Chapter Five--The Aftermath

Derek and Miral's Quarters-1223

Tom walked into his granddaughter's bedroom and sat on the side of the bed.

Carrie was lying on her side, facing the other war.

"I'm proud of you," Tom started.

Carrie sighed.

"Come here," Tom said, patting the bed next to him.

"What?" Carrie asked, turning to him.

"Put that book down, and come sit by Grandpa a bit."

Carrie closed her book and crawled around her bed to sit next to the ancient man.

Tom put his arm around her. "You get your strength and courage from her. I guess you have Harry's willingness to help, and Seven's intelligence, and you get your-"

"Fetish for cars," she finished for him.

Tom smiled. "Your inventiveness and sense of humor from me." He paused. "Way to go, and thank you."

Carrie wrapped her arms around the old man, genuinely wanted to be held and comforted now. He wrapped his arms around her. Tom gently kissed her forehead, the forehead that reminded him of B'Elanna.

"We have to look out for our own."

"Captain Janeway said that all the time," Tom smiled at Carrie's wisdom.

"I wish I knew her," Carrie said earnestly.

"She was one of the best people I have ever met." Tom stared out the window for a moment, looking into the past. He sighed and looked at Carrie, into the future. "Your Grandmother wants to see you, she's in Sickbay." Tom stood. "Come on, I'll walk you."

They walked out, hand in hand.

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Ready Room-1223

"The hull has sustained heavy damage. We have fourteen hull breaches, force fields are holding. There's engine troubles, and the shields are off-line, and that's the basic problems."

"Mr. Kim, we will have a staff meeting tomorrow morning at 0800, inform the appropriate personnel. Dismissed."

"Yes, Sir."

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Sickbay-1231

"Doctor, I feel fine. I have to get to Engineering."

The Doctor stopped B'Elanna from standing. "Commander, you have suffered a severe concussion and several third-degree plasma burns. You are lucky you can sit upright. You are NOT fine!"

Carrie walked in.

"Just the person I wanted to see. Carrie, tell your grandmother she is in no condition for work," the Doctor insisted.

"Carrie, tell this Holographic Oaf that I am fine!" B'Elanna looked harshly at the Doctor.

"You look fine to me," Carrie replied nonchalantly.

"Traitor," the Doctor muttered. "I have to check on someone, you had better be here when I get back," he snapped at B'Elanna.

"He's serious, isn't he?" Carrie asked joining the elderly Klingon on a bio-bed.

"I think I did that to him," B'Elanna said proudly.

Carrie smiled in admiration.

"That was quite a stunt you pulled today. It's because down deep you're a Torres, and we're a hell of a lot stronger than those 'Kims'." Carrie nudged B'Elanna's shoulder.

"I won't tell them you said that."

"Cause we take care of our own."

"That's what I told Grandpa."

"See, a Torres."

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