Although Captain Janeway's shipwide announcement was music to many of the crew's ears, it was a sudden awakening to the Paris-Torres quarters. As both new parents feared, the sudden announcement had also awoken a daughter who, like her parents, did not wish to be disturbed from her slumber. Although he wished to roll back over and attempt to get more rest, Tom decided to play the good daddy and slowly walked around the bed to pick up Miral and coax her back to sleep. B'elanna gave an approving grunt and shoved her head back into her pillow.
"Sorry you had to be woken up, little one," Tom said hugging his daughter. "Ya know? Her voice makes me want to cry sometimes too."
B'elanna, who was pretending to be asleep couldn't help but laugh. Knowing she probably wouldn't be able to get back to a decent slumber; she sat up and watched Tom rock the child to sleep. She had to admit to herself that whatever he had been practicing on the holodeck, it was certainly worth it. Like he had done it a million times before, he rocked the child slowly and with controlled motion. She could see the frustration lining his face when Miral didn't slip off into a dream world. Deciding she should interject before her husband lost too much determination, she gave him some advice. "You know, Tom, she's pretty much slept since yesterday. Maybe she wants to play."
Tom, still wearing his uniform shirt and boxers looked at B'elanna. "I'll admit I practiced a lot of things on the holodeck that the Doctor said would be good skills to know, but I didn't practice that."
B'elanna laughed again. "It's not like you're playing kal-toh with her! Simply entertain her. Peek-a-boo is fine."
Tom got a grin on his face. "Or…" he wondered aloud. "I wonder if Miral here would like to learn about the adventures of Captain Proton." Soon afterward, Miral was propped up on the bed in a haven of pillows, while Tom was animating the adventures of the superhero, even playing multiple parts at times.
B'elanna smiled at the scene and entered the small kitchen. It was lunchtime, and she was hungry. Not reaching a decision of what she would like to eat, she decided to make something that appealed to Tom. Within seconds, two hot pieces of deep dish pepperoni pizza appeared in the replicator. Grabbing the plates and walking back to where Tom was educating Miral about the bravery of Captain Proton, it appeared that Tom had worn his audience out, as Miral was back asleep. B'elanna looked at Tom and he simply shrugged "I guess the adventure was too much for her." Realizing what treat his wife had brought him, his eyes lit up. "You know, I was just wanting some pizza yesterday. You're too good to me," he added with a slight nuzzle to his wife's neck.
B'elanna rolled her eyes in mock sarcasm. "Men! Always with a one track mind," the engineer didn't seem to mind, as she laid the pizza down on a table and was soon wrapped in a passionate embrace. The pizza was almost all but forgotten when the door chime went off. Blushing, the two lieutenants scrambled to find robes while Miral was woken up, once again. B'elanna swept up the youngster and headed to the back corner of their quarters for a feeding session and diaper change, leaving Tom to deal with the door chime. After a last minute self assessment in the mirror and determining he was presentable enough to be seen by whoever was on the other side, he issued an authoritative "Come in."
Harry Kim walked in the door with a small box and glanced around his friends quarters. "Hi Tom," the Ensign eagerly offered. Setting the box down on a table, he looked his friend over. "Tom Paris, proud parent. I think it's a good thing for you." Harry was known for his sincerity and compassion by the crew, and Tom valued his friendship.
"Thanks, Harry. I'm not sure if Captain Proton would approve, but I think it will suit me," Tom said. "I'm sure there will be women by the droves lining up to be Mrs. Harry Kim when we get back."
Both men chuckled and an uneasy pause hung in the air. Both knew their friendship would change with all the events of the past twenty-four hours, but neither knew how to articulate these things. Tom, as usual, was the first to speak. "We'll still be close Harry. Besides, I'm sure we'll need a babysitter occasionally."
Harry Kim smiled warmly at his friend. "Well as long as I'm not on any dates with those 'droves of women'." Harry reached into the box. "You and B'elanna were in such a hurry to get out of the briefing room this morning, you both forgot your PADDs." Handing the electronic pieces to Tom he continued with a mischievous smile "I also have something else for you." Harry pulled two cigars out of the box as well.
Tom laughed. "You know Starfleet really wouldn't approve of this, right?" he questioned while still taking one from Harry's hand.
"There's lot's we've done I don't think Starfleet would care about," Harry responded while pulling the last thing from the box, a lighter. "I think we've broken enough rules that this minor infringement can be overlooked." Harry lit his own cigar and passed the lighter to Tom.
It wasn't long before the two men were talking again like nothing new had changed their friendships. The topics were the usual, arguing over holoprograms, Tom teasing Harry of failed relationships, and talks of practical jokes played. Tom Paris and Harry Kim were good friends, and a few changes in circumstance weren't going to change that.
Soon enough, B'elanna entered with a freshly changed and fed Miral. "Is that smoke I smell?" she wondered aloud. Looking at the grin on the two men's faces she smiled. "I always knew you were a bad influence, Starfleet. Behind that practically perfect act is a mastermind of evil." All three laughed and Miral even gave a coo of approval. B'elanna joined the two men on the couch and cautiously bounced Miral on her knees. "How's the ship looking, Harry?"
"Captain Janeway is on a warpath to make sure Voyager looks top-notch for when the group arrives in a few hours. I even saw her scrubbing a few conduits earlier."
"Voyager's her baby," Tom replied. "She tries not to let things happen to her ship. In her mind, Voyager should look the same as it did seven years ago."
"Unfortunately, she lost most of her support from the crew when it was announced that we were within short range contact of Earth. Chakotay had to convince her that the ship was good enough to be presented." Harry reported.
"Good ol' Janeway," B'elanna responded. "Did you contact your parents, Harry?"
"I tried, but they weren't answering. They must be out."
"Probably getting supplies for your welcome home party," Tom joked. It wasn't to be mean, however. Tom on some level actually envied the relationship Harry had with his parents.
Harry, whose desire to get home seemed to top that of the crew during Voyager's journey in the Delta Quadrant, smiled. "You're probably not too far from the truth."
"So what's the word on what's going to happen to us all?" B'elanna asked, turning to a more serious conversation. Due to Harry's nice demeanor, he was usually in on all ship gossip. He typically wasn't too keen on saying what he had heard, but B'elanna had a feeling the Ensign would have no problem with spilling some rumors now.
"Well," Harry began. "That's the topic that's been all over the ship all day. "I've heard things ranging to parties and receptions to us all being placed in a Starfleet detention. Nothing official has been declared, though. The Captain has asked senior staff to help greet the team coming over from DS9."
"Well, I know we'd love to go." B'elanna began "but we've got other obligations," she added while picking up the infant on her lap.
"That's one of the reasons I'm here, Harry began. The admirals are due to arrive in a few hours and Captain Janeway requests you both be there. Samantha Wildman has already volunteered to watch Miral and Naomi is more than excited at the chance to help. The Captain always wants us to be there early so we are all on the same page."
"Sounds like a plan," Tom said, getting up to put together a diaper bag to leave with the Wildmans.