Dedication: This story is dedicated to the CroWs and the Ites for being my friends.  You are all awesome and I'm so glad that I met each and every one of you.  Also dedicated to Josh, Nancy, Robbie and Roxann for bringing the characters to life.  You are the best and we love watching you every week.  Don't ever doubt that.  Dedicated to the writers for creating such terrific characters that are so much fun to play with.

Disclaimer: Joe Carey, Samantha Wildman, Naomi Wildman, Tom Paris, B'Elanna Torres and the rest of the Star Trek universe is owned by Paramount.  I'm just borrowing them and I promise I'll give them back when I'm done.  Benjamin and K'Ehyla Paris belong to me.  The lyrics used in this story are owned by Jim Brickman, a truly talented songwriter who writes from the heart and inspires many to believe that love isn't just a myth.  This story may be archived or distributed as long as the notes, dedications and all disclaimers are kept attached.  Comments, good and bad are appreciated at: <Mara_J_Antilles@hotmail.com>

C/W! P/T! C/W! P/T! C/W! P/T! C/W! P/T! C/W! P/T! C/W! P/T! C/W! P/T! C/W! P/T! C/W! P/T!
 

Valentines
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
By: Claire Daniels,  © 1998

     "So, Tom," Joe Carey said, "What are you giving B'Elanna for Valentine's Day?"
     "I've been saving my rations to replicate her a diamond anniversary ring.  We'll be married seven years next week."
     "Great idea.  She'll love it.  It's too bad you had to suffer through Neelix's leola casserole to do it, though."
     "That's okay," Tom replied.  "She's worth it.  So?  What about you?  Do you have a special someone to be with for Valentine's Day?"
     "As a matter of fact, I do," Joe answered.
     "Really," Tom said, his curiosity piqued.  "Who is she?"
     "Sorry, Tom.  I'm not one to kiss and tell," he said with a mischievous grin.
     "So you're just gonna let me wonder?" Tom asked incredulously.
     "Yep, that's what I was planning."
     "You're a cruel man, Joe."
     "I know it," he said laughing.  "You taught me everything you know."
     "Thanks a lot," Tom said sarcastically, then burst out laughing.

     ~~~*~~~

If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel for you

And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine

    "Joe, where are we going?"  asked Samantha Wildman as he led her through the corridors of Voyager.
    "You'll see," he said.  "Just keep your eyes closed and don't peek."
    "I'm not peeking," she said.
  They stopped walking and Samantha felt herself being lifted onto something.  She heard a rushing sound and a pop, then she felt the platform rise.  Dutifully, she kept her eyes closed, but the suspense was killing her.
    "Okay," Joe said, "you can open them."
 Samantha opened her eyes and gasped in awe.  They were standing in the basket of a huge hot air balloon.  Below them, a meadow of wildflowers stretched out for miles, a stream running through it and a majestic mountain range could be seen rising above the clouds.  The sky was a brilliant shade of blue and a rainbow could be seen off in the distance.  The wind blew, carrying with it the fragrant scents of the wildflowers below, making the sensory experience complete.
    "It's beautiful," she breathed, still awestruck.
    "Not nearly as beautiful as you are," he said.
 She blushed and dropped her gaze.  It had been so long since someone had called her beautiful.  He leaned close and kissed her softly.
    "Happy Valentine's Day, Samantha."

     ~~~*~~~

All of my life
I have been waiting for
All you give to me
You've opened my eyes
And shown me how to love unselfishly

I've dreamed of this a thousand times before
But in my dreams I couldn't love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine

    "Tom, is that you?" B'Elanna asked as she heard the door to their quarters open.
    "The one and only," he replied coming into the living area.
 She tilted her head for a kiss.  "How was the shift in Sick Bay?"
    "Oh, the usual; broken bones, burns, cuts, scrapes, sprains.  Nothing I couldn't handle.  Sit here and close your eyes.  Don't peek."
 B'Elanna complied.  One thing she loved about Tom was his surprises.  She heard him return a few moments later.
    "Okay, you can open them now," he said, putting a box in her hand.
 B'Elanna looked down and opened the box.  She gasped as gazed upon the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen.  "Tom," she whispered, as if afraid that speaking any louder would shatter it, "it's beautiful."
    "Happy Valentine's Day," he said placing the ring on her finger, next to her wedding band.  He pulled her close to him and kissed her.
    "It's my turn to give you your present," she said and got up to retrieve a PADD from the bedroom.  She returned a few moments later and handed it to him.  He read it then looked up at her.  She was beaming.
    "When did you find out?" he asked.
    "A few days ago," she replied.  "I wanted to surprise you."
    "It worked," he said.  "Another baby.  I love you, 'Lanna."
    "I love you too, Tom."

     ~~~*~~~

And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
'Cause all I need is you, my Valentine
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine

    The holodeck was quiet.  Everyone was waiting for Neelix's fireworks display to start.  B'Elanna looked around and spotted the Captain and Chakotay sitting together on a blanket, talking quietly.  Near them, Harry was sitting with Sue Nicolletti.  Close to where she and Tom were seated with Benjamin and K'Ehyla, she was pleased to see Joe Carey sitting with one arm around Samantha Wildman and the other around Naomi.  She couldn't help thinking that they looked so much like a family.  They were both her friends and she wanted them to be as happy as she and Tom were.  A few feet away, she noticed Seven sitting by herself.  She felt bad for her.  After all, she knew how it felt to be stared at and resented by the people around you.  She saw a lot of herself in Seven and hoped that she could learn to fit in.  She wished that Seven would find someone to love her for who she was like she had found Tom.  She was about to go and invite Seven to sit with her, Tom and the kids when she saw Larson from Engineering get up and walk over to Seven.  *Well,* B'Elanna thought, watching as he led Seven back to where he'd been sitting, *maybe she already has.*

The End

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