DIFFERENT PATHS
By: Lauren and Julia

Part Four
By: Lauren

"You know, I actually like this better, having people know about us." Scott
told B'Elanna as he chose a table on the holodeck. Neelix was holding a dance
on the holodeck, only a week and a half after the secret came out. 

B'Elanna didn't say anything in return as she surveyed the area to see who was
there. A crowd had already gathered, talking in little groups, but there were
still a lot of people who still needed to come. Including Tom.

"Mind if we sit down?" Joe asked, snapping B'Elanna out of her reverie. She
looked up to see him holding hands with Samantha. They were both dressed in
semi-casual civvies, like everyone else was. The dance was an informal
occasion, the program seemed to be an outdoor area, with lights strung around
an empty area for dancing. A platform was at one end, with a band playing
music. The band was not holograms, but instead, was Voyager crew members, with
Harry in the lead.

"Come on, Lanna, let's dance." Scott said as he stood up and extended his hand
out. She hesitated a moment at his calling her Lanna, that being the name that
Tom called her, but she brushed it off, and let him pull her onto the dance
floor. 

Harry chose that moment to start a slow dance. 

Scott pulled B'Elanna close, and they held each other as they danced to the
music.

Tom entered the holodeck at that very moment. He almost considered leaving
when he saw Scott and B'Elanna dancing, but decided to stay, and show her that
he was fine with what she had done.

"Tom's here." B'Elanna whispered to Scott.

"I know, just ignore him." Scott whispered back.

They stayed silent for a few minutes, when another slow song came on. A few
more couples came onto the dance floor, including Tom, dragging Seven with
him.

Tom tried to get Seven to learn how to position herself for a slow dance. She
didn't think it was logical for them to touch at all. By the time he had her
right, a fast song had started. Couples were dancing across the floor, and Tom
had to think quickly before they got in too many people's way. He pulled Seven
out, and began dancing around the floor. 

Then, he realized what dance they were doing. It was a dance called The
Switcher, one that was very popular in the mid-22nd centrury. Couples would
dance around the dance floor, switching partners. Suddenly, Seven was whisked
away by Chakotay, and Tom was grabbed by Samantha. He kept an eye out for
B'Elanna, who was dancing with Neelix, and Scott, who was dancing with Jenny
Delaney. Before Tom knew it, Neelix had grabbed Sam, which meant that he was
with B'Elanna.

Both of them refused to make eye contact, and were trying to get to anyone who
would break them apart.

"Ready to get away from me, B'Elanna?" Tom asked.

"We need to talk later." B'Elanna informed him as she was taken away by Joe.

The dance ended, and Seven walked over to Tom.

"This custom of 'dancing' is highly illogical, Lt. Paris." she said, "I do not
see the fun in being pulled around to music by another person." 

"Then leave, Seven." Tom said as he walked away, trying to get as far as
possible from Scott and B'Elanna, who were walking back to their table,
holding hands.

*

Scott gave B'Elanna a good night kiss, then walked towards the turbolift to go
to his quarters. B'Elanna stifled a yawn, then opened the door to her
quarters. She was ready to collapse into bed and sleep for days.

"Have fun with Scott?" Tom asked. She stared at him, wondering how he got in
her quarters. Then she remembered that he knew the security code to her
quarters, from when they were dating. 

"Why are you here?" she asked furiously. 

"You said we needed to talk."

"I didn't mean that you could barge into my quarters to do so!" she yelled.

"Look, let's stop fighting. You were right, we need to talk." he told her as
he sat down on her couch. She sat down beside him, and waited for him to talk.
When he didn't say anything, she decided to speak up.

"Tom, I thought you and I both accepted that we were through."

"I thought so, too, B'Elanna. But when I heard about you and Scott... god,
B'Elanna, I love you!" he said to her, seeming ready to cry.

"I'm sorry, Tom, but this is the way it is. You and I weren't working. I just
wish you could accept this." she said, taking his hand in hers. He jerked it
away immediatly.

"I thought we had something, B'Elanna! I thought you and I would last forever!
I have been in love with you ever since I met you! You're beautiful, you're
smart, you're kind, you're everything I always wanted, and I love you for it!"
he told her, standing up and pacing the room.

"Tom, we are through! You and I aren't together anymore, stop acting like we
are! I love Scott!" she told him.

"I remember when you said that about me." he responded. He then turned, and
left the room. 

B'Elanna sank to the couch, all feelings of sleepiness gone from her. She
picked up a picture of her and Tom off of her table, and stared at it for a
moment. A tear rolled down her cheek as she remembered the times she had with
Tom, wondering what had gone wrong between them, and why her best friend had
just walked out on her.

TO BE CONTINUED

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