AN: The original story was going to be a one-shot. But … it was suggested that we needed a bit more. So let's see what happens next, this time from Tom's point of view.
ooo
It was damned embarrassing to show up at his parents' house with his stuff in tow. Even more embarrassing to explain why.
His mother was incredulous. "B'Elanna accused you of cheating on her with Kathryn?"
Tom nodded.
"And she dumped your things on Kathryn's front porch?"
Tom nodded again.
"But you were at Kathryn's house?" Owen interjected. He was careful with his tone, but Tom still heard the disapproval.
"Yes, but not like that. Harry and I went to that new barbecue place — which is pretty good, you should try it — and we ran into Kathryn and Drew McKinnon.
At the mention of McKinnon, his father's eyebrow arched. Julia's lips puckered into an "O."
"Kathryn invited us back to play pool, and Drew brought out a bottle of MelShat."
Owen winced. "Oh, God," he breathed.
"It's as bad as you've heard. Harry was out after the first shot. I started a second one, but the next thing I knew, it was morning, and Harry was yelling that I needed to come upstairs."
He shook his head. "My stuff was all over, and Kathryn and Drew were setting B'Elanna straight. She got the message." Considering that the admirals were barely dressed, the message was pretty damn clear.
"But B'Elanna is still angry," Owen said softly. "Son, was she right to believe that you were cheating on her while she was on McKinley?"
There it was, that faint air of disappointment — likely centered around his decision not to stay in 'Fleet. Never mind that he had a good job as a holodeveloper. Guess hologames and instructional materials didn't give the old man the bragging rights he wanted.
He shook his head. "No," he said firmly. "Not this time," he didn't add, managing to ignore the guilt that settled in his chest.
"What do you want to do?" Julia asked softly.
"I don't know yet," he said honestly. "Right now, my main concern is Miral."
Julia nodded. "Well, pick out a bedroom, dear," she said, shooting Owen a look that clearly said, "Don't interfere." "Simon Harnelt's wife is in my golf group. If you want to explore your legal options, I'm sure you could talk to him, or his brother Stan. They're both very good."
ooo
"You sure you want to float the idea of divorce?" Owen asked after Tom had gone upstairs.
Julia sighed. "Owen, that marriage isn't right, and we're long past the 're-acclamation stress' stage. I won't speculate on the whys, but if she's angry enough to throw him out, she may be angry enough to file for dissolution. I'd hate to see him blindsided or lose Miral."
She took another sip of coffee. "I am surprised to hear that Drew McKinnon has wormed his way back to Kathryn."
"Isn't that Gretchen's problem?" Owen teased, and she laughed.
"Gretchen says she's staying out of it. As she sees it, her daughter knows what she's taken on, but she's hellbent on making up for lost time. Though from what I hear, Kathryn has not been pining for him.
"Well, it may be a self-solving problem," Owen remarked. "McKinnon is up for a post in Operations," he said to Julia's raised eyebrow.
"Think he'll get it?"
"Hard to tell; there are several good candidates. Both Neychayev and Taggart are pushing their favorites, so I'd say it's a toss-up."
ooo
Up in his new room, Tom laid back on the bed and smiled. "So that's why McKinnon is back," he murmured. Good thing he hadn't shut the door; he'd of missed this.
He stopped that train of thought with a headshake: He was getting ahead of himself.
Mom was right: It was past time to end a marriage that had become so difficult they were burying themselves in work — and other distractions — to avoid each other. God help him, he'd reverted to being the jackass he'd left behind long ago.
He'd even been cocky enough to suggest a "distraction" to Kathryn. He'd expected a refusal, but he was intrigued by the flicker of interest and desire in her eyes before she did.
And then there was that conversation when he went back for his things.
"So how did you manage to stay upright after that MelShat?" he'd asked as she helped him pick up.
She just snorted. "I had bourbon. I've already tangled with MelShat, thank you. During the last dinner at the Romulan Embassay, my aide bribed the waitstaff to water down our drinks so we wouldn't end up at Medical. Even then, it was a nasty hangover."
"You could have warned us," he chided as she grinned. "So, McKinnon going to hang around?"
"Oh, we'll give it a try, but this is Drew we're talking about," she said breezily. "But hey," she said with a gentle punch to his arm, "a girl has to have some fun."
She put the last box in his hovercar, and he expected her to move away. Instead, she leaned against the door, arms crossed. "Seems someone has an active imagination. Any idea who it might be?"
"No," he admitted. "Though I suspect B'Elanna will go after them. She doesn't like to be embarrassed."
She raised an eyebrow. "Who does? You know, you're in dangerous territory here. Please, get yourselves sorted. Miral deserves better."
Before he could react, she reached up and gentlyflicked her index finger under his chin. "I'm going off-world for a bit, but if you need to talk, give me a call."
ooo
Julia was coming up the stairs. "Hey, Mom," he called, and she poked her head in the door.
"Did you mean it … about getting an appointment with that lawyer?"
"Yes, I can call Jan right now," she said. "She owes me a favor or two."
"Would you?" he asked.
"I will," she replied, then paused. "Please don't misunderstand: I'm not pushing for divorce. I'm sure Simon could suggest some counselors if you want to go that route."
He shook his head. "That hasn't helped."
Julia absently tapped her hand on the door frame. "All right. No matter what, it's best to make an informed decision — for yourself and my darling granddaughter."
Tom nodded, and she left. He sat back on the bed, slightly stunned but, well, relieved.