"Commander Torres to the Captain's ready room," B'Elanna heard Janeway call her name.
"Vouk," B'Elanna yelled at her second in command. "Keep my engine running," Voluk nodded. B'Elanna gathered her PADDs before leaving Engineering.
She made her way to the bridge then to the ready room. Tom gave her a smile of encouragement as she passed by. B'Elanna rang the chime.
"Enter," Janeway called out. B'Elanna entered to see Janeway sitting behind her desk. Janeway looked up. "Please take a seat, B'Elanna," Janeway a hand to the seat in front of her.
B'Elanna took a seat. "Captain…"
"Why did you request a meeting with me when we both know that you can just come to me?" Janeway took a sip of her morning coffee that was sitting in front of her.
"Ma'am, what I have isn't good news?" B'Elanna set her PADDs on the desk.
"What is it, B'Elanna?" B'Elanna could hear the worry in Janeway's voice.
"Well," B'Elanna took a breath. "The ship isn't going to make it back to Earth."
B'Elanna watched as Janeway's face changed. "How is that possible?"
B'Elanna took a breath before speaking. "The ship wasn't made to travel this long before it was dried docked. At best the ship could make it ten-fifteen years with regular Starfleet maintenance. We have been going for sixteen years. We have replaced many parts with alien technology not Starfleet had only given us a few more years."
Janeway looked over the PADDs that B'Elanna had brought. "How long do we have?"
"Three or four years," B'Elanna showed her the PADD that had that information.
Janeway sighed. "We are either going to have to find a way home or find a M-class planet."
"Yes, captain," B'Elanna tried to read the captain's face as she took in all the information that B'Elanna was giving her.
"Alright," B'Elanna could tell that Janeway didn't like this, but something had to be done before the ship broke down and they had nowhere to go. "I'm going to set up a meeting with the senior staff. I would like to tell them your finding."
"Yes, ma'am," B'Elanna smiled.
Janeway looked at the clock on her desk. "Don't you have to pick up your children?" She smiled.
B'Elanna nodded and stood. "Yes, if you will excuse me or I can have Tom pick them up."
"No, go," Janeway nodded. B'Elanna nodded and left the office.
B'Elanna looked at everyone on the senior staff sitting around the table in the briefing room. She explained her findings to the room. B'Elanna could tell by the looks on their faces that they didn't like it as much as Janeway didn't. Once B'Elanna was done everyone started talking alone.
"It seems logical that we should find a planet sooner," Tuvok said.
"We'll have the lab start looking," Seven said.
B'Elanna took her seat and was ready to join the talk when Janeway held up her hand. Everyone looked at the captain. "This is what we are going to do. We are going to start looking for a M-class planet that can handle life and is uninhabitable."
"Captain are you sure you want to find a planet that is unhabitable, we might need help," Chakotay said.
"I'm sure. I don't want us to rely on someone else for help. If we have to land, I want it to be on our terms," Harry opened his mouth to speak. "They might interfere in the way we teach or raise our children," It seemed that Janeway knew the question that Harry was going to ask. "We can trade with others, but we are going to do things our way," Janeway said it in a way that left no room for argument. Everyone nodded. "This is what we are going to do…"
The plan was to look for a way home and look for an M-class planet. It was a good plan. Everyone assigned their duties with this new plan. After the meeting, B'Elanna was glad they had a plan. She had seen Janeway and Chakotay headed for the ready room. It seems like they needed to talk.
"B'Elanna," B'Elanna turned to see who was calling her name. She should know that it was Tom. She wondered what he needed because she had work to do in Engineering.
"Yeah," She hoped it was about the children or something.
Tom smiled and it still made her heart flattered. "I take it went well in there," B'Elanna nodded wondering where this was going. She watched as Tom looked around to make sure no one was around. "I hope that we find a planet because our kids will have a place to run and grow up that's not on a ship," B'Elanna raised and eyebrow. Tom threw up his hands. "I know we could still find a way home and I'm okay with that because either way we will be off this ship," B'Elanna smiled. "I want…" Tom didn't finish.
B'Elanna placed her hands on his chest. "I know, to get off this ship and build a home for our children to grow up in. I love Voyager but it is feeling a little crowded with people having families. We will just have to see where we go."
Tom nodded. "We still on for tomorrow."
B'Elanna sighed. "Yes, I am ready to get James out of our room."
Tom laughed before leaning down and kissing her. "It's a date."
B'Elanna shook her head before walking away. Tom was right, their family needed a space to grow, and Voyager didn't have that anymore. She didn't know if she wanted to get back to the Alpha Quadrant or find a planet to live on, but Tom was right about one thing. There was a way of getting off this ship for good.
"Gabby," B'Elanna warned. "Stop," Gabby sniffed back the tears.
"Why can't I stay home with you and Daddy?" Gabby cried.
"Daddy and I have grown up things to do," B'Elanna sighed.
"It's not fair," Gabby stooped her foot.
"Gabrielle, stop it," B'Elanna growled. Gabby wiped her face. She knew that her mom wasn't giving up. "You be fine. You enjoy school."
"But you let me stay home before," Gabby frowned.
"Yes, but this time Daddy and I have something to do without children around."
Gabby made a face but stooped her way into her class. B'Elanna took a sigh before walking away and heading back to their quarters. She walked into her quarters to see Tom sitting on the couch with a smile on his face. She narrowed her eyes to him because he didn't have to drop the kids off at school and deal with a crying Gabby.
"Why did we have children again?" She asked.
Tom raised an eyebrow. "Which one didn't want to go to school?" Tom stood and headed for Dexter's room. B'Elanna followed him. They stood in the doorway and moaned. There were toys and clothes all over the place.
B'Elanna looked at Tom. "We need to stop getting him toys," Tom smiled because he knew that B'Elanna was yelling at him. They stepped into the room and took a sigh.
Tom told the computer to start playing their playlist and started cleaning. They put the clothes away and put the toys in the proper place. Once the room was cleaned, Tom and B'Elanna set up the crib for James and made half the room his.
"Done," B'Elanna wiped her hands on her pants. "I just hope he sleeps here, and we can have our room back," Tom smiled back, he wanted the same thing. They stepped out of the boys' room. B'Elanna went and took a seat on the couch. "You can go and pick up the kids up from school," B'Elanna closed her eyes.
Tom leaned down and kissed her. She let out a moan. "I could pick up the children or we could have a little fun."
"That is not going happen. You have four children. It was your f…" Tom didn't let her finish the sentence.
"They're your children, too." Tom kissed his wife again. Maybe he could get her to forget that they had four children for a moment.
B'Elanna pushed him away. "Later, now go and get your children. We can celebrate once the kids are sleep."
"Do you think you can be quiet enough for the kids?"
B'Elanna hit her husband on the arm. "Do you think you can?"
Tom stood. "I know I can," Tom headed for the door.
B'Elanna raised an eyebrow. "I don't know if you can," There was a challenge in her eyes.
"Is that a challenge?" Tom asked.
"Maybe," B'Elanna crossed her arms. Tom headed back to his wife. He leaned down and kissed her until he heard her moan. He broke the kiss and smiled at B'Elanna before leaving their quarters.
B'Elanna took a moment of silence before Tom came home with the children. She had to wonder what tonight was going to hold after the kids went to bed. She only hoped that James would sleep in Dexter's room without fuss. She really wanted her room and her husband back at night.
"Mommy," What felt like a minute B'Elanna opened her eyes to see Gabby running into with Dexter and Miral behind her. Tom came in helping their youngest walking in.
B'Elanna smiled at the children. "How was school?" The kids told her what happened at school before they went to their rooms to play before dinner.
"Since I got the kids, you can go and get dinner," Tom sat down next to B'Elanna.
B'Elanna rolled her eyes. "Fine," B'Elanna stood and was ready to head for the door when Dexter came out of his room.
"Why is there a crib in my room?" Dexter asked.
"We talked about this before, James is going to start to sleep in your room now," Tom said.
"I don't want a baby sleeping in my room," Dexter turned on his heels and went to his room.
Tom was ready to get up when Miral stepped up. "Can I talk to him?"
Tom and B'Elanna traded a look before turning back to Miral. "Sure," They watched Miral go into the boys' room.
B'Elanna looked at Tom. "Do you think I should go or wait?"
"Go," Tom waved her off.
As B'Elanna was leaving, Dexter and Miral came out of the room. "I'm sorry. It could be fun having a James in my room."
"Thank you, Dexter," Tom said. Dexter nodded before going back to his room. B'Elanna and Tom traded a look before B'Elanna left to get dinner. B'Elanna came back with dinner and the family had dinner together.
B'Elanna entered the dark quarters, she was called away to Engineering and Tom had to put the kids to bed alone. B'Elanna checked on the kids to see them all sleeping in their own beds. It had B'Elanna smiling because that meant Tom was alone.
B'Elanna entered her room to see Tom was alone in the bed. She disrobed and climbed in bed with Tom. "Are you asleep?" B'Elanna whispered.
Tom opened his eyes. "No, waiting for you to see if who can be quiet tonight."
B'Elanna laughed before taking Tom's lips.
B'Elanna woke the next morning to see Tom was gone. B'Elanna listened to the door for a second before getting up and showering. B'Elanna thought about what happened last night. She didn't think that Tom or she were very quiet. She thought that neither one won that game, but she enjoyed every moment of it.
"Mom," B'Elanna heard Miral through her door.
"Yeah," B'Elanna sighed. She forgot about her four children.
"James wants to get out of his crib," Miral said.
"I'll be out soon," B'Elanna sighed as she finished her shower.
"Okay," Miral left the room.
B'Elanna got out and dressed before leaving the room. She made her way across the living area to the boys' room. James was holding out his arms for her. Dexter was standing by the crib.
"Can I try?" Dexter asked.
"Do you think you can?" B'Elanna asked. Dexter nodded. B'Elanna watched as Dexter lifted James out of his crib. Dexter sat James down, who made his way to B'Elanna. B'Elanna picked him up. They went out for breakfast.
B'Elanna was drinking some coffee while watching the kids when Gabby asked. "What game were you and Daddy playing last night?"
B'Elanna choked on her coffee. "What did you see?"
"You were on Daddy, it looked like you were playing horsey," Gabby said.
"It was a Mommy and Daddy game," B'Elanna said. She saw Miral and Dexter watching her. "Finish up, we have to get to school," The children nodded and finished their breakfast.
"Tom," Harry called out. Tom looked back at Harry. "You seemed tired at the morning briefing."
"Yeah, just up late," Tom said.
"Kids?" Harry questioned. If Harry only knew what why Tom was tired.
"No, I couldn't sleep well last night until B'Elanna got back, she was called away," Harry nodded and was ready to say something when they heard.
"Tom," They turned around and saw B'Elanna making her way to them.
"Speak of the devil," Harry mumbled, and Tom was the only one to hear. Tom let out a little laugh. Harry turned to B'Elanna "B'Elanna."
"Harry," B'Elanna smiled. "Can I speak to Tom alone?"
Harry nodded. "See you on the bridge."
Tom nodded and turned to his wife. "Yes, I'm picking up the kids after school," B'Elanna gave him a look. "What kid did it and what is their punishment?"
"This has nothing to do with the children," B'Elanna paused for a moment before saying. "Maybe it does," Tom raised an eyebrow. B'Elanna looked around before saying. "Our children heard us last night. I think we lost," Tom smiled. "Gabby asked what game we played last night? Miral and Dexter were wondering what was going on."
"What did Gabby see?" Tom asked.
"Gabby thinks we were playing horsey," Tom smiled. "Where you were the horse, and I was the rider."
Tom's smile grew. "You were riding me."
"Yes," B'Elanna sighed.
"Well, we lost our game," Tom grabbed B'Elanna by the hips and pulled her close. "But I think we won," Tom leaned down and kissed her.
B'Elanna wrapped her arms around him. "I agree," They stood there for a second before letting go. Tom was needed on the bridge and B'Elanna in Engineering.
Tom started to make his way to the bridge when he stopped and turned around. "I think we have to test out theory tonight."
B'Elanna laughed. "Tom, do you think we can pass the test?" B'Elanna headed for the turbolift.
Tom shook his head. "No, but I will see you at home tonight."
Tom stood in front of the school rooms waiting for his older children before getting James and Gabby. The doors opened and Miral and Dexter came out. The kids handed him their PADDs.
"I have to get James and Gabby then we can head home," Miral and Dexter nodded. Tom went to the other schoolroom and got Gabby and James. Once Tom had James and Gabby, Miral and Dexter led the way home. "Homework," Tom said to the older children.
"Daddy, how do you and Mommy play horsey?" Gabby asked as soon as Miral and Dexter sat down.
"It is something Mommy and Daddy will explain when you are older." Tom placed James on the floor by the couch with some toys.
"Why?" Gabby asked Tom as she followed him.
"Because I say so," Tom hoped Gabby would leave it alone.
"Why?" Gabby asked again.
Tom took a breath before he snapped at his four-year-old daughter. "Because you are not old enough," Tom said.
"Why?" Gabby asked him again.
"Gabby," Tom warned her. Tom saw Miral and Dexter look up from their homework.
"Why?"
"Enough," Tears came to Gabby's eyes. Tom's heart broke when he saw her tears. Tom sighed. "I'm sorry," Tom reached for her, but Gabby ran away to her room. Tom looked at the older two, who had their heads down, looking at their PADDs. Tom looked at James, to see his lips trembling. Tom took another breath. He knew that he needed a moment. "Miral, can you please watch James for a moment," Tom watched Mail nodded before leaving his room.
B'Elanna entered her quarters to quiet. She looked around and saw Miral and Dexter playing with James on the floor. She didn't see Gabby or Tom. "Where are Dad and Gabby?" B'Elanna set dinner on the table.
"In their rooms," Miral said.
B'Elanna nodded. James held out his arms for her to take. B'Elanna picked up James. "Can you set the table for dinner?" B'Elanna asked as she headed for her room with James. B'Elanna entered to see that Tom was sitting on the edge of the bed. "Tom," B'Elanna said. Tom looked up and tried to smile. "What happened?"
Tom explained what happened when they got home. B'Elanna stepped between Tom's legs as James held out his arms for Tom. Tom took James from B'Elanna. "I shouldn't have snapped at her. I'm a bad father."
B'Elanna made Tom look at her. "You are not a bad father. You are a great father. I don't think I could do this with anyone else," James decided to smile at Tom. "See your son agrees with me. Sometimes we don't have a good day," Tom nodded. "Come on let's go talk to Gabby before dinner."
Tom nodded and stood with James. They went across their quarters to the girls' room. B'Elanna and Tom went in. Gabby looked up. "I don't want to talk to him," Gabby said to Tom.
Tom felt his heart break. "Gabby," B'Elanna warned.
"He yelled at me," Gabby yelled.
"From what I heard you kept asking him the same question and he already gave you an answer."
Gabby looked away from her parents. "Maybe," Gabby mumbled.
Tom handed James to B'Elanna. He kneeled in front of Gabby. "Gabby, I'm sorry I yelled at you, but you need to learn when to stop asking."
"You and Mommy told me to always ask questions," Gabby looked from Tom to B'Elanna.
Tom and B'Elanna traded a look. "We did, but there are answers to questions that only have one answer," B'Elanna said. James decided to hit his mother in the face to remind them that he was here.
"Gabby, as you grow older you are going to have to listen to people," Tom said. Tom knew that she wouldn't understand what he was saying until she was older.
"Okay, Daddy," Gabby sounded like she wasn't mad at Tom anymore.
B'Elanna held out her hand. "Should we go and have dinner?"
Gabby nodded and grabbed her mom's hand. Tom followed them out of the room. He knew that his kids were growing up and that scared him. He didn't want them to grow up, but he knew they would.
"Everything okay?" B'Elanna asked when she and Tom were getting ready for bed.
"I just hate thinking that our kids are growing up."
B'Elanna sighed. "They are, one day they will move out, and maybe start their own families," She placed her hands on his chest.
Tom sighed. "I know but Gabby was asking about sex," Tom wrapped his arms around B'Elanna.
"She doesn't know what she is asking," B'Elanna sighed.
"I know," Tom was glad to feel his wife. "But one day she is going to ask that question again and we are going to have to tell her."
B'Elanna looked up at him and rolled her eyes. "More like I will talk to her."
Tom smiled. "I don't know what you are talking about."
B'Elanna pulled out of his arms. Tom reached for her, but B'Elanna was already heading for the bed. Tom watched for a moment before following her. He climbed into bed. "How quiet can you be?" He whispered in her ear. B'Elanna laughed before Tom took her lips.