Prologue Synopsis: Tom Paris and Harry Kim catch up on old times at a six-month reunion and muse over a missing guest.

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Reprise: Prologue
by Keri

"A toast! To six months of home!"

A loud clamor of 'here heres' resounded in the dining hall, and everyone began to applaud. Less than half of the guests of honor were in attendance, but all of the admiralty made it an impressive turnout.

"Tom!"

Tom Paris looked up from the buffet table to see a familiar face. He grinned broadly. "Well, if it isn't Lieutenant Harry Kim!" He embraced his friend. "How are you doing?"

The Asian man smiled, eyes crinkling in delight. "Great! Happy six months!"

"I suppose you could say that," he muttered, searching for a seat in the overflowing room. "How's life treating you?"

"Pretty well. I've got a position on the Intrepid. We head out in a couple of days. B'Elanna is coming with me. She won't have an official position on board, but she's not in Starfleet anyway."

He smiled at the thought of his ex-wife. "How is she?"

"Not bad."

"I'm glad you're there for her, Harry. She's lucky to have a friend like you."

Kim nodded his thanks. "So have you spoken to anyone since we got back?"

"Uh, yeah. Neelix."

He chuckled. "What is our Talaxian friend up to these days?"

"He got the biggest promotion out of any of us; he's an ambassador now. Seems the captain's testimonies made quite an impression on Starfleet."

They both grew quiet at the mention of their former commanding officer, almost as if they were giving her an honorable moment of silence. Kim was the first to speak. "Is she here?"

"I doubt it." Paris sighed. "You know, it just isn't right. She's the whole reason we're even having this party, and she doesn't even show up. Of course, if I was in her place, I wouldn't show up either. What Starfleet did to her isn't fair."

"It was only a year's suspension," Kim mentioned defensively. "She hasn't lost her title, and she's Starfleet's most highly decorated captain. Besides, I'm sure she needed the time off." He smiled brightly in an attempt to lessen the tension. "So what have you been doing?"

"Well, my field promotion means I'm in Starfleet, but I took a year off to figure out if my heart was still in it."

"What are you going to do?"

"Instead of flying for the Fleet, I've signed on as a professor at the French Flight Academy."

"In Marseilles." He grinned. "Going back to the start of it all, huh?"

"I guess. I start work on Monday, but I have a trip planned for this weekend."

"Where to?"

Paris paused, biting his bottom lip. "Indiana."

"Any particular town, or do I even need to ask that question?" When he didn't get an answer, he sighed. "Do you think that would be a good idea, going to visit the captain?"

"We owe her everything, Harry, and for this to happen is completely unfair. She got us home! It took eight years, but she kept everyone together. Yes, she violated some Starfleet rules. Yes, she broke the Prime Directive. Yes, she lied, but, Harry, she saved us! She saved Voyager! The first members of Starfleet to chart the Delta Quadrant. We beat the Borg, broke warp ten, designed the Delta Flyer, and ultimately found a stable wormhole that led us home. But we never would have done it without her. And how do those bastards at Starfleet thank her? 'Even though you and your crew accomplished more than anybody else in history, we've decided to suspend you.' Is that fair? She should be president of the whole Federation!"

"They made a lot of concessions, too, Tom. All of the Maquis were freed from charges, and they were allowed in Starfleet. There were no criminal charges brought against any of us, you were released from your prison sentence--"

"Yeah, but at her expense!"

"I didn't go to the hearing, but rumor has it that she said she didn't care what happened to her as long as all of us were given the proper credit."

"One last sacrifice," he muttered. "All the more reason why I should see her, why I have to see her."

Kim smiled softly. "Give her my regards."

*End of Prologue
On to Part One...The Reunion
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