Tom woke to the annoying sound of his alarm, signaling another late night duty shift. He rolled over yearning for a little more sleep, but thought better of being late again. It had become a common occurrence as of late. Tom couldn't count the number of times he had been at a full sprint, racing from engineering or the holodeck to the bridge. He rolled from bed, pausing to check the marks on his leg as he slipped his uniform on.
"Computer...... Coffee... Strong, hot and black."
Tom waited as the replicator came to life, producing a cup of steaming coffee out of thin air. He picked up the cup inhaling the aroma before heading out the door. Tom moved quickly down the quiet, dark corridor towards sickbay rubbing his eyes and sipping his coffee in an effort to wake up. His hour nap not nearly enough as he headed into his third straight shift.
It had been weeks since Voyager rescued them from the Warki, but he still made daily visits to sickbay at the Doctor's request so he could make sure his leg was healing*.
     Tom moved quicker today knowing he should just have enough time to catch B'Elanna before her weekly holodeck outing with Chakotay. In the weeks after their ordeal they had become very close. Tom smiled slightly remembering that fateful evening, not long after their rescue, when she had confessed her love. He laughed to himself recalling how she had sat for the better part of an hour trying to explain her feelings. All of which culminated in their first kiss. They had been nearly inseparable since, which was the reason he was preparing for another 1:30am duty shift. *Late one too many times Paris*  he thought as the doors to sickbay opened with a groan. Tom was surprised to find Seven desperately trying to fix the door, as the doctor lectured her about her lack of social skills.
"Ah... Mr. Paris your actually early today... how refreshing."
"Doc... I feel great... Just give me a once over and I'll be out of what's left of your hair."
The Doctor, looking unamused, picked up the medical tricorder. Moving it slowly over Tom, he paused as it reached his patient's leg.
"Your leg seems to be healing quite nicely, no thanks to you....... I've told you to take it easy."
"Doc I didn't know you cared." Tom said as he hopped from the table and headed out the door. He stopped and turned towards Seven.
"Hang in there Seven."
"I will try." She replied flatly, as he strode out the door, he could already hear the doctor resuming his conversation.
Tom checked the time as he hurried down the corridor.
 

     B'Elanna had just finished eating when she looked up and was surprised to see Tom walk in. She grinned as he walked over.....
"You look stunning!", he said half kidding.
She laughed looking down at the tattered rags she was wearing, "Chakotay said he had made some modifications to the program."
Looking around Tom turned back to B'Elanna , "Speaking of our good Commander. Where is he?"
B'Elanna motioned towards the Mess Hall's bay windows, and the vast asteroid field beyond.
"Still working with Tuvok I think..."
"Let's hope they come up with some answers...."
They left together talking quietly as they headed towards the holodeck. Pausing at the entrance of holodeck 2, Tom kissed her lightly on the lips.
"Will I see you later?" he questioned.
Frowning B'Elanna remembered her schedule.
"I'm starting an all-night shift in about 2 hours."
Tom glanced at the time as he began to walk backwards realizing he was due on the bridge.
"After my shift I'll stop in engineering....."
"I'll see you later Mr. Paris" she smiled as the holodeck doors opened.
Tom turned an began a brisk jog towards the bridge...

Tom could feel the tension as he entered the bridge and took the helm....
"Full stop!"
"Go to red alert!"
 Janeway sounded tired, yet her voice was stern.  The command had almost become second nature.  She watched as the crew carried out her order....flawlessly.  The asteroid field was immense  It had appeared on their scanners as only a minor obstacle, but since had reasserted itself.  Over the past two days it had consumed them, offering no avenues of extraction....no release.  Other than hypotheticals from the crew, no explanation could be derived.  The asteroids seemed to flow in a layered orbital pattern allowing Voyager to progress slowly at random intervals.  Chakotay had termed the trial a "formidable labyrinth" and had spent many hours with Tuvok trying to determine the asteroids' shifting patterns.
 Phasers were on stand-by in the event debris should work itself free from the migration and lunge toward Voyager.  So far phaser fire had been unnecessary.  Tuvok observed that due to the clusters' above average speed, it's mass would remain intact.  As was his nature, he also managed to factor the probability of such an occurrence.
 In actuality, the asteroid field had yet to pose a serious threat other than slowing the voyage home.
"Captain, may I suggest using our phaser's to make our own path."
From behind the captain's chair Janeway acknowledged Harry's inquisition.
 "Harry," the captain started matter of factly, "If we were to use our phasers in an attempt to cut a path through the field it could do any number of things.  We might exhaust our phaser banks before ever reaching free space or  any disruption in the asteroids stream may cause an unwelcome reaction.  Perhaps it's course would change and we would find ourselves showered by space rocks.  We are still repairing damage from months ago that leaves us susceptible  after our shields fail.  And probably most importantly, we lose the chance to examine and understand new phenomena.  who knows what this asteroidal pattern could mean to a nearby world."  Janeway thought to herself and changed her tone, "Then again, maybe it's just a tedious group of annoying debris thrown into our path by dumb luck.  In any case we will wait it out."
 Chakotay entered the bridge and was taken off guard by the faces of the crew.  They all looked shocked.  He glanced over his left shoulder and caught Harry blowing out a deep breath.  A bit hesitant he questioned him, "How're things going?"
  One word came to Harry's lips, "Tedious."
Chakotay looked to his captain.  Katherine had spent very little of her time sleeping and, as had been prevalent in the past, her character was a trifle....rough. Chakotay recognized a delicate situation when he saw one.  Without further conversation he lazily made his way to the seat accompanying Janeways'.  It honored him to share the front row with this woman whom had exercised her faith in him time and time again.  As he sat, the captain barely seemed to notice, lost in thought perhaps.  Chakotay placed a report on her lap and whispered into her ear, "You look stressed captain.  Maybe this will help."  He paused.  "If not I know a good Native-American masseuse.
 It felt good to see Katherine laugh.  The crew noticed as well, releasing a small amount of the building tension.
 She briefly looked over the report, "Good work Chakotay." Janeway handed the report over to Tom.
"You think you can get us out of here Mr. Paris?"
Tom looked over the asteroids shifting patterns detailed in Chakotay's report.
Then looked in Janeway's direction, "It'll be slow going, but I'm ready when you are."
"Alright Mr. Paris take us out of here." She said turning towards Chakotay. She leaned in towards him, lowering her voice to a whisper.
"If I read that report correctly you're suggesting this asteroid field is not a natural occurrence.
His console beeping, Janeway glanced in Harry's direction. Busy tapping keys on the sensor panels, she turned her attention back to Chakotay who had begun to answer.
"Captain, we don't have all the answers, but you are correct. There is something unnatural to the pattern."
"Captain......... " A sense of urgency in Harry's voice.
"Yes, Mr. Kim" She responded turning slightly in his direction.
"Sensors are picking up a ship."
Janeway stood concern washing over her face, "Where?"
"Left of our position at the edge of the field.... moving away."
"On Screen"
The viewscreen lit up, but failed to deliver, as it was littered with various size asteroids making a visual all but impossible.
"Mr. Kim?" She questioned glancing over her shoulder in his direction.
"Captain..... It should be right there."
She turned facing the viewscreen once again, searching for the ship.
"Captain........." Harry began...
"Yes, Mr. Kim." She responded still staring into the immense asteroid field.
"It's......... It's .... A Federation Ship!"
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