"Tom, I'm fine, quit fussing over me!"

Tom crossed his arms and stared at his wife. "B'Elanna you have a fever, you shouldn't be working, you should be resting."

"It's not that high of a fever," she protested, pulling on her uniform jacket. "I promise that if I feel any worse, I'll go to Sickbay."

"I guess I'll have to live with that," he replied with a sigh. There was no way to convince her stubborn Klingon side. "I'll see you at 1200 for lunch?"

She gave him a peck on the cheek. "I'll be there, Helmboy."

Tom stared after her a few minutes then finished getting ready himself. "Computer, what's the time?"

::O750 hours::

"Damn!" He had ten minutes to get to the bridge.

******************

"Lieutenant Torres, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Vorik!" B'Elanna snapped. Okay, so she wasn't really. Her head felt like it was ready to explode and she was freezing. She just didn't want to admit that Tom was right. "I'm sorry."

Vorik shook his head. "It's quite all right. Perhaps you should go to lunch? It's almost noon."

"Good idea," she replied. "I trust you have everything under control?"

"Yes, Lieutenant."

****************

"Mr. Paris, is there something wrong?"

Tom shook his head. "Huh? I'm sorry, Captain."

Janeway shared a glance with her First Officer, Chakotay. "You've been taking us on a rather bumpy ride for the past ten minutes."

"Sorry," he muttered again, adjusting the course.

Harry glanced over at Tom. His friend was never this preoccupied while at the Helm. He was about to say something when the Captain told Tom to join her in her ready room. *He's in trouble now...*

Tom followed the Captain into her ready room. *I'm in trouble now!*

"Lieutenant, there is obviously something on your mind besides flying Voyager. What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, Captain, but I just keep thinking about B'Elanna." She gave him a look. "No, not like that! She had a fever this morning and wouldn't listen to me when I told her to take some time off. I just have this really bad feeling--"

"EMH to Lieutenant Paris."

The two stared at one another. "Go ahead, Doc."

"Lieutenant Torres was just beamed here. She's asking for you."

***************

B'Elanna looked up to see Tom rushing through the doors, concern in his beautiful blue eyes. "Are you all right? Doc, is she going to be all right?"

"She has the Pagira Flu," The Doctor replied. "It's not a bad case, but it is quite contagious. Hopefully we won't have an epidemic on our hands. However, I should check you for signs of the flu."

Tom shook his head. "I feel--" The words weren't out of his mouth when he realized B'Elanna had said the same thing. She gave him a look and he nodded to the Doctor. "Lets get this over with," he replied, sitting on one of the beds.

Before he could begin to scan Tom, Harry arrived being supported by Tuvok. "Mr. Paris, I'll need your help."

Hours later, the Doctor met with Captain Janeway. "Well, Captain, it looks like we have an epidemic on our hands. So far twenty crew members were sick with the flu." He scanned her. "Hmm... and you as well."

******************

"Tom." He rushed over to B'Elanna's side. "Can you give me something for this pounding headache?" she pleaded.

"Your human side overshadowing your Klingon, B'Elanna?" He asked with a smile, gently placing the hypospray on her neck. It dispensed the medicine with a hiss.

"If I could move without my head spinning, I'd knock you to the floor, Lieutenant."

He kissed her forehead. "I can only hope."

"Mr. Paris, if you're finished making out with the chief engineer, Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Tuvok need to be checked on," the Doctor admonished.

"Aye, Sir!" Tom replied, giving him a mock salute.

******************

Soon the only person from the Senior Staff not infected was Tom Paris. He was sitting in the Captain's chair looking around at the bridge crew he had. Ayala at communications, Larson at tactical, and Baytart at the conn.

"Lieutenant Paris, we're being hailed."

Tom stood up. "Onscreen, Mr. Ayala." Tom nearly laughed at the alien on the view screen. It looked like something out of those 20th century Dr. Seuss stories. "I'm Lieutenant Paris of the Starship Voyager, what can I do for you?"

"Lieutenant, my name is Snofflebott. I'm from a planet about three light years from here. We've run into a bit of trouble and were wondering if you could help us out... In fact, we know you could."

Tom stared at him warily. There was something odd about this Snofflebott, and not just his name or appearance. "What can we help you with?"

"Have you ever heard of the Hokkaana?"

"No, I can't say that I have," Tom replied. "Although, we're not natives to the Delta Quadrant."

Snofflebott nodded. "They are an interesting race, to say the least. They require something that Voyager has and won't leave us alone until they have it."

"What is that?" Tom asked, in confusion.

"Your Chief Engineer."

Tom's eyes widened. "What do they need her for?"

"Her physiology intrigues the Hokkaana. They learned much about her from the Viidians. They want to study her."

Tom wasn't very happy about this. The last time they encountered the Viidians, B'Elanna's Klingon and human DNA was split. He was definately not about to let that happen again. "I'm afraid that's impossible. She's under the weather."

"Under the weather?" Snofflebott asked. "What does that mean?"

"Sick, ill, not feeling well." Tom had to remember he wasn't dealing with a human.

"That's a shame. I guess the Hokkaana will have to treat her first."

"I didn't say you were going to get her!" Tom exclaimed. He was not going to hand his wife over to be experimented on.

"Sir, they're powering weapons!" Larson exclaimed.

"Red aleart! Shields up, Mr. Larson! Don't fire until they do. Baytart, evasive maneuvers!"

"Aye, Sir!"

****************

Chakotay was awaken by a small jolt. He groggily looked around Sickbay. It looked as though the only ones who were sick were the Senior Officers. Well, except Tom Paris. *How did he manage to remain well?* he pondered.

"Doctor, what's going on?" he asked, noticing that the ship was on red alert.

"I'm not exactly certain, Commander. Mr. Paris just called for red alert. I've been busy taking care of the five of you." The Doctor checked his temperature. "Your temperature is still high, lie down."

Chakotay nodded. "Fine. How are the others?"

"About the same as you. Mr. Kim should be fit for duty soon, though."

Chakotay nearly fell off the bed when the ship rocked again. "I just might have a full Sickbay again if Mr. Paris doesn't cut it out," he muttered.

While the Doctor was tending to Chakotay, Janeway was heading for the exit. Unfortunately, the door makes too much noise. "Captain, I suggest you get back into bed."

Janeway sneezed. "Doctor, I should be up on the bridge."

"And I should be in the holodeck playing golf. Now get back into bed!" Chakotay was trying hard not to laugh. He was able to compose himself when he was glared at. "I swear, you two are worse than Mr. Paris!"

****************

"Shields at 75% and holding, Lieutenant!" Larson said. "They're retreating... for now."

"Paris to Engineering. How are things down there?"

"We should have shields up to full capacity in about a half an hour, Sir," came Carey's voice. "There are few things we need to patch up, but nothing serious."

"Great, keep me informed. Paris out. Stand down red alert."

Tom looked down at his hands. He hadn't realized he was holding onto the chair so tightly. He didn't know if it was from the weapons fire or knowing that those Hokkaanas wanted B'Elanna. "Sickbay to the bridge."

"Go ahead, Doc."

"If you're not too busy, could you come down here?"

"On my way." Tom got up from the chair. "Mr. Ayala, you have the bridge."

"Aye, sir."

*******************

Tom entered Sickbay to see Harry sitting up. "Well if it isn't the acting captain himself," Harry said. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"Me," the Doctor replied. "Mr. Paris, a word."

Tom nodded and followed the Doctor to his office. "How are they doing, Doc?"

"Commander Chakotay, the Captain, and Lieutenant Tuvok are still quite sick. Lieutenant Torres should be up and about soon and you can take Mr. Kim out of here when you leave. I don't want him overexerted, though."

"No problem, Doc. I'll make sure he's well rested before returning to duty."

The Doctor gave him a wry look, if that was even possible. "Why were we at red alert?"

"Some odd Doctor Seuss-looking creature was trying to obtain something on Voyager."

"Really?" the Doctor asked. "What's that?"

"B'Elanna."

"What would they want her for?"

Tom took a breath. "They want to sell her to the Hokkaana. They heard about her from the Viidians and are interested in studying her. I said they couldn't have her and they got pissed."

"So I gathered," he replied.

"Was the ship damaged much?" Janeway asked, Chakotay hovering behind her.

The Doctor took the officers by their arms and led them back to bed. "Don't make me restrain the two of you!"

Tom smirked. He wondered if he was as bad as that. "The shields were damaged at 75% and there were few small problems, but nothing we can't handle, Captain."

Chakotay glanced at the Captain. "He's been acting captain for two days, gets in a fight with some Doctor Seuss creature, and doesn't destroy your ship. Give him a cookie, Kathryn."

"Someone's delirious, Doc," Tom said, shaking his head. "Lets go, Harry."

Harry, dressed in his uniform, followed Tom out the door. "Aye, Captain!"

****************

Tom briefed Harry on the situation. The younger man stared at him in disbelief. "You mean they want to experiment on her?"

"Yeah," Tom said, running a hand through his hair. "I don't want a repeat of last time. It hurt B'Elanna more than she admitted."

"It must have been weird seeing her like that," Harry commented.

Tom nodded. "It was. The human half of her was so... well, human. That was what made me miss the Klingon half of her. She wasn't herself, you know."

Tom was going to say more but the ship rocked. He and Harry ran onto the Bridge. "Report!" he exclaimed.

"It seems Snofflebott brought some friends," Larson replied. "The Hokkaana. They're hailing, sir!"

"On screen," Tom said, standing in the middle of the bridge. "I'm Lieutenant Tom Paris of the Starship Voyager. Stand down!"

The creature laughed deeply. It was rather large and slimey. "I am Fahira, Commander of the Hokkaana vessel. I suggest you hand over the half Klingon!"

"I don't think so, Commander." Tom turned to Harry to cut off communications. "Larson, prepare to fire phasers."

"Aye, sir!"

"Tom," Harry said nervously. "They're charging some sort of energy weapon. "It looks strong enough to penetrate--"

Harry never finished, the beam of energy tore through the forward shields, slamming into the bulkheads right above the CONN. Not thinking of himself, Tom pushed Baytart away. He felt a slight pain in his head and shoulder. "Larson, report!" he cried, getting up.

"Primary systems are down, switching to back up!" Larson replied. "Forward shields are down!"

"Tom, they have a lock on B'Elanna!" Harry exclaimed. "Attempting to block it."

Tom shook his head. "Send me over with her. I'll attempt to get the shields down and you can beam us back."

"Tom, are you crazy?" Harry asked. Looking into his friend's eyes he could tell he wasn't going to back down.

Tom smiled slightly. "Maybe, just do it!"

"Aye, Sir."

"You have the bridge," Tom replied as the transporter beam took him away.

*****************

He found himself and B'Elanna in some sort of cargo bay. Glancing to make sure no one was around, he rushed to her side. Groggily, she lifted her head. Tom saw that her face was flushed with fever. "Tom?"

"Yeah, are you all right?"

She sat up shakily, with his help. "I've been better," B'Elanna muttered. She took in his appearance. He had a deep gash above his eye. "What happened?"

"Long story. Short version. We were attacked by the Hokkaana who heard about you from the..." he trailed off.

"Heard about me from who, Tom?" she asked.

He sighed. "The Viidians."

"Not again..." She paused. "If they wanted me, then how did you get here? Weren't you on the bridge?"

Tom nodded. "I was, but I made Harry beam over here with you. You're in no condition to fight them off."

"I'm fine," she protested. Of course, she proved herself wrong when she began to cough.

"I'm sure you could beat a group of Klingons," Tom said sarcastically, rubbing her back.

B'Elanna put a hand to her mouth. "Tom, I think I'm going to be sick!"

****************

"They've jumped to warp!" Larson exclaimed.

Harry sighed. He was not happy with Tom right now. However, he had to follow orders. "Baytart, are you all right?"

"Fine, Sir. If Lieutenant Paris hadn't shoved me out of the way in time..." He didn't finish, not wanting to think about it. Harry nodded.

"Kim to Engineering."

"Back up systems are online. We're attempting to get everything up and running again. The navigational array is down and we won't have warp drive for a while."

"Make it fast, Lieutenant, we're missing two crew members." He glanced at the bridge. "And dispatch a repair team to the bridge. It's a mess."

"Right away, Ensign!"

A few minutes later, Captain Janeway entered the bridge. Her face was a bit ashen and, if possible, it got whiter at the sight before her. "Report!"

Harry eyed her warily, standing by in case she collapsed. He then began explaining what occured. "Tom ordered me to send him to the Hokkaana's vessel with B'Elanna."

"Casualities?"

Larson looked up from tactical. "Minor injuries reported, nothing too serious, Captain."

She nodded. "Okay, lets get this ship operational, gentlemen. We'll have to work quickly. We don't know how much time we have to save Tom and B'Elanna."

*****************

Tom brushed a lock of hair from his wife's face. She was lying on the floor, her head on his lap. These conditions were not helping her to get better. "Who the hell are you?" Tom's head shot up to see one of the Hokkaana walking towards him. "Answer me!"

"Lieutenant Tom Paris of the Starship Voyager."

Recognition set in. "Ah, I see. The man who wouldn't give this woman up to us. What is so special about her that you risked your life to try and save her?"

"She's my wife, Fahira. I suggest you turn this ship around and take us back to Voyager."

Fahira laughed. "No, I don't think so," he replied, taking a step towards them.

"I swear I will kill you if you touch her."

"Will you? I highly doubt it. I'm twice the size of you," Fahira growled. He ran the rest of the distance and grabbed B'Elanna by the arm. She cried out in pain.

Tom stood up. He was beyond pissed now. "LET. HER. GO!"

Fahira caressed her face as one hand moved toward her breast. "She's a very lovely speciman, Lieutenant Paris. I just may have a more practical use for her."

"Get your hands off of her!" Tom screamed, slamming into Fahira. B'Elanna dropped to the ground. He didn't have time to catch her because he was trying to immobilize the Hokkaana commander.

"Tom!" B'Elanna cried weakly as Fahira smacked him across the head. She could see blood pouring from the gash. B'Elanna looked around the room. There had to be something she could use to knock Fahira out... before he knocked Tom out.

Tom's arms were tired from attempting to punch this creature. Their hides were almostlike an alligator's. Before Fahira could do anymore damage, though, he fell to the ground unconscious.

"B'Elanna?" Tom whispered, falling to his knees. She dropped Fahira's weapon and rushed over to her husband. "Are you all right?"

She laughed, shaking her head. "You're the one who nearly got beaten to a pulp, Helmboy. Can you stand? We need to get out of here before Big Foot wakes up."

*******************

The Doctor arrived on the bridge to find that his three remaining patients were at their posts. Tuvok was well enough, but the Captain and Chakotay were not. The repair teams had been able to take care of the bulkhead that had fallen on the helm and were now attempting to fix it. "Captain, I must insist that you and Commander Chakotay return to sickbay. If you have to stay in command then you may speak to your crew through the comm system."

"The Doctor's logic is sound, Captain. We cannot get under way until the systems are repaired. You should both rest, I can handle everything up here."

Reluctantly, Janeway nodded. If she wasn't so tired, she would have argued. "All right, Doctor, lead the way. Mr. Tuvok, let me know when we're ready to go."

"Aye, Captain."

The Commander stopped at Ops to check on Harry. "Ensign, are you all right? You were light years away."

"Sorry, Sir. I'm just worried about Tom and B'Elanna."

"I'm certain Tom's taking care of her, Harry," Chakotay replied.

Harry shook his head. "If he's still conscious, sir."

"What do you mean?"

"He pushed Baytart out of the way, but hit his head on the corner of the helm. There was a nasty bruise above his right eye."

Chakotay nodded. Tom Paris was the bravest, and perhaps even the most foolish person he knew. And he could admit now, after all these year, with pride that Tom was his friend.

**********************

The two weakened Voyager officers finally found a console they could use. "Tom, keep watch," B'Elanna said, her fingers doing their magic.

He nodded, still a bit disoriented. "I don't know how much longer I can stay alert," he gasped out.

"Torres to Voyager, come in! Come in, Voyager." Static was the only reply. She glanced over at Tom. His face was deathly pale. "Stay with me, Helmboy."

"I'm here," Tom replied.

"Torres to Voyager," she said again, trying another frequency. It worked!

"Tuvok here, Lieutenant."

B'Elanna grinned. "I'm sending you our coordinates. We'd take a shuttle, but unfortunately, neither of us are in any condition to fly one."

"Understood. We should arrive in about an hour. Do you think you can hold on?"

"We're going to have to..." she trailed off as she looked back at Tom. He was lying unconscious on the floor.

"Lieutenant?"

"Tom's unconscious. I'd better go before they find us. Torres out."

********************

Tuvok terminated the link and called out to Baytart at the helm. They had been able to repair most of the systems and were just about flight ready. "Ensign, take us to those coordinates, maximum warp."

"Aye, Sir," he nodded, laying in a course. Maximum warp, at the time, was warp 6. He hoped it was fast enough.

Harry stood silent at his station. He was feeling guilty. He should have prevented the Hokkaana from taking B'Elanna, then Tom would still be on board as well. "Ensign Kim."

"Sir?"

"Focus on the transporters. Make certain they are at peak efficiency." Harry nodded and looked sullenly at his console. *What is your problem, Kim!* he berated himself.

"Ensign, may I see you in the Captain's ready room?"

Harry nodded slowly and followed Tuvok off the bridge. "I know what you're going to say and I'd have to agree with you, but I still feel responsible."

"Ensign, it was Lieutenant Paris' idea to be transported there with Lieutenant Torres. You were only following his orders. You also took control of the situation after he was gone. So, your need to feel guilty is illogical."

"Maybe to you, but not to me," Harry replied. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Sir, I have to work on the transporters."

*****************

The Captain watched the Doctor as he passed the tricorder over her. She was getting impatient. She needed to be on the bridge. "Captain, would please stop fidgeting?"

"What's so funny, Commander?" she asked. He was dressed and ready to go. He was just waiting to see if she was healthy enough to return to duty. Chakotay shrugged. "Well, Doctor?"

"Captain, you're still a bit weak. If you can remain in your seat while on the bridge, I will allow you to return to duty. However, I would suggest that Commander Chakotay take over if you start feeling dizzy again."

Janeway nodded. "That's what I needed to hear," she replied, jumping down from the bed. "Commander, lets head up to the bridge."

"Aye, Captain."

The Doctor shook his head. "It's a wonder the crew ever gets better when they leave so abruptly. I am so underappreciated!"

*******************

"Mr. Tuvok, report!" Janeway said the minute she stepped onto the bridge.

The tactical officer seemed to know that she was coming up and was ready with one. "We are within range for transport."

"Mr. Kim?"

"Attempting to get a lock on them, but the Hokkaana lifesigns are very similar to ours. Wait a minute. I have them, Captain!"

Janeway nodded. "Beam them to Sickbay."

"We're being hailed," Harry said after a few minutes.

"On screen." She stood up and glared at the Hokkaana.

"Captain, return that woman immediately!"

Janeway shook her head. "Do you really think I'm going to let you experiment on my Chief Engineer?"

"We will take her buy force, if necessary. We've done it before."

"Just try it." She turned to Harry to have him close the connection. "Mr. Tuvok, disable their vessel and lets get out of here."

"Aye, Captain."

"They're charging the same energy weapon that disabled our shields earlier," Harry exclaimed. "No, wait, it's not working. Captain, the weapon backfired."

"Casualties?" she asked.

"None, but their ship is down for the count."

Janeway smiled. "Good. Ensign Baytart, get us out of here."

"With pleasure, Ma'me!"

*****************

Tom met B'Elanna in their quarters. She had been released there a day before him. Tom found her in bed, reading a PADD. "Hey," he said, leaning against the door frame.

"Hey, Helmboy," she replied.

He smiled at her. "What are you reading? Women Warriors of the River Blood?"

"No, Tom," she laughed, shaking her head. "Engineering report from Carey and your acting captain's logs."

"Ah." He walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, turning to face her. "How did I do?"

She placed the PADD on the night stand and took his hand in hers. "Very well. Thank you for protecting me... Even though you know I hate it."

Tom nodded. "Yeah, but you weren't in any condition to fight off Fahira."

"And you were, Tom?" she asked. "You probably had a concussion before Harry beamed you over with me."

Tom moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. "As long as you were in danger, it didn't matter. B'Elanna, none of us are invincible, you should know that by now. You should also know that if something were to happen to you I wouldn't be able to go on." He took her face into his hands. "You're my other half, my soulmate."

She smiled warmly at him. "The same goes for me, Tom. I love you."

B'Elanna closed the distance between them, kissing him passionately. She almost forgot that the Doctor told them. "Wait, Tom."

"What?" he asked, placing soft kisses on her neck.

"The Doctor..."

"B'Elanna, that is hardly something that's going to turn me on."

She laughed. "I know that, but we shouldn't get too wildly right now. Lets stick with the human mating customs."

"I want that Klingon half, Lieutenant, and I want it now!"

"Fine, but you're explaining to the Doctor in the morning," B'Elanna replied. Instead of letting Tom respond, she growled and pounced on him.

Tom gasped out in pain. *I hope I don't regret this... Oh wait, nevermind, I won't.*