Let's see... dedications... to all the Ites! Yay, Ites! Ites "from here to eternity"! This is also dedicated to 101.7 WLQM, Today's Country for playing the Michael Peterson song "From Here to Eternity" a whole bunch, and getting me inspired. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY By: Lauren Taylor B'Elanna walked into her quarters ready to collapse into bed after a long day in engineering. She was about to go into the bedroom when she noticed something on the couch. There was the dark purple outfit, the one she wore on many dates with Tom. But she hadn't left it on the couch, she remembered distinctly putting it in the closet. On top of it was a handwritten note. She walked over and picked up the note and read it out loud. "B'Elanna. Wear this and meet me on holodeck 1 at 2000 hours. Love, Tom." she said to herself. She smiled. No doubt another one of Tom's surprises. She checked the time, and realized that she still had four hours until meeting Tom, so she decided to get a quick nap in. She needed to be awake and refreshed for whatever Tom had planned. The self-proclaimed "Holodeck King" never went to the same program twice, and always made the program a surprise to B'Elanna. ************************************************************* B'Elanna stepped into the turbolift to find Harry and Seven occupying it. "You look nice tonight." Harry said with a secretive smile. "Harry, do you know anything about this surprise Tom's got planned?" she asked. Seven looked at her with a confused look on her face. "If Lt. Paris has a 'surprise' planned, I'm sure that he intends to keep it a surprise, lieutenant." she told her. "Thank you, Seven, I hadn't realized that." B'Elanna replied with a sarcastic smile. "I don't know anything about it, B'Elanna." Harry told her as the door's opened onto B'Elanna's deck. "All right then, well, I'll see you later." she said as she started to go. "Tell me everything!" Harry called out after her as the doors began to close. "I'll tell you nothing!" B'Elanna yelled back just before the doors locked shut. ************************************************************* She entered the Holodeck to find Tom standing there, awaiting her arrival. He was wearing black pants and a dark red button-down shirt, and his eyes were shining as he smiled when he saw her. She walked up to him and gave him a kiss. He smiled at her again. "Computer, activate program Paris Date Six." he ordered the computer. B'Elanna stood and looked at him as the program appeared. They were on top of a huge building, overlooking a city at nighttime, with lights shining. "This is New York City, on Earth. You, my dear, are standing on the observation deck of the Empire State Building." he explained to her. She gazed around in awe, then looked back at him. "Tom, you've outdone yourself. This one is my favorite." she smiled. "You said that last week about the riverboat on the Mississippi!" he exclaimed. "Well, I mean it about this one, Tom, it's beautiful!" "I knew you'd like it. Now, I believe there's a table set for two on the other side." he said, "But, first, a little tour of the city, from the best viewpoint of it there is, or so I've heard." "You've never been here?" she questioned as he put his arm around her waist. "Nope, never. Harry helped me with this program." "So he does know." she muttered to herself. "What?" he said as they began walking. "Nothing." she said. Tom pointed out many sights to her, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square, Broadway, everything. They made it to the other side of the building where there was a table with two chairs at it. A white tablecloth was over it, and two tall red candles were in the middle. A bottle of wine was chilling in a bucket of ice, and there were two plates of spaghetti on the table. Tom walked ahead of her, and pulled her chair out, then poured two glasses of wine. "Tom, this is amazing. I'm really enjoying myself here." she admitted as they started eating. "I'm glad." he smiled as beautiful instrumental music began to play. They ate, and talked about anything and everything, and, when they were done, Tom stood up and held out his hand. "May I have this dance?" he questioned. She smiled, and took his hand, and allowed him to pull her up. They danced slow and close together to the music playing. She wasn't sure how long they'd been dancing when Tom ordered the music to stop. "Now, for the surprise." he told her. "I thought this was the surprise." she smiled. "Trust me, there's more. OK, now, don't laugh, I've never had a singing lesson in my life. I'm sorry you have to hear this." he laughed. She looked at him with a bewildered look on her face, which made him laugh even more. "Computer, play musical accompinant to "From Here To Eternity", Michael Peterson." he ordered. Music began playing, and Tom sat B'Elanna down in a chair, and stood in front of her. He nodded with the beat, and then began singing. I did everything I could To get you hear tonight Without telling you why Now girl if you only would Please hold our your hand And just close your eyes At this point, he took B'Elanna's hand, and got down on one knee, and, with his free hand, reached into his pocket and pulled out a little red velvet box. He opened it, and, inside, was a beautiful gold ring. She opened her mouth in shock, and he began singing again. Well, I've been dying to ask you One burning question Will you be mine >From here to eternity I'm asking you to share your life with me Now and forever, I guarantee That I'll always stay by your side I promise my love to you I'm willing and able and ready to Whatever you need, I am here for you And I'll always be >From here to eternity B'Elanna was trying her hardest not to burst out laughing, Tom was right, he was a horrible singer. He grinned at her during the instrumental part of the song, and she grinned back. Well, I saved a year for this ring I can't wait to see How it looks on your hand I'll give you everything That one woman needs >From a one-woman man I'll be strong, I'll be tender A man of my word And I will be yours >From here to eternity I'm asking you to share your life with me Now and forever, I guarantee That I'll always stay by your side I promise my love to you I'm willing and able and ready to Whatever you need, I am here for you And I'll always be >From here to eternity As the music died down, Tom held out the ring and looked into B'Elanna's eyes. "B'Elanna, I love you with all my heart and soul. I couldn't imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?" he asked. She leaned down and kissed him. "Yes." she whispered. Tom placed the ring on her finger. THE END Comments welcomed to queenofdeath@hotmail.com or tomlover@aol.com