Story #3 – SOUND  OF YOUR VOICE

By Delta

 

 

Day 43

 

The days on New Hope were now flowing with the pulsing rhythm of vibrant life. The makeshift geodomes and the subsequent make-do shacks were being replaced with more sturdy structures, with the mylar material of the ‘temporaries’ rapidly being cannibalized for other projects.

 

Likewise, an assumed hierarchy of tribal life had formed. There had been no elections, no show of hands; but by silent acclamation, Kathryn Janeway retained her leader position, though now more as a mayoral matriarch than a Starfleet captain. Chakotay had rapidly assumed the role of community planner and architect, and, as such, was working night and day to design the fledgling village, search out materials and oversee construction of the community.

 

A large central building had been the first permanent structure erected. It was constructed next to the original covered pavilion area. Fashioned after the log cabins favored by the European pioneers in North America, they made use of the availability of the tall trees that were close by. Mylar remnants from Voyager were incorporated within roofs and provided valuable protection for the rescued instrumentation that was housed there.

 

The building was about twenty-five meters long and fifteen meters deep. Its angular roof of bark laid on top of the metallic plastic overhung the two longer sides. Windows had been cut into the two shorter ends. These openings were covered with an air-permeable clear plastic that Seven had devised from her infinite assimilated databanks. The structure had a long narrow entrance area, off which came four rooms of similar size. One acted as an infirmary for the doctor. A second housed the remains of the computer system, currently in disarray. The third provided sheltered workspace for the engineering crews and the last room served as a galley for communal food preparation, under Neelix's anxious supervision.

 

Tuvok and Tom became the chief ‘hunters’ for the group, organizing and supervising foraging jaunts away from the encampment, gathering items for their daily survival while surveying and scouting the terrain of their host planet. To date, they had not journeyed more than a few kilometers away from the colony, but they were working to design a hovercraft that would allow them longer search trips. Janeway had forbid any overnight excursions, so they were currently limited in their explorations.

 

Harry and B'Elanna had continued with their innovative fabrications of devices and systems to allow the inhabitants of New Hope truly to have just that... hope for their new lives, with a promise of more than mere survival. With the initial immediate success of their conversion of the salvaged deflector dish from Voyager into a power source, each day brought new advances... sometimes small, sometimes large. Their one regret was the inability to recreate replicator and transporter functions. Although B'Elanna had been able to repair and contain what was left of the warp core, the biogel packs for the replicators hopelessly had been destroyed by radiation contamination. The computer system seemed intact, but it also had suffered major damage by the plasma storm.

 

A second major triumph for the engineering skills of Voyager's crew had been the construction of a water system. The plastic aluminum ducts had been rescued from the Jeffries tube system and were being used as an aboveground viaduct for the water. This layout transported the precious liquid from the nearby lake to the central building in the compound and into a smaller building off to one side. The smaller building was fondly referred to as ‘the personal building’, and housed showers and latrines. Lastly, the water system was being connected with the ‘permanent’ structures as they went up.

 

Today, most of the small village had turned aside from their individual and collective chores to join forces to construct a smaller permanent building. The three-room edifice, located towards the eastern edge of the encampment, was being built in barn-raising fashion at the request of Kathryn Janeway. There was a definite party-like atmosphere to the labor that had begun shortly after daybreak. Neelix and Samantha Wildman had provided a never-ending supply of food and drink for the workers. Water pipes were being laid, and decorative items were being constructed under the warm sun.

 

The beehive of activity came as a result of a noontime meeting three days earlier that two of the inhabitants had sought of Kathryn Janeway. The overworked woman smiled broadly as she listened to their petition, and knew that new life was indeed beginning on New Hope. She rapidly had assented to the duo's request... Tom and B'Elanna wanted to get married!

 

With the formidable motivation and energy of a mother of the bride, Janeway pushed aside all the demands awaiting her action. Amidst hugs and tears, she not only had acceded to their timid request, but insisted that this was just what the colony needed to confirm a future for the community... and that only the best would be fitting for this first step of acceptance of their situation.

 

Janeway immediately contacted Chakotay, who promptly appeared in the small enclosure of her quarters/office/workshop. She quickly but completely informed him of the happy news.

 

"Chakotay, would it be possible to construct an honest-to-goodness 'home' for our new-to-be wed couple?"

 

B'Elanna was flushed and flustered beyond words at the fuss that her former captain was bestowing upon them. Quickly, Tom pulled her aside, and in an assured whisper, reminded her that this was what Janeway needed also... a life-affirming event which might focus her out of her guilt and depression over the abrupt end to their Earth-bound journey.

 

Chakotay's approving smile placed a final blessing on the young couple's request. "I don't see why we cannot, Kathryn. Besides, there are several new construction ideas I'd like to test, and I can't think of two people that I'd rather use as guinea pigs," he grinned, the twinkle in his eyes a mixture of mischief and excitement. "So... how much time do we have to plan for... this event?" he concluded.

 

B'Elanna was slowly recovering from the rare bout of inhibition to which she had succumbed.

 

"Well... we were thinking about a week from today...", she barely squeaked out. "Umm... we didn't want this to be a hardship on anyone... nothing big..."

 

"Nonsense!" Janeway blurted out, again hugging the couple. "This is big. I may have reprimanded you two for your overt actions before, but now is the time for you to be demonstrative... to set an example."

 

She sat down in her rescued ready room chair, leaning back in a pensive mode.

"B'Elanna... Tom... you are the future of New Hope. We are not only starting a new colony, but new traditions. I know that this step is a tremendous one for you, but it is also a giant leap for the colony. Please allow us not only to rejoice with you, but to grow with you."

 

Tom put his arm around B'Elanna's shoulders, pulling her close to him.  "Capt... I mean, Kathryn... we understand, but we don't want any hard feelings about special treatment."

 

"This is not going to be special treatment... this is going to be a benchmark for more to come. Please... indulge me; consider it a 'sacrifice' to build community spirit."

 

The energized older woman turned towards Chakotay.  "May I say 'Make it so'?" she smiled.

 

"Aye, aye... ma'am," he answered back, while turning towards Tom and B'Elanna.  "You're not going to get off easy. I'm going to need your help and input in getting this project off the ground."

 

Tom ran up to his former nemesis, hand outstretched. "You've got a deal!" he beamed, as the two men shook on the mutual work agreement.

 

And now, the finishing touches were being put on the small, sturdy building. The solar collector on the roof was secured in place by two crewmen from engineering, just as Megan Delaney signaled that the interior walls had been fused, following the connection with the newest water and drainage system.

 

The sun was starting its rapid descent behind the mountains surrounding this now-populated valley, and Harry's energy system kicked on the lighting devices that surrounded the colony.

 

Kathryn called Tom and B'Elanna to the front of the weary but happy group of voyagers, and she initiated the applause as they were led to the threshold of the building.  "You may think that this is a gift to you, but I'm sure that you will find that your union will be a gift to all of us. May you live long lives in peace and happiness."

 

Cheers rang out throughout the 100-plus people encircling them, and muffled phrases urged the couple to ‘break in the new house.’

 

Tom's face turned red as he quieted his friends.  "I know... I know what you're thinking. But the Captain... um... Kathryn has stated that she wants us to be an example... to start new traditions. Well, B'Elanna and I have decided to revive an old tradition. We won't move in until after we're married. Sorry, Harry; you're going to have to put up with me for a few more days... Sam, try to keep B'Elanna calm, and for goodness sake, don't let her change her mind!"

 

A low growl was heard from the dark small woman at his side, as she muttered, "Helmboy... you're the one who took forever on this decision!"

 

The blond lieutenant turned and picked up his wiry Klingon bride-to-be, and swung her around in several broad loops, to the delight of the throng. “But now I've tasted your blood, as much as you've tasted mine," he snarled into her ear, for her alone. "And now I'm yours... forever," he softly whispered as he put her down and sealed her unspoken words with a kiss.

 

The action seemed to revert the mood of the ragtag lot to one of reflection – upon what was before, was now, and was to be. Voices became muted prayer-like tones, as the work and fun of the day came to a close and the final cleanup took place before weariness completely overtook them.

 

~*~

 

The next three days found the group of survivors busily working on yet another ‘home’ structure, plus the continuation of the weaving of the web of the water system. Tuvok, Tom and their group sensed an urgency in their explorations, as the daily observations had noted shorter lengths in the days. Facing the unknowns of an upcoming winter, they collected as many serviceable and edible items as they could, while recording detailed observations of changes in the ecosystems around them.

 

However, it had already been agreed upon, from Janeway through the entire group, that Tom and B'Elanna, in their stated desire to ‘establish new traditions’, would be relieved of their duties for seven days after their wedding. In the meantime, both of the conscientious former Starfleet officers were doubling their work efforts prior to their joining ceremony.

 

~*~

 

The pale sun had once more slipped into its bed behind the mountains. Tonight, for the second time since their arrival, the inhabitants of New Hope saw the figure eight moon of ‘their’ planet flood the dark skies with its pearlescent bluish-yellow light.

 

All had helped cleaned up from the evening meal, but the normal decreasing hush of the evening had yet to occur; spirits were high with the anticipation of Voyager's first wedding the following day. The encampment had quickly but unintentionally divided into one based on an age-old sexual dichotomy: the women had embraced B'Elanna with gifts that they had made or salvaged for the new family unit, while the male crew members, under Harry's elated insistence, were bound and determined to make Tom Paris' last night of bachelorhood a memorable one.

 

Sam Wildman and Susan Nicoletti had transformed the enclosed engineering area into an acceptable ‘party room’. It was not up to the Earth-expected female standards of pre-nuptial celebrations, but for the half-Klingon engineer, the setting was more than acceptable. B'Elanna alternated between her personalized gruffness and some less-than-familiar tears, as her ‘family’ of the last five years presented her with tokens of their well wishes. Rescued pieces of furniture, including a bed, with a modified wider span, brought howls of delight. The doc had provided a data chip of his renditions of ‘love songs from favorite Klingon operas’. Lamps and candles seemed to be a favorite gift from several of the attendees.

 

But the piece de resistance appeared at the conclusion of the parade of presents. Sam and Susan slipped out of the room, into a secret hiding place in the infirmary area. Their re-entrance produced a vocal cascade of gasps, as their surprise was revealed in ripples of response. The hands of the two women lovingly held out a traditional Klingon wedding gown. They admitted that their design probably lacked some detail... they had asked Seven if she had recalled anything from her Borg memories... and this was their end product.

 

Constructed from salvaged fabric from the ship, they had dyed the material the deepest red that they could, using dark red roots that they had found. They knew that B'Elanna would not care for the elaborate, low-décollage neckline favored by the more amply endowed full-blooded Klingon females, so they constructed a simple scooped neckline atop a form-fitting bodice, with long tapering sleeves. The neckline and sleeves were trimmed with gold braid that Janeway had donated from her dress uniform. The bodice dipped into a low "v" at the front waist. An overskirt, made as full as their red fabric would allow, opened its entire length at the "v" of the bodice, revealing a narrow, gold tapestry underskirt. The elaborate fabric had been donated to the designing women by Neelix, from a wall hanging that he had among his belongings.

 

Lastly, Seven came forward, with her gift for B'Elanna. Her hands hid her contribution behind her back.  "Lt. Torres, I know that we have not always agreed on certain issues. I hope that I might offer this as a token of my wish for happiness for you and Mr. Paris. I found certain elements among some of the Borg implants that the Doctor has removed, and realized that there was sufficient material to construct this."

 

The Borg/human slowly brought her right hand to the front. Clasped in her hand was a thin, oval circlet of burnished bronze and gold. She walked over to an awe-struck B'Elanna Torres, and place the wedding ‘crown’ on her dark hair. The encircling metal came to a point in the front, from which hung a pendant of a large ruby-like jewel.

 

"I found the stone while I was surveying a nearby area. As you know, I like the color red, also. I thought that you might find... pleasure from it."

 

B'Elanna's eyes were heavy with tears. In a move that neither she nor Seven would have been comfortable with at any other time, the small woman hugged the tall blonde one. Seven recoiled initially, but then allowed the happy bride the luxury of the embrace, suddenly sensing a warm comfort in the action.

 

"Seven... it's lovely! I shall treasure it always." She turned to the rest of her fellow survivors. "Nor shall I ever forget *any* of you... for this wonderful vote of acceptance. I don't know how I can ever repay you for..." But she was drowned out by a sudden onrush of hugs. Sam Wildman rescued the circlet as it was dislodged from its resting place on B'Elanna's smooth hair, and started tumbling to the floor.

 

~*~

 

Outside, under the pavilion, the men were no less celebratory in their actions with Tom. Even Tuvok had joined the crowd in their ever-increasing noisy revels. True to old Earth standards, a large bowl of wicked libation mysteriously had appeared, and inhibitions loosened quickly. A hologram of an Orion dance girl appeared from nowhere... Doc denied that it was *his* doing! She gyrated her scantily clothed torso, and performed her sensuous dance up and around the body of the party's guest of honor.

 

"Gotta take it like a man!" stated Tom, enjoying every titillating movement...

 

The evening progressed, lost in rounds of ageless stories and jokes. Finally, Harry  asked Tom if he could have his "private communication padd... you know, the one with detailed information on all the females on Voyager."

 

Tom blushed, denying that any such item existed. "However," he winked, "there is that private log entry about the encounter that the Captain and I had at warp 10..."

Now Harry blushed. "I'll pass on that one. Maybe you would want that entry, Chakotay?" he laughed slapping his former first officer on the back.

 

The raucous banter suddenly silenced, as, even in their chemically altered states, the gathered group sensed an intrusion into a forbidden area. Chakotay smiled, and made a long, circuitous pass with his eyes around the gathering. Finally, he said with a hint of mystery in his voice, "Perhaps."

 

Nervous coughs cleared throats, as the men sensed that the tension was broken. Soon, the anxious moment over, the revelry resumed. But, Tom and Chakotay exchanged a glance unseen by the others... a shared thought of understanding... and longing.

 

~*~

 

One person had not joined in with the wedding eve celebrations. Kathryn Janeway once more felt the need... no, the dire necessity... of escaping from the group, to gather her thoughts. She had never been called on to perform a marriage before; she even wondered if she were entitled, as they had agreed to give up all rank. But, she was their leader still... and new traditions were being created.

 

She traced the now-familiar path... for her... to Paris Ridge, hoping to gain some insight on what she was going to say the following day. What picture did she want to paint? What kind of blueprint was going to be designed? She sighed, looking over the rapidly disappearing familiar shape of their former ship. From behind her, she could hear the faint cacophony of voices... songs being sung; laughter and squeals of happiness clamoring for space in the darkness... sounds of community and togetherness. Was this the first of several unions among the crew? Were they truly going to become a settled colony and see the end of their days and the start of new lives here?

 

She breathed in the cool night air, and recognized the slightly heavy, fresh/sweet smell of possible rain, and half-thought, half-prayed to herself, No... please. Do not let there be any rain tomorrow; we have shed enough tears for a while, and don't need any more of them from the skies. With a final sigh, she turned and walked back to the village, quietly slipping into her geodome unnoticed.

 

~*~

 

Day 47

 

The rain that Kathryn Janeway had sensed the night before came... and went... gently during the early morning hours. As the pale sun broke over the deep maroon mountains, the remaining droplets glistened as prisms on the grassy surfaces surrounding the village of New Hope, giving an iridescent glow to the ground.

 

It was Tom and B'Elanna's wedding day.

 

~*~

 

The energy levels of the village were remarkable, following the lateness of the previous night. Daily chores were quickly performed so that the preparations for the afternoon wedding could get under way. Neelix had been up before dawn, along with the Delanay twins and Chakotay, starting preparations for the post ceremony ‘feast’. Their supplies were limited, but with suggestions from several of the crew, and their joint imaginations, there would definitely be festive food!

 

The Doctor and Seven had taken on the leadership of decorating the pavilion for the ceremony itself. Donated ornamental items of scarves and wall hangings were being hung from the posts and ceiling of the shelter. Chains and garlands of the late blooming flowers and shrubs of the area festooned the eaves of the roof, and large arrangements flanked the raised platform in the center. Cushions were scattered around the platform, decorated also with floral embellishments. The resulting scene was eclectic in style, but nonetheless festive in its own whimsical way.

 

Tuvok led several others of the crew in making the final preparations to Tom and B'Elanna's new home. Although by nature the Vulcan man was not given to frivolity, he joined in with the others as they bedecked the new building with some of the floral garlands and moved in the simple furniture items that the couple had been given. The gifts from B'Elanna's ‘shower’ the previous night were positioned appropriately.

 

Tuvok made a final check that all the plumbing and energy implementations were functioning properly. He raised his eyebrow and gave a nod of satisfaction to his team.

"This is a job well done... indeed, it appears that Lieutenants Paris and Torres will find this more than satisfactory to their needs."

 

Several hidden snickers confirmed that many things had been done about which the stern Vulcan knew nothing: the leola root placed between the bed sheets; the grain scattered in several of the drawers... the couple would be finding little ‘surprises’ for quite some time!

 

~*~

 

Harry and Sam had been charged with secluding their respective ‘roommates’, Tom and B'Elanna, from the morning's activities. B'Elanna's normal energy level made it difficult for Sam, but she finally convinced B'Elanna that the ‘surprise’ preparation activities were just as important for group morale as was the wedding itself. B'Elanna tried to concentrate on what she was going to say today, but was pacing the floor like a caged Andorian cothlet.

 

Finally, little Naomi came to everyone's rescue.  "B'Elanna, would you like to play frumps with me?"

 

The sweet voice of the child seemed to be just the tranquilizer that was needed, as B'Elanna joined the young Ktarian/human on the floor with her assorted stones and balls.

"Yes, Naomi, I think that might be fun. And then, you can help your mother get me into my pretty dress."

 

"Will you still come to see me after you and Tom live together?" the child asked with a whimper.

 

B'Elanna swiftly hugged the little girl, assuring her that, hopefully, there would be no more disruptions in her young life.  "Of course. And, you and your mother can come see us, too."

 

"And Neelix?" Naomi continued.

 

A warm smiled came to B'Elanna's face, understanding how important he had become in hers and Sam's lives. "And Neelix, too," she nodded.

~*~

 

Harry had much less of a problem. Tom was sleeping. Tom needed to sleep! Although Tom had not consumed as much of the distilled grain liquid that many of the others had the night before, he nonetheless was feeling its after-effects. Harry knew that it would be best just to let him be.

 

~*~

 

Janeway had worked with Tuvok's group for a short period of time before excusing herself to finish composing her remarks for the ceremony. Tom and B'Elanna had not wanted anything elaborate – even though the morning proceedings were not going to allow anything short of grandiose – but she knew that the ceremony would be breaking new ground for the community... setting precedents. And she recognized the importance of its institution.

 

She had asked Tuvok about his knowledge of Klingon wedding ceremonies... of the Vulcan formalities... trying to grasp some sense of ritual. Tuvok understood her purpose, but remained tightlipped regarding any information.  "If it is truly your desire to construct a new protocol, Kathryn, then I would suggest that you meditate upon it."

 

Once again, her old friend had spoken words of wisdom. She returned to her geodome to do just that. She knew that the couple had planned words of promise to each other, but she wanted her own statement to be one of affirmation of the continuity of the commitment of people to one another... of the need to bond with a like spirit...

 

Suddenly, she found herself not thinking of Tom and B'Elanna, but of her own aloneness and increasing need to share with someone. If the ordeals of leadership on Voyager had been great, the burdens of leadership here had now doubled. She appreciated Tuvok's strength and logic, but she needed more than that now... she physically needed support. How she longed for a hug... a shoulder to lean against. She sighed, and closed her eyes, only to have an image appear before it... Chakotay, meeting her on Paris Ridge that night several weeks ago... Kathryn, he had said, startling her out of her reverie... how just that one word from his voice brought comfort, as if his very voice was a blanket around her soul. Like a friendly blanket from childhood, the thought comforted her, and she fell asleep, wrapped in dreams of warm blankets formed from the words coming from the mouth of her former first officer.

 

~*~

 

Janeway's slumber was rudely interrupted by the sound of Harry's voice.

 

"Cap... er, um.... Kathryn... are you about ready? The ceremony is in thirty minutes."

 

She quickly rose from her chair, looking at the blank padd in front of her and ran to the door.

 

"Oh, Harry... am I glad you came by! For the life of me, I don't understand... I drifted off to sleep!"

 

Harry smiled. "Maybe you have finally found something that will help you catch up on all of your lost sleep time."

Janeway blushed at the young man's innocent statement.  "Perhaps I have," she smiled. "Now... I had better get ready. We have a wedding coming up!" She reached over to a somewhat bewildered Harry and hugged him. "It's a great day, isn't it?"

 

"Yes, ma'am," he stammered, as he left her to her last-minute preparations.

 

~*~

 

The sun was just passed its daily apex when all of the inhabitants of New Hope gathered under the floral-bedecked pavilion. Kathryn Janeway stepped up onto the small platform, looking resplendent and rested in a dark green dress. Gone was any indication of her rank of captain of a proud Starfleet ship, but her stature and demeanor would have told any stranger that this person was the leader of the group.

 

Chakotay and Tuvok flanked her, but were not on the platform.  She knew that Tom and B'Elanna were going to enter through the assemblage, escorted by Harry and Sam. But, she was startled when she heard Tuvok's deep voice start singing a Vulcan chant. He was joined by Chakotay, who harmonized in his baritone voice. Their melodic presentation signaled the arrival of the bridal party.

 

Tom came first, with Harry following him by a few steps. Kathryn had never seen the blond man so composed, so at peace with himself. He was dressed in a dark blue jacket and a similarly colored shirt, matched with his old uniform trousers. Not quite the formal wear of Earth, but definitely more than the casual attire opted for lately. He arrived at the platform, and stepped up to stand with Kathryn; Harry remained lower.

 

Tuvok and Chakotay continued with their mesmerizing harmonies, The smile that suddenly appeared on Tom's face signaled what everyone knew must be the appearance of B'Elanna, and they turned to see the approach of the young woman.

 

The sun reflected off the red and gold dress that she wore, transforming her into a brilliance of a heavenly body. The fullness of the skirt gave her an appearance of femininity that her shipmates rarely, if ever, had seen. Her dark hair was pulled back and held in place with the circlet. She held her hands to her sides, controlling the unfamiliar folds of the long skirt.

 

She approached the platform, and Tom reached out to her now-outstretched hand, helping her into a position opposite him, in front of Kathryn Janeway. Sam arranged the fullness of the skirt, so that it cascaded down the front of the platform. 

 

Janeway beamed at the couple with a mixture of maternal pride and paternal satisfaction. She then looked out at her crew... her family... and spoke.  "My friends, today we gather to celebrate a milestone in our journey... a journey that none of us knew would happen, but has nonetheless.

 

"We have faced many adversaries in the last five years, but probably the greatest of these enemies has been the fear within ourselves... fear of desolation; fear of lost opportunities; fear of loneliness. But, today, with the union of Tom and B'Elanna, we acknowledge that these fears can be overcome, and that with the love and support of a committed partner, we can survive and enjoy life in a way never imagined before. The future is still full of uncertainties, but they are willing to face them, made easier to handle by shouldering the burdens with one another.

 

"And you... the people of New Hope... in preparing for this day, have exhibited a camaraderie and spirit that goes beyond any regulated structure of Starfleet.

 

"Tom and B'Elanna... not only have you brought yourselves together, but you have allowed all of us the opportunity to identify with a bond of community, with one wholeness. For this, we will forever be in your debt."

 

The woman shifted slightly, pulling her stature to its full height.  "Now, you have chosen to commit yourselves in love and devotion to each other. How do you promise this?"

 

The younger woman reached out for Tom's hands, for support to still her shaking ones. Her eyes sought his, and filled with the tears he remembered from the time when she first told him that she loved him, through the steamed visor of her EVA suit as they drifted in space over a year ago... when they thought they would never see this day. 

 

She found the voice to state firmly, "Tom, I promise today, in front of our friends and adopted families, that I will work with you and beside you, to bring meaning and love to our lives. I have never before known the stability that you have brought to my life. You have taught me to accept myself for who I am, and understand that my imperfections are beautiful also. You calm my spirit and my soul; but, most of all, you have brought laughter and light into my dark life. I love you, Tom, and promise to grow in that love for the rest of my days. This I swear on the sword of Kahless."

 

Tom's eyes were now clouded over, as he looked at this beautiful woman for whom he had denied the declaration of his love for so long... always fearful of the hurt of rejection that he had known so many times, but now so accepting of him. His voice was the one to falter, as he huskily spoke.

 

"My darling B'Elanna, your love has opened new pathways that I never knew existed in the universe. Your love has helped me accept myself and reach out to others. Your unselfishness and perseverance continue to add new strength to my life, and will be the foundation for our lives together. Through your love and acceptance, you have taught me that forever is too short a period in which I may return that precious gift. I pledge to you today that my love will be yours, now and through eternity. May the God of the universe bless us now and always."

 

What few eyes that had remained dry at the conclusion of B'Elanna's words were not so now. Even Seven and Tuvok lowered their heads momentarily, as if to regain their trademark composures. Janeway quickly wiped her own eyes before adding her own concluding words.

 

"Tom and B'Elanna, you have shared your pledges of love and trust with us today. May you live your lives honoring these words, and growing in your commitments. May sunshine always follow rain, and may the warmth of your love drive away the chill of disappointment. May your bonding show us the way to new life in this, our new home."

She looked at the couple who remained immersed in the oceans of their own eyes and thoughts. She cleared her voice to get their attention.  "All right, Mr. Paris... this time you have my permission to kiss her."

 

Tom's face lit up into a feral grin. He emitted a low growl just before he kissed the beaming young woman in his arms.

 

There was a momentary silence in the crowd, like the lull before an impending storm. Suddenly, voices rang out in congratulatory chants and cries. People rushed forward, quickly encircling the couple, and hoisting them up on their shoulders.  A wild, serpentine dance of chase ensued, weaving back and forth with Tom and B'Elanna swaying on the tops of their shoulders. The joyous crowd allowed the newly joined couple to almost touch each other, only to pull them apart again. Janeway stood aghast, worried about the outcome. But, she then saw that Tom and B'Elanna were joining in the hearty laughter.

 

After about ten minutes of the impromptu cavorting, the entire crowd collapsed in a fit of energy-releasing giggles. Tom hurriedly found B'Elanna, and helped her up, catching the folds of her dress, which were caught between the two individuals who had fallen with her. Their laughter was quieted as he once again reached for her smiling face, to implant another ‘honest’ kiss. He then led her to the edge of the mass of writhing flesh, which finally was managing to disentangle itself.

 

Kathryn was looking on in amazement, at this group of followers who had never quite allowed themselves such a display of frivolity, and realized that yet another plank had been laid in the building of their new home. Her smile gave its approval to today's levity, for she knew that many more serious times lay ahead of them.

 

She turned her head, sensing that someone was coming up behind her. This time, she saw him, before his greeting startled her.

 

"Well, Kathryn," grinned Chakotay, it looks like we have one male out of circulation. Do you think that the Delanay sisters will recover?"

 

She laughed softly. "I think they have known for a long time that if they showed any more interest in Tom that they would have permanent Klingon claw marks on their cheeks."

 

The gaggle of loose limbs was now moving, being lead by Tom and B'Elanna towards the communal tables spread by Neelix and his compatriots, leaving the older couple alone in their wake.

 

She turned and looked at him. "I must say, Chakotay, I was most impressed with you and Tuvok today. I never knew that you could sing like that."

 

His eyes began an inviting dance. "You never asked."

 

Her thoughts took her back to the fleeting imagery from the previous night... of his voice enfolding her like a blanket...

 

"Your singing... has a very comforting quality. I enjoyed it."

 

"Would you like me to sing some more for you?" he asked quietly, taking her hand and leading her to follow the rest of the party.

 

She made no motion to disengage her hand from his.

 

"Yes… that might be another tradition we could start," she smiled back. "I do enjoy... the sound of your voice."