LKNB 14 'Observer No More'
   
          lauren35@juno.com (Lauren E Taylor)


Only one more to go, guys :-)

OBSERVER NO MORE

        Two weeks. It had been two long, agonizing weeks since B'Elanna
and Kes had seen Tom in sickbay. Kes had also heard him, but no one else
had yet. He had appeared to them a few more times, the last time being
three days ago. The crew had been working around the clock to try to
bring him back and so far, no luck. Everyone was worried that he would
never be back in their lives again, and even Tom was starting to believe
that. Kes could still hear him all the time, and had been telling him
that he *was* going to come back, but even she herself was starting to
doubt that. 
        Tom had been spending all his time in sickbay, where most of the
work was being done. When he wasn't there, he was in his own quarters,
with B'Elanna and his daughter. He hated the fact that he had to be with
Kes every time he wanted to talk to B'Elanna, but it was the only way. 
        B'Elanna was sitting on her couch, staring out at the stars.
Katie had finally gone to sleep, and B'Elanna was finally by herself,
able to think without a baby's crying distracting her. She was beginning
to get depressed about the progress that wasn't happening with getting
Tom back. The door chime rang. She stood up to go answer the door, hoping
that Tom would be standing there, Tom himself, not needing Kes with him,
able to be seen and heard. 
        No such luck. Harry and Erica walked in, smiling as if they had a
secret they were dying to tell.
"Any news on Tom?" Erica asked her.
"Nothing yet." B'Elanna said with a sad smile on her face, "Now, what are
you guys keeping from me?" she asked, the sadness turning to curiosity.
"Well..." Harry began as he turned to Erica.
"We're getting married!" Erica exclaimed.
        B'Elanna screamed in excitement as she hugged her two best
friends. It was about time Harry popped the question, and she could tell
that they were both excited beyond belief. The celebration was cut short
as the faint sounds of crying came from Katie's room. B'Elanna broke
apart from Harry and Erica, and walked into the baby's room. She picked
up the little girl and walked around, patting her on the back and
whispering softly to her. She walked into the main room, where Harry and
Erica were still standing, the same ecstatic looks on their faces. 
"When's the wedding?" she asked them.
"We're still not sure. We haven't even told the captain yet." Harry
confessed.
"Let's hope Tom can make it." B'Elanna smiled.
        From the doorway came a voice B'Elanna never thought she'd hear
again.
"Oh, trust me. Tom will be there."
*********************************************************
        One week later, the senior staff, including B'Elanna, who was
supposed to be on maternity leave, was gathered in the briefing room.
"It seems that the doctor has come to some sort of conclusion as to what
exactly happened to Lt. Paris." Janeway began, "The doctor believes that
he was on a different plane of existence." she told everyone. "We still
haven't figured out how or why he got there, but it seems to be the right
answer. And, somehow, the birth of his daughter brought him back to us."
she smiled at B'Elanna and Tom, who had Katie with them.
"Captain, I also have something to say." Harry stood up, "Erica and I
have set a date." he told everyone. "Three weeks from today, in the
holodeck." 
"Which program will it be?" B'Elanna asked him.
He grinned at her and said "The Outer Banks."
**********************************************************
TO BE CONTINUED
The last part really isn't needed, it's just a sweet way to end the
story.

Legal junk. Paramount owns 'em, we just borrow 'em. Except for Erica,
Erin owns her :-)