Chapter Nine-Worries

Tom and B'Elanna left their pod in search of food. It was early evening, the sun was just beginning to set. The two were heading toward the river when B'Elanna heard rustling in the bushes.

"Did you hear that?" She asked, stopping in her tracks. Tom stopped beside her, listening.

"I don't hear anything," Tom said after awhile.

B'Elanna shrugged and continued walking. She kept her ears and eyes open for any sign of movement.

A while later, the rustling came again. The two halted, and strained their ears to hear the noise. They looked at each other then B'Elanna saw movement in the bushes. She pointed her phaser, bringing Tom's attention to it as well.

"In there," B'Elanna whispered. She cautiously headed toward the movement, her phaser out before her.

Tom drew his phaser and followed behind her. He remembered the first animal they had shot for meat. He expected it to be the same type of creature, for they didn't see any other type, besides the fish. He kept a close eye on the bushes as well as B'Elanna. He watched as she parted the leaves and peeked between them. He heard her gasp and he went to her.

"What is it?" Tom asked, looking at her surprised face.

B'Elanna pointed before her, and Tom followed her gaze. His eyes widened in surprise at the sight before him.

Standing before them was a small creature with golden fur and silver horns. It was feeding on the grass that had a pink tint to it. It pawed the ground with blue hooves as it dug for the grasses' roots.

"It's beautiful," Tom whispered.

"It's food," B'Elanna growled as her preditory instints kicked in. She slowly stood and walked cautiously toward the creature. Tom followed, watching for carnivorous animals.

B'Elanna kept her eyes forward, watching the creature for any sudden movements. She was not about to let such a prize get away. It could feed her and Tom for days. She growled as she drew closer to the creature.

Tom watched B'Elanna as she stalked the animal. He was reminded of a tiger, closing in on its prey. He smiled slightly at the image before him. He had never seen her move with such grace, except when she was stalking towards Engineering. He remembered the last time she walked off toward her engines. It was three days before they had to evacuate Voyager. The two had an arguement; over what he couldn't remember. She walked away, but not before she insulted him. The two had avoided each other after that until the evacuation.

The sound of a twig breaking brought him back to reality. Tom stopped short, and he saw B'Elanna freeze as well. The two stared at the animal, who had lifted its head. It looked around then straight at them. The two did not make a move, they didn't even breathe.

A growl from Tom's stomach sounded like a roar to his ears. He closed his eyes, and prayed that the animal didn't hear it. It had, for it bounded away. B'Elanna spun around, glared at him, then took off running. Tom followed, knowing that things would not get any better.

B'Elanna jumped over a fallen tree trunk as she raced after the speeding deer. She was fuming. She was so close to getting some food. She told herself that she should have fired on it when she had the chance. She was so caught up in the stalking that she actually forgot she had the phaser.

Stupid, B'Elanna, she berated herself, You let yourself be caught up in a fantasy. You're not a warrior, you're an engineer!

B'Elanna barely heard Tom call out to her to wait. She was focused on getting the animal. She didn't want to mess up again. She saw the deer jump over something and disappear. She didn't stop, but she wondered where it went. She soon found out as she felt herself fall.

"B'ELANNA!" Tom screamed as he heard the half-Klingon cry out in surprise. He raced toward the edge of the cliff. He looked down to see her lying on the ground her feet in a yellow pond.

"B'Elanna, are you all right!?" He called as he figured out a way to get to her.

He heard B'Elanna scream and he winced. She was not all right. She was in pain, terrible pain from the way she was screaming. He put his foot on a rock and slowly climbed down toward her.

"Hang on, B'Elanna. I'm coming!"

"It hurts!" B'Elanna screamed. She was feeling pain in her feet. She tried to move them, but it only caused her more pain. She knew her hip was probably broken. She looked at the pond her feet were floating in, and saw a bubble rise then pop.

Oh, gods, she thought grimly, That doesn't look good.

B'Elanna looked up to see Tom slowly climbing down the cliff. It wasn't a high cliff, but Tom was being cautious that he didn't fall as well. It wouldn't do either of them any good if both of them were hurt.

Finally, Tom jumped the rest of the way down. He ran over to B'Elanna and knelt down beside her. He stared at the yellow pond and a chill went up his spine.

"It looks like acid," Tom whispered. He looked down to see B'Elanna wince. He didn't know if from the pain or his announcement of what she was lying in.

"Where does it hurt?" He asked as he looked her over.

"My feet," B'Elanna grimaced, "and my hip."

Tom nodded and moved behind her. He grabbed her under the arms, and dragged her away from the pond. She screamed in pain, causing Tom to wince as it echoed in his ears. He dragged her back to the bottom of the cliff then looked up.

"Do you feel like being carried?" Tom asked as he looked at her.

B'Elanna growled then gasped as she looked at her feet. They were steaming as if on fire. She batted at them, but cried out in pain. Tom didn't like the look of her feet. He decided to get her back to the pod. He picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. He ignored the comment she made about him rescuing her, and began to climb back up the cliff.

Tom ignored the yelling from B'Elanna. He was not about to put her down, no matter how much she shouted. Her feet would not be able to carry her in their state. He tried to tell her this, but she only made another comment about who died and made him the doctor. He ignored that as well. He did not want to get into another arguement with her, not when he was more concerned about her health. If they didn't get to the medical supplies soon, she might loose her feet. He tried to tell her this, but she just snapped at him again. He mentally sighed and walked faster.

They made it to the pod after the sun had set. Tom put B'Elanna down on the ground and went into the pod to search for the med-kit. He knew it was a good idea when he decided to pack it. Now, it looked like he was getting to use it. He sighed in relief when he found it on the bottom of his bag. He opened it and picked up the dermal regenerator. He went back outside to B'Elanna. He carefully removed the remains of her boots. She gasped as he did this, but said nothing. He turned on the instrument, and waved it over one of her feet. He watched as the skin slowly renewed itself. After a while, he waved the regenerator over the other foot.

"You're good with that," B'Elanna whispered as he finished.

"I took a course in first aid at the Academy," Tom said as he turned off the instrument and went back inside.

B'Elanna looked at her feet in amazement. They looked a little better, but there was still skin peeling off in areas. She moved them slightly, and grimaced. The new skin pulled and she stopped. She looked up when she heard Tom rejoining her outside. He had creature jerky in his hand. He gave her one then sat down beside her.

"It will have to do, for now," Tom said as he gazed out into the darkness, "You'll have to stay off your feet for a couple days. I'll use the regenerator again tomorrow."

Tom looked at her and smiled slightly. She returned a weak smile then went back to staring at her feet. She wished that the instrument in field med-kits were more powerful. She then looked back up at him.

"I could wrap them," Tom announced. Without waiting for her answer, he stood up and went back into the pod. He came out a few minutes later with torn pieces of cloth.

"What is that?" B'Elanna asked, already knowing the answer.

"My blanket," he said as he sat down in front of her. She was about to protest to him using his blanket, but he grabbed her left foot and began to wrap it. She watched as he gently set it back down, and picked up the other. He wrapped the foot tightly and set it back down. He then looked up at her.

"Tom, what will you sleep in?" B'Elanna asked, knowing he didn't have anything else.

"I only cut two holes big enough to wrap your feet in," he answered, smiling at her concern, "I still have enough to cover myself up."

He then stood up and held out his hand. She took it then gasped as he picked her up and carried her into the pod. She suddenly had an image of a married couple walking into their new house. She stared at Tom, and a new wave of emotions came over her. She tried to push them away, but they persisted. She continued to stare at Tom as he placed her in her chair and covered her up with her blanket.

"Sweet dreams, Lanna," Tom whispered as he bent down and kissed her forehead. He then picked up his blanket and sat down in his chair. He covered himself up and closed his eyes.

B'Elanna looked down and saw the two holes in his blanket. She looked down at her feet, wrapped up in the dark blue cloth. She smiled softly and snuggled further down into her chair. She closed her eyes, and dreamed of someone with blonde hair and blue eyes carrying her across the threshold.
~~
Chakotay stared into the unending space before him. He was the only one awake, Harry and Janeway falling asleep hours ago. The silence left him with only his mind to talk to, and his mind was filling him with horrible ideas.

A couple times, he believed that they were being followed. He checked the scanners only to find nothing. He checked long range sensors, and still nothing. He tried to calm himself with soft music, but the music only reminded him of B'Elanna. That thought made him wonder where she was and if she was alone.

Harry said Tom might be with her, Chakotay thought, glaring out into space, I wonder if he's pushed himself onto her, yet. With his hormones, I wouldn't be surprised.

Chakotay shook his head viciously. He couldn't think that. Tom had proven that he did care about Voyager and the people aboard it. Tom wouldn't take advantage of B'Elanna, but the idea kept plaguing Chakotay.

B'Elanna can take care of herself, another voice told him, We've been through this before. B'Elanna would put a stop to anything Paris tried. You're worrying for nothing.

Chakotay shook his head again. This was getting ridiculous. What he should be worrying about was if they were alive, not if Paris slept with B'Elanna. The ideas came back into his head again. He tried to push them away, but they refused to be ignored.

"Paris, if you have done anything to B'Elanna, you will pay," Chakotay vowed as he ran another scan. He was sure he was being followed.
~~
B'Elanna woke the next morning to a pulling sensation. She opened her eyes to see Tom Paris unwrapping her feet. She stared at him, trying to get his attention.

"I'm going to try the regenerator again, Lanna," he said, not looking at her.

B'Elanna rested her head against the back of the chair, and mentally sighed. He was going to go out of his way to help her. She didn't like to be looked after by anyone, especially Paris. She closed her eyes as she felt the instrument working on her feet. Another day of this, and he would be expecting favors from her for healing her. She suppressed a growl as she imagined what he would want as payment.

"Don't expect anything from me as payment, Paris!" B'Elanna growled angrily, glaring at him.

Tom looked up from healing her feet, a strange expression on his face, "I don't expect anything from you, B'Elanna. Just a 'Thank You' will be fine."

He then went back to treating her feet. He heard her sigh and he smiled slightly. He knew she didn't like to be taken care of, but she would have to get used to the next couple days. He was going to be looking after her until her feet healed whether she liked it or not.

"There," Tom said, getting to his feet, "They're not much better, but better than they were yesterday. I wish these things had more power."

B'Elanna smiled slightly as her wish was vocalized. She watched him as he placed the instrument back in its case.

"I guess I'll also be your waiter," Tom said, his blue eyes sparkling, "What would you like? We have creature jerky, three-day old plants, and fish."

B'Elanna tried not to laugh at his impression of a waiter. He laughed along with her. After a moment, she finally answered him.

"How about creature stew."

Tom looked at her few several moments. His intense gaze piercing her soul. She swallowed as a strong desire came over her. The spell was broken when he blinked. She closed her eyes as he went to prepare her meal.

Face it, B'Elanna, she told herself, No one is coming to rescue you. You're stuck on this planet with Tom Paris. An uninhabited planet.

B'Elanna took a deep breath as the meaning of all this came to mind. They were the Adam and Eve of this world. Sooner or later, they would have to seriously think about populating this world. It was a thought she didn't really like, but she knew that if no one was going to rescue them, they would have to consider making this planet their permanent home.

That would mean children would soon come into the picture. B'Elanna thought as she smelled the scent of cooking food, This might become more than just a fantasy come true. I have to tell Tom soon.

How to tell him was a different matter entirely.

On to Part Eight

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