The BLTS Archive- Ties That Bind
by monkee (wiecek@earthlink.net)

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"Tom, you're sulking."

"Am not."

"Are too. Why?"

"It's stupid."

"Try me."

"You hugged the Captain first."

"Oh. Well... yeah.  But you were second."

"Oh boy. I beat out the Doc."

"It's just... she was standing there and it suddenly struck me how
important she is to me. It just seemed... right."

"It meant a lot to her. You couldn't see her face. I thought she
might cry."

"We're important to her. Both of us. All of us."

"Yeah."

"I wish... I should spend more time with her. Off duty."

"Why not go see her now?"

"Maybe I will."

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"Captain... Kathryn.  Come in.  Are you all right?"

"Yes. I'm... fine."

"You look... happy.  I think.  Here... sit down."

"It's... B'Elanna came to see me. She just wanted to talk. It was
nice.  She asked me if I would call her 'Lanna' off-duty."

"Lanna? I've never heard anyone call her that."

"It's what her mother always called her."

"Oh, Kathryn. That kind of relationship is something you both need."

"I'm her Captain.  I can't always be her friend."

"Most of the time, you can be both."

"Maybe I can."

"She's important to you."

"Yes, she is. You all are."

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The End