Chapter Six-Thoughts

Chakotay lied on the bunk in the back of the shuttle. He had let the captain fly the shuttle while he took a break.

He tried to sleep, but his mind was wandering. All he could think about was the probability that B'Elanna was with Tom Paris. It worried and angered him.

He didn't trust the pilot enough to be left alone with B'Elanna. He knew, though that the half-Klingon could handle herself and Tom.

Chakotay rolled over onto his side, and stared at the bulkhead before him. He sighed. He was being hard on the young man, but he couldn't help thinking about it.

If truth be told, Chakotay thought, B'Elanna is safe. Paris would give his life to keep her safe. At least, I don't have to worry about that.

Chakotay smiled. He wouldn't have to worry about Paris 'putting the moves on her', either. B'Elanna was sure to break his jaw if he even tried. The commander finally fell asleep with these thoughts on his mind.

Harry Kim stared at Chakotay. Hw didn't forget what the commander said about B'Elanna being with Tom. The ensign was glad, though that Chakotay did agree that Tom would protect the engineer.

He sat down in the co-pilot's chair, and glanced at Janeway. He wondered what she thought. He shook his head. She had voiced her thoughts already.

Guess it's my turn, Harry thought.

"Captain, I heard what the commander said about Tom being with B'Elanna."

Janeway glanced at him, "Harry, he's just concerned that Tom will try something with her."

Harry didn't hide the shock in his voice, "He'd never try anything with B'Elanna! If anything, he'll be more concerned about their survival."

Janeway smiled. She knew Harry would come to his friend's defense sooner or later.

"I agree, Harry. I hope they're safe. There's no telling what they'll run into out here."

That only made Harry more afraid for his friends.

Where ever they are, I hope they're out of Jharen space.
~~
B'Elanna Torres watched as Tom stared into the river. The two had agreed that fish would be a good change of pace. They had been eating boiled meat and jerky for three days now, and they were getting bored with it. She smiled as she realized they had agreed on something. That was the third thing they had agreed upon since leaving Voyager.

I wonder how many other things we'll agree on? B'Elanna wondered as Tom thrust his hands into the water.

A minute later, Tom stood up with a large fish in his hands. He tossed it to the shore, causing B'Elanna to jump. He looked at her and smiled.

"Enough for both of us," the pilot stated.

B'Elanna smiled as Tom waded over to the shore. His blue eyes sparkled, and she felt herself drawn into them. A ray of sunlight burst through the trees and bathed Tom in its light, making his hair seem to glow. B'Elanna caught her breath, and an image of an ancient Earth sun god came to mind.

Gods, he's beautiful, B'Elanna couldn't help, but stare.

"What?" Tom asked, noticing her staring intently at him.

B'Elanna blinked as she heard his voice. She shook her head then looked back at him.

"Nothing," B'Elanna mumbled, "Sunlight blinded me for a moment."

Tom smiled then bent down to pick up the fish.

We'll be having a feast tonight, he thought as the two headed back toward the camp site.


Tom had found a stick thick and strong enough to poke the fish. He jabbed it through the animal then positioned it over the fire to cook. He stared into the fire, not noticing B'Elanna's intense stare. He was deep in his own thoughts as he watched their meal cook.

If Dad could see me now, he thought with a slight smile. He laughed inwardly at that. He doubted his father would think any different of him. He shook his head and looked at B'Elanna. She was staring into the fire, the light burning in her dark eyes. The glow gave her the appearance of a fire goddess. He swallowed as he felt himself suddenly aroused.

Gods, she's gorgeous, he thought as he closed his eyes. He imagined her as a goddess of fire, destroying enemies that dared threatened her warp core. A small smile played on his lips as he felt a wave of desire sweep over him.

"You're smiling again," B'Elanna's voice brought him out of his thoughts, "What's amusing this time, Tom?"

Aw, damn, Tom thought, Now what am I going to tell her this time?

"Eating," the pilot blurted out, "I was picturing how good the fish will taste."

"I'm hungry, too," B'Elanna said, "Maybe you better check it."

Tom nodded and brought the fish away from the flames. His mouth was already watering as he tested the fish to see if it was done. It wasn't, so he put it back over the fire. He sat back down and continued to stare at the fish. His mind wandered back to the engineer sitting across from him.

He looked up and caught her staring at him. Intense blue eyes met dark depths as they stared at each other. A breeze blew around them, bringing with it the smell of coming rain. B'Elanna closed her eyes as the wind cooled her flushed face. When she opened them, Tom was watching the fish again.

B'Elanna looked at him. She had caught a flash of something in the pilot's eyes, but he looked away before she could see what it was. She wonder if her eyes displayed anything to him. She wondered what he really was thinking when she saw him smile a few moments ago.

What ever it was, it had nothing to do with food, B'Elanna thought.


A spring shower began while they were eating. The two hurried inside their pod and shut the door. They laughed as they realized that they had to now eat the dreaded jerky and some ration bars.

"I'm full anyway," B'Elanna said as she used her blanket to dry her hair.

"I am, too," Tom said as he watched her dry her hair. His eyes glazed over as he imagined her drying her hair after a real shower. He was rudely brought back to reality by the blanket hitting his face. He blinked then looked at the blanket.

"You'll catch a cold otherwise," B'Elanna said as she sat down in the co-pilot's chair.

"Thanks," Tom mumbled as he dried his wet hair.

B'Elanna looked out the pod's only window. She watched as the raindrops fell on the viewscreen. She listened to the slight plop the drops made as they fell onto the pod. She leaned back into her chair and listened to the sounds.

Tom stopped drying his hair to look at B'Elanna. She had a calm expression on her face as if she was almost asleep. He stood up and sat down next to her in the pilot's chair. He looked out the viewscreen to see the rain was falling harder now. The plops were more fierce and the sounds were more violent.

"It's really pouring out there," Tom said, not looking at her.

B'Elanna opened her eyes to see that he was right. Mud puddles were just beginning to form, and she heard thunder in the distance. She looked at Tom, an expression of worry on her face.

"Do you think we should find better shelter?" She asked.

The pilot looked at her. She was clearly worried that this pod would not hold up in a storm. He looked around the pod and knew that it could withstand this storm.

He looked back at B'Elanna and shook his head, "I think it'll hold out. If you want, we can look for something better tomorrow."

B'Elanna thought for a moment. If Tom was sure that the pod could with stand a storm then maybe it was wiser to stay here than risk life and limb trying to find better shelter.

"No," she answered, "I think it's better if we stay here. I don't want to see what dangers this planet might throw at us."

Tom nodded his agreement. He didn't want to face anymore strange creatures like the one that ended up being their dinner. He knew a phaser could take them out, though he knew their phasers would soon wear out.

Tom tossed B'Elanna's blanket back to her as he leaned over to get his. He covered himself and leaned back into the chair. He closed his eyes as he listened to the sound of the rain. It always helped him fall asleep when he couldn't on his own. It also brought back memories of when he was younger, and he would play in the rain. A small smile came to his lips as he remembered jumping into mud puddles.

B'Elanna watched as the smile spread across his lips. She shook her head as she settled in her chair. He seemed to be smiling a lot lately. She wondered if it had anything to do with her or if he finally felt safe enough to let his guard down.

She looked back over at him to see that he was finally asleep. She would have to ask him about his recent good mood tomorrow. She pulled the blanket over her, and stared out into the pouring rain. She jumped when she saw a flash of light in the distance. A moment later, thunder followed. She snuggled down into the chair, and pulled the blanket up to her chin. Rain, she could handle. She could even handle storms, but for some reason she felt uneasy about this storm.

What's wrong with me? B'Elanna asked herself, Storms never bothered me before.

She then knew the reason. She was still unsure that the pod could handle the storm.

Maybe it's the size of the pod that bothers me, she thought.

B'Elanna began to tell herself that the pod was strong enough to handle the storm. She told herself not to worry and to go to sleep. Another flash of lightening raced across the sky. She cried out, waking Tom from his sleep.

"B'Elanna, what is it?" He asked, nearly falling out of his chair. He stared at her to see that she had pulled the blanket up to her nose. Her dark eyes looked at him. For a moment, he was caught off guard by how beautiful they looked. He shook his head and went to her.

"What's the matter?" He asked again, kneeling before her.

B'Elanna stared into his worried eyes. She pushed the sudden feeling they caused away as she answered him.

"I think I'm afraid of storms," she whispered, almost ashamed.

Tom took her hands in his to comfort her, "It's all right, B'Elanna. I was, too when I was little. My mother told me that there was nothing to be afraid of. It's just noise and noise can't hurt you."

B'Elanna almost laughed, but she knew he was trying to comfort her. She nodded and sighed.

"Maybe it's the size of this pod. I'm afraid that the winds and lightening might destroy it."

Tom smiled slightly. He knew that was the real reason she was afraid. He shook his head and squeezed her hands.

"B'Elanna the weather is not going to destroy this pod. Ok, the lightening might, but it's nowhere near us. There is nothing to worry about."

The engineer had to smile. How is it that Tom could always make her feel better, even more than Chakotay could. She stared into his eyes to see that the concern was still there.

"Thanks, Tom," B'Elanna whispered almost huskily, "I feel better now."

Tom was caught off guard by the tone of her voice. He blinked back his surprise and nodded. He kissed her hands then went back to his chair.

B'Elanna stared at her hands. She did not expect him to kiss them. She looked at him to see that he was staring at her. He appeared that he also didn't exprect to kiss her hands.

"You're welcome, Lanna," Tom whispered just as huskily.

The two stared at each other for several moments. Each one wondering what the other was thinking. Each one wondering what was happening to them and if the other was feeling the same.

The two finally tore their eyes away from each other, and settled down in their chairs. One thought went through their heads as they drifted off to sleep.

I can't be in love.

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