by Bruce
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Warning: This story presents two men in a romantic relationship. Read no further if that offends you. Slight spoilers for the episodes "Fair Haven" and "Spirit Folk".

Archive: Permission is happily granted to Paris/Kim Slash Fic and PKElite to archive this story. Other friendly folks may save a copy for their individual enjoyment. Please do not archive elsewhere, nor repost without permission from the author. Thank you.

Disclaimer: Paris & Kim and all things Star Trek belong to Paramount, I don't make money on this stuff, and it's not meant as an infringement on Viacom's copyrights.

Feedback: Constructive criticism and comments are both welcome.

c 3/17/2000

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Ensign Harry Kim, Voyager's operations officer, patted the pockets of his jumpsuit work uniform. Tricorder configured for engineering tasks, PADD, and some mechanical tools specific to holo-matrices. . . he had everything he needed. He exited the turbo lift and made his way down the corridor to the doors of holodeck number three. The wall panel indicated that the Fair Haven program was running, and that there was one occupant. Harry opened the doors and entered. It was a fine spring day in the simulated Irish village. The sky was clear and blue, a warm breeze was blowing in from the seacoast, and the buildings had their clean, homey quaintness about them. Harry found it a bit eerie, though. None of the holo-inhabitants were visible.

Harry rounded a corner, and finally found one person. Lieutenant Tom Paris was seated on a bench, facing away from him. Tom's shoulders were slumped. One hand held a PADD, and the other hand was holding his head, the fingers spread through reddish-blond hair. Tom was so focused on the hand-held data device that he didn't hear Harry's boots clicking over the cobblestones.

Harry smiled to himself, looking over the figure of the man who meant so much to him. "Hi, Tom," he said, breaking the silence. For a moment, Harry didn't think Tom had heard him. Then, without looking up, he answered.

"Hi, Har." Tom exhaled long and loudly. "This is such a mess."

Harry knew how hard Tom had been working. The Fair Haven holo-simulation had taken quite a beating in the last few weeks. Characters had been rewritten, space phenomena had deleted or altered entire blocks of data, the characters had evolved through learning the circumstances of their existence, and they'd even held crewmembers hostage for a time. At the captain's approval, Tom had kept the program running continuously for a time, but no more. The open door policy had been stopped out of necessity - the program was unstable. Now Lieutenant Paris was trying to salvage the battered program.

Ensign Kim walked around in front of his friend. "It's too far gone, Harry. Every time I reinitialize it, or when I make corrections, something else fails catastrophically." Tom looked tired and defeated.

Harry knew how seriously Tom took this creative outlet. Tom's talent for holo-programming had provided entertainment for nearly everyone aboard the starship. Harry sat down on the bench, his thigh rubbing against Tom's. He put a reassuring arm around his friend's shoulders. "I know how disappointed you must be. You know I'll help if you want to start over from scratch."

Tom shook his head. "I was hoping to have it ready for St. Patrick's Day. You know, as a gift to the crew?" Tom touched an icon on the PADD. A leprechaun ran past them, naked. "I can't show them that." He deleted the character, but it was replaced by a humanoid form that consisted of video static. It stood in front of them and waved. "Remember him? That's the guy you beat at arm wrestling."

Harry patted Tom's shoulder. "He doesn't look so tough," Harry joked.

Tom's only response was to snort derisively. The tavern across the town square went out of focus, switched to monochrome, and did a vertical roll. Tom stood, and Harry followed. "Computer, end program." The town disappeared, to be replaced by the silver and black of the holodeck grid. Tom shook his head slowly, and tapped his communicator badge. "Paris to bridge."

Captain Kathryn Janeway answered, "Go ahead, Tom." She sounded expectant.

"Captain, it's useless. I've got to take Fair Haven off line."

Tom's report was met with a long silent pause. "Understood. Thank you for trying, Mr. Paris."

"Captain" - interrupted Harry.

"Yes, Mr. Kim?"

"We have a backup plan. Tom and I want to invite the crew to our other party."

Tom looked questioningly at Harry and began to ask what he had in mind. He was cut off by the captain's enthusiastic reply.

"Very good, Harry. I'll inform the crew!"

As soon as the comm channel closed, Tom turned to Harry. "We have a backup plan?"

Harry smiled and dashed to the holodeck entry arch, holding his hand out to tell Tom to wait. Once he reached the controls, he began accessing the library computer. On the bridge, Alpha shift had reached the end of their duty cycle. As the Beta team received their instructions from those they were replacing, Captain Janeway made a ship-wide announcement.

"This is the captain, to all hands. Mr. Paris and Mr. Kim have prepared a get-together for us on holodeck three. When your shift allows, I hope you'll join us." Janeway smiled and winked at Commander Chakotay.

"Be sure to leave some refreshments for the rest of us", he joked. Janeway started to reply, but was cut off by the intercom.

"Seven of Nine to the bridge."

"Go ahead, Seven," Janeway replied.

"Captain, I have completed my analysis in astrometrics. I did not intend to go to the party. May I be of assistance on the bridge?" Chakotay and Janeway exchanged a look. Chakotay answered the formerly- Borg crew member. "Thank you, Seven. As soon as you arrive on the bridge, you have the conn. And thank you."

"I am on my way," came the reply.

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When the captain and first officer stepped onto the holodeck, they found themselves in familiar surroundings. Sandrine's, the French bar that was one of Tom Paris' first holographic projects, was slowly filling up with crew members from all corners of the ship. Some had taken the time to change into civilian clothes, others were still in their uniforms, and some had even dressed in their former Fair Haven costumes. Harry greeted everyone as they walked through the doors. Tom was playing billiards with several security and tactical officers.

Chakotay approached the table, eyeing Tom's technique. One never knew when one might be challenged to a game, and the ship's pilot and the second-in-command went back and forth as champion. Janeway leaned against the bar, next to B'Elanna. She squinted at the beverage her chief engineer was sipping.

"Whiskey?"

Torres nodded. "It was this or green beer. Blood wine just doesn't seem appropriate for tonight." Janeway chuckled. "I'd better stick to the lighter stuff. Barkeep, Irish coffee, please."

Near the fireplace, a small group of holographic musicians had set up. Soon, the bar was filled with the laughter and conversation of people enjoying themselves, and the music of a violin, piano, drums, pipes, and Tuvok on his Vulcan harp. Chakotay was distracted by the music. When the instrumentalists paused between songs, he moved next to the ship's chief security officer.

"This whole celebration must seem a little far-fetched to you."

Tuvok arched his eyebrows. "On the contrary, commander. According to personnel records, there are 17 crew members of Irish ancestry. Three of the crew are Catholic, as well."

Excuse me, my boy, one of the musicians tapped Chakotay on the shoulder. We're about to play another ditty. May we have our harpist back?

Chakotay smiled and nodded, heading to a table laden with snack food. The opening strains of a jig began.

"Laddies, claim your lasses!" called the fiddler.

Harry felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Mr. Kim, care to cut a rug?" asked Janeway.

He was caught off guard, but after sputtering for a moment, he grinned. "I'd be honored, ma'am!" Harry took his captain's left hand in his right, and placed his left hand on her waist. They high-stepped to an open spot on the floor. A circle of partiers formed around them, clapping with the beat.

B'Elanna, suddenly without a conversation mate, made her way to the pool table and grabbed Tom. "Come on," she said, with a wistful smile. We haven't danced in a long time."

Tom looked uncomfortable for a moment, but the friendliness in Torres' manner quickly changed that. They entered the circle, dancing opposite Harry and the captain. "So, B'Elanna, how are things? We haven't watched television lately. Have you been dating?" Tom asked as he spun her around.

"I've had dinner with a few people, but nothing serious. It's okay, though. Engineering keeps me busy."

They swung around and switched positions, copying the other pair. They step-kicked around the circle, facing the same direction, holding hands across their fronts.

"How are you and Harry doing?"

Before he could answer, the fiddler called, "Couples, change partners!"

They moved to the center of the circle, released hands. . . and suddenly, Harry and Tom were moving together - dancing together - and Janeway and Torres were laughing. Harry blushed, but Tom just shrugged and kept jigging. The crowd laughed, cheered, and clapped more loudly.

"Don't tell me we're the only four on this ship who can dance?!" challenged Tom.

The musicians changed key, and soon everyone was moving across the floor, some in pairs, some solo. Soon the dance ended, and everyone headed for drinks or food. Neelix looked about.

"You know, someone's missing," he said to crewman Jenkins. He tapped his chest. "Neelix to the doctor," he said into his comm badge.

"This is the doctor. How may I help you, Mr. Neelix?"

"Why don't you help yourself to the party on holodeck three?"

A moment later, the doctor materialized next to the ship's morale officer and cook. "Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Neelix. I see that you're wearing green, so I will refrain from pinching you."

More drinks were drunk, food eaten, and dances danced. The crew of Voyager hadn't celebrated like this in quite some time. Crew members entered and left, some replacing others who were on duty, so that they could have an hour or two of fun. Someone shouted, "Hey, Doc, how about a song?!"

The emergency medical hologram whispered something to Tuvok, then took a position at the front of the room. Tuvok began strumming 'Londonderry Aire' on his harp.


Oh, Danny boy,
The pipes, the pipes are calling,
From glen to glen,
And down the mountainside. . .


The sad, sweet song had a dramatic effect on the partiers. As the doctor sang, melancholy smiles appeared, and everyone stopped to watch and listen. Some leaned on tables or the bar, others leaned on each other. Unconsciously, Harry put his arm around Tom's waist. Tom leaned into Harry.


. . . it's I'll be here,
In sunshine or in shadow,
Oh, Danny boy, Oh, Danny boy,
I love you so.

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End