AN: This story might start out very familiar to some of you. It's a revamped from Choose your own adventure. Initially this was going to be the Kathryn Janeway option, so some of you might understand where this is going. Unfortunately, no choice here. I've written 6 chapters and expect the work will be about 12-15. Although I'll keep much of the violence and angst off camera, there will be some and a warning posted at the start of each chapter if required.
Voyager was never designed to be a generational or even family friendly ship. She was a short-ranged cruiser, intended to ferry dignitaries around the Federation's Alpha quadrant. Her reason for construction, Diplomacy in an increasingly unstable part of the galaxy. Yet, Captain Rue Howard, a middle-aged human with forty years Starfleet experience knew single fathers were rare, even in the twenty-fourth century. So, when his First Officer requested permission to bring his daughter aboard, he'd agreed, reluctantly. It proved to open a can of worms the Captain had not seen coming.
But, he sighed heavily, scrutinising the information on the PADD in his hand, I should have. Trouble seems to follow Lt. Commander Thomas Paris wherever he goes.
There wasn't a single person in Starfleet who didn't know of the complex family history behind his new Number One. Paris hadn't led an exemplary life by any means. He might be one hell of a pilot, but his smug, arrogant nature made him a personnel nightmare from the moment he'd taken up his first posting on Exeter.
It was a safe bet that almost everyone associated with Starfleet knew of the incident at Caldik Prime. How, then Lt. Thomas Paris, son of Cardassian War Hero and newly promoted Admiral Owen Paris had almost been killed in a shuttle accident. To the young officer's credit, and against the wishes of his parent, Tom confessed to pilot error immediately on waking in sickbay. He'd taken the blame for the disaster, seemed remorseful at the loss of life and attempted to make reparations to his dead crews' family.
It wasn't enough to save his image or professional reputation. After being severely reprimanded, his chance at a golden career in Starfleet became unattainable. No one trusted a cocky pilot, not that it seemed to bother the young man. It took him another ten years to get the extra pip, even then it was only because Captain Howard was willing to take a chance on the man.
"Tom Paris," Rue shook his head, going over the changes that had been made to his crew manifest with the addition of a child on board. "Two parts cocky arrogance, three parts loyal officer, barely using the book, flying by the seat of his pants but the most highly decorated pilot of his generation. At least a little of the self confidence has matured with his marriage and the birth of his daughter. I hope I've made the right decision in giving him a chance at the XO's position."
Of course, once he'd allowed the adorable Elizabeth Paris to become a member of the crew, Lt. Carey requested his wife and sons be given the same opportunity. Howard agreed, once again reluctantly, because Rachael Carey was a Starfleet certified, civilian councillor. Going into the Badlands, with children on board, even if they were the product of several generations of Starfleet officers, was never a bad idea. That decision had, however, swelled his crew from the original one hundred and forty Starfleet personnel to Voyager's capacity of one hundred and eighty-six. His vessel now played host to twenty-nine children from the ages of two to sixteen and seventeen spouses. Deck four had been completely refitted, making it a family zone with facilities and quarters to match.
"What was I thinking," the Captain asked himself, picking up yet another PADD, scrutinising the careers of the civilian personal. "At least ten of these individuals will fill a need. Lt. Swift's husband is a qualified teacher and has already set up a school. Ensign Baxter's wife has agreed to establish a Crèche, along with two other general crew partners. Lt. Comm. Anew, our Chief Engineer's spouse is a paediatric nurse qualified in several species which will increase our medical team. We're going to need him, with children from five species onboard!"
"Bridge to Capt. Howard," the young, and straight out of the academy operations officer comm'ed, interrupting Rue's thoughts.
"Go ahead," he requested, picking up yet another PADD. This one with the systems status reports. All going well, they'd be leaving DS9 within the hour.
"Lt. Commander Paris has just come aboard, Sir," Ensign Kim stated. "All crew are now accounted for."
"Very good," Rue sighed. "Captain out. Howard to Paris."
"Go ahead, Captain," Tom managed to make his voice sound cheerful when his demeanour was anything but. In his arms, a tearful almost five-year-old attempted to strangle her father. Blond mop bobbing with each step, Lizzy Paris's red rimed eyes attested to her current and unusual state of unhappiness.
"Nice to finally have you aboard, Commander. Report to my ready room," Rue ensured his tone communicated his displeasure at the XO's tardiness. Mr. Paris should have been on board several hours previously and aiding his Captain with the checks required to launch Voyager.
"Aye, Sir," Tom's forced cheerfulness was drowned out by the whimpers of a child. "Permission to drop my daughter with Rachael Carey on the way?"
"Problems, Mr. Paris," Rue enquired, his voice softened. Suspicious, Captain Howard keyed in a search on his ready room computer. Within seconds it spat out the information he'd expected.
"Only the usual," Tom managed to infuse the words with meaning, a meaning they both knew only to well.
Capt. Rue Howard smiled, despite himself. Admiral Owen Paris had made his displeasure known when he discovered his only grandchild was to accompany her father on this mission. Although Tom could have left little Lizzy with the man, their history prohibited it in every way. Undoubtedly, it was Admiral Paris who caused the child's tears and Tom's tardiness with his sudden and unexpected arrival at DS9 this morning.
I just hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew, the Captain reminded himself. Making an adversary of Admiral Paris is not a good career move. It's just as well I don't want to climb into the upper echelons of Starfleet. This ship, or the ones that come after her are my mistress. Unlike my First Officer, I never found the right person and children were never in my future. It's such a shame Tom's wife disappeared years ago.
"Make your arrangements snappy, Mr. Paris. We have a ship to get underway. Captain out."
Looking down at his daughter's tear stained face, Tom wanted to swear under his breath. Once again, his father had upset the little girl. The mighty Admiral Owen Paris couldn't take a few minutes from his determination to get his own way to wish Lizzy a happy journey. Instead, she'd received a lecture about being too big to be carried by her father as it would ruin is image. The Admiral's words to his son were even less well chosen, especially with little ears listening.
I don't know why I expected anything else, Tom's mind supplied. My father is treating my daughter in the same manner as he treated me as a child. Dad was against this assignment, especially after uncovering my resolve to take my daughter with me. When he found out our mission, well, he went ballistic. It didn't matter how I tried to stop his rant, he didn't care that Elizabeth was in the room. For God's sake, she didn't need to know her mother defected to the Maquis and we've been sent to real her in.