~ Naomi ~
The sun peeked through little Naomi's cabin. She rolled over in the bed covers, trying to cling to the little bit of the dream that was left…something about Voyager…
But before she could even remember the rest, Uncle Neelix pounced on the bed, shaking Flotter off. Even though she thought herself too old for such toys, Naomi did have a special place for Flotter, the only person who would always listen to her. Well, him and Uncle Neelix.
"Naomi! Naomi!" Uncle Neelix called in his sing song voice. She loved it when he did that! "It's time to get up! Breakfast will soon be served, and I have to have you under my wing." Rolling over again, she squinted up at him.
"What time is it?"
"0800! And if you hurry, you can hear the spectacular news." Groaning, she sat up.
"Alright. Uncle Neelix, I'll be out in five minutes. Just let me get dressed…" Catching the signal to go, he stood up and left, waiting outside the door.
Naomi went to the small trunk Mom had salvaged from Voyager. The leather on it was old and had always looked so clean, but it was burnt from the fire that had broken out in the Wildman's quarters. She had remembered the look in Mom's eyes when she saw the damage, all of the possessions lost.
Mom's eyes welled up with tears as she surveyed their quarters. Daughter looked up at mother for reassurance. The only kind she could find was the one that said Go ahead, it's okay to cry. The tears had spilled from her own eyes as well. She let them fall where they wanted, not caring. She wished she was back in the Mess Hall with Uncle Neelix, from before the attack. When it had hit, he took her to Sickbay, where the Doctor provided them with safety. But soon, they were told to leave, as the Sickbay filled up with bodies, so many bodies. A body had materialized on a bio bed nearby, swathed in white cotton. It wasn't until Uncle Neelix ushered her out so quickly that she realized the significance.
Uncle Neelix had been so brave! Leading her through Jefferies tubes, access routes, and around the small pockets of those aliens. Naomi tugged on her hair thoughtfully, pulling it back into a ponytail for the hot day ahead. Discarding the pajamas, she put on a light blue jumper that matched her eyes. Naomi bent over and picked up Flotter, replacing him on the bed.
Picking through the wreckage, Naomi saw a piece of blue from under a panel. Stepping forward, she liberated an unharmed Flotter. Not caring what her mother thought of how childish she may seem, Naomi hugged Flotter close, sniffing, searching for the familiar smell of home. It wasn't to be found, but she was sure it would come back…so sure…
Placing a light kiss on Flotter's head, Naomi found that he still smelled of wreckage, disaster. She would need to do something about that later…
Opening the door, she found Uncle Neelix leaning against the door jam, waiting.
"Well, little one, are you ready to go?" She giggled.
"Uncle Neelix, I'm not that little anymore." He wiggled his eyebrows.
"Well, okay. But you're still little Naomi to me." Embracing her in a huge bear hug, they started off towards the center of camp where breakfast was waiting.
"I found some excellent fruit again for this morning. They taste remarkably like a sour apple, but I still don't know what to name them – "
"Oh, Uncle Neelix!" He stopped, turning to face her. She was just under his height, and she strained to look up at him with the sun dancing behind his hair. "What was the news you were going to tell me?" A look of thought crossed his face, and then it lit up.
"How could I have forgotten?" He leaned up against a nearby cabin, gesturing for her to join him. She leaned against the cool wood, shadowed from the impending sun. Looking back up at him, she saw the joy dancing in his eyes. It must be good news.
"Well, I heard it from Harry this morning, who heard from Tom last night, that – "
"Uncle Neelix, were you gossiping again?" He winked at her.
"My dear Naomi, what else do I have to do with my time? Besides, then I wouldn't be able to bring you this juicy information…" Giving in, she nodded her approval. "Well, it would appear that at the Captain's check-up yesterday, Tom found something."
"Is she okay?" His eyes danced in delight.
"Of course! Nothing could hurt her!" He kneeled down next to the little girl. "Naomi, she's pregnant!"
"She's going to have a baby?"
"Yes!"
"Whose going to be the daddy?" Uncle Neelix's eyes darted around in merriment. "Don't tell anyone I told you this, but I think it's the commander."
"Uncle Chakotay?"
"Yes! Now, let's get to breakfast before anyone realizes how late we are!" Brushing the dirt off of her dress, she followed Uncle Neelix toward the center of camp.
Another baby! She had hear about Miral's birth last night, and Uncle Tom had promised her time to visit when he was off shift and Aunt B'Elanna was feeling better. What fun, to be able to play with it! She imagined herself holding it, teaching it how to play the PADDs, having a friend close to her own age, yet she was wary of Aunt Kathryn's new condition.
Uncle Neelix had to admonish her once to watch her step; she nearly walked into another cabin. They made it to the breakfast ring without mishap. Upon approaching the clearing, they heard raised voice from the other side of the nearest cabin.
"…we been detected?" That was definitely Aunt Kathryn's voice. It was said in a hiss, a whisper.
"Affirmative. It appears…logs indicate that…Plak'han…communications severed." That must be Tuvok in his unwavering Vulcan voice of reason. Naomi stopped, straining to hear the rest of the conversation. Neelix had gone on ahead without her.
"How did this happen?"
"…array. It would…Ensign Kim…functional…night."
"Summon him and…Seven…Vorik too." Her voice had risen. She sounded angry.
A pause.
"Are we…danger?"
Danger? Could they be in any more danger. Naomi's breath quickened, her young mind racing for an explanation.
"Unknown, Captain. We should…safe."
"…posted."
Naomi could hear the sound of Tuvok's footfalls heading towards breakfast, and the swish of Aunt Kathryn's dress heading towards her. Curling up into a tiny ball, Naomi pressed herself against the cabin, hoping Aunt Kathryn wouldn't see her. She passed by, not even looking in her direction, muttering words under her breath that Mom would have washed her mouth at for. Thoughts of the new baby forgotten, Naomi ran towards the clearing, looking for safety in Mom's arms.