VOYAGERS! - The Voyager Chronicles
OLD FRIENDS, NEW BEGINNINGS - BOOK 6
(Sequel to A Ray of Hope)
By DA Daugherty (VoyagersFan)
December 2008 (Revised 03/2010)
Previous disclaimers apply
Chapter 11 - GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Moments later, the three arrived safely back at Voyager Headquarters. Tired and exhausted from their efforts, the three walked down the hallway to the small lounge and went inside to grab some refreshments. With beverages in hand, the three made their way over to the table and sat down. After a few moments of unnerving silence, Mallory spoke up.
"So guys, how did I do?" Mallory asked nervously.
Bogg and Jeff sat there sipping their drinks and did not respond.
"Well?" Mallory exclaimed. "Please say something, anything!"
At that point, Bogg and Jeff responded at the same time and then stopped.
"Go ahead Bogg, you tell him." Jeff urged.
"No, kiddo, you were first. You tell him." Bogg said.
"Obviously something must be wrong here." Mallory said sullenly. "C'mon, one of you, please…If there's something I did wrong, please tell me. I want to know, ok!"
Jeff looked at Mallory and began to speak. "Shawn, it's like this…You did…"
Nervous about his performance on his first mission, Mallory chimed in.
"Let me guess… I did everything wrong!"
Bogg noticed the beads of perspiration building up on Mallory's forehead. Seeing Mallory in this state, he knew this was not the time for one of his pranks.
"Shawn, what the kid is trying to tell you is…Good job!" Bogg said with a smile.
"You're kidding, right?" Mallory asked.
"No, I'm not kidding." Bogg confirmed. "For this to be your first assignment, you actually did a great job."
Mallory wiped the sweat from his brow and sat back in his chair as he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Whew! For a moment there, I thought I'd really messed things up." Mallory confessed.
"Nope, you didn't mess up." Bogg reassured. "You were right on target. And Jeff and I are very proud of you."
"Thanks, guys." Mallory said warmly. "That means a lot to me. What's next for you two, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I don't know, Shawn." Bogg replied. "I guess we'll know when we get to our next assignment."
"What about tonight?" Mallory asked. "Why don't you two come and have dinner with Roz and I. You know, it's a small token of appreciation for what you both have done for me."
"Do you think Roz will mind?" Bogg asked somewhat concerned. "You know, having two unexpected guests drop by for dinner."
"She won't mind at all. I assure you." Mallory replied.
Bogg glanced over to his partner. "What about it kiddo?"
"Ummm…I guess so." Jeff replied passively.
A look of surprise suddenly came over Bogg. "You guess?" He asked. "Since when have you ever turned down a meal?"
"Ok, OK! You win!" Jeff exclaimed. "YES! Let's go eat!"
"Great!" Mallory exclaimed. "I'll go call Roz and let her know you're coming."
Mallory walked over to a nearby chair and sat down. Next to the chair was a small table with a Visiphone sitting atop it. He reached over and pushed a few buttons and after a moment, the image of his beautiful wife Rosalyn, appeared.
"Shawn?" Roz asked. "Where are you? Are you ok? I've been so worried about you."
"Calm down, honey." He reassured. "We're at headquarters. We just got back from our assignment."
"Oh, what a relief." Roz said. "I heard about the problem in the time vortex. I was so worried for you three."
Mallory, shocked by the fact that Roz knew about their incident in the time vortex, exclaimed. "What? They told you about that? I specifically told Lindsey not to tell you, because I knew it would worry you so."
"I'm sorry, my love. It wasn't her fault." Roz said apologetically. "She didn't want to tell me, but I forced it out of her."
Jeff glanced up at his partner as he nodded his head. "Isn't love grand?"
Bogg chuckled a bit. "Yep, you said it."
"Honey, what I called about is; I've invited Phineas and Jeff over for dinner tonight. Is that ok?" Mallory asked.
"Is it ok?" Roz exclaimed. "Of course it's ok! Besides, there's plenty of food for them."
"Great!" Mallory exclaimed. "We'll be there shortly. I love you, Roz."
"I love you, too, Shawn." Roz replied before her image disappeared from the screen.
"Well, guys, everything's set." Mallory said excitedly. "Shall we be on our way?"
Bogg rose from his seat and walked toward the door. "Kid are you coming?"
"Sure, I wouldn't miss this for the world." Jeff replied.
The three took the elevator to the first floor of the building and walked out to the parking area where Mallory's very compact vehicle was parked. After squeezing themselves inside, he started the vehicle and drove out of the parking lot.
"Shawn, what's with the sardine can?" Bogg teased. "I barely have room for one knee back here, let alone two. You need a bigger vehicle."
"I don't need a bigger vehicle. " Mallory teased as he drove down the road. "You need shorter legs."
"No, seriously, Shawn. You're a married man now. You need a vehicle that reflects that fact." Bogg advised. "This is something a first year Academy student would drive."
Mallory playfully took offense to Bogg's words. "Why should I…get rid of this vehicle?" Mallory asked. "It's reliable…and…economical."
Bogg smiled and started to laugh. "How about, it's too small and Roz will have to be a contortionist to get inside."
"Oh, I must have forgot to tell you, Phineas, Roz IS a contortionist." Mallory said with a chuckle. "She can get in and out of this vehicle with no problems at all. Of course sometimes she gets her big toe stuck in her ear, but, that's just a minor issue."
Jeff looked back at his partner and laughed. "Well, Bogg, I'd say the joke's on you this time."
"Smart kids and small vehicles give me such a pain!" Bogg mumbled.
Moments later, the three arrived at Mallory's apartment. Once Jeff had extracted his partner from the vehicle, the three climbed the stairs to the second floor and walked a few feet to the front door. Mallory retrieved his keycard from his wallet and swiped it across the sensor. After a few clicks, the door opened and the three went inside.
"Wow, Bogg! No keys!" Jeff exclaimed.
"Yea, they don't use keys anymore." Bogg explained. "You have this card thingy that you carry with you. It can open doors, make purchases, peel potatoes and a whole host of other things. I think they call them 'smart cards'."
"Honey, we're here!" Mallory yelled as he walked into the living room.
Roz came through the kitchen door and ran over to greet her husband and their friends.
"Shawn!" Roz exclaimed as she threw her arms around him. "I'm so glad you're home. I missed you so."
"I've missed you too, Roz!" Mallory said lovingly.
After a moment, Roz released her husband from her grip and walked over to greet Bogg and Jeff.
"Phineas!" She said as she hugged her friend. "It's so good to see you again."
"It's good to see you too, Roz." Bogg replied. "You look ravishing this evening."
"Oh, Bogg, you are such a flirt!" Roz said bashfully. "Thank you for the compliment, but this apron really does nothing to flatter my figure."
"Really, Roz. I'm not talking about the apron." Bogg said, in a state of bewilderment. "There's something about you…I can't quite put my finger on it, but somehow you seem to be glowing."
"Aww…It's just your imagination." Roz replied as she pulled a towel from her apron pocket and rubbed her face. "I've been in the kitchen all afternoon. It's probably just some stray flour that landed on my cheeks."
Roz walked over and put her arms around Jeff and kissed him on the cheek. "And Jeff, it's good to see you again too. How's the voice?"
"It's ok…" Jeff said as his cheeks flushed with color. "The squeaking comes and goes."
Roz turned to her guests and began to speak.
"Why don't you three go into the living room and relax for a while." She urged. "Dinner will be ready in a little bit."
"What are we having, hon?" Mallory asked.
"Your favorites." She announced as she held back her laughter. "Fried rattlesnake, smothered in gravy with a side of grits."
"WHAT?" Mallory exclaimed as his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
Bogg and Jeff were now bent over with laughter. Little did they realize, Roz had been watching their mission unfold from Mission Control.
"You've got to be kidding, right?" Mallory asked.
"Nope, that's what we're having." Roz teased. "I heard it was your all-time favorite, so I thought I'd try my hand at preparing it."
"How did you know?" Mallory asked.
"Hon, it's a secret." Roz replied mysteriously. "Besides, a woman never reveals her secrets. It's a woman thing, you know."
Mallory stood in the middle of the room, silent, stunned by the whole episode as Roz, without saying another word, turned and walked through the door into the kitchen. Bogg and Jeff, realizing their partner needed some support before he eventually passed out from the shock, put their arm around him and escorted him over to the sofa.
A confused look came over Mallory. "How did she know?"
At that point, Bogg remembered the little prank the three women had pulled on him earlier from the confines of Mission Control.
"Shawn, all I can say is you better be on your best behavior at all times." Bogg warned.
"Why?" Mallory asked.
"Because there are eyes everywhere." Bogg teased. "And I do mean…EVERYWHERE!"
After a while, Roz emerged from the dining room and summoned them to the table.
"Guys, dinner is ready."
Bogg, Jeff and Mallory stood up and made their way into the dining room. After taking their seats, they all joined hands, bowed their heads and gave thanks for the food that was set before them.
Mallory turned to his loving wife and asked. "Ok, what are we really having for dinner tonight?"
"I told you, hon. Rattlesnake!" Roz teased. "Here, let me take the cover off it and you can see for yourself.
Roz stood up and with a mischievous smile, reached over and removed the cover from a beautiful serving dish. Much to Mallory's surprise, it was not the fried rattlesnake he had anticipated. It was his favorite dish, veal parmesan.
"Whew!" Mallory exclaimed. "You had me worried there, hon. I thought I was gonna have to go out and get me a burger or something. I knew there was no way I could eat rattlesnake."
"Gotcha!" Roz teased. "I was just having a little bit of fun with the love of my life."
"Is that what I think it is?" Jeff asked. "Veal parmesan?"
"Yes, Jeff, that's what it is." Roz replied. "It's Shawn's favorite."
"You said it." Shawn acknowledged. "Mom used to make it for me all the time when I was a kid. Do you like it, Jeff?"
"Like it? I love it!" Jeff exclaimed.
"What about you Phineas?"
"I love it, too." Bogg replied.
After an hour of good food, lively conversation and a whole lot of camaraderie, Roz rose from the table and walked into the kitchen. Moments later she emerged with a chocolate cake and placed it on the table.
"Anyone for dessert?" She asked.
"No, no!" Bogg responded as he sat back in his chair and rubbed his stomach. "I don't think I can eat another bite."
"What about you, Jeff?" She asked. "Care for a slice?"
"No thank you Roz. I'm soooo full."
"Shawn? Want a piece? It's good and chocolaty!" She teased.
"No thanks, hon." Mallory replied. "I'll have a piece later, ok."
"Suit yourself." Roz said as she cut a huge slice of cake and placed it on her plate.
Bogg and Jeff, shocked by the size of the piece of cake on Roz's plate, stared at her as she began to rapidly shovel it into her mouth.
Mallory too was stunned by Roz's enormous appetite. Before she had went to the kitchen for the cake, Roz had already eaten two pieces of veal parmesan, two helpings of salad, three rolls and an enormous helping of green beans. She had washed all that down with two glasses of iced tea as well. After all that, she was now about to eat a quarter of an entire chocolate cake. He knew something was not right about this, since Roz was normally a nibbler. She would nibble at this and that, hardly ever consuming large portions of anything. Concerned at this point, he lovingly asked her about it.
"Hon?" Mallory asked.
"Yes Shawn." Roz replied before shoving a huge piece of cake into her mouth.
"I really don't know how to put this…but…" Mallory said as he tried his best not to hurt his wife's feelings. "Have you been eating while I've been away?"
"Why yes, I've been eating quite well as of late."
Puzzled by Roz's response, he continued. "Are you sure? You seem as if you haven't eaten in a week or so."
Roz looked down at the huge slice of cake on her plate, glanced back at her husband and then started to laugh.
"Oh, honey, I'm sorry." She said softly. "There's something I forgot to tell you."
Mallory jumped up from the table, walked over and put his arm around Roz.
"What is it… are you ok?" Mallory asked, nervously. "Do we need to take you to Voyager Medical and have them check you out?"
"No Shawn, I've already been there." Roz replied warmly. "I'm just fine…except…"
"Except for what?" Mallory asked impatiently. "Tell me Roz. What's wrong?"
"I'm fine honey, I'm just eating for two." Roz said as her eyes twinkled.
"You're what?" Mallory asked, as he nodded his head. "Run that one by me again?"
"Oh, I'm fine honey." Roz teased.
"No, not that… the last part." Mallory asked curiously.
"Oh, you mean the part about I'm eating for two now..." Roz replied.
"You mean…" Mallory said excitedly.
"Yes, we're going to have a baby!" Roz cried out.
Mallory hugged his wife and kissed her chocolate covered lips.
"Phineas, did you hear? We're having a baby!"
Bogg and Jeff got up from their seats, ran over to their friends and congratulated them on their wonderful news.
"Congratulations!" Bogg exclaimed as he shook Mallory's hand. "Looks like we have another Voyager recruit on the way."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, now, Phineas." Roz teased. "It's going to be a few years before he'll be old enough to roam the universe with Shawn."
"We're having a baby!" Mallory replied excitedly. "I just can't believe it!"
Mallory turned to Roz. "Roz, honey, do you know when?" He asked.
"Six months from now." Roz said with glee.
"Did they tell you…I mean…Is it a boy or a girl?" Mallory asked.
"They did…It's a boy!" Roz replied.
"Oh my… I'm gonna have a son!"
Bogg put his arm around Mallory and teased him a bit.
"You know, Shawn, I told you someday you were gonna have a son and partner like mine." Bogg said with a smile.
"I know…but I didn't expect it to happen this quickly." Mallory replied still in a state of shock.
Bogg put his arm around Jeff and hugged him. "If you need to practice your parenting skills, you can borrow Jeff for a while to help you with that."
"Bogg!!" Jeff exclaimed. "I thought you said you'd never leave me."
"I'm not going anywhere kiddo." Bogg explained. "I just want Shawn to have a chance to experience what it's like to have a smart kid around, giving him a pain all the time. You know, just for a little while, to get him broken in."
"Oh no!" Jeff exclaimed. "I don't think so…I only have one dad at this point, that's you! You can't get rid of me that easily. You're stuck with me, like gum on the bottom of your shoe…, like moss on a rock, like craters on the moon, like…like…"
Bogg reached down and picked up his son in his arms. "Like PB and J. Right?"
"Right!" Jeff replied. "Like PB and J."
-------THE END -------