Redemptions of the Heart

By Oprelia

Rating: PG-13

Code: P, J/P

Category: VOYAGER

Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance

Disclaimer: STAR TREK: VOYAGER and all its characters contained within this story are owned exclusively by Paramount Pictures Corporation. No copyright infringements are intended.

Chapter Four

Reminiscence On Love

*****

As she laid down on the couch, she started reminiscing about the last three wondrous years she had spent with Tom. It all started that night when he finally found the courage to ask her out on a date. She had waited with anticipation for that special moment but when she arrived at Sandrine's, he surprised her beyond her wildest imagination. He had commandeered crewman Chell's kitchen and served her what she could only describe as a banquet fit for a queen. After dinner he sang for her with his beautiful tenor voice on the baby grand piano that he programmed into Sandrine's. He then took her dancing on the streets of Marseilles and by the time the night ended, she felt like she was gliding on air. Realising how late it was, Tom escorted her like a gentleman back to her quarters but as he bade her goodbye, she dragged him into her room and practically seduced him to her bedroom. The candlelit dinner for two, the songs he sang for her and his sure, confident steps as he led her through the dance was very romantic. She had experienced one of her many fantasies that she had been having as of late.

That night had become one of the most special moments in her adult life and marked a significant turning point in her life. That night, she knew that she had found her heart as she gazed into those crystal clear blue eyes of his and professed her love for him. He responded in kind by saying that she was his heart, his hope and his life. That night and every other day from then on was magical.

They had slowly allowed the crew to become accustomed to them being together. They went out to public gatherings more together on the holodeck, they danced more often, spent more time at Fair Haven and in time, the crew began to realise the growing relationship between the Chief Helmsman and the Captain. Soon the grapevine was abuzz with the latest juicy gossip about the new couple. Other than a few minor voices, the ship were wholeheartedly supportive of the couple. It turned out that those disgruntled voices had hoped to ensnare Tom after a sufficient time had passed to allow him to finish mourning the loss of this late wife and daughter. When it became clear that they would not be able to capture Tom's heart, they ceased their complaints.

It had taken half a year before their relationship was first put under the spotlight. Tom had been on a diplomatic mission with Commander Chakotay to a planet where they were to negotiate a trade for supplies. The negotiations had been successful due to her helmsman taking the initiative and using his quick wit, completed the mission. Apparently the race had a cultural bias towards tattoos. Tattoos signified a lower caste in their society and obviously they felt insulted that Voyager sent such a person to negotiate. They were about to break off negotiations when the saw commander spoke. When Tom realised that the negotiations were breaking down, he told the commander to be silent and apologised to the Viceroy. He apparently charmed her into forgetting about the incident and they began the negotiations. Not only did he handle himself well, he was successful in negotiating for the supplies. With his quick thinking, he had smoothed over a potential conflict and successfully completed their objectives.

Once the negotiations were over, the Viceroy invited them to have a tour of the city. They had allowed the commander to join him since they now believed him to be Tom's servant. They had spent the next day sightseeing while their supplies were being delivered. however just as the tour was about to end, disaster struck. An explosion occurred at an educational facility they were visiting. Apparently the student mixed volatile chemicals without proper guidance. Without another thought, he quickly rushed to the scene to help attend to the medical needs of the wounded. His initiative was applauded by the citizens of Nusta and many were grateful for his medical expertise. He had immediately organised triage for the wounded and treated some of them before medical personnel arrived. Even as an honoured guest of the Viceroy, he did not hesitate to help. Because of his actions, he received a special medal honouring his efforts and an increase in supplies for them in gratitude. When they arrived on Voyager, the senior staff listened as the commander gave his mission report. When they congratulated him, he modestly deflected the compliments by saying that anyone would have done it.

During the next crew evaluations, the Captain was surprised by the contents of a PADD that she was reading. The surprise in question was signed by both Commander Chakotay and Commander Tuvok. Naturally she was suspicious.

"Please explain the recommendation that you placed on this PADD" she ordered to Chakotay and Tuvok when they were summoned to her Ready Room.

"Captain, I believe it is time for us to start promoting some of our officers. All the officers on that list have had their promotions long overdue. Take Harry Kim for example. He has clearly shown that he can think on his feet during a crisis and he has clearly demonstrated leadership skills..." but he was interrupted during his explanation by the Captain as she raised her hand.

"I can understand the promotions to Harry and the others. But why Tom?" asked the Captain.

"Lieutenant Paris has clearly shown that he has acted above and beyond the call of duty while on the planet Nusta. However the recent events that occurred on that mission was not the only incident in which Mr Paris distinguishes himself as an officer. He has received numerous commendations for a variety of reasons. He has clearly demonstrated his leadership abilities, Captain. The most recent being the mission to the plant Nusta. It would be logical to promote him as he has clearly demonstrated the maturity to receive the rank" stated Tuvok in a clinical manner.

'Damn' she thought. "You can't really outthink a Vulcan on logic" she said. "Okay the real reason why I'm reluctant to give him a promotion is that many people will associate his rise in rank with the fact that he has a relationship with me. He will forever be labelled with that suspicion" confessed the Captain of her true misgivings.

"Captain, by denying Mr Paris his promotion, a promotion that has been well earned, you are clearly demonstrating a certain bias towards the lieutenant. You had promised to refrain from being biased towards him when you entered the relationship" Tuvok stated as he reminded her of her declaration at the commencement of her relationship with Tom.

"What do you mean by that?" Janeway asked. She did not like the implications of Tuvok's statement.

"You are clearly trying to withhold from Tom something he has earned. If he was not in a relationship with you, we believe that you would have no hesitations in validating the recommendation" Chakotay explained. When she still didn't grasp the full meaning of his explanation, he clarified it for her. "You are overcompensating, Kathryn."

"You think so?" she asked.

"Yes Captain. However if you are truly reluctant to validate the recommendations, you could submit the proposals along with both Commander Chakotay's and my recommendations. Our reports pertaining to the matter should also be highlighted and sent for their perusal. Starfleet Command will see that the recommendations are justified," said Tuvok.

"We will do just that. Send over all the recommendations. Mr Kim most definitely deserves the rank. We are to keep the details of this conversation confidential. I don't want any of them to have false hopes" ordered the Captain.

"Yes Captain" they replied in unison.

When Starfleet Command sent their reply to the recommendations of promotions, both Kathryn and Chakotay was surprised by the orders. Ensign Wildman and Ensign Vorik were both promoted to Lieutenant junior grade. Ensign Kim however was given the rank of Lieutenant. Starfleet Command had realised that he should have been promoted long ago, so he skipped a rank. The real surprise was Tom's recommendation.

"Mr Paris, may you step forward please" Tuvok ordered after the cheering of Harry's promotion died down. Tom warily stepped in front of the Captain, amid the whispers of the crowd, puzzlement clearly written on his face. The Captain gestured towards Chakotay and Tuvok and they both joined her.

"Tom Paris, I would like you to know that Commander Chakotay and Commander Tuvok have faith in your abilities and they were the ones who recommended you for a promotion. I had seriously debated the wisdom of the request as I didn't want people to suggest that you were shown favouritism. Therefore on Tuvok's suggestion, I sent all the recommendations to Starfleet Command through the datastream. They had authorised all the promotions including Harry's new rank. You request however took us by surprise. Chakotay and Tuvok sent all their reports detailing why you deserved this promotion. Starfleet has concurred but they took it one step further.

"On behalf of Starfleet Command, I hereby promote you to the permanent rank of Lieutenant Commander. Congratulations Tom" said a smiling Captain as she held out her hand to his. He was clearly dumbstruck  as he was just standing there with his mouth open. He finally gathered his wits to accept the handshake. Chakotay passed the box to Tuvok, who in turn opened the presentation box to reveal a gold pip. Kathryn then picked up the pip and placed it next to Tom's existing gold and black pip set. When that was done, he stood at attention to his superior officers. After they had acknowledged his salute, he hugged Kathryn within an inch of her life, right in front of the crew.

It was back in their quarters when Tom finally broached the subject that she knew was on his mind.

"Why was I offered for promotion? I was promoted to Lieutenant junior grade a few years ago" said Tom as he sat down on the bed. At this point in time he had all but moved into her quarters. Only a few items remained in his old quarters.

"You were offered it because you earned it Tom. The report I received stated that the upper echelon of Starfleet Admirals sat down and scrutinised all your reports and the reports of the missions that concerned you. They came to a unanimous decision that you should be promoted to Lieutenant Commander. You've earned it Tom" Kathryn said as she sat down behind him and rubbed his back.

"Then why didn't you want to give me one?" asked Tom as he looked at her.

"I didn't want people to think I was biased towards you. In fact Chakotay and Tuvok said I was overcompensating for our relationship, that I was in fact being far too critical of you". She waited for the inevitable protest or outburst but it never came. Instead he turned around and kissed her, saying:

"I love you."

His declarations of love for her had in no way prepared her for his marriage proposal. They had just constructed their newest shuttlecraft, a modified Type IX, called the Type IXa. Tom was scheduled  to take the new shuttlecraft on a test flight the following morning. The evening before the launch, he brought her into the shuttle blindfolded and said that he had a surprise for her. When he removed the blindfold, she gasped in surprise because the shuttle interior was filled with red roses. He then led her to the pilot's chair, grasped her hand and knelt down on one knee. she was all misty-eyed when he finally gathered up his courage to speak.

"Kathryn, love... You have changed my life in so many ways. You have enriched my life since the first time I had laid my eyes on you. You were my inspiration when I was young as I listened to my father repeat countless times your exploits to me. But I am most grateful to you for literally saving my life. Not once but twice have you pulled me back from the precipice of despair.

"The first time was when I saw you standing above me, with your Captain's pips glinting in the sunlight and your hair in that bun of steel, I knew then that my life was about to change. With the responsibilities you gave me with my field commission, you gave me hope where all hope was previously lost. The second time you saved me was when you picked up the pieces of my broken heart and expertly placed them back together. This mended heart now beats only for you Kathryn. I love you very much. I would like to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

From his pocket be produced an exquisite diamond ring. Kathryn was once again overwhelmed by the love she felt for him. She had not thought that he was ready for remarriage and was secretly bidding her time until he was ready. Tears in her eyes, she could only nod her head in agreement. With that affirmation, Tom placed the ring on her finger and began to speak again.

"I'm placing this ring on your finger while you're in the pilot's seat to signify that you are now my helmsman. Your steady hands control and guide the passions that course through me. With you by my side, we shall sail through the skies with love," he declared.

That was the last night they were together. He was scheduled to take the shuttle on the test flight for two days, testing all the new enhancements the shuttle had received. Voyager was to travel to a nearby system whose fourth planet was designated class M. The crew were going to spend a week on the planet restocking the ship and having some rest and relaxation. Tom was supposed to rejoin them on the planet after his test flight.

He never arrived. Four days into their shore leave, the crew of Voyager left the planet to begin the search for their missing crewmember. Whilst on the planet, the crew had discovered the engagement ring on her finger and the whole crew began celebrating. However the mood dramatically shifted when they realised that Tom was late. Two and a half weeks of fruitless searching left the crew in a listless state.

* * * * *

Her thoughts were interrupted by the comm.

::: Chakotay to Janeway :::

"Janeway here"

::: We are about to enter communications range with the shuttle Orion. I thought you might like some time to compose yourself before we hail the shuttle :::

"Thanks Chakotay. I'll be out in a minute. Janeway out"

In fact it was closer to five minutes before she emerged from her Ready Room. she swept her gaze across the faces of the bridge officers. Chakotay, Kim, Neelix and Baytart all looked relieved while Tuvok, Vorik and Seven were typically stoic. She acknowledged the unspoken comments from her officers before she stood by her chair. Clearing her throat, she spoke to Harry.

"Are we within communications range Lieutenant?"

"Yes Captain" replied Harry.

"Open a channel" ordered the Captain. She prepared herself to look upon the face of her beloved fiancé for the first time in three weeks.

"Channel open" said Harry who was also happy to finally talk to his best friend.

"This is Voyager calling the shuttlecraft Orion. Tom please respond!" They waited for a few moments but silence was the only answer.

"Harry?" asked Janeway. A frown was clearly on her face.

"I don't understand Captain. I'll try scanning for his biosign... Captain, he's hailing us!" There was a sigh of relief from everyone. Relieved, Kathryn was happy again.

"On screen!" she ordered.

There were gasps from everyone as they saw Tom for the first time in three weeks

"Do not beam me aboard Captain. I repeat. Do not beam me aboard, Do not beam anyone to retrieve me. I have been infected with a highly contagious and virulent pathogen. I am a biohazard. Do not endanger anyone else..."

Tom faints before he can finish his sentence.

*****

    Next: Chapter Five