"You give me hope when all around was lost, and I could see no point in
trying. For I saw love passing by me, you came into my life, you came into
my life. I look around, and what I had was gone. Now I've finally found what
I've been missing. The road I travel is so clear, since you came into my life,
you came into my life.(5)

V.

We found a table in a quiet corner of the mess, away from the milling people.
B'Elanna seemed uneasy as she seated herself next to me, and I wondered if
it was the crowds that made her nervous, or me.
  "Alright, lady," I drawled. "Spill it."
  She smiled a little at that, but couldn't shake the unease.
  "Is it the people?" I asked.
  She nodded. "Yes. Can we go somewhere quiet?"
  I nodded. "Sure. How about my quarters? I want to take Dice back."
  So, with Dice leading the way, we trudged back to my quarters. I suspected
B'Elanna was stalling for time, but I knew that sooner or later she'd get it
out.
  "You want something to eat, drink?" I asked. "I've got six months of rations
saved up," I grinned. "I'm sure we can find something."
  She shook her head. "No, thanks, Tom."
  I waved to encompass the couch. "Sit down? Excuse the atmosphere -- it's been
awhile since I cleaned," I added, kicking a stray sock under the chair. B'Elanna
had the couch to herself while I settled into my favorite chair.
  When she made no move to begin, I prodded. "So, what's wrong with Chakotay?
And why is he so gung-ho on Starfleet protocol all the sudden?"
  B'Elanna's head dropped. "Let's start from the beginning, Tom, okay?"
  I nodded. "Go ahead."
  "Janeway to Paris."
  I sighed, and held up a hand to stop B'Elanna from speaking. "Paris here."
  Janeway's voice was warm, a stark contrast to Chakotay's. "Mister Paris, it's
good to hear you again. I apologize for my delay in contacting you -- "
  "No apology needed, Captain," I offered quickly. "It's just good to be back."
  "I'd like to talk with you at your earliest convenience then, Lieutenant."
Janeway continued.
  "Of course, ma'am. But I was in the middle of a conversation with B'Elanna,
which I'd really like to finish, if that's okay." Three years, and I still
sounded like a nervous cadet half the time.
  "Of course, Mister Paris. Give my regards to Miss Torres."
  I gave B'Elanna a strange look, and she shrugged.
  "I'll do that, Captain. Thank you. Paris out." I grinned at B'Elanna.
"The Captain sends her regards. What is with *her*, anyway? She sounded so....
perky."
  B'Elanna leaned back, and I could tell it was finally time I would know
what had gone on.
  "After you....passed out," she began slowly, recalling the events of the
past six months into her mind, "Tuvok and I took you back to the shuttle and
I stayed in the hold with you while Harry and Tuvok brought the shuttle back
in. You were delirious, and mumbling the whole time we docked and the meds
took you to Sickbay." She shuddered and I leaned over to squeeze her hand.
She looked at me with haunted eyes. "It was horrible, Tom. I felt so helpless,
I didn't know what to do for you; I'm not a medic! You were tossing and we
couldn't get you strapped in. I was so afraid. Even more afraid than I was
in the caverns. In the caverns, we were both going to die, but I couldn't
bear to watch you suffer and know there was nothing I could do."
  I bit my lip. I felt terrible for having caused her so much pain. "B'Elanna,
I'm so sorry," I whispered. She shook her head vehemently.
  "It wasn't your fault, Tom." Her voice grew stronger. "After we got you
to Sickbay the Doctor stabilized you. After that....we didn't know if you
would live or die. The Doctor and Kes had no idea and we just had to wait
to see if your body would fight the poison."
  "Tell me about what's going on on Voyager," I asked to change the subject.
"Please? Something serious must have happened with the way everybody keeps
avoiding the issue...."
  B'Elanna looked uncomfortable. "It's nothing serious, really. We've just....
so much has happened, Tom. I don't know where to begin."
  "What about the Captain and Chakotay?" I suggested.
  B'Elanna blew air through thinned lips. "You had to pick that one," she
complained. "I don't know what the problem is, really. Rumors have been
spreading like wildfire, but so far nothing concrete has come out of it.
However, as to the Captain's `perkiness'," B'Elanna grinned, laughter
dancing in her dark eyes, "well, let's just say she can have all the coffee
she wants!"
  My mouth hung open until B'Elanna's words sunk in, and I started laughing
hysterically. "The replicators are back online?" I asked.
  She nodded, eyes sparkling.
  "No more replicator rations!" I said joyously. Sandrine's, here I come!
I thought happily. "And that explains why I haven't seen Neelix?" I added.
  "Mmhmm. Neelix still cooks occasionally -- lucky you, you came around on
his baking day -- but now he's devoting most of his time to Starfleet
training under Tuvok."
  I grinned at the mental image that brought to mind. "Really?" But there
must have been something else. "That's it? B'Elanna, come on, people wouldn't
be acting so somber if something else hadn't happened. What about the power
outages."
  She frowned. "Nothing new. Put simply, Tom, Voyager is beginning to wear
down. It's been over three years, and she's had no proper repairs. But soon
I guess it won't matter anyways."
  Something in her tone made my heart clench in fear. "Why?"
  Dark eyes met light. "Because we're almost home, Tom. To the Alpha Quadrant."

* * * * *