Part 2
a year later...
"...by any means necessary."
The executioners flipped the switch, and the radiation burned through the prisoners... burning them to death. She stared at the charred face of her dead lover, horror wrenching her heart. It was her fault. She was responsible for his death.
"Death! Death! Death!" the crowd around her chanted
She found herself chanting along with them, but in her mind she was screaming out...
"NO!"
"B'Elanna. Wake up. B'Elanna!"
"NO!"
B'Elanna woke up screaming.
"Shh... It's all right. It was just a nightmare," Tom murmured, trying to calm her.
"A nightmare..." She shuddered as the violent images flashed in her mind again.
Concerned, he slipped his arms around her and drew her near. "Were you dreaming about the Mari again?"
She had been having frequent nightmares ever since the incident on the Mari homeworld. Every night, she was assailed by vivid images of destruction and chaos... a blur of violent scenes that she had witnessed and experienced throughout her life.
"So much violence," she said softly.
His arms tightened around her. "I'm so sorry, B'Elanna. We shouldn't have let them do this to you. I should have tried harder to convince Chakotay –"
"What?"
"I wanted to lead a rescue mission to break you out of that Mari prison, but Chakotay didn't think much of the idea. We kind of got into an argument over that," he said wryly. "After all these years, he and I still have our differences of opinion."
"But I thought that you and Chakotay settled all your differences a long time ago."
"Apparently not."
She frowned, clearly displeased to hear that. "I was hoping that the two of you had come to some sort of understanding by now. I didn't realize that you and Chakotay were still having problems."
"Don't worry about it," he reassured her, caressing her cheek. "Chakotay and I get along most of the time."
B'Elanna wasn't convinced, but she didn't pursue the matter. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the painful images.
"So what was this nightmare about? The Mari?"
She shook her head slowly. "Not exactly..."
"Then what?" He stroked her bare back soothingly as she sleepily rested her head on his chest.
"The Enarans," she mumbled.
"The Enarans?" he echoed, puzzled. "You were dreaming about those telepathic genocidal aliens we met last year?"
"I was having those dreams again... but they're different."
"Different? How?"
"Well... I'm myself in these dreams now," she said drowsily. "Before, I was Korenna..."
"Oh." Tom didn't know what to make of that. He was about to ask her more, but then he realized that she had fallen asleep again. Pulling the sheets up around them, he hugged her closer as he tried to remember what the original dreams had been about. He frowned. From what she had told him, they were extremely erotic dreams about a young Enaran man. He didn't like the idea that she was having sensual dreams about another man, a man who was not only an alien stranger, but also dead. For some reason, Tom was overcome by a sudden irrational wave of jealousy. He tried to push it out of his mind as he settled back into bed with B'Elanna in his arms, but it continued to bother him.
"Hi, B'Elanna." Chakotay greeted her with a warm smile. "What's for lunch?"
She made a face. "Pleeka rind casserole."
"Hmm. I hope the vegetarian alternative is better."
"I wouldn't count on it."
"Well, I'm about to find out. I'll be right back." He headed over to the serving line, thinking that she was probably right since Neelix had cooked it.
Leaning back in her chair, B'Elanna sighed. She was rapidly losing her appetite with each bite of casserole. But she had to save her replicator rations for a romantic dinner date with Tom later that evening, and...
"Aren't you going to eat any more?" Chakotay had returned to the table with his lunch, interrupting her thoughts.
"I'm not that hungry."
"You still have to eat," he reminded her. "It's not healthy to skip meals, and you've been doing that a lot lately."
She shrugged.
"B'Elanna..."
"I think I'm old enough to take care of myself, Chakotay. I don't need you to lecture me."
"I just care about you, that's all."
"I know. But you don't have to worry."
"Okay, okay." Dropping the matter, he resumed eating lunch. He knew when to back down.
"How's the vegetarian casserole?"
"Surprisingly good, actually. Try it. Neelix tells me it's also very nutritious."
She tentatively took a bite. "Not bad. Neelix has been improving."
"Have you ever thought about becoming a vegetarian?"
"No, I can't say that I have. I was raised on a Klingon diet, remember? There aren't exactly a lot of vegetarian Klingon dishes."
He chuckled. "I guess not."
"But I might have to consider it if Neelix keeps serving pleeka rind casserole..."
"Well, he does his best with what he has."
"I know. And I have to admit, this new coffee blend of his is excellent."
"Juice is better for you. It's not a good idea to drink too much coffee."
"Tell that to the captain." They both laughed at that. For Captain Janeway, there was no such thing as "too much coffee."
"So how's everything going?"
"Fine, now that we have the main computer processor back."
"You did a wonderful job re-installing it."
"Thanks."
"I know I can always count on you. You're a wonderful Chief Engineer. I'm so proud of you, B'Elanna." He beamed at her like a doting father, patting her hand affectionately.
She was touched. His opinion meant a lot to her. "Thank you, Chakotay."
"Everything else okay?" he asked as they finished lunch, and he walked her back to her quarters.
"Yeah. Except for a certain former Borg who keeps getting in way."
"You're still having problems with Seven?"
"Sometimes. I don't know what to do about her," she said with exasperation. "We just don't get along."
"I'll talk to her again. We can discuss it over dinner, if you'd like."
"Oh, I was going to have dinner with –" She stopped, catching herself in time. "With a friend."
Chakotay frowned. "You're not seeing Tom again, are you?"
"Well... not exactly," she hedged.
"B'Elanna. Don't you remember what I told you?"
She nodded. How could she forget?
"I don't want you to see him. He wouldn't hesitate to use you. He'll seduce you with sensual words and promises, but he doesn't mean any of it. He'll leave when he gets bored with you."
B'Elanna winced but remained silent.
"He has no respect for women. He only wants one thing from you," Chakotay continued.
She couldn't let that comment pass. "What makes you so sure about that?" she asked hotly.
Chakotay raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that he's any different from any of the other men you've been involved with?" It was harsh, he knew, but he had to make her see the truth.
Distraught, she turned away from him. She didn't want to face that possibility, but it had occurred to her as well.
"B'Elanna, I care about what happens to you. I'm just trying to protect you. You know that, don't you?"
"I know."
"Don't believe anything he tells you. You can't trust Tom Paris. He only cares about himself."
She nodded mutely, knowing that she would never be able to convince him otherwise. Especially since she was having difficulty convincing even herself at the moment.
After he left, B'Elanna paced back and forth in her quarters, trying to decide what to do. She loved Tom, but did he really feel the same about her?
One thing was clear. No matter what, she couldn't afford to let Chakotay ever see her with Tom.
The doors opened. Tom drew in a sharp breath at the lovely vision before him. She looked absolutely stunning.
"Like it? I just replicated it." B'Elanna grinned at him as she turned to give him a better view. The dress was a deep purple color, long-sleeved and flowing. The luxurious velvet fabric hugged her slender form perfectly and revealed just enough of her neck and shoulders.
Tom held out his arms, and she moved into his embrace. He marveled at the softness of the rich fabric beneath his hands, and of her warm skin as he bent down to kiss his way down her face. She arched her neck back slightly to allow him better access.
"Tom," she sighed contentedly as he continued nuzzling her neck, his hands roaming freely along her feminine curves. She let her hands wander over his muscular back as the familiar scent of him made her lightheaded with desire. His lips drifted to hers and captured them in a fiery kiss. They continued to kiss hungrily for several minutes.
"We'd better get going," he said reluctantly, breaking the kiss. "We don't want to be late."
She kissed him one last time, then moved towards the door. "Right," she agreed. "We can finish this later." She smiled seductively at him, her smoky eyes glowing with the promise of things to come.
Tom was tempted to forget about going to the Prixin celebration and start their own private party in her quarters, but she was already heading out the door. So he settled for falling into step with her and sliding his arm around her slim waist.
He was surprised when she pulled away slightly.
"We shouldn't be doing that in public, Tom," she admonished. "Someone might see us."
He nodded, disappointed, but he knew that she was right. Still, they walked as closely together as possible to the Mess Hall.
The Mess Hall was already crowded with people when they got there. While Neelix busily arranged the food on the tables, they chatted for a while with their cheerful comrades. Tom went over to get drinks for them and then walked back over to B'Elanna's side. She was staring at the door in consternation.
"Oh, no... Chakotay just came in. We can't let him see us together," she whispered in horror, hurrying off to the other side of the room.
Tom was left standing there by himself, still holding both drinks. What just happened? he asked himself, in shock as he stared after her.
"What's the matter, Paris, did your date ditch you?" Freddie Bristow asked loudly from a nearby table. His companions, the Delaney sisters, giggled as though it was the funniest thing they'd ever heard.
"My date also happens to be my girlfriend, so I don't have insecurity issues if she leaves my side. Unlike some people here," Tom retorted. He walked off, scowling.
"Hey, Tom," Harry greeted him. He had given up on trying to talk to Tuvok, who still couldn't understand why the crew had not appreciated the beginning of his speech, which had taken him considerable time to compose. Harry noticed Seven trying to blend into the background, and shook his head. "I don't know who looks more uncomfortable, Tuvok or Seven. I tried talking to both of them, but they're not very talkative tonight."
Tom didn't answer. He was still irritated about Bristow's comment. Not to mention terribly unhappy that B'Elanna was avoiding him. Harry finally noticed that something was bothering him.
"What's wrong? You look like you just lost your best friend. And I know that can't be it, since I'm your best friend, and I'm right here," he joked, hoping to lighten Tom's mood.
"Very funny, Harry."
Harry tried again. "C'mon, cheer up. It's Prixin. You love this holiday. Time for celebrating with all your friends and loved ones. Speaking of which... where's B'Elanna?"
Tom stiffened. Harry suspected that he had hit a nerve.
"She's over there sitting with a bunch of her engineers," Tom said stiffly. "I don't think she wants to be seen with me in public."
"What?!" Harry nearly sputtered out the champagne he had just taken a sip of. "What are you talking about? She's your girlfriend."
"I'm telling you, she's afraid of being seen with me," Tom repeated.
Harry stared at him, convinced that Tom had gone off the deep end. "What gave you that idea?"
Tom sighed. "She won't go anywhere with me in public anymore. At first, I thought she was just sick and tired of people gossiping about her – about us. But then I realized that she doesn't want anyone to think we're together at all. It's just been getting worse. And people have noticed. Bristow was just... commenting on it." he grumbled.
"Don't mind him. Bristow's just jealous that B'Elanna chose you over him," Harry reassured him. "Do you have any idea why she's been acting like this?"
Tom frowned. "I think it might have something to do with Chakotay."
"With Chakotay? What does he have to do with it?"
"Lately, B'Elanna gets really paranoid whenever Chakotay is around. Like just now. We were talking, and I went to get us some drinks... But then Chakotay came in and she panicked. Said that we couldn't let him see us together and rushed off to talk to her engineers."
"Don't worry about it, Tom. I'm sure it's nothing."
"I hope you're right, Har."
"Of course I'm right," Harry said confidently. "Hey, look. Neelix just brought out one of my favorite dishes. Let's eat!"
Tom had to smile at his friend's exuberance. Harry's enthusiasm was contagious. But Tom still felt slightly uneasy.
He turned and realized that B'Elanna was looking in his direction. Their eyes locked.
The look in her eyes was pure love and adoration as she gazed at him. He smiled back at her, letting the radiance of her smile warm him.
"Later," she mouthed.
He nodded to signal that he understood, then turned his attention back to Harry. That brief moment had been enough to reassure him.
Tom stood in front of her door, wondering what was going on with her. B'Elanna had left the party early without him. The last he had seen of her was when she had been talking to Chakotay. That wasn't a good sign.
"Come in." The doors slid open, and he cautiously entered.
"B'Elanna?"
"Tom. What are you doing here?" B'Elanna looked less than pleased to see him.
Uh-oh, he thought. He tried to keep his tone light. "I thought we were going to have our own private celebration, remember?"
"Oh. That."
"You're not happy to see me?" he asked, disappointed.
She sighed. "Of course I'm happy to see you, Tom." She moved to hug him.
"Good. I'm happy to see you, too," he murmured. She hugged him closer as he buried his face in her hair. "What happened tonight, anyway?"
B'Elanna shrugged. "Chakotay wanted to talk to me privately." She paused, clearly uneasy. "And I wanted to talk to him."
"And you don't want to talk to me?" he asked, feigning hurt. But secretly, he was actually wondering why she didn't want to confide in him, why she preferred to confide in Chakotay. "Don't you trust me?"
"I trust you. I just don't want to talk about it." She was tiring of this discussion.
Frustrated, Tom threw up his hands. "You're shutting me out again," he accused.
"I don't want to talk about it, okay? Stop pressuring me!" she said, her voice rising with her temper. She hated feeling forced to do anything.
"Okay, okay." He backed down, realizing that B'Elanna wasn't going to change her mind.
She turned it away from him abruptly. "Maybe it'd be better if you left."
"What? Why?"
"Well... Chakotay said he was going to stop by, and –"
Puzzled, he stared at her. "What does that have to with us?" She didn't answer. "B'Elanna, what's this all about?"
She turned away from him. "I don't want him to see you here. It would only get confrontational."
"Confrontational?" he repeated.
"Tom. Think about it. You and Chakotay have never seen eye-to-eye. And the two of you have been having disagreements lately..."
"Did Chakotay tell you not to see me anymore?" he demanded.
"Not in so many words."
"You're not going to let him tell you what to do, are you?"
"He wasn't telling me what to do – he would never do that. Chakotay just doesn't want to see me get hurt. He only warned me because he cares about me," she said defensively, crossing her arms and glaring at him.
And I don't? Tom wanted to ask. It hurt him to hear that Chakotay's opinion mattered so much to her. More than his did, apparently.
He frowned. "Look, I don't want to argue about this. Why don't I go now, and you call me after Chakotay leaves, all right? Then we can finish what we started earlier..." he suggested softly, hoping to appease her.
She stiffened. "Is that all you want from me?"
"No, of course not!" he said, exasperated. Tom couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was starting to lose his patience. "In case you've forgotten, we haven't spent the night together since you started having those erotic dreams again." A terrible thought struck him. "Is that it? You prefer your dreams over the real thing?"
B'Elanna was no longer listening to him. She was fuming. "Chakotay was right. I should have listened to him!"
"What?! How can you say that?"
"I think you should leave now," she told him coldly.
"B'Elanna –"
"GET OUT!"
"Fine, if that's what you want." he said tightly. He left.
The exotic birds of the Risa resort program continued their melodious serenade as Chakotay closed his eyes and leaned back in his lounge chair. This is just what I need, he thought contentedly to himself. A peaceful, relaxing afternoon away from it all –
"Chakotay."
Surprised, he glanced up to find B'Elanna standing in front of him, clearly distraught.
"B'Elanna? What are you doing here?" Chakotay asked.
"I'm sorry... I hate to bother you on your afternoon off, but –"She broke off, on the verge of tears.
"It's all right," he reassured her. He gestured to the chair next to him. "Sit down."
She obeyed, still sniffling miserably.
"What's wrong?"
"I – I don't know what to do anymore..."
"This has something to do with Tom, doesn't it," he guessed.
Tears filling her eyes, B'Elanna nodded silently,
"Oh, B'Elanna." He couldn't bear to see her this upset. "What did he do?" He shook his head. "I was afraid this was going to happen. When the two of you first started seeing each other, I hoped it would work out, but I had my doubts."
He would never approve of Tom, she realized with a heavy heart. It was just as she feared.
"You were right. I should have listened to you, Chakotay."
"About what?"
"I'll never see him again. I promise you that."
Chakotay was puzzled. "Isn't that a little extreme? I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding. The two of you can work this out."
B'Elanna stared at him. Was he saying that they should work this out? That was the last thing she had ever expected him to say. Thoroughly confused, she turned away from him. She had to sort out her thoughts.
"B'Elanna, are you feeling all right?" He was starting to suspect that there was something else going on here. But what?
"I'm fine. I just have a lot to think about. Thanks for listening." She stood up and exited the holodeck, leaving him to stare after her worriedly.
"Computer, freeze program." Harry was gasping for breath, rivers of perspiration running down his face. "Tom, I really don't think I can handle another game of hoverball right now."
"Okay." He instructed the computer to initiate the Paxau resort program instead.
"I don't see how you can still play hoverball after working out in the Klingon martial arts program all afternoon," Harry wheezed.
Tom merely shrugged, settling into the cushions of his chair.
Flopping down on a nearby lounge chair, Harry wiped his face off with a towel. "Have you talked to B'Elanna yet?"
"She doesn't want to talk to me."
"I'm sure there's a reason for all this."
Tom snorted derisively. "Yeah, there's a reason, all right. Chakotay told her not to see me anymore."
"You don't know that."
"It's the only explanation that I can think of."
Harry frowned. "The two of you just had a little misunderstanding, that's all. It happens all the time. Just look at me and Seven."
Tom couldn't help but smile at that. "How are you two getting along now, anyway?"
"Much better. I've stopped asking her out, and she hasn't told me to 'take off my clothes' again," he said wryly.
"Give it some time. She just hasn't adjusted to human social customs yet."
"Don't I know it." Harry shook his head ruefully as Tom laughed. "The point is, we had a misunderstanding, but we cleared everything up by talking about it. We worked it out, and so can you and B'Elanna."
Tom grew serious again. "I don't know what to do, Harry. She really hasn't been herself since the Mari incident." He paused, deep in thought. "And if it comes down to choosing between me and Chakotay..."
"You're afraid you're going to lose her to Chakotay?" he asked incredulously.
"Not exactly. But he does have a lot of influence over her, and he and I don't always get along. She tells him things she won't tell me..."
"Sounds like you're jealous."
"Actually, I'm more jealous of this dead Enaran guy that B'Elanna's been dreaming about," Tom admitted.
"Talk to her," Harry urged once more.
Tom was sitting by the viewport, contemplating the stars when the door chimed. "Come in."
The doors opened.
"B'Elanna."
She shifted nervously. "We have to talk," she said, biting her lip.
Silently, he gestured for her to sit down.
"I'm sorry I lost my temper the other night, but my friendship with Chakotay is none of your business."
"I can't compete with Chakotay."
B'Elanna sighed. "It's not a competition, Tom."
"What's going on, B'Elanna? I think I deserve to know." He paused. "Exactly what did he say about me?"
She turned away from him, reluctant to answer.
"B'Elanna?" He watched her carefully as she stood up and walked to the viewport.
She sighed again. "He always warned me to stay away from you," she said at last.
A long pause ensued. What was he supposed to say to that?
"I see. And is that what you're going to do?"
"No, of course not." She smiled sadly at him. "I can't change Chakotay's opinion of you, but I don't necessarily have to agree with him, either. I love you..."
He held out his arms to her, wordlessly inviting her into his embrace, and she accepted. "I'm sorry, too. I didn't mean to pressure you..."
"It's all right," she said softly.
Arms around each other, they remained comfortably cuddled together for a long time, silently relishing their closeness.
After a while, Tom thought to ask her about the dream again. "B'Elanna?"
She didn't answer. Thoroughly exhausted, she had fallen asleep. He carefully picked her up and carried her to his bed. His mind was still filled with unanswered questions and uncertainties, but fatigue was overtaking him as well. Tom closed his eyes, already half-asleep. Beside him, B'Elanna stirred in her sleep, mumbling incoherently.
"Tom..."
Suddenly wide awake, he turned to look at her, but she was still asleep. He frowned. He could have sworn that she had just said his name. But she was in a deep slumber, and dreaming, apparently. Must have been my imagination, he thought drowsily to himself. He closed his eyes again.
"Tom!"
Baffled, he turned towards her again. "B'Elanna?"
She moaned in her sleep, then cried out his name again.
She's dreaming about me, he realized in shock.
"B'Elanna," he said softly. She stirred again, returning to consciousness. "B'Elanna."
"Hmmm?" She had opened her eyes and was smiling at him lovingly.
"You were talking in your sleep again."
B'Elanna stiffened slightly. "Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." She yawned, moving to sit up. "What time is it, anyway? Maybe I should go back to my own quarters."
"No, no... you don't have to do that," he said hastily. She looked at him doubtfully. "I mean... I don't want you to leave."
"All right." She sighed contentedly as he tentatively slid his arm around her waist. "I don't really want to leave, either," she murmured.
"B'Elanna... were you having that dream again?" He wasn't sure he really wanted to hear the answer to that, but he had to know.
"Mmm-hmm..."
"I thought I heard you say my name... were you dreaming about me?"
She blushed, refusing to meet his gaze. "Yeah, I was," she admitted.
"Really?" He was still uncertain.
"Well, of course I was dreaming about you. Who else would I be dreaming about?"
"I thought you were dreaming about that Enaran guy!"
"Dathan?" She shook her head, looking almost amused. "Why would I be dreaming about him?"
"You were dreaming about him before..."
"Only when the Enarans were here... and those were telepathically transmitted memories, not dreams," she pointed out. "I wasn't myself in those so-called dreams."
"You mean... you've been dreaming about me all this time, then?"
She still looked a little embarrassed. "Mm-hmm."
"Oh." That was quite a revelation for him. He shook his head and laughed, relieved. "I was starting to think you preferred the dreams to reality. That you preferred some dead alien guy over me."
"You were jealous because of my dream?"
"Maybe just a little."
"Well, there's no reason to be. You're the man of my dreams, Tom." She kissed him tenderly, a kiss which he returned.
But as they drifted off to sleep again, holding each other close, Tom couldn't help but think that though one problem had been solved, he still had some unfinished business to settle with Chakotay...
"With all due respect, Commander, if you find fault with me, I would rather that you just say so to my face instead of telling B'Elanna to stay as far away from me as possible," Tom said bitterly.
Surprised, Chakotay stared at him. "What are you talking about? I didn't tell B'Elanna not to see you anymore. I would never do that."
"What? But... B'Elanna told me that you said –"
"Is that what your fight was about?" This all sounded strangely familiar to Chakotay. An inspiration suddenly struck him. "Tom, has B'Elanna been having nightmares lately? Like the ones she had when the Enarans were here?"
"How did you know that? Did she tell you?"
"No, not exactly."
Tom was utterly confused. "What do the nightmares have to do with anything?" he asked suspiciously.
Chakotay sighed. "Tom, I know this is going to sound strange, but B'Elanna is confusing her dreams with reality. This has happened before. Last year, when the Zendirons were aboard Voyager. Somehow, the original dreams – the implanted memories from that Enaran woman – became distorted in B'Elanna's mind. The general idea is the same, but the people are different."
"I know. She told me that she was herself in the dreams."
"That's right. In the original dreams, the Enaran woman – Korenna – had a lover that her father disapproved of. It's similar to B'Elanna's nightmare, except that I'm her 'father' in her version."
"Oh." Tom suddenly realized what an idiot he'd been. It hadn't even occurred to him that everyone in her dream might be different. "I didn't realize... I even thought she was still dreaming about that Enaran guy until –" He stopped. Until I heard her calling out my name in her sleep, he'd been about to say. "Until last night," he finished.
Chakotay was nodding knowingly. He seemed to understand.
Tom shook his head. "I'm sorry, Chakotay. When B'Elanna said that you told her to stay away from me –"
"I know. But I never said anything of the kind. She only believes that because of those recurring nightmares that she's been having."
"So you don't really disapprove of our relationship?" He was still uncertain.
"No, of course not." Chakotay paused. "I have to admit that I had my doubts at first, but the two of you are good for each other."
They regarded each other silently.
"When she first had the nightmares a year ago... I didn't approve of the idea at all. But things change. People change."
Tom nodded. "Yeah," he said softly.
"Come on. Let's go to Sickbay and discuss this with the Doctor."
"Are you sure her nightmares don't have any basis in reality?" asked the Doctor.
Chakotay averted his eyes. "Well... I might have said something along those lines before, that B'Elanna might be better off staying away from Tom," he said, looking guilty. "But that was years ago," he was quick to add as Tom glared at him accusingly. "I haven't said anything like that in a long time."
"Hmmm..." the Doctor said thoughtfully. "Well, that probably contributed, but there must have been something else that precipitated this. Something recent that gave her the impression that the two of you were having problems."
Now Tom looked guilty. "I did mention to her that Chakotay and I hadn't exactly been seeing eye-to-eye during the Mari crisis," he admitted.
The Doctor nodded in understanding. "Well then, that would explain a lot. It seems that the engramatic purge that the Mari performed on her has produced some negative side effects, including violent nightmares and the recurrence of this particular dream. I'll look into that, but for now we have to treat her psychological symptoms. I'll need your help for that."
"What can we do?"
The Doctor sighed. "You, Commander, have to be nice to Mr. Paris."
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Tom couldn't help but smirk at Chakotay's baffled expression.
"Aren't I always?" said Chakotay mildly.
"I mean it," the Doctor said. "Compliment him on his work. Tell him how highly you think of him. You have to convince B'Elanna that you wholeheartedly approve of Tom and their relationship."
"Great idea, Doc," Tom said with a grin. He had a feeling he was going to enjoy this.
"And you, Lieutenant," the Doctor continued sternly. "You have to be more respectful of Commander Chakotay. You have to convince B'Elanna that you value Chakotay's opinion as much as she does."
It was Chakotay's turn to smirk.
Tom shrugged. "Okay," he said agreeably. "I'll try."
"That should help her distinguish between dream and reality and reduce her distress until I can figure out how to repair the damage."
Chakotay and Tom nodded.
B'Elanna seemed better, Tom noted with relief. Not entirely, but at least she was no longer pushing him away. He had been reminding her of all the positive aspects of their relationship.
"So, in these dreams you've been having, I must be really good in bed, right?" he asked playfully.
"Well... yeah." She flushed scarlet at the memory. "These dreams – they're the most sensual experience..."
"Better than the real thing?"
Her eyes widened. "No! I didn't mean – I mean –" She swatted him on the arm as he laughed. "You know what I mean!"
"Do I?"
"Would you like to hear about it?"
"I'd love to."
"Okay." She took a deep breath. "It's late at night... summertime, so it's still quite warm. I'm in my room sleeping soundly, when I wake up to a knock at my window..."
"Wait." Startled, she turned to stare at him as he left her side and went to the window. He knocked softly at it.
Realizing his intent, she smiled, then went to him. He enveloped her in his embrace, kissing her fervently. It had been weeks since they had last been together.
"B'Elanna," he murmured. He pressed his lips to hers more forcefully, enticing her to permit entrance to his seeking tongue. She responded, allowing their mouths to mingle intimately.
"The bed..." she managed to say between kisses. He lifted her with ease and made his way to the bed unsteadily. Breathless, they tumbled onto the bed, still kissing and tearing at each other's clothing.
She slid her arms around his neck. "You kiss my forehead, down my brow ridges..." She sighed as he did just that, simultaneously sliding the straps of her nightgown off her shoulders, then past her hips. Tugging his shirt off, she moaned when his lips brushed against her delicate neck. She ran her hands along his muscular back, appreciating his masculine firmness.
He paused, tenderly gazing down upon the beautiful face of the woman he loved. Her eyes were brimming with desire, her full lips slightly parted...
"Tom," she said urgently.
"Hmm?" He caressed her gently, relishing the soft fullness of her breast. She gasped as he stroked the sensitive peak with his thumb, then bent down to suck it gently into his mouth. His hands began to roam over her again as he switched sides.
Writhing beneath him, she cried out his name as the delicious sensations overwhelmed her.
She dragged his head back to hers, intending to plunder his mouth, but he kissed her slowly, savoring each moment. She growled at him in frustration. Desperate to feel all of his naked flesh against hers, B'Elanna tore off the remainder of his clothing and pressed herself against his hard arousal, eliciting a moan from him.
"Tom, everything's a lot faster in my dream!" she informed him impatiently.
"Oh, okay."
She shivered in anticipation as his hands trailed down her body. His tongue teased her earlobe while she rubbed her legs against his.
Suddenly, she shrieked. His right hand had managed to insinuate itself between her thighs without her noticing and began to stroke the center of her pleasure.
Tom shifted slightly to explore her sensitive folds. As he continued to caress her, flames of desire coursed through her.
"Tom..." she said weakly.
He repositioned himself between her silky thighs, touching his lips to her center. She screamed, losing control as he increased the pressure, probing her hidden entrance with his tongue.
When she recovered, he had kissed his way up her body again, nipping at her shoulder.
She tried to glare at him but was unsuccessful. "That didn't happen in my dream, Tom."
"Sorry, I guess I got carried away." His tone was innocent, but his eyes glinted with mischief. "But this is supposed to be better than your dream, right?"
She shook her head in mock exasperation.
"I promise to follow your instructions from now on," he said solemnly. "Just tell me what to – B'Elanna!" He groaned as she slid her hand between their bodies and wrapped her fingers around his shaft.
"Ohh..."
She continued to stroke him to a frenzy.
"Tom..." she pleaded.
By this time, he was as desperate to be joined with her as she was. So without further delay, he plunged his hard length into her beckoning liquid heat. She cried out, arching her back to take him in deeper.
She moaned in frustration as he maintained his slow, steady rhythm.
"Tom, please... faster!"
He complied, increasing the pace. She screamed as his thrusts became more urgent, forceful. The pressure continued to build as they approached completion.
"Oh, Tom... I love you..." All too soon, the passion exploded within her, and she blissfully cried out.
The sensation of her internal muscles constricting around him sent him over the edge. Clutching her to him, he shouted her name as he found his release, flooding her with his hot seed.
"I love you, B'Elanna," he gasped.
Their union complete, the exhausted lovers collapsed on the bed, still holding each other closely. Satiated for the moment, they relaxed in each other's arms until they regained their breath.
"So, was that just like your dream?"
"For the most part." She smiled at him. "But there's more to it than that."
"There's more? Tell me."
"Okay, but this could take a while," she warned.
"Well, we've got all night..." he whispered just before his lips touched hers.
They certainly did.
Tom and B'Elanna had been sitting in Sandrine's for a while when Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay came in, arm in arm. B'Elanna tensed, but Tom placed his hand over hers to keep her from leaving.
"Tom, B'Elanna," Chakotay greeted them warmly. "Mind if we join you?"
"Have a seat," Tom said with a smile. They sat down.
"How are you feeling, B'Elanna?" Captain Janeway asked.
B'Elanna smiled. "I'm feeling much better, thanks to the Doctor's treatments and last night's 'therapy session.'"
The captain's eyebrows rose. "'Therapy session?'"
"The Doctor suggested that B'Elanna share the dreams with me, and we ended up going through them in detail, and –" Tom broke off his explanation as he noticed the expression on B'Elanna's face. She looked absolutely mortified.
Chakotay was trying his best not to laugh. The captain's eyebrows rose even further. "I see," she said.
It was time to change the subject.
"By the way, Tom, great job flying us out of the proto-matter storm in that nebula the other day," said Chakotay.
"Thanks, Chakotay. I'm just glad that Seven and the Doc were able to revive Neelix when we got back."
"Well, we never would have made it out of there if it hadn't been for your expert piloting, just like when we escaped from that planet of thieves." Chakotay shook his head. "I still can't believe they managed to steal our main computer processor and all that technology."
"I thought you handled that crisis really well when the captain was down on the planet. I'll never forget the look on that alien's face when you were interrogating him," Tom laughed.
"Oh, I couldn't have done it without your help."
"But it was your leadership that saved us."
As Tom and Chakotay continued to trade compliments, they glanced nervously at B'Elanna every so often, trying to gauge her reaction. Kathryn barely suppressed her laughter at this exchange.
B'Elanna was staring at them, open-mouthed. "Since when did the two of you form your own mutual admiration society?" She eyed them suspiciously, suddenly catching on. "You guys are just doing this for my benefit, right?"
"No, no...we're not." "No, of course not." They both protested.
"Tom really is doing an excellent job," said Chakotay.
"And I really do respect Commander Chakotay a great deal," Tom assured her, squeezing her hand.
"We don't say it often enough, but it's true."
"We really appreciate each other."
"We mean it," they insisted
B'Elanna looked to Kathryn, who nodded, as if to say, "They seem sincere enough." She smiled, a mischievous gleam in her eye. "In that case, don't let me stop you. I want to hear more. I could use some more convincing."
This time, Captain Janeway couldn't help but laugh at the sight of their startled expressions.
In Sickbay, the Doctor completed the treatment as Tom hovered nearby. It was almost the end of his shift, and he and B'Elanna had plans for the evening. "There. You won't be having any more nightmares, B'Elanna."
Tom and B'Elanna both sighed in relief. "Thank you, Doctor."
Congratulating himself on yet another job well done, the Doctor returned the hypospray and other medical instruments to their proper place, then headed towards his office. "I think we're done for today, Mr. Paris. You may leave now, if you'd like." He turned, only to find them gazing into each other's eyes. "Mr. Paris," the Doctor repeated.
No response.
The Doctor shook his head. "Tom."
"Hmm?"
"I believe your shift is over now."
"What?" Tom then realized that they were still in Sickbay. "Oh, yeah. Thanks, Doc."
Tom and B'Elanna strolled out of Sickbay, arm in arm, as the Doctor shook his head again, amused.
"B'Elanna." They turned to find Chakotay behind them. "I was just coming over to see how you're doing."
"I'm fine, thank you." She and Tom smiled at each other, practically oblivious to everything except each other.
Although Chakotay wasn't much older than they were, somehow they made him feel incredibly old all of a sudden.
"So where are you two headed now?"
B'Elanna smiled even wider, eyes sparkling. "The holodeck. We're going skiing."
"Lake Tahoe," added Tom.
Chakotay stared at them in surprise. Skiing? B'Elanna hated cold weather.
Well, he supposed they'd find some way to keep warm. "Have fun," he said with a smile.
"Don't worry, we will."
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," he called out after her.
She turned, arching an eyebrow. "That's not saying much, Chakotay."
Chuckling, Chakotay waved good-bye to the happy couple before continuing on his way to the captain's quarters. He had to admit, B'Elanna was right.
The End