BLOOD FEVER
Episode 58
Part H

 

Janeway: "Captain's log, stardate 50541.6. We're following through with Chakotay's offer to help the Sakari improve their camouflage, and they've agreed to supply us with a generous quantity of gallicite."

Paris walks along a corridor, looking at data on a PADD, and goes to a turbolift.

The doors open, to reveal Torres, deep in thought.

She straightens up on seeing him.

Paris enters both the turbolift and at the same time a difficult situation. Paris to the computer: "Deck 2." The turbolift continues its journey.

Paris tries to crack the lengthening silence by saying to Torres: "So, looks like you're feeling better. You back on duty?"

Torres, her words stilted: "Yes. Yes, I'm fine. Thanks." She tries her best to make conversation. "The refit is going well. We should have new warp coils by the end of the week." Paris' reply is just as stilted: "Oh, good. Glad to hear it."

He cannot stand the awkward atmosphere. "Computer, halt turbolift." To Torres: "Look, this is ridiculous. We're going to be together on this ship for a long time."

Torres: "You're right. We have to pretend that the whole mission didn't happen." Denial is not what Paris had in mind. "But something did happen, B'Elanna."

Torres: "Look, Tom, I really appreciate what you did, what you were willing to do for me, but as far as I'm concerned, I was under the influence of some weird Vulcan chemical imbalance, and, and whatever I did, whatever I said, it wasn't me."

Paris: "Yeah, I know. You're afraid that your big scary Klingon side might've been showing. Well, I saw it up close, and you know, it wasn't so terrible. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing it again someday."

When she looks away and does not reply.....

.....Paris has to assume the conversation is over. Paris: "Computer, resume."

They are both very aware of each other but try to ignore this and try, but fail, to put on a display of normality.

When the turbolift stops at the deck Torres had ordered, Paris opens his mouth to say something, does not know what to say, then the moment passes.

Torres exits. But as she leaves, she tells him, catching him by surprise: "Careful what you wish for, Lieutenant."

Janeway meets Chakotay on the planet surface. Janeway: "Your call sounded urgent."

Chakotay: "I think there's something you should see, Captain. We found this as we were clearing away the ruins." He takes her to the spot and moves away the foliage which had hidden the find. "Undoubtedly, one of the invaders who destroyed this colony."

Janeway: "The Borg!"

They stare at each other. They are definitely in Borg territory. It seems inevitable they will sometime encounter the Borg. The Delta Quadrant suddenly feels like a far more deadly place.