Tom wasn't sure how he felt about being first officer instead of Conn. He always thought of himself as a pilot at heart, but if it was Voyager, maybe it was different. He loved that ship, and everyone on it.

And now Paris was beginning to see why Cambridge pissed him off so much. That eye roll, right there. Wasn't he supposed to be the angry, misguided authority pushing one? And this guy, well, he was past his youth and turbulent teenage phase.

"That's some attitude you got. I'm beginning to see why we didn't get along--and why you're still wearing Lieutenant pips. I'll tell you this. I don't like your uniform, and I'm really starting not to like your attitude. But Captain Janeway gave me a second chance and I'll give you one. Captain Picard however, is not likely too. You're on the Enterprise now, and I don't see him letting you do much as you are right now. So if you want to do something besides look at the stars in Ten Forward, I would at least make sure your shoes aren't scuffed. Pressing your uniform wouldn't hurt either."

Tom and Picard weren't exactly on the best of terms, so this was something he understand personally. And if he was eventually going to be first officer of Voyager, well, maybe he needed to shape up too.

"And you still didn't answer my question. Why was I declared unfit for duty?"