"What was that?" Janeway asked, startled, as the ship lurched sideways.

"I'm sorry Captain," the Ensign at the helm said. "We're getting interference from the nova. It's affecting the navigation controls."

"I hope you can handle it Ensign Barker. Mr Paris has only just returned from the away mission. He won't be on duty for at least 8 hours. We have to get out of this planetary system before that nova goes off. And we'll have to do it without his piloting skills."

Chakotay nodded. "They had a tough time - away for longer than expected. It was a very successful mission though. All our material supplies are stocked full. But I hear they hardly got any sleep on the planet. Possibly also to do with radiation patterns from the nova." The ship lurched again. " Woah! Watch it Ensign!"

"I'm sorry Ensign Barker," Harry Kim apologised. "The compensation factor keeps fluctuating. I can't stabilise it. You'll have to compensate manually. I'll reroute the fluctuation data to your console."

"Thank you Harry," the Captain said. "Are you ok with that Ensign?"

""I'll see how I go. As long we don't run into a freak asteroid belt, I think I can cope."

The ship stabilised on it's course and Janeway relaxed. They hadn't seen any meteors on their way into the system so it was unlikely they would come across any now.

"Wait," Chakotay pointed at the viewscreen. "Magnify." Up ahead they were surrounded by jagged meteors hurtling and spinning chaotically. As they watched, two meteors collided causing an explosion that filled half the screen. "You spoke too soon Ensign, " Chakotay shook his head.

"All stop," Janeway commanded.

"An explosive asteroid belt. And we have to navigate on manual thrust?" Chakotay shook his head. "This isn't just freaky, it's extraordinary. We're going to need extraordinary piloting skills."

"I don't think I have those skills, Commander," Ensign Barker paled.

"Mr Kim," Janeway turned to him. "How long do we have until the nova explodes?"

"My best estimate is... 2.8 hours... no!... more like 2.5... wait... it's hard to judge. But I think it's gonna be sooner rather than later."

Janeway got to her feet. "Then we don't have any time to lose." She turned to Chakotay, who also got to his feet. "Tell me Commander, how do you feel about getting us out of this one? Your piloting skills are not half bad."

"Honestly Captain, I can't say I like the look of those exploding asteroids, but if I think I stand a chance, I'd take a bash at them."

"...And?" The Captain asked.

Chakotay paused, looking at the viewscreen. Just looking at the angry jagged meteors made a person feel dizzy and disoriented. A sudden unexpected explosion burst onto the screen, almost making him jump. He turned back to the Captain and shook his head firmly. "At the speed we'll have to be going, there's no way. We need Paris."

Janeway nodded, and pressed her commbadge. "Janeway to Paris." No response. "Janeway to Paris... Computer locate Lt. Paris."

"Lt. Paris is currently in sickbay." Janeway and Chakotay shared a concerned glance. Harry also looked up with concern. Tuvok's brow furrowed.

"Janeway to the Doctor."

"What is it Captain?" he sounded impatient at her interruption.

"How's Mr Paris?"

"Mr Paris was having trouble sleeping. All the away team members are suffering similar symptoms after their 48hrs on the planet surface: muscle tension, insomnia, lack of concentration... "

"Is Tom asleep now?" the Captain interrupted.

"No, he's awake. He's right here."

Tom's voice was heard. "Hi, Captain."

"Tom, how do you feel?" Janeway asked.

"Not too bad." Tom always made light of things, but he sounded weary. "Bit jittery, I guess. The Doc says I just need to relax. It's nothing a hot bath, a massage, and a good night's sleep won't cure. I appreciate your concern, Captain."

"I'm afraid none of us are relaxing until we get the hell away from this nova before it goes off. Tom, I need you on the bridge now." The Captain spoke with dead seriousness.

"Oh man! Here I was thinking you were inquiring out of heartfelt concern for my well-being. You disappoint me Captain!"

"I'm sorry Tom, but I'm hoping you won't disappoint me. We need you at the helm to get us past a freak explosive asteroid belt that's blocking our passage out of the system."

"That's unusual." Tom sounded intrigued. "We didn't encounter anything before. It must have an asymetrical orbit and the signals must be blocked by the nebulae clouds. I'll be right there."

"Captain," the Doctor protested. "Mr Paris needs to rest. Are you sure this is necessary?"

"He's the only one who can get us out of here." Janeway stood firm.

"Fine. But for the record, Mr Paris is not fit for duty. I take no responsibility if anything goes wrong."

Tom tried to take a deep breath to calm himself as he stepped onto the bridge. "Okay, fill me in." He strode to the helm and took Ensign Barker's place, who had gone to help in engineering. His fingers flew over the console checking all the readings as Harry and Chakotay filled him in on the situation. The Captain could see that her pilot was not in top shape. He was obviously weary. His hair was slightly messy and his face looked a little pale. But he was covering it well and it always amazed her how seamlessly and instinctively he controlled the helm, even in the toughest of situations. "Okay, I have a plan in mind that should work." Tom announced. "Listen up, we don't have a lot of time. I'm going to reroute some of the controls to make this work. This is how it's gonna work." He looked to Janeway before proceeding.

"Let's hear it." Janeway nodded.

"Looks like I'm going to be doing most of the work, but I can't do everything. There are too many asteroids to avoid them all on manual thrusters at the speeds we'll need to be doing to get out in time."

"Even for you?" Chakotay asked worried. "If Tom couldn't pull this off, who could?"

"Even for me." Tom nodded. "So, I'm going to ignore the smaller rocks that our shields should be able to handle at full power. Tuvok, you will maintain the shields. Our energy banks are full, so we shouldn't have to worry too much about the shields failing. "

"But what about the explosive asteroids?" Harry asked.

"That's gonna be your job Harry. You're gonna be looking ahead and blasting as many of the explosive rocks out of our way before we get to them."

"That could be dangerous." Chakotay warned, unsure about the plausibility of Tom's plan.

"You bet. I'm gonna be going in fast and making a lot of evasive manouvers, and I want you to back me up Chakotay. If I miss anything, you're going to pick it up, slow me down, fire the reverse thrusters, fine tune my manovuers, whatever's necessary."

Chakotay nodded.

"Sounds like a plan," Janeway was impressed. "And since you seem to be dishing them out, any orders for me Tom?"

Tom would have blushed if he wasn't so tired that he almost felt shaky. A wave of tireness swept his mind but he pushed it back. "Sorry, Captain. You... be the Captain, of course. Oh, and maybe you could also keep an eye on the nova, since Harry will be busy, and make sure we're making it out in good time."

"Good thinking, Mr Paris. Let's do it. Everyone in position."

Janeway took her place in the Captain's seat, and Chakotay took the console to the right hand of the helm.

"Take us in Mr Paris." Janeway ordered when they were ready. "We have less than 2 hours to get the hell out of this place."

They were well into the asteroid belt. Things had got off to a rocky start, so to speak, until the crew found there feet, fulfilling the roles Tom had given them. Then it had been smooth, exhilerating sailing. But Janeway could see that Tom was struggling to keep his concentration. Chakotay was backing him up well, but a couple of times they felt the ship shudder as the shields buffetted against a hurtling rock. And once Tom miscalculated and the ship spun out of control for a moment until he got things under control again. He was getting frustrated with him mistakes. "We're making excellent time, Tom." she praised. "We just have to keep it up."

"Yeah, for how long?" Tom asked. "I don't how long I can hold this together. I'm losing it!"

"You're doing great. Everyone's doing great." Janeway encouraged walking over to the helm.

"Dang!" Tom winced with frustration as he manouvered out of the path of one asteroid right into the path of another.

"It's okay, Tom. I've got it." Chakotay took them around it sucessfully, and they felt only a small shudder. The space ahead looked calmer. They seemed to have come to a relatively quiet patch.

Janeway left her chair and strode to the helm. She stood behind her pilot, placing her hands on his shoulders. He drew a quick breath. She should feel how tense and shaky he was. His breathing was quick and uneven. Up close now, she could see his hands shaking slightly even though their overall movements were smooth. She was as worried as he was that he may not be able to hold it together for as long as they needed. But he was their best chance, if not there only chance. She had to force him to be his best, by believing in him, by making him believe in himself. "Tom I know you can do it." she breathed. "You just need to relax."

"I can't." Tom sighed as the Captain squeezed his shoulders, but she saw his fingered relax a little on the console.

"Maybe I can get the Doctor to give you something," Janeway said leaning over him, "to help you concentrate."

"He already did what he could," Tom told her.

"But he also suggested a massage, right?"

"I'm a tad busy right now, don't you think?" Tom's flicked towards hers for a moment.

"Could be worth it," Janeway suggested gauging her pilot's condition with concern, "We'll make it a quickie." She flexed her fingers.

Chakotay heard and glanced at Janeway. "I've got things under control for now, but you better make it pretty quick."

Tom had not time to object. "Take deep breaths," Janeway said quietly to her pilot, as she slowly massaged his neck and his shoulders firmly.

Tom let out a shaky breath. It felt good and he just wanted to close his eyes and surrender. The Captain was a good masseuse and it was just what he needed. That, and sleep. His breathing gradually became more even, less shaky. Tom closed his eyes for a much needed relaxing moment. When he opened them a bunch of asteroids had burst onto the screen. Reluctantly he sprung into action.

"Tom! I need your help!" Chakotay shouted.

"I'm on it!" Tom's fingers flew across the console and their chaotic ride continued. It went smoothly again for a while. There were a number of near misses, but Tom's strategy was working well, and they were almost through. Everyone was feeling the strain now, but Tom in particular was looking pale with exhaustion. Suddenly Harry shouted out as part of his console exploded and he had to reroute the controls. "Tuvok, what's happening?" the Captain asked.

"Some kind of debris is penetrating the shields. I've increased their strength. The debris originates from behind us, not from the asteroids."

"The nova." Janeway surmised. "It's about to blow. Full speed ahead Mr Paris. We can get through this."

"Remember, Tom," Chakotay told him, "I've got your back."

Tom performed breathtaking manoeuvres one after the other. His skills were astounding. There was no way any other member of the crew could have attempted what he was doing, let alone execute it so naturally and smoothly.

"My god! Paris! You're bleeding!" Chakotay shouted. There was blood running from the pilot's right temple. Chakotay had not seen anything that could have caused it. Tom clenched his teeth in pain but stayed in control and continued flying. He could feel the blood dripping down his neck. Janeway took off her jacket and strode to the helm. "It must have been debris from the nova," Janeway explained. "Tuvok, how are the shields?"

"I've increased power to the shields. They are holding. For now."

She stood behind Tom and pressed her folded jacket to his temple. He startled at her touch. "It's okay Tom. Stay on track. We're almost through."

"Yes, ma'am," he said weakly "I'll keep my eyes on the road", as he navigated the spinning ship between two large asteroids that collided behind them. A spectacular bit of flying. But Janeway had no time to marvel at his skills right now. She had to try and staunch the bleeding from this nasty gash on his temple. She held his head gently but firmly and pressed her jacket against the wound to slow the bleeding as much as she could. She managed to press her commbadge without releasing the pressure too much. "Janeway to the Doctor."

"What is it Captain?"

"It's Mr Paris."

"Ah, of course it is! Will I say I told you so, or just have him beamed directly to sickbay?"

"Neither. I need you on the bridge now."

"Excuse me Captain? I suppose you expect me to fly the ship now? Well, I must say I'd be almost as qualified as Tom Paris, in the condition he was in."

"Not by a long shot Doctor! Mr Paris is doing a fine job piloting Voyager right as we speak. We'd have crashed and burned long ago without him. Unfortunately, Mr Paris has been injured and he's bleeding badly, but we still need him at the helm. Get your medkit, and get here now! All our lives depend on Tom to fly us out of here."

Janeway turned her attention back to Tom. She was amazed he was still conscious, let alone skillfully piloting the ship right now. Then again he had always asserted that he could pilot Voyager in his sleep. He was now leaving most of the finer thurst control to Chakotay now, who was just managing to keep up with him. But Tom was weakening rapidly. She pressed more firmly against his wound, he winced and clenched his teeth, but it was vital he didn't lose too much more blood. "It's going to be okay, Tom, keep it up." She could feel the weight of his head leaning against her body more and more. She pressed her body firmly against him, so he could lean on her some more, and conserve his strength just a little more.

"Chakotay?" Tom asked weakly. For a moment Janeway though he was confusing her with Chakotay.

"What is it Tom?" Chakotay asked.

"How are you doing?"

"Not too bad. We're almost through. We just have to keep this up a little longer."

"I need you to help me out," Tom sighed.

"That's what I'm here for," Chakotay assured, glancing at Janeway. Could Tom keep going, or should he try to take over completely? They waited for Tom to respond. He paused as he steered them expertly through a volley of tumbling asteroids, the shields catching exploding debris from the rocks up ahead - Harry's work. There's no way I could do that, Chakotay thought in awe, but I may have to try. It was not so much the technical skills that he couldn't match, although he knew he didn't have Paris's smoothness and finesse, but it was the quick thinking and the imaginative judgement that he just did not have. And that's what was keeping them alive through this crazy asteroid belt.

Finally Tom spoke. "Chakotay, can I reroute the anterior thrusters to you? I'll make the manoevres, but you'll do the rest? Can you do that? It'll only work if you follow my moves, but you'll be operating most of the controls."

Chakotay nodded. "I can do that. I know your style. We can make it work."

Janeway took a moment to observe how well Paris and Chakotay were doing working so closely together. It was something they usually avoided.

Tom altered the controls and they continued to weave with incredible speed though the asteroids.

"Doctor!" Janeway breathed a sigh of relief at his appearance.

On surveying the pilot's condition with the medical tricorder the Doctor was incredulous. "How can you continue to make Mr Paris fly in his condition!"

"He's the only one who has even a hope of getting us out of here!" Janeway explained.

"Well, I'm afraid there's little I can do right now!" the Doctor almost spat. "The interference from the nova is affecting the regenerators. I can apply a bandage which will help the blood to clot but I cannot treat the wound properly until we are past the nova, and we can get him to sickbay! I'm giving him a shot of adrenalin to keep him from going into severe shock, but it's a temporary measure only!"

"Just do it, Doc," Tom glanced quicky at the Doctor, indicating there was no point arguing with the Captain.

The doctor pressed the hypospray to Paris's neck. "This will speed up your heart rate Mr Paris, and hopefully allow you to remain conscious a little longer." It was hard to tell if Paris was listening. All his focus semed to be on the screen, as he wove Yoyager through the obstacle course of asteroids. The Doctor turned to Janeway instead. "Let's see what we can do about his wound." Janeway removed her jacket, and the Doctor quickly applied a bandage and scanned Tom's temple. "The laceration has not penetrated his skull, which is a relief. However, Tom will go into potentially fatal shock if he losses much more blood, so you had best keep pressure on the wound over this bandage. His skull is not damaged, so you can apply quite firm pressure, don't be too gentle. " Then the Doctor was called to sickbay. Several other crewmembers had been affected by debris that had got past the shields. "Captain I'll leave this hypospray with you," the Doctor pressed it into Jameway's palm. "Give Paris another adrenalin shot, but only if it's critical. Excess adrenalin will exacerbate the bleeding. I hope to see you in sickbay as soon as possible Mr Paris," he spoke into Tom's ear and left, giving Janeway a disapproving look. Janeway replaced her hands on Tom's head and pressed, increasing the firmness over the bandage on Tom's temple that was already beginning to soak with red. He groaned faintly in pain. "It's okay," she reassured him, "Stay focussed." And he did. From somewhere Tom was pulling new reserves of strength and, despite his condition, Voyager continued to glide and dart at incredible speed.

"We're almost clear of the asteroids." Harry announced.

Tom relaxed for a moment, leaning his head into Janeway, who still stood behind him, applying pressure to the now blood-soaked bandage covering his right temple.

"How soon can we go to warp?" Janeway asked, twisting her head in Tuvok's direction.

"I'm not sure we can." Tuvok spoke. "Radiation from the nova has increased ten-fold. It would be unsafe to try. Yet unless we do, we'll be caught in it's nuclear explosion."

"What are our options, Mr Tuvok?"

Tuvok was silent. Paris spoke up, sounding weaker again now the adrenalin shot was wearing off. Only Janeway and Chakotay heard him correctly. "We'll have to shield Voyager somehow."

"Our shields won't hold." Tuvok said.

"I mean find shelter. Maybe in the lee of a very dense planet or moon. If there's anything close enough."

"Mr Kim, do a search for nearby planets," the Captain ordered.

"There is!" Harry breathed with relief. "There is a large planet that should shield us from the nova explosion and still allow us an amazing view of the action so we can collect valuable data. The only thing is..."

"I sensed there was a catch," Tom breathed. Only Janeway heard him.

"What is it Mr Kim?" the Captain asked.

"We kinda have to backtrack a bit..."

"Back into the asteroid belt?" Chakotay was alarmed.

"Only a little." Kim tried to sound reassuring. "It's more like veering off to the side, than backtracking, really."

"We have only 8 minutes until the nova explodes." Tuvok reminded them all. "We'll have to double our speed at the very least."

"Let's go for it," the Captain said. "Harry, lock in our destination. Tuvok, man the shields. Tom, evasive manoeuvres. Chakotay, back Tom up, keep our speed up and keep us on course. Let's beat this nova."

It was a mad dash and they all knew it. Tom's gash to the head was still bleeding. He couldn't keep going much longer. None of them could. But they just had to last out the next 8 minutes, and it would all be over. The end was in sight and it spurred them all on. Janeway wiped the blood with her hand that was threatening to drip into Tom's eye. His forehead felt damp and clammy. She and whispered encouragement to him as she felt him flagging. Just a few minutes to go. They were almost there.

"Oh crap," Tom breathed, as he missed a meteor and it spun into the ship. The shields deflected it, the ship shuddered and Chakotay got them back on course.

"Tom?" Chakotay looked over at the struggling helmsman. He was terribly pale and his hands were visibly trembling, yet somehow he got them past another bunch of angry space rocks, the worst of them, before his body failed him. His hands went slack and he slumped in his seat. But the planet was in sight. It rose before them on the view screen. This was the last stretch of their dash for cover. There were hardly any asteroids left to navigate past.

"Tom!" Janeway cried out supporting his limp body, stopping him from tumbling to the floor. She looked over at her first officer. "Chakotay, you take us from here. Man the helm."

Chakotay quickly helped the Captain ease Tom down to the floor, so he could take the helm. He was surprised at how weak and shaky Tom Paris's body felt. Perhaps Tom's injury had been worse than he thought, but he had no time to dwell on the thought. He took the helm and skillfully navigated Voyager past the few remaining asteroids. While he lacked Tom's flair and brilliance, this last stretch was not beyond his skill and he would get the job done. In just under 8 minutes they made it and Chakotay brought the ship around into the protected lee of the large planet. The nova would go off any second now. The bridge darkened as all power was sent to the shields in preparation for the blast. The crew waited, ready.

Janeway looked down at her pilot spread on the bridge floor. She was kneeling with his head on her knees. Her hand was still over his wound, staunching the loss of precious blood, that now soaked the side of his uniform. She looked into his face. He was only semi-conscious now. He was only just breathing. "Well done Tom! We made it!" she let him know. He sighed almost imperceptibly and his eyes flickered closed. Janeway felt a twinge of panic that he may not open them again. "Tom! Stay with me now," she told him softly but firmly, pressing the hypospray into his neck and delivering the other shot of adrenalin that she hoped would keep him alive until they could get him to sickbay.

His eyes flicked open again."Is that an order?" he asked so inaudibly that Janeway could not be certain that he had spoken at all.

Then the nova exploded. They all felt it. The viewscreen filled with rippling light. First high-energy blue, so bright it was almost white, then dancing yellow and brilliant orange-red, a stunning display. Janeway hardly noticed it. She was focussed only on her pilot's precarious condition. Tom's eyes were still half open and he seemed to be watching the nova display."It's beautiful," he whispered and his eyes fell shut. Janeway felt his body go limp, but the Doctor arrived at that moment. He ran the medical tricorder across Tom's body checking his vitals.

"Well?" the Captain spoke impatiently.

"His vital signs are weak, but stable. He's lost a lot of blood." The Doctor gave Tom several shots from his hypospray. "However since my instruments seem to be working again now that blasted nova has finally, you know, blasted, he needn't lose any more." The Doctor ran the regenerator across Tom's right temple and the wound healed instantly. "May I suggest we avoid these nova thingys in the future Captain?" the Doctor said in disdain. "Now we must just sit tight for a few minutes, until B'Elanna says it's safe to beam Mr Paris to sickbay."

Janeway ran her hand through Paris's soft blonde hair. It was sticky with his blood and sweat. She sighed with relief that he had been able to pull this one off. She hadn't expected it to be this close. She looked around the bridge. Her crew were busy collecting and collating data on the nova. They had known what a close shave it was getting here before the nova hit, but she did not think any of them realised how close Tom Paris had just come to giving his life for them, and for Voyager. Maybe even Tom himself did not realise. Where would they be without him? She looked down at his pale face, his blood-soaked uniform, his tall frame. So many times like today they relied on his skills more than anyone realised. Out here in the delta-quadrant, they needed him more than anyone, because no one else could do what he could. He was a gift. Sometimes, like today, he pulled off the impossible, saving them and the ship when no one else could. But looking at him now, he appeared so vulnerable, so fragile. And in a way he was, Janeway mused. He wasn't the most stable or predictable crewmember, but that was part of who he was. Sometimes, he was on top of the world, irrepressible. Other times he seemed to struggle to get through the day. But he was always willing to do his best for Voyager, and to throw himself into a challenge. Janeway thought back to earlier in the day - just a few hours ago in fact - when Tom Paris had joked about his disappointment that she hadn't been enquiring about him out of heartfelt concern. Janeway bit her lip and berated herself. She should indeed be disappointed in herself for that. As she sat on the floor of her bridge with unconscious Tom Paris's head in her hands, she made herself a promise. In the future she would be more attentive to the wellbeing of all members of her crew, but most especially to her helmsman Tom Paris. Today had been too close a call, and he was too precious to lose.

But it was not quite over yet. "Brace for impact!" Tuvok warned as a huge shockwave approached.