"Now this one is an actual cure, correct?" said Janeway.
"Yes, it is, Captain." Kes confirmed. "And it is guaranteed to save Tom's life."
"Here, we'll show it to you." The Doctor brought up a report on some research he and Kes had been conducting. It pertained largely to Bajoran anatomy. The Doctor explained "As I told you the other day, Bajorans are immune to the hazardous effects of terionium disulfide. I believe I can employ that to our advantage."
"How so?" asked Janeway.
"If we can acquire a few DNA cells from the immune systems of a male and a female Bajoran," The Doctor went on, "I believe Kes and I can combine them together to form a type of enzyme. The enzyme would have the characteristics of the Bajoran immune system. I can then replicate the enzyme many times and inject them into Tom's bloodstream. The enzymes should then be able to fight off the terionium disulfide and expel it from Tom's throat."
"Expel it how?" inquired Janeway.
"All the terionium disulfide will gather in the bottom of his stomach." The Doctor elucidated. "From there, I can perform minor surgery to remove every last microscopic bit of it."
"That's brilliant." Janeway complimented The Doctor and his young nurse. "Who do you want to volunteer for this?"
"We believe Crewmen Gerron and Celes will be perfectly willing to comply." said Kes. "Both of them consider Tom to be a good friend of theirs."
"Very well." said Janeway. "How much longer does Tom have left to live without treatment?"
"About twenty hours, Captain." said The Doctor. "Crewmen Celes and Gerron typically get up around eight hours from now."
"How long will it take you to develop this cure?"
"Just two or three hours." said Kes. "We'll still have nine hours to administer the medicine to Tom."
"In that case, why should we rush?" Chakotay joked.
"Not funny, Commander." said Janeway. "It's never a good idea to cut these things close."
"I know, Captain." said Chakotay. "I've always known."
…
The next morning, Gerron and Celes reported to sickbay. The Doctor gave them a mild sedative and once they were asleep, he extracted a few of their DNA cells from their immune systems. After reviving the two Bajorans, Kes and The Doctor went to work on the cure.
After three long hours of work, the enzyme had been created. Quickly but carefully, Kes and The Doctor replicated the enzyme hundreds of times until they had almost five test tubes' worth. In actuality, they only needed two, but they felt it necessary to have extra enzyme samples on hand.
Then the moment of suspense came. The Doctor and Kes stood on either side of the main bio-bed and each of them inserted one test tube into a hypospray. The Doctor slowly and delicately placed the end of his against a designated spot on Tom's throat and pressed the button to inject the enzyme.
Nothing happened at that moment. Tom remained perfectly still. The Doctor gave Kes the signal to proceed with administering her dosage of enzymes. She nodded and moved her hypospray to the exact same spot on Tom's throat and pressed down on the button.
They just waited in silence for something to happen. Both Kes and The Doctor knew that there would be no physical signs on the outside that would indicate a change in Tom's condition; they would have to rely on what their instruments told them. After ten minutes of waiting, Kes ran a scanning device over the area in between Tom's throat and lower chest. Studying the tricorder the scanning device belonged to, she announced to the holographic physician "All the terionium disulfide has moved into his stomach. It cannot harm him anymore."
"Good." said The Doctor. "Prepare him for surgery. We'll get that compound out of his body once and for all."
Kes nodded and got out the necessary equipment. The Doctor performed the surgery on Tom. It didn't take more than ten minutes, but The Doctor was taking absolute care in his work. Finally, all the fragments of terionium disulfide had been removed from Tom's stomach. Kes ran the scanning device over Tom's entire body. When she was finished, she studied the tricorder and proclaimed "We've done it, Doctor. There's not a microbe of terionium disulfide left anywhere in Tom's body."
The Doctor smiled in satisfaction at their work. He removed the oxygen mask from Tom's face, knowing he would not be needing it anymore. Kes asked him "What are we to do now?"
"I'll give him some winolicine." said The Doctor. "That should give him some help in regaining his consciousness. But after that, all we can do is wait."
Kes nodded and handed The Doctor a hypospray loaded with winolicine. The Doctor injected it into Tom's neck and just stood waiting in anxiety for him to recover.
Finally, fifteen minutes later, Tom slowly opened his eyes. He only had blurred vision at first, but as he opened his eyes all the way, he completely regained his eyesight. Soon he had the strength to sit up. Kes and The Doctor aided him in this endeavor. Looking around, he asked "Where am I? What happened?"
"You're in sickbay, Lieutenant." said The Doctor. "But in answer to your second question, that may take a little longer to explain. I suggest that you take a shower and get something to eat. Then somebody will explain it to you."
"Sounds like a pact." said Tom. He pulled the blanket off his lap, picked up his uniform jacket, slid it over his arms, and left without another word.
Kes then tapped her combadge and said "Kes to Captain Janeway."
"Janeway here." the Captain replied. "Go aheard, Kes."
"The cure worked, Captain." Kes stated proudly. "Lieutenant Paris is awake and back on his feet."
"Excellent work." said Janeway. "Has The Doctor released him from sickbay?"
"Yes." said Kes. "He's going to his quarters for a while. Then he'll be ready to be informed of what happened while he was out."
…
Later in the mess hall, Tom ate his lunch while Janeway and Tuvok kept him up-to-date on the events of the past few days.
"So, I was in sickbay for almost three full days?" said Tom, his mouth full of chicken.
"Correct, Lieutenant." said Tuvok.
"Wow." said Tom. "Three days of nothing but protein formula injections for food. No wonder I can't stop eating."
Janeway chuckled. "That's probably one of the reasons."
"So, I would imagine that you are rescinding the 'beverages on the bridge' policy, Captain?" Tom assumed.
"That is correct, Tom." said Janeway. "And from now on, no one will be allowed to add something into the replicator's database without authorization."
"A reasonable safety measure." Tuvok noted.
Tom agreed, then, taking a bite of fruit salad, he said "I can imagine I wasn't missed that much while I was in sickbay."
"Tom, virtually the entire crew was on edge." said Janeway. "Besides, how could I not miss my Chief Conn Officer?"
"You're too kind, Captain." said Tom, pretending to blush. He ate a spoonful of corn and said "You said that Chakotay managed to stop Smithee just in time?"
"Exactly." said Janeway.
"Where is she now?" asked Tom, eating more chicken.
"In the morgue." Tuvok replied straightforwardly.
Tom just looked up at him and swallowed what food was in his mouth. Then he uttered "What?"
"Commander Chakotay was forced to kill her in order to stop her from killing you." Tuvok enlightened him.
"Chakotay killed a longtime friend of his to save my life?" said Tom, unable to grasp that idea.
"Would you have done the same for him, Lieutenant?"
Tom took some time to think about his answer. Then he presented it: "I suppose I would, Captain."
"You should let him know that." said Janeway.
Tom nodded. Then Tuvok and Janeway left him to eat his lunch alone. Later B'Elanna came around and sat at the table with him.
"The nerve of Tuvok," Tom said angrily, "putting you on the suspect list. Who does he think he is?"
B'Elanna just shrugged and said "He was just doing his job."
"I suppose you're right." Tom agreed. "Still, I want to thank you for wanting to contribute something to my recovery."
"You've saved my life twice since we've arrived in the Delta Quadrant." B'Elanna pointed out. "I felt that I owed it to you."
Later that day, Tabor apologized to Tom for his indirect role in Anne Smithee's murder plan. Tom easily forgave him and assured him that none of it was his fault. Later he thanked both Gerron and Celes for donating some of their DNA cells to save his life. They told him they were proud to have done something to save the life of a friend.
The next day, as Tom walked down the corridor to report to the bridge, he saw Chakotay walking in the same direction about forty feet in front of him. Tom walked a little faster to catch up. Then he said "Commander?"
"Yes, Tom?" asked the Indian First Officer.
"May I speak with you for a moment?"
"Of course."
At first Tom said nothing, and then he told Chakotay "I just wanted to thank you for saving my life. But I'm sorry you had to kill one of your friends in order to do it."
"It's alright, Tom." Chakotay ensured him. He brought a wide smile onto his face and added "Besides, this makes us even."
"Sir?" Tom was slightly confused.
"You saved my life on the Ocampa homeworld." Chakotay explained to him. "I just saved your life in sickbay. That would mean that you and I are on equal terms now."
Tom smiled and patted Chakotay on the back. As they made their way to the turbolift, Tom said "You're right, sir."
When they arrived on the bridge, the Captain said to Tom "Welcome back to the bridge, Lieutenant."
"Thank you, Captain." he retorted. "Request permission to have my post back."
"Granted." said Janeway.
Tom relieved the ensign at the helm and sat down in his chair. He flew the ship like he always had during the past few months. All was normal once again. The crew of the USS Voyager continued their long 75-year journey toward home.