Title:  Fear and Comfort
Author:  Ronda Sexton
Series:  VOY
Code:  P/T
Rating:  PG13
Part:  1/1
Summary:  Set during "Unimatrix Zero".  Tom and B'Elanna's last night 
together before she is assimilated.



Fear and Comfort
By:  Ronda Sexton


Tom stared at B'Elanna.  The soft flickering candles were reflected in 
her warm brown eyes.  He wanted to commit every single feature and nuance 
to his memory.  For tomorrow, she and the others would undertake the 
most dangerous mission any of them ever had been involved in.  They would 
be infiltrating the Borg.  If anything went wrong, this could very well 
be their last night together.

Reaching out, he took both of her hands in his.  "I know that it's 
necessary, but I wish you didn't have to go tomorrow."

She gently squeezed his hands.  "Tom, if I can help put an end to 
the Borg's reign of terror, then it will be well worth the risk.  
They've destroyed countless lives.  They have to be stopped."

"I know," began Tom softly.  "It's just I'm so afraid that something 
will go horribly wrong.  I love you, and I can't bear the thought 
of losing you."

B'Elanna nodded.  "I understand, Tom.  I won't deny it, I'm scared, 
but I can't allow my fear to prevent me from taking action.  If we 
didn't take this opportunity that has been presented to us, and then 
later, the Borg assimilated you....I'd never forgive myself."

Without releasing his hold on her hands, Tom stood, came around the 
table, and drew her into his arms.  He held her tightly, and her arms 
slid around him in a powerful embrace.  They stood there holding each 
other for several minutes, each drawing strength and comfort from the 
other.

Finally, B'Elanna began steering them towards Tom's bed.  They both 
had every intention of making what could be their last night together 
count....

They lay quietly in each other's arms.  They had made love slowly, 
with sweet tenderness each wanting the other to be fully aware of 
their depth of love and devotion.  In the darkest recesses of their 
minds, they knew this could be their last time.

"Tom," murmured B'Elanna drowsily.  "Hold me all night, because 
tomorrow...." she 
trembled in his arms.

He pulled her even closer.  "Shhhh, B'Elanna, I'm here."  He gently 
stroked her back to soothe and comfort her.  Slowly, she drifted 
off to sleep.

Tom stared at her lovely face.  He knew tomorrow that she would 
be assimilated.  The images that whirled in his mind were not pleasant.  
He recalled their encounters with the Borg drones since their arrival 
in the Delta Quadrant.  He was deeply grieved that B'Elanna would 
have to suffer so.  He purposed in his heart that when she and the 
others were rescued and the Doctor reversed the assimilation process 
that he would do everything in his power to help her recover from 
the trauma of being assimilated.  He would be there for her as she 
readjusted to individuality and being on Voyager.  Tom was well aware 
that her intense suffering at the hands of the Borg would take a 
long time to heal.  Physically, the Doctor could repair the damage 
inflicted on her by the Borg.  However, her mental and emotional wounds 
would be a different matter entirely.  He vowed to be there for her 
and help her in any way he could.

Slumber finally began to claim him as well.  With B'Elanna securely 
enfolded within his arms, he drifted off to sleep.

Before they left the next morning, Tom to go to the bridge and 
prepare to intercept the Borg ship, and B'Elanna to make last 
minute preparations for the mission, they embraced and shared a kiss 
of passion and promise.  No matter what happened, each of them know 
the other's love would go with them and sustain them through what 
was to come.