Chapter 3
The bottle of scotch still rested in front of Tom and he sat with his head in his hands. His thoughts went back to the place he swore he'd never visit again - Voyager.
"I've been a coward about everything, everything that really matters." He heard her voice and felt the sensation of floating in space, "I have to tell you the truth... I love you..."
Tom remembered her words like it was yesterday. He remembered wondering how he could have been so lucky.
They lay together in his bed. B'Elanna was sleeping peacefully, and he was watching her sleep, never tiring of studying her face. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever known and he wanted to memorize every detail. They'd been in the Delta quadrant a little over 3 years, and this woman had become first his colleague, then his friend, and now his life. He knew this relationship was a first for her. He was the first one she'd given herself to so completely and he was scared and honored all at once. As he watched her sleep the music played softly in the background,
One more day, one more time
One more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still for one more day with you"
He couldn't think of a more appropriate song for their relationship. Some days they just prayed to survive one more day in this bizarre corner of the galaxy.
A soft voice startled him out of his reverie, "Hey, Flyboy, what are you thinking about?"
"You," he answered easily, "and why the most beautiful woman in the world would decide she was in love with me. And I was thinking about the song, I'd really like more than one more day with you."
"Well, we'll take it one step at a time," she answered, smiling.
"Even I know that Klingons mate for life," Tom rejoined, "and since we're going to be out here another 60 years or so, I'd say you're stuck with me." Grinning he leaned down to kiss her again.
"Come on, Tom, you don't really see a future here, do you?" Her words were harsh but Tom could feel the fear behind them. She'd been rejected before and she was afraid.
"I see us together from now until all eternity," he intoned solemnly, "or at least until the next Delta Quadrant race decides to take pot shots at us and ask questions later."
"Well, that probably gives us at least 24 hours or so," she smiled back at him. He was willing to give her the space she needed to come to terms with this new relationship. He had returned her love, she thought in amazement. Maybe there was a future here.
They never had time to explore that future. A wormhole had thrown them back into the reality of the Alpha quadrant almost immediately. The ship was greeted by armed security at Deep Space Nine. Starfleet members were separated from their crewmates and given a hero's welcome. The Maquis were confined to guarded quarters and Tom Paris was virtually ignored. His deal with Captain Janeway was well known, and it was assumed his pardon would come through at any time. He was also the son of an Admiral, and no one was willing to take the responsibility of confining an Admiral's son.
Concerned about the safety of his friends, Tom frantically tried to contact anyone who had a clue to their fate. His father was incommunicado, as was Captain Janeway. Finally he managed to corner Captain Sisko in his office. But Sisko had no more information than Tom. "I don't know what to tell you, son. My orders are to confine the Maquis to quarters until Starfleet can send a security force to take them back to Earth."
"What crime are they being charged with?" Tom asked.
"They are Maquis. The Federation has declared them criminals and they still have a price on their heads," Sisko answered him.
"But they aren't Maquis any longer, they've been Starfleet officers for three and a half years. Surely that counts for something." Tom pleaded.
"Mr. Paris, your captain has tried using that approach with Starfleet already and if she didn't succeed with them, what makes you think that you will succeed with me?" Sisko took some pity on the young man whose face showed far too much worry for his years, "Starfleet has a lot on it's hands right now, this war is taking it's toll on all of us. Give it some time, Tom."
A miserable Tom Paris wandered into Quark's bar. This was where he'd first met Harry Kim and found a friend. Starfleet was keeping all the Voyager crew sequestered while they were debriefed so Tom didn't even have his friend to lean on. Instead he ordered a drink, Scotch, the real stuff. He wanted to get drunk and he wanted to get drunk fast. Before he could take his first sip though, a woman sat next to him. She reached out to gently push his arm back down to the bar when he lifted the glass of dark amber liquid. She was Bajoran and gave him a long, thoughtful look as she held his arm. Finally she spoke, "Would you like to help your friends escape?"
Mesmerized by her dark eyes all Tom could do was nod. "Come with me," she ordered. "We'll take a little walk." Once they were on the promenade she revealed herself as a Maquis agent who had been sent to free the Voyager Maquis. They had a ship waiting, with a "borrowed" cloaking device; they had a plan and all they needed was a diversion. The Starfleet ship was scheduled to make the transfer of prisoners the next day and Tom would be there to cheer them on, and distract them from their duty. Another ship would wait for Tom, and carry him away from the Federation also.
The plan worked perfectly. Tom was able to provide the necessary diversion, greeting the officers as old friends and distracting them while the prisoners were transported off the prison ship, first to a troop carrier and then to the cloaked Maquis ship while Tom kept the Starfleet crew off balance. His last view of B'Elanna was when she was pushed through the access port onto the Starfleet ship. Chakotay's arm was around her as he urged her not to fight back. "Not now, B'Elanna, we'll get our chance, but now is not the time." Chakotay sent Tom a look of satisfaction and Tom realized that he knew the plan, and Tom's part in it. Would he tell B'Elanna?
The Maquis ship was ready to take Tom away the next day, but a frantic visit from Harry changed those plans. Harry had just heard from an old friend that Doc and Seven were being shipped to Starfleet headquarters the next day. The scientists there were anxious to get their hands on the Doc's 29th century mobile emitter and the "Borg," a dirty word as Harry's friend intoned it, would be taken apart to see what made her tick.
"We have to help them, Tom, but I don't know what to do." Harry's plea forced Tom to change his plans and turn to Quark for help.
A Ferengi has a long memory and this one was still angry with the young man who had ruined his sale three years earlier. Maybe Tom's sincerity touched him or maybe the fact that Tom had managed to win a lot of money at the Dabo tables made the barkeep inclined to help him. Seeing a way to minimize his losses Quark introduced Tom to a Ferengi trader who was willing to take on passengers - for a price.
The rescue was successful, and Tom found himself heading away from Deep Space 9, away from Starfleet, away from his family, and away from B'Elanna. They were headed to Beloti, the Ferengi had told him. Far enough away from Starfleet that Doc and Seven would be safe.
At the time it seemed like the best, the only solution. But now, having seen B'Elanna again, Tom had to ask himself was it worth it.
The bottle of scotch still rested in front of Tom and he sat with his head in his hands. His thoughts went back to the place he swore he'd never visit again - Voyager.
"I've been a coward about everything, everything that really matters." He heard her voice and felt the sensation of floating in space, "I have to tell you the truth... I love you..."
Tom remembered her words like it was yesterday. He remembered wondering how he could have been so lucky.
They lay together in his bed. B'Elanna was sleeping peacefully, and he was watching her sleep, never tiring of studying her face. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever known and he wanted to memorize every detail. They'd been in the Delta quadrant a little over 3 years, and this woman had become first his colleague, then his friend, and now his life. He knew this relationship was a first for her. He was the first one she'd given herself to so completely and he was scared and honored all at once. As he watched her sleep the music played softly in the background,
One more day, one more time
One more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still for one more day with you"
He couldn't think of a more appropriate song for their relationship. Some days they just prayed to survive one more day in this bizarre corner of the galaxy.
A soft voice startled him out of his reverie, "Hey, Flyboy, what are you thinking about?"
"You," he answered easily, "and why the most beautiful woman in the world would decide she was in love with me. And I was thinking about the song, I'd really like more than one more day with you."
"Well, we'll take it one step at a time," she answered, smiling.
"Even I know that Klingons mate for life," Tom rejoined, "and since we're going to be out here another 60 years or so, I'd say you're stuck with me." Grinning he leaned down to kiss her again.
"Come on, Tom, you don't really see a future here, do you?" Her words were harsh but Tom could feel the fear behind them. She'd been rejected before and she was afraid.
"I see us together from now until all eternity," he intoned solemnly, "or at least until the next Delta Quadrant race decides to take pot shots at us and ask questions later."
"Well, that probably gives us at least 24 hours or so," she smiled back at him. He was willing to give her the space she needed to come to terms with this new relationship. He had returned her love, she thought in amazement. Maybe there was a future here.
They never had time to explore that future. A wormhole had thrown them back into the reality of the Alpha quadrant almost immediately. The ship was greeted by armed security at Deep Space Nine. Starfleet members were separated from their crewmates and given a hero's welcome. The Maquis were confined to guarded quarters and Tom Paris was virtually ignored. His deal with Captain Janeway was well known, and it was assumed his pardon would come through at any time. He was also the son of an Admiral, and no one was willing to take the responsibility of confining an Admiral's son.
Concerned about the safety of his friends, Tom frantically tried to contact anyone who had a clue to their fate. His father was incommunicado, as was Captain Janeway. Finally he managed to corner Captain Sisko in his office. But Sisko had no more information than Tom. "I don't know what to tell you, son. My orders are to confine the Maquis to quarters until Starfleet can send a security force to take them back to Earth."
"What crime are they being charged with?" Tom asked.
"They are Maquis. The Federation has declared them criminals and they still have a price on their heads," Sisko answered him.
"But they aren't Maquis any longer, they've been Starfleet officers for three and a half years. Surely that counts for something." Tom pleaded.
"Mr. Paris, your captain has tried using that approach with Starfleet already and if she didn't succeed with them, what makes you think that you will succeed with me?" Sisko took some pity on the young man whose face showed far too much worry for his years, "Starfleet has a lot on it's hands right now, this war is taking it's toll on all of us. Give it some time, Tom."
A miserable Tom Paris wandered into Quark's bar. This was where he'd first met Harry Kim and found a friend. Starfleet was keeping all the Voyager crew sequestered while they were debriefed so Tom didn't even have his friend to lean on. Instead he ordered a drink, Scotch, the real stuff. He wanted to get drunk and he wanted to get drunk fast. Before he could take his first sip though, a woman sat next to him. She reached out to gently push his arm back down to the bar when he lifted the glass of dark amber liquid. She was Bajoran and gave him a long, thoughtful look as she held his arm. Finally she spoke, "Would you like to help your friends escape?"
Mesmerized by her dark eyes all Tom could do was nod. "Come with me," she ordered. "We'll take a little walk." Once they were on the promenade she revealed herself as a Maquis agent who had been sent to free the Voyager Maquis. They had a ship waiting, with a "borrowed" cloaking device; they had a plan and all they needed was a diversion. The Starfleet ship was scheduled to make the transfer of prisoners the next day and Tom would be there to cheer them on, and distract them from their duty. Another ship would wait for Tom, and carry him away from the Federation also.
The plan worked perfectly. Tom was able to provide the necessary diversion, greeting the officers as old friends and distracting them while the prisoners were transported off the prison ship, first to a troop carrier and then to the cloaked Maquis ship while Tom kept the Starfleet crew off balance. His last view of B'Elanna was when she was pushed through the access port onto the Starfleet ship. Chakotay's arm was around her as he urged her not to fight back. "Not now, B'Elanna, we'll get our chance, but now is not the time." Chakotay sent Tom a look of satisfaction and Tom realized that he knew the plan, and Tom's part in it. Would he tell B'Elanna?
The Maquis ship was ready to take Tom away the next day, but a frantic visit from Harry changed those plans. Harry had just heard from an old friend that Doc and Seven were being shipped to Starfleet headquarters the next day. The scientists there were anxious to get their hands on the Doc's 29th century mobile emitter and the "Borg," a dirty word as Harry's friend intoned it, would be taken apart to see what made her tick.
"We have to help them, Tom, but I don't know what to do." Harry's plea forced Tom to change his plans and turn to Quark for help.
A Ferengi has a long memory and this one was still angry with the young man who had ruined his sale three years earlier. Maybe Tom's sincerity touched him or maybe the fact that Tom had managed to win a lot of money at the Dabo tables made the barkeep inclined to help him. Seeing a way to minimize his losses Quark introduced Tom to a Ferengi trader who was willing to take on passengers - for a price.
The rescue was successful, and Tom found himself heading away from Deep Space 9, away from Starfleet, away from his family, and away from B'Elanna. They were headed to Beloti, the Ferengi had told him. Far enough away from Starfleet that Doc and Seven would be safe.
At the time it seemed like the best, the only solution. But now, having seen B'Elanna again, Tom had to ask himself was it worth it.