To The Journey

Disclaimer: If you recognize it, it's not mine. This is an AU story.

Chapter Ten: One Big Family

"Captain," Tasha said in shock, "you've never told me any of this. Never even hinted."

"It's not something I regularly discuss. In fact, Guinan's the only person on the Enterprise who knows. Although I must say, you're the person on that ship I've come closest to telling."

"Really? Not Will or Deanna?"

"No, though I did consider telling Deanna at one point. You wondered how I could be so understanding about your little girl, didn't you?"

"Because you knew," she realized. "You loved her as your own child."

"Not a day goes by I don't wonder what might have happened if I'd done what my heart told me and said yes when they asked. I've never been able to stop loving her, especially now."

"Now?"

"The only family I have left is my sister in law. And anyway, November fifteenth is next Monday."

"Her birthday?"

He nodded. "She'll be sixteen. Ten years since I had Guinan make that cake for her. Almost ten years since I've seen her."

"Have you ever tried to find her?"

"Child Services wanted me to sever contact with her -" he sighed and reddened a little. "But once a year had gone by, I tried. They're just too good. Any records that could possibly lead to her identity have been sealed. I understand they don't want anyone to track her down - but I don't want to hurt her. I just want to hold her. I want to be part of her life again."

"I'm sure she feels the same way."

"Who was it?"

"Who?"

"Your rescuer. From Turkana, I presume. That is who you're talking about, is it not?"

"Kate Pulaski."

"So that's what you meant when you said she saved your life." He smiled at her stunned expression. "I may not be Mr. Data, but I don't forget things easily."

"I suppose not, Captain. Speaking of which, do you happen to be aware of Data and Geordi's whereabouts?"

"No, why?"

"Because they went off somewhere - I'm not even sure where - with no explanation except that there was something they had to do and it was secret. I'm supposed to meet them at seventeen hundred hours, they promised an unveiling."

"I am as much in the dark as you, Natasha. And, I must confess, as curious. But I don't believe you have much time to wait."

"What do you mean?"

"It's sixteen-forty hours now."

Tasha's eyes went wide. "I've been here for over two hours! God, I thought it was much earlier." She turned. "Want to come? You can figure out what's going on at the same time I do."

He grinned. "I'd love to."

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"There." Tasha's eyes were instantly drawn to a familiar head. "That's Data, but," she strained to see further, "I don't see Geordi anywhere."

"You're certain?"

"With his VISOR, he's not that hard to pick out of a crowd." But she didn't have much time to keep speculating, because Data had seen her and hurried up.

"Hey," she said, greeting him with a hug and a light kiss. "Where's your partner in crime? And what's this big surprise you've kept me waiting for?"

"Take a look." He gestured to the man standing behind him - an oddly familiar, dark-skinned man with gray-blue eyes.

"So?" She was still baffled, and by the look on Picard's face, she wasn't the only one. Then the man grinned, and Tasha's jaw dropped as she recognized him.

"Geordi?"

"Like it? Latest technology." Now that he'd started smiling, he couldn't stop. "They do more even than my VISOR, and now I don't get those headaches. That and I don't stand out from a mile away."

"I love it!" she hugged him enthusiastically. "Captain?"

"It suits you, Mr. La Forge."

Geordi grinned even broader. "Just don't tell anyone. I want it to be a surprise."

"When exactly do you plan on doing the surprise?" Tasha asked. She couldn't see when they'd get the chance.

"Oh, didn't Data tell you?"

"I have not had the opportunity."

"Oh. Well, two weeks from yesterday, the twenty-fifth, we've all been invited over to Commander Riker's old house in Alaska. Some ancient tradition called Thanksgiving."

"A most intriguing tradition, begun in the year -"

"Thank you, Data."

Tasha frowned, confused. It had been ages since he'd - wait, was he smirking?

"You did that on purpose!"

"Guilty as charged." The android made an exaggerated bow, and both Tasha and Geordi burst out laughing. Even Picard smiled.

"November twenty-fifth," she said once she had her breath back. "I look forward to it."

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"Will, can your house fit everyone? And just who is everyone anyway?"

"There aren't that many people coming." He shrugged, grinning disarmingly.

"Then why did you cook for two dozen?"

"Tradition! And who am I to fly in the face of tradition?"

Tasha only laughed silently at the dispute between their host and his former girlfriend. She leaned over to tap Data on the shoulder. "When?" she whispered.

"Approximately fifteen minutes. He wishes for the rest of the guests to arrive first."

"Tasha!"

She spun on her heel at the familiar voice and then ran to embrace the woman who had called her name. "Kate! I didn't realize you were coming."

"Kyle invited me. Have you seen him?"

"No." She laughed. "I've never heard of 'Thanksgiving' before."

"Old American holiday. I asked Data."

"How is Data? I heard about his, ah, upgrade."

"He's taking it all in stride, and I'm seeing new sides of him. He actually gets jokes now, can hit the timing and everything. He understands fun. He has a great laugh, too, now that he can find things funny."

"Tasha." Data had appeared behind them and he extended one hand, all fingers out. She nodded, grinning.

"What was that all about?"

"You'll see. Oh, by the way -" she nudged Kate's shoulder and pointed at the man who'd just entered the room.

Kate grinned. "If you'll excuse me..."

"Of course."

The door swung open again, and Beverly and the Captain stepped in. "Is this everyone?" he asked.

"Everyone but Geordi," Will answered. "Worf's not coming."

"Why not?"

"He's gone on some sort of retreat to Boreth, the Klingon planet," Tasha said, joining the conversation. "He, uh, didn't take what happened with the Enterprise very well."

"I noticed him acting strangely on the Farragut. I guess I didn't look too deeply into it." Picard frowned. "But what's he done with his son?"

"Alexander's living with his parents again."

Picard sighed. "It can't be good for a child, being bounced around like that."

"I didn't know you knew so much about children."

Tasha caught Picard's eye and looked away just as quickly.

"Just speculating."

"Uh-huh."

A knock on the door startled everyone. Tasha glanced over at Data, who nodded, smiling.

Tasha opened the door and stepped back, unable to conceal her own grin. Silence fell over the room as everyone else tried to process what they were seeing, while Data and Tasha were consumed by giggles and even Picard was laughing lightly.

It was impossible to say who broke the silence first. Geordi was instantly swarmed by his friends, hugged, slapped on the back, and congratulated. It was a good five minutes before he freed himself from the crowd, at which point he promptly pulled Tasha aside.

"Hey, Tasha, can I ask you something?"

"Fire away."

"Well, you know I've been trying to help Leah through everything that happened with her husband, and recently we've been, uh, starting to move beyond that."

"Yeah, you told me. So?"

"Well, some guy who had a son on Voyager has invited her and her kids, along with a bunch of other Voyager families, to come to some sort of Christmas get-together, and Leah asked me to come with her, she's worried she won't know anyone, and I sound exactly like Reg Barclay, don't I?"

"You're not at that point yet," Tasha laughed. "What's the trouble?"

"I'm just not sure what I'm in for. And what will people say? She's been a widow for four months, I don't want anyone treating her like she's some sort of - you know - for dating so soon."

"For God's sake, Geordi, it's not like you're planning to marry her. You're her date to an event. If anyone does make a scene, that's their problem, not yours. If you want to go, go."

"Thanks. I think I will."

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"Admiral?"

He sighed. "Yes?"

"There's a woman out here asking to speak with you. She says it's urgent."

"Very well. Show her in." What now?

"Hello, Admiral."

"Tasha!" He looked up suddenly. "This is a pleasant surprise. Please, sit down."

"I meant to see you earlier but couldn't find the time. Starfleet Command's keeping me busy."

"I hope you will be able to get off for Christmas? It's been a long time since you came to one of our get-togethers."

"Well, I don't know, but there is someone in Starfleet Command who might be sympathetic to my plight -"

Paris laughed. "I'll see what I can do. This is going to be a big one."

"How's that?"

"I've invited the families of most of the Voyager crew. I've asked them to get hotel rooms, there's no way even that big house can sleep that many people, but they'll still be around for the meals and the days."

"Oh, that's you!" At his puzzled look, she backtracked. "I heard through the grapevine that someone was hosting dinner for the Voyager families."

"Yes, that's me. Us, really. It was Julia's idea. Oh, and Tasha, I meant to tell you. You're welcome to bring a guest if you want to."

"But I am the guest."

"No, you're family. Don't forget that."

"Aye, sir."

Next up, Christmas in January. Not quite as much fun as Christmas in July but I write the scenes when I get to them.

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