"Mister Paris, I have been thinking carefully about the situation and I believe I have come to a decision."

"And what decision would that be, Doc?" Tom asked, tearing himself away from B'Elanna's sleeping form and facing the EMH.

"I have decided on a name," he announced grandly, a smug look on his face.

"Well, that's great Doc, and it only took you seven years!" Tom teased, gently stroking Miral's hair as he smiled at the EMH, "So what is it?"

"My name," the Doc grinned, "Is Joe."

Trying hard to disguise the laugh as a cough, Tom nodded.

"Well, that's certainly not what I was expecting."

The Doctor frowned, "How so?"

"Well, it's quite a normal name really. I was expecting something much more…grandiose."

The EMH wrinkled his nose and sat down smartly in the second chair next to B'Elanna's bed. He reached out and Tom passed him the sleeping baby.

"I am aware, Mister Paris, that it is perhaps not what many people were expecting me to settle on," he said, rocking his god daughter gently backwards and forwards, "But I chose it as a tribute, to Lieutenant Carey, the last man to fall in the name of Voyager. Do you not think that it is an appropriate gesture?"

Bile rose suddenly in Tom's throat and he found himself unable to do anything but stare at the anxious face of the EMH. How could he have forgotten, so soon, about Joe? Joe Carey, who was under his command when he died so needlessly. Joe Carey, one of his wife's closest friends and father to two little boys who would never see him again.

"I'm sorry, Doc," he eventually managed to choke, surprised to find that tears were welling in his eyes, "I wouldn't have made a joke if I knew how serious it was. I think it's a great idea."

The relief was visible on the Doctor's face.

"I am glad you approve, Mister Paris. I did not want to upset you with my choice."

"Me?"

"Indeed. I know how difficult you found Mister Carey's death and I did not want the memory to be too painful for you," the Doctor was studying the pilot carefully and Tom reached up quickly to wipe at his eyes.

"That's very kind of you, Doc. I can't believe I forgot so soon. God, I'm terrible," he spat, disgusted at himself.

Thoughtfully ignoring Tom's emotional outburst, the Doctor leaned forwards reassuringly, "Do not feel so bad, Mister Paris. This last forty eight hours have been taxing for everyone, but particularly yourself and Lieutenant Torres. I do not believe Mister Carey would hold it against you. In fact, he would be pleased for you. Did you know that he once accompanied Lieutenant Torres to a scan when you were on an away mission?"

"I didn't."

"Hmmm. He insisted. And he was so excited for the pair of you. It was quite endearing."

"Well, I'll be damned."

"Indeed. So you think that my choice of name is appropriate?"

"I don't think you could have picked a finer one, Doc," Tom smiled weakly, as the memory of Joe Carey surfaced slowly in his mind and winked at him, "Or should I call you Joe?"