VOYAGERS! - The Voyager Chronicles
OLD FRIENDS, NEW BEGINNINGS - BOOK 6
(Sequel to A Ray of Hope)
By DA Daugherty (VoyagersFan)
December 2008 (Revised 03/2010)
Previous disclaimers apply
Chapter 3 – STAGEFRIGHT
Three days had passed. It was now Thursday evening. Inside the grand and ornate auditorium at Voyager Headquarters, preparations were complete for the commencement exercises of the latest class to graduate from Voyager Academy. With less than an hour remaining before the start of the ceremony, many guests, family members and VIPs began to arrive and make their way inside to take their seats. In the pit, the prestigious Grande Symphony Orchestra of Planet Voyager with their conductor of some twenty years Johann Josef Mozart, (no relation to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) was now tuning up in preparation for tonight's grand event.
Outside in the crowded corridor, Bogg and Jeff had arrived early and were patiently awaiting the arrival of the other members of their party, specifically, Olivia, Susan, Rosalyn and Shawn Mallory. The two, seemingly out of character without their usual Voyager attire were dressed to the nines in matching black tuxedos, top hats and patent leather shoes. As they stood casually in front of a large white gardenia, the handsome father and son duo looked as if they were posing for the front cover of GQ Magazine.
"Bogg, did we really have to wear all this garb?" Jeff asked as he tugged at his collar.
"Would you quit that!" Bogg whispered impatiently.
"But, it's tight and it itches!" Jeff quipped.
"Here, let me see if I can loosen your tie." Bogg said as he sat down in a nearby chair and pulled his partner over to him. "We can't have you running around here all night digging around in your collar."
"I wouldn't have to dig if I had worn my regular clothes." Jeff barked as he rolled his eyes.
Bogg shook his head and grimaced. "Ok. Have you seen anyone here in striped shirts and sneakers?"
"No, but…"
"Okay then…'nuff said."
Bogg loosened Jeff's tie a bit, then reached around and straightened the collar of his coat. After smoothing back a few stray locks of hair, he put his hands on his partner's shoulders, smiled and winked at him.
"How's that, my little handsome guy?" Bogg asked.
Jeff turned his head left and right. "That's feels much better."
"What? Don't I at least get a thank you?"
"A thank you?" Jeff quipped. "For what?"
Bogg grinned a bit. "Well, I did loosen your tie."
"You make it sound like you walked a hundred miles before you did it."
"Just forget it, kid." Bogg grumbled as he turned his head away. "Smart kids in tuxedos give me such a pain!"
The young voyager grinned before responding to his partner. "Yeah, right. Like I haven't heard that line before!"
As the two continued their playful banter, the grand exterior doors of the building suddenly opened. As several guests quickly moved out of their path, one by one, Susan, Olivia and Rosalyn stepped inside. Elegantly dressed in long and full-flowing evening gowns, they were the essence of beauty, pure and simple. A mere glimpse of them was simply breathtaking.
"Hey look!" Jeff exclaimed as he pointed to the door. "They're here!"
Bogg turned to get a look. "Wow! Would you get a look at them?" He whispered as he was overtaken by their beauty. "Talk about a fashion statement."
"Where's Shawn?" Jeff asked with a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"I don't know kid. Surely he came with them."
The three women slowly walked away from the entrance, then paused for a time as they scanned the area and whispered amongst themselves. After a few moments the huge doors again slowly opened, revealing the young Mallory. As a member of this year's Voyager graduating class, he was dressed in the traditional royal blue gold-trimmed cap and gown, which he wore with pride. Making his way inside, he walked over and stood next to his guests. He paused for a moment to join in their conversation while Rosalyn picked the stray lint off his attire.
"Any signs of Bogg and Jeffrey, Olivia?" Susan asked.
"No, not yet." Olivia replied. "No, wait! I see them. Over there! To the left! They're standing next to that large bush."
Susan craned her neck to get a glimpse of her friends. "A bush, Olivia? I don't see a bush."
Olivia pointed off in the distance. "Over there, Susan. You see that big bush with all the white flowers on it?"
"Ok, I see them now." Susan acknowledged. "And that's not a bush, it's a Gardenia."
"Well whatever it is, they are standing next to it." Olivia quipped. "And you guys are not gonna believe this. They're dressed in tuxedos and top hats."
Susan stood silent for a moment, with her mouth agape as she continued to stare at the unbelievable sight of her friends. "Oh my word, Olivia. You weren't kidding. I've never seen two more handsome guys. They look absolutely fabulous."
Olivia nodded. "You know, they do clean up quite nicely. And I must say. I've never had the pleasure of seeing a pirate dressed in a tux."
"Looks like they've spotted us." Susan said as she began to walk toward the two. "C'mon ladies, let's get a closer look."
Mallory turned to Roz, a puzzled look now on his face.
"Now I know what it feels like to be 'one of the girls.'" He said with a chuckle.
As their guests approached, Bogg quickly stood up and performed one last check of his attire. Jeff turned to pick up a small white box from a nearby chair.
"Ready with the corsages and boutonnieres, kiddo?"
"Ready, Bogg."
"Good. C'mon, let's go." Bogg said as he and Jeff walked toward their guests.
"Shawn Mallory!" Bogg exclaimed as he reached out to shake his hand. "It's good to see you again. I guess congratulations are in order."
"Phineas!" Mallory shouted as he embraced his fellow Voyager. "It's good to see you again too. And yes, congratulations are in order, thanks to you of course."
"Shawn, I really didn't do anything, you're the one who did all the work."
"I never pictured you as the modest one." Mallory teased. "Well, you may not claim you did anything, but you did. It's a debt I feel I'll never be able to fully repay."
Mallory looked down at Jeff and began to tease him.
"Who's this guy all decked out in his top hat and tails?" Mallory asked. "Tell me Phineas…you didn't go and get yourself a new partner now did you?"
"Nope." Bogg replied as he winked at his friend. "He's the same ol' boring partner I've had all along."
Jeff elbowed his partner in the side. "Same ol' boring partner huh? Just wait, I'll show YOU who's boring."
Mallory laughed. "Ahh, now that's the Jeffrey Jones I remember. I knew he was hiding somewhere under all the trimmings. How's it going guy?"
"I'm ok, I guess." Jeff responded with a little squeak in his voice.
"What's this!" Mallory exclaimed. "He sounds like…oh no, don't tell me, he's turning into a mouse."
Jeff bowed his head, somewhat embarrassed as a little bit of color began to brighten his cheeks.
"Shawn, stop teasing Jeffrey." Rosalyn chided as she walked up to his side and slapped him on the arm. "You know all too well what he's going through."
"No, he's not turning into a mouse, he only sounds like one." Bogg explained. "He's just had his 14th birthday and this was an unexpected birthday gift."
"Roz told me about that." Mallory said with some remorse. "Jeff, I'm sorry… I was just teasing. You should have heard my screechy voice when it happened to me. I sounded like a raptor stalking its evening meal."
Jeff continued to look down at his feet and mumbled with a disconsolate tone. "It's so embarrassing to squeak like this."
"I know Jeff. We've all been through it. I assure you, it's only temporary."
Mallory extended a hand to his young friend. "Still friends?"
Jeff slowly reached for his hand and shook it. "Yea, it's ok."
"Just think Jeff. In a few years, ol' Phineas here won't be able to push you around anymore." Shawn teased. "You'll be as big and strong as he is. When you say BOO, he'll run like a scared cat."
"C'mon Shawn, don't give him any ideas, ok?" Bogg said with a chuckle. Besides, I can handle him. I'm Phineas Bogg, the pirate, remember?"
"Yea right!" Jeff replied sarcastically. "I can't wait to take you on a few years from now."
Bogg doubled up his fists and began to shuffle his feet. While throwing play punches at his partner he started talking like Mohammed Ali.
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee…" Bogg chanted as he smiled and threw a few more punches. "And the kid's on the floor, one, two, three."
"If you were trying to scare me with your imitation of Mohammed Ali, I can tell you, it didn't work." Jeff teased. "Besides, that has to be the worst impression of him I have ever heard."
The smile disappeared from Bogg's face as he now lowered his head, playing as if his feelings were hurt. "I thought my imitation of him was quite good."
"If you're trying to be an actor, don't quit your day job." Jeff quipped.
"Kiddo, we'll talk more about this later, one on one, ok?" Bogg teased, before turning his attention to the three gorgeous ladies in his midst.
"Ladies, you are looking quite stunning this evening." Bogg remarked with his usual bit of charm and panache.
"Why thank you, Phineas." Susan replied softly.
Olivia chimed in. "Yes, thank you, Bogg. I was wondering if you were ever going to notice."
"Notice? How could anyone not notice such beauty as it walked through those doors?" He said in a valiant attempt to stroke their egos. "And now, for the icing on the cake so to speak. Kid…the box please."
"Sure." Jeff acknowledged as he picked up the white cardboard box and opened the lid.
Bogg reached inside and pulled out three beautiful white corsages and pinned one on each of the ladies.
"Oh Phineas, you are such a gentleman." Olivia exclaimed in disbelief. "What a pleasant surprise!"
Impressed by Bogg's thoughtfulness and generous gifts, the three ladies began to converse amongst themselves and admire their gifts. Meanwhile, Bogg reached into the box and pulled out a single white carnation and pinned it to Mallory's lapel.
"Here, Shawn, this is for you."
"Uhhh…thanks…I…guess." Mallory replied somewhat perplexed by Bogg's gift. "This has to be a first. I've never had a man give me flowers before."
"Well, Shawn, we can't have you going up on stage to accept your certificate looking like a slob now, can we?" Bogg teased as he looked at Mallory, winked and then grinned a bit. "Oh and one other thing. Remember, we're just friends you know. That's it! Just because I gave you flowers, this doesn't mean we're going steady or engaged or something, ok?"
"Oh…no…certainly not!" Mallory exclaimed, a bit unnerved by the prospect. "Besides, I'm already taken and she's the jealous type."
"Good! I just wanted to clear up any potential for a misunderstanding." Bogg said with a grin.
"Guys, if you've quite finished with your male bonding ritual, I think we should go inside." Olivia quipped. "It's almost time for the ceremony to begin."
"Sure, 'livia. We gotta get a good seat you know." Bogg replied.
Mallory turned and put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Phineas, I'll see you later. We have much to talk about once the ceremony is over."
"Ok…sure." Bogg replied. "Good luck to you!"
Shawn walked over to his beautiful wife and kissed her. "I'll see you later also. I love you, Roz."
"I love you too, Shawn." She echoed as she kissed him and then wiped the lipstick from his lips.
As Mallory walked away to prepare himself for the ceremony, Bogg turned to the three ladies and held out both arms in escort fashion.
"Ladies, shall we go inside?" Bogg asked.
"Olivia and Susan latched on to each of Bogg's arms and they slowly walked inside the auditorium leaving Jeff and Rosalyn behind.
"Hummmph!" Rosalyn said with some disappointment. "Hey! What about me?"
Jeff looked up at Rosalyn as he held out his arm in a gentleman-like manner. "I may be a bit young, but I do know how to walk." He said with a smile. "Shall we go inside?"
"Why Jeffrey, I'd be delighted to have a handsome man like you at my side." Rosalyn commented as she took hold of Jeff's arm and the two strolled inside.
Once inside the ornate auditorium, Rosalyn and her guests hurried down the aisle and took a seat in the third row just as the lights were beginning to dim.
Suddenly the curtains of the stage opened and the Voyager Grande Symphony Orchestra began playing the all-too familiar piece by the composer Elgar, 'Pomp and Circumstance.' As the orchestra played, one by one the graduates of the class of '07, clad in their royal blue robes, gold sashes and mortarboards, proudly walked out onto the stage and sat down. Fifteen minutes later, Mallory finally got his turn and came through the side curtain. Rosalyn and her guests jumped to their feet and began to applaud, shout and whistle as he made his way across the stage and sat down.
As the last of the 100+ members of this Voyager graduating class took their seats, Chancellor Garth walked out to the podium and began to speak.
"Fellow Voyagers, friends, and family members. I'd like to welcome you to the commencement ceremony for the Voyager class of '07. My dear friends, this marks a significant milestone in the training of new recruits here at Voyager Academy. With this, the seventh graduating class of the new millennium, you are looking at a rather unique group of individuals here. This is the first group of recruits to complete the new accelerated Voyager Training Program. For those of you who are not familiar with this new program, let me take this opportunity to explain further. Since its inception, Voyager Academy has always followed the traditional curriculum for training a Voyager recruit. On average it takes about 2 years for the average person to complete this program."
"A little over two years ago, while analyzing some personnel data, we noticed a very unusual trend in the numbers. As the population of Voyager field personnel continued to age, the number of new graduates each year had yet to keep up with the number of field personnel lost due to voluntary retirement. Upon seeing this obvious imbalance, we knew we had to do something to close this gap or face some very serious problems in the future. After many meetings, countless debates and discussions, the administration and instructors at Voyager Academy set about to develop a fast-track curriculum for Voyager training which would take the average recruit only about a year to complete. As a result of their tremendous effort, we now see the fruits of their labors. Those who sit on this stage at this moment, after only one year, will walk out of here tonight with their omnis and guidebooks in hand, ready to experience what it truly means to be a Voyager."
"I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate each and every one of the graduates on a job well-done. My only wish for you at this moment is the best of luck and the greatest of success in all of your future endeavors. Now, with that said, I'd like to introduce to you this year's class valedictorian, Miss Kristen Fogle."
The audience burst into applause as Miss Fogle came out to the podium.
"Hey, Bogg!" Jeff whispered as he nudged him on the arm.
"What, kiddo?"
"She's cute, don't you think?"
"Yea, she's cute alright, but a little bit too old for you." He said with a chuckle.
"I wasn't talking about me." Jeff whispered sarcastically. "I meant for you."
"Oh, right!" Bogg replied before Olivia looked over and shushed him to be quiet.
Miss Fogle began her speech.
"Thank you Chancellor Garth. My fellow Voyagers, classmates, friends and family. I'd like to thank you all for coming tonight to witness the culmination of a year's worth of sweat, hard work and dedication. It was almost a year ago that we set out on our journey to take on one of the most important jobs ever created in the universe. That being the role of a Voyager. When we walked into Voyager Academy for the first time on that day, the vast majority of us here had no clear-cut idea as to what being a Voyager was all about. We only knew, from the stories we were told and the information we were taught in primary school, this special group of individuals traveled through the barriers of time and space to repair problems with history. It seemed like a glamorous job, or so we were made to believe. However, once we made it through the first round of classes, we were soon met by the realization there's much more to being a Voyager than the all-encompassing glamour and glitz."
"Being a Voyager is much more than the ability of traveling to and fro across the time barriers. It is a commitment. A commitment to making sure that the timeline remains intact and that history unfolds the way it should. In our pursuit to correct and maintain the historical timeline, we must also be willing to overcome our fears, set aside our own beliefs and do things which may seem to be at the very least, irrational. Some events in history do not make sense, but that is how it must be. The senseless wars, the terrible tragedies and the lives lost which shouldn't have been. Those things, as much as we want to do so, we cannot change. To do so would invariably change the timeline and thus change history as it is written."
"It is a huge responsibility we now have placed upon our shoulders. It is one which will test the very foundations of our education as well as temper our resolve. However, we must not waiver in our stance. We must be firm. We must be strong and above all, we must be brave. We must strive for perfection in every assignment we take on. We must have compassion to our fellow men as well as our comrades. We must be willing to accept total responsibility for our actions, both good and bad. We must be prepared, if the need arises, to make the ultimate sacrifice for the good of the many. All these things, we must do, without question, without hesitation for the good of all those people who are ultimately affected. This, in a nutshell, is the sum total of what a true Voyager is."
"In closing, I want to take this opportunity to thank those who have guided us on this journey for their exhausting efforts, their friendship and most of all their wisdom. It is my sincere hope for all of us, as we leave this auditorium tonight, to go forth and make each and every one of them proud of our future accomplishments and endeavors. Thank you."
The audience burst into applause as the valedictorian returned to her seat. As the crowd quieted down, Chancellor Garth returned to the podium as his assistant rolled a cart full of documents and omnis out onto the stage.
"Thank you Miss Fogle for those thought provoking words." Chancellor Garth replied. "And now, the moment we've all been waiting for, the presentation of the diplomas and omnis."
Chancellor Garth walked over and stood beside his assistant. "As I call out your name, please come forward to receive your diploma, your omni and your packet outlining your first assignment."
"David Adams, please come forward."
Mr. Adams walked up and stood beside the Chancellor and shook his hand.
"Congratulations, Voyager Adams on a job well done."
As the audience applauded, Chancellor Garth picked up Adams' diploma and presented it to him.
"I now present you with your diploma signifying that you are officially a Voyager."
Garth reached over and picked up a shiny new omni and a guide book and presented it to Voyager Adams.
"Here, are the tools of your trade. Your omni and your guidebook. You must keep these in your possession at all times."
"Thank you sir, I will."
Chancellor Garth reached over and picked up a manila envelope from the top of the stack. He pushed his glasses up on his nose and began to read the writing on the front.
"Voyager Adams, your preceptor is Voyager Steven Cole. And in this packet are the details of your first assignment. Congratulations and good luck to you."
"Thank you sir." Voyager Adams said before exiting the stage.
The audience applauded the proud Voyager on his accomplishment and then quieted down.
The presentations continued for almost an hour before Chancellor Garth was ready to make his presentation to Mallory. During this time, Bogg and Jeff began to fidget in their seats.
"Why can't they speed this up?" Jeff whispered. "It seems like we've been sitting here forever. The jello in these cushions must have turned to dust or something, 'cause my backside is numb."
"Mine too, kid." Bogg reassured. "It shouldn't be much longer. They are already in the 'M's, so Shawn should be coming up next."
"I hope so. Otherwise, there's going to be irreparable damage to that area for sure." Jeff whispered.
"Shawn Mallory, if you would, please step forward." Chancellor Garth announced.
Mallory got up from his seat and slowly made his way up to the front of the stage, grinning from ear to ear.
"Congratulations, Voyager Mallory. Extremely well done! Here is your diploma. You are now officially a Voyager."
Garth reached over and picked up a shiny new omni and a guidebook and presented it to Mallory.
"I present you with the tools of your trade. Your omni and your guidebook. As you well know, these must be kept in your possession at all times."
"Yes sir, Thank you, I will." Mallory replied, somewhat nervously.
Chancellor Garth again reached over and picked up a manila envelope from the cart and then adjusted his spectacles to read the name of the person assigned to be his preceptor.
"Voyager Mallory, your preceptor is Voyager Phineas Bogg. Inside this packet are the details of your first assignment. Congratulations and good luck to you. You will be in good hands with Voyager Bogg."
"Thank you sir." Mallory replied as he shook Chancellor Garth's hand and returned to his seat.
Bogg, Jeff, Rosalyn, Susan and Olivia, jumped to their feet and applauded for their dear friend as he walked across the stage. Mallory heard all the cheers and gave his friends a 'thumbs up' as he smiled a bit and returned to his seat.
Some forty-five minutes after Mallory had received his diploma, Chancellor Garth completed the presentations. At this point in the ceremony, it was time for him to administer the Voyager oath. He turned to face the graduates and began to speak.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, if you will please rise in preparation to take the Voyager oath."
The graduates rose from their seats and stood silently with their hands at their sides.
"If you would, please raise your right hand and repeat after me as I recite the oath."
"I, state your name…",
"as a newly graduated Voyager do hereby solemnly swear before all here,"
"that I will observe, defend and uphold the rules of the Voyager Code;
"that I will faithfully discharge the duties of this position to the best of my ability,"
"in the interest of correcting the timeline and preserving history;"
"that I will perform these duties, freely, without reservation or prejudice"
"until such time as my services are no longer needed."
Once the oath had been administered, Chancellor Garth turned to face the audience.
"I'd like to extend my sincerest thanks to all of you for taking the time to come and witness this milestone in the lives of those standing behind me. As you leave the auditorium, please feel free to join us for refreshments, which are located in the corridor just to the left of the main entrance. This concludes the commencement ceremonies for this evening. Thank you again and good evening."
Rosalyn turned to her friends and began to shout over the noise of the crowd. "C'mon, let's go. I want to wrap my arms around him and give him a big hug."
Susan and Olivia rose from their seats and followed Rosalyn as she made her way up the aisle. Curious as to where the three ladies were going, Bogg quickly looked up and grabbed Susan by the arm.
"Hey, where are you three going?" He shouted.
"We're going to see Shawn." Susan replied excitedly. "C'mon you two, get a move-on!"
"Ok, we're right behind you!" Bogg said as he reached back and pulled Jeff out of his seat. "C'mon kid."
In a small waiting area near the side door to the stage, newly graduated Voyagers were celebrating their accomplishments alongside members of their friends and family. In the background, all alone on an overstuffed sofa and out of the mayhem, Mallory sat with his head down and his eyes affixed on his shiny new omni. At that moment, Rosalyn, Olivia, and Susan with Bogg and Jeff in tow burst through the crowd and made their way over to where he had taken up residence.
"Shawn!" Rosalyn exclaimed as she held out her open arms. "Congratulations, my love. You did it!"
"Yea, I did it." Mallory replied indifferently.
"Shawn… What's wrong?" Olivia asked.
"Nothing…Whatever gave you the idea that anything's wrong?" Mallory snapped.
Rosalyn walked over and sat down on the arm of the sofa and put her arm around her husband.
"What's wrong? This is so not like you, Shawn. You've been wanting this for over a year now and now, here we are. You're officially a Voyager. You should be celebrating, not sitting over here moping like you just lost your best friend." Rosalyn chided.
"Roz, believe me, I'm ok." Mallory reassured unconvincingly. "All of this is…just…well…overwhelming at the moment. That's all."
Olivia, who was sporting a look a concern, turned to Bogg and whispered. "Bogg, something doesn't feel quite right here."
"You said it, 'livia." Bogg acknowledged. "And I don't need an omni to figure that one out."
"Hey! I've got an idea!" Bogg whispered. "Why don't you and Susan take Rosalyn for some refreshments. While you three are away, Jeff and I will see if we can figure out what's bothering Shawn. Ok?"
"That's a great idea." Olivia replied. "Since he looks up to you, maybe he can open up and talk to you about it. Hopefully it won't be anything too serious."
"Hopefully not." Bogg affirmed.
Olivia walked over to Susan and whispered their little plan in her ear. Susan looked at her, nodded and smiled as she stepped over and tapped Rosalyn on the shoulder.
"Excuse me, Rosalyn." Susan prompted. "Why don't the three of us go and get some refreshments."
"Oh, thank you, Susan, but no thanks." Rosalyn replied graciously.
Susan looked at Rosalyn and asked once more, only this time she winked to give her the signal to play along.
"Rosalyn. You know we've been sitting in that muggy auditorium for almost two hours now." Susan pleaded. "We all deserve a little refreshment after enduring that torture."
"Susan…uh…you two go ahead. I'll be fine…" Rosalyn replied.
"Oh, come on, Rosalyn." Olivia urged. "Susan and I are both parched and I know you must be too."
"But I can't leave Shawn here in this state." Rosalyn whispered.
Susan quickly leaned over and whispered in Rosalyn's ear. "Don't worry…come with us and we'll explain, ok?"
"C'mon Rosalyn." Olivia pleaded. "Phineas and Jeffrey can keep Shawn company while we're gone."
Shawn slowly raised his head and looked at his wife. His eyes were full of emotion.
"Roz, honey…you three go and get some refreshments. " He urged. "I'll be just fine, ok?"
"Are you sure?" She asked with concern.
"You go and enjoy yourselves." He reassured.
Rosalyn slowly rose from her seat, hesitated a moment, then turned to Mallory.
"You're sure you'll be ok?"
"Yes, I'll be ok." Mallory replied. "You three go and whet your whistle."
Susan, Olivia and Rosalyn slowly turned and walked away. Once they were a safe distance from the guys, Olivia and Susan filled her in on their little plan.
With the women off in the distance, Bogg and Jeff walked over and sat down next to their friend. After a brief period of silence, Bogg spoke up.
"Ok, Shawn, what's wrong? When you arrived you were happy and excited about all of this. Now you are sad and down in the dumps."
"Nothing's wrong, Phineas." Mallory replied unconvincingly. "Absolutely nothing."
"Yeah right!" Jeff whispered. "Now whose nose is gonna grow?"
Bogg gave his partner a stern look, before turning his attention back to his friend.
"Nothing's wrong huh?" Bogg asked. "Well, I'm not buyin' that one. Come on, spill it. It can't be that bad."
"It is, Phineas…and I'm so…" Mallory said with a quiver in his voice. "Scared."
Bogg put his arm around his friend in a gesture of support as he attempted to coax him to open up and talk about it.
"Shawn, what's there to be scared about?" Bogg asked. "You haven't even been on your first mission yet."
"It's not about the mission…"
"Then what's it all about?" Bogg asked as he continued to pry the answer from his friend.
Mallory nodded before leaning over and putting his head in his hands.
"I feel so ashamed."
Bogg began to rub Mallory's back in an act of consolation. "Hey, you have nothing to be ashamed about, you hear. Besides, we're friends you know. We can talk to each other about anything."
Jeff chimed in with his squeaky, high pitched voice. "Yea Shawn, we're friends. You can tell us. Please, let us help you."
Mallory slowly raised his head. "Bogg? Jeff? What am I gonna do?"
"Shawn, look…look at me." Bogg urged. "C'mon now, please. Tell us what's bothering you."
Mallory started to speak and began to stumble on his words.
"It's just…it's just…uh…"
"Shawn, why don't you stop for a moment, take a few deep breaths and collect your thoughts, ok? Once you have calmed down, you can tell us what's on your mind, no matter how embarrassing or scary it may be." Bogg urged.
Mallory took a couple of deep breaths while attempting to get a handle on his emotions. After a few moments, he began to speak.
"Phineas. Up until the time I walked across that stage, I was so excited about becoming a Voyager. It was the one thing I always wanted to do more than anything else. You know, to be able to travel through the cosmos to different times and places and experience history first hand."
"Ok, I got that part." Bogg acknowledged. "But now you act as if you don't want to be a Voyager. Why the sudden change of heart?"
"It's complicated, Phineas." Mallory said sullenly.
"So what's changed? You're still the same ol' Shawn Mallory I've known for the past two years or so. It can't be THAT complicated."
"It is Phineas!"
"So explain it to me. Tell me what has happened that is so complicated that you don't even want to be a Voyager any longer."
"Roz."
Bogg nodded curiously. "What?"
"You heard me Phineas, ROZ!"
"What does Rosalyn have to do with this?"
"Everything!" Mallory exclaimed with a great deal of distress in his voice.
"I don't understand, Shawn. Please, explain it to me…"
"Phineas, up until now, I had always been a loner. I had no connections, no ties, nothing to hold me back. It was just me, myself and I. I felt I was invincible; I could take on the world and the universe. But, now…"
Upon hearing this, Bogg finally realized what was bothering his friend. "Oh, I get it! The complication you speak of is your marriage to Rosalyn. That's what this whole thing is all about, isn't it? You can't bear the thought of leaving her, right?"
Mallory looked as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He smiled a bit and then continued.
"Well?" Bogg asked. "I'm waiting!"
"Unfortunately, you are right as usual." Mallory confirmed. "Phineas, when Chancellor Garth put that omni in my hand, it finally struck me…you know, what it truly means to be a Voyager. It was after I left the stage I realized the life that Roz and I had will never be the same again."
"Now wait a minute!" Bogg exclaimed. "You just became a Voyager, that's it. Nothing else has changed. You are still the same person you always were and Rosalyn is still the same person she always was."
"I know that Phineas, but the dynamics have changed."
"How, Shawn?"
"With me being a Voyager, this means that we will be apart from each other for long periods of time. It could be days, weeks, even months before we have an opportunity to see one another. Up until now, I never realized what a strain this could be on our relationship. Oh Phineas, I'm afraid I'll lose her and I don't want that to happen. "
"Whoa! Stop right there!" Bogg said staunchly with just a hint of a smile coming through. "I think you are allowing your emotions and imagination to get the best of you at the moment. Listen. Where did you get this idea that you two will be apart from each other for long periods of time?"
"Well, look at you and Jeff." Mallory explained. "How long has it been? You know, since we've seen you two around Headquarters."
"Uhh….ummm…well." Bogg said as he stumbled on his words.
"Months! " Mallory exclaimed as he provided the answer for his friend. "It's been months since you and Jeff have been here."
Jeff whispered in his partner's ear. "Bogg, he does have a point."
Bogg paused and nodded at his partner before turning his attention back to his friend's problem.
"Shawn, that's different." Bogg explained in a reassuring tone. "Jeff and I have no family here; we are each other's family. It's a totally different situation for the two of us. We stay out in the field all the time, simply because we choose to."
Bogg turned to Jeff for his affirmation. "Isn't that right, kiddo?"
"Yea, Bogg and I are family, Shawn. We have each other."
"And we're a team…right kid?" Bogg asked.
"We sure are!" Jeff acknowledged with his squeaky voice. "We're PB and J. There's no separating us!"
"As long as we are together, that's all we need to keep us going." Bogg affirmed.
"Shawn, being married, you'll have options available to you that a Voyager like myself doesn't have. After you get broken in, you will be assigned to short missions in the field so you will be able to come back home and have a life. From time to time you will be offered the opportunity for extended missions which you may accept or decline at your own choosing."
Upon hearing this, a ray of hope could be seen in the young graduate's eyes.
"So you're saying that…" Mallory said.
"What I'm saying is this. If you are worried about being away from Rosalyn for long periods of time, you have no reason to be. Mission Control will work with you on this, just like they do with other Voyagers who have families at home." Bogg said as he put his hand on Mallory's shoulder reassuringly. "Besides, if every Voyager stayed out in the field all the time, well, uh…umm…There'd be no little tykes running around to grow up to be Voyagers."
"But Phineas, the vast majority of the field personnel are recruited from other planets, like Earth." Mallory stated pointedly.
"Yes a great number of them are, but quite a lot of them are recruited from the population of the planet here."
Mallory, upon hearing Bogg's words of wisdom, leaned back and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh you don't know what a weight you have lifted off my shoulders."
"And another thing…Don't you think for one minute young man that Rosalyn will ever leave you." Bogg said as he shook his finger at his friend playfully. "She loves you very much and will never, ever leave you. So put any fears or thoughts of that out of your mind, ok!"
"Ok, Phineas. I will." Mallory said as he reached and hugged his friend.
At that moment, the three women returned from their refreshment trip and arrived to find Shawn hugging Phineas.
"Well, I'm jealous!" Rosalyn shouted with a playful note of jealousy in her voice. "Shawn Mallory, you'll hug Phineas, but you won't hug me!"
Upon hearing this, now somewhat embarrassed, Mallory and Bogg quickly began jerking and pushing each other away to get out of their embrace. The two fidgety Voyagers along with Jeff quickly rose from their seats to greet the women.
"Uh…umm… ladies…" Bogg said as he cleared his throat. "Shawn just needed a little bit of support. You know, in a manly sort of way."
Olivia put one hand on her hip and nodded. "With emphasis on MANLY, I suppose."
"Is everything ok?" Susan asked.
"Everything's just fine Susan." Bogg confirmed. "Isn't that right, Shawn?"
"Fine, everything's just fine." Mallory affirmed as he turned and smiled at his lovely wife. "Come here, little miss jealous, so I can wrap my arms around that beautiful body of yours."
"Grrrrrrrhhhhhhh" Rosalyn purred as she strolled over and stood next to her husband.
At that point, Mallory threw his arms around her and started to kiss her passionately.
"You had me so worried, Shawn."
"I know, I'm sorry about that." Mallory whispered softly. "But that's history now."
Mallory turned and put his arm around Rosalyn's waist as he looked at his friends.
"Hey, why don't we all go have some dinner and celebrate this wonderful occasion?" Mallory asked.
"What about your first mission." Olivia asked. "Shouldn't you be getting home and getting some rest. You know, tomorrow's a big day.
"I'll be ok, Olivia." Mallory replied. "Phineas and Jeff will be there with me if there are any problems. Besides, I'm so excited at this moment; I couldn't sleep even if I wanted to."
"Ok, ladies and gentlemen, where to?" Mallory asked. "I'm buying"
"You are the guest of honor, young man!" Bogg exclaimed. "You cannot be buying. Besides, if anyone's buying around here, it's going to be me."
With a look of skepticism, Olivia turned her attention to the recently self-proclaimed wealthy Voyager and began to tease him, unmercifully.
"Ok, Phineas, if you are buying, show me the money!"
Bogg began to turn out all his pockets in a valiant effort to produce some money. However, his efforts were in vain.
"Hmmm, I must have left my money in the pocket of my other pair of pants." Bogg said with a sheepish grin.
Jeff rolled his eyes and nodded in disbelief. "That figures!"
"Just as I thought…" Olivia chided. "All talk and no moolah. Nevermind, Phineas, I'm buying.
"Who died and left you a boatload?" Bogg asked.
"Nobody. Unlike you, I tend to spend my money wisely." Olivia quipped.
"And you're saying I don't?"
"Phineas, please, I was just joking. Now, c'mon. We need to get going or we'll be having breakfast instead of dinner."
