A/N: Set after the Episode Season 4, Episode 3: "Day of Honor" I realize I don't know what happens to Tom and B'Elanna's future, but I couldn't resist. I'd rate this M for the soon to come adult content and themes. Kathryn and Chakotay cuteness MIGHT be there but it's more about Tom and B'Elanna. So, enjoy. Reviews appreciated and thanks for reading!

P.S. I don't know too much about Star Trek lingo so forgive me if it's not always accurate! Also, it's been a LONG, LONG time since I've written Fan Fiction so forgive the style, poor grammar, etc.

It had been only a day after their return from space, the Doctor had cleared Tom and B'Elanna back to duty but B'Elanna was tired and hungry. She ended up going to the Mess Hall thinking to herself about what she had said to Tom. She loved him...she loved him. It scared her to even re-think those words of hers. It was ludicrous to think that Tom would feel the same way about her. Her days in the Academy proved that most human males couldn't handle her. She sat down picking at her food. She and Tom hadn't talked since they arrived at Sick Bay. She was afraid that he didn't want to talk to her anymore, or maybe it was something she said. Was it too soon to say that she loved him? What if it wasn't reciprocated? She took a moment looking away. God, she was stupid...to ever think…

"Hey," she heard Tom's familiar voice. She looked up. His smile was sweet, his eyes were bright…

"Hey," B'Elanna smiled back sheepishly. What was this feeling? This feeling of feeling weak under his gaze.

"So, how are you feeling? Mind if I sit with you?" Tom asked.

"Sure," B'Elanna nodded, "I'm...well, tired actually," she chuckled a bit rubbing the back of her neck, "I also have a sore neck, when I got into Sick Bay the Doctor wouldn't even let me lift my head...every time I did he'd push me back down."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Tom smirked a bit looking away before looking at her, "I...I know we haven't had a chance to talk about what happened."

"Tom," B'Elanna began, "I...I."

"Hello Tom, B'Elanna," Neelix approached them both, "It's nice to see you both about!"

"Yes, it's nice to be about," Tom smiled at Neelix trying to be kind.

B'Elanna was impressed at his kindness. She was annoyed at Neelix's presence right now, she just wanted time alone with Tom, and alone in general. She enjoyed Tom's presence when she was with him she felt...at ease. It was like she was a cold stone under the sun when Tom was around. She loved that feeling, the warm feeling, but it was impossible to really be with him alone. Neelix was rambling on about something, she wasn't really listening.

"B'Elanna?" Tom called.

"Hm?" B'Elanna hummed looking up at Tom, "What?"

"I...I asked how you were feeling," Neelix said swiftly.

"Oh," B'Elanna said looking away from Tom, "I'm fine."

"Good! That's good! Well, I'll leave you two alone then," Neelix smiled before walking away.

"As I was saying," B'Elanna smiled at Tom before Kathryn came up on the com system.

"All Senior Officers report to your stations," Kathryn said, "Captain Janeway out."

"Guess we'll say later," Tom smiled at B'Elanna before getting up and leaving.

Tom arrived on the bridge as he sat in his seat Kathryn looked up seeing a ship ahead of her.

"Ensign, hail them," Kathryn looked over at Harry. Harry pressed a few buttons and he nodded.

"They're responding Captain," Harry looked at Kathryn.

"On screen," Kathryn looked over at the screen.

"You are in Krenim space, there is a war happening, state your business," a strange alien was on screen.

"I'm just trying to get home," Kathryn said, "We're just passing through."

"I see, well...if I were you I'd diverge your course around our space. We cannot promise your safety if you come through," the alien stated.

"Thank you," Kathryn nodded as the screen went off, she looked to Tom, "Mister Paris, make a course going around Krenim space."

"Sure thing," Tom nodded as he began to set course around the Krenim space.

"Scans are showing a planet about 4 light years away, we can be there in two days Captain," Harry looked ahead of him, "It looks habitable, Seven sent over information explaining that the planet is familiar to her she remembers it being habitable."

"Is there anyone there now?" Kathryn asked curiously.

"Yes," Harry nodded, "I can ask Seven if she recognizes the species while we do the scan for life forms."

"Maybe it'll be time for some R & R and trade?" Chakotay seemed to ask hopefully.

"Maybe," Kathryn smirked nodding.

It turned out the race was the A'okal. Seven remembered that they passed the A'okal up as their technology had no 'upgrade' to their own. They ended up docking in their atmosphere, and the ambassador of the A'okal met with Janeway discussing rules to follow. She made it clear to everyone that there was a very hostile group of people called the Po'takas. They were primal according to the A'okal, and they considered the Po'takas 'ancient' and would not attack unless directly provoked. The A'okal ambassador made it clear that Kathryn's people were allowed to go anywhere they wanted but if they were to be attacked by the Po'takas they'd be on their own, and if they were to injure a Po'taka they'd see it as an act of war. Kathryn made it everything clear in a briefing the rules of these people.

"Now, you must check in every hour, and every three hours you return to the ship. Understood everyone?" Kathryn stated in the Mess Hall.

Everyone nodded silently agreeing with her. She explained that the Senior Officers would go down first, allowing her to get a better grasp of the Planet as well.

Tom and Chakotay were sent to the outer perimeter to see what was going on on their borders. B'Elanna and Kathryn were taking the inner workings of the city and Tuvok decided to join them. Chakotay couldn't help but wonder what kept Tom so occupied. He could tell Tom wasn't really there with him. He nodded as they walked.

"You don't seem to be here with me Tom, surely some R&R will clear your mind," Chakotay said swiftly.

"I'm just thinking," Tom said swiftly.

"About?" Chakotay asked.

"A lot of things," Tom chuckled, "A lot of things."

"Care to enlighten me on these thoughts?" Chakotay asked.

"It's...personal really," Tom began, "It's strange how I feel this way...I mean not strange...familiar I guess," Tom seemed to be rambling at least that's what Chakotays confused face said, "I'm sorry," Tom chuckled a bit, "It's... complicated."

"Is that so? Well then it must be about a woman, what about her?" Chakotay asked.

"Well," Tom seemed a bit shocked but went back to thinking, "I...love her. I've known her long enough to know it's not just a fleeting feeling. I...I want to be with her as much as I can. I like how I feel like a better man around her, smarter, wiser, kinder. I'm just afraid other people will…"

"Misconstrue your relationship?" Chakotay asked.

"Exactly," Tom laughed a bit, "But I don't care...I just want to be with her. I've been trying to tell her for a week almost…"

"Sounds like you should tell her as soon as you can, otherwise you'll never do it," Chakotay stated.

"Yeah, you're right," Tom nodded.

There was a small forest that separated the two territories. Tom and Chakotay were right on the edge of the A'okal's territory. Chakotay had taken point and Tom was close behind. They heard shuffling but continued. Tom heard whispering and stopped Chakotay.

"Did you hear that?" Tom asked in a hushed tone.

"No, what did you hear?" Chakotay whispered back.

"Akatan!" An adult voice called.

A child wearing a loincloth jumped out holding a spear. Chakotay and Tom looked at him.

"Take it easy, we're just... surveying the land," Chakotay explained.

"Bakanan! Tokalia!" The child screamed as he seemed to ground himself for an attack.

"I think...we should run," Tom said backing away.

"Tom he's just a child," Chakotay stated.

"He's not alone," Tom looked around seeing adults wearing loincloths in the branches, "I imagine...this is a right of passage sort of thing."

"Well," Chakotay began to look around as he began to back away with Tom, "Guess you're right."

"Probably the only time I'm not gonna gloat about that…" Tom sighed as they began to leave moving a bit faster.

The child threw his spear and it missed them. This caused Tom and Chakotay to high tail it out of there. Tom noticed the boys' spear began to go back to him, he figured it was telekinesis. Which only worried him more. He saw the child run after them and he went to throw the spear again. He saw the spear going straight for Chakotay and he moved in front of Chakotay pushing him down.

"Watch out!" Tom felt the spear go through his side. He felt a sharp pain and he wanted to collapse, but he felt the spear slowly pull back through him.

Tom could hear Chakotay shooting his phaser to scare them away, and he was glad it worked. He fell forward and Chakotay grabbed him. Tom felt this spinning pain through his body, he felt like someone was wrapping their hands around his lungs. He took a deep breath but it sounded like he was gasping. Chakotay tried to pick Tom upholding his side the best he could.

"Tom you have to hang in there," Chakotay said tapping his combadge, "Voyager, two to beam up to sick bay," No response, he figured they couldn't get a lock on them.

"Get me…" Tom gasped, "To B'Elanna…"

"B'Elanna? You're going to die Tom, we have to get you to sick bay," Chakotay said sternly.

"I…know," Tom said between gasps, "But I...need...to tell her...something."

"Can't it wait?!" Chakotay asked.

"I've...been trying...to tell...her…" Tom said tiredly, "For...a week now…"

Chakotay began to put the pieces together and began walking with Tom towards the city. Tom seemed to struggle to breathe and move even. Chakotay silently prayed to his ancestors for Tom's safety but he knew something wasn't right. He wondered if they coated the tip of the spear with something. He wondered if Tom could even make it to the city. He hoped so. He wasn't sure what would happen if he didn't…

TBC...