New Chances Part II
According to Earth's calendar it was the beginning of the year, another year in the delta quadrant far away from home. But then again the old year had ended very promisingly for him.
At the moment Tom searched Voyager's database for a very special information. In about two weeks would be Valentine's Day, and he intended to show Kathryn Janeway how much he loved her. In order to do so he was looking for a special gift he could give her.
During the last weeks they had seen each other nearly every evening after their duty shifts and spent a lot of time together. And Tom was sure he had the best time of his life when he was with Kathryn. She made him feel alive as only one other lady could do: Voyager. But Kathryn also understood what he felt, he didn't need to tell her.
Suddenly the door chime rang.
"Come in", Tom said, looking up from his computer. B'Elanna entered, a huge smile on her face. It was clear that she was happy with Harry with whom she had spent a lot of time recently.
"Hi Fly boy." B'Elanna kissed him hello on his cheek, a habit she had kept from their time together. But Harry didn't mind since Tom and B'Elanna had remained good friends.
"Hi Bel. How are things going?" Tom motioned to his sofa and seated himself in one of the large armchairs he had managed to get on a recent away mission.
"Well, actually quite good. I just wanted to check on you. And tell you not to forget Valentine's Day. She would be disappointed." B'Elanna grinned at the expression on Tom's face. Both he and Kathryn had thought they had managed to keep their growing relationship a secret. But they should have known that it was nearly impossible to keep a secret on Voyager. Rumours travelled faster than warp speed on this ship.
"Then rest assured that I have already started the preparations." Tom leaned forward to pad B'Elanna's hand thankfully. He was glad that B'Elanna knew about his relationship with Kathryn. Somehow, it felt better this way.
"And what do you think about it?" Tom looked at her, somehow concerned what she – and perhaps the rest of the crew – might think about their captain having her pilot as boy friend.
"I really think you make her happy. Just look at her. She smiles more often than she has during the past years. And you are more at peace with yourself. I know you that well to be able to tell that. I'm really happy for the two of you." B'Elanna smiled reassuringly at Tom. Of course, she was happy for them. She wanted Tom to be happy even if it hadn't worked out with herself. And the crew needed a happy captain.
B'Elanna stood up.
"I should go now or I'll be late for a date with Harry." She went towards the door then stopped and turned again.
"You know you and the captain ... you are really made for each other." With that she turned around and finally left Tom's quarters.
Today was Valentine's Day. And somehow all the crew seemed to be in an all too romantic mood. Everywhere happy couples could be seen, plans were made for the time after duty shifts and it was almost impossible to get some time on the holodeck.
Kathryn sat in her ready room, studying a pile of padds with reports on ship's systems when her door chime rang.
"Come in", she called looking up from the padd she was holding.
Tuvok came in with even more padds, holding one hand behind his back.
"Good morning captain." He put the padds on her desk and looked at her with a curious expression in his eyes, the hand still behind his back.
"Good morning Tuvok. So, how can I help you?" Kathryn saw that he was up to something if you could use this expression for a Vulcan. For someone who didn't know Tuvok so well it wouldn't have been visible but Kathryn had known him for long years.
Tuvok finally moved his hand from behind his back and gave her an apricot colored rose.
"Today is Valentine's Day, and even though Vulcans do not honour traditions like this I want to thank you for all you have done for this crew and for your friendship. It is an important part of my life, and I am honoured to serve under you." Even though Tuvok claimed to have no emotions his eyes showed a certain warmth. Kathryn was really moved.
"Oh ... thank you Tuvok..." She didn't even know what to say so she just hugged him.
Then, Tuvok left her alone again with her work. But it meant a lot to her coming from her old friend. Most of the time he was kind of a guide for her, always knowing the logical choice, pointing out her mistakes and miscalculations. But at that moment he had been her good old friend.
When Kathryn looked at the pile of padds Tuvok had brought with him she realized that these padds contained Valentine's cards from several crew members who just wanted to use this opportunity to express their gratitude for their captain's achievements. Suddenly, Kathryn had watery eyes. She blinked the tears away but she couldn't help but feel very grateful to have such an outstanding crew who had managed to form a family so far away from home. And she felt love and joy for this crew overflow her.
She put the reports away, those could wait until she had finished the Valentine cards. After she had read those from Harry and B'Elanna, Sam and Naomi Wildman and Chakotay she found one from Tom. It was very short and mysterious, saying "Meet me at 2000 hours on holodeck 2, replicate dress Kathryn2, love Tom" but she was sure he had something very sweet prepared for her.
Now time seemed to pass slower and slower but finally Kathryn's duty shift was over and she could leave for her quarters. She had another hour before she was supposed to meet with Tom so it wasn't much time for deciding what to wear. But then she remembered that Tom had already taken care of that issue. After she had taken a quick shower and checked on her present for Tom she stood in front of her replicator ordering Tom's creation for her.
It turned out as a 19th century dress in light blue emphasizing the colour of her eyes.
At exactly 2000 hours Kathryn entered the holodeck. When the door vanished she found herself in a huge park at a warm summer evening. In her back she could see a castle which must be somewhere in Europe. It had a large terrace and a fountain at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the entrance of the castle.
Tom came towards her following a long lane.
"Hello, my love. Happy Valentine's Day." He gave her a deep red rose, then embraced her and kissed her deeply.
"Hello, darling. Happy Valentine's Day to you too." She wanted to give him her present after dinner. But at the moment she was rather curios where she was.
"Tom, this is so beautiful. Where are we?" She looked around trying to figure out herself but then again she wasn't too familiar with all the castles spread all over Europe. Or maybe this one didn't exist any more in the 24th century. If this was the case it was really a pity.
"We are in Sanssoussi castle in Potsdam, Germany. It's the castle of the Prussian kings. And we will have dinner here, then we can listen to a concert of King Frederic II. He played the German flute excellently." Tom caressed Kathryn's cheek. She looked truly beautiful in the dress he had chosen.
Kathryn closed her eyes. She liked the touch of Tom's skin on her's, and she definitely liked the program he had created for her. Sanssoussi castle had indeed been destroyed somewhen in the 22nd century when a prototype ship crash landed in that area. It had never been rebuilt so she had only seen holo-images of it.
And now she was going to spend a wonderful evening here with Tom, the man who had freed her heart from the chains she had created herself because of protocol. And because she was just afraid to loose her love again. Just like Mark. And before him, Justin.
"Sounds wonderful." Kathryn smiled and covered Tom's hand with her own. He just smiled back at her, glad that she obviously liked his program. He had tried a couple of variations in time and setting but he liked the castle best during the summertime and in a warm summer evening. There was something magical about it then.
Tom offered her his arm, and together they walked towards the castle. Climbing the stairs carefully with her long dress Kathryn turned around to have an overview over the surrounding area. It was indeed a huge park. It must be wonderful for a trip in a horse carriage.
Finally, they arrived in a large hall which was richly decorated with marble in different colours and a lot of gold. But it was beautiful.
In the middle of the hall a large dinner table was situated. It was set for two persons, with silver cutlery, fine china and two large candles. And a bunch of at least fifty red roses.
"Oh Tom." Kathryn was speechless. She wasn't used anymore to being courted like this, just to enjoy the sensation of being adored and wanted. Treated like a woman. And Tom was a romantic after all.
The evening had been a complete success. Kathryn had really enjoyed his program, and after dinner she had given him his present – a CD with Frank Sinatra's songs and a CD player. It was a reminder of how everything had begun. Anyway Tom's love for everything concerning the 20th century was a well known fact on Voyager.
It was late when they finally returned to their quarters. In the already deserted corridors they hadn't met any crewmembers which was all to their liking. Tom had told Kathryn that B'Elanna knew about their relationship, and she was happy about that as well. And since B'Elanna was very happy with Harry Kathryn didn't feel guilty about being so happy with Tom.
At last, they stood in front of Kathryn's quarters. As always Tom had walked her home, and now they just didn't want to part. They held each other's hands and talked quietly when suddenly the doors of Chakotay's quarters opened. He was still in his uniform and seemed to have waited for Kathryn.
"So there you are!" he stated angrily. Kathryn was startled. She hadn't expected him to be still up.
"Hello Chakotay." Tom said. He was as surprised as Kathryn but also determined not to let Chakotay ruin the wonderful evening. And it was rather clear that the commander was pretty angry.
"I didn't talk to you so shut up!" Chakotay took two steps in their direction, his face full of anger.
"Chakotay, what's wrong?" Kathryn was really shocked at Chakotay's behaviour. She didn't know him like that, and it was not like his usual calm self.
"What's wrong? You are seriously asking what is wrong? I've been waiting for you for years and now there's this playboy with you. You must be crazy. He probably doesn't even love you. No one loves you as I do. And how could you betray me with this.... with this jerk of all people! After all that happened on New Earth!" Chakotay was really outraged.
Kathryn tried to stay calm. It was bad enough that Chakotay didn't bother to keep his voice low, so she didn't want to raise any more interest in this little conversation.
"Chakotay, I do not betray you. Nothing happened on New Earth. I have to admit that I felt someway attracted to you there but I also told you that I could never have a relationship with you. I thought we had it all talked over." She looked at him helplessly.
"Perhaps we should continue this discussion in your quarters or we will wake up everyone around," Tom stated. Kathryn nodded and entered her code. The doors opened. Tom walked in while Kathryn motioned to Chakotay to follow him. When the doors had closed again Chakotay continued with his accusations.
"But why him? I mean he can't give you what I could. He's just playing around with you. Just one more trophy in his collection."
Kathryn wanted to say something but Tom raised his hand.
"No, Chakotay. You're wrong. I truly love Kathryn with every inch of my heart. She trusted me when no one else did. She gave me the assignment as chief helmsman. But I loved her even before that. I loved her from the first moment I saw her in Auckland." Tom smiled at Kathryn.
"Thank you, Tom. Look, Chakotay, I love Tom just as much. I could never feel the same for you. I thought you knew that. I thought you had moved on. I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you." Kathryn looked a little sad as she said so. She wasn't sure what else she could tell Chakotay but it was the truth. During the time on New Earth it was nice to have his company, and at that time she was sure she could build a life with him. But then again, she didn't have another choice when they still thought they would spend the rest of their lives on that planet. But fortunately Voyager had come back for them. Chakotay just wasn't the man she could love. She was an explorer, she was destined to be among the stars. Just as Tom.
Chakotay had calmed down a little. Suddenly, he was very embarrassed about his outburst in the corridor. He didn't know what to say except to apologize.
"I'm sorry, Kathryn. I didn't mean it. I'm just disappointed I guess." He was breathing deeply to steady himself. "I wish you all the best. When will you tell the crew?" He would stand up to her decision in front of the crew if anyone doubted it.
"I don't know. But we'll let the senior officers know first." Kathryn was glad Chakotay didn't make any more trouble.
"Thank you Chakotay." Tom simply said. He knew what it must have cost the older man to accept their relationship. Everyone aboard Voyager knew he had had a crush on their beautiful captain forever, and there was more than one betting pool on when the two would get together.
Chakotay nodded silently and left Kathryn's quarters. He knew when he had lost.
Tom and Kathryn looked at each other. It was clearly visible that Kathryn was kind of shocked about that unexpected confrontation. On the other hand, she was glad it was over. She had always feared Chakotay might still have feelings for her but now she was sure he could finally move on.
"Thank you Tom." She said as she went towards his embrace. She was glad Tom had been with her in these awkward moments
Tom took her in his embrace. It was horrible to see her like that.
"It's alright, honey. It's over." He kissed her lightly on top of her head.
"I'm so sorry he said all those terrible things about you." A muffled sob escaped from her.
"Don't be. I used to be this jerk. But now, I'm a better person. Because of you. You managed to find the best in me and brought it to the surface. You were the only one who saw the real Tom Paris when everyone else gave up on me." Carefully, he caressed her wet cheek.
"I love you!" Kathryn looked up and met his eyes with hers. In her eyes he could see the determination to make this relationship work, no matter who opposed it or what the crew would think. She had finally come to the conclusion that she deserved a little happiness. And B'Elanna's reaction had already told her that the crew might even approve her choice.
Tom led her to her sofa. She snuggled up next to him and closed her eyes just to enjoy the sensation of being held. Tom looked at her, happy that she had finally let go of protocol. After a while, Kathryn had fallen asleep in his arms, and so Tom sat silently watching her smile in her sleep. He would tuck her in later on but for now he just enjoyed the view and her warm body next to his.