Chapter 12

Daylia stared at her small gathering of her followers. It had taken two weeks to regain just ten of her former villagers. These ten, she knew were her most devoted. She had to smile they were also her best fighters.

"Voyager will pay for taking Teryek away from me," she shouted as she paced before them. "I will get him back! I will get my village back!" The small camp erupted with cheers. They wanted to avenge their beloved leader's betrayal and banishment. They wanted to fight.

Daylia smiled as her plans for vengeance came into being.
****
Tom felt the whip as it smacked across his back. He cried out in pain as it cut into his flesh, but he refused to bend to their will. It would take more than a whipping to get him to obey. He had been through worse treatment than this and came out of it just fine. This would be no different.

He heard a voice behind him telling the one with the whip to stop. Tom relaxed a little, but soon he was grabbed from behind and something was injected into his neck.

Tom sat up on the floor, he was breathing heavily as his heart pounded in his chest. Looking around the room, he saw that it was dark. The pilot took a deep breath to try to calm himself. Trying to regain his composure, he attempted to find out where he was. He stood up and shook the rest of the dream away, then swayed as dizziness overcame him. Taking another deep breath, he moved his feet in an unknown direction.

*Where am I?* Tom asked himself as he tried to recall. He knew he couldn't be in the Lady's bedroom. He would have bumped into her bed by now. He reached out with his hands as he walked blindly into a table. He moved his hands down and over the smooth surface. He then recalled the tables of the Mess Hall.

*I'm in the Mess Hall. I must have wandered in here and fell asleep.*

Tom then heard the doors to the mess open and close. He then heard a very familiar voice call for the lights. There was a gasp as the two stared at each other.

"Tom, are you all right?" B'Elanna asked as she went to her husband.

"I couldn't sleep, so I started wandering around the ship. I came in here and fell asleep, I guess."

B'Elanna helped Tom sit in a chair. She then sat down across from him. He could see the worry in her eyes and somehow it warmed him. He was coming to trust this woman, but he didn't know if he could tell her about his visions.

"Are you still having those nightmares?" B'Elanna asked him.

"Yes. There always different. Sometimes, I'm with you and I'm being taken away. Other times, I'm being punished or drugged. There are other dreams that mix themselves with my nightmares. Sometimes, I'm in a cave, other times I'm being confined somewhere."

Tom stared at B'Elanna, who was listening intently. She knew what he was talking about. He was remembering his experiences with those horrid people. The others could be memories of his previous life, but she wasn't certain. She didn't want to get her hopes up.

"It's okay, Tom," she whispered as she reached across the table and took his hand in hers, "There just dreams. I'm here for you whenever you need to talk."

Tom smiled at her and she returned it. She then was reminded of why she came to the Mess Hall in the first place.

"I guess my stomach was trying to tell me something," she said, getting up from the table, "Do you want anything?"

Tom nodded, "I'll have whatever you're having."

B'Elanna nodded and went to find the leftovers.

*****

The next morning, Tom woke in another alcove. As he had the previous nights, he had wandered the ship after B'Elanna had left. Sometimes it felt like he didn't belong on this ship at all. He quickly got up off the floor before someone saw him, he didn't want to be caught again like last time. He was still having nightmares and could only fall into a peaceful sleep when he slept slept alone, usually in a quiet alcove. He had no idea why. Maybe it was some buried memory that was trying to resurface.

Tom tossed the blanket he had into a refresher and another flash sparked before his eyes. He saw himself standing before a console tapping commands into it. Suddenly, an inspiration struck. He remembered something about data banks and the personal files of the whole crew. Maybe if he could get into his own file, he would get some answers to the many questions he had.

He went as fast as he could to Harry's quarters. He knew the ensign was on duty and wouldn't be back for hours. He looked around the main room until he found the desk terminal in a small side office. He saw down at the desk and tapped some commands. The computer beeped and he smiled.

*Finally, I'm remembering,* he thought as he answered the computer's request with one of his own.

"Access the file of Thomas Eugene Paris, Lt."

"Please enter the authorization codes," the computer replied.

*Authorization Codes?* Tom thought, his hopes failing, *I don't know any authorization codes.*

When the computer repeated the inquiry, Tom simply blurted out the first numbers that came to mind, "Paris, beta-five-nine- two-six."

He was surprised when the computer beeped and said, "Working."

*It worked!?* Tom blinked. He couldn't believe it. He actually remembered something. Maybe he would remember more. He smiled as he waited for the computer to finish.

The computer beeped a few moments later, bringing Tom's attention back to it. He stared at the picture before him and blinked. In the picture, he looked much younger, but none too happy.

He shrugged the thought away and turned to the text. Tom's eyes widened at what he discovered. Tom Paris was the son of an important Admiral and had a promising career in Starfleet. He rubbed his eyes as he read on about the shuttle crash, his cover-up, and then his confession.

The doors open soundlessly behind him, Tom was so engrossed in his reading he hadn't heard. Harry entered his cabin and noticed that the lights were on and that someone was in his office. He walked in and saw Tom sitting at the terminal and he looked upset. The ensign walked up behind his friend and looked at what Tom was reading.

*Oh, no,* Kim thought, *He's reading his personal file. He won't like what in there.*

Harry was about to stop Tom from reading anymore, but it was too late. Tom had shut it off the terminal and was getting out of the chair. He was startled to see Harry standing behind him.

"You probably have already guessed what I've done," Tom said, barely above a whisper.

Harry nodded his head, "You pulled up your file in hopes that it might help you remember. Tom, what's in those files..."

"Am I really like that?" Tom asked, his eyes full of fear and hurt, "am I really what that file says? Am I some reckless, careless outcast that everyone despises?"

Harry shook his head before Tom could continue, "Maybe, I don't know. I never saw the Tom Paris that those words describe. But that text doesn't describe the Tom Paris that helped this ship and the people aboard it. It doesn't tell of the times you saved many lives by risking your own. It doesn't say how caring a man you are, how self-sacrificing. You've come a long way from that selfish person that that file says you were."

Tom offered a small smile, but he couldn't believe what Harry was telling him. Something inside him though told him that Harry was right. People could change, so why couldn't someone who was selfish and reckless. He then remembered one reason that could change a person like that. Children. He sat up straight, and looked at Harry.

"The boys," Tom said, "I want to see them."

Harry smiled, it was good that Tom was finally making decisions on his own. He nodded and the two left Kim's quarters.

*****
"Captain, I'm picking up a ship," the ensign at Ops announced, "It's hailing us."

"On screen," Janeway said as she sat down in her chair.

The starfield was replaced by a very familiar face. Janeway's eyes narrowed as she stared at Daylia, the former leader of the Amazon race.

"Hello, Captain Janeway," Daylia said with sarcasm, "I believe you have someone I want."

*****
Tom and Harry were just leaving the turbolift and heading for the Paris-Torres' quarters when Janeway voice sounded, "Kim and Paris to the Bridge. Now. We have visitors."

Harry looked at Tom. He knew why the Captain would call him to the Bridge, but why Tom? He hardly remembered his past, let alone how to fly. He mentally shrugged and headed back toward the turbolift with Tom on tow. He hoped the Captain knew what she was doing.

******
*Why did I call for Paris?* Janeway asked. She answered herself by saying, *Habits are hard to break. Maybe it is time for Tom to have a look at the Bridge. He just might remember something.*

She was brought out of her thoughts when she heard the turbolift doors open and close. She didn't have to turn around to see who it was. She knew.

"Ah, Teryek," Daylia said when she noticed Tom, "How nice to see you. Don't worry. I'll soon have to back where you belong."

"He belongs here," Janeway said firmly, eyeing the Lady dangerously, "He will stay here."

Daylia glared at the captain, "He belongs with me, Captain. I want him. If you do not give him to me, I will destroy you."

"They are powering up weapons, Captain, "Tuvok announced, "She clearly means to destroy us."

Tom moved to stand in behind the Conn. He suddenly received another flash. He saw himself sitting at the station, his fingers flying over the controls. He suddenly had an urgent need to be in that chair.

"Understood, Tuvok," Janeway said as she looked at Tom. She was watching him stare at the conn station. She mentally smiled. Something was coming back to him. She then addressed the Lady, "I'm sorry, Lady, but I will not hand Tom over to you. He is a member of my crew and a very valuable one. He belongs here."

Daylia's eyes narrowed and darkened, "I warn you, Captain. If you don't hand him over, I will destroy your ship."

Tom stared at Daylia. She clearly meant what she said. He looked at Janeway who was glaring at the woman on the screen. She clearly did not intend to hand him over. He had to do something or they might all be killed.

"Captain," he said, going to stand in front of her, "I'll go. I don't want everyone to be killed, because of me."

Janeway smiled. This Tom was very familiar to her. He was willing to sacrifice himself in order to save them." She couldn't let him do such a thing. They needed him, and B'Elanna needed him more.

"No, Tom," she said softly, "You belong here. I will not hand you over to Daylia."

"But," he started to say, but she held up a hand to stop him.

"You're needed here, Tom. That's all I'm going to say on the matter."

Tom blinked back his surprise then turned to stare at the woman on the screen. He could see that she wanted him dearly and would kill to get him. Tom then remembered B'Elanna fighting to get him back. He smiled slightly, but it was a wicked smile. He knew then that if Daylia couldn't win a fight against B'Elanna then she definitely couldn't defeat Janeway. He moved to one side as Janeway stood and went to stand behind the Conn.

"You are not getting him, Daylia," Janeway said, crossing her arms, "We will fight to keep him here where he belongs."

"So be it!" Daylia snarled.

"Shields up!" Janeway barked as she moved to claim her seat. She then jerked forward as a blast hit the ship.

"Shields are holding, Captain," Tuvok reported.

Two more blasts rocked the ship, causing Tom to fall to the ground. He tried to get up, but was knocked to the ground again. A sudden flash blinded him as another vision came to his eyes. He saw himself in the middle of a battle, his fingers flying across the controls of the helm. It was then that Tom realized where he needed to be.

"Shields at seventy percent," Tuvok announced as another blast rocked him into his station. He barely even shook his head as he returned the enemies' fire.

"Move," Tom told Chakotay at the helm.

Chakotay stared strangely at the younger man, "Are you giving me an order, Lieutenant?"

Another blast hit the ship, and Chakotay maneuvered Voyager to where they had a better aim of the other ship. Phaser fire hit the other ship, damaging it.

"Aliens' shields are at sixty percent."

"Let me have the controls," Tom said again.

"Do you remember how to fly, Paris?" Chakotay asked as he maneuvered the ship again. This time to avoid a blast. He then turned back to Tom.

"I don't know, but I do know that I need to be at the controls."

"Tom, let Chakotay fly the ship. We can't avoid to follow your hunches right now."

"But Captain..."

The ship was rocked by a more powerful blast. It knocked Tom off his feet again and onto the floor. Sparks shot out of two consoles and one exploded.

"Shields at fifty percent," Tuvok said. His fingers flew across the controls as he fired at the ship. The crew watched as a wing on the alien ship exploded into space.

"Their shields are at thirty percent and falling, Captain."

Chakotay maneuvered the ship around again as it avoided several more blasts from the enemy ship. He looked over at Tom to see that the pilot was still lying on the floor. He then quickly moved his eyes back to the viewscreen as he decided his next move. It obviously was the wrong one as they were hit by another blast. Tuvok retaliated though and the Daylia's ship exploded before them.

"Damage report," Janeway ordered after several moments.

"Minor damage on decks one through three," Harry reported, "No serious casualties."

Janeway nodded then looked to see Tom lying on the floor. Chakotay was over him checking for a pulse. He looked at her as she went to them.

"He's alive. He must have hit his head. Again."

The two smiled as Janeway tapped her commbadge, "Janeway to transporter room one. Beam Lt. Paris to Sickbay."

After the blue beam took Tom away, she looked at the Commander and said, "Tell B'Elanna what's happened. You have the Bridge. I'll be in Sickbay."

Chakotay nodded. He then tapped his comm badge and asked Engineering for damage reports before he told B'Elanna the news. He knew she would be on her way to Sickbay before she even gathered her complete report.

On to Part Nine
Paris, Voyager