Title: Any Other Name
Author: Zappy Zaps
Category: AU Action/Adventure/Drama
Summary: Neh….
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: All the Star Trek characters are Paramount's. I don't own them (yet). ;)
Archiving: Please do, but tell me!
Author's note: Back to my favourite genre! Action/Adventure, Alternate Universe!! Mwa-ha ha ha haaa!! (
Apr02
Part 1
The house was eerily quiet. The large rooms displaying artefacts from across the Federation lay unappreciated in the empty rooms. On the second level of the house there was motion. In her child's bedroom she packed everything she could fit in the suitcase. Confused blue eyes watched her every move trying to understand what was happening. What was wrong with his Mommy?
"Everything will be okay, Tommy. I promise," she kept telling him. Every so often her movements would slow and she would cast him a smile but the tears in her eyes betrayed her true feelings. "It'll be alright."
It seemed like only yesterday they were happy together and ready to start their lives with one another. Merra Corrin married her love Owen Paris and in doing so she turned her back on the rest of her family. Despite her human appearance, Merra was not human. She was a Fieran, a species residing only a few light-years outside Federation space in the Fieran Empire. She was in fact part of the Empires Monarchy. The second born child of the King and Queen and though she would never rule unless her older brother died before he produced an heir, she still had her duties to her people.
When she married outside her species she had no choice but to leave her family behind. It was frowned upon for any member of the royal family to marry outside their species; they had to keep the bloodline pure with only Fieran ancestry. Merra's clear disregard for the ways of her people angered her parents who disowned her as long as she was married to the human.
Merra had been willing to put it all behind her as long as she and her love were together. At the time, only that seemed to matter but as the years wore on she began to see the error of her choice.
Owen had been a Commander when she married him but was promoted to Captain only one year into their marriage. Although the promotion made it more difficult for Owen to spend time at home, he was happy and since her mate was happy, so was Merra. Merra found herself wanting to start a family. Owen had his career to keep him busy but Merra's work as a paediatric nurse only made the urge stronger.
Fieran and humans are identical in physical appearance but the slight differences in physiology were enough to make creating a child extremely difficult. Finally after years of visiting doctors and trying, they were blessed with a child. Merra gave birth to a healthy baby boy. He would be her first and only child.
"Come on Tommy," Merra said as she picked up her son with one arm and the small suitcase with the other.
"Where we going?" Tommy finally asked as he wrapped he wrapped an arm around his mother's neck.
"We're….we're going…." She looked at the bruise on her son's upper arm knowing how it got there. "We're going somewhere we'll be safe." They went down the stairs to the main level. She hoped Owen was still at work and hadn't come home to pay them a surprise visit. For the first time in what seemed like ages luck was on her side –only the two of them were in the house.
"Daddy come to?" Tommy asked as he saw they were heading for the door.
"No Tommy, he's not." Merra looked out the window and hoped her ride would get here soon. "Where is she?" she whispered to herself. Panic was beginning to rise and she feared they wouldn't get away before Owen realised something was happening. A moment later Merra's prayer's were answered and hover car pulled up to the entrance.
A middle aged auburn haired woman stepped out of the vehicle and quickly made her way up the stairs. Merra opened the door and gave her friend a quick hug. No words were exchanged between the two. Merra's friend picked up the suitcase and took it down to the car. Merra put Tommy down to get her own suitcase from the master bedroom.
He watched as his mother raced up the stairs. Looking in the opposite direction he watched the woman he recognized as his mother's friend that had two daughters. He still didn't understand why all this was happening. He stayed where his mother left him not wanting to cause any trouble.
In the master bedroom she looked at the mementos around the room that marked the happy times during her life with Owen. All of which had been taken away in one mission. He had left and come back a haunted and changed man.
Her hand wrapped around the handle of the case and after one last glance at the place she had called home she left, tears streaming down her face. Rushing down the stairs she saw Tommy still standing where she left him. Another doubt ran through her mind –what would leaving do to her son? How would he grow up without someone to call Daddy? But then again how could he grow up with the person he called daddy hurting him? This would be best for both of them.
"Thank you, Gretchen," Merra said to her friend that was taking the second suitcase.
"Let's get going," Gretchen said. Merra picked up Thomas again. Gretchen placed the other suitcase in the trunk while Merra sat herself and Thomas on the passenger side.
The vehicle sped away from the house leaving the rooms empty and the house silent once again. Merra would never have to shed another tear within those walls and Owen could never hurt them ever again.
He saw the car coming towards the small ship and he opened the hatch door to greet them. The hover car stopped a few meters away and Merra, her son and best friend Gretchen were out in an instant.
"Kail," Merra said happily when she saw her brother. It had been many years since they had seen each other. She wished they could have met again under better circumstances. Kail gave her a brief smile as he went to get the two pieces of luggage and put them in the ship. He wasn't supposed to be here and the sooner they left the better.
"I want daddy!" Kail heard his nephew cry. Merra tried to quiet him but her own heart was racing and she barely had a hold on her own emotions. Tommy was just too young to understand the danger he was in with Owen around.
"Please, honey-"
"Daddy!" The child began to wail and struggled to free himself from Merra's grasp.
"Tommy!" Tears pooled in her eyes as she tried to control her son and herself, but she wasn't having any luck with either. Kail came to her rescue and took the struggling toddler from her. They didn't notice the stuffed teddy fall to the ground as they headed for the ship.
"Merra," Gretchen called hoping to say something to make her reconsider this action but there was nothing left to say. She was the only person other than the family physician that knew of the plight facing Merra.
"Thank you, Mrs. Janeway, for helping her." Kail said. He turned and stepped into the shuttle followed by Merra. The hatch began to close.
"Thank you." The tears finally fell and the last image Gretchen had of her friend was of the broken and lost woman that had all her dreams crushed by a distant enemy and the one that lived in her home.
She watched helplessly as the vessel ascended into the clear sky until she lost it in the bright sun. Looking back down she noticed the ragged teddy bear on the ground and picked it up. Holding it in her hands she hoped she had done the right thing.
"Tommy stop it!" Merra scolded her son. She was trying to secure him in the safety seat but he wouldn't stop struggling. She was at her wits end and her patience was running out. She lost the tenacious grip she had on her raging emotions,"Tommy!" her hand came up and she nearly slapped him but she was stopped.
"Merra, I'll do it." Kail said and pulled her to her feet. He released the hold he had on her wrist and crouched in front of the child who was still crying. "Tommy, do you understand that your mother loves you?" Kail asked and Tommy nodded his head. "Then trust her. She'll never hurt you. She only does what's best for you."
"Daddy loves me," Tommy said. The flow of tears began to slow. "He hurts me."
Kail was dumbstruck at the child's statement. Merra had told him what was happening in their home but hearing it from someone as innocent and Tommy made it seem several times more horrible. "He'll never hurt you again, Tommy."
"I want my Daddy!" Tommy started crying again but Kail managed to strap him in. He went back to the helm and sat down silently. Merra was in the co-pilot's seat looking straight ahead. Somewhere out there was her home planet and the family she had sworn never to return to. How could she go back now? What would she do if they didn't want her? Where would she and Tommy go?
She felt a hand on her shoulder looked to her left. Her younger brother's caring gaze met with her distraught one and she had to look away.
"Mer, they'll take you back." Kail reassured his sister.
"You told them, didn't you?" She had asked him not to tell anybody but suspected that it was the only way he was able to get use of this ship.
"I'm sorry, I had to."
"No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry dragged you into this." She said looking out at the stars that flew by at unfathomable speeds. She heard him get up and a moment later his arms were around her.
"You're worth it."
The small vessel touched the top of the building as Kail landed the ship several days after their departure from Earth. They had made it out of Federation space without problem and arrived at Fierum Prime. The shuttle was quiet, only the hum of the engines echoing within the bulkhead was heard and when Kail tapped a button to cut the engines that sound too disappeared. The silence was almost to loud but the pounding of her heart in her ears was deafening.
They saw the doors of an exit on the roof open and a group of people walked out. If it was possible Merra became more distressed. She didn't move from her seat until Kail helped her up and with words of encouragement had her functioning again.
They went to the other room where Tommy was sleeping on the bed. Without waking him Merra picked him up. The trip had been hard for him. He had asked for his father many times and each time they had to deny him his request. One day he'd understand that they did what they had to do for his safety.
Tommy shifted to get comfortable and fell asleep again with his head on his mother's shoulder. Kail could see she was tired and offered to carry Tommy but she wouldn't let him go. She held the small boy close to her. He was all she had left. She regretted many things in her life but Thomas wasn't one of those things. Putting on a brave face she and Kail exited the ship.
She stood face to face with the people she had turned her back on years ago, and in turn they did the same to her. The air was thick with tension as they waited for Merra to say something. She would have to make the first move.
King Juma Corrin and Queen Sielé Corrin looked at their wayward daughter. Sielé was trying to keep the emotionless mask in place but she was so happy to see her daughter, she wanted to wrap her arms around her little princess and never let her go.
"I'm sorry," she finally stated looking each one of them in the eye in turn. She was brought up as royalty and just because she hadn't accepted that life she still knew she was expected and trained to conduct herself accordingly. "For all the trouble I've caused and for turning away from you." She looked down briefly to compose herself. "I would be eternally grateful if you'd take me back as your daughter but I'd understand if you don't. I….I'm sorry." She looked down again not able to hold her gaze against them. She was tired emotionally and physically. She hadn't slept well on the trip and she had so many conflicting thoughts racing through her mind, even now.
Juma stepped forward and with two fingers under his daughter's chin raised her head so that she was looking at him. She looked for a response to her request and when he smiled softly at her she knew what the answer was. He pulled her into a hug, careful of the child in her arms. Pulling back he smiled more broadly at his daughter and ran an affectionate hand through the child's blonde hair. Sielé stepped forward and with a smile she hugged her daughter and savoured the moment.
"This is Tommy, my angel," Merra introduced her sleeping son to them. Sielé smiled and picked up Tommy. He didn't awaken as his handler was changed. Sielé traced the delicate features of his face as he slept. How could anyone hurt something so sweet, so innocent?
Half an hour later Kail and his older brother, the future King brought Tommy to his room. Merra was still with their parents talking about what had happened and what happens next. Kail was carrying Tommy who had his head resting against the man's shoulder, still asleep. He had only woken once and with his mother's assurance that they were safe and that he was loved Tommy dozed off again.
"We should check him for injuries," Kail said.
"Let him rest for now. We'll take him to see the Doctor in the morning," said Reigh. They passed through another set of doors and into what would be Tommy's room. Walking to the bed Kail gently lay Tommy down while Reigh retrieved some sleeping garments for Tommy from the replicator.
"We're lucky," Reigh said as he changed Tommy into the garments.
"I know. Who know what Owen would have done to them." Kail's blood boiled just thinking of the man he had trusted to care for his sister. He calmed himself repeating that Owen didn't mean to hurt them. The Cardassians had tortured him and he was having trouble dealing with it but he wasn't willing to see a counsellor.
"If it weren't for Tommy, I don't think she would have returned." Reigh pulled back the covers and tucked the child in. "Her pride would have gotten he better of her and she would have 'handled' the abuse."
"But she couldn't put her own child in that sort of danger."
Reigh and Kail walked to the exit of the room. They would check on Tommy every few hours until Merra went to stay with him. They were certain she would chose to be near her offspring tonight and they were correct in their assumption.
A few hours later Merra walked into the dark room. She carefully and quietly made her way to her son's bed, exhaustion weighing down her every step. Her gaze rested on her sleeping child for several minutes. They had made it; they were safe now.
She lay down in the large bed next to her son. Her mind was blank. With everything that had occurred in the short time she had left earth and arrived here, her mind seemed to have shut down for the night. She needed sleep. Her only thoughts were of her son as her eyelids fell closed and her breathing slowed and she stumbled in the realm of sleep.
A few days earlier back on earth…..
Owen walked into his home. It was late and all the lights were out. He assumed Merra and Tommy were asleep but checking Tommy's room he found his son missing and going to the master bedroom he found the bed empty. That's when he noticed the state of the room. Drawers were half open and half empty and most of Merra's clothing was removed from the closet. He saw a padd lying on the dresser. He turned it on and the message was addressed to him.
He had to read it a few times before he understood but there were still so many questions. He sat on the corner of the bed for many minutes just looking at the message. A river of emotions coursed through him, too many for him to identify or differentiate. He could hardly comprehend what he was thinking; trying to understand what Merra had been thinking wasn't any easier.
Getting up he dropped the padd haphazardly on the floor, not at all caring where it ended up, and went down to the main level. He needed something to calm his nerves and alcohol was just the depressant to do it. He had been drinking a lot lately; trying to keep the dreams and memories at bay but he knew it wasn't working. He took out his anger and frustrations on his family: his wife and his son.
He poured a glass of red wine and took a few sips. She had threatened to leave if he didn't get help but he had refused to listen and hit her again. He remembered the back of his hand connecting with her face during one of his too frequent fits. His hand began to tremble.
Tommy was gone too. Had he hurt him too? He was having trouble remembering. Everything was so confusing. The sparkling blue eyes that would stare up at him with uncontained enthusiasm. Daddy was Tommy's hero and what had he done? He'd hurt him. Twisted the small arm until it broke, hit him when he began to cry…
The glass fell from Owen's hand and shattered on the kitchen floor. A moment later Owen fell to his knees barely missing the shards of glass. What had he done? His pride had been so badly injured when the Cardassians captured him and the taunts and jokes they made at his expense combined with the gruelling acts of torture had crushed him further. Needing to restore the sense of pride he had always carried with him before, he had ignored the suggestions of friends, family and physicians and dealt with what happened on his own. Or so he tried. He had been so wrapped up in being strong; being a true Paris that he had been blind to how he was hurting those he cared about.
He needed help. He could admit that to himself now but he didn't know whom to turn to. He wouldn't be able to face the look in their eyes. Pity, he didn't want their pity; he didn't want their help.
Tommy was playing with his new toys and his new uncles, Reigh and Kail. He liked them. They were nice. He was flying around a small ship while Kail flew another toy ship and pretended to attack him. Tommy's carefree charm was a welcome distraction for the two older men. There had been a lot going in the past few days.
Captain Paris who demanded to speak to his wife had contacted the Fieran Empire on several ocassions. Owen knew where Merra would have gone and he was right. Merra agreed to speak with him much to her parents' aversion. The conversation had not gone well. Owen refused to seek counselling but demanded to have his son returned to him, terms Merra could never agree to. They had argued for several minutes and the rage in Owen's voice scared Merra even though she was millions of miles away.
Owen threatened to go and get Tommy himself but Merra had an all- purpose contingency plan. She had a threat he would not take lightly, one that could halt his career in his tracks.
If he so much as came in the direction of the Fieran Empire she would make public what he did to his son and to her. His career was very important to him and she knew it. The Paris tradition was his Achilles' heel. He wouldn't, nay *couldn't* risk people knowing of his abusive tendencies and so he left them alone.
After the communication ended he paced the length of his office many times, threatening to wear a hole in the carpet. He had just given up his son and the woman he loved. He hadn't meant to hurt her and promised never to do it again, but he had made that very promise before. Apologize, say he loved them and promised never to do it again but still it happened and Merra couldn't take anymore.
The doors to room where Tommy, Reigh and Kail were playing swung open and Merra walked in accompanied by Sielé. Tommy rushed to her with his arms raised, the universal sign to be picked up.
"How's my angel?" She asked him.
"We play," he responded showing her his little ship. Merra and her mother smiled. "Daddy come?" Tommy asked hopefully. They had told him everyday since they had left Earth that Daddy wasn't coming but he still held hope that his hero would come through those doors.
"Why don't you understand?" Merra whispered sorrowfully to him. Sielé laid a loving hand on Merra's shoulder. One day he'd understand and hopefully he'd forgive her for taking him away from his father, his hero.
((=Λ=))
The corridors of the sleek intrepid class ship were filled with newly hopefully personnel. They had been rescued from the hell they had been living in for the past month and where on their way home. It would be a long and difficult journey, of that they had no doubts but at least they had a chance.
Captain Janeway and newly commissioned Commander Chakotay were in the ready room discussing one man. An enigma, wrapped in a mystery, housed in a body, that's how they described Thomas Corrin. Actually he had only given them his first name but Chakotay had been able to provide the last name. They had met before on the Liberty and a mutual friend had introduced them.
"Who is he? He looks familiar to me but…" she raised her hands in confusion. Corrin had been less than forthcoming with information and right now he was unavailable to answer anymore of their questions. The holographic Doctor had very rudely evicted them from 'his' sickbay to work on his patient.
"You said you met him before," Kathryn said to her first officer.
"Yes, in the DMZ."
"Then he's a Maquis," she concluded. They had so little information on him they were grasping at straws.
Chakotay shook his head. "He's not Maquis. I never heard of him serving in any of the sects and a friend of his who served on my ship told me that Corrin wasn't Maquis."
Janeway sighed. "He carries himself like he's been trained, and trained hard. Like a soldier or an officer of something."
"His friend was the same way. Sobey, was his name. Unfortunately he didn't survive the trip to this quadrant." There was a moment of silence and Chakotay thought of his fallen comrade. "He was a good man and he may have been able to help us but there was a lot I didn't know about him. We weren't very picky with who we had working with us."
'Doctor to Captain Janeway,' the voice interrupted.
"Go ahead Doctor." Janeway said leaning back in her chair. She was tired. After the past month they had to live through anybody would be tired.
"Tom has just left sickbay and is head for your location as I speak."
"Is he alright?" the Captain asked. They hadn't known Corrin had been injured until he nearly collapsed on the bridge. His clothing had hidden the injuries and Corrin hadn't told anybody.
"He's fine for now but I need to see him daily for the next week to continue treatment of his leg injury."
"Thank you Doctor. Janeway out."
"He didn't seem pleased with being transported to sickbay earlier. Do you think he'll agree to going back there on a daily basis for the next week?" Chakotay asked.
"I'll make it an order if I have to but then again he's not really under my command is he?"
They had only been free for about two days and had quickly organized the crew in order for them to make their escape. The Maquis had adopted Starfleet uniforms but Tom Corrin had been busy or just overlooked.
The announcer rang and Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay stood as Kathryn gave permission for the person to enter. Tom Corrin walked in and stood before the two officers at attention. He was a few centimetres taller than Chakotay but had a lean build. His azure gaze rested somewhere on the wall behind Janeway. Kathryn and Chakotay briefly glanced at each other. He was definitely a soldier or officer of some kind.
"Mr. Corrin," Janeway started, "thank you again for saving our crews." She waited but Corrin didn't say anything so she continued. "I'd like to offer you a posting on Voyager. We could use your talents at the helm and since you're going the same way we are it would be rational for you to join us."
Chakotay and watched Corrin carefully. He looked exactly as he did when he saw him in the DMZ, though healthier now. His face was a veiled, allowing no one to see what he was thinking or feeling. He was strong and as far as they knew was a good person. Hopefully he would join them.
Tom responded to the offer, "No, thank you."
End Part 1
Author: Zappy Zaps
Category: AU Action/Adventure/Drama
Summary: Neh….
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: All the Star Trek characters are Paramount's. I don't own them (yet). ;)
Archiving: Please do, but tell me!
Author's note: Back to my favourite genre! Action/Adventure, Alternate Universe!! Mwa-ha ha ha haaa!! (
Apr02
Part 1
The house was eerily quiet. The large rooms displaying artefacts from across the Federation lay unappreciated in the empty rooms. On the second level of the house there was motion. In her child's bedroom she packed everything she could fit in the suitcase. Confused blue eyes watched her every move trying to understand what was happening. What was wrong with his Mommy?
"Everything will be okay, Tommy. I promise," she kept telling him. Every so often her movements would slow and she would cast him a smile but the tears in her eyes betrayed her true feelings. "It'll be alright."
It seemed like only yesterday they were happy together and ready to start their lives with one another. Merra Corrin married her love Owen Paris and in doing so she turned her back on the rest of her family. Despite her human appearance, Merra was not human. She was a Fieran, a species residing only a few light-years outside Federation space in the Fieran Empire. She was in fact part of the Empires Monarchy. The second born child of the King and Queen and though she would never rule unless her older brother died before he produced an heir, she still had her duties to her people.
When she married outside her species she had no choice but to leave her family behind. It was frowned upon for any member of the royal family to marry outside their species; they had to keep the bloodline pure with only Fieran ancestry. Merra's clear disregard for the ways of her people angered her parents who disowned her as long as she was married to the human.
Merra had been willing to put it all behind her as long as she and her love were together. At the time, only that seemed to matter but as the years wore on she began to see the error of her choice.
Owen had been a Commander when she married him but was promoted to Captain only one year into their marriage. Although the promotion made it more difficult for Owen to spend time at home, he was happy and since her mate was happy, so was Merra. Merra found herself wanting to start a family. Owen had his career to keep him busy but Merra's work as a paediatric nurse only made the urge stronger.
Fieran and humans are identical in physical appearance but the slight differences in physiology were enough to make creating a child extremely difficult. Finally after years of visiting doctors and trying, they were blessed with a child. Merra gave birth to a healthy baby boy. He would be her first and only child.
"Come on Tommy," Merra said as she picked up her son with one arm and the small suitcase with the other.
"Where we going?" Tommy finally asked as he wrapped he wrapped an arm around his mother's neck.
"We're….we're going…." She looked at the bruise on her son's upper arm knowing how it got there. "We're going somewhere we'll be safe." They went down the stairs to the main level. She hoped Owen was still at work and hadn't come home to pay them a surprise visit. For the first time in what seemed like ages luck was on her side –only the two of them were in the house.
"Daddy come to?" Tommy asked as he saw they were heading for the door.
"No Tommy, he's not." Merra looked out the window and hoped her ride would get here soon. "Where is she?" she whispered to herself. Panic was beginning to rise and she feared they wouldn't get away before Owen realised something was happening. A moment later Merra's prayer's were answered and hover car pulled up to the entrance.
A middle aged auburn haired woman stepped out of the vehicle and quickly made her way up the stairs. Merra opened the door and gave her friend a quick hug. No words were exchanged between the two. Merra's friend picked up the suitcase and took it down to the car. Merra put Tommy down to get her own suitcase from the master bedroom.
He watched as his mother raced up the stairs. Looking in the opposite direction he watched the woman he recognized as his mother's friend that had two daughters. He still didn't understand why all this was happening. He stayed where his mother left him not wanting to cause any trouble.
In the master bedroom she looked at the mementos around the room that marked the happy times during her life with Owen. All of which had been taken away in one mission. He had left and come back a haunted and changed man.
Her hand wrapped around the handle of the case and after one last glance at the place she had called home she left, tears streaming down her face. Rushing down the stairs she saw Tommy still standing where she left him. Another doubt ran through her mind –what would leaving do to her son? How would he grow up without someone to call Daddy? But then again how could he grow up with the person he called daddy hurting him? This would be best for both of them.
"Thank you, Gretchen," Merra said to her friend that was taking the second suitcase.
"Let's get going," Gretchen said. Merra picked up Thomas again. Gretchen placed the other suitcase in the trunk while Merra sat herself and Thomas on the passenger side.
The vehicle sped away from the house leaving the rooms empty and the house silent once again. Merra would never have to shed another tear within those walls and Owen could never hurt them ever again.
He saw the car coming towards the small ship and he opened the hatch door to greet them. The hover car stopped a few meters away and Merra, her son and best friend Gretchen were out in an instant.
"Kail," Merra said happily when she saw her brother. It had been many years since they had seen each other. She wished they could have met again under better circumstances. Kail gave her a brief smile as he went to get the two pieces of luggage and put them in the ship. He wasn't supposed to be here and the sooner they left the better.
"I want daddy!" Kail heard his nephew cry. Merra tried to quiet him but her own heart was racing and she barely had a hold on her own emotions. Tommy was just too young to understand the danger he was in with Owen around.
"Please, honey-"
"Daddy!" The child began to wail and struggled to free himself from Merra's grasp.
"Tommy!" Tears pooled in her eyes as she tried to control her son and herself, but she wasn't having any luck with either. Kail came to her rescue and took the struggling toddler from her. They didn't notice the stuffed teddy fall to the ground as they headed for the ship.
"Merra," Gretchen called hoping to say something to make her reconsider this action but there was nothing left to say. She was the only person other than the family physician that knew of the plight facing Merra.
"Thank you, Mrs. Janeway, for helping her." Kail said. He turned and stepped into the shuttle followed by Merra. The hatch began to close.
"Thank you." The tears finally fell and the last image Gretchen had of her friend was of the broken and lost woman that had all her dreams crushed by a distant enemy and the one that lived in her home.
She watched helplessly as the vessel ascended into the clear sky until she lost it in the bright sun. Looking back down she noticed the ragged teddy bear on the ground and picked it up. Holding it in her hands she hoped she had done the right thing.
"Tommy stop it!" Merra scolded her son. She was trying to secure him in the safety seat but he wouldn't stop struggling. She was at her wits end and her patience was running out. She lost the tenacious grip she had on her raging emotions,"Tommy!" her hand came up and she nearly slapped him but she was stopped.
"Merra, I'll do it." Kail said and pulled her to her feet. He released the hold he had on her wrist and crouched in front of the child who was still crying. "Tommy, do you understand that your mother loves you?" Kail asked and Tommy nodded his head. "Then trust her. She'll never hurt you. She only does what's best for you."
"Daddy loves me," Tommy said. The flow of tears began to slow. "He hurts me."
Kail was dumbstruck at the child's statement. Merra had told him what was happening in their home but hearing it from someone as innocent and Tommy made it seem several times more horrible. "He'll never hurt you again, Tommy."
"I want my Daddy!" Tommy started crying again but Kail managed to strap him in. He went back to the helm and sat down silently. Merra was in the co-pilot's seat looking straight ahead. Somewhere out there was her home planet and the family she had sworn never to return to. How could she go back now? What would she do if they didn't want her? Where would she and Tommy go?
She felt a hand on her shoulder looked to her left. Her younger brother's caring gaze met with her distraught one and she had to look away.
"Mer, they'll take you back." Kail reassured his sister.
"You told them, didn't you?" She had asked him not to tell anybody but suspected that it was the only way he was able to get use of this ship.
"I'm sorry, I had to."
"No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry dragged you into this." She said looking out at the stars that flew by at unfathomable speeds. She heard him get up and a moment later his arms were around her.
"You're worth it."
The small vessel touched the top of the building as Kail landed the ship several days after their departure from Earth. They had made it out of Federation space without problem and arrived at Fierum Prime. The shuttle was quiet, only the hum of the engines echoing within the bulkhead was heard and when Kail tapped a button to cut the engines that sound too disappeared. The silence was almost to loud but the pounding of her heart in her ears was deafening.
They saw the doors of an exit on the roof open and a group of people walked out. If it was possible Merra became more distressed. She didn't move from her seat until Kail helped her up and with words of encouragement had her functioning again.
They went to the other room where Tommy was sleeping on the bed. Without waking him Merra picked him up. The trip had been hard for him. He had asked for his father many times and each time they had to deny him his request. One day he'd understand that they did what they had to do for his safety.
Tommy shifted to get comfortable and fell asleep again with his head on his mother's shoulder. Kail could see she was tired and offered to carry Tommy but she wouldn't let him go. She held the small boy close to her. He was all she had left. She regretted many things in her life but Thomas wasn't one of those things. Putting on a brave face she and Kail exited the ship.
She stood face to face with the people she had turned her back on years ago, and in turn they did the same to her. The air was thick with tension as they waited for Merra to say something. She would have to make the first move.
King Juma Corrin and Queen Sielé Corrin looked at their wayward daughter. Sielé was trying to keep the emotionless mask in place but she was so happy to see her daughter, she wanted to wrap her arms around her little princess and never let her go.
"I'm sorry," she finally stated looking each one of them in the eye in turn. She was brought up as royalty and just because she hadn't accepted that life she still knew she was expected and trained to conduct herself accordingly. "For all the trouble I've caused and for turning away from you." She looked down briefly to compose herself. "I would be eternally grateful if you'd take me back as your daughter but I'd understand if you don't. I….I'm sorry." She looked down again not able to hold her gaze against them. She was tired emotionally and physically. She hadn't slept well on the trip and she had so many conflicting thoughts racing through her mind, even now.
Juma stepped forward and with two fingers under his daughter's chin raised her head so that she was looking at him. She looked for a response to her request and when he smiled softly at her she knew what the answer was. He pulled her into a hug, careful of the child in her arms. Pulling back he smiled more broadly at his daughter and ran an affectionate hand through the child's blonde hair. Sielé stepped forward and with a smile she hugged her daughter and savoured the moment.
"This is Tommy, my angel," Merra introduced her sleeping son to them. Sielé smiled and picked up Tommy. He didn't awaken as his handler was changed. Sielé traced the delicate features of his face as he slept. How could anyone hurt something so sweet, so innocent?
Half an hour later Kail and his older brother, the future King brought Tommy to his room. Merra was still with their parents talking about what had happened and what happens next. Kail was carrying Tommy who had his head resting against the man's shoulder, still asleep. He had only woken once and with his mother's assurance that they were safe and that he was loved Tommy dozed off again.
"We should check him for injuries," Kail said.
"Let him rest for now. We'll take him to see the Doctor in the morning," said Reigh. They passed through another set of doors and into what would be Tommy's room. Walking to the bed Kail gently lay Tommy down while Reigh retrieved some sleeping garments for Tommy from the replicator.
"We're lucky," Reigh said as he changed Tommy into the garments.
"I know. Who know what Owen would have done to them." Kail's blood boiled just thinking of the man he had trusted to care for his sister. He calmed himself repeating that Owen didn't mean to hurt them. The Cardassians had tortured him and he was having trouble dealing with it but he wasn't willing to see a counsellor.
"If it weren't for Tommy, I don't think she would have returned." Reigh pulled back the covers and tucked the child in. "Her pride would have gotten he better of her and she would have 'handled' the abuse."
"But she couldn't put her own child in that sort of danger."
Reigh and Kail walked to the exit of the room. They would check on Tommy every few hours until Merra went to stay with him. They were certain she would chose to be near her offspring tonight and they were correct in their assumption.
A few hours later Merra walked into the dark room. She carefully and quietly made her way to her son's bed, exhaustion weighing down her every step. Her gaze rested on her sleeping child for several minutes. They had made it; they were safe now.
She lay down in the large bed next to her son. Her mind was blank. With everything that had occurred in the short time she had left earth and arrived here, her mind seemed to have shut down for the night. She needed sleep. Her only thoughts were of her son as her eyelids fell closed and her breathing slowed and she stumbled in the realm of sleep.
A few days earlier back on earth…..
Owen walked into his home. It was late and all the lights were out. He assumed Merra and Tommy were asleep but checking Tommy's room he found his son missing and going to the master bedroom he found the bed empty. That's when he noticed the state of the room. Drawers were half open and half empty and most of Merra's clothing was removed from the closet. He saw a padd lying on the dresser. He turned it on and the message was addressed to him.
He had to read it a few times before he understood but there were still so many questions. He sat on the corner of the bed for many minutes just looking at the message. A river of emotions coursed through him, too many for him to identify or differentiate. He could hardly comprehend what he was thinking; trying to understand what Merra had been thinking wasn't any easier.
Getting up he dropped the padd haphazardly on the floor, not at all caring where it ended up, and went down to the main level. He needed something to calm his nerves and alcohol was just the depressant to do it. He had been drinking a lot lately; trying to keep the dreams and memories at bay but he knew it wasn't working. He took out his anger and frustrations on his family: his wife and his son.
He poured a glass of red wine and took a few sips. She had threatened to leave if he didn't get help but he had refused to listen and hit her again. He remembered the back of his hand connecting with her face during one of his too frequent fits. His hand began to tremble.
Tommy was gone too. Had he hurt him too? He was having trouble remembering. Everything was so confusing. The sparkling blue eyes that would stare up at him with uncontained enthusiasm. Daddy was Tommy's hero and what had he done? He'd hurt him. Twisted the small arm until it broke, hit him when he began to cry…
The glass fell from Owen's hand and shattered on the kitchen floor. A moment later Owen fell to his knees barely missing the shards of glass. What had he done? His pride had been so badly injured when the Cardassians captured him and the taunts and jokes they made at his expense combined with the gruelling acts of torture had crushed him further. Needing to restore the sense of pride he had always carried with him before, he had ignored the suggestions of friends, family and physicians and dealt with what happened on his own. Or so he tried. He had been so wrapped up in being strong; being a true Paris that he had been blind to how he was hurting those he cared about.
He needed help. He could admit that to himself now but he didn't know whom to turn to. He wouldn't be able to face the look in their eyes. Pity, he didn't want their pity; he didn't want their help.
Tommy was playing with his new toys and his new uncles, Reigh and Kail. He liked them. They were nice. He was flying around a small ship while Kail flew another toy ship and pretended to attack him. Tommy's carefree charm was a welcome distraction for the two older men. There had been a lot going in the past few days.
Captain Paris who demanded to speak to his wife had contacted the Fieran Empire on several ocassions. Owen knew where Merra would have gone and he was right. Merra agreed to speak with him much to her parents' aversion. The conversation had not gone well. Owen refused to seek counselling but demanded to have his son returned to him, terms Merra could never agree to. They had argued for several minutes and the rage in Owen's voice scared Merra even though she was millions of miles away.
Owen threatened to go and get Tommy himself but Merra had an all- purpose contingency plan. She had a threat he would not take lightly, one that could halt his career in his tracks.
If he so much as came in the direction of the Fieran Empire she would make public what he did to his son and to her. His career was very important to him and she knew it. The Paris tradition was his Achilles' heel. He wouldn't, nay *couldn't* risk people knowing of his abusive tendencies and so he left them alone.
After the communication ended he paced the length of his office many times, threatening to wear a hole in the carpet. He had just given up his son and the woman he loved. He hadn't meant to hurt her and promised never to do it again, but he had made that very promise before. Apologize, say he loved them and promised never to do it again but still it happened and Merra couldn't take anymore.
The doors to room where Tommy, Reigh and Kail were playing swung open and Merra walked in accompanied by Sielé. Tommy rushed to her with his arms raised, the universal sign to be picked up.
"How's my angel?" She asked him.
"We play," he responded showing her his little ship. Merra and her mother smiled. "Daddy come?" Tommy asked hopefully. They had told him everyday since they had left Earth that Daddy wasn't coming but he still held hope that his hero would come through those doors.
"Why don't you understand?" Merra whispered sorrowfully to him. Sielé laid a loving hand on Merra's shoulder. One day he'd understand and hopefully he'd forgive her for taking him away from his father, his hero.
((=Λ=))
The corridors of the sleek intrepid class ship were filled with newly hopefully personnel. They had been rescued from the hell they had been living in for the past month and where on their way home. It would be a long and difficult journey, of that they had no doubts but at least they had a chance.
Captain Janeway and newly commissioned Commander Chakotay were in the ready room discussing one man. An enigma, wrapped in a mystery, housed in a body, that's how they described Thomas Corrin. Actually he had only given them his first name but Chakotay had been able to provide the last name. They had met before on the Liberty and a mutual friend had introduced them.
"Who is he? He looks familiar to me but…" she raised her hands in confusion. Corrin had been less than forthcoming with information and right now he was unavailable to answer anymore of their questions. The holographic Doctor had very rudely evicted them from 'his' sickbay to work on his patient.
"You said you met him before," Kathryn said to her first officer.
"Yes, in the DMZ."
"Then he's a Maquis," she concluded. They had so little information on him they were grasping at straws.
Chakotay shook his head. "He's not Maquis. I never heard of him serving in any of the sects and a friend of his who served on my ship told me that Corrin wasn't Maquis."
Janeway sighed. "He carries himself like he's been trained, and trained hard. Like a soldier or an officer of something."
"His friend was the same way. Sobey, was his name. Unfortunately he didn't survive the trip to this quadrant." There was a moment of silence and Chakotay thought of his fallen comrade. "He was a good man and he may have been able to help us but there was a lot I didn't know about him. We weren't very picky with who we had working with us."
'Doctor to Captain Janeway,' the voice interrupted.
"Go ahead Doctor." Janeway said leaning back in her chair. She was tired. After the past month they had to live through anybody would be tired.
"Tom has just left sickbay and is head for your location as I speak."
"Is he alright?" the Captain asked. They hadn't known Corrin had been injured until he nearly collapsed on the bridge. His clothing had hidden the injuries and Corrin hadn't told anybody.
"He's fine for now but I need to see him daily for the next week to continue treatment of his leg injury."
"Thank you Doctor. Janeway out."
"He didn't seem pleased with being transported to sickbay earlier. Do you think he'll agree to going back there on a daily basis for the next week?" Chakotay asked.
"I'll make it an order if I have to but then again he's not really under my command is he?"
They had only been free for about two days and had quickly organized the crew in order for them to make their escape. The Maquis had adopted Starfleet uniforms but Tom Corrin had been busy or just overlooked.
The announcer rang and Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay stood as Kathryn gave permission for the person to enter. Tom Corrin walked in and stood before the two officers at attention. He was a few centimetres taller than Chakotay but had a lean build. His azure gaze rested somewhere on the wall behind Janeway. Kathryn and Chakotay briefly glanced at each other. He was definitely a soldier or officer of some kind.
"Mr. Corrin," Janeway started, "thank you again for saving our crews." She waited but Corrin didn't say anything so she continued. "I'd like to offer you a posting on Voyager. We could use your talents at the helm and since you're going the same way we are it would be rational for you to join us."
Chakotay and watched Corrin carefully. He looked exactly as he did when he saw him in the DMZ, though healthier now. His face was a veiled, allowing no one to see what he was thinking or feeling. He was strong and as far as they knew was a good person. Hopefully he would join them.
Tom responded to the offer, "No, thank you."
End Part 1