This story is pure blub and I don't know why I put it down because I have well and truly depressed myself. Paramount

own the characters and Voyager but if they ever make this into an episode I will go mad! Any feed back(good and bad) send to Captain_Voyager@Yahoo.co.uk. Don't worry I will be out of this phase soon!

by Leigh Ashgan

The room was filled with cigar smoke when B'Elanna entered.

"What is that smell? And where is the fire?"

Her partner stretched in his chair and smiled a self-contented grin,

"That my dear is cigar smoke, so there is no fire. It is one of the greatest inventions of earth's history, and extremely relaxing!" B'Elanna stared at him as he again closed his eyes and breathed in hard.

"But isn't things like that caused deaths from diseases like lung cancer and heart disease especially in men!"

"I never said it was one of the most noble inventions or that it benefited mankind. I simply said it was one of the greatest." B'Elanna sighed and walked over to his bed,

"Computer remove smoke from within this room, and Tom put it out!"

"Unable to comply, restate final order."

"I wasn't talking to you, remove the smoke."

Tom looked up at her with hurt eyes,

"Why do you always spoil my fun?"

"You didn't say that last night."

B'Elanna was always amazed how Tom, who had probably already alot of experience with women, always seemed to grow shy around her. The scarlet blush spread over his features and he spluttered,

"Yeah but that was different. This is a vice, you on the other hand are an addiction."

B'Elanna chuckled that deep laugh that drove him crazy especially when he was the one making her laugh. He sat and watched as the humour lit up her face from the inside. This was what made sure he was hardly ever jealous of any men on the ship. It was the fact that he was the one of few who could do this to her. The only others

that he could count as opposition was Harry and Chakotay. Harry was his best friend and was besotted with Seven and Chakotay was infatuated with the Captain. Which brought him back to what he had asked B'Elanna here for.

"I need to talk to you about them."

B'Elanna caught control of herself immediately, and a worried expression replaced the light hearted.

"Why?" Tom breathed in deeply and let it out with a sigh, both of them were close to someone in this on and off

relationship. They were always disappointed as they watched the pair of them move back and forward, hurting each other all the time.

"I don't know B'Elanna. I think that it has died between them."

"Don't be silly, they are both crazy about each other!"

"Yeah but that's just it. He thinks that she had made up her mind and it is final so he has given up. She has seen this and given up as well!"

"No they couldn't just give up after everything!"

"But look at everything that has happened, Riley, The Borg, the hologram .... They've lost so much of each other Bel. Is it not conceivable that they just got so tired with it all?"

"But they can't give up, I mean I may not have always agreed with it, but, but. They are meant for each other Tom, if they give up the entire crew gives up."

"I don't think so, they have already accepted it. The only ones being hurt by this are them."

B'Elanna sat back and thought. He was right, he had always been very good knowing when something was wrong and why. But the idea was too soul-crushing, and her tears bore witness to this as they spilled down her cheeks.

"Hey don't cry. I'm still here."

"I know, but it's not fair. Why do they have to suffer when they have already suffered so much? He has always been my friend and she has always trusted me with so much. I feel that if I give up on them it's betrayal."

"Bel, you can't do anything about it. If it's their decision then we can't change their minds. They have to be responsible for their own actions."

"You're right, but I still feel, I don't know empty."

"I've got the same feeling."

She then lay her head on his chest and listened to the soft beating of his heart. Silently they both wept for what have might have been for those they cared for, and slowly slid into sleep.

The door chime rang and Chakotay got up to answer it. The door slid open and Tom stood in the entrance with a few bottles of beer and whisky. Chakotay's face told Tom that he understood why Tom was here and he silently moved away allowing Tom to enter.

The door chime rang and Kathryn got up to answer it. The door slid open and B'Elanna stood in the entrance with a bottle of wine. Kathryn looked at the young woman's face and saw the tried tear tracks on her face. She then looked into B'Elanna's eyes and understood why she had come. She gave a quick nod and allowed B'Elanna in.

That night the both of them wept silently for what have been for the one that they cared for, and the people with them watched the pain and cried for them again.