Love's Labor Multiplied: Chapter 7
By Pari
(See Chapter 1 for disclaimer)
Consciousness returned to Tom long before he opened his eyes. He merely lay there for several moments, reveling in the safety of not being able to see what was going on around him. He heard the sound of officers coming to his and the Captain's aid just as he was passing out - he could still sense them nearby now. He didn't even have to see them to guess at the identity of the two officers. Sure enough, when he finally did open his eyes, there were Barelli and Markwell, kneeling nearby, looking at him as if he'd grown horns.
"Don't you two have anything better to do," he grumbled, almost inaudibly, completing the sentence in his mind with '...other than catching me in uncomfortable positions, that is.'
Absently rubbing at the spot on the back of his head that had made contact with the floor when he'd fainted, Tom glared up at the pair. Per usual, Markwell and Barelli were staring at him in a mixture of utter shock and surprise. At least Barelli wasn't grinning from ear to ear this time. Apparently catching Tom in a 'make out session' with the Captain had been enough to shock the amusement even out of him. The thought made Tom grimace.
"Ensign. We weren't...we were just here waiting for some friends for lunch and we saw you trip..."
"Yeah, trip," Barelli parroted, before Markwell continued, nervously.
"And we...well, we thought the Captain might have a hard time getting you up." Barelli seemed to wince, and Markwell paled, his voice a little higher than before as he rushed to add "...and into sickbay. I mean, she might have a hard time getting you up and into sickbay."
Paris glared back and forth from one man to the other, resisting the urge to sink his head in his hands in embarrassment and defeat. These encounters were starting to take on an uncomfortable feeling of déjà vu. Paris looked at Barelli who opened his mouth as if to say something...then snapped it shut...then opened it again, only to seal his lips once more and stand there looking ill.
Tom liked it better when he was amused.
And then he realized his captain...or at least this version of his captain...was kneeling at his side, as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Well, thank you, gentlemen," she told the crewmen, her voice holding just enough authority mixed with a little pleasant humor. (And Tom wondered how her voice could sound so normal, after having just been caught in such a scandalous situation) "But I think your captain could handle requesting a medical transport on her own." She was teasing, but her humor was lost on her three nervous companions.
Then Janeway turned to Tom, frowning with concern. "I'm worried about you passing out like this, Tom. Maybe I really should help you to sickbay."
"No!" Tom replied a bit too quickly. He didn't dare go anywhere with this alternate universe Janeway than he had to. What if she got...friendly again? What awkward situation would they be caught in next? Necking in the turbolift? What if she tried something in Sickbay? Tom nearly shivered at the prospect. What would the Doctor say if he witnessed one of these little Q-induced episodes? It'd probably short-circuit one of his relays.
But Tom smiled to take the edge off his frantic response, shrugging and trying to look casual. "Nah, Captain, that won't be necessary. I'm fine, really. I just haven't been feeling that well lately. I'm sure it was just..." He struggled to think of a plausible reason, but he needn't have bothered.
"Exhaustion?" Markwell offered. Tom sent him a quelling look, and now he looked ill as well.
"I'm fine now, Thanks," Tom said, the underlying message of 'please go away' understood. Tom watched the two junior officers try to disappear as casually - and yet as quickly - as possible and tried not to sigh. It wasn't their fault that all this was happening, but then again neither was it Tom's. But that wouldn't keep B'Elanna from maiming him should the rumors reach her before his explanations. And if word of him and the alternate universe captain got around, Janeway might just help her. Her reputation was at stake, after all.
He turned back to "Captain Janeway" and wondered if it was wise to send Markwell and Barelli away. Now he was alone with her once again.
Janeway was frowning with concern and puzzlement. "Do you think that's it, Tom?" she asked, referring to Markwell's explanation of Tom's condition...and totally missing the meaning behind it. "This has been a difficult couple of weeks..."
Tom managed a small smile that attempted at being casual and charming. "Captain, I can assure you - I'm fine! Don't worry. I probably just need to get a bite to eat and a little sleep."
Unconsciously, he began scooting closer to the wall behind him - and further away from his captain. Janeway noticed, but said nothing. She continued to frown.
"Are you sure, Tom? You look a little pale."
She leaned over to check his forehead for a fever, and had to nearly jump backwards as Tom suddenly shot up and away from her touch.
"No, I'm certain, Captain. I, ...well I guess I should be getting back up to the bridge," he said nervously, remembering her comment about having called him to engineering.
Janeway blinked. "Back to the bridge?" she repeated, thinking 'I didn't know he'd been on shift.' She stood up, looking at her Chief Pilot skeptically.
Tom sighed, seeing her expression. 'Damn!' He should have known he couldn't fool his captain - or any version of his captain. Kathryn Janeway knew him better than that. Remembering what had happened between them moments earlier, he figured this Janeway, in particular, knew him a lot better than that. Well, she was the captain, after all - whether she was his captain or not. It could only be a good thing to tell her what was going on. After all, who knew what was going on back in her own universe while she was in his. She'd probably prefer an explanation once she got back to her ship and realized her Tom hadn't been the one she'd run into in Engineering.
Tom closed his eyes and shook his head on another sigh. How the hell did you tell Kathryn Janeway she'd just professed love to an alternate universe version of her lover who was involved with her Chief Engineer in this universe?
Janeway watched Paris closely with concern. There was definitely something wrong - Tom looked absolutely ill. Was he going to faint again?
"Tom..."
Whatever Janeway had expected Tom to do next, she definitely hadn't expected him to gently put his hands on her shoulders and look at her with something akin to apologetic embarrassment. She stiffened in surprise.
"Ca...Kathryn," Tom began, thinking it would be odd to call her 'captain', considering the fact that she thought they were a couple.
Kathryn Janeway just stared at him through wide eyes.
Tom took a steadying breath, and tried to explain. "Kathryn...I'm not your First Officer."
Janeway blinked again, and didn't know whether she should laugh or call for that emergency medical transport. Tom looked totally serious.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm not your First Officer...and we aren't having an affair."
"What?!" Janeway looked at him as though he'd gone insane, and Tom tried to give her a weak, little smile in sympathy.
"I know this sounds crazy, but I can explain everything..."
Janeway's eyes were suddenly bright with indignant anger, and now she frowned again - this time with suspicion.
"I certainly hope so, Ensign." If that crack about not being her First Officer and not having an affair with her, of all things, was some sort of insinuation about her and Chakotay...
"I do, Captain, just listen..." But then Tom realized what she'd just said, and his hands dropped from her shoulders. He became very still.
"What did you say?" he asked, his voice a mere squeak.
"I said you'd damn well better have an explanation, Mister Paris," she said, uncharacteristically allowing a bit of her anger to show. She'd been concerned that Tom was in trouble, and here he was making glib, inappropriate suggestions about her and the Commander's relationship... "Because, if you don't..."
But Tom seemed to have a hard time concentrating on what she was saying. He looked - if such a thing were possible - even paler than before. For a moment his mouth simply opened and closed, as if he didn't know what to say (not unheard of where Tom was concerned, but certainly very rare). Janeway felt her anger retreating again, as her concern reasserted itself. Perhaps he really was sicker than even she'd thought before.
"Tom? Tom, what is it?" She gripped one of his elbows - he'd looked like he could use the support.
"Captain, you...you know I'm an ensign?" His voice was still unnaturally high.
"Of course."
"And you know we're not, uh,...that we're not having an...an affair?" This time when he said it, something suspiciously like a blush crept across his features.
"I should think I would know who I am, and who I am not having that sort of relationship with, Ensign," Janeway said, her tone a bit stern.
Tom's mind grappled with the information. It couldn't be. That would mean this was "his" captain. If this was his captain...
"But, but what just happened, just a moment ago," Tom stuttered.
"Tom," Janeway said, her voice both authoritative and calming at the same time, and this time it was she that placed her hands on his shoulders, though she had to reach up just slightly to do so. "What just happened is I was working on some engineering upgrades up on that catwalk above us. I heard something and when I looked down I saw that you were unconscious, so I came to your aid. Then crewmen Markwell and Barelli joined us."
Janeway spoke slowly and carefully, as if to a child - or a crazy man. Tom nodded as if understanding, but she could tell from the look in his eyes that it took him a moment to assimilate what she'd said. When he did, he looked positively stricken.
"Oh, oh no..." he seemed to slump against the wall behind him, sinking his head into his hands with a moan.
"Tom? Tom are you okay?" the Captain tapped her commbadge. "Janeway to Doctor."
"Doctor here, Captain. What's the problem?"
"Ensign Paris seems to be ill. He was lying unconscious when I found him and he seems to be delusional. I may need a medical transport if..."
But Janeway never finished her sentence because Tom leaned over and did something very unexpected. He spoke into Janeway's commbadge, "uh, actually, Doctor, that won't be necessary. Thanks, anyway."
"Tom!" Janeway exclaimed.
"What? What's going on over..." the Doctor began to huff, but Paris cut him off as well. "Paris, out," he ordered, tapping Janeway's commbadge and closing the comm line.
"Ensign Paris..."
"Listen, Captain, there's nothing wrong with me, I swear. I'm not sick. But something has been going on around here and I think you should know about it."
Captain Janeway thought about this. "I'm listening."
"It involves Q."
"Q?" Janeway's spine stiffened with a feeling of foreboding. "What has he done?"
Tom sighed, looking her in the eye.
"Captain, you are not going to believe this."
And Janeway thought about the things Tom had said moments ago, when she'd thought he was 'delusional'. She had a sneaky suspicion she knew why he'd looked so nervous around her...and she sighed with a feeling of dread.
"Quite frankly, Mr. Paris, I have a feeling that I'm not going to want to."
And then Tom went about explaining the events of the last several hours.
**to be continued**
By Pari
(See Chapter 1 for disclaimer)
Consciousness returned to Tom long before he opened his eyes. He merely lay there for several moments, reveling in the safety of not being able to see what was going on around him. He heard the sound of officers coming to his and the Captain's aid just as he was passing out - he could still sense them nearby now. He didn't even have to see them to guess at the identity of the two officers. Sure enough, when he finally did open his eyes, there were Barelli and Markwell, kneeling nearby, looking at him as if he'd grown horns.
"Don't you two have anything better to do," he grumbled, almost inaudibly, completing the sentence in his mind with '...other than catching me in uncomfortable positions, that is.'
Absently rubbing at the spot on the back of his head that had made contact with the floor when he'd fainted, Tom glared up at the pair. Per usual, Markwell and Barelli were staring at him in a mixture of utter shock and surprise. At least Barelli wasn't grinning from ear to ear this time. Apparently catching Tom in a 'make out session' with the Captain had been enough to shock the amusement even out of him. The thought made Tom grimace.
"Ensign. We weren't...we were just here waiting for some friends for lunch and we saw you trip..."
"Yeah, trip," Barelli parroted, before Markwell continued, nervously.
"And we...well, we thought the Captain might have a hard time getting you up." Barelli seemed to wince, and Markwell paled, his voice a little higher than before as he rushed to add "...and into sickbay. I mean, she might have a hard time getting you up and into sickbay."
Paris glared back and forth from one man to the other, resisting the urge to sink his head in his hands in embarrassment and defeat. These encounters were starting to take on an uncomfortable feeling of déjà vu. Paris looked at Barelli who opened his mouth as if to say something...then snapped it shut...then opened it again, only to seal his lips once more and stand there looking ill.
Tom liked it better when he was amused.
And then he realized his captain...or at least this version of his captain...was kneeling at his side, as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Well, thank you, gentlemen," she told the crewmen, her voice holding just enough authority mixed with a little pleasant humor. (And Tom wondered how her voice could sound so normal, after having just been caught in such a scandalous situation) "But I think your captain could handle requesting a medical transport on her own." She was teasing, but her humor was lost on her three nervous companions.
Then Janeway turned to Tom, frowning with concern. "I'm worried about you passing out like this, Tom. Maybe I really should help you to sickbay."
"No!" Tom replied a bit too quickly. He didn't dare go anywhere with this alternate universe Janeway than he had to. What if she got...friendly again? What awkward situation would they be caught in next? Necking in the turbolift? What if she tried something in Sickbay? Tom nearly shivered at the prospect. What would the Doctor say if he witnessed one of these little Q-induced episodes? It'd probably short-circuit one of his relays.
But Tom smiled to take the edge off his frantic response, shrugging and trying to look casual. "Nah, Captain, that won't be necessary. I'm fine, really. I just haven't been feeling that well lately. I'm sure it was just..." He struggled to think of a plausible reason, but he needn't have bothered.
"Exhaustion?" Markwell offered. Tom sent him a quelling look, and now he looked ill as well.
"I'm fine now, Thanks," Tom said, the underlying message of 'please go away' understood. Tom watched the two junior officers try to disappear as casually - and yet as quickly - as possible and tried not to sigh. It wasn't their fault that all this was happening, but then again neither was it Tom's. But that wouldn't keep B'Elanna from maiming him should the rumors reach her before his explanations. And if word of him and the alternate universe captain got around, Janeway might just help her. Her reputation was at stake, after all.
He turned back to "Captain Janeway" and wondered if it was wise to send Markwell and Barelli away. Now he was alone with her once again.
Janeway was frowning with concern and puzzlement. "Do you think that's it, Tom?" she asked, referring to Markwell's explanation of Tom's condition...and totally missing the meaning behind it. "This has been a difficult couple of weeks..."
Tom managed a small smile that attempted at being casual and charming. "Captain, I can assure you - I'm fine! Don't worry. I probably just need to get a bite to eat and a little sleep."
Unconsciously, he began scooting closer to the wall behind him - and further away from his captain. Janeway noticed, but said nothing. She continued to frown.
"Are you sure, Tom? You look a little pale."
She leaned over to check his forehead for a fever, and had to nearly jump backwards as Tom suddenly shot up and away from her touch.
"No, I'm certain, Captain. I, ...well I guess I should be getting back up to the bridge," he said nervously, remembering her comment about having called him to engineering.
Janeway blinked. "Back to the bridge?" she repeated, thinking 'I didn't know he'd been on shift.' She stood up, looking at her Chief Pilot skeptically.
Tom sighed, seeing her expression. 'Damn!' He should have known he couldn't fool his captain - or any version of his captain. Kathryn Janeway knew him better than that. Remembering what had happened between them moments earlier, he figured this Janeway, in particular, knew him a lot better than that. Well, she was the captain, after all - whether she was his captain or not. It could only be a good thing to tell her what was going on. After all, who knew what was going on back in her own universe while she was in his. She'd probably prefer an explanation once she got back to her ship and realized her Tom hadn't been the one she'd run into in Engineering.
Tom closed his eyes and shook his head on another sigh. How the hell did you tell Kathryn Janeway she'd just professed love to an alternate universe version of her lover who was involved with her Chief Engineer in this universe?
Janeway watched Paris closely with concern. There was definitely something wrong - Tom looked absolutely ill. Was he going to faint again?
"Tom..."
Whatever Janeway had expected Tom to do next, she definitely hadn't expected him to gently put his hands on her shoulders and look at her with something akin to apologetic embarrassment. She stiffened in surprise.
"Ca...Kathryn," Tom began, thinking it would be odd to call her 'captain', considering the fact that she thought they were a couple.
Kathryn Janeway just stared at him through wide eyes.
Tom took a steadying breath, and tried to explain. "Kathryn...I'm not your First Officer."
Janeway blinked again, and didn't know whether she should laugh or call for that emergency medical transport. Tom looked totally serious.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm not your First Officer...and we aren't having an affair."
"What?!" Janeway looked at him as though he'd gone insane, and Tom tried to give her a weak, little smile in sympathy.
"I know this sounds crazy, but I can explain everything..."
Janeway's eyes were suddenly bright with indignant anger, and now she frowned again - this time with suspicion.
"I certainly hope so, Ensign." If that crack about not being her First Officer and not having an affair with her, of all things, was some sort of insinuation about her and Chakotay...
"I do, Captain, just listen..." But then Tom realized what she'd just said, and his hands dropped from her shoulders. He became very still.
"What did you say?" he asked, his voice a mere squeak.
"I said you'd damn well better have an explanation, Mister Paris," she said, uncharacteristically allowing a bit of her anger to show. She'd been concerned that Tom was in trouble, and here he was making glib, inappropriate suggestions about her and the Commander's relationship... "Because, if you don't..."
But Tom seemed to have a hard time concentrating on what she was saying. He looked - if such a thing were possible - even paler than before. For a moment his mouth simply opened and closed, as if he didn't know what to say (not unheard of where Tom was concerned, but certainly very rare). Janeway felt her anger retreating again, as her concern reasserted itself. Perhaps he really was sicker than even she'd thought before.
"Tom? Tom, what is it?" She gripped one of his elbows - he'd looked like he could use the support.
"Captain, you...you know I'm an ensign?" His voice was still unnaturally high.
"Of course."
"And you know we're not, uh,...that we're not having an...an affair?" This time when he said it, something suspiciously like a blush crept across his features.
"I should think I would know who I am, and who I am not having that sort of relationship with, Ensign," Janeway said, her tone a bit stern.
Tom's mind grappled with the information. It couldn't be. That would mean this was "his" captain. If this was his captain...
"But, but what just happened, just a moment ago," Tom stuttered.
"Tom," Janeway said, her voice both authoritative and calming at the same time, and this time it was she that placed her hands on his shoulders, though she had to reach up just slightly to do so. "What just happened is I was working on some engineering upgrades up on that catwalk above us. I heard something and when I looked down I saw that you were unconscious, so I came to your aid. Then crewmen Markwell and Barelli joined us."
Janeway spoke slowly and carefully, as if to a child - or a crazy man. Tom nodded as if understanding, but she could tell from the look in his eyes that it took him a moment to assimilate what she'd said. When he did, he looked positively stricken.
"Oh, oh no..." he seemed to slump against the wall behind him, sinking his head into his hands with a moan.
"Tom? Tom are you okay?" the Captain tapped her commbadge. "Janeway to Doctor."
"Doctor here, Captain. What's the problem?"
"Ensign Paris seems to be ill. He was lying unconscious when I found him and he seems to be delusional. I may need a medical transport if..."
But Janeway never finished her sentence because Tom leaned over and did something very unexpected. He spoke into Janeway's commbadge, "uh, actually, Doctor, that won't be necessary. Thanks, anyway."
"Tom!" Janeway exclaimed.
"What? What's going on over..." the Doctor began to huff, but Paris cut him off as well. "Paris, out," he ordered, tapping Janeway's commbadge and closing the comm line.
"Ensign Paris..."
"Listen, Captain, there's nothing wrong with me, I swear. I'm not sick. But something has been going on around here and I think you should know about it."
Captain Janeway thought about this. "I'm listening."
"It involves Q."
"Q?" Janeway's spine stiffened with a feeling of foreboding. "What has he done?"
Tom sighed, looking her in the eye.
"Captain, you are not going to believe this."
And Janeway thought about the things Tom had said moments ago, when she'd thought he was 'delusional'. She had a sneaky suspicion she knew why he'd looked so nervous around her...and she sighed with a feeling of dread.
"Quite frankly, Mr. Paris, I have a feeling that I'm not going to want to."
And then Tom went about explaining the events of the last several hours.
**to be continued**