From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58782.19
Subject: Thank you!
B'El and I are truly grateful for your help in getting her dad admitted to Medical. She wanted to personally "straighten out" the (string of Klingon curses) there, but regulations say she's too far along to travel.
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58790.09
Subject: Glad to help
Thank your mom for calling. Fortunately, I knew a couple of folks who could cut through the totally unnecessary red tape.
Did stop to see John the other day. He was looking pretty chipper. The Doctor happened to be there, too. He decided to be uncharacteristically humble and told John just how much B'Elanna had to do with his programming. John had tears in his eyes. (So did I.)
Love to B'Elanna … hope the worst of the stress has passed for her. John is in good hands, so she can rest easy about that.
ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
Stardate: 58807.79
Subject: A request
Not intending to be dramatic, but I don't want this in the communications stream, even on a secure channel.
You mentioned qualification courses for flight instructors? Know where I can get info on that?
Not that we don't enjoy being on the Sheridan. But John's health scare has rattled us. (While I doubt B'El will ever totally repair her relationship with him, this did change her perspective a bit.) And with little guy about to arrive … well, it might be nice to be close to family (including a certain godmother).
This doesn't mean that I consider things with Dad to be hunky-dory. I will always be hyper-vigilant for any pressure on the kids to join Starfleet, or to live up to his never-attainable idea of perfection.
Our tours don't end until May, but it never hurts to look at options. You don't happen to know anyone at the Corps of Engineers, do you?
ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, SFHQ-TechDiv
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58809.27
Subject: No problem
Info is attached. Steve Kessik would be delighted to talk with you. With your skills, bet you'd be a good fit at the advanced-training facility at Alameda.
I do happen to know someone at ECorps and will make some quiet inquires.
Confidentially, ECorps may contact B'Elanna at some point. Once my projects are through testing, they'll go there for further development, etc. Since we're adapting Delta Quadrant tech over here, having her skills/knowledge would be a definite plus.
And BTW, mum's the word on my end. About everything.
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, McKinley Station
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58836.66
Subject: TMI
Had dinner with Seven last night. She was here on a stopover, heading to a conference on Vulcan.
Either she shouldn't drink, or she needs a discretion implant. One glass of wine, and she spilled the details of her breakup with Chakotay. Some of it was no surprise, like the difference in age/maturity/life experiences/life goals. Then she mentioned, er, "equipment failures." I'm sure she would have given me extensive details had I not changed the subject. (Though I am rather grateful for that bit of, uh, general information …)
How's B'Elanna holding up? And kiss my darling goddaughter for me.
From: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
To: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, McKinley Station
Stardate: 58840.32
Subject: Oh, ouch
Well, that explains the "more-suitable" mate remark.
You know, while Seven has her charms, I'm not sure the Doc removed all those implants. I suspect my "equipment" would fail, too, as a matter of self-preservation.
B'El is more than ready for little guy to vacate the premises. I shared your last message with her. She tried very hard to be sympathetic, but finally just burst out laughing.
From: Adm. Kathryn E. Janeway, McKinley Station
To: Commander Thomas E. Paris, USS Sheridan
Stardate: 58840.58
Subject: That was wicked
Tom, your "self-preservation" line just made me spit coffee all over my shirt!
BTW, apparently she's seeing a very brave, or blissfully unaware fellow at Daystrom these days. Now I have to put this coffee-soaked shirt into the refresher.