Operation Homecoming
Chapter One: Owen Paris
Based upon Star Trek: Voyager
Author's Note: I started writing fanfiction with Voyager, and thanks to BBC America recently marathoning episodes, I have gotten back into it. If you choose to look back at my old Voyager stories, remember they were written greater than 10 years ago and I have matured significantly as a writer since then. Frankly, most of them aren't any good at all.
This is a several chapter story that takes place immediately after ENDGAME. It is an ensemble piece (unusual for me), and is mostly emotional vignettes (not heavy in the "plot" area). Most chapters are between 700-1100 words. Please enjoy!
- - ENDGAME + Several Hours - The Briefing Room - -
Chakotay and the others stood when Admiral Paris and LT Reginald Barclay were escorted into the room. There was a few moments of heavy silence as the reality of it all set in.
"Admiral," Kathryn said, "Welcome to Voyager."
They slowly moved towards each other, regarding each other carefully before settling on a handshake. Kathryn turned and gestured to them, one at a time. "My First Officer, Chakotay. You remember Commander Tuvok. Ensign Harry Kim, our Operations Officer. Seven of Nine. And, I believe you've met our Doctor."
Chakotay could see it in his face, and he knew Kathryn saw it as well. Admiral Paris was looking for one person, but didn't see him.
Kathryn smiled. "My Chief Engineer, B'Elanna Torres and her husband are otherwise indisposed," the smile grew so that it consumed nearly her whole face. "You see, their daughter was born this afternoon."
Admiral Paris seemed to stop breathing for a second or two. "This afternoon?" he repeated.
The Doctor smiled. "Forty eight and a quarter centimeters, 3.3 kilograms. And entirely healthy. Mother and baby are resting in their quarters."
Kathryn put her hand on the Admiral's shoulder and squeezed gently. "There will be time to stop by before you leave."
The Admiral cleared his throat, settling himself. "I think I would like that."
"In that case," Kathryn motioned to a chair for the Admiral to take. "We best get this meeting started."
- - Corridor Outside Torres/Paris Quarters - -
Kathryn stopped them in front of a door and smiled softly. "This is it. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to start briefing the crew. I'm sure you can find your way out when you're finished."
Owen nodded. Since he saw Voyager appear on his view screen, he had had trouble forming words.
Kathryn sounded the chime for him, squeezed his shoulder gently and left.
Owen waited for what seemed like an eternity.
Finally the door opened.
He inhaled sharply.
Owen's view kept darting up and down the view in front of him. His son had shed his uniform shell, and was only wearing his gray undershirt. And he held a baby. His son's daughter. His granddaughter.
It took a few seconds for Owen's gaze to settle on Tom's face. He was sure they were wearing matching speechless expressions. "Is this a bad time?" he finally spoke, his voice sounding quiet to his own ears.
Tom shook his head. "No." He gestured with his neck. "B'Elanna's sleepin', but she can sleep through anything . . . If you want to come in."
Owen nodded.
Neither one of them moved for a moment, just staring at each other.
After a second, Tom moved aside and Owen followed him in. The lights were off over the bed, and dimmed elsewhere in the room. They moved over to the sitting area, equally uncomfortable.
Both men looked at the baby, averting their eyes from each other.
"Would you like to hold her?" Tom asked, keeping his voice down, no doubt to avoid waking his sleeping wife.
Owen nodded. He reached out, trying to stop his hands from shaking. He had held babies before, of course. And she was not his first grandchild. But this was different. He had thought he would never be able to hold her. He had thought that he may never see his son alive again.
Carefully, Owen sat on the couch, before he collapsed onto it.
Tom joined him.
Again, they both stared at the baby. Somewhat disturbed by the shuffle, she moved. Her little tongue poked out, wetting her lips. Her eyes blinked a few times. She then yawned, and settled back to sleep.
"She's beautiful," Owen said at last, looking up at Tom.
Tom smiled blissfully. "I think so too."
Silence, again.
Owen tried to think of what to say. He had played his conversation in his head so many times. Now that it was real, he couldn't speak.
"Dad," Tom started. "I know I did a lot of things that disappointed you. And I'm sorry for disappointing you. But I'm not sorry for the choices that I made. Because if I hadn't done those things, I wouldn't have ended up on Voyager. I wouldn't have a wonderful wife, or a beautiful baby. And I . . . I wouldn't be who I am now. I wouldn't be a man that you could be proud of."
"I am proud of you, Tom. I have been for a long while. I'm not going to lie to you and say that I've always been proud of you, because we both know that isn't true. I was angry and disappointed for many years. But when you went missing, I realized that I never stopped being your father. And you never stopped being my son.
"I had always believed you had the ability to atone for your mistakes. Not only have you atoned for your mistakes, but you've become a good man, Son. As difficult as it was to have thought you dead for four years, and lost for another three . . . If you don't regret those years, neither do I."
Tom shook his head. "I don't regret them."
Owen smiled. "Then neither do I."
He didn't know how long they sat together, gazing at their future, but it must've been a while. Because the next sound he heard was a woman's voice, "Computer, lights."
Owen looked up to see B'Elanna getting out of bed and tying her bathrobe closed. She padded over to them and sat down on the coffee table in front of Tom. She craned her neck to look at her baby.
"It's nice to finally meet you in person," Owen said.
"You too, Admiral," she said.
He smiled at his daughter-in-law. "Call me Owen."
- - END Chapter ONE- -
