I took a bit of inspiration from the comm stories by Runawaymetaphor and AlphaFlyer (which both make me howl with laughter) to tell a Post-Endgame J/P tale of my own.
The usual disclaimers apply: I make no money from this and don't own any of the main characters …
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58451.15
Subject: Our news!
Our new baby is a boy! All's well according to the latest scans, and B'El is past the morning (actually all-day) sickness.
Chakotay told B'El that he's teaching a Tactics course at the Academy. Any news from that front?
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58453.09
Subject: Yeah, Chakotay's back
First off, wonderful news! Glad B'Elanna is feeling better. I don't even want to imagine all-day nausea ...
Chakotay: I thought it would be nice to have him back, though I wonder why he took the post. He spent years telling me how anthropology was his first love, so why is he not doing something anthropological?
Unfortunately, since he and Seven split (Know anything about that?) he seems to be looking at ME as a replacement. We had lunch the other day; he kept giving me puppy-dog eyes, and apologizing for taking up with Seven. No, no, and no! He's a dear friend, but the possibility of anything else left Spacedock a long, long time ago, for many, many reasons.
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58456.76
Subject: That could be awkward
Actually, he was rather close-lipped about the breakup, B'El said. He didn't mention anything about a third party. Perhaps the Doc knows something?
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58475.36
Subject: Blooming idiot
Uh, oh. He sent flowers. I haven't even talked to him for a couple of weeks. And while the roses are my favorite, this can't continue.
Oh, and the Doctor wasn't much help. All Seven would tell him is that she would "prefer a more suitable" mate. Which could mean any number of things.
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58478.54
Subject: Re: Blooming idiot
Oops! Best I can suggest is to be direct. Though, not to meddle in your personal affairs, try to be gentle with him. You two were close at one time.
B'El suggests we have dinner next time the Sheridan is at McKinley …
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58480.48
Subject: Re: Blooming idiot
You weren't meddling … I appreciate the reminder.
I told him as nicely as possible that while the flowers were lovely, I was very uncomfortable with the perceived message and that I'd prefer to remain friends — just friends. He looked at me like I'd just kicked his puppy.
(Sorry, I have dogs on the brain. One of Molly's great-grand-dogs just had a litter. I'm debating.)
BTW: Yes to dinner! Turns out I'll be doing some stints at McKinley over the next few months — one of my projects will be in testing. And I'll be delighted to whip the Sheridan's first officer at pool.
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58530.27
Subject: What have I done?
Uh, oh. Chakotay asked if I was coming to the new-faculty reception at the Academy tonight. In a weak moment, I agreed to drop in. (That's what I get for trying to talk while I read simulator stats.)
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58530.60
Subject: An escape hatch
Well, Dad mentioned that he was going to that reception. If all else fails, go talk with him … ask to see the latest holos of Miral. That should tie you up for the evening.
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58549.80
Subject: So, what happened?
Did you go the reception? Did you have to use the escape hatch?
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58551.72
Subject: No escape needed
I did chat with your folks (thanks for the tip on the holos … I didn't ask). Also talked with Tuvok before he fled and I did say hello to Chakotay.
It turned out to be a very nice evening. I made the acquaintance of one Adm. David Brogan (the new dean of the Military Strategy School, which oversees the department that teaches Tactics). We hit it off, and he invited me to the senior faculty's after-party.
I must say, this faculty has more joie de vivre than professors in my day. They took over a room at the old library complex (Did you know they built a new library?) Had a full bar, music, the works. I spent most of the evening learning the finer points of dart throwing from David.
BTW, Aunt Kathryn would love a new holo of Miral. Hint.
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58555.37
Subject: Party time?
So let me get this straight: You ditched Chakotay to party with his boss?
And darts? I remember trying to teach you to play. I also remember that you had to replace my darts because you consistently missed the board and broke the points on the bulkhead. It's a good thing starships are made of durable metals.
David?
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58557.22
Subject: Hold on now
That's a bit harsh, Thomas, I only agreed to drop by and say hello. Which I did.
And deans outrank everyone in a school, so he's not a direct report.
The Captain was talking to other folks. I also saw some pretty blondes in the room, so with luck, he found a new friend. (Maybe that's why I haven't heard from him lately.)
Darts: Well, perhaps a few drinks improve my coordination. Or perhaps David (that is his name) has a more hands-on approach to teaching. (That didn't come out right … he was a complete gentleman.) He also has a wicked sense of humor; I haven't laughed like that since the last time you and I had lunch.
Wonderful holo of Miral. Thank you!
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, VPN-SF
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58642.37
Subject: A funny
Recently met Dr. Jan Kessik, the new Chief of Surgery over at Medical. She asked if it was possible to tone down the Doctor's more-insufferable characteristics. I told her that short of decompiling him, they were out of luck.
As a point of information only: Jan's hubby, Adm. Steve Kessik, is the new dean of the Academy's Flight School. He tells me that both flight schools are in serious need of instructors. They're even offering a qualification course to help pilots transition into teaching.
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58703.21
Subject: Are you OK?
Saw on the news feed that your apartment building was evacuated over the weekend due to a fire. Hope all is well ...
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58705.03
Subject: Everything's fine
Aw … appreciate you asking. My apartment and I are OK. Turned out to be a sensor malfunction.
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58705.95
Subject: Cold awakening
Being rousted out of bed at 0300 must have been a shock. You probably thought you were back on Voyager.
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58708.00
Subject: If you must know
Occasionally, I do wake up in a panic because I can't hear the engines. But as for the other night, ahem, I wasn't home.
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58708.71
Subject: Inquiring minds …
Oh? Don't tell me you and the tall, dark and handsome Admiral Brogan were, er, "playing darts" at his place. (And yes, the gossip about you two dating has made it all the way out here.)
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58710.56
Subject: Not that it's your business, my dear
I'm sure the Kazon have heard the gossip, too. I'll leave it to your … vivid … imagination as to what David and I were or weren't doing at that hour. And where.