"It's alright, B'elanna," Samantha said with a patient smile. "I would have felt the same way leaving Naomi at this time."
B'elanna sighed. She didn't know her attachment to her daughter could become so strong. She felt almost like she was betraying Miral for leaving her with someone else after not even twenty-four hours. These feelings were something new to the half Klingon, which made her all the more frustrated. Blinking back tears beginning to form, she set down the small bag Tom had prepared and began to go over the contents. "Alright, here are a few changes of clothes and some bottles I prepared."
Samantha laughed, "It's amazing, you know. We can create a photonic doctor, but we still have to pump our own milk. Technology is strange."
Tom, who was standing a few feet behind his wife, didn't know this little tidbit and didn't know where B'elanna had found time to do such a tedious task. He simply decided that his wife must have super powers to get everything done like she did. Stepping up he put his hand on B'elanna's shoulder. "It's probably time we should get going, dear."
The new mother nodded in agreement. "Let's go, Tom, before I get weepy." By his look, she knew it was a statement he had never expected her to say. Just like her, he would have to get used to this change. She offered him a weak smile, "I guess sometimes my human half really shines through."
As the door to the Wildman quarters closed, Tom gave his wife a tender kiss. "And nobody says that's a bad thing," he reassured her.
B'elanna smiled. "I don't know who's been teaching you to be so sweet, but I like it. I'll have to tell your Starfleet friend to keep it up."
Tom sneered playfully while the two entered the turbo lift, "who's to say I didn't teach it to myself?"
The two rode in silence the rest of the ride. Neither felt alienated by the silence, in fact it was comforting, as each was thinking about the events of the past day, and speculation of the days to come. Both were mildly interrupted when the lift stopped. Voyager's EMH joined the couple. "Glad to see you both would be able to make it," he said with a smile. Noticing the seriousness of the atmosphere he added, "Am I interrupting?"
"No, Doc, we're fine," Tom began. "We're just thinking about everything that has been going on. It's a lot to handle." Turning to the photonic being he added, "What do you think is going to happen to you on earth?"
"I'm not quite sure. From our previous dealings with Starfleet, I think they recognize me as more than a typical Mark 1. I don't, however, know how close they are to admitting a hologram may have the ability to be a sentient being."
"Well let's hope you're the right person to change their mind," B'elanna chimed in. It wasn't until recently that she was fully convinced she perceived the doctor as a sentient being, as she found it hard as an engineer to see a program in the same light as any humanoid.
As the doors opened, the three made the walk to the conference room, with the new parents fielding questions from the EMH, acting as both a physician and a proud Godfather. When entering the room, Tuvok and Neelix had already beaten them there, with Neelix attempting to convince the security officer of a celebration he wanted to put on that night. As usual, Neelix's chipper attitude against Tuvok's stoic presence was humorous.
Within a minute, the remaining senior officers filed in and afterward Captain Janeway entered the room as well. Although she was considered a good friend by many on board, she always drew a thick line between friendship and her command duties, even if it created a loss of her own freedom. Her presence in the room shushed the few conversations lingering across the table. With her trusty cup of coffee in tow, she laid the PADD down on the table and leaned over her chair. "In less than two hours, the group from Deep Space 9 will be transporting over. Each department will speak with specific members—answering questions, providing information, and easing any worries from Starfleet. I don't think I need to mention how important these meetings are, as they speed up our journey back to earth. Starfleet expects these procedures to last two or three days. There's no way we can remark on every experience we've had in the Delta Quadrant, but another team at Starfleet Headquarters began analyzing logs and sensor readings we hadn't sent before in the data stream as soon as we were in contact range of earth. If everything goes as planned, we should on board Deep Space Nine in a few days and returning to earth at the end of the week." With a tap of the button on her PADD, she transmitted the assignments to each officer. "Are there any new concerns or issues that I need to know about?"
"Well I'm glad you asked, Captain," Neelix began. "Since we're not really doing much work right now, I thought it might be nice to throw a little party in the mess hall tonight. As Chief Moral Officer, I think it would help the crew pass the time while waiting to hear news about getting back home."
Captain Janeway contemplated the notion for a moment while reaching her decision. "Sounds like a good idea to me. I know I sure would enjoy a nice break to let my hair down. Since we're on short notice, feel free to use spare replicator rations, it's not going to matter much in a few days. If there's nothing else, go ahead and start preparing those reports for Starfleet." Her body language shifted, showing her move to a more casual demeanor. "Tom and B'elanna, do you mind if I have a word with you?"
The two Lieutenants stayed behind while the rest of the crew shuffled out, many discussing some of their first plans when returning home. Tom and B'elanna exchanged looks, as neither knew what the captain had in store for them.
"In addition to Starfleet sending a team to Voyager, I have been asked to send a small team of my senior officers to Deep Space Nine. I think due to circumstance, the two of you are the natural choice to be sent over. I was also thinking of sending Harry Kim, if you think that would be the best choice. I ask because you will all be in a decon situation, and will be required to share rather tight quarters. I considered sending the Doctor, but I think his program is needed here."
The couple nodded to one another in mutual agreement and B'elanna spoke up. "I think that's the best choice, Captain."
Kathryn Janeway smiled "I though you would think so. I'll contact Harry. From my understanding, you will return to Deep Space 9 with the Admirals. You will have minimal access to the station, other than the decon areas, but you will be able to meet with anyone on board." She leaned toward the couple, "I hear a couple proud new grandparents onboard have set up for a nice dinner. You both are dismissed. I assume you have a little packing to do."
The couple left the conference room and backtracked to retrieve Miral from the Wildman Quarters. Samantha assured that Miral had been well-behaved and very mild mannered. After thanking Samantha for her time (and Naomi for her help), the couple returned to their own quarters. Tom immediately began packing and organizing, while B'elanna changed and fed a fussy baby. She put Miral in the nicest jumper she could find, as she had permission from Captain Janeway to take Miral to her Starfleet debriefing. She wished Tom would be going with her to discuss how the bridge and engineering worked together, but Tom was assigned to help the Doctor show off sickbay. Carrying the clothed and changed Miral in one arm, she went through the quarters with Tom, making sure they had everything they needed for a few days aboard the station. Satisfied with their work, they enjoyed lunch together before embarking on their Starfleet meetings. Tom walked B'elanna to Engineering, partially to just be sweet, but also so he could ask Vorik to keep her from overexerting herself. Although things we're strange between Tom and Vorik for a while after Vorik's last Pon Farr, the two had worked things out and had mutual respect. Vorik promised to keep B'elanna from working too much before returning to his diagnostic on the warp core emissions.
B'elanna cleaned her workstation calmly and quietly with Miral back in the crook of one arm. When the Starfleet admirals arrived, she was more than ready to get the briefing finished. She didn't recognize either man, which was no surprise, considering her short stint at the Academy. The meeting went well for half an hour, until Miral spit up all over the front of her jumper and required B'elanna's attention. Blushing, the chief engineer excused herself and allowed Vorik to field the questions. She entered the back corner of engineering and changed the now cooing and happy Miral. When she had returned, it seemed Vorik had answered the remainder of their questions and the Admirals were ready to return to the ship. B'elanna said her temporary goodbyes to the ensign and returned with the young admirals to the transporter room. Tom was there waiting for her with their two duffel bags at his feet.
B'elanna sensed Tom's nerves and tried to cheer him up, "You ready to be the poster child, flyboy?"
The upper corners of his mouth broke into a smile as they stepped onto the transporter. "Let's get this show on the road."