Chapter 11

The next morning, Tom was spending time in the clinic to help the Doc. They had been forced to deactivate the Doc until they had gotten the power grid stable. He had been off line now for two months, and Tom had to admit he'd miss him.

They had finally gotten all the holo emitters set up throughout the clinic and hospital, and the Doc could be reactivated. B'Elanna had also found a way to keep his mobile emitter fully functional. Today, Tom was going to reactivate the Doc.

He walked into the clinic, and said to the computer system they had recently installed

"Computer activate EMH."

The Doc appeared and said

"Please state the nature of... Ah Mr. Paris, how long was I in oblivion this time?"

Tom smiled and said

"Only two months Doc. Kes and I were able to take care of the colony while you were offline."

The Doc huffed and then said

"Well, I'm sure you two took care of everything fine without me."

"Glad to see you too, Doc."

Tom was glad the Doc was back. He had missed him and his rather abrupt personality. He really loved sparing with the Doc, and he had a sneaking suspicion the Doc liked it too.

The Doc looked at his assistant and thought to himself how much he enjoyed his time with him. He noticed that he was more relaxed and seemed to have let his hair grow a bit. It also seemed to have lighten up a lot, more blond than brown. He raised an eyebrow and said

"You look healthy, I see you've been spending more time outdoors. I hope you've been taking care not to get burned?"

Tom laughed and said

"No Doc, no burns. It seems that the atmosphere blocks most of the burning rays and so, unless I'm out all day, I don't need to use any sunscreen."

That seemed to get the Doc's attention and he said

"Really...how interesting. Have you done any research on it?"

"I thought I'll leave it to you Doc. We've gotten the mobile emitter all ready to go. The power will last a good long time, so you're not going to be stuck here all day now."

"Great...now Mr. Paris, fill me in on everything."

For the next hour, Tom told the Doc about everything he'd missed. They had worked as they talked and it was as if the Doc had never been deactivated. Tom found he was glad that now the Doc didn't need to deactivate unless he wanted to. They were deep into a discussion of what the Doc wanted Tom to study next, when the screen door opened to admit Kathryn. They both turned, and Tom noticed that she looked a under the weather. He immediately went over to her and said

"Mom...you okay?"

He looked worried and helped her to the examining room and made sure she was comfortable on the bed.

"I'm just a little dizzy, and was a little nauseated this morning after Chakotay left for work. I hope I'm not coming down with a bug."

The Doc had picked up his tricorder and came over to check her out. He ran it over her and then raised his eyebrows. Kathryn said

"What's going on Doctor?"

He just looked at her and smiled and said

"Nothing to worry about, Captain, but I'd say that in seven and a half months, you'll be welcoming a new member to your family."

She looked at the Doctor for a moment, and then smiled.

"You mean...?"

"You're pregnant. I see you've been busy while I've been offline."

"Doc!"

Tom said and then looked at his mom with a happy grin on his face. He was going to have a little brother or sister.

"Doc, what is it...a boy or a girl?"

He looked at his mother to see if she minded them knowing, and Kathryn smiled and nodded to him, then looked at the Doctor

"It is a healthy baby boy. I expect you to take care of yourself, and make sure you get plenty of rest...and no coffee."

The doc looked at her with the look of sternness on his face. He knew how the Captain was

"Don't worry Doc, both Chakotay and I will keep an eye on her."

Tom was so happy...a little brother. He was going to teach him everything...piloting, baseball and twentieth century music and entertainment! He could hardly wait. The Doc brought him out of his thoughts by saying

"Tom, I want you to take your mother home and make sure she rests. And I'm sure you'll want to tell the father the good news."

Tom helped her off the bed, and started to walk out with her. She walked next to him deep in thought. She was happy and knew that Chakotay would be too. He loved children and wanted them, but at her age, she knew this would be the only one they'd have. She knew she'd do anything to make sure nothing happened to her baby. She now was wondering how Tom was taking it...a little brother. She stole a peek at him and saw the thoughtful look on his face. What was he thinking? She said

"Tom...what do you think about this? Does it bother you?"

She knew how possessive he was about her and she wanted him to be happy too. He looked down at her and broke into a beautiful grin as he said

"Oh mom, I'm so happy for you and dad...he wanted children of his own, and now he will have."

"But, how do you feel?"

He looked at her a moment not quite understanding what she was asking. Then it hit him. She was worried he would be unhappy about it. He smiled down at her and hugged her and said

"I love it...a little brother. I'm gonna teach him all about piloting and baseball and how to rock and roll!"

She sighed and said

"Oh Tom, I was worried you'd be upset."

He frown and said

"Why?"

"I just didn't want you to think I'd..."

He stopped and turned her to him and said

"Mom, I'm a grown man and I have no problem with you and dad having a new baby. It will be fun, playing with him and teaching him all my bad habits!"

He said the last with a wicked grin on his face. She laughed and said

"Don't you dare."

They continued on their way home, and once there, Tom made his mom to sit and relax. He went to the kitchen and got her some juice and then sat down with her.

"When are you going to tell dad?"

She had taken a sip of her juice and said

"As soon as he get home for lunch. He's going to be so happy."

Her face had a dreamy look on it and Tom just smiled.

"You're happy too aren't you, mom?"

"I am. This time, we will be able to make sure he has a good life."

She looked at him and saw he understood what she was referring to. He smiled at her and said

"You bet! Dad and I are going to make sure he knows he's loved. Dad will teach him woodworking and I'll play baseball with him and..."

They continued to talk and laugh till Chakotay came home for lunch. He walked into the living room to find the two people he loved laughing and he said as he smiled

"What has you two so happy?"

He leaned down and kissed his wife before sitting next to her on the couch. Tom and Kathryn looked at each other and Tom grinned and said

"Excuse me while I start some lunch."

He got up and walked to the kitchen, Kathryn looking after him as he went. She was glad he had excused himself, as she wanted to tell Chakotay on her own. Now she looked at him and said

"Tay, I went to see the Doctor this morning and..."

Before she had finished, Chakotay looked worried and said.

"Everything okay?"

He knew she had been feeling a little off for the last week and he hoped it wasn't something serious, completely forgetting they had been laughing when he got home. She saw his worried look and said

Nothing serious. Nothing that can't be taken care off in oh say...seven and a half months."

Chakotay looked puzzled for a moment, and then it dawned on him. He looked at her and then broke out in an ear to ear grin. He hugged her and said

"You're pregnant?"

She nodded and said

"You're going to be the papa of a bouncing baby boy!"

They heard Tom moving around in the kitchen, and he replied with the same grin on his face

"I thought I already was the papa for a bouncing baby boy!"

He looked towards the kitchen, and Kathryn followed his gaze. She laughed and said

"Yes, Tay, we truly are the parents of a bouncing baby boy. And now there will be two."

Tom and B'Elanna were strolling along the river, watching the water flow. They were holding hands, and Tom was so happy, he was singing. B'Elanna loved hearing him sing, he had a wonderful baritone voice and she always enjoyed listening to the smoothness of it. They found a bench and sat down, and Tom laid his arm on her shoulder. They continued to watch the water flow, without talking.

When the moon rose, B'Elanna said softly

"You know, I use to sit outside with my father and star gaze when I was a little girl. He use to tell me the names of the constellations and stars. We could sit there for hours."

"The Admiral thought it was a waste of time. But I'd sneak outside and watch the stars for hours. Sometimes, my sister Moira would come out with me to watch too."

She turned to him and said

"I'm sorry Tom, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

Tom hugged her and said

"No problem, B'Elanna. He no longer matters. I now have a new dad, and he loves me and he has taught me so much...He's what a dad should be."

The look on Tom's face was of sheer love. He was happy, and nothing from the past was going to ruin his night. He wanted to tell B'Elanna that he was going to have a little brother. He had asked if it was alright to tell her, and his parents had agreed, since everyone would know soon. He watched the moon for a moment and then sighed and said

"B'Elanna, mom's going to have a baby...a little brother for me."

She was speechless for a moment, but then said

"You're kidding right?"

She looked at him, and saw he was grinning ear to ear.

"Kathryn's pregnant?"

He nodded and then they both laughed for joy.

"I'm going to teach him about piloting and rock and roll and..."

Tom told her everything he wanted to do, and she just watched him as he went on. He was so excited. She knew he was going to be the best big brother he could be. After about fifteen minutes he paused and looked at her.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to go on so, but I just want this child to have the best life, and to know he's loved."

B'Elanna softly said as she leaned her head down on his shoulder.

"He will, Tom, he will. With parents like he has and a goofy big brother like you how can he miss?"

Tom smiled at her and said

"Thanks, B'Elanna, I so what him to know he will be cherished. I just wished..."

She stopped him and said

"Tom, you are now loved more than you could know...Kathryn, Chakotay, Harry, Ken, Greg...and I love you."

She finished with a whisper. He turned to her and looked deep into her eyes. Those chocolate brown warm eyes, and knew that she meant it. His heart swelled and tears came to his beautiful blue eyes. He leaned down and they shared a very passionate kiss. When they broke apart to breath, he laid his head on her's and sighed. They sat that way for a while before she said dreamily

"Someday, you're going to make a wonderful father."

The river continued to flow and the moon continued to shine, but neither of them noticed.

TBC