Tom
ooo
Finally, Miri's stable enough that Dr. Hibs can schedule her for surgery.
While I'm relieved — it's a big step toward a normal life for her — I'm still as apprehensive as I was the first time around. Hell, I'm as apprehensive as I was before she was born when Doc had to fix the spinal curvature problem.
Kate and I are sitting with B'Elanna in the waiting room when Harry walks in. "Sorry, I'm late. The Hemmer had to wait for a spot at Spacedock. Any word yet?"
"Just getting started," B'Elanna tells him, and I notice that her mood has lightened a bit. I'm glad that Harry insisted on coming.
Doc wasn't kidding when he said the surgery wouldn't take long. A little over an hour later, he and Dr. Hibs walk in.
"The repairs went very well," he assures us, and we all breathe a sigh of relief. "We'll watch her closely for the next 24 hours," Dr. Hibs adds, "and if all's well, then we can begin physical therapy."
"How long?" B'Elanna asks.
"Depends on what the physical therapists say. But we'll know more tomorrow," Dr. Hibs says. "In the meantime, Miral's being moved to Recovery," so if you'll step outside, one of the counselors can take you there."
B'Elanna heads out without a word. "I'll go back to the office," Kate says. "Call when she's back in her room and I'll come over." I give her a quick kiss on my way out. Behind me, Harry calls, "Hey, tell B'Elanna I'll be back too, and we're going to lunch. No arguments."
ooo
"I'm happy you could make it," I tell Harry on the walk to my office. "B'Elanna could use some support, and she's not inclined to take it from us."
"When I talked to her the other day, I'd asked if she'd told her dad about the surgery. She said yes, but she'd told him not to come."
Oh boy. "I know John and his wife have been to visit," I say, though it's usually in the afternoon when I'm with Miral. "I'm sure she'll let him know that surgery went well." I make a mental note to ask Tom to give him a call later, just in case.
We walk silently for a half-block. "So," he finally says, "what's this post that Captain Archadi wants to talk with me about?"
"I wondered when you'd get around to asking. He mentioned that you'd be in today," I tease. "He'll have an opening on his team in January. A family illness situation, I'm told. Anyway, your name is on the list of qualified replacements, and he was impressed with your work in analyzing the Romulan data. He wants to gauge your interest in joining the candidate list."
"So this would be data analysis?"
"He wants to expand the computer modeling section. But I haven't received a proposal, so he'll have to fill you in."
"I assume that I don't have to live in Toronto."
"You don't, though I don't suggest San Francisco because of the time difference. Our day starts at 0400 there."
He nods, and we're quiet again as we arrive at my office building. "Right now, we're getting data from 16 sources if you count all the outposts. So we're fairly busy, though as things progress, the workload will increase exponentially."
He still looks uncertain, and I think I know why. "You know," I continue as we get in the turbolift, "it's great work, but admittedly, it's not like working on a ship. Though, here, the odds of getting tossed into the Delta Quadrant are a lot lower."
"I could do without that," he admits, which makes me laugh, and I pat his shoulder before we reach the door.
"Look, it's your decision as to whether you want to pursue this. It is your career. And I know you'll make the best choice for yourself."
The doors slide open to my outer office. "Come in, and I'll see if the Captain is available to talk. I'm sure I can find you a cup of coffee, too."
ooo
Tom
ooo
My daughter is a tough kid: She recovered quickly enough that Dr. Hibs decided to release her tomorrow. One catch, though: She wants Miri to have two more weeks of physical therapy.
"I'm assuming that I can't take her back to a ship," B'Elanna says.
Doc and Dr. Hibs shake their heads. "I won't give her medical clearance," Dr. Hibs says. "Her viral load is still higher than I'd like, but it's stable enough that she can go home and have a normal routine. I strongly advise against long-distance transports or space travel for now."
"I understand," B'Elanna says. "Then I guess we'll find a physical therapist in San Francisco."
What the hell? "No, you won't," I say evenly.
That earns me a murderous look; glad she's not holding a bat'leth. "I have primary custody," she growls.
"No, you don't," I growl back. "We don't have a mediation date. So our joint custody agreement is still in effect. Meaning that Miral is with me for the next month."
"Oh, that's why you went behind my back to have her school feed switched."
I snap back, and the yelling starts — until Doc's voice booms: "Commander! Tom!"
I shake myself and manage to calm down. "I am sorry," I begin.
Hibs is pissed. She's standing with hands on hips in a very familiar stance.
"Look, your custody issues are not my concern. Your daughter's health is," she snaps. "As I was going to explain, I am still concerned about Miral's viral load. For the next three months, I want to see her every two weeks so I can adjust the antiviral doses if needed. And again, I strongly advise against long-distance transports."
"Wait a minute," B'Elanna says, looking at Doc. "Why can't you do the tests in San Francisco?"
Doc sighs. "Because I won't be there. I'm leaving for Jupiter Station in the morning. My … father wants me there for a project. He agreed to wait until Miral was discharged from the hospital, and here we are. So Dr. Hibs is now Miral's primary physician."
B'Elanna and I look at each other, then at Doc, who shrugs. "Well," she tells me, "I guess you'll be getting her for the next three months, then."
"Let me know how long you'll be in San Francisco and we'll set up visits," I say, then nod at the doctors before I walk out the door. Miri's in physical therapy right now, so I duck outside to make a couple of calls. Hopefully, Kate won't mind that my first call is to my lawyer ...
ooo
Kathryn
Miral is due home any moment now. I've been in meetings all morning, so Mom kindly came out to help get things ready.
We finished one pot of coffee, and I'd just put on another when a hovercar shows up. It's Tom and Miral … and B'Elanna.
"Well, that must have been an interesting ride, given what you just told me about the custody dust-up," Mom allows.
Miral is certainly feeling better; she bounces out of the hovercar and runs straight up the walk. B'Elanna calls for her to stop, but nothing doing. She skips up the stairs, and straight through the door.
And who gets the first hug? Yep, it's Molly. "Guess you're second on the list," Mom teases.
"Nope, I'm a definite third," I say, and Miri proves me right a moment later when she looks around the room. "Where's Tiger?"
I can barely keep a straight face. "He's upstairs taking a nap, I think. He'll be down when he's ready."
"OK … Hi, Kat," she says as she wraps her arms around my hips, so I have to lean down to talk to her. "I am very glad that you're here," I say, measuring my words. "Saying 'home' in present company might not be prudent.
We finally greet B'Elanna, who looks very uncomfortable, but politely says hello and refuses our invitation to sit down. "I just wanted to get Miral settled. I have to get back to San Francisco," she says.
"Mommy, come see my room," Miral demands as she grabs her mother's hand. B'Elanna agrees, and Miral starts to pull her toward the stairs.
Tom gets there first. "Hey, Squirt, remember that the doctor says we have to go easy on stairs? Let's have a piggyback ride, eh? After you take off your coat."
Miral drops her coat and reluctantly lets Tom take her up the stairs.
"Going up?" Mom asks. "Just giving it a minute," I reply. Don't want to look like I'm hovering.
I slip upstairs and join Tom in the hall. Miral is excitedly pointing out her stuff; B'Elanna's listening with a bemused expression.
"You know, it is a nice room," I murmur. Tom's reply is an affectionate grin. I'm not kidding about the room: We had it painted a light blue; Tom built the bed frame; Julia contributed a dark-blue comforter with a moon-and-stars print.
Miral tires of the tour, so she skips out, followed by her mother. "That headboard is … impressive," B'Elanna allows.
"Tom had it commissioned," I reply. It is a showstopper: It's painted an inky blue to represent space and dotted with stars and planets. The artist even created a respectable-looking nebula. And in the left corner is a tiny ship: Voyager.
"I … I need to get going," B'Elanna says. "I have to check in with the housing office."
"I do have a transporter available," I offer. "I can't get you to housing, but I can send you to headquarters."
She looks surprised, then considers. "That would be a big help. Thank you."
Tom looks surprised, too, but recovers. "I'll go get your stuff out of the car," he says as he heads for the stairs.
I take her upstairs, and being an engineer, she inspects the transporter setup. "Nice job," she remarks, and we chat for a moment about the wiring process.
Tom reappears with her bags, and we do some quick calculations: For safety's sake, we decide that she should go first, and I'll send the bags as soon as the transporter recycles.
She says her goodbyes to Miral as I set the coordinates, and Tom takes kiddo downstairs. "Just for the record," she says as she steps in, " I am glad that you're here with Miral."
She's underestimating Tom, but I'm not going there today. "Even if the circumstances were different," I tell her, "I'd be here for Miral. So, get some rest, will you? And if you run into Harry, or anyone else we know, say hello for me."
I get the first smile I've seen in a long time. "I'll do that. And thanks again."