Title: TEA AND SYMPATHY

Author: A. Kite (Akite68163@aol.com)

Codes: P/T, K

Rating: PG

Summary: Tom and B'Elanna get help from Harry with a problem. No, not that kind of problem. This is only rated PG, folks.

Disclaimer: Star Trek: Voyager and all its characters belong to Paramount/Viacom. This story belongs to me. No copyright infringement intended, no money being made.

Archiving: Permission given to PKElite, ASC and to my own page at www.oocities.org/tlin_s/a_kite/

Notes: This is a Paris/Torres story and yes, it's from me, a known slasher. It's also a Paris and Kim friendship story. Dedicated to Nigel Tatsuya, when he reads this he'll know why. Thanks also to BJ Cochran for a quick beta read.

Comments and constructive criticism are welcome and always answered. To the group or privately, feed me, please.

TEA AND SYMPATHY

Tom's hand shot out, and he clutched at Harry's arm. "You don't want to talk to B'Elanna right now, believe me, Harry."

"What's the matter? You two have another fight?"

"Uh...no, yes," Tom stammered before finally saying, "not exactly."

"What'd you do this time, Paris?"

Indignantly, he answered, "I didn't do anything, I swear. I got off duty and went to our quarters and the next thing I know, she's kicking me out. Telling me I'm an insensitive pig. All I asked her is what did she want for dinner."

Harry looked thoughtful for a second then asked, "Tom, how long have you two been married?"

"Three and half weeks, you know that."

"Ummm...Tom?" Harry looked around first to make sure no one else was in listening distance. "When was the last time B'Elanna had a, you know?"

For the life of him, he couldn't figure out what Harry was asking. "A what? A fit about nothing at all?"

"No, stupid. A period," Harry retorted in a harsh whisper.

"Oh!" Enlightenment descended on the lieutenant. Always, before they got married, when it was that time of the month, B'Elanna had shut herself up in her quarters. It had hurt Tom's feelings the first couple of times, but he had gotten used to it. Now he knew why.

"In my culture, when a female member of the family is crampy and hurting, the men rub their backs, get them tea, things like that," Harry explained.

"Tea and sympathy? I don't think B'Elanna would go for that, Harry, and I value my limbs, not to mention my life. I love her, but if I go back there, she'll kill me."

"You should try it. You might be surprised."

Tom shook his head, "No, Har. I don't think so."

"Well, okay, if you won't, I'll go."

Tom was surprised at that. "Harry, are you sure?"

Harry smiled and patted Tom's shoulder. "Yes, I'm sure. Come home in about two hours. You'll see."

Tom sat there and fretted the whole time. Worried that he'd go home to find a maimed best friend. The time passed slowly, but eventually the two hours that Harry stipulated were up and he made his way back to his quarters.

Once there, Tom keyed the door open first then stepped back around the corner. Tentatively, he looked inside. He couldn't believe his eyes or his ears. B'Elanna was sitting on the floor by the couch, giggling over something. B'Elanna never giggled. There were teacups on the table.

They looked up and saw Tom's head peeking in, and she called out to him. "It's okay, Tom. Come on in." He cautiously moved into the room. She continued, "Listen Tom, I'm sorry about before. It's just when I get this way, I'm cranky. I shouldn't have thrown you out."

Tom gulped. B'Elanna apologizing, this was something. That was some miracle cure Harry had. B'Elanna rose to her feet and came over and kissed him on the cheek. She went to Harry and kissed his cheek too. "Thanks, Harry." She straightened up then and said, "Tom, if you can show Harry out, I'm going to go to bed. See you there soon?"

Tom was still astonished, but managed to say, "Sure, B'Ela, I'll be in a minute. The second she was away, he asked, "What did you do, Harry? It's like she's a different person now."

Harry only smiled, inscrutably and answered, "Tea and sympathy, Tom, tea and sympathy. It works wonders."

The End