Disclaimers: I don't own Star Trek etc. I just like to play now and then.

Healing.

Chakotay sat staring out at the fiery sunset, his journal open on the table in front of him all but forgotten as his dark eyes observed the sky's changing colours. He was so deep in thought he didn't hear the crunch of heavy boots approach him until a shadow blocked his view. He blinked and looked down at his journal ignoring the male who stood there.

"What am I to do with you?" remarked the older male, pulling close an up-turned crate and sitting on it. Chakotay hid an uneasy smile, still looking at the blank page on the table in front of him. A browned hand gently closed the journal, forcing the journal's owner to look up at the others face.

"This can't go on. We're shutting down the site for the duration of the Deka-mons. I don't think I need remind you of what they are?"

"Ten days rain straight if we're lucky," he quoted amused.

"True, but I'm sure you've noticed the general day-time temperature has dropped in this region, which means it will likely be snow not rain and for longer than ten days," the older male said calmly, watching as the tattooed male stood up and moved further back into his tent and stood in the deepening shadows there. After a moment or two of watching the troubled Human, he too stood and physically reached out and touched Chakotay's arm having moved closer.

"You can't keep hiding like this," his voice echoing his concern.

"I know Professor Fen," he acknowledged.

"Putting things off won't make it any easier," he sighed. "Talking of putting things off!" shaking his head and moving back to the tent's open entrance.

"Your sister?" Chakotay questioned, standing beside the elder Trill male; they watched the setting sun together each lost in their respective thoughts. Suddenly feeling the deep chill of the approaching winter's night, Fen made a decision.

"Chakotay, call them and make your appointment. No arguments. You can use my home in Mak'ala for the duration of their stay, whilst I do what I've been putting off for years," he grinned. "I should make both your events for the same afternoon!" he left it there, for he could see that the younger male understood. "Make that call, Chakotay," Professor Fen encouraged.

Before he could change his mind, he walked determinedly over to the field com-unit and typed in the code and sent a single simple message.


Earth San Francisco:-

Whilst most of the city neighbourhood slept Paris was awake trying to get his teething daughter to settle and stop crying, he'd offered to do the honours that week, allowing his wife to get some unbroken sleep for a change. He was also grateful that they'd managed to find this house, so they weren't disturbing his parents, for although they'd been very accommodating so far he'd felt unable to impose on their good nature any longer. Privately he knew his parents had been finding it a strain having a baby in the household permanently. Therefore Tom was near the com-unit when the message came through.

# Come Jupiter. Poocuh. Zee #

He stared at it a moment, not really taking it in at first and then he grinned, still holding his daughter he ran to the bedroom and woke B'Elanna.

"What?" she questioned groggily, unconsciously taking hold of the now quiet baby.

"Get dressed," he told her urgently in a staged whisper, hauling out a holdall. "Its come," he grinned and disappeared back into the main room at a run to check the shuttle flights out from Earth to Jupiter Station.

For a moment, B'Elanna stared startled and then she too was out of bed. With quiet urgency the two rushed round to get themselves dressed and packed for a trip away. Miral quietly watched her parents running hither and thither within the semi-dark house, as no one put any extra lights on; her own pains forgotten as her interest was piqued by this strange eager activity on the part of her parents. It wasn't long before everything was ready, the house truly dark and quiet as they left and quickly made their way to the nearest travel tube to take them to the space port.

Going to the booking terminal they booked the next flight out to Jupiter Station, which fortunately was due to leave in five minutes. Tom also sent a quick message to his parents that would reach them in the morning.

"What did you say?" Torres asked as they settled themselves aboard the civilian shuttle.

"Gone AWOL, TBM," he said quietly, settling Miral between them.

"But we haven't, have we?" she asked puzzled by his cheeky grin.

"Might as well have," and kissed her cheek. Paris knew they were both due some leave so by sending the message he had, he hoped his father would understand and put in their leave requests on their behalf. What of course Owen Paris wouldn't know, was where they'd gone or for how long, but then neither did they; until they arrived at Jupiter Station.

The flight to Jupiter proved uneventful. Tom Paris wondered if there would be any problems at the station as it was known in the non-Starfleet areas to harbour unsavoury characters and as Teero was still at large they would have to be careful.


Jupiter Station:-

"Let's hope it's a straight connection," Tom muttered as they disembarked the shuttle and made their way to the Starfleet levels.

"I think we're being followed," Torres whispered, trying not to look round in the semi-crowded area. Paris said nothing for he'd seen the man sometime after they'd got off the shuttle, but had decided not to mention it. Keeping a strong grip on his wife's arm, who was carrying Miral and the handle of their holdall he boldly marched up to the nearest Starfleet security personnel. He spoke calmly to the Lt. Cmdr. explaining that their male shadow had assaulted his wife. Torres looked suitably shocked at this, but it gave the Lt. Cmdr. all the evidence he needed.

"We've been looking for that person for sometime," he acknowledged. "You leave him to me and the boys," he said eagerly, watching the shadowy figure.

"Thank you Commander," Tom responded with visible relief. "I hope you don't need our testimonies'?"

"No, that won't be necessary," he winked conspiratorially and moved towards the figure. Paris led his wife and daughter away and didn't look round at the commotion that ensued behind them. They took the lift down to the research levels and made their way to the Holographic labs.

"Ah! So it's you this is for," Dr. Zimmerman said waving a data PADD in the air at them, as soon as they'd entered.

"Don't be so rude, Zimmerman," admonished Haley. "Would you like some refreshments? Your outward flight won't be leaving for another hour yet," she informed them.

"Don't look so surprised. Haley knows all the goings on around here," he said giving them a cursory look. "Sit down, sit down. You're making the place look untidy!"

"Now I know where the Doctor got his bedside manner from," B'Elanna whispered to Tom.

Haley pointed out where she could go to nurse her daughter in private. Both were glad of the respite before continuing on their journey. The information in the PADD only told them what they needed to know for the trip, but not the final destination.

"Haley, do you know where this will lead us?" Tom Paris asked. Haley only smiled.

"I wouldn't try your boyish charms on her. She's immune. Hologram," Zimmerman informed them with a grin. "Fooled you, didn't she?" he added at Tom's astonished expression. The doctor looked very pleased and satisfied with himself as he hummed whilst he worked and for the most part ignored his visitors. Thus Haley attended to their needs with calm unruffled assurance and also advised them to use the main Starfleet route to their transport. Having changed their clothes to something more in keeping with off-duty Starfleet personnel – thanks to Haley – they made their flight unseen by prying eyes.


Destination:-

Their berth on the transport had not been uncomfortable, for the duration of their two day journey, but they were grateful to make planet fall, at the transport's last stop. Tom Paris wondered if he'd recognise the man he'd last seen via a com-link screen some six months ago, but he needn't have worried, they soon spotted the Amerindian in the early afternoon sunshine; he had a much healthier glow to his much tanned skin, dark eyes bright and the same dimpled smile. Chakotay greeted them warmly, taking Miral from her mother's arms. The girl-child looked at him wide-eyed and gurgled at him with a wide smile.

"My goodness how you've grown!" he commented his voice happy. "How old is she?" placing her over his left hip so he could take B'Elanna's hand in his right one. It was Tom who answered.

"Seventeen months. Don't we need to deal with visas or something?" he asked as they walked out of the flight terminal building.

"All taken care of," he assured them. "One of the perks of knowing a permanent resident; Remember Professor Fenayard?" leading them through the city. B'Elanna Torres stayed quiet, although she was bursting with questions, but she'd promised Tom that she wouldn't start throwing verbal accusations at the man as soon as they'd met him, so she stayed silent and listened.

"Fenayard? Sure I remember him! He could talk the legs off a donkey about his chosen subject matter. You've met him here?"

"I've spent the last five months working with him on his latest archaeological project here. It's to his residence that we're heading. You're very quiet, B'Elanna. Everything alright?" he asked concerned, so much so that it almost undid her resolve, had Paris not stepped in.

"Tiring journey and Miral is still nursing," he said quickly. Torres shot her husband a scathing look, but he ignored it, thus they continued their walk in companionable silence.


They soon arrived at a comfortable neat looking house in one of the quieter quarters of the main city – Mak'ala. It wasn't large yet it had an open plan spacious living area downstairs with three sizable bedrooms upstairs along with a conventional bathroom.

"I thought you could use the bedroom at the back of the house as it is the largest one and closer to the bathroom," he told them leading the way upstairs. "We have free run of the house except for the Professor's rooms, particularly his study," he said, leading them into the spacious room, with a large picture window overlooking the rear walled garden.

"This is cosy. Any chance we could move in permanently?" Tom asked cheekily, noting that his wife was clenching her jaw.

"You're moved in for now," Chakotay bantered back. He was still holding Miral, so he carefully put her down on the king-sized bed and turned to leave; it was at this point that B'Elanna's control on her tongue finally snapped.

"Oh! No you don't. You're not getting away this time," she stated, ignoring the warning call of her name from her husband. "I think we need some answers and you're not going anywhere until I get them," her voice rising. At first Chakotay held his tongue, letting her have her say; suddenly he snapped and roughly took her arms, almost lifting her bodily off the floor.

"Enough!" his voice dangerously quiet and tight; he held her there for a few heart beats and then let her go. "B'Elanna, please. I know you want answers and I want to give them to you," he began feeling the tension in the room. "But I have an appointment to attend," he put a finger over her lips stalling her angry words. "One I've been putting off for weeks. I'll be back soon," he looked to Tom. "Dinner is cooking in the kitchen; please lay-up the table for four. I'll be back before it needs any final preparations," grateful to see Tom nod his understanding. With that he escaped the room and left the house.

"You broke your promise," Tom said quietly into the tense silence, after they'd heard the front door close hard. "Don't B'Elanna, I don't want to hear it," he said forcefully stalling her tirade. "I'll leave you to unpack," he added and left the room. Miral watched her mother, pacing the room angrily clenching and unclenching her fists in a futile attempt to calm herself muttering Klingon curses all the while.

"Mama!" she questioned her mother, who took a deep steadying breath and then sat down on the bed; gathered Miral to her chest and held her there, trying to quell the trembling in her body which was a mixture of her anger at everything and everyone, but especially her - B'Elanna Torres, because Tom was right. She had broken her promise.


The meal smelt really good, her stomach grumbling as she came down the stairs. She had unpacked their things in the bedroom and discovered a handmade cot for Miral; it painfully reminded her of the big gentle man and how she'd treated him. The person she was thinking of came through the main door at that moment just as she reached the bottom stair, he was followed in by a tall green lizard.

"Who do we have here?" the lizard asked, his facet eyes a soft blue-green, gently taking Miral from her mother, who was looking intently at Chakotay.

"Dragon!" the girl-child said, reaching out to the big male. The sound of voices had Tom coming out of the kitchen area to stand and stare at the Gorn. "Dragon!" Miral said again.

"Interesting," he hissed.

"Tom, B'Elanna this is Suaig Hoon," he introduced, ignoring the hard stare from Torres.

"Hoon? As in doctor Hoon?" questioned Paris surprised.

"The very same," Hoon acknowledged hissing on his es's. Chakotay was going to pass Torres who was still standing on the last stair, to join Paris in the kitchen, she tried to reach for him but he bulked at her closeness.

"Chakotay?" she responded angrily, not understanding his reaction towards her.

"Stop trying to snap his head off, before he's got his brain in gear!" the Gorn said sternly. "Your daughter needs nursing," handing the child back to her. "Now we will be doing two things tonight," he paused to see that he had her attention. "First we eat and then you sleep," he told her. "You boys doing dinner?" he asked pointedly. Both human males didn't need telling twice and disappeared into the kitchen. Once they were out of earshot Dr. Hoon spoke in a low voice.

"I will not have my patient put back into hospital, just because you couldn't be patient enough to wait and let him tell you, the things you want to know. He do when he is ready," his eyes a soft pink colour. "Come," he said and led her to the lounge area. "Sit," pointing to a large wide seated easy chair, silently she did so. "Now, Nurse," he commanded. Once she was doing that to his satisfaction he left to join the 'boys'. B'Elanna wasn't often intimidated, but the big Gorn had unnerved her; Miral suckling at her breast eased the tension in her, her eyes softened and she relaxed.

"Alright?" asked a voice she knew and loved; she looked up at her husband and smiled. He bent down and kissed her cheek and then Miral's forehead where it rested against her exposed breast, before sitting next to her holding her close, giving her quiet comfort. He again kissed her cheek as he heard a grumbling. "I don't need to ask if you're ready for dinner," he smiled. She'd finished nursing Miral, cleaned herself, having given the child to him to wind, she closed her blouse and then they went hand in hand to the kitchen and dinner.


Miral occupied a high-chair and entertained those sitting at the kitchen table with her antics, whilst they enjoyed the meal Chakotay had made. B'Elanna watched him from where she sat between Tom and high-chaired Miral and noted the easy banter between her big friend and the green Gorn. For although there was the usual patient – doctor banter there was also a friendship there as well which both surprised and pleased her. Whenever their eyes met across the table he was the one to turn shy and become awkward, that he turned to concentrate on what either Hoon or Tom were saying. It hurt that he seemed distant. She quelled the growing strong impatience in her and concentrated on eating her meal.

"B'Elanna?" Tom questioned a little while after dessert.

"What?" looking up to see that the Gorn was no longer sitting at the table nor was Miral in her high-chair. The latter fact made her anxious.

"Suaig put her to bed, before he left," Tom informed her. "Chakotay asked you a question," he added softly.

"Sorry," she muttered and looked up at the standing Amerindian.

"Mexican Hot Chocolate?" he asked enquiringly. Her face broke into a broad smile. "I'll take that as a yes!" thus he began the process in front of them both. Tom Paris realised that this event had happened before in their lives; he thought it strange that he didn't feel jealous about it. He'd always known there was something special between the fiery Klingon female and the big gentle Amerindian, more a brother sister relationship than anything stronger. B'Elanna looked at him her eyes full of her love for him – Thomas Eugene Paris. The three of them enjoyed their Chocolate drink sitting in companionable silence together in the main lounge, before taking to their beds.


The next morning dawned bright and clear, with the sun streaming in through the still closed curtains. The male stretched in the unfamiliar bed and felt his wife stir beside him. He listened to her gentle breathing and smiled at her sleep relaxed face. It was then that he became aware of other sounds within the house. Sounds of someone moving about and he realised softly singing. Curiosity got the better of him and pulling a robe over his sleep wear, he trotted barefoot down the stairs to the kitchen.

Tom couldn't quite believe his eyes or ears as he took in the sight of Chakotay singing to an enthralled Miral sitting in her high-chair, whilst the male made some breakfast. What the man was singing, Tom couldn't say as it was obviously in his native tongue rather than in Federation Standard. As if aware he had an audience he stopped singing and spoke:

"I'm sure you'll find it warmer in the kitchen," he said, putting some cooked scrambled eggs into a small bowl that he then put in front of Miral along with a spoon.

"Yeah!" he acknowledged and sat at the table. "She'll have that all over the floor if you're not careful," he said knowingly, but to his amazement Miral tried to spoon it into her mouth.

"I think someone is in love with our big guy," noted a second voice.

"Morning, B'Elanna," Chakotay said, as she sat next to her husband, who looked rather puzzled.

"Oh! Er, what's for breakfast?" Tom Paris asked, feeling the stirrings of jealousy.

"Eggs and eggs or an egg," was the quipped reply. "Or the cereals," pointing to the open box on the table.

"I'll have the eggs, please. Scrambled," he added, noting the cheeky grin of their host.

"Scrambled it is," he said and started the process again.

"Make that two, please chef," B'Elanna said, helping her daughter to eat her scrambled egg.

"Coming right up," putting some sliced bread into the toaster as well as mixing the eggs together.

"So what's the planned itinerary for today?" Tom asked, watching the male skilfully cook their breakfast at the cooker.

"A trip to the market," putting two warmed plates with fluffy yellow eggs on toast, a few minutes later, in front of his guests and sat himself down. "Well if we want to eat for the duration of your stay; we'll need to shop at the market," Chakotay told them. "The Professor and I only got in enough to cover his short stay and the meal we had last night. Otherwise the cupboards are bare," his face relaxed with a warm smile, watching them eat.

"We didn't bring any outdoor jackets and things or anything to carry Miral," she said anxiously.

"Not to worry. I have something that will do," gathering up their empty plates and put them in the sink. "You two get dressed; we'll leave in an hour!"

"You think it will take us that long?" Tom questioned, getting to his feet.

"Knowing you two," he said, hands in the sink and then looked over his shoulder at them and added. "Yes!" his smile broad and teasing. The couple looked at each other sensing a challenge; they almost left the kitchen table at a run, with Chakotay's laughter following them up the stairs.


It was the fair-haired male who returned to the downstairs area ahead of his wife and was surprised to find Chakotay not in visible evidence. Then he heard a thump and a yelp from an open cupboard in the hallway leading to the main entrance. The rear end of the male backed out of the door, a hand rubbing his head. Tom grinned at him, his blue/grey eyes dancing with mirth.

"What is that?" he asked, noting the strap-like harness his friend carried.

"It's a carry harness for Miral. But first we'll need to strap it up round you."

"Me!?" he squeaked, eying it dubiously.

"Unless you have a better idea?" He was asked, Paris shook his head and allowed Chakotay to place the harness around him and then add Miral.

B'Elanna found she couldn't hold in her mirth, when she descended the stairs and saw Miral strapped to Tom's torso.

"Are you sure you've got that on right?" still struggling with her laughter, especially at the expression of exasperation Tom shot at her.

"Miral just refuses to face inwards," Chakotay said, as perplexed as Paris was annoyed with the fact that that the girl-child was facing outwards and thus waved her little arms and legs about, making her look as if she was a tortoise. "I think we'll have to put this on back-to-front," holding up a child-sized long thick coat.

"I'll do it," Torres said, taking it from him and putting on her daughter. Chakotay again rummaged in the cupboard and came up with two medium and one large sized fur lined jackets. He helped Tom with his, whilst B'Elanna put on hers, wrapping the warmth around her.

"Cosy!" she murmured, hugging the collar close to her ears.

Chakotay picked up a large canvas shopping bag and a small pouch. The latter he told Tom to put in the pocket in the harness between himself and Miral.

"Gold pressed Latium; to pay for our purchases. It also holds the house key." The three of them left the house and set off for the market within the hour.


The market bustled with many people buying and traders selling their wares. It was here that Tom and B'Elanna realised that they were among Trills, for the brown spots in varying shades were very much in evidence as was the other humanoid type with the forehead ridges, although these latter were vastly out numbered by the spots. Colours and sounds assaulted them from all sides, thus B'Elanna was pleased to be in-between the two males, but even so she felt someone enter one of her coat pockets.

"I think I've just had my pocket picked," she said in a soft whisper.

"Anything in it?" Chakotay asked.

"No, but that's not the point," she growled at him.

"Well, we'll give them something to find and keep them out," he said leading the way through the crowd to a single stall. On it were baskets filled with small white pungent balls, about half the size of ping-pong balls. "I'll have three bags please," Chakotay said to the trader.

"Very good, Sir," picking up three filled medium-small bags. "The usual fee for the day, Sir," he said handing them over and taking the small Latium bar Chakotay held out. "Pleasure doing business with you, Sir," pocketing the bar out of sight. They moved away to a quiet-ish corner and Chakotay evenly divided the bags between the six pockets on their outer jackets.

"What are they?" Tom asked wrinkling his nose at the pungent smell.

"Starla balls; Pick-pockets hate them and not just because of the smell. We might call them moth-balls!" he informed them. "So don't put your hands in your pockets," he warned them. Once that was done they made their way to the fruit and vegetable stalls, where Chakotay expertly made his purchases form the many different and varied items on offer.

Miral watched the sights around her wide-eyed, taking it all in. Tom was grateful that he had both hands free; as she invariably tried to reach for something she shouldn't and put it in her mouth, given half a chance.

Torres realised that they would only be able to purchase what they needed for perhaps a week, so she was surprised when Chakotay ordered a large amount of tubers to be delivered to the Fenayard house. Next he went to the grain/cereal stall and purchased rice, corn, wheat, barley and the locally grown variation of oats. He gave a purchased hessian bag to her and suggested she chose the breads and cakes from the bakery stall. The array that was displayed left her feeling dismayed as to what to chose. At first she picked out what looked familiar, before getting more adventurous.

"B'Elanna, we're not feeding an army!" her husband quipped, astonished at the pile that grew. Chakotay though carefully suggested what they could eat and what could be a problem to their metabolism and thus whittled the pile down to a more manageable level. The seller made an offer of a special sweet treat that she knew the Klingon woman would find irresistible, if they could pay for all their current purchases with four bars of gold pressed Latium.

"You drive a hard bargain, Natama," Chakotay said, whilst Tom fished for the required bars. "Make it three and I'll consider it," he said firmly. Paris realised why he'd said that as there were only three left in the pouch. The female Trill – Natama looked at him sternly.

"How am I to make a decent living?" she pouted at him. "Four bars," her tone adamant.

"Three or I take my custom elsewhere," he responded voice calm and firm.

"You know I'm the only one who knows how to make these sweet treats," she coaxed softly, but Chakotay's expression didn't change, standing resolute.

"I'll throw in your favourite treats for free!" she added, hopefully; still no change. "Three?"

"Three," he confirmed.

"Done," Natama said, and held out her hand.

"Wait, Tom. Are you not going to add those melting tarts?" his tone conspiratorial.

"Can't get anything passed you, can I?" she noted grudgingly and added the tarts to the bag with a smile. Paris handed over the last of the Latium bars. "And he talks about me driving a hard bargain," her tone belying her words, giving the Amerindian a motherly grin.

"Time to head for home," he said and led the way.


Once their purchases had been put away, including the delivered tubers, none of them felt like making lunch. Miral of course had hers via her Mum.

"Could we eat out?" Tom asked hopefully. "At least that way we can have what we want."

"Ok," Chakotay agreed carefully, frowning doubtfully.

"As Trill is a member of the Federation, Tom and I can use our credits," B'Elanna said, noting that her daughter looked drowsy after her feed.

"Chakotay the only people that are aware that we might be with you, are my parents; and they certainly don't know where we are," Tom informed him realising the reason for the male's reluctance. "We're here on vacation. The fact that you invited us is no ones business but our own," he added firmly. Chakotay smiled warmly accepting that he couldn't hideaway forever.

"Now we've got that settled, it's just a case of deciding where to go for lunch. And I think it's your turn to wear this harness," he said pulling at the straps still around his torso.

"Alright," Chakotay replied and helped Paris out of them and strapped them around himself, with Miral acquiescing to facing inwards this time.

About to leave the property when a call came through the com-unit; it was Dr. Hoon.

=/\= Sorry to be a pest. I'd like to give your guests a medical. Please come to my clinic at the hospital. =/\=

"Do we have the option of saying no?" Paris asked hopefully.

=/\= No. =/\= was the flat reply.

"We'll be there," Chakotay said and closed the link.

"Chakotay, what is this all that about?" B'Elanna asked suspicious as they left the house.

"I'm sure the doctor will reveal his reasons," he assured her.