[posted: 12/21/97] What Would Happen By: Amy Michelle Bitter Disclaimer: ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ and its characters are owned by Paramount, Inc. The lyrics to ‘What Would Happen’ are owned by Meredith Brooks. No infringements on any copyrights are intended. Notes: This story takes place BEFORE the episode “Blood Fever.” In other words, this story takes place in the middle of the third season. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, it’s a Christmas story! And now, the story! ************************ “Well, at least their not fighting,” Ensign Harry Kim said to Ensign Erin Carter from across the table. “That’s a first,” Erin remarked. It was all so frustrating. Couldn’t they see they were perfect for each other? Erin sighed as she watched Tom and B’Elanna dance. Could that be considered dancing? They weren’t even looking at each other. Both were eyeing the decorations. Sure, the holodeck was beautiful. The halls were decked with bows of holly and a tall Christmas tree stood decorated in the corner of Sandrine’s Bar. Neelix had done a great job of decorating it for the party. But, couldn’t they look at each other for a change? “They’re acting like teenagers on their first date,” Harry remarked and Erin giggled. The music ended and they retreated to their own corners of the room. Tom by the bar and B’Elanna back to the table where Harry and Erin were sitting both giving her disapproving looks. B’Elanna slumped into her chair frowning. This was ludicrous! She was not having fun at all. Of course, she never had fun on Christmas. “I think I’m going to go back to my quarters,” B’Elanna said. “What?!” Erin asked. “No way, Maquis!” Harry chimed in. “Look,” B’Elanna started giving them each a stern look. “You said, if I didn’t have fun, I could leave. Well, I’m not having fun, so I’m leaving.” “You’re not even trying,” Harry said. “Tom’s a great guy, if you’ll give him a chance.” “That’s another thing,” B’Elanna said. “Why did I ever let you two talk me into going to this party with him?! It’s so obvious that neither one of us wants to be here!” Erin laughed to herself. “What’s so funny?” B’Elanna snapped. “It’s so obvious that you two are so frightened of liking each other that you won’t even look into each other’s eyes,” Erin told her. “What did I tell you? Their acting just like teenagers,” Harry said. “I am not frightened of liking him,” B’Elanna said. “Then prove it,” Erin said. “Do what?” “Prove it,” she repeated. “Go over to the bar and talk to him.” “About what?” B’Elanna asked. “Whatever you want,” Harry suggested. “I don’t think so,” B’Elanna said and slumped even further down into her chair. “What? Are you chicken?” Erin asked. “No,” B’Elanna said. “I think you are.” “B’Elanna’s a chicken! B’Elanna’s a chicken!” Harry began chanting. “Oh, now who’s acting like teenagers?” B’Elanna snapped. “Chicken, chicken!” Erin joined in. “All right already!” B’Elanna said. “I’ll go talk to him, but only to get you two to shut up!” B’Elanna rose from her chair and walked across the dimly lit holodeck to the bar where Tom was sitting. She lightly tapped him on the shoulder. Tom turned around surprised to see B’Elanna standing there. She sat down on the stool next to him. “They’re smiling,” Harry observed. “And, they're looking at each other,” Erin pointed out. “Now, if only we knew what they were saying.” The music once again slowed and couples moved to the dance floor. ************************ “Would you like to dance?” Tom asked offering B’Elanna his hand. “I’d love to,” B’Elanna said and took his hand. The pair walked to the dance floor. Tom slid his arms around B’Elanna’s waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. B’Elanna stared deep into Tom’s cerulean eyes. *Maybe he’s not such a bad guy after all* B’Elanna thought. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Electricity Eye to Eye Hey, don't I know you? I can't speak... Striped my senses On the spot I've never been defenseless I can't even make sense of this You speak and I don't hear a word...” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ************************ Erin and Harry smiled at each other. So far, their plan was working. Tom and B’Elanna were dancing, and looking at each other. However, there was still one element missing. “I have an idea,” Erin whispered to Harry. “Oh, do tell,” Harry leaned in closer. ************************ B’Elanna’s eyes moved from Tom over to Erin and Harry. To her surprise, they weren’t watching her and Tom’s every move. They were doing something almost as frightening. They were whispering. No, they were conspiring. Conspiring against her. B’Elanna could tell by the way Harry’s usually innocent grin looked somewhat malicious and Erin’s aqua eyes lit up with evil delight. *What are they up to now?* B’Elanna wondered. Tom pulled B’Elanna even closer. *Has she always been this beautiful?* Tom wondered. Why hadn’t he ever noticed her? B’Elanna gaze moved back to Tom’s eyes. ************************ “Are you sure this will work?” Harry asked. “Yes,” Erin affirmed. “I saw Neelix do it to Carey and Wildman. It worked like a charm! People are suckers for tradition. Especially around Christmas time.” Harry turned to the replicator. “Computer, mistletoe,” he ordered. A few green leaves of mistletoe appeared with a crimson bow tied around them. Harry grinned and hid the leaves behind his back as he causally walked out onto the dance floor with Erin not far behind. B’Elanna and Tom were so caught up in each other that they didn’t even notice Erin and Harry were now standing by them on the dance floor. Harry pulled the mistletoe from behind his back and held it over the dancing couple. “Tom, B’Elanna,” Erin said. “Look, you’re under the mistletoe!” “And, you know what that means,” Harry said. “You have to kiss,” Erin chimed in. “It’s tradition.” Tom and B’Elanna’s eyes simultaneously moved from Harry and Erin then back to each another. They smiled at each other. Neither one wanting to make the first move for fear of what the other would do. Finally Tom began to lean in closer to B’Elanna. B’Elanna tilted her chin up until their lips met. The kiss started tentatively and then began to get more passionate and B’Elanna moved her hands up Tom’s neck until they were entangled in his hair. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “What would happen if we kissed? Would your tongue slip past my lips? Would you run away? Would you stay? Or would I melt into you? Mouth to mouth Lust to lust Spontaneously combust The room is spinning Out of control Act like you didn't notice Brushed my hand...” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Erin and Harry slapped each other a high five. The plan had worked wonderfully. Suddenly reality sent in and B’Elanna and Tom remembered where they were. The kiss broke apart suddenly as the music faded away. The stared at each other almost in shock until B’Elanna turned. Pushing her way past Harry and Erin she walked out of the holodeck Tom chasing after her. Harry and Erin looked at each other in shock. “What just happened here?” Erin asked. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Forbidden fruit Ring on my finger You're such a moral moral man Would you throw it away? No question Will I pretend I'm innocent...” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *********************** “B’Elanna wait!” Tom called after her as he followed her down the corridor. B’Elanna stopped in her tracks. She turned around and faced Tom. She might as well listen to what he had to say. “Why did you leave?” Tom asked her. B’Elanna shrugged and leaned against the wall. “Am I that bad of a kisser?” Tom smiled trying to lighten the mood. B’Elanna smiled back. “No,” she admitted. “In fact, you’re a very good kisser.” “Then, what’s the problem?” He asked. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “I struggle with myself again Quickly the walls come crumbling Don't know if I can turn away...” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “I...I,” B’Elanna tried to get out. “I think we should just be friends.” “Just friends?” Tom repeated bewildered. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. What they had just shared was so intense. B’Elanna had to have felt it, too. “Just friends,” B’Elanna said again. Giving him one last look, she turned and continued her way down the corridor towards the turbolift. Tom definitely didn’t agree with B’Elanna’s suggestion. However, he would respect her wish to remain just friends. He would win her heart eventually -- he was sure of it. It wouldn’t be easy. But, then again, Tom Paris loved challenges. No matter what it took, he was going to win B’Elanna Torres’ heart. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “If we kissed Would your tongue slip past my lips? Would you run away? Would you stay? Or would I melt into you? Mouth to mouth If we kissed...” -Meredith Brooks ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The End! ********************* Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Send them to me! Amy I couldn't forget my friends! :o) Dedication: This story is dedicated to my wonderful friends! Erin “Carter”: Cause you're crazy! Angelica & Jake: You’re the best couple since P/T! “Prince Dave”: Shut up, damnit! Don’t make me say it! :o) I also have to thank the wonderful, the wacky, the Parisites (especially Claire & Chris for the lyrics!) What would I do without you?!