To The Moon and Back

Yes, Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres are still my favorite ship. I will gush about them forever. They are my OTP.

[trip-tuckers-hyperspanner]

I know what a lot of people think about post canon voyager but tom paris is such a wife guy, he would never ever consider divorcing b'elanna. Ever. It would be super out of character.

Do I think there was a moment they almost broke up after voyager? Yeah! But I don't think either of them would let divorce cross their minds after that. They went through seven years of hell together! The whole point of their relationship is that they had issues with themselves and each other, like a real life relationship, and decided to work together.

I'm team Paris-Torres for life!

[trekkielibrarian]

While I don't think they almost broke up after Voyager, this is exactly why I appreciate the P/T relationship.

The whole point of their relationship is that they had issues with themselves and each other, like a real life relationship, and decided to work together.

-EXACTLY!

[doc-notreally-salas]

Why no one told me how cute these two idiots were in Voyager?

[trekkielibrarian]

The cutest ever!

[writerxwren]

4, 12, and 25 for Tom Paris

4. If you could put this character in any other media, be it a book, a movie, anything, what would you put them in?

Ironically I feel like he'd be right at home in Star Wars 😂 He has that scoundrel (with a heart of gold) flyboy energy about him that would fit well in that universe. I could see him as a smuggler or famous podracer (lol) or something that's on the fringes of civilized society. But I could also see him being part of Rogue Squadron considering he's a hotshot pilot. He'd probably spend his off hours doing barrel rolls in his X-Wing just because lmao 12. What's a headcanon you have for this character? I do this a lot with characters who accidentally exhibit ADHD traits, but since I have it myself I've picked out details that make me feel like he probably has it lol. His impulse control (at least at the beginning of the show) is kind of questionable and he seems to be more invested in things he's interested in (like cars, flying, old school sci-fi) than in rigid routines or procedures. I think he can adapt to the structure aboard Voyager because being on the crew involves things he's personally interested in (like flying). ADHDers are interest-based learners rather than importance-based, so since he can marry those interests with his work it's probably not as "boring" to him as it might be otherwise. His investment in Captain Proton definitely seems like a hyperfixation or special interest to me too. He doesn't just love it, he's so obsessed with it that he spends time designing a whole holodeck problem based off it lol. And he has an encyclopedic knowledge of the show and the lore because for whatever reason it's a constant source of dopamine for him. It reminds me of how I've gotten into various interests/fandoms over the years and fallen down rabbit holes researching every little detail of this One Specific Thing I Really Love™ and then, like Tom does with Harry, dragging my friends along with me 😂 He loves his goofy sci-fi serial so much he's not content to just watch it. He has to completely immerse himself in the world and learn everything about it 25. What was your first impression of this character? How about now?

I was little when I first watched the show, so I don't have specific memories of the impression he made on me other than I liked him and thought he was kind of cute 😂 Now I think I love him more than I did when I was a kid, not just because of the cute factor (lmao) but because I think he's a great character. I wish the writers had explored the layers of his personality more but I do love most of what we did get, particularly his relationship with B'Elanna. I liked them together as a kid but as an adult I think I just appreciate the details a lot more. He's so patient with her without being condescending - if anything he's usually really understanding when she gets angry or frustrated, even if sometimes he gets frustrated too. One of my favorite things about them is how much he encourages her to embrace her Klingon heritage. Because of her childhood she's always trying to be more human than Klingon, but Tom loves the Klingon part of her just as much as the human part. It seems like it hurts him to see that she doesn't love that side of herself as much as he does, because to him she's amazing just the way she is. He wants her to accept the Klingon part of her because he wants her to see what he sees, that there's so much to love and nothing to be ashamed of. He loves all of her and so should she. I think my favorite moment between them in that regard is the episode (I can't remember the name) in the last season where B'Elanna breaks down and admits to him she's scared that he'll leave like her father did if she and the baby are "too Klingon" for him. His response is so sweet, like the thought never even crossed his mind because he's too excited about being a father and raising a kid with her. It doesn't matter if they're Klingon, human, whatever, he's never going to leave because he loves her and their baby for who they are. It's such a beautiful scene and definitely a tearjerker for me. Honestly I just love how much of a sweetheart he actually is

[trekkielibrarian]

I love when people get P/T and how amazing they are!

[jbarkerstargazer]

Aliens made them do it

Did this last month I think but when I saw day 14's prompt for trektober it needed a repost

[lesbiancalkestis]

P/T in late season 3

[nikodals]

💫Drive💫

[paris-torres-month]

ocTo/B’Er Day 31 Bonus Pic

Thanks for following along & for playing!

THEN & NOW:

[jbarkerstargazer]

Day 16 Wildcard Wednesday

And from me it definitely is. No story here I'm afraid just my art of my favourite (and first) 'ship'.

Yep he could sweep her off her feet but he wasn't wearing those daft goggles when he did.

[trekkielibrarian]

Trope Tuesday!

I love a good romance trope. One of my favorites is fake dating so of course I had to give it a P/T spin for Fever February! https://archiveofourown.org/works/37297366/chapters/93062986

[the-randomness-and-fandomness]

Incorrect Star Trek Quotes 1/?

[trekkielibrarian]

In praise of our P/T Queen, Lisa Klink

Star Trek: Voyager is responsible for my first obsession and ship, Tom & B'Elanna. And I would not be who I am today without my #otp Today is a new holiday: it's Lisa Klink Appreciation Day!

When I was a teen watching Voyager, I quickly learned that the episodes written by Lisa Klink were my favorites. My friends and I would write P/T fanfics, along with our own original Trek fics (we were super cool!) and we'd always sneak in a funny quote from one of Lisa's episodes or we'd make something in the story make a clinking sound, only spell it with a "k" in honor of our favorite writer. We knew that if she wrote the episode, we were in for a treat.

Lisa Klink has a knack for writing fantastic dialogue that is so full of humor and heart. Her scripts are often full of quick-witted banter and the way she can develop characters with so few words amazes me.

One of my favorite episodes of hers is "Displaced." It has a great alien of the week mystery, she packs a ton into a 43 minute episode, and of course, her signature quick-wit is fully on display, especially with Tom and B'Elanna. I mean, just look at the list of memorable quotes from Displaced on Memory Alpha! I can't pick just one that I love!

"On your feet, that's an order!" "You can't give me orders, we're the same rank." "I'm a bridge officer, and I have seniority." "Yeah, by about two days!"

- Paris and Torres

"Shows how much you know about Klingons. They have much less tolerance for the cold than Humans do." "Really? I thought that was Cardassians." "No, they just complain about it more."

- Torres and Paris inside the Argala habitat

"You just pretend that nothing bothers you and then you turn everything into a joke." "That's a valid observation. Defense mechanisms come in many forms." "That's ridiculous. l am an easygoing person… who is just trying to be friendly to someone who is obviously terrified of having a friend." "Fear of intimacy is a common indication of low self-esteem. Perhaps if you stopped to analyze the root cause, you might…"

- Torres, The Doctor, and Paris before Torres shut down The Doctor's voice

"I've reconfigured The Doctor's optical sensors and as soon as they're aligned he should be able to detect the microwave signature of the portals." "Then I can begin my new career as a tricorder."

- Torres and The Doctor

"How do you like your first day as chief of security, ensign?" "It's everything I dreamed of, sir." "Who says there's no room for advancement on this ship?"

- Chakotay and Lang, when they are among only a handful of the crew still left on Voyager

Lisa Klink is also Her Majesty, Queen of P/T, the most magnificent ship ever. Without Ms. Klink, we would never have gotten the amazing episode, "Blood Fever."

The relationship between P/T is this episode is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

This isn't the start of P/T as we've seen them flirting before this and we've seen their friendship start to form. And this isn't even the official start to their relationship.

But "Blood Fever" is a turning point. It's the episode where they both acknowledge there is something between them.

TThe end scene in the turbolift is so filled with meaning and I love it. B'Elanna tries to get Tom to push everything aside and pretend nothing happened. But he knows her better than that and he tells her that he's not afraid of her Klingon side, meaning he's in this and as afraid as she may be of showing her strong, emotional Klingon side, he's not going to back away from it. They challenge each other and he's letting her know that. And that makes her hesitant for sure-she's not one to let people in, but Tom is willing to stand by her and break down the wall she's built up around herself. And she sees the truth in Tom as well and pushes him to be a better person. After she recovers, she leaves the turbolift with the best flirty quip, "careful what you wish for, Lieutenant." With these few words, Lisa Klink left all of us shippers swooning and rooting for these two to get together.

She flexes her amazing skill again at the end of "Displaced" where Tom and B'Elanna use just a few words and innuendo to mean so much more and apologize.

"Things were pretty chilly there for awhile."

"I guess so."

"Feels good to be warm again."

"Yeah, it does."

So much is said in those few lines and that's how Lisa Klink works her magic. She's also letting these two characters say, "hey, I'm sorry for how I acted, I'm sorry I was pushing you away, I'm sorry we argued, can we be friends" and "I'm glad we're friends, and I'm here for you, and I'm glad I have you as a friend and maybe more" in just a few words.

And of course, we all owe our Queen of P/T for the fantastic "shut up" that led to the official start of P/T!

So happy Lisa Klink Appreciation Day Lisa! Thank you for all your amazing writing and character development. Thank you for caring about these two characters as much as we do and for humoring a group of fans when we ask you random P/T question. Thank you for bringing these two together, for writing their best dialogue and stories, for their hallway kiss, for Pon Farr, and for the best quotable lines. P/T wouldn't be who they are without you Lisa and we think you're awesome!

[caseyptah]

Paris x Torres Valentines

[caseyptah]

Valentine’s Day Reblog

[trekkielibrarian]

Love these two!

[mrmmzeep]

“I can’t imagine a time I wouldn’t have found you fascinating” Alternate realities / alien brain stealing

[trekkielibrarian]

Happy Blood Fever Day!!!

Oh Blood Fever, you glorious Star Trek Voyager episode! Blood Fever first aired February 5, 1997, when I was an impressionable teen with a huge crush on Tom Paris. I was already hooked on Voyager and was shipping P/T, so this episode was like seeing all of my shipping hopes and dreams come true.

It's easy to look at this episode and think of all tropes that make it so much fun. We've got sex pollen, fuck or die, trapped together (not only that but trapped with heightened hormones!), having to fight for your lover, flirting, witty banter-this episode has it all!

Yet Blood Fever is really so much more than that.

We've seen Tom and B'Elanna dancing around each other for some time now. They started out not quite as enemies, but they disliked each other. And slowly they came to see that they were very similar-they found in each other someone who understood and could see past their walls. They pushed and challenged each other and a friendship formed. And it was a fun friendship with lots of flirting and chemistry.

But Tom knew he had to take it slow. B'Elanna was not going to fall for his usual charms and that made her special. She was different. And B'Elanna was not going to let her guard down until she felt she could really trust Tom. But the attraction was there and flirting was fun.

So when B'Elanna gets stricken with Pon Farr, it makes sense that the person she would feel a bond with, that she would choose as her mate would be Tom. This wasn't simply a case of we're trapped in a cave and you're my option. It was more of a my inhibitions have been lowered and I'm finally letting myself admit what I've been feeling.

Yet when Tom is presented with what he has been wanting, he shows his true self. We've been led to believe that Tom is a ladies man, that he's out to flirt and sleep his way around. But this episode shows that has all been a cover and who he really is is a man who cares and who cares deeply. He tells B'Elanna that he can't accept because she's not in her right mind to give consent. That if he gives in now, it will ruin any chance of a relationship they might have in the future and he cares about her too much to do that. I also think he's starting to realize that he wants something more with B'Elanna-this isn't a fling, but the real deal and he doesn't want to do anything to jeopardize that.

His rejection stings. The way B'Elanna thinks he doesn't want her hurts. The way Tom thinks that she's only telling him she's interested because of the Pon Farr and not letting himself believe that she is finally telling the truth. Those walls come right back up. But for a moment we see what the two of them can't quite see yet-that they really, truly care about each other and that this is more than flirtation.

Sure, this episode has the first P/T kiss. There are so many great lines! And let's be honest, that whole cave scene, with the wrist lights-it's hot!

But more than that, this episode made a big impression on me for three reasons:

1. Consent is sexy: Tom says no because he doesn't have B'Elanna's consent and knows it would be taking advantage of her. He's even hesitant to comply with Tuvok's order to relieve her of the Pon Farr because he knows B'Elanna is not in the right frame of mind. He doesn't jump at this chance, but talks to B'Elanna, tells her he understands, that they don't have to do this. He waits until she gives the ok and even then, he's hesitant and waiting for her lead. This was huge, especially for the 90's when this episode aired. Tom puts B'Elanna first-her feelings, her thoughts, her consent. And that is very powerful and sexy.

2. Strong women are sexy: B'Elanna is often seen as a tough Klingon who is to be feared. So often strong women are presented in a way that is not attractive or that they can't be strong and smart and also be sexy. But B'Elanna proves all of that wrong here as she shows that strong women are absolutely hot.

(Also bonus, my girl punches Vorik who absolutely needed to punished in this episode!)

3. It's ok to be vulnerable: At the end, Tom says that B'Elanna is afraid her Klingon side was showing, meaning her strong-willed, forceful side. She's also embarrassed that she let her mask slip in the caves-she told Tom the truth (even if he doesn't believe it), she let her guard down, and she had moments of vulnerability. And instead of running away, Tom is right there for it, staying by her side, and encouraging this side of her-both her strong side and her softer, vulnerable side. He says he wants to see it again and in his flirtatious way, shows that it's not something to embarrassed or afraid about-it's something to be proud of.

This episode taught me that it's ok to be a strong woman who knows what she wants. And it's also ok to be vulnerable. I wanted to be like B'Elanna when I grew up and I hope that I'm doing her at least a little proud.

So let's raise a glass to Lisa Klink (writer extraordinaire) for creating this marvelous episode! To Tom and B'Elanna-the best Trek couple! Happy Blood Fever Day!

[paris-torres-month]

FEVER FEBRUARY DAY 4: Fixit Friday

What is a fixit fic, you wonder? It’s a missing scene, or usually a coda, and sometimes a complete rewrite of an episode that needs…more. More/better. Sometimes just a smidge more, sometimes a lot. Sometimes an episode needs a set up, or an argument needs an explanation, or a justification, or sometimes the episode simply needs a denouement.

A list (pulled from nowhere) of the top five six P/T episodes that need fixing accord to the sheer volume of fanfic codas/etc I’ve seen:

1. ENDGAME

Tom doesn’t get to meet & hold his baby? After B’Elanna being pregnant for most of the season & her pregnancy/the baby being used as a plot point for several episodes? After the writers making her finally go into labour just as they’re about to make their last/best try for home so Tom has to choose: fly Voyager through that Borg transwarp corridor or witness the birth of his daughter? Come on!

2. DRIVE

…no wedding?!?!?! And don’t try to tell me that the wedding in Course:Oblivion counts. I’ve also seen several fics that try to explain WHY B’Elanna is done with Tom & believes that since he forgot their romantic weekend getaway for his bit of macho-adrenaline infused foolishness, it means their relationship is over. Also, how does he manage to propose AND convince her to accept without telling her that he loves her? Give me some wedding vows and an ‘I love you, B’Elanna’ please.

3. FRIENDSHIP ONE

Big song & dance throughout the episode about their marriage/B’Elanna’s pregnancy/Tom’s impending dadhood, with zippo followup at the end. Especially since Tom was held hostage on that toxic planet. Especially since Joe, B’Elanna’s senior engineer & right hand man, was murdered and it could have easily been Tom instead! One little scene of B’Elanna running into sickbay to see him or her being in the friggen transporter room when he beams back.

4. REVULSION

He’s going to check on Harry?! Really?! Really?!?! After that amazing, passionate, all-too-public corridor kiss in the beginning of the episode? After the Doctor interrupts them? After B’Elanna is yanked away on that away mission before they spend some quality time together exploring their budding new relationship. After B’Elanna nearly dies on that away mission and is likely transported straight to the sickbay, arriving at Tom’s feet half dead, Tom is going to check on Harry’s precious feelings instead of escorting B’Elanna back to her quarters. Okay.

5. EXTREME RISK

Tom knows she’s not acting normally. Tom wants to help. Tom even gently confronts her about it and discusses her odd behaviour with Captain Janeway. Tom pilots the new shuttle. B’Elanna kicks Vorik off the shuttle & takes his place on the mission. B’Elanna eats ‘feel better’ pancakes alone in the mess.

6. MUSE

Tom was ready to take out a shuttle & search the system planet by planet until he found her. They even worked in Tom & B’Elanna’s relationship into the script when Kelis confronts B’Elanna about her love for him. How about a ting Welcome Back sickbay hug when she beams back up to Voyager?

Bonus: NIGHT

That fight in the mess. Why is Tom being so bitchy/cranky/disgruntled toward B’Elanna? Why is intentionally attempting to instigate an argument? We know why - because they’re building up to B’Elanna’s house of cards durato tumbling down In Extreme Risk. Show us this, please!

Bonus #2: GRAVITY

Okay, for B’Elanna it was only two days. No need to panic. But for Tom, before it was two months it was forever! And instead of them actually reuniting we get Tom telling Tuvok and Noss about their reunion and how blasé B’Elanna was about him being back. Fine. At least we got more than nothing.

Bonus #3: MEMORIAL

That wonderful, amazing, gut-wrenching argument in Tom’s quarters leads to… zero resolution for Tom & B’Elanna. “I’m sorry” “You know where to find me.” Does he go find her after he beams back up from that planet? Does she swallow her pride & find him? Does Tom have a hard time moving past his false memories of that battle? Do they pretend it all never happened? We’ll never know.

Dishonourable Mentions:

DAY OF HONOR

Fine. Leaving them hanging (haha!) set up that wonderful opening scene in Revulsion, but would it have killed them to include a quick scene of B’Elanna waking first (she has 3 lungs so maybe had more oxygen in her system) in sickbay, seeing a sleeping Tom, verifying that he’s okay then reevaluating what she’s just done & running like a startled deer? Or conversely, Tom waking and noting that she’s gone, freaking out because he thinks she’s dead, being reassured that she’s been released, realizing that she’s not standing vigil over his sickbead and deciding that her ‘I love you‘ wasn’t actually true & she only said it to make him feel comforted because they were dying. !!

INVESTIGATIONS

She didn't see him off, she can at least welcome him back! Or confront him about his ‘mission’ to rout the Maquis traitor. She cared enough about his behaviour in…Dreadnought? If she’s pissed about the whole thing, let’s see it!

FACES

……..?? Sigh…

THE CHUTE

Maybe she doesn’t care that he was stabbed in that filthy prison and almost died?

YEAR OF HELL

“Hi honey, I’m home.“ A five second scene of a hug would have sufficed.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Just give her the freaking present!! And show them together after B’Elanna is back. Tom was ready to go in, guns blazing, to get her back, remember?

THE KILLING GAME

Let’s talk about that holopregnancy, okay?

DEMON

A short scene with B’Elanna confronting Demon-Tom would have been wonderful because to her, he’s a monster who replaced her boyfriend, and for him, he’s the actual Tom Paris who loves her. Let him talk her into contributing her DNA.

ONCE UPON A TIME

They don’t even have to address his lame ass final message to her. One welcome home, I’m so glad you’re not dead hug would have sufficed. …Sense a pattern here?

NOTHING HUMAN

Ohhh… there’s definitely a missing conversation/argument here!

SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME

What did they fight about? When? Why? Contrary to popular belief, barring mind control/alien influence, they rarely argue. (Suck it, Harry & KJ!)

EQUINOX

Her ex appears from nowhere & we get nothing? Not one little scene in pt 1 with Tom prodding and her reassuring him that he has nothing to worry about? Nothing at the end when Max, that rat bastard, turns out to be exactly the man she dumped in SFA? Okay.

BARGE OF THE DEAD

Fine. Hug Janeway when Tom’s right there! How about a little scene of her teaching him Klingon?

REPRESSION

This one’s easy! A little scene, in their quarters, of Tom urging her to wear that Maquis outfit more often…

RENAISSANCE MAN

At some point Tom figures out that it was the Doc, not B’Elanna, he kisses in engineering, right?

Almost perfect but not quite: PROPHECY

I love this episode. I love everything about it. I would have added a kiss. That is all.

So, my darling fic writers, find an episode to fixate on and fix it!

[byrcca]

😑😕😒 🤬

[trekkielibrarian]

The answer is always more P/T!

[trekkielibrarian]

Don't Get Caught!

Today is Fixit Friday for Fever February! It's my turn to offer up a fixit to something I've always felt needed an additional scene-Janeway apologizing for her harsh tone and reprimand of P/T in Scientific Method. Ok, they shouldn't have been making out and having sex all over the ship, especially while on duty. They for sure deserved to be called out about it. But I don't think Janeway would have yelled at them quite so much if she hadn't been having those awful headaches and being used as a lab rat.

Also, why is it always Tom initiating all of their secret hideaways and quickies? Our girl B'Elanna was in on it too and you know she had her own surprises.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/36869800

[project-star-trek]

No one will ever convince me that B’Elanna confronting her “cowardice” and confessing her love to Tom Paris while they’re both about to suffocate in EV suits in the vacuum of space isn’t the most romantic scene ever 💕

[trekkielibrarian]

It really is!