AN: Interesting how a basic plot line can be turned into different stories … I don't own these folks and I don't make any $$ off this. Comments and reviews are always welcome.

ooo

At first, Kathryn thought that infernal buzzing was part of a dream; in response, she turned over and buried her head in the pillow.

There it was again. Molly was barking furiously now; she realized that buzzing was from the front door. She peered at the chronometer: 0345? Who was at her door at this hour?

She rolled over and hit the comm button. "You have the wrong address," she said firmly.

"Kate! It's Tom … and Miral. I'm sorry to wake you. We could use some help. Could we come in?"

That jolted her. "Tom? Why are you out at this hour?"

"It's sort of a long story." He sounded stressed. "Please; it's raining, and Miri should be inside."

She jumped out of bed, grabbed her robe, and ran downstairs to check the door vid. Satisfied, she released the lock, then practically pulled them inside.

"Come in here," she admonished as she pushed him into the living room. "What the hell is going on?" she asked more quietly, though Miral seemed to be sleeping through it all.

"Thank you," he whispered as he put Miral on the couch. He looked like hell: He hadn't slept, hadn't shaved for a while, either, and was shivering under his wet coat. "Get out of that coat, and I'll get you a coffee," she said.

He had the coat off and was tending to Miri when she returned with two mugs and a couple of blankets, He didn't say anything, just held the mug for a moment before he took a few sips.

"What's happened?" she asked again.

"The dissolution was finalized yesterday," he said as he finally reached for a blanket.

"I'm so sorry," she said quietly. She'd kept in touch with Tom and Harry since her retirement; they'd said enough to indicate that the Paris/Torres marriage was disintegrating at Warp 9. "How'd B'Elanna react?"

"Not well. She called last night; she's angry that I got full custody. Said she didn't care about setting up a visitation schedule because she was going to take Miri so far away that I'd never find her."

Kathryn sat back in alarm. "It could be an empty threat, but still …" she breathed. "I know you've said things have been escalating. I didn't realize it was this bad."

He shrugged. "Right now, I'm pretty sure she means it. Anyway, I recorded the call; sent a copy to my lawyer last night. He'll notify the court and Starfleet, but he can't file anything until the courts open at 8."

"So what do you intend to do?"

"The Armbruster is due at Spacedock around 7:30. Miri and I are going to be out of reach by then."

"You'll have extra time," Kathryn pointed out. "She can't leave until the shutdown procedures are finished." He shrugged. "That means I can get farther away."

Kathryn just shook her head. "I'd be happy to have you, but I suspect this is one of the places she'd look."

"Just need a couple of hours," he said, "The shuttleport opens at 0600."

Her eyebrows shot up. "I bought a ship just before I filled for dissolution," he explained. "I can't stay in the apartment; my social currency isn't high enough. Figured that if I didn't get custody, I could travel some, maybe settle elsewhere. As long as I have subspace, I can work.

"But right now, I plan to get us the hell off-planet until she cools down. Armbruster leaves in three weeks for another three-month tour. I assume she's going, though I'll have to ask Dad to bend the rules to check. If she doesn't, I'll stay out until she's willing to talk or listen to her lawyer or something."

"Is there anything I can do besides providing a dry place to stay?" She wasn't sure how to navigate the situation.

His eyes lit up at the offer. "Come with us."

This she didn't expect. "I'm flattered, but on what basis? I'm not exactly a bodyguard, or are you looking for a babysitter?"

He chuckled. "Having some help with Miri would be nice. But that's not why I'm asking. I was thinking … Fed Science turned down your proposal to study the Giriabe star clusters, right?"

"Yes," she sighed. "And Daystrom still says it's under review."

"Well, screw 'em. We'll go out to study the clusters. The River Runner was probably a science ship at one time; it has some scanning equipment. We can stop somewhere if you need to upgrade something … I put in a small holodeck, too."

"River Runner?" she teased. He shrugged. "I didn't name it."

"We're talking about an eight-week trip, including travel time," she said. "I'd need to make arrangements, call the kennel ..."

"We can take Molly," he interrupted. "The replicator should handle puppy pads." She didn't reply, and he took her silence as a refusal.

"Look, I'm sorry. I'm asking you to drop everything, and that's not fair," he said quietly. "If you want, I could swing back and pick you up or meet you somewhere. But I also understand if you don't want to get involved."

"You've just dumped a lot in my lap," she pointed out. "And it is a rather volatile situation."

"I know; I appreciate you taking us in for the moment. Look, I …" Miral began to fuss; he glanced at the chronometer. "Do you mind if I feed her? It will make things easier at the shuttleport."

"Go ahead, replicate anything you need," she said. "And throw your coat in the refresher while you're at it. There's one in the hall bathroom." He nodded and took Miri to the kitchen while she went upstairs to change.

She dressed automatically as she sorted her thoughts. This was tricky and potentially violent. Best case scenario: she'd help Tom get through a rough patch. But if B'Elanna should find them … she had no idea if her being there would help or just make things worse.

Then again, this was Tom. And she'd never hesitated to take a risk for the people she cared about.

And it wasn't like her post-retirement life was so compelling. When she left Starfleet last year, she began writing academic papers on Delta Quadrant phenomena; it was enough to get the attention and contacts needed to land some short-term teaching gigs. She'd thought she'd laid the groundwork to get what she really wanted: a sponsorship to get back out there and research whatever seemed interesting.

Unfortunately, that fell into the manure pile, as her grandfather would say, though not in such delicate terms.

But it seemed that fate had just thrown another chance in her lap …

ooo

Tom's mouth fell open as she came downstairs with a bag slung over her shoulder. "Are you sure?' he asked hesitantly.

"To be honest, I already have things set up for an extended trip," she admitted. "I need a few minutes to get my research together and take care of a few things. I'll send a … vague message to Mom once we're underway. The less she knows, the better for her and us." She didn't mention that she would query her attorney, too. Just in case …

"Can I take the bag out? I can put it in the van."

"Please, and grab Molly's bed if you will. I may need to refurbish my civilian wardrobe along the way, though. Outside of sweatshirts and leggings, I'm a bit out of style," she joked.

"You look great to me," he teased, and for the first time, he smiled … No, not a smile. A grin. The mischievous grin she'd get when she stood next to him at the helm … when Chakotay couldn't see.

When he got back, Molly was leashed, sitting obediently next to a box with her food bowls. Kate was murmuring to Miri as she zipped the girl into a jumpsuit.

"You ready?" Tom asked.

She nodded. "I need to set the alarm and lock codes, but I can do that on the way out." She looked up at him. "Not to insult you, but you do have all the legal documents on the dissolution and custody? Right?"

He laughed and patted his now-dry jacket. "Right here. Don't worry; you're not going to get arrested for kidnapping."

"Good to know," she said as she lifted Miri off the couch. "Well, sweetie, I think it's time we started our adventure," she told the baby as she handed her over to Tom.

Tom settled Miri in his arms and gave Kathryn a small bow. "Let's go then," he said, giving her a look she hadn't seen in oh, nearly a decade now.

That look — usually paired with that grin — a mix of mischief and more. On Voyager, her only response could be a quick squeeze of his shoulder and nothing else. But now ….

Well, here's to unexpected adventures, she thought as she walked out the door.