After all the legal wrangling, the custody hearing itself was anticlimactic.

They were standing around the small courtroom, waiting for the hearing to start. Tom and B'Elanna had been talking to their lawyers, Kathryn noted, until the bailiff called both attorneys to the judge's chambers …

"I feel pretty confident about this," Moira said quietly. "Tom has a good case."

"I understand B'Elanna's been reinstated; is that going to make a difference?" Julia asked.

"Maybe, but she's going to be on a ship. My colleagues tell me that this judge is conservative on custody. So he might balk at putting a young child on a ship for extended periods," Moira said.

She turned to her father. "By the way, Dad, you've mentioned that 'Fleet has a regulation on away missions?" Owen nodded. "Actually, it's a guideline. Single parents usually aren't put on extended away missions if the child is younger than 5." he said.

"So would an engineer need to be off the ship overnight or longer?" she asked, looking at her father and Kathryn in turn.

"Maybe, depending on the circumstances," Kathryn said, as Owen nodded in agreement. "Given that I'm the poster child for the 'anything can happen' argument, I'd say it is always a possibility."

XXX

"Tom ..."

He managed not to flinch at the familiar voice, but he still braced himself.

"Hi," he answered as lightly as possible.

"I suppose you heard that I've been reinstated. I've been assigned to the Hermitage."

"I did hear; congratulations," he said.

B'Elanna just took a breath. "For what it's worth. I'm sorry about everything. I made a mistake." She looked at him, almost pleading. "I suppose there's no talking about this."

He shook his head. "I've realized that I can't make you happy. Only you can do that."

Her eyes hardened a bit as she looked over at Kathryn. "I suppose you can say that because you have my replacement lined up."

Tom just looked at her evenly. "No one could replace you, B'Elanna." He paused for a moment and considered his words. "You're Miral's mom; she needs you. I just hope we can put aside our differences enough to raise her."

"You mean you and Janeway raise her, and I get to be the occasional visitor."

"We're both making our cases to the judge," he said softly. "How things play out will be up to him … how you handle it is up to you."

XXX

The two lawyers came out of the judge's chambers. Beri, Tom's lawyer, waived Moira over. They talked for a moment, then he turned to the room.

"Sorry folks, but the judge has decided to do this one in chambers," he announced. "We'll be back in a bit. Tom, Commander Torres, if you'd join us."

"I hope that's a good sign," Owen mused.

"Beri says they have a tentative agreement," Moira said quietly. "We just have to see what the judge says."

XXX

Kathryn decided to make a run to the ladies room; she came out to find Chakotay standing by the courtroom door.

"Admiral," he said formally.

Playing it this way, eh? "Chakotay," she said, refusing to use his formal tone. "Still on the Lethbridge?"

That was enough to thaw his demeanor. "No," he said, and she could hear the frustration. "I'm due to take the Troughton on a shakedown cruise. Just waiting for the refit to be completed."

"Well, if it's any consolation, I bounced between ships before I got Voyager," she said. She wouldn't mention that he might bounce a while longer. Starfleet had a number of new captains to evaluate ...

They looked at each other for a moment. "How is she doing?" she asked quietly.

He raised an eyebrow. "You're hardly a neutral observer."

"And how neutral are you?" she retorted. His face flushed. "You know, I still care about what happens to B'Elanna. And we all want to do our best for Miral."

Chakotay gave her a level look. "She's having a hard time. Is that so surprising?"

"No, it's not," she said, but she knew she shouldn't elaborate.

He shook his head. "I don't get it."

"Get what?"

"Paris. I don't know what B'Elanna saw in him to begin with. She finally divorces him but she regrets it. And now he's living with you."

"Actually," she said gently, "Tom and Miral live next door." He just gave her a look.

"And what did you and Seven see in each other?" she asked, and watched him swallow. "You know … what attracts two people … what they are to each other … it's one of the most mysterious forces in the universe. Maybe all I can say is, 'You have to be there,'" she finished as she opened the courtroom door.

XXX

B'Elanna was first out. She walked straight out of the courtroom, leaving her father and stepmother to exchange looks, and a surprised Chakotay to run after her.

Tom looked relieved. He walked over to his family, and without saying a word, put his arm around Kathryn and pulled her close.

"Good news?" she asked.

He nodded. "I keep primary custody. B'Elanna gets vid calls, but only supervised visits until she completes an anger management course." That bit of news brought raised eyebrows all around. "That wasn't part of the settlement," Tom continued. "Took us all by surprise."

Beri appeared "I'd say you did quite well," he told Tom. "But remember, this is an ongoing process. They'll likely seek joint custody when she's in a stronger position. I'll be in touch when we get a proposed visitation schedule." He shook hands with Tom and hurried off.

"I think the judge likes hovercycles," Tom joked. "He mentioned that."

"I think he liked that you started a business," Moira said. "And I suspect he didn't like the scans of your ribs, among other things."

"I think the bailiff is giving us 'go away' looks," Julia noted. "We were going to lunch. Anyone interested?"

"Love, to, but I'm back here with a case this afternoon, and I need to get ready," Moira said. She stood on tiptoe and kissed Tom on the cheek. "You had a good day, little brother; we'll talk later."

They got into the lift to find John and Liz Torres. "John," Tom said, "I've said this before, but I'm sorry. I know it's been tough on you."

John smiled slightly. "I hate to see B'Elanna hurting, but I've told her I won't cast villains here. I appreciate that you … all of you have included me in Miral's life. As for my daughter, I still have a lot of work to do."

XXX

"Are you all right?" Kathryn asked as they walked to the transport stop after lunch.

"Yeah. Relieved mostly. Do you have to go back to the office?"

"Not really, though I'll need to check in. And I should call Mom. She was anxious to hear about this."

"Well, then," he said, tightening his grip on her hand. "Since we're sorted out the legalities for now, I think it's time we got on with the rest of our life. How about you?"

"Does that include us all officially living in one house? Whichever one it may be?"

"Yes," he said. "You certainly deserve that."

"Then," she said, returning the squeeze, "I think that's a wonderful idea."