Reunion
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.
Chapter 4 – Admiral Paris
"What do you mean, they disappeared?" Admiral Owen Paris snapped at Reginald Barclay. They had only just welcomed Voyager back to the Alpha Quadrant five short hours ago. He had seen his son, Tom, sitting at the helm. Captain Janeway had spoken to him from the bridge. Then the escort ships had reporting receiving a hail from Starfleet Headquarters ordering them to drop off and leave Voyager to enter Earth's atmosphere alone. Now, there was no sign of the proud ship.
Reg bent over his console. There had been no order sent to the escort ships. He heard the Admiral pacing agitatedly behind him. "I'm sorry, Admiral. I've confirmed that we sent no signal and the ships haven't picked up a sign from Voyager in over 30 minutes." The frustration over this new development was clear in Reg's voice. He had been the first member of Starfleet to contact Voyager almost two years ago through the Pathfinder project. He remembered when the Admiral had been almost ready to dismiss him from Starfleet for going behind his back to continue trying to reach the far off ship…..
* * * * *
Reg snuck back into the communications office at Starfleet headquarters against direct orders from Admiral Paris. He wanted to try to contact Voyager one last time. He detected a Class B Itinerant Pulsar going through the Midas Array. He then ordered the computer to direct a Tachyon beam through the micro-worm hole on the Starfleet Emergency Channel. When the beam had reached the coordinates in the Delta Quadrant, Reg sent his message to Voyager. "Starfleet Command to USS Voyager. Come in Voyager; Voyager do you hear me? This is Lieutenant Reginald Barclay."
At that moment Commander Hawkins appeared and ordered Reg away from the controls. He followed Barclay into the holographic Voyager and shut down the simulation. The two men walked back to the control room.
Reg shook his head in defeat. "It should have worked. I don't understand why it didn't."
Admiral Paris then appeared in the doorway and moved towards the console. "I've reviewed Mr. Barclay's plan and I think it's worth an attempt."
Hawkins turned to the Admiral. "He's already tried, Sir, without your authorization. It didn't work."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Paris said, his shoulders slumping with the realization that he would not be sending a message to his son.
Barclay couldn't bring himself to look the Admiral in the eye as he replied. "So am I, Sir. I appreciate your confidence in me but I don't deserve it."
Suddenly, a beeping noise was heard and the officer at the console announced the coordinates of the message coming through. Reg looked up in surprise and stated that it was from the worm-hole.
They could hear Janeway's voice amidst the static. "Starfleet Command, come in."
"Voyager." Admiral Paris whispered.
Commander Hawkins and Reg cleared up the signal and heard. "This is Captain Kathryn Janeway. Do you read me?"
Reg was then directed by Hawkins to answer. He and Janeway spoke for a few minutes with Janeway transmitting the ship's logs, crew reports, and navigation records. Reg sent them information on hyper subspace technology and modifications to their comm system. He then put Admiral Paris on.
Janeway talked to the admiral and, when he asked how her people were, she replied. "Holding up. They're a remarkable crew, Sir, your son included."
"Tell him….tell him I miss him…and that I'm proud of him." Paris told Janeway and she replied that Tom had heard him. The connection faded away and the admiral told Reg that 'Project Voyager' was just beginning.
* * * * *
Now, the ship had returned abruptly through a Borg transwarp conduit. Reg had been at the command center when Voyager burst out of an exploding Borg ship. Suddenly Captain Janeway was on the viewscreen. The room had erupted into cheers as the Captain cut the transmission. Admiral Paris eagerly awaited the arrival of the great ship. His only son, Tom, was on Voyager. Reg knew that the Admiral had not spoken to his son in almost eight years, following his trial for espionage with the Maquis. Tom had been sentenced to ten years in the maximum security division at Auckland Penal Colony. The Admiral had been deeply depressed when Voyager was declared missing almost six years ago. Then, three years ago, their EMH had appeared on another Federation ship with the news that not only had Voyager not been destroyed but the combined Starfleet and Maquis crew were alive and well, including the Admiral's son.
The Admiral sent off several stinging messages to the ships intended to escort Voyager back to Starfleet Headquarters. The ship was, once again, missing and he demanded to know why. To come this far and have Tom snatched away again when we were so close to a reunion. I have to find them.
"Admiral, there's a subspace message coming in addressed to you." The Vulcan ensign at the communications station said which interrupted his thoughts.
"On screen, Ensign." Paris ordered.
A young, dark-haired girl in an Ensign's uniform appeared on screen. "Admiral Paris, I hope that you receive this message. I'm taking a chance that this subspace beacon gets past the communication blockade. Admiral Gwynn has lured Voyager to Mars Base on the pretense of official debriefings and medical exams. He's placed a radar and communication blockade on the ship as well as here on the base. He's threatened to have the Maquis and Equinox members placed in the brig and brought to trial for crimes against the Federation." The girl swallowed deeply and wiped at the tears that started down her cheek. "He also ordered the Captain to turn Tom... Lieutenant Paris over to the maximum security prison at the Altherian Colony here on Mars." The girl looked straight at the screen, her cobalt blue eyes bright with tears. "Admiral, the base has been armed for battle. Please, you must get through and stop Admiral Gwynn. His behavior has been increasingly erratic over the past few months. I don't think he's capable of rational thought." A loud crash was heard in the background and the girl turned to look behind her. "Admiral, I have to send this off now, I think I've been discovered." Then there was silence.
"The recording stops there, Admiral." The Vulcan communications officer, reported.
Reg stepped up to Admiral Paris. "That Ensign looks vaguely familiar. She sounds like she knows your son, Admiral."
Owen tugged at the collar of his uniform as he slowly shook his head in frustration of not knowing what was happening on Mars Base. "Yes Reg, she's my sister's youngest. She and Tom are cousins." Owen remembered how Tom used to baby-sit Lauren at family gatherings….
* * * * *
The First Contact picnic had always been a big affair at the Paris home. This afternoon Tom had offered to watch Lauren while her parents visited with other relatives. He seemed to have a way with children and the young girl adored her older cousin. As the picnic broke up and family and friends gathered to head for the shuttle transports, Rachel, Owen's sister, noticed that Lauren and Tom were not inside the house. As they searched for the two cousins, Tom appeared carrying a sleepy Lauren on his shoulder.
"Thomas, where have you two been?" Owen snapped at his son.
Lauren awakened by Owen's sharp tone, scrambled down from Tom's arms and ran to her mother and father. "Oh Momma, it was so exciting! Tommy took me up in a shuttle!" She was practically jumping up and down with excitement. "He let me fly! I orbited around the moon too!"
Owen's eyes flashed angrily as he listened to his niece tell her parents where she had spent the afternoon. Grabbing Tom roughly by the arm, he spun him around and looked into the face of his sixteen year old son. "Thomas, what the hell were you thinking? Lauren isn't even four years old yet and you let her pilot a shuttle!"
Tom gulped as he realized that, once again, he was in deep trouble with his father. "But Dad, it was a high orbit and she was sitting on my lap. She was never in any danger." His face paled as he looked into his father's eyes.
Rachel walked quietly up to Owen and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Now, Owen don't blame Tom. I'm sure that Lauren convinced him that it would be alright with us. She's very precocious as you know. After all, didn't you take Tom up for a shuttle ride when he wasn't much older than Lauren? I'm sure that they were perfectly safe. I've always trusted Tom with Lauren and, just looking at how happy she is, I'd say that she had a wonderful First Contact celebration.
Owen turned to his sister. "He still shouldn't have just taken off with her without getting your approval first." Releasing Tom's arm from his tight grip, he spoke quietly. "Thomas you are to go to your room and remain there until tomorrow and no flying for the next two weeks."
"But Dad, I have to practice for the Mars race next week." Tom protested.
"You should have thought of that before you took off with Lauren." Owen turned away from his son.
Rachel pulled Owen aside. "Owen, please reconsider. I remember you taking a shuttle once without Dad's permission when you were in high school. Lauren had a wonderful time and with Tom in the pilot's seat, I know they were alright."
Owen looked into his sister's blue eyes and his expression softened. "Alright, Rachel, I'll let it go this time; but only for you." He turned back to Tom. "Well, your Aunt has offered you a reprieve, Thomas. You get to fly but no other activities for two weeks. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir." Tom answered crisply and then moved to give Rachel a hug. "Thanks, Aunt Rachel, I'm sorry that I didn't ask you first before I took Lauren on the shuttle."
Rachel gave Tom a big smile, hugged him tightly and then took Lauren's hand. "I guess we'd better get this junior pilot home to bed now. Good luck in the race, Tom" She gave Owen a kiss and headed for the transport. She watched as Tom and his father walked slowly towards the house.
* * * * *
Owen's thoughts returned to the command center as he moved to the communications station. "Reg, I have to get to Mars Base. Find me a ship and send a ship out to rendezvous with Voyager."
"Aye, Admiral." Reg relayed the orders as he watched the older man's shoulders slump. He was so close to seeing his son again. Those personnel who worked on the Pathfinder project knew how much Admiral Paris cared for his youngest child. He deeply regretted the way they had parted and had aged considerably when the ship was thought to be lost permanently.
* * * * *
"Admiral, I'm detecting evidence that Voyager's warp core has come online." The tall Klingon Lieutenant stated, glancing up from his console.
Admiral Gwynn frowned as he realized that Captain Janeway was not about to give up her crew so easily. "Is the shuttle Copernicus still trailing Voyager?"
"Yes, Sir." The Lieutenant replied.
"Have them target the nacelles with some phaser fire. That should get Janeway's attention." Gwynn ordered.
* * * * *
Harry and Seven had been working for over an hour at some way to get past the communications block. They had just managed to send off a low impulse carrier wave with a message imbedded in it when the ship lurched and the red alert klaxons began to blare. The two hurried back to the bridge. Harry moved to his station and Seven resumed her post at the bridge's engineering console.
"Tom, can you break us free from this orbit?" Chakotay asked as he clung to the armrests of the command chair. He wondered why the captain had not appeared on the bridge yet. "Chakotay to Janeway."
There was no response and he was about to hail her again, when B'Elanna's voice was heard over the klaxon's blare. "Engineering to the bridge."
Before Chakotay could respond, Tom turned to look at the commander and shouted towards the comm system. "B'Elanna, what the hell are you doing in engineering?"
"Easy, Tom. I'm trying to get us the hell out of here. The captain set up a console in the Doc's office. I'm still in sickbay." B'Elanna's voice calmed her husband and she continued. "I think we can get you Warp 6 right away."
Chakotay broke in to the conversation between the two lieutenants. "B'Elanna, is the captain still in sickbay?"
"No, Chakotay, she left about ten minutes ago. Why?" B'Elanna asked.
"She's not responding to my hail." He stood and addressed the computer. "Computer, location of Captain Janeway."
The mechanical voice responded. "Captain Janeway is in turbolift 9 on deck 5."
"Chakotay to Janeway." He tried hailing the captain again.
"Computer, is turbolift 9 moving?" Chakotay asked.
The computer responded in its monotone voice. "Turbolift 9 is currently stationary on deck 5."
Chakotay resumed his seat and tapped his commbadge. "Chakotay to the doctor."
"Yes, Commander. What is it?" The doctor answered.
"Doctor, Captain Janeway is in the turbolift outside of sickbay and is not responding to my hail. She may be injured. Please go and check on her." Chakotay said.
"On my way, Commander." The doctor replied.
* * * * *
The doctor placed Miral into an isolette, moved it into his office with B'Elanna and headed for the corridor. As he neared the turbolift, the doors slid open and he spotted Captain Janeway slumped on the floor. He took out his tricorder and knelt down next to her. As the instrument began to beep, the captain stirred. "Easy Captain, don't try to get up." He put his hand on her shoulder.
"Doctor, I have to get to the bridge." Janeway stated quietly as she brought her hand up to her head. She touched her right temple and felt a lump. When she pulled her hand away, she noticed blood on her fingertips.
"Captain, I suggest we head back to sickbay before you go to the bridge." The doctor helped her to stand and move into the corridor.
"But Doctor, we're under attack." Janeway protested weakly as she leaned against him for support. She felt somewhat dizzy and blinked her eyes, trying to clear her vision. "Well, maybe a quick stop in sickbay."
The doctor smiled slightly as he helped the captain into sickbay and onto the nearest biobed.
* * * * *
After hearing from B'Elanna that the engines were online, Chakotay ordered Tom to leave the Mars orbit at warp 6. Voyager began to move away from the planet when suddenly the ship was hit with more phaser fire and the right side of the helm control panel exploded in a shower of sparks. Tom let out a yelp of pain as he pushed away from the console. Chakotay was at his side immediately. "Tom, are you alright?"
The younger man shook his head to clear it and placed his hands back on the console. "Just some electrical burns, I'll be fine."
Chakotay could see that the skin on Tom's hands was beginning to blister as well as the right side of his face. He motioned for Ensign Lang, who was standing at Harry's side. "Tom, I'll take over from here. Ensign, I want you to take Lieutenant Paris to sickbay and have the doctor take care of those burns."
"Aye, Commander." The young ensign replied as Chakotay helped Tom stand up from the helm. She walked Tom to the turbolift.
The doctor's voice was suddenly heard over the comm system as the turbolift doors slid shut. "Commander, the Captain was knocked unconscious in the turbolift and I have escorted her back to sickbay, under protest mind you." The frustration of not being listened to was evident in the doctor's voice.
Chakotay managed a slight smile as he responded. "I'm glad to hear that she is under your care. Lieutenant Paris is on his way to sickbay. He sustained some minor electrical burns on his hands and face."
"I'll fix him right up, Commander." The doctor replied and cut the link.
Chakotay moved Voyager out of the Mars orbit and on a heading away from the planet.
"Sir, there's a message coming through from the Nautilus." Harry reported.
"On screen." Chakotay ordered.
Admiral Paris appeared on the viewscreen. "Commander, it's good to see that Voyager's in one piece. The shuttle will no longer be bothering you. I'm on my way to Mars Base to personally take Admiral Gwynn into custody. I should be there in about two hours. Gwynn is being relieved of command and any orders he gave to Captain Janeway are rescinded." Looking around at Chakotay sitting at the helm and the two command chairs standing empty, Paris looked confused. "Where are Captain Janeway and my son?"
"Captain Janeway and Lieutenant Paris both sustained some minor injuries when we were fired upon, and are being treated by the doctor." Chakotay answered.
"Very well, Commander. Please remain at your present position. I have ordered an escort ship to accompany you. When I am through on Mars Base I would like to come aboard and personally welcome Voyager's crew back to the Alpha Quadrant." The admiral said.
"Aye, Sir. It would be a pleasure to have you onboard." Chakotay replied.
"Paris out." The admiral cut the link.
* * * * *
Admiral Paris and several armed security officers beamed down to the surface of Mars Base. After identifying themselves to the guards, they entered the main building and stormed into the communications office. Paris placed Admiral Gwynn into custody with orders to remand him to the psychiatric facility at the Altherian Colony. As Gwynn was led away, the turbolift doors slid open and a dark haired ensign appeared flanked by two of the base security guards.
"Admiral Paris! I'm so glad to see you." The young woman snapped to attention.
Paris motioned the two guards away as he approached the ensign. He smiled softly down at her. "Ensign, I'm glad to know that some of my son's talent for subterfuge has rubbed off on you." Moving back into the corridor with the ensign, he took the trembling girl into his arms. "Lauren, thank you for getting that message out to headquarters. Voyager is safe and I'm heading there as soon as the Maine arrives with Mrs. Paris."
"Oh, Uncle Owen, I was so worried about Tom and the rest of Voyager's crew. To have come all the way from the Delta Quadrant and to be met by Admiral Gwynn and his delusions. It was terrible." Lauren wiped a few tears from her face as the admiral released her from his hug.
They returned to the communications room and Paris smiled again as he turned to the Commander who was now in charge of Mars Base. "I believe I have some pull on this base and would like Ensign Woods to accompany me on the Maine when I leave."
"Of course, Admiral." The commander replied.
Turning back to his niece, Paris said. "Ensign, can you get yourself ready to leave in one hour?"
"Yes, Sir!" Lauren answered as she gave him a big grin and left the room.
* * * * *
Late the next day, Tom and B'Elanna stood in front of the large window in the forward observation lounge. Tom held Miral in his arms facing her towards the window. "Look, honey, there's Earth, your new home." So intent on his wife and daughter, he didn't hear the doors slide open or the footsteps approaching them.
B'Elanna looked up and saw the reflection in the window of an older, blond woman coming towards Tom. She turned slightly and noted the raw emotion in the other woman's eyes. Placing her hand gently on her husband's arm she turned him towards his mother.
"Oh, Tommy, you're really home." As her eyes filled with tears, she took Tom into her arms.
"Mom…Oh God, I've missed you so much." Tom wrapped one arm around his mother's shoulders, leaning into her embrace. Slowly pulling back, he turned the baby in his arms towards his mother. "Mom, this is your granddaughter, Miral."
B'Elanna had moved away from Tom and his mother, giving them some privacy. As they talked quietly, she saw Tom hand Miral to his mother. Glancing around the room, B'Elanna noted a tall gentleman in an Admiral's uniform standing just inside the doors. She walked up to him and saw the resemblance between father and son.
Owen Paris was tall, with the military bearing of Starfleet. His sparse hair was white but the brilliant blue of his eyes was an exact match of Tom's. He stood quietly, watching the interaction at the window.
"Admiral Paris, I'm Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres." B'Elanna said while extending her hand to him.
"Lieutenant, I'm pleased to meet you. I understand that you are my son's wife." Owen took B'Elanna's hand in both of his in a warm handshake. Glancing at his wife and son, he let go of B'Elanna's hand and stood back, his posture stiff.
B'Elanna nodded and followed his gaze to the far side of the room. "Admiral, please come and see Tom and meet your granddaughter." B'Elanna looked up into Owen's face to see the fear in his eyes.
"I'm not sure he wants to see me." Owen answered slowly.
"You're his father; of course he wants to see you." B'Elanna took his arm and started to walk him towards the window.
Tom looked up as his father crossed the room, apprehension in his eyes. He had taken Miral back in his arms and he pulled her close to his chest in a subconscious protective response.
"She's beautiful, Tom." Admiral Paris spoke, his voice thick with feelings. "Just like her mother" He reached out and gently stroked Miral's cheek. Looking up into his son's face he slowly placed his hand on Tom's shoulder. "Welcome home, son."
Tom blinked back tears as B'Elanna came and took Miral out of his arms. Turning towards his father he moved into his arms. "Dad…It's... it's good to be back."
The End.
(3783 words)