Disclaimer & Author's Note see Chapter 1

Spoilers: Season 4: Day Of Honor

Beautiful Disaster

Chapter 7: Part 1 – He's Magic And Myth

She told herself that he was just being a good friend when it came to B'Elanna. She told herself over and over that he was in love with her, that he had said so and told her every chance he got. She told herself that B'Elanna was just having a bad day and he was trying to cheer her up. But no matter how many times she told herself, the jealousy refused to abate. Tom was her beautiful disaster and no ones else's.

So when he stopped by her ready room, with a carefully replicated rose of the purest purple she had ever seen, she felt guilty for even thinking her previous thoughts. He had noticed her mood and had made sure to take care of her as well. He was magic like that.

When they had to eject the warp core, it was a disaster of mythic proportions. Her focus had turned solely to her ship, all thoughts of her helmsman and chief engineer were put away in the back of her mind. She didn't even think twice about sending them to fetch the core in a shuttle. And when Voyager finally managed to limp after the shuttle and pick up B'Elanna and Tom's bodies from the deep of cold space, she did something she had never done before. She prayed to whatever deity would listen. She wasn't ready to release him yet. She hadn't told him how she felt. She needed more time with him. She prayed the whole way to Sickbay and when she saw him laid out on the biobed, heart beating steadily, her knees almost buckled in relief. So as not to create suspicion, she approached B'Elanna first.

"How are you, Lieutenant?" She asked with concern.

"I'm fine. Klingon's are tough. I'm more worried about Tom. He's not awake yet." Torres answered.

"I'm sure he'll be fine. Get some rest while you can." She patted the younger woman's shoulder and went to check on Tom. The Doctor approached as she studied her pilot.

"Captain." The physician greeted.

"How is he, Doctor?" She asked.

"He's going to be fine. He held on long enough for us to reach him."

"Thanks, Doc, I was sure I was a goner, again." Tom rasped, waking up.

"Your welcome, Lieutenant." With that he returned to his office, leaving Tom and the Captain alone.

"You scared me, Tom." She said finally.

"I didn't mean to."

"Then you're forgiven, my beautiful disaster."

"You may rescind that forgiveness when I tell you what happened out there."

"Do tell."

"Well I was kind of delirious, but I think I told B'Elanna I was in love with you, because we were talking about what we'd do if we survived, and I agreed to tell her who I was in love with, if she told me the same. She's besotted with Harry by the way. I'm not sure if I actually told her though. If I did, I'm sorry and you can trust her to keep quiet as well. If I didn't, then I hope nobody saw us holding each other in our space suits, because she plans on telling Harry shortly."

"You're still forgiven, but we really have to talk about what happens when you get delirious, or start hallucinating. I love you though, Tom, and nothing will change that." He looked shocked that she finally said it, before a silly grin broke out on his face.

"I'm happy for you both." B'Elanna said as she joined them. "Although I was a little skeptical about it. I thought he was messing with me."

"That's Tom. He's magic and myth." They all laughed, the laugh of easy camaraderie.