Random Thoughts (missing scene) Archivists challenge. By: ME (Heather) at KMcLean132@aol.com Synopsis: Takes place after Random Thoughts. Tom bought Bella gift and is ready to give it to her, but will she take it or even like it considering all that has happened. Disclaimer: You know the story. They own em and I borrow them from time to time. I own the story however. Here goes: ************ "Of course there are various Vulcan techniques which could help you increase your self control." "You don't say." "I would be willing to teach them to you." Tuvok responded just as they rounded the corner. B'Elanna spotted Tom coming off the turbolift. She hadn't seen him since she was arrested. He had stopped in his tracks. "Maybe some other time, Tuvok. I'm late for a reunion." she said as she ran for Tom and launched herself at him. He caught her up in a big hug and looked as if he would never let her go. He was holding her so tight she actually thought he might break some of her ribs. Which would entail another trip to sickbay. She didn't want to go back there any time soon. "Tom, you're crushing me. I can't breathe." she said to him. "Oh, sorry." he said loosening his hold but not letting go of her. "Perhaps some other time, Lieutenant. Enjoy your reunion." Tuvok stated going around them and entering the turbolift. "What was all that about?" Tom asked. "He was offering to teach me some Vulcan techniques to help me control my violent tendencies. He said he has gained a new respect for me. " "Oh, really?" "I believe he put it this way: ‘Burdened as I am with my primitive Klingon psyche its amazing that I control myself as much as I do." "What a guy." "I guess." "Where are you headed?" "I thought I might go down to Engineering and see what hell I could raise down there. That is unless I have a better offer. Do I?" "How about dinner in my quarters." "When?" "One hour. I have some things to do and you need to change clothes. No uniforms allowed." "Just what do you have in mind?" she asked watching that mischievous gleam creep into his eyes. "You will have to show up to find out." "This should prove to be interesting." "Do you expect any less." "No, life with you is anything but boring." "I'll take that as a compliment. Now I have got to go get things ready so I will see you in just a little bit." he bent down to give her a quick kiss which turned out to be anything but quick. Finally they pulled back. "I'll see you in a bit." B'Elanna said her voice a little on the husky side. They parted ways, both thinking about the other. An hour later, B'Elanna stood outside the door to Tom's quarters nervously. She hoped he liked the dress. It was of a blueish purple color. She had found it on their last shore leave together on Cabera II. She had managed to hide it from Tom, saving it for a special occasion. She very seldom if ever word dresses, but Tom liked to see her in dresses every now and then. She knew he wouldn't be upset if she didn't but she liked to knock him off his feet every now and then. The dress was a show stealer, cut low in the front to show just a hint of cleavage and just barley on her shoulders. She couldn't wait to see his reaction. She pushed the announcer. "Come." "Tom." she called as she walked in to his living area. "I'll be right out, Bella, just have a seat." She walked around his quarters. She always discovered something new she hadn't noticed before. She hadn't been here much before the last couple of weeks and she was still learning much about the man she fell in love with. Tom was a little on the disorganized side. His quarters were not messy, they were neatly disorganized. Clothes folded in piles by the couch and bed. PADDs stacked neatly on the desk and coffee table. She thought it was really cute. Not like hers. She was lucky to find her floor on a good day. She where everything was so she didn't see the need to clean it up. Someday that may have to change she couldn't see Tom living like she did. Tom had already mentioned on several occasions that she needed to learn how to keep her quarters more organized. She always responded that the great genius' of the universe were never organized at home. She had it together in Engineering just don't ask her to try and clean her quarters. To date she and Tom had had one fight since they officially began seeing each other. It wasn't like their usually bantering fights. B'Elanna got severely ticked off. It had been over the fact that he had gone into her quarters to clean thinking he would be helping. At first she thought it was sweet until she couldn't find anything and tore apart her quarters trying to find her data padds. If she had thought to look in her desk in the first place the fight might not have happened but by the time she did find them she was so mad she ripped Tom up one side and down the other. She had apologized later and he had forgiven her but it still bothered her a little bit. But he had assured her that it was alright and that he should have known better than to do that so soon. Or atleast he should have told her where he put things he had told her. She heard him coming out of his room, coming out of her reverie she turned to face him. "There you are. I was just..." His voice stopped in mid sentence when he saw her. His jaw was half way to the floor when he was finally able to catch his breathe. "You were what? Tom? Tom, please pick up your jaw and tell me what you are looking at." "You." he said finally finding his voice. "Me?" "Yes, you're beautiful." "Uh, huh." "You are! Why don't you believe me?" "Maybe I will someday." "I will just have to tell you everyday until you believe me. That dress is incredible. Where did you get it?" "I got it on Cabera II." "I was with you and I didn't see you buy it. Besides that was over a month ago why haven't I seen it before?' "I have my ways and I was saving it for a special occasion." "Well, I am honored that you wore it tonight." "So what were you doing when you walked out here?" "I was getting your surprise ready." he replied mischievously. "Surprise!!!" she squealed. "Yes, I got you something from the planet." "That's so sweet." "I wasn't sure you would still want it after everything but I decided to take a chance. Do you still want it?" "You bought it, Tom. Of course I still want it." "Then sit down and close your eyes." "Tom." she whined "Sit." "Oh, alright." "Good, now close your eyes and I will be right back." he said walking back into his bedroom. A moment later he came out with a large box. He set it down on the table in front of her. "Okay, open your eyes." She opened her eyes and saw a large wrapped box in front of her. "Tom, if it was wrapped why did I have to close my eyes?" "It added to the surprise. Well, open it." She pulled the box into her lap and began to open it. She opened the lid and pulled out the most beautiful sculpture she had ever seen. It was of some type of bird. Looked like a hawk but much smaller. "Tom, its beautiful." "I know I didn't carve it myself but I saw it and thought it would look nice next to the eagle sculpture in your living room." "It doesn't matter that you didn't make it. You got it for me and that makes it all the more special. What type of bird is it?" "They call it a Miskara. It's a type of bird almost like an eagle." "It's so delicate looking." "Don't let appearances fool you. Elara, the lady I bought this from told me a little about them. They are very tough birds. They were almost hunted to extinction so they are not very trusting of people, but it is said that if you find one and can earn its trust that you will have a friend for life. They are intensely loyal and extremely protective. A lot like you, actually. I guess that's why I bought it." "Really?" "You didn't like or trust me very much in the beginning, but now I know that you do trust me or you wouldn't be here. I know you have stuck up for me in the past, so I know there is loyalty here. However I had to earn that trust and loyalty because you have been hurt in the past and don't give your trust and loyalty freely. So I guess thats why the statue reminded me of you and I bought it." She didn't know what to say. It was such a sweet and thoughtful gift. Since she didn't know what to say she decided to kiss him. The kiss lingered for several minutes. Tom wrapped his arms around her. All the fear and frustrations of the last few days finally catching up with him. "Tom, what's wrong?" "I'm fine. I'm just really glad you're back and in one piece. I was really afraid of what you would be like if they had scrambled your brain. I didn't know if you would still love me let alone know how to be yourself." "Well, let's not dwell on that. It didn't happen, so lets move on shall we. You know you still haven't said it." "Then here it is. I love you. I have loved you for a long time and I was just afraid to admit or say it. I guess because usually I said it and either it didn't mean anything or when I really did mean it I got dumped soon after. I do mean it now more than ever before." "I'm glad you mean it now. And I love the gift. Thank you, Tom." she said leaning over to him and kissing him again. They leaned back on the couch. A moment later it occurred to B'Elanna to ask about dinner. "Well, we can eat dinner or we can continue this private display of affection." he replied, with a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Let's eat later." she answered silencing any reply he might have had. Neither had any complaints of waiting till later. The next morning no one thought anything of it to see B'Elanna leaving Tom's quarters early enough to get ready for her duty shift. The End. Just my take on what might have happened please send me any comments. I will read them eventually. My saying for this week is from the X-Files. "No matter how paranoid you are, you're not paranoid enough!!!!!!!" Ain't that the truth. Love ya, Heather