by Dakota by Dakota

The tingle of the transporter beam roused B'Elanna enough that she could stand on her own when they materialized on Voyager.  Tom's words echoed in her mind.  "You picked a fine time to tell me."  His arms let her go when he removed his helmet and hers before going to sickbay.  She felt exposed and abandoned – he hadn't returned her love.

Three days later, the hurt was buried beneath anger and her goal was to avoid him.  But he found her and wouldn't let her walk away.  In his arms and his kiss, she found his love, unspoken but true.