Tom
ooo
It's 5:45 a.m., or 0545 since Kate runs on military time. Coffee's brewing and I'm trying to figure out my day. One deviation already: Sounds like Miri is awake. And then …
"Honey," Kate calls down from upstairs. "Where's the med tricorder? The regular one?"
Oh shit. "Our bathroom, vanity drawer," I answer as calmly as possible as I head upstairs. Miri's sitting on our bed, looking peaky — to use one of Mom's terms.
"I don't feel good," she says. Yep, she's congested.
"She feels a bit feverish," Kate says as she hands me the tricorder. "Thought we should check."
I run the scan. Low-grade fever and congestion. Miri pulls Kate's robe around her, meaning the chills have started. Levodian flu pops up on the tricorder. Kate and I both wince.
Usually, Levodian flu isn't a big deal; you feel miserable for a day or two, less if you get antivirals. Then you're done. But with Miri, any illness can let the Ylt virus take hold.
"Tell you what, Miri," Kate says, taking charge, "We'll go up to the family room. You can camp out on the couch and watch vids, and I'll get you some juice. Daddy has to call school and the doctor."
"No school?" Miri asks, clearly disappointed.
"Not today, kiddo," I say before I head downstairs.
Fortunately, Dr. Hibs referred us to a pediatrician who's willing to coordinate Miri's care. Even better, he's nearby, but I asked for a vid visit.
The school's administrative assistant isn't surprised. "You're the eighth parent to call this morning," she said. "They said on the news that Levodian flu is making the rounds."
Kate comes down in full uniform and fills her mug. "All set," I tell her. "Seems we're on the priority list at the doc's office, so they're going to fit us in. I have to send them some scans."
"With any luck, she'll sleep so you can work," Kate says as she leans in to kiss me goodbye. "I have meetings today, but I'll try to leave early."
ooo
Dr. Viran calls soon afterward. He listens patiently as I describe symptoms, then asks Miri a few questions while I send over the scans.
"Looks like Levodian flu," he says. "There's been an outbreak this week. I will send pharmacy codes for a decongestant and an analgesic. Her current antiviral may be enough, but I'll consult with Dr. Hibs." He pauses for a moment. "So, rest and fluids; keep her meals on the bland side. Her discomfort will probably peak mid-afternoon or so, but things should get better after that."
ooo
Miri does fall asleep, and I manage to get some work in, with a couple of interruptions: Dr. Viran's office sends the replicator code for an antiviral, and Nar calls to ask if Miral is also ill. Seems T'mel woke up sick this morning, too.
"T'leth is making plomeek soup. If it is agreeable, we could bring some for Miral. Perhaps it will ease the congestion."
"Thank you," I say gratefully. "I'm sure it will help."
ooo
Kathryn
ooo
The morning briefing is quick, and I'm about to wrap it up when Reseil gently interrupts.
"It's not official, but I wanted to give you a heads-up. I'm leaving the project sometime in January. Dr. Galvez will take over."
I'm not surprised. We're back on reduced staff, and barring any more surprises, Romulan or otherwise, things will be routine until patrols end in early 2386, according to the latest calculations.
"So, where are you going?" Scott asks.
Reseil laughs. "Physically, next floor up. We're teaming with Fed Science to study a gas giant found near the Dorvan Sector. We may have to negotiate lab time, though," she says.
ooo
"So," I ask over lunch, "will you go out with the ship studying that gas giant?"
"No," she says. "I'm more manager than scientist on this one. And to be honest, being anywhere near the Cardassian border …" she shakes her head.
"Can't blame you. Certainly isn't my favorite area of space."
"You think you'll ever go out on a ship again?" she asks quietly.
Well, that took a turn. "Funny, Tom and I were just saying that we've begun to miss that," I say. "There are ways to do it in 'Fleet, but Tom couldn't fly."
She frowns. "It's tough to find qualified people to go out these days. My new project was delayed until Fed Science came up with a crew. So you and Tom might make a nice package deal for us, or Fed Science. Hell, if you took one of our projects, I'd go with you. It would be fun to see you in the captain's chair."
This makes me laugh. "A few folks from Voyager might disagree on that."
"Tom among them?" she teases.
"Not if he ever wants to be my chief pilot again," I quip. "Though he's seen me when I was not at my best," I admit, then shake off those thoughts. "But I'm committed here for another few years unless I retire. And right now, we need to stay in New York for Miral's sake."
"I understand," she says. "And you still have a commitment to Columbia, right?" I nod.
"Look, Kathryn, just a thought here: If you're curious about what's available or what will be available, go chat with Dr. Pakell; he's on the committee that approves new projects. Don't forget that we have the Tech section here, too. Nothing wrong with a little comparison shopping," she says with a wink.
ooo
Tom
ooo
Fortunately, my project can be done in pieces, just like my day. Miri's sleeping a fair amount, guarded by Molly and Tiger. She did wake up long enough to take meds and eat some of the plomeek soup that T'leth sent. I had some too, since Nar delivered a vat of the stuff.
Mid-afternoon, and I'm interrupted by Molly's barking. I go out to shush her, only to discover Miri sitting on the floor crying, her face covered in … snot. Looks like Dr. Viran was right on the money.
Fortunately, there's a small bathroom off Kate's office, so I grab a wet cloth and more tissues. Miri can't settle … she wants to be held, then she squirms away. I manage to clean her face and get her to blow her nose, which helps some.
A quick scan confirms it: her fever's up a bit, and whatever creates snot has gone into overdrive. Or maybe the decongestant is cleaning her out. Fortunately, the second scan shows no Ylt virus spikes.
"I know you feel awful, but it's going to get better now," I console her. I get her some juice from the stasis, then run downstairs to get clean jammies. She fusses again, and I realize that I won't be working for a while.
"Be right back, kiddo," I say as I walk over to the vid to send a couple of messages. That done, That done, I carry her downstairs — trailed by Molly and Tiger. We settle on the couch and listen to the rain hitting the windows ...
ooo
I awaken to the sound of the transporter, followed by familiar footsteps. "Down here," I mock whisper. Bad idea: Miral stirs, but at least she doesn't start to fuss.
"Oh, my," Kate murmurs as she crouches next to us. "Bad day?"
"Bad afternoon," I say. "We should be on the downward slide … at least I hope that's the case."
Miri's a little more awake and realizes that Kate is here. "Hi, Kat," she says, sounding pitiful.
"Still sick, eh?" Kate asks softly as she strokes Miri's head. "It will get better soon. You want something to eat?" Miri shakes her head. "Juice? Water?" Miri shakes her head again.
Kate stands and shrugs out of her jacket. "I'll take her for a bit," she offers. I nod gratefully. "Could you get a new blanket? This one really needs to be cleaned."
She's back in a few minutes, now in sweatshirt and exercise pants. Miri happily goes to her, and we switch places on the couch. "Thanks," I say. "There are plenty of tissues over there; you'll need them. I don't remember ever having that much congestion with this flu."
She winces as she looks at me. "I fear you may have to revisit that theory. Better put that shirt in the refresher, too."
I look down, and yuck! "Maybe I'll just take a shower, too."
ooo
Freshly showered, I'm in the kitchen replicating something to eat. I've had my fill of plomeek soup for today. Miri's asleep again, so Kate won't move, but I bring her a mug of coffee anyway.
I just finish my solitary dinner when the door buzzer goes off. I check the security cam and nearly drop my glass: It's B'Elanna.
"Were you expecting her?" Kate asks softly.
"No," I say as I head to the door. "I'd sent a message; she was at McKinley."
I open the door; she's on the stoop, coat drenched. She probably walked from the transport station. "I know I should have called, and I'm sorry," she announces. "If it's a really bad time, I'll come back later."
I'm not thrilled about this. But it would be rude to leave her in the rain, so I wave her inside. She shrugs out of her topcoat, which leaves a smear of rain on the wood. "I got your message just before I left McKinley and I wanted to check ..."
ooo
Kathryn
ooo
The look on B'Elanna's face is priceless. I don't know if she's shocked that I'm holding Miral; that I'm out of uniform; or that I actually have some maternal qualities.
To her credit, she shakes it off. "How is she?" she whispers as she crouches next to us and gently lays a hand on Miri's back.
"Tom says she had a bad afternoon, but her fever is down now," I whisper, noting that Molly and Tiger are awake and warily watching B'Elanna.
"The other?" she asks in a tight voice.
"Up a bit," Tom says. "Nothing drastic."
The conversation rouses Miri, who stirs. "Mommy?"
"Right here, baby," B'Elanna whispers. Miri sits up and smiles as she holds out her arms. B'Elanna picks her up, whispering softly, and I get up from the couch.
"Here, have a seat," I say, waving her toward the couch. "Tissues are on the left; she'll probably need them. Can we get you anything? Coffee?"
"Coffee would be wonderful," she says gratefully.
Tom gets to do the hospitality; I have to hit the bathroom. He's sitting on our bed when I come out.
"Sorry," he says quietly. "I didn't expect this."
"I don't want her to make a habit of it," I say, just as quietly, "but I understand the anxiety. That's not good news to get when you're off-planet."
"Now she knows how I feel when she takes Miri out on a ship," he replies. I'm not going to chide him for the sarcasm, and it's not my job to mediate.
ooo
An hour or so later and I'm in the kitchen. I've helped myself to the plomeek soup and am working on a proposal for those classes at Columbia. The supernova is top of mind right now; I should be able to cull enough non-classified information …
I'm interrupted by Miri's arrival in the kitchen, followed by B'Elanna, Molly, and Tiger. "I'm hungry," Miri announces, which is the best news of the day.
"Sounds like you're feeling better," I say. "How about some more plomeek soup?" Tom was right: T'leth did make a vat of it. Miral considers, then nods her head. I look over at B'Elanna. "Would you like some?"
She raises an eyebrow. "That's Vulcan, right?"
"It is. It's a little on the bland side, but not bad. A good sick day soup."
"It's good, Mommy," Miral insists, B'Elanna still looks uncertain but accepts. I replicate some rolls and warm up a couple of bowls of soup. "This livens it up," I say conspiratorially as I pass the bottle of hot sauce over.
She chuckles, then looks concerned as a reach for a roll. "Are you eating?"
"I've had some soup. This is a snack," I assure her as I slather butter on the hot roll.
"Where's Daddy?" Miri asks.
"Upstairs working. He has a deadline tomorrow," I say non-noncommittally. I suspect B'Elanna wants to ask about Tom's business, but I know she's paying support since Miri is with us full-time. I'm not about to give her any ammunition to change that.
Instead, I ask about some gossip I heard about E-Corps; she was more than happy to tell me about the goings-on. After about an hour, Miri was getting wiggly, and B'Elanna frowned as she checked the chronometer.
"Ah, I should get going. I have a report due tomorrow," she says apologetically. I offer to send her back via my transporter, but she declines. I call Tom; he comes down and gets her coat from the refresher. "Should be dry by now," he says as he hands it to her.
"Thank you for letting me barge in, and for dinner," B'Elanna says sincerely before she goes out the door. "I promise to call next time."
ooo
A little later, Miral's asleep and we're getting ready for bed. "You know, I totally forgot to ask about your day," he says apologetically. "How was it?"
He's surprised when I tell him about Reseil's new project. "Everyone starting to jump ship?"
"We're on the downside, so turnover's to be expected. I heard this afternoon that Monday's posting list includes spots for the team that will study the explosion's aftermath. I suspect I'll be writing a few recommendations."
"You going to have a part in this new team?" There's some uncertainty in his tone, which doesn't surprise me. Any new assignment has the potential to upset our home life.
"I haven't been approached, and we still have a few years before the project ends," I assure him. Both of which are true. But this is a multidisciplinary team with a lot of moving parts, and gossip is that some of those parts haven't been approved. So anything is possible, though I still have an escape plan — even if it sounds a bit disloyal.
"However," I continue, "I am putting together a proposal for Columbia; I did agree to a new set of classes. This seems like a good time to do it."
"Oh, so you're jumping ship, too," he teases.
"Maybe for a couple of months," I tease back.
We settle into bed, but I don't fall asleep right away. I don't like keeping things from Tom, but this isn't a good time to tell him that I'm meeting with Dr. Pakell next week. I don't know what it will yield, but a little "comparison shopping" will come in handy when it's time to move on.