Tom was trying to enter his thoughts into the tricorder as he sat at the entrance of the cave. He had tried several times to write, but found that he either couldn't, or didn't know what to say. Finally shaking his head he started.

"Con Officer's Log: Stardate I have no idea, it should be 50471.4; It is now 5 weeks since Kes and I got stranded here on this planet. Things could be worse; the planet's climate is much like Earth's temperate zones. And food is plentiful, well if you're a rabbit that is. What I wouldn't give for a steak right now. We are doing well; Kes and I are making the adjustment from panic and fear of the situation to acceptance.

There is no sign of Voyager yet, and to be honest I have almost stopped looking. We have made a home out of the cave, while we work on building a cabin. We'll probably be in this cave during the first winter, but should have the cabin done before the next. Judging by the minimal amount of snow on the mountains to the west of us, I would speculate that the winters are either not too harsh or at least precipitation is minimal.

There is a good spring not far from the cave, seems to come down out of the mountains, water quality is quite good. Well Kes is coming back with her arms full, so I best end this here and give her a hand. Capt. Janeway, if you find this, and we have passed on, please would you give my regards to everyone. Lt. Thomas Eugene Paris."

Tom closed the tricorder, then got up and ran to give Kes a hand. She had come back with quite a bit of roots, nuts and berries. "Yum, looks like you went out to get trap bait?" Tom smiled at Kes.

Frowning at Tom, "No, this is dinner for the next couple of days. You know I'm vegetarian."

Nodding his head, "A man can hope sometimes. I think I found another grove of that tree we have been using to build the cabin with."

Kes's eyes opened wide as she handed Tom the rest of the roots. "Do you think we can get it done now before winter Tom?"

"Probably not, just depends on how much time we got left before it gets bad. Judging by the snow caps on those mountains over there, I would say that this area doesn't get a lot of precipitation. That will help." Kes nodded as they walked into the cave.

B'Elanna was sitting at a console downloading the data within the tricorder. She sat there watching the headers of data pass by on the screen, rather bored. She had seen a message addressed to Ensign Kim so she had already routed it up to him at the OPS console. Suddenly she stopped the scrolling screen and paged back up through the headers. Finally stopping on one which read: "Con. Officer's Personal Log: A letter to B'Elanna Torres"

B'Elanna sat staring at the header for several minutes not really sure what to do. She looked about Engineering but most everyone was off performing their jobs. Her human side wanted to cry, but her Klingon side wouldn't allow it. She opened the file and began to read:

"Dear B'Elanna,

I'm writing this letter not even knowing if you will ever receive it. I know I didn't make much of a first impression on you, and I am sure you are aware that I am very attracted towards you, and I know how worried you are about your Klingon half, but I can only tell you this, I love you. I have since the first time we met. We have shared so much through our journey back towards the Alpha Quadrant, and if I knew then what I know now, I would have been more persistent. It is one Earth year since Kes and I were transported to where ever this is. Life has sure been different, especially without you around and I want it written down that I love you B'Elanna Torres.

You see, tomorrow, Kes and I will marry, I have come to love her beyond the simple attraction I had for her back on Voyager. We waited about 6 months and we've been 'officially dating' for another 6 months, but since we have no idea what is going on we decided not to wait any more. B'Elanna I want you to know, this is the hardest thing I have ever done, and I want you to understand how I pray it was you and I. B'Elanna there are other people on the ship who are not afraid of your Klingon side, please don't go through life without someone to call your own.

I Love You."

B'Elanna's humanity struggled deeply with the Klingon within her; her desire to cry was so great. Finally she screamed with fury as her Human side would not be denied. She ran out of engineering and made her way to a Holo-deck. Blindly going inside she ordered the playing program ended and started a new one. Two younger crewmen stood staring at B'Elanna in shock, as she walked past the couple in bathing suits that had moments before been standing in a paradise lagoon. The surroundings quickly changed into a humid tropical jungle as the couple quickly fled the Holo-deck.

Ensign Kim had just finished a diagnostic on the sensors and decided to read the personal letter from Tom; he had just started to read it.

Dear Harry,

Where do I start this? So much has happened here. It is now 3 Earth years since Kes and I was...

"Engineering to the Bridge" the intercom chirped and announced.

His head up quick, Harry looked to Chakotay. "Chakotay here, report"

"Commander, Lt. Torres just ran out of here screaming."

"Acknowledged, do you know what's going on?"

"Negative sir, she was going through the data from the tricorder."

Smacking his hand on the console, he cleared the channel and opened a new one, "Chakotay to Lt. Torres report."

Tuvok entered the Galley and walked over to where Eugene sat talking to the Capt. and Neelix. "Excuse me Capt., but I would like a moment of your time."

Janeway looked at Eugene and then to Neelix, "Would you show Eugene around a bit Neelix? I would appreciate it."

Neelix smiled broadly, "Of course Capt., Eugene and I will have a splendid time together." Neelix gestured towards the door as he and Eugene got up and left the room.

Janeway gestured to one of the chairs and Tuvok then sat down. "Capt., there is something here for us to discuss that goes beyond finding out what happened and if we can get Kes and Paris back."

The Capt., tilted her head a bit, "How so Lt.?"

Tuvok seemed to search for a moment then started. "Capt., we need to decide if we are going to bring Tom and Kes back to the present. One side if we do, then Eugene will vanish, probably forever, and the other says if we don't, then we lose them forever, but keep Eugene."

Kes sat outside the cave, the twin moons of the planet moved across the sky at a quick pace. It was taking some time to get adjusted to life on the planet, on board Voyager life was spent based on an Earth schedule, 24 hours a day, but on this world it was closer to 18 hours a day. 6 hours of sleep was enough for her, but 12 hours to do things in was just insufficient, she was constantly finding herself awake when Tom was still sacked out. She sat with the tricorder writing a letter to Neelix trying to make some sense out of it all.

"Dear Neelix,

What I wouldn't give right now to hear one of your stories. Tom and I have been on this planet for almost 11 months now. So much has happened; Tom has been very reassuring, caring and comforting during this time even though I can sense the same emotions in him that I feel. We've worked really hard and almost have our cabin built. The weather has been wonderful, Tom thinks that the seasons on this planet might be much longer then on Earth, he's tried to plot our position a few times, but the tricorder just isn't powerful enough for that. It's been very interesting trying to gather the things we need.

I feel more strongly the feelings Tom has for me, the ones that use to drive you crazy with jealousy. We've talked many times about the situation and not knowing what really happened we've decided to marry and build a family. My feelings for you have not changed, but I have grown to love Tom beyond just as a friend.

Though we have no one to make our marriage 'official' we plan to take our vows once the cabin is finished. I hope that you can understand what I am saying and can find it in your heart to forgive us. I had best get to bed; we have a big day tomorrow.

Love, Kes"

Her fingers drummed the table as Janeway sat looking at Tuvok, "Where is this coming from Lt.?"

"Capt., I am glad you made the decision to separate me and Neelix, but I'm not sure I agree with your decision to terminate Tuvix's life. On the one hand I believe Tuvix only housed both of Neelix and my spirits and did not have one of his own. On the other he was a unique life form. Eugene is another issue; he possesses his own spirit as children of humanoid mating do. To bring his parents back to the present may be worse then executing him."

Chakotay was beginning to get impatient, he had twice tried to call Torres, but without success. "Harry, have you located her with the sensors yet?"

"I'm sorry Commander; last known location was the Turbo lift outside engineering." The intercom on the bridge chirped again,

"Crewmen Darrin to the Bridge."

Chakotay was about to swear. "Bridge" He replied curtly.

"Commander, Lt. Torres just barged into the Holo-deck changed the program I was running into a jungle scenario, she wouldn't respond to us and at one point growled. That's when we left."

Chakotay looked at Kim, "Very well Crewman, we'll look into it."

Janeway sat and stared at Tuvok for a minute almost horrified at what he was saying. "I will take this under advisement Tuvok, thank you for bringing it up. I think I will want input from all the senior officers on what to do if we have the option of bringing them back before deciding."

Tuvok nodded, "Thank you Capt., I'll see you in the conference room in 10 minutes." Janeway nodded as Tuvok left the table.

The Galley intercom chirped, "Bridge to Lt. Tuvok," Chakotay's voice came through tersely. "We may have a problem at the Holo-deck, meet me there."

Tuvok looked to the ceiling, "On my way Commander." Janeway got up and followed Tuvok to the Holo-deck. As they arrived at the doors to the Holo-deck, they saw the young couple standing in the hallway.

Chakotay came around from the other corner, "Chakotay, what's going on?"

Chakotay nodded to the Capt., "Capt., Engineering called the bridge reporting B'Elanna had screamed out and fled from the Engine room, then we get a report from crewman Darrin that she barged in on him ordered his program stopped and began a jungle program."

Tuvok moved to the console of the Holo-deck, and pushed several buttons. "It looks as though she is running a jungle combat readiness program. Capt., she's disengaged the safety interlocks."

Janeway looked to Chakotay and then to Tuvok, "Can you turn them back on?"

Tuvok nodded his head, "I believe so Capt. and I'll try and put a lock on it, so she can't remove them again." Janeway nodded and waited as Tuvok feverishly pushed buttons. Finally he stopped and the doors to the Holo-deck opened. Janeway and Chakotay peered into the room just as a humanoid figure stumbled backwards through the opening and dissolved into nothingness.

They looked at each other and then slowly moved into the room. They found the temperature was much warmer then the corridor and had begun to sweat almost immediately. They saw Torres surrounded by 3 large humanoid monsters battling them with a Scimitar. She had several wounds on her, a couple looked really bad. "Computer freeze program." Janeway's voice rang loud through the Jungle and instantly the 3 figures became immobile. B'Elanna's eyes went wide and a wild shriek came out of her mouth as she began slicing through the holograms, but nothing happened to them.

Chakotay yelled at B'Elanna, "Torres, what's going on?" Her head came up almost as if she hadn't seen or heard them, her eyes narrowed as she began stalking up towards them, the Scimitar held low and menacing.

"B'Elanna, you're ordered to stop this right now." Janeway watched with apprehension as Torres disregarded her order and continued to advance. Tuvok moved in to distract Torres until the Capt. could move back out of harm's way.

"She is not acknowledging us Capt. We need assistance." Tuvok shouted.

"Janeway to the Doctor"

The intercom chirped, "Go ahead Capt., I'm here."

"Doctor I think we need you in the Holo-deck, and be sure to bring a tranquilizer." The puzzlement was clearly heard in the Doctor's voice as he acknowledged the order.

They had begun to move around the jungle trying to counter B'Elanna's moves when finally the Doctor appeared. "Capt., I'm here. Oh my," the Doctor exclaimed and quickly turned himself intangible and the Scimitar passed harmlessly through him. The Hypo-spray fell from his hands as he did so, and he quickly began moving back, telling B'Elanna "Easy Lt., take it easy." The sword passed through him again, "Now, now, let's not be hasty Lt." Once they had moved far enough Chakotay rushed forward and grabbed the Hypo-spray, then Tuvok dove at B'Elanna from behind, knocking her down. Chakotay moved up quickly and pushed the Hypo-spray against B'Elanna's neck injecting the drug quickly.

B'Elanna's adrenaline fought the drug for several moments and Chakotay and Tuvok had to wrestle with her until it took effect. Finally she succumbed to the drug and Janeway almost yelled, "What the Hell is going on here?"

The Doctor picked up the Tricorder that fell off his belt, "I was just about to ask the same thing."

Tuvok spoke to the computer, "Computer end program and exit."

As the scenery dissolved the Doctor began scanning Torres. "She's had a very serious emotional trauma Capt.; in addition to several severe cuts and blood loss. I'll need to get her to sickbay for a better diagnosis and treatment. Doctor to Transporter room 1, lock on to Lt. Torres and beam her to sickbay."

An answering chirp came back, "Aye, Doctor, locked on, energizing."

As Torres disappeared, "I will get back with you in a few minutes Capt., as soon as I have something." Janeway nodded to the Doctor as he dissolved as well.

The three officers looked at each other for several moments, catching their breath. "Now does ANYONE have an idea what brought that on?" The Capt. asked. Both Chakotay and Tuvok shook their heads.

"Uh, excuse me Capt., but can we have the Holo-deck back now?"

Janeway looked at the two crewmen standing just inside the room. "Well I suppose we should get back up to the conference room for the meeting." The three of them walked out as crewmen Darrin restarted his program.

Eugene was bent over smelling a particular flower in the Hydroponics bay. "Kes told me, that flower was her favorite. She swore it could enhance the flavor of any food. Not that my cooking could ever be improved upon." Neelix said with his chest swelled and head high.

Eugene's eyes rolled as he tried to stifle a laugh remembering some of the stories his father had told him. "I believe Mother had said something about this flower in one of her messages to me."

Neelix looked at Eugene, "Do you know what her letter to me was about?"

Eugene stood up, "No, I couldn't read it, some password or some such. But Father wanted me to tell you, that he did everything to make her happy and to give her the best life he could. She had always said she was very happy."

A small tear rolled down Neelix's face as he thought of his lost love. "I must represent the one thing you hate most don't I Neelix? The woman you loved the woman you lost, and the man that got her?"

Neelix looked deep into Eugene's eyes, shaking his head, "No, I could never hate you Eugene. Yes, you may represent the one most hated thing, but you are in part the woman I loved, and a man I called a friend. If they were able to make a life together on that planet then I can not dishonor that love by hating you." Neelix stood for a moment, another tear starting to flow down his face. "In fact, you could have been, my own son." Neelix embraced Eugene and hugged him tightly.

Seeing nothing else he could do at the moment Harry reopened the file from Tom and started reading again.

"Dear Harry,

Where do I start this? So much has happened here. It is now 3 Earth years since Kes and I married. We didn't have anyone to officially sanction it, but we felt it was the right thing to do. I have a son Harry, oh Lord, you can't begin to understand how it feels. It was the most incredible thing to watch him come into existence."

There was a pause as Harry could almost feel the pride as Tom wrote of his son. "Because of his Ocampa side we believe he is about 6 years in Earth age."

In his mind Harry begins to visualize what he is reading. He sees Tom sitting in a small cave, with fire lighting up the cave in a red and orange glow, the tricorder before him as he inputs his thoughts, a small boy playing with a rough wooden ball on the floor.

"It's been so very hard. Not having the supplies that we needed, but we're really doing well. Well, except Kes. She's getting much older and weaker; I would place her at about 60 years old. The winter has not been a good one this year, and she's got the flu. I've been trying to make my own antibiotic, but have not had much success. Without it, I'm afraid she will die."

A horrifying image of an old Kes, lying in a crude bed of straw along the wall near a pathetic fire, coughing and hacking as Tom sat close by while a wintry wind blew through the gaps and holes of the ill-constructed door causing them both to shiver.

"Eugene does not really understand what's going on. I'm torn between trying to stay and take care of her, and trying to spend time with our son. I feel very guilty whenever I'm not doing anything for the other. Imagine that, me, Thomas Eugene Paris feeling guilty. Never thought I would see that day. Well Harry, I'll close this for now, and I'll write another letter later.

Always you're friend, Tom"

Harry is shocked as he feels a hand touch his, and his eyes stare first in incomprehension then finally he recognizes the Capt. "You okay Harry?"

Harry wiped the tears from his eyes, and came to a more formal stance. "I'm sorry Capt. I was just reading a letter from Lt. Paris."

She nodded her head, "That's quite okay; today's been a tough one all over. We're on our way for the conference, you up to joining us?"

"Yes Capt." Janeway smiled and then lead the other three into the conference room.

Janeway stood for several minutes looking at the planet from the conference room window. 'What are you going to do Katie? Three people's lives are at risk here, how do I decide what to do?'

"Capt.," Janeway is shocked back to the room. "I believe everyone who can be is present Capt." Lt. Tuvok informed her.

Smiling the Capt. sat down. "What do you have to tell us Lt. Tuvok?"

Tuvok stands and steps to the wall console. "Capt., we have on record several plans on some mechanical digging tools, machines that can do the job, but may take some time to transport and open the rock." Tuvok had started to continue when the door opened and the Doctor and Lt. Torres came into the room.

"Capt., I've treated all of B'Elanna's wounds, and the tranquilizer seems to have taken care of her other problem, she seems to be back to her normal self again, so I told her she could resume her duties."

Capt. Janeway nodded her head and watched the Doctor and Torres sit down. "Please continue Mr. Tuvok."

Nodding his head Tuvok continues, "Capt., we've found several excellent drilling points to use the machines with and then we can see what is below." The screen shows several fractures that lead down.

"Are the caves strong enough to withstand the excavation?" The Capt. inquired.

B'Elanna answered, "Capt., the geological scans we did show that this section of the cave is fairly sound, we believe that it will be safe for us to begin digging."

Janeway nodded her head, "There is something else for us to talk about. Lt. Tuvok has pointed out something that I think we need to discuss. I will make the final decision, but I want your input."

Janeway continued after she stands and moves over to the windows. "If a way is found to bring Kes and Tom back, we may very well sentence Eugene to a fate worse then death."

Torres stared at the Capt., "You can't be seriously considering leaving Tom and Kes on this planet to die and taking their son with us? That's insane!"

Chakotay looked at Torres, "That's enough Lt. the Capt. opened this as a discussion, if you disagree fine, but use proper protocols." Torres slumped back in the chair and turned her face.

"B'Elanna, I know this is rough, but we have to consider all options before we go too far. I want everyone to think on this and I want you to continue searching for a way to get them back. Once we have that, then I want everyone's opinion." Capt. Janeway turned to Tuvok. "Go ahead and get the equipment down there and start drilling. Everyone else lets work this, and try to come up with an answer, dismissed."

Janeway watches as everyone files out the door. "B'Elanna. Would you stay for a moment?" Janeway called to Torres. B'Elanna's head kind of slumped, but she turned and sat back down. After the door to the conference room closed Janeway turned back to B'Elanna, "B'Elanna, what's going on?" Janeway asked.

B'Elanna looked up to the ceiling, "I'm not sure where to start."

Janeway smiled as she pulled up her chair and sat down. "Why not start with what happened in Engineering?" Janeway prompted.

Tom stood by the side of the pool of water at the base of the small waterfall, taking in the beautiful flowers and the fragrance they possessed. 'Kes found the perfect spot.' He thought to himself. Just about then he heard soft humming and he turned to see Kes walking up the stream, his heart skipped a beat as he took in her beauty, she had woven flowers into her hair which she had let down for the first time since they first started building their home. Her eyes were slightly down cast, but he could clearly see the smile on her face and that smile put him at ease.

As she drew near he reached out his hand and took hers, as she stepped up next to him. He took hold of both of her hands and his eyes looked deep into hers as she continued to hum the strange melody. As she came to the end of the song she took one flower and reached up to slide it through his hair. "Kes, I know the Ocampa custom uses very little verbal communication, but on Earth we like to declare our love so if you would bear with me a moment."

Kes smiled a bit as she saw the touch of a tear in Tom's eye. Clearing his throat Tom started "Kes, I had planned to say many things to you this morning, but at this moment in sight of your beauty, my mind has gone blank. These past months though challenging have passed away as nothingness because of you, of your friendship, of your love. I promise I shall do my best to always make you happy. I shall be your friend, your lover, the man you need when you need me."

A small tear ran down her face as she reached up on tiptoes and kissed Tom deeply, sealing his pledge to her and her silent pledge to him.

B'Elanna closed her eyes, "I was going through the tricorder data, and came to a personal letter to me. Tom felt it necessary to tell me how much he really cared for me, I didn't even realize it and that how he wanted it to be me trapped with him on that planet. He also told me to find someone else on the ship, that there were people here that weren't afraid of my Klingon side. I kind of lost it, I have actually really cared about Tom for some time now, but I was so afraid of what might happen because of my Klingon side. I saw it tear my parents apart and I have been really reluctant about getting into any relationship let alone a permanent relationship. I struggled with my Klingon side to deal with all the emotions I felt, it was too much and I needed to vent them. So I went to the holodeck. I don't really remember storming out of Engineering; I just remember needing to hit something."

Janeway smiled, "Well that you did Lt. but don't despair just yet. We still have a lot of things to do before despair can find a place in our lives. Go on back to Engineering, and finish getting the logs and data out of the tricorder."

B'Elanna smiled a bit, "Your right Capt. and I'll stay away from anymore letters from Tom to me."

Janeway nodded as Torres got up and left. "Computer, location of Neelix and Eugene Paris" Janeway asked. An answering chirp and then the computer responded, "Neelix and Eugene are in the Hydroponics Bay." Janeway smiled then got up and headed out of the conference room.

As she entered the bridge Tuvok informed her that they had the first of the drilling tools ready to go down to the planet's surface. With a quick acknowledgement Janeway then told Chakotay she would be with Eugene if anything came up. Then she entered the turbo lift and was gone.

B'Elanna stepped off the turbo lift and approached the door to engineering. The door opened, and B'Elanna found herself wishing it hadn't. She looked in at her engine and saw the warp core as the power coursed through it. She saw all the officers and crewmen under her command moving about getting things ready in hopes they can still retrieve some of the Dilithium crystals. Sighing inwardly she walked in and made her way quickly to her console and sat down.

She punched several options on the console and brought up the tricorder interface once again, staring at it for several long moments before continuing. As she began to search the tricorder's database, she quickly put a filter in place that would block and save anymore personal letters from Tom to her. Then she began the task of trying to rebuild the database. A task made difficult as the fall down the canyon had caused a malfunction and all the Stardates were jumbled.

As Janeway approached the Hydroponics bay she saw Eugene and Neelix walking out. "Ah, gentlemen, I was just coming to join you." She noticed that the eyes of both men were red, but the smiles on their faces told her that it was a good thing.

She smiled at them as Neelix spoke, "Ah Captain, we were going to go back to the galley, Eugene has decided he must try my Telaxian Rangoon Soup."

Janeway's eyes lite up and thought, 'Oh boy.' She smiled, "Well I think I may join you, but I will just have a cup of coffee."

Neelix looked at her, "Are you sure you wouldn't like my better then coffee alternative?"

Janeway shook her head, and spoke quickly, "That's okay Neelix, thanks anyway, but I think I will stay with the real thing for now." Neelix nodded as they moved down the hall. Eugene stopped every so often, checking out the different stations along the way, asking surprisingly intelligent questions about them, or already knowing what they did. They found several empty tables as they entered the galley and sat down as Neelix went to get the items they wanted.

Harry had just been relieved of duty, and he made his way down to the holodeck. He stood outside the door; it was Tom's holodeck time. And his program was ready to run. He straightened his uniform and pushed the button for the program to begin, and moved into the holodeck. He stood there for several moments and looked about the bar. The old familiar faces were all there, except Tom's. Sandrine came over and took his arm in her's. "And where is that strong, handsome man that you always come in here with?" Harry almost had to fight for a breath as he told her that Tom was dead.

He never saw a holocharacter respond as everyone in the bar did as he said that. The bar was totally silenced, and everyone stared at Harry. Ricky began weeping openly as Harry became uncomfortable from the starring. "He was responding to an emergency situation on a planet and he was killed." Sandrine moved over and put her arms about Ricky, trying to console her. "I came down here because this is where I know my friend would be." About that time the doors of the holodeck opened and many members of the crew came in, all of them with tear filled eyes, and many sobbing openly. They had all come down to pay their respect to their missing friend.

Janeway sat looking at Eugene, "How is it you know so much about our ship functions Eugene?"

Smiling at her, he watched as Neelix gave the Captain her coffee and sat his soup down in front of him, "Well my father began training me early, teaching me to read, write, mathematics and as much of the Starfleet Training that he could remember."

"That couldn't have been much." Both Eugene and Janeway looked over at a crewman sitting at a table near them. Neelix's face flashed anger and he stood up quickly but Janeway quickly placed her hand on his shoulder and applied a bit of pressure, which cautioned Neelix to sit down. She got up after saying excuse me to Eugene.

"Excuse me crewman, but I don't believe I heard you quite right. We were discussing this man's father who died in the line of duty; did you really have something to add to the discussion?"

The crewman was clearly unsettled by the calmness of Janeway and really began wishing he hadn't opened his big mouth. "I'm sorry crewman, but I didn't hear a response, is there something you care to add?"

He quickly cleared his throat, "Ah, no Captain, I'm sorry, I wasn't really thinking. Oh I'm sorry Captain I'm on duty in 5 minutes, if I may be excused."

Janeway's stern eye was on him the entire time, and she enjoyed his squirming, "Very well crewman think upon this, and hope that in the future someone doesn't think of this when you are in need. Dismissed."

The crewman nodded his head and quickly ran for the door and Janeway returned to their table. "I'm sorry Eugene, some people."

Eugene smiled and nodded to her, "Thank you, as I was saying, I also learned quite a bit of the basic computer operations from the tricorder. It's amazing how integrated all the systems are and how easy it is to go from one to the other, and have almost no problems doing so." Janeway smiled as she sipped her coffee, not exactly trusting Neelix not to try a switch on her. But found the coffee delicious.

The sedative the doctor had given her was beginning to wear off, being that her emotions were still in an upheaval, she was feeling disturbed by everything and these feelings communicated themselves to the officers and crewmen who began to move quietly and quickly around her and her verbal attacks against them grew more frequent, and louder. Her Klingon side was out and in rare form. She sat there, her emotions trying to break free from the drug induced fog, when she felt Chakotay come up behind her.

"Lt., take a break." He simply said with a hint of Starfleet Command behind it.

A low growl issued from her throat, "I'm busy Chakotay, and I'll take a break later."

His eyes widened and then narrowed, "Excuse me Lt. but on this ship we still follow Starfleet protocols, and in this case that means when a senior officer gives you an order, you reply yes sir, or yes Commander. Is that clear?"

B'Elanna's head slumped again; this had to be her worse day. She slowly arose from her console, "Yes Commander, my apologies." As she turned to leave Engineering an Ensign took her place at the Commander's order.

She moved through the ship, not really aware of anyone or thing, following Chakotay blindly until he finally told her "In here B'Elanna." Chakotay said with a voice much softer as he stood at an open door. She sighed then turned and entered the room. She quickly saw that she was in the Commander's quarters.

"Have a seat B'Elanna; can I get you something to drink?" Chakotay spoke in a voice filled with care and concern.

With a sad smile on her face she replied, "A Telarian Fire Water, please."

Chakotay smiled as he watched her sit, and then turned to the replicator, "Two Telarian Fire Waters." The soft hum of the energy matrix came alive and then he picked the two drinks up and moved to the couch she sat upon.

B'Elanna took the drink and quickly consumed half of it before the burning sensation became too much. Chakotay sat in a chair across from her, "Do you want to talk about it B'Elanna?"

She looked over at him, and her eyes were unusually moist. "Do you remember the first time we had these?"

Confused a bit, Chakotay nodded his head and answered, "We had just come back from Tom's first training mission with the Maqui."

B'Elanna nodded her head, "And I had just called him a pig for the first time." She slumped back in the couch and started repeating "I wish I could take it back, I wish I could take it back."

Chakotay tried several times but could not get B'Elanna to respond. He called for a medical response team. Chakotay was actually afraid, his hands and knees were quivering, he'd seen people lose it before, but never like this. The entire time the medical team worked to get B'Elanna on a gurney she never stopped saying it, over and over. She was like a rag doll; finally they had to strap her arms down. Chakotay felt sick, but followed as they left for sickbay, and tapped his communicator, "Chakotay to the Captain."

Janeway was sitting, sipping some coffee talking with Eugene and Neelix when Chakotay's message came to her. She left for sickbay immediately.

As she entered she saw Chakotay standing there watching as the Doctor was scanning B'Elanna. She moved over to Chakotay, "How is she?"

Chakotay shook his head, "Not good Captain, the Doctor has already given her several shots to make her sleep but her body is rejecting them."

The Doctor swore and slammed his hands on the Bio-bed. Janeway looked at him, "What is it Doctor?"

"This is impossible!" The Doctor exclaimed. "I have given her enough sedatives to knock an elephant out, but mentally she is still active. Commander, can you tell me anything? What precipitated this?"

Chakotay cleared his throat, "We were talking over a glass of Telarian Fire Water and remembering when we first had it and how she called Lt. Paris a pig. Then she just started repeating herself wishing she could take it back."

Janeway looked back at the Doctor, "What is it Doctor, any ideas at all?"

The Doctor shook his head, "This goes way beyond normal depression, which was my first diagnosis. It's like she is in a physical comatose state, I was hoping if I could force her to sleep it would break the condition. I'll have to run some more tests on her, and get back with you Captain."

Nodding as the doctor turned back to his patient, Janeway wordlessly laid a hand on Chakotay's shoulder knowing the bond between these two, indeed, if not for Chakotay's insistence, she would have never given B'Elanna a chance, and probably would have locked her in the brig for attacking an officer. She then departed Sickbay.