The fading light made the inside of the craft dark. Torres didn't like it, for it reminded her of the cold room she had been held in for the past week. She knew Paris hated it even more, but they had to put up with it if they were going to get off the planet.
They searched in all the compartments hoping to find something that would be useful. Torres finally opened the last compartment when she found several strange instruments. She picked one up, and it instantly came to life.
"I think I found our way off this rock," she said more to herself.
She went over to the front of the craft, went under the control console,a nd began to work. Paris went over to the compartment and picked up another instrument. It also came to life with a soft hum. He went to Torres, and sat down in the navigator's chair.
"Is it doing anything?" Torres asked as something sparked in her face.
Paris tapped a button, but nothing happened, "Nope."
Torres said nothing as she touched the wires with the instrument. Sparks flew everywhere as she tried to rework the system.
After several minutes, the console lit up. Paris told Torres to stop and take a look. "now to over ride what ever security measures they put on this thing," Torres said, taking a seat next to Paris.
"Let's get started then," Paris said, and began pressing buttons.
Almost at once an eerie voice filled the cabin. It told them to enter a code. The two looked at each other, realizing that all they could do was punch in random numbers.
"This should be fun," Paris whispered as he began to placing in combinations.
The voice kept telling him that the combinations he placed in were wrong. He grumbled each time, trying to keep himself from hitting the console.
"Please enter the correct code," the voice said for the nineth time.
"Shut up," Paris mumbled.
"Let me try, Tom," Torres said, placing a hand on his arm.
"Go ahead," he growled, "it might ben once you show it your temper."
Torres smiled as they traded places. She began typing in random combinations. The voice floated through the craft once again, but Torres kept trying.
"You think they have noticed this, yet?" Paris asked, his arms folded across his chest.
"If they have thier not doing anything about it."
"Maybe they know we won't be able to enter the correct code."
Torres didn't answer as she tried another combination. The voice came on again, and she was starting to get frustrated. She entered another, and this time it worked. They heard the engine come online, and Torres looked at Paris.
"Are you well enough to fly this thing?" She asked.
As an answer, Paris pressed a few buttons on the console. The craft slowly lifted off the ground. He tapped in another command, and the craft headed into the sky.

"My Lady!" The scientist ran down the corridor, yelling for the captain. He almost ran into her as she came out of her room.
"What is it?" She hissed, her eyes gleaming.
"My Lady," he was trying not to show his nervousness, "the craft is leaving the planet. They must have found a way to..."
"Stop them," the captain growled, "And do it without killing them."
The scientist nodded once, then ran off back to his lab.
The captain know Janeway had something to do with this. She knew the female subject would not risk the male's life or her own in such a matter. She headed toward the lab to make sure the scientist did not screw up in stopping the craft.
The captain entered the lab, and she saw the scientist staring at his monitor. He was tapping at the console that controlled the craft, but she could see nothing was working.
"Any luck?" She asked, making sure to keep the anger from her voice.
He shook his head, but kept trying, "They have complete control of the craft. They'll be heading for Voyager."
"Make sure they don't get there. Transport them out of the craft, and back to this ship."
The scientist nodded.

"Something is leaving the planet," Tuvok announced, "They must have fixed the craft."
Janeway let herslef smile, but she did not relax. They still had to get them away from the Lyante ship.
"On screen."
The planet and Lyante ship were replaced by a small craft leaving the planet's atmosphere.
They should be entering space in a couple of minutes, Janeway thought.
"The Lyante must have noticed the craft leaving," Kim mentioned, "They'll be trying to stop them."
"They'll try to get them before we do," Chakotay said, "We'll just have to transport them first. We have to move in now."
Janeway nodded in agreement, "They'll be to busy with the craft to notice us. take us in to beaming range. Transport room, prepare to beam two to sickbay on my signal."

The small craft entered space. Paris and Torres saw the dark ship looming before them. They also saw Voyager behind it. Paris pointed the craft toward Voyager and headed for it.
"We're being hailed," Torres announced. She tapped at the console, and Janeway's voice filled the cabin.
"The Lyante are going to try to get you back. We'll try to beam you out of there.
"We will have to lower the shields," Torres mentioned, "They give off too much interferance."
"Do it. Janeway out."
Torres attempted to take the shields offline as Paris tried to get the craft to fly faster toward Voyager
After several tense moments, Torres announced, "Shields are offline, and the Lyante are hailing us."
"Wonderful," Paris said, "Can this day get any better?"
"Turn the craft back to the planet or we will transport you back to your room."
"Aww! Can we play longer, Mommy? Please?"
Torres tried not to laugh. Obviously Paris was feeling better. She just hoped his comment didn't anger the aliens more.
"Prepare to be transported," the icy voice announced.
"Guess not," Paris said as he noticed they were passing the Lyante ship.
Come on. Just a few more feet He thought as the craft inched it's way toward Voyager
At that moment, the craft around them sparkled and disappeared. When their vision returned, bright light was all around them. They stared at their surroundings in both surprise and relief.
"Welcome back," Janeway's voice brought their attention to her, "I'm pretty sure you're more than glad to be back."
They nodded, and Janeway continued, "I'll have the Doctor check you two for any side effects those experiments might have caused."
The two nodded as Torres helped Paris onto the biobed. The Doctor moved a scanner over Paris' body, gathering information. He then tapped at his tricorder.
"The bleeding has slowed thanks to the medicine from those plants, but the wound still needs medical attention. He also has a fever. I'll get right to work on this first."
Janeway nodded, "Inform me when you're done," The Doctor nodded, and the captain left sickbay.
The Doctor removed the make-shift bandage and stared at the goo, "Applesauce?"
Torres smiled, "Not quite."
The Doctor shrugged and cleaned it off, causing Paris to gasp. He ignored it as he continued to wipe of the goo. He then scanned the wound again.
"Take your time," Paris whispered, "I'm in no hurry."
"Good," The Doctor answered, "cause I'm going to have to opperate. It seems the weapons teh Lyante use has a beam that acts like a knife. Basically, they stabbed you when they shot you."
"Was that the good news or bad news?" Paris asked, suddenly feeling nausious.
"Which ever you prefer, Mr. Paris," The Doctor answered as he prepared a hypospray to sediate Paris, "Now, say 'Good Night'."
The Doctor injected the pilot and before long Paris was out. He then went over to Torres and scanned her.
"It appears you just have a fever," he said after looking at his tricorder, "I'll give you some antibiotics to fight it," he then added, "When I'm done patching Mr. Paris up, I'll run some test to see if there are any side effects."
Torres nodded as the Doctor adjusted the hypospray to administer some antibiotics. He then injected them into Torres.
"Now that that's done, I'll start on Paris."

Several hours later, Janeway entered sickbay. She saw Torres standing over Paris, who was lying on a biobed. She looked to her left, and saw the Doctor in his office, staring at his computer. She went into the office and cleared her throat to get the hologram's attention.
The Doctor looked up then stood up when he saw Janeway standing before his desk. He decided not to waste any time.
"I have treated Mr. Paris' wound and their fever. I'm pleased to say that they have no side effects from the experiments, except they won't like the dark or the cold for a few days. They should be ready for duty tomorrow."
"They'll be glad to hear that," Janeway said, looking at the two. She couldn't help, but realized that this ordeal had brought the two closer than ever before. The Doctor's words brought her out of her thoughts. She looked back at him, and he appeared a bit annoyed that he was being ignored.
"Go on, Doctor," she said.
"I would like to gather some of those healing plants Torres found on the planet," he repeated, "The Lyante are gone, so an away team should be safe on the planet."
Janeway thought about it. The plants did help Paris' wound, even if all they did was slow the bleeding. They would be quite beneficial as a healing agent. She nodded, "I'll send one down. I'm sure you would like to join it?"
The Doctor nodded, "Of course. I suggest Torres come along as well. She knows where they are at."
Janeway looked back at Torres, who was talking quietly to Paris. The engineer held Paris' hand in her left hand while she stroked his hair with her other. Janeway smiled sadly then turned back to the Doctor.
"I don't think she would like that at all, Doctor," she said, "I don't believe she would want to leave Tom's side for anything."
The Doctor looked over at his patients, and saw what the captain was talking about. Seeing the two, he came to the same conclusion.
He shook his head, "I suppose not."

Torres tried to calm Paris down as best she could. She knew he was having a nightmare, and she knew what about. Her soothing touch and voice seemed not to help at all. She cursed the Lyante for what they did to them, but more so for what they did to Paris.
At that moment, Paris' eyes flew open and he stared widely around the room. He tried to get up, but strong hands lied him back down. He fought against them, thinking that they belonged to the Lyante. A familiar voice reached his ears then. His eyes came into focus, and he saw Torres leaning over him. He saw that her hands were on his shoulders not the aliens' and he relaxed.
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep again," he whispered.
"Sure you will," Torres said, "It'll just take some time."
Paris looked at her, knowing what she said was true, but a part of him believed she was lying. They both would be having nightmares for several nights to come.
"So you want to sleep over?" He asked.
Torres stared at him strangely, then realized what he meant, "Afraid of the Boogyman, are we, Tom?"
Paris tried to smile, but a slight twinge made him wince. After a moment, he said, "Admit it, you are too. We'll keep each other company until we get over this."
"You'd get used to it, and want me over all the time," Torres teased, but she knew she wouldn't want to be alone at night either.
"Then how about your quarters?" He pressed.
Torres looked at him. She could see he was serious, even as his blue eyes sparkled playfully. She finally answered him, "Your quarters, Tom. I think I'll spend the night in your quarters."
Satisfied, Paris closed his eyes. The glowing green eyes of the Lyante appeared before him again. This time, though, he was not afraid.

END

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