Redemption
Chapter 21
Disclaimer - Paramount and Viacom own the characters from Voyager, although they didn't often treat them right. The story line belongs to me.
A special thanks to: My friend and editor of all my stories, Mill3rs.
"Coffee, black." Captain Janeway ordered as she crossed to the replicator; pinning her four gold pips on while she walked. It was 0600 and she was already dressed and ready for the Alpha shift. It had been a restless night for the captain and she didn't fall asleep until close to 0230. Sipping the coffee, she turned on her desk monitor to study the bridge logs from the Gamma shift. Noting that the night had been uneventful, she swept her hair up from her neck, pinned it in place, and finished her coffee.
Striding out of her quarters, she entered the nearest turbolift. "Sickbay." She glanced at the controls as the doors slid shut and the lift began to move. Hoping to find that Lieutenant Paris had made some progress in his recovery, Janeway decided to stop to see him before heading for the messhall and some breakfast.
* * * * *
"No!" Tom's voice, sharper and louder than it had been for the past few days, was heard as the Captain entered sickbay. She could see the EMH standing at Tom's side. The top of the biobed had been raised and Tom was propping himself up on his elbows. His face was flushed and she could see that his hair was curling from the sweat on his forehead.
"Now, Mr. Paris, you can't expect results if you don't try." The EMH stated calmly.
"Damn it, Doc! I am trying." Tom ground out in frustration as he pushed himself up into sitting.
Janeway started to move towards the biobed, a reprimand on her lips, when the EMH saw her and held up his hand to stop her.
Tom looked away, wiped his hand across his eyes, and lifted his head to look at the EMH. "I'm sorry, Doc. I am trying but I just can't move them." He repeated in a softer voice.
The captain looked at her chief pilot and saw the fear in his face. His blue eyes were dark with pain and fatigue. The mask of casual nonchalance was not in place and instead he looked all of twelve years old and quite vulnerable.
The EMH picked up a long, tapered instrument and placed the tip at Tom's left ankle. "Alright, Mr. Paris, tell me what you feel." He said as he drew the instrument up the pilot's leg.
Tom watched as the instrument passed his knee and wearily stated. "There, I feel it now."
"And the other leg, Mr. Paris?" The EMH asked as he placed the instrument at Tom's right ankle. Tom waved him away and looked off to the far wall. Raising his voice, the EMH again asked. "Lieutenant, what do you feel on the other leg?"
Tom turned his head back and followed the progress until just below his right knee. His face relaxed slightly as he answered. "There, I can feel it there."
Janeway let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.
"Good, Mr. Paris." The EMH said as he noted the findings on a PADD. "We'll try again this afternoon." He drew a blanket up across Tom's legs.
"Yeah, this afternoon." Tom replied as he closed his eyes and sank back on the biobed.
The EMH turned towards the captain who shook her head, not wanting Tom to know she had seen him. She turned and entered the corridor as the doors slid shut behind her. Heading for the turbolift, Janeway stopped as her commbadge chirped. "Ensign Lang to Captain Janeway."
She tapped her badge. "Yes, Ensign, what is it?" Janeway asked as she entered the turbolift.
"Captain, I think you better come to the bridge. There are some disturbing readings ahead." Ensign Lang replied.
"On my way, Ensign." Janeway stated. Tapping her commbadge, she said. "Janeway to Commander Chakotay."
* * * * *
Chakotay left the gym, clenching his fists. The anger he felt towards Dalby propelling him forward. Taking several calming breaths, he headed for the turbolift. I need to let Paris know that he should be left alone from now on. He entered the lift and turned to the front as the doors slid shut. "Sickbay." He ordered. The lift began to move and he closed his eyes.
Suddenly his commbadge chirped. "Janeway to Commander Chakotay."
He opened his eyes, sighed and tapped his commbadge. "Chakotay here, Captain." He replied.
"Commander, please report to the bridge." Janeway said, closing the link.
"On my way, Captain." He said to the empty turbolift. Looking up to the ceiling, he ordered. "Computer, bridge."
* * * * *
Dalby entered his quarters and headed for his sonic shower, pulling off his workout clothes as he went. He stood in the stall, still breathing hard after his 'talk' with Chakotay. He absently rubbed his chest where the bar had pressed against his skin as his thoughts again returned to Starfleet Academy…
* * * * *
A crowd of students stood outside the Commander's office in the flight building. "They've posted the listing for NOVA Squadron." K'Trall's voice rang out as Dalby came down the steps into the building.
"This is illogical." A higher voice stated. "He is a freshman, although he does demonstrate more than adequate piloting skills." A young Vulcan, female cadet pushed her way through the crowd.
Dalby moved to the wall and scanned for his name. He checked three times but his name was not on the list. He'd failed again. He was a senior and this had been his last chance to make the famed NOVA Squadron. Looking at his friend, Dalby's face flamed with anger and shame. He looked back at the listing where the other students were pointing. There at the top of the second column. T. Paris – Freshman class. Paris! He made the squadron. There had never been a freshman on NOVA Squadron before.
"That's just because of his old man." Another voice reported.
"No, I don't think that's it. Have you seen his scores on the sims? Even his shuttle runs were the highest. He just has a natural talent for flying." Still another cadet who, being a junior, would get a chance next year.
Dalby quietly left the building and headed for his dorm room. He needed to study for an upcoming exam in Professor S'Rek's class. The Vulcan was known for his difficult exams and Dalby knew that, without help, he would have a tough time passing it.
* * * * *
Dalby's thoughts returned to the present as the sonic shower shut itself off. That bastard, S'Rek caught me cheating and Admiral Paris had me expelled. Grabbing a towel, he dried off and put on his uniform. Tom is a first rate pilot and his father was just as hard on him, if not harder, than the other cadets. I better steer clear of him or Chakotay might not go so easy on me next time. He left his quarters and headed down the corridor. Might as well go right to my duty station. Don't have time to stop for breakfast today.