Epilogue
The war with the Dominion was over. They'd been defeated but not destroyed, and the Founders had retreated to the Gamma Quadrant with a new respect for the inhabitants of the Alpha Quadrant.
Another year had gone by, and Tom Paris had landed on his feet again with the blessing of the Federation. Reportedly Adm. Janeway and Lt. Kim had not recognized their attackers in the dark of the Beloti night.
Tom had purchased a small shuttle service on Gedi, in the Beta Quadrant. He'd even named it "Nik's" in a perverse tribute to his previous business.
Harry had resigned from Starfleet six months ago when he decided their ideals just weren't his anymore. He and Neelix had joined Tom in his current pursuit of profit; a little of the Ferengi had rubbed off it seemed. Harry was a shuttle pilot, and Neelix was "Sales" and "Customer Service". They were also the repair crew and cleaned the toilets whenever necessary. It was a small business but growing.
Starfleet regulations were a thing of the past for Harry. His black hair now touched his collar and was frequently tied back to keep it out of his eyes. The spit and polish ensign now embodied the persona of a rogue pilot complete with moustache and small beard. Women customers requested his services more often than not. The image change was a great source of amusement to Tom.
Tom's image had changed too. He was the owner and his blond hair was neatly trimmed his face clean shaven. The rebellious bar owner had morphed into a model citizen on a planet full of model citizens. Most days anyway.
An old, dilapidated ship that he had just purchased (having ascertained that it wasn't able to speak to him) was giving Tom a run for his money today. She was a tough old girl, but in need of some major repair work before carrying a payload. Harry was off on a run, and had taken Neelix with him, so Tom was dealing with the project alone, and the air in the repair bay was blue from his running spiel of invectives.
Harry wouldn't have been much good anyway, his head was in the clouds since Doc and Seven had just sent a message that they were on their way. Good old Harry, Tom thought, he's still holding out hope for a relationship with Seven. Tom chuckled to himself as he banged the hyperspanner against a reluctant fuel cell. The pleasant thoughts quickly passed however, and the curses resumed as the cell refused to budge.
An achingly familiar voice broke into his tirade, "Sounds like you could use a good engineer."
The words were greeted with silence while the listener gathered his thoughts. Slowly Tom slid out from beneath the craft, carefully placing himself on the opposite side of the large wheeled tool caddy. He looked at her for a long time without saying a word. Her nervousness was obvious and she appeared ready to flee.
"I might," was all he said.
B'Elanna let her breath out slowly, "I have references if you need them, but they're all from people I knew a long time ago."
"How long are you planning on being in the area?" His words were tentative, his breathing ragged.
"I don't know. I'd consider staying at least one more day, if-- if someone-- if I was asked." She looked him in the eye, unafraid to let him see the hope that was there.
"Where's Chakotay?" he asked.
"On Dorvan. He's helping to rebuild what's left of it."
Tom nodded and moved cautiously closer, "I thought Klingons mated for life." It was a simple statement but he knew his future hinged on the answer.
"They do but-- sometimes-- events force them to leave that mate and they spend the rest of their lives trying to get back to him-- if he'll have her." Her voice trailed off in uncertainty.
His answer was to take her small, competent hands in his large greasy ones, kissing each one. He touched her face, each ridge a precious memory. With a gentle brush of his thumb, he rubbed one of the greasy fingerprints he'd left on her cheek. And then he kissed her. Their hunger for each other made the kiss sweeter than anything they'd shared before. As he released her lips and held her close, he could hear Harry and Neelix cheering just outside the hangar. Tom buried his smile in the dark warmth of her hair, relishing the scent and feel of it, and he made his wish-- for one more day.
The End
The war with the Dominion was over. They'd been defeated but not destroyed, and the Founders had retreated to the Gamma Quadrant with a new respect for the inhabitants of the Alpha Quadrant.
Another year had gone by, and Tom Paris had landed on his feet again with the blessing of the Federation. Reportedly Adm. Janeway and Lt. Kim had not recognized their attackers in the dark of the Beloti night.
Tom had purchased a small shuttle service on Gedi, in the Beta Quadrant. He'd even named it "Nik's" in a perverse tribute to his previous business.
Harry had resigned from Starfleet six months ago when he decided their ideals just weren't his anymore. He and Neelix had joined Tom in his current pursuit of profit; a little of the Ferengi had rubbed off it seemed. Harry was a shuttle pilot, and Neelix was "Sales" and "Customer Service". They were also the repair crew and cleaned the toilets whenever necessary. It was a small business but growing.
Starfleet regulations were a thing of the past for Harry. His black hair now touched his collar and was frequently tied back to keep it out of his eyes. The spit and polish ensign now embodied the persona of a rogue pilot complete with moustache and small beard. Women customers requested his services more often than not. The image change was a great source of amusement to Tom.
Tom's image had changed too. He was the owner and his blond hair was neatly trimmed his face clean shaven. The rebellious bar owner had morphed into a model citizen on a planet full of model citizens. Most days anyway.
An old, dilapidated ship that he had just purchased (having ascertained that it wasn't able to speak to him) was giving Tom a run for his money today. She was a tough old girl, but in need of some major repair work before carrying a payload. Harry was off on a run, and had taken Neelix with him, so Tom was dealing with the project alone, and the air in the repair bay was blue from his running spiel of invectives.
Harry wouldn't have been much good anyway, his head was in the clouds since Doc and Seven had just sent a message that they were on their way. Good old Harry, Tom thought, he's still holding out hope for a relationship with Seven. Tom chuckled to himself as he banged the hyperspanner against a reluctant fuel cell. The pleasant thoughts quickly passed however, and the curses resumed as the cell refused to budge.
An achingly familiar voice broke into his tirade, "Sounds like you could use a good engineer."
The words were greeted with silence while the listener gathered his thoughts. Slowly Tom slid out from beneath the craft, carefully placing himself on the opposite side of the large wheeled tool caddy. He looked at her for a long time without saying a word. Her nervousness was obvious and she appeared ready to flee.
"I might," was all he said.
B'Elanna let her breath out slowly, "I have references if you need them, but they're all from people I knew a long time ago."
"How long are you planning on being in the area?" His words were tentative, his breathing ragged.
"I don't know. I'd consider staying at least one more day, if-- if someone-- if I was asked." She looked him in the eye, unafraid to let him see the hope that was there.
"Where's Chakotay?" he asked.
"On Dorvan. He's helping to rebuild what's left of it."
Tom nodded and moved cautiously closer, "I thought Klingons mated for life." It was a simple statement but he knew his future hinged on the answer.
"They do but-- sometimes-- events force them to leave that mate and they spend the rest of their lives trying to get back to him-- if he'll have her." Her voice trailed off in uncertainty.
His answer was to take her small, competent hands in his large greasy ones, kissing each one. He touched her face, each ridge a precious memory. With a gentle brush of his thumb, he rubbed one of the greasy fingerprints he'd left on her cheek. And then he kissed her. Their hunger for each other made the kiss sweeter than anything they'd shared before. As he released her lips and held her close, he could hear Harry and Neelix cheering just outside the hangar. Tom buried his smile in the dark warmth of her hair, relishing the scent and feel of it, and he made his wish-- for one more day.
The End