Thanks so much to everyone who read and reviewed chapter one! This is my very first attempt at this, and it's cool to see people reading it! About this next chapter, I'm hopelessly sentimental. Don't say I didn't warn you! Enjoy!
Tom set down the datapad, and tilted his head back. He had gone from anticipation of his holodeck time to actually seeing...hell, things he hadn't even anticipated yet. His thoughts returned to the topic which had come to mind earlier.
I'm going to have to trust someone. I can fly the ship, but there is no way in hell that I'm ever going to figure out whatever temporal...whatever-has happened to me, not alone. I need someone smart. B'Ellanna would understand, she'd be able to figure something out, but she's back on Earth, and I can't turn this ship around.
A loud beeping noise annoyingly interrupted his train of thought. It took him a moment to realize that it was the door. Tom sat up, quite suddenly, and the chair tilted, slamming into the desk. A stack of datapads slid to the floor with a crash, and Tom winced. He cleared his throat as the door beeped again.
Come in, it's broken. I mean, come in, it's open. he called. The door opened, and his daughter stepped in. Seeing the datapads, a thoughtful frown played across her face for a split second, then her expression reverted to normal.
Is this...a bad time? she asked, tapping the datapad which she held against the palm of her empty hand.
Ah, no, no, not at all. Tom assured her. What is it?
I just have my preliminary observation report ready.
Oh, right. Let me have a look. Tom, still desperate for answers, took the datapad she handed him, and glanced over it quickly. Through reading, he discovered that Miral had been stationed aboard the ship as part of her Starfleet training.
Observe and learn-I get it. What was it B'Ellanna said?
Your mother said for me to give you a hug for her. he remembered. He stood, and relayed the action as requested, then sat down on the edge of his desk, crossing his arms. So, got any plans while you're here?
I'm going to study. Trick question, right?
Good answer. Tom said, stalling for time while he tried to come up with something to say to this young woman whom he'd only seen in holographic estimations of what she might look like, but whom he adored already just because he knew she was his daughter. So, what's your favorite course at the Academy? he asked.
Quantum chemistry. she answered promptly.
Tom managed. What's your average?
One hundred and one point seven five. she said patiently.That's with the extra credit assignment that I just turned in.
Tom barely managed to keep himself from choking.
She got her mother's brains, that's for sure. I can't even remember if I got around to taking quantum chemistry. My kid's going to be one of those genius types who ends up inventing...
Time travel. he said out loud, a thought suddenly occurring to him..
Miral gave a slight laugh of confusion.
What about it?
What do you know about it?
In regard to what?
Tom hesitated. Once he told her this, there would be no going back. She would either believe him, or immediately be convinced that dear old dad was off his rocker.
All or nothing...
Miral, have I ever lied to you? he asked her.
Um, no. Well, there was the tooth fairy, but other than that, no. Why?
I'm going to tell you something, and it's going to sound completely unbelievable. In any other situation, I wouldn't believe it myself, but it's the truth, okay?
Yeah, okay Dad. Miral nodded, her face growing serious.
Tom took a deep breath.
How do I word this....Okay, how about this. Less than a day ago, I was still on Voyager, still in the delta quadrant, twenty years in the past.
What? Dad, I have to say your sense of humor hasn't improved.
I'm not kidding. Tom said, giving her the best serious face he could muster. But at that moment, he realized just how ridiculous this must sound.
Look at her face...poor kid. Her dad's making awful jokes, and she knows she's got homework to be doing. I'll bet she wishes she were anywhere but here right now.
Tom began to laugh.
Okay, Dad, if you think it's funny, go ahead and laugh. Miral said, unable to keep the hint of a smile away from the corners of her mouth.
Hell, she's got her mother's smile, too.
Tom stopped laughing.
I'm serious. he said, all traces of amusement gone from his face. I can completely see why you find this hard to believe, but I'm serious.
Miral's smile disappeared.
Dad, you've been with me all my life. What do you mean, less than a day ago?
I mean, as of this moment, I have no memory of the past twenty years. One minute, I was in the turbolift, on my way to some well-earned holodeck time, and the next minute this swirling...thing appeared and BANG! Miral jumped. Tom said. But really, the next thing I knew I was standing in that room earlier, and Dad was reaching for my neck. I panicked a little before I realized he was putting this on. Tom tapped the fourth pip on his collar. Miral smiled slightly.
I did wonder why you looked so confused. She cleared her throat. But Dad, how can you not remember twenty years of your life?
Because I haven't lived them yet. Somehow, my consciousness of twenty years ago has ended up here.
Well, where's...the you that belongs here?
Tom shook his head.
I don't know. But I know I have to get back. If I do, maybe the me that you know will take over again. That's why I'm telling you this.
I think you can help me.
What? How?
You're already a lot smarter than I am, Miral. I can fly just about anything with an engine, but I don't know the first thing about time travel.
And I do?
I was hoping.
Miral sighed.
Dad, I want to believe you, I really, honestly do, but you're just the same...I mean, you look like I remember you looking. Not any younger...you're just...Dad.
Yeah, I noticed that too. Tom remarked dryly.
And what if...what if I do believe, you, and I find a way to get you back? What if the other you doesn't come back?
I have to take that risk.
Miral's face took on a hurt expression.
Daddy! What about me and Mom? Maybe you're ready to take the risk, but I'm not ready to lose you, and I don't think she is either. The tone of her voice told Tom two things, one, that she didn't call him that often, and two, that she was decidedly serious. He swallowed.
Miral, you have to understand that if I don't get back, none of this will have ever happened. The last twenty years will change...I think. I don't know anything about time travel. I'm going to have to trust you on this one. I don't think anyone else will believe me.
Miral watched him for a moment.
she said finally. Tell me what you remember.
------------------
B'Ellanna swore at the turbolift door in Klingon, and lashed out with one foot, giving it a sharp kick.
Striking equipment may cause malfunction. the computer warned.
Oh, shut up. B'Ellanna snapped. She dropped her arms to her sides and sighed. Why won't you work? she demanded of the turbolift door. There was, of course, no reply, and B'Ellanna tapped her comm badge.
Torres to Janeway.
Janeway here. Have you found Tom?
Not yet. I can't find a working turbolift.
Janeway's voice betrayed a hint of amusement.
Can't find a working turbolift? she repeated. Since when do the turbolifts break down all in one day?
All in one minute seems to be more accurate. B'Ellanna corrected. I'm headed for the Jeffrey's tubes now.
Are you sure that's a good idea? Janeway asked. B'Ellanna rested a hand on her almost imperceptibly rounded middle.
With all due respect, Captain, I'm pregnant, not crippled.
If you say so, Lieutenant. All right, but if you get tired, stop, understood?
Yes ma'am. B'Ellanna conceded. Torres out. She headed off to the nearest Jeffrey's tube entrance, muttering about how everyone was treating her like she was eight months pregnant instead of one and a half.
------------------
Tom stood next to Miral on the bridge of the Serendipity. He'd relieved the communications officer for the time being, and let her have at the console. She was frowning, intent on what she was doing, then she looked up.
Something's emitting tachyon radiation. she informed him.
Tom had heard that before, but he wasn't sure how it applied to the here and now.
Meaning that either something's horribly wrong with the scanners, or that there's a massive temporal...something going on. she finished.
Something? You don't know what?
Well, according to the scanners, it's coming from us. From the ship, I mean.
Okay...Can you isolate it?
Hang on. Commander Furlong, do you have your tricorder?
Furlong nodded, and passed her the instrument. Miral lifted it, and turned slowly.
Um, Dad, I mean, Captain, ready room? she said after a brief moment. Tom nodded.
Ah, Commander Furlong, you have the bridge. he remembered to add as he and Miral stepped into his ready room.
It's you. Miral told him.
What's me?
You're emitting the tachyon radiation.
Me? Oh, I see. Tom said. Well, that makes sense. I did just encounter a temporal...tornado, after all.
Miral grinned at her father's less than official choice of words.
she agreed.
What does it mean? Tom asked. I mean, what can I do about it?
began Miral. Good news or bad news first?
Okay. I've got no way of knowing what kind of anomaly it was that you encountered. And I certainly have no idea how to make it reappear.
What's the good news?
I'm now completely convinced that you're not crazy.
Oh, well, that's great. Tom said sarcastically, but he couldn't help smiling.
My guess, Miral went on, Is that if it were somehow reversed from the other side, you'd be pulled back.
How can we do that?
We can't. We're not on the other side. Let's hope Mom knows as much about temporal anomalies in the past as she does now.
I have a completely off-topic question. Tom said, a few seconds later.
What's that?
Where are we going?
The Serendipity? Tom nodded. Hmm...well, a few months ago, they started picking up these really strange transmissions from the edge of the quadrant, and...
Who's they?
Miral shrugged.
I don't know. Starfleet, I guess. Whoever it is that usually picks up things like that. Anyhow, they couldn't find anything by scanning, and the transmissions kept coming, so they're sending us to find out what's going on.
They gave me a scouting mission? Tom said, a trace of dismay present in his voice. My first command, and they gave me a scouting mission?
Hey, we don't know what's out there. Miral pointed out. It could be dangerous. C'mon, Dad, you told me never to go looking for trouble.
I told you that?
Mm hm. Miral nodded. At that moment, there was a beeping noise, different from that of the door, which Tom recognized as the monitor on his desk. He tapped a button, and Furlong's face appeared on the screen.
I thought you'd like to know, sir, Engineering reports that they have the transwarp drive online and ready to engage whenever you give the order, sir.
Tom managed, in what could only be described as a squeak.
Er, yes, sir.
Ah, right, well, tell them, by all means, let's...engage.
Yes, sir. The screen went black.
Tom repeated, in disbelief.
Well, you are twenty years in the future, Dad. And this is a prototype ship. Miral reminded him. The floor vibrated below him, just a slight hum which was barely perceptible.
Yeah, but...transwarp. We'll be there in...
Three days, give or take a few hours. Miral filled in.
------------------
B'Ellanna, stripped down to her tank top, was climbing down the last ladder between decks fourteen and fifteen. With a heavy sigh, she released the rung, and let herself fall the three feet to the bottom. She crawled into the Jeffrey's tube, and emerged on the other side. She turned left, made her way down the hall to the turbolift, and tapped the controls lightly. The door, as it had before, remained shut.
Oh, dammit. she sighed, and for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, lifted her hand to her comm badge. Torres to Engineering.
Ensign Branovich here, Lieutenant.
Branovich, get your...ah, come to deck fifteen, pronto. she ordered. You'll have to use the Jeffrey's tubes. And bring a crowbar.
Bring something we can pry the turbolift door open with.
Yes ma'am. Engineering out.
------------------
Tom was in his quarters, which he'd found after a half an hour of searching. His feet were propped up on the low table in the center of the room, and he was seated in the chair next to it. He had looked, and been unable to find anything in the room to do or read. Tom realized with some small amount of shock that he was bored.
Bored? You've got your very own ship, for crying out loud. Come on, Paris, you can't be bored. But I am. That's ridiculous. What would I be doing if I were on Voyager right now?
I'd be sitting on the bridge, piloting the ship. he suddenly understood.
His door beeped.
Come on in. he called, putting his feet down. The door slid open with a crisp fwish, and Miral entered the room. Hey kiddo. he greeted her, grinning. Are we there yet?
No, of course not. Miral laughed lightly. I just...wanted to ask you something.
Fire away. Tom said, holding his hands in the air.
You said you don't have any memory of the last twenty years.
That's what I said. Tom agreed.
What about me?
Ah damn.
What about you? he asked carefully.
Do you remember me?
I remember that you're my daughter.
I wasn't born yet, was I?
Tom took a cautious breath, trying to figure out how to word things.
Well, no. But your mother and I had already decided on your name, and we'd seen holographic estimations of what you might look like at this age.
Do I?
Do you what?
Look like the holographic estimations.
Tom let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Finally, one I know the answer to.
Sweetheart, you are so much more beautiful that the holographic estimations, I almost didn't recognize you.
Miral rolled her eyes, but Tom detected a hint of a smile in the corners of her mouth.
But you don't know me, do you?
What do you mean?
You don't know my favorite color, you don't remember when I said my first word...You don't know me.
Well...I'm learning. Tom offered.
Miral's smile was gone, and her eyes glistened slightly.
If you don't know me, how can you love me? she wondered.
Ohhhhh. That's what this is about. Tom realized.
Miral, listen to me. I don't have to know your favorite color, or your shoe size, or any of that, to know that you're my daughter. And because you are my daughter, there is nothing you could ever say or do that would make me stop loving you.
Miral met his eyes, and smiled. She blinked a few times, then stood up.
Okay. Thank you, Dad.
Tom just gave her a comforting smile, and put his arm around her shoulders as she walked to the door.
Don't ever forget that, all right? he told her as she stepped out.
Miral nodded.
And let me know when we get there.
I will. she promised.
Tom stepped back into the room, and sat down, rubbing his head.
At least I didn't land in the middle of her teenage years. he told himself dryly.
------------------
B'Ellanna tapped her fingers on the bulkhead beside her impatiently. She was just about to reach for her comm badge when Ensign Branovich exited the Jeffrey's tube, unceremoniously falling on his posterior as he pulled his tall, lanky frame from the opening. He stood up quickly, to all of his six feet nine inches, and pulled the twenty-sixth century equivalent of a crowbar out of the Jeffrey's tube. He held it triumphantly in the air, and stepped to her side.
Thank you, Ensign. B'Ellanna said, her tone nothing but courteous. Branovich nodded cheerfully. She took the tool from his hand, and managed to wedge the end between the doors of the turbolift. Try as she might, she couldn't force them open.
Do you want me to help? Branovich offered.
Whatever. Just get my husband out of there. B'Ellanna acceded. Branovich nodded, and gave the tool a yank. A small crack appeared between the doors, and B'Ellanna was surprised to see a golden light emitting through the aperture. She watched in amazement as Branovich forced the doors open a bit further, until there was an opening of about seven inches. She peered inside, and caught sight of the anomaly.
What the hell is that? She smacked her comm badge a bit harder than was necessary. Torres to Janeway. Captain, there's something in the turbolift, some sort of anomaly, and frankly, I don't have a clue what it is.
Hold on, B'Ellanna, Tuvok's been trying to scan the area, but there's some sort of interference. He's just clearing up the readings now.
B'Ellanna persisted after a moment.
B'Ellanna, is Tom in there?
I don't know! I can't see through that thing! Branovich, can you get that door open any further?
I can try. Branovich put the tool away, and leaned on one side of the door. After a good deal of effort, he managed to push it open a few inches further. He repeated the action on the other side, and B'Ellanna stepped into the turbolift, pressing herself against the wall. She made her way to the other side, and there, she spotted Tom. He was on the floor, his left hand in the middle of the anomaly, and his eyes were open.
B'Ellanna knelt beside him, as best as she could with so little room, and found his pulse. Captain, he's here. He's alive, but he's...Unconscious, I think. Is there any way you can use emergency transporters to get us out of here?
That shouldn't be a problem, now that Tuvok's cleared up the interference. B'Ellanna heard Janeway relay the order, and she felt the transport begin.
They materialized in sickbay, where the Doctor immediately helped her put Tom onto the nearest bed.
What's wrong with him? B'Ellanna demanded.
Patience, Lieutenant. I haven't even scanned him yet. the Doctor said, picking up his tricorder. What happened to him? he asked after a moment. Behind him, the door slid open, and Captain Janeway stepped in.
How'd you get here? B'Ellanna couldn't help wondering.
The same way you did. Janeway replied. Doctor, what's his condition?
I'd have more information to give you if someone would tell me what happened to him. the Doctor replied.
He encountered some sort of temporal anomaly. Janeway told him.
B'Ellanna repeated. What exactly is it?
We're not sure. I left Tuvok working on that.
The Doctor shut the tricorder with a snap. His expression betrayed his worried manner.
B'Ellanna asked. What's wrong with him?
He's alive. the Doctor told her.
I know that! Why is he just lying there?
Captain, I'm not sure how it happened, but it's as if every trace of Mr. Paris' neural patterns have been erased. He is, for all intent and purposes, completely brain dead.
