Notes: This story takes place when Tom and B'Elanna are in the Academy.
I'm making a guess here, and putting them in the same year here,
freshman. This story resulted from B'Elanna mentioning that she was on
the decathalon team at Starfleet in "Basics pt. II". 

CHANCE ENCOUNTER
By: Lauren Taylor

        Tom Paris stuffed his hands in the pocket of his jacket, and
started walking. Ever since he'dcome to the Academy six months ago, his
favorite thing, besides flying, was just to walk around, by himself,
early in the evening. Not many people were out then, they were all out on
dates, or in their rooms studying or something. This was his time to
himself, to think, to daydream, to do nothing at all. 

        He began walking on a path through a park. There was a couple
strolling hand in hand walking towards him. They looked so much in love.
Tom wished he could find someone he was madly in love with. He wanted to
find a special woman, someone he could see himself settling down with for
the rest of his life. But he couldn't see anything like that happening
now. The girls he knew were all admiral's daughters, the one's he met
through his dad, the little spoiled brats, as he liked to call them. They
couldn't stand how laid-back and carefree he was. 

        He looked back at the couple, in envy, when he was struck down by
someone. He looked up and saw a girl, about his age, in a running suit.
She had short brown hair and strange ridges on her forehead. She looked
like she was maybe part-Klingon or something. But, boy, was she gorgeous!

"Why don't you watch where you're going?!" she demanded. Tom stood up and
then reached his hand out for her. She brushed it away and stood up
herself. 

"You're on the decathalon team, aren't you?" Tom asked, trying to make
some conversation.

"Yeah." she said casually, waiting to just walk away.

"I've seen you at a few track meets. You're good. Hi, I'm Tom Paris." he
told her as he held his hand out for a handshake. She didn't respond it.

"B'Elanna Torres. Listen, I need to get going." she told him and ran off.
Tom watched after her, with love in his eyes. He was going to meet up
with that girl again someday, he could tell it. She was the girl he was
going to marry.

THE END

Paramount owns 'em, we just borrow 'em.

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