Earth.
Janeway was brought back to the presnt moment as she heard Chakotay give a long sad sigh as Tom's verdict sank in. She gazed across the bench to where Tom's father sat. The Admiral sat as still as a statue, his expression unreadable. Janeway could only imagine the tumultuous feelings that cold demeanour concealed.
Outside the room Harry was waiting. "So?" he asked, impatient to hear. "What's the verdict?"
"I'm sorry Harry," Janeway placed her hand on his shoulder.
"What's the verdict?" he repeated angrily.
It was Chakotay who answered. "Tom Paris will be returned to the custody of Auckland Penal Colony, to complete his sentence, or until deemed no longer a menace to society. His case will be reviewed again in two months."
"A menace? That's bullshit! He's was injured, that's not his fault he can't remember. They can't imprison him for it! For two months!"
"Harry! We've had the hearing. There's nothing else we can do."
"Does Tom even understand what this means?"
"I'm going in to explain to him now," Janeway told him. "I'll do the best I can."
"Good luck," Chakotay squeezed her hand as she followed the officer down the darkened hall. "She's going to need it."
