A/N: Sorry I took so long, real life intrudes (finals time ugh!)
POV: Tom Paris
I smiled sympathetically at Maren, "We know how you feel. Sometime you should read our account of how we go to the Delta Quadrant. I think I am pretty safe in saying that we're glad you got out alright, and that we found you. Right Captain?"
Captain Janeway raised an eyebrow at my impudence, and nodded, "That's correct Tom, and Maren. We are indeed very glad to have found you, and pleased that you are alive and well. Now, what did you say you're specialty was aboard the Nighthawk?"
"Chief Engineer, Captain."
"Well, we already have a Chief Engineer, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind some help. Ensign, you'll work with B'Elana, whom I see you've already met. You two can work out specific duties after the meeting. As for billeting, that's easy enough, we have plenty of spare quarters. After you speak with B'Elana, or while, she can show you where the spare ones are, and you can pick one."
"Yes, Captain!" B'Elana and Maren chorused.
'Jinx,' I thought to myself, grinning at the childish instinct.
"Something funny Mr. Paris?"
"Uh, no, Captain Janeway."
She looked at me disbelievingly, and I tried my best innocent look. Either it worked, or she was going to ask me later, and then look at me funny when I tried to explain my reflexive thought. Either way, she turned from me and asked Tuvok if there was anything else to be gone over. Sighing quietly in relief, I avoided everyone's eyes for the rest of the meeting. When we were allowed to go, I asked B'Elana if she wanted me to wait around or anything, but she shook her head, and said she'd meet me back at my quarters later.
So, instead of finding out more about Maren, Kim accosted me, and asked me to explain all I knew about Morians. Fortunately, I know very little of the race, having met only one before now, and that one was not a cross-breed, so I had very little to talk with him about.
We headed down to Neelix's lair, finding the room packed with those just off shift. Sharing a table with a bunch of others, I was asked to explain exactly how we came across Maren in the first place, and to relate all I knew about her. Frowning, I declined to go into it, saying only that if they needed to know, undoubtedly, someone would tell them. Kim smirked at my evasion, but didn't contradict, so we were able to eat in relative peace after that.
We parted ways at the turbolift, and I made my way back to my quarters to prepare for B'Elana. Quickly showering, shaving, and changing, I was just finished when I heard the chime indicating someone at the door. Calling out, "Who is it?" rewarded me with a bland, "Me," causing me to grin.
I released the doorlock at the door, and smiled as B'Elana same inside, sliding her arms around my neck as the doors slid shut and relocked at my command. Kissing her softly, refusing to let it get too intimate, at least not yet, I led her over to the small couch that just fit in the room, and sat her in it. Pulling out a bottle of wine I'd been saving since we first left the dock in the Alpha Quadrant, I chuckled at her surprised expression.
"What? Didn't think I'd have it in me to save something like this for a special occasion?" I asked, in mock surprise.
"Well, what's the occasion then Tom?" she parried challengingly.
Chuckling, I shook my head as I pulled out two wine glasses, and poured us both generously. "Did you honestly believe I would forget the anniversary of the beginning of us? I mean, I know I'm male and all, but you can't claim I'm a typical one!"
Laughing softly, she agreed, "True… very true. You are anything but typical! Then again, if you were, I wouldn't have fallen for you, now would I?"
I grinned, handing her her glass, "I could say the same for you."
Raising my glass slightly, I toasted, "To us then. To being atypical, and in love."
Clinking glasses, we both sipped, and leaned back, enjoying each other's company.
I broke the silence with a topic I felt rather important, and smiled at B'Elana's surprise, "Now, what about Kim and Maren. What do you think?"
"As what? A couple?" she asked.
Rolling my eyes, I replied, "No, as entrees for our wedding! Of course as a couple!"
"Well… it depends…." she began.
"On?" I prompted.
"Many things…"
We discussed the pros and cons for a long time, finishing up the bottle of wine as we concluded with the idea that the relationship was possible, if they were both willing to concede much. We agreed that it seemed to be headed in the direction, and if any encouragement was necessary, we'd supply it at both ends, but only if they seemed amenable to the idea.
On that note, we abandoned the topic of other peoples' love-lives, and moved on to our own, which went deep into the "night" and moved from the couch to elsewhere.
A/N: Ok Hil, you get to start with either what you and B'Elana did, or the next day. Your choice! :o)
POV: Tom Paris
I smiled sympathetically at Maren, "We know how you feel. Sometime you should read our account of how we go to the Delta Quadrant. I think I am pretty safe in saying that we're glad you got out alright, and that we found you. Right Captain?"
Captain Janeway raised an eyebrow at my impudence, and nodded, "That's correct Tom, and Maren. We are indeed very glad to have found you, and pleased that you are alive and well. Now, what did you say you're specialty was aboard the Nighthawk?"
"Chief Engineer, Captain."
"Well, we already have a Chief Engineer, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind some help. Ensign, you'll work with B'Elana, whom I see you've already met. You two can work out specific duties after the meeting. As for billeting, that's easy enough, we have plenty of spare quarters. After you speak with B'Elana, or while, she can show you where the spare ones are, and you can pick one."
"Yes, Captain!" B'Elana and Maren chorused.
'Jinx,' I thought to myself, grinning at the childish instinct.
"Something funny Mr. Paris?"
"Uh, no, Captain Janeway."
She looked at me disbelievingly, and I tried my best innocent look. Either it worked, or she was going to ask me later, and then look at me funny when I tried to explain my reflexive thought. Either way, she turned from me and asked Tuvok if there was anything else to be gone over. Sighing quietly in relief, I avoided everyone's eyes for the rest of the meeting. When we were allowed to go, I asked B'Elana if she wanted me to wait around or anything, but she shook her head, and said she'd meet me back at my quarters later.
So, instead of finding out more about Maren, Kim accosted me, and asked me to explain all I knew about Morians. Fortunately, I know very little of the race, having met only one before now, and that one was not a cross-breed, so I had very little to talk with him about.
We headed down to Neelix's lair, finding the room packed with those just off shift. Sharing a table with a bunch of others, I was asked to explain exactly how we came across Maren in the first place, and to relate all I knew about her. Frowning, I declined to go into it, saying only that if they needed to know, undoubtedly, someone would tell them. Kim smirked at my evasion, but didn't contradict, so we were able to eat in relative peace after that.
We parted ways at the turbolift, and I made my way back to my quarters to prepare for B'Elana. Quickly showering, shaving, and changing, I was just finished when I heard the chime indicating someone at the door. Calling out, "Who is it?" rewarded me with a bland, "Me," causing me to grin.
I released the doorlock at the door, and smiled as B'Elana same inside, sliding her arms around my neck as the doors slid shut and relocked at my command. Kissing her softly, refusing to let it get too intimate, at least not yet, I led her over to the small couch that just fit in the room, and sat her in it. Pulling out a bottle of wine I'd been saving since we first left the dock in the Alpha Quadrant, I chuckled at her surprised expression.
"What? Didn't think I'd have it in me to save something like this for a special occasion?" I asked, in mock surprise.
"Well, what's the occasion then Tom?" she parried challengingly.
Chuckling, I shook my head as I pulled out two wine glasses, and poured us both generously. "Did you honestly believe I would forget the anniversary of the beginning of us? I mean, I know I'm male and all, but you can't claim I'm a typical one!"
Laughing softly, she agreed, "True… very true. You are anything but typical! Then again, if you were, I wouldn't have fallen for you, now would I?"
I grinned, handing her her glass, "I could say the same for you."
Raising my glass slightly, I toasted, "To us then. To being atypical, and in love."
Clinking glasses, we both sipped, and leaned back, enjoying each other's company.
I broke the silence with a topic I felt rather important, and smiled at B'Elana's surprise, "Now, what about Kim and Maren. What do you think?"
"As what? A couple?" she asked.
Rolling my eyes, I replied, "No, as entrees for our wedding! Of course as a couple!"
"Well… it depends…." she began.
"On?" I prompted.
"Many things…"
We discussed the pros and cons for a long time, finishing up the bottle of wine as we concluded with the idea that the relationship was possible, if they were both willing to concede much. We agreed that it seemed to be headed in the direction, and if any encouragement was necessary, we'd supply it at both ends, but only if they seemed amenable to the idea.
On that note, we abandoned the topic of other peoples' love-lives, and moved on to our own, which went deep into the "night" and moved from the couch to elsewhere.
A/N: Ok Hil, you get to start with either what you and B'Elana did, or the next day. Your choice! :o)