"Hey, Paris," Dexter was leaving one of the classrooms. He had stayed behind to get some help on something. He saw Jeremy and Jack making their way over to him. He hadn't seen them since the incident on the Delta Flyer. He tried to avoid them as much as possible. He knew what kind of person he wanted to be. He didn't like disappointing his parents and now that they almost lost his mother. He didn't want to think about it. It still hurt.
He turned and started for the turbolift, ignoring them. His mom was going to be home soon with dinner. He wanted to see her again. He knew she was on the ship, but almost losing her, he wanted to see her again.
"Paris," Jack grabbed Dexter's arm. "I wanted to talk to you."
Dexter pulled his arm away. "I don't want to talk to you," He started to walk away again.
"I heard you almost lost your mommy," Jack yelled. Dexter curled his hand into a fist. He took a breath, so he didn't hit him. Dexter tried to walk away. "Going home to be with your mommy," Jack yelled after him.
Dexter stopped. He wasn't going to say anything, but Jack or Jeremy didn't almost lose their mother. "Yes, I am, you never almost lost your mother if you did you would want to make sure that your mom is there."
"You are a baby," Jack laughed. "Are you going to start crying for Mommy."
Dexter went back over to Jack and punched him in the face. Jeremy backed away; he didn't want Dexter to hit him. Jack placed a hand on his face and pulled back with blood on his hand.
"You bitch," Jack spit out. Jack jumped at Dexter. Dexter wasn't going to hold back. The boys rolled on the floor in the hall. Jermy didn't know what to do as he backed against the wall.
"Boys," Two teachers came out and pulled Dexter off Jack.
Jack's face didn't look too good. It was bloody and it made Dexter look at his own hands. They were all scared up. Dexter didn't like it.
"Sickbay," One of the teachers said. The teacher holding Dexter pulled Dexter's towards the turbolift. The other teacher came with Jack and Jeremy followed them on the turbolift.
"Put him on the main bio bed," The doctor said to the teacher holding Jack. "Mr. Paris, take a seat," He pointed to the bed in the middle of the regular bio beds.
Dexter took a seat and didn't look up from his hands. He didn't like that he lost his temper. He heard one of the teachers call their parents. He knew his parents wouldn't be happy with him.
"Dexter," Dexter looked up into the eyes of his father.
"I'm sorry, Dad," Tears started coming down his eyes. "I didn't mean to hurt him that bad," Dexter looked towards the main bio bed to see Jack's parents there with the doctor. "He was going on about Mom and how we almost lost her.
"Mr. Paris," A teacher came up. Tom could see that Dexter wanted to say more, but the teacher had come up. Tom nodded to her to continue. "We would like a sit down between you, your wife, and Jack's parents to talk about what to do about the boys.
Tom nodded. "Let me talk to my wife and we can plan something," The teacher nodded and walled away. Tom turned back to Dexter. "Let's me see your hands," Tom reached for Dexter's hands, but he pulled them away from Tom. Dexter looked back at the main bio bed where Jack was laying.
"Dad, I know I'm in trouble, but you have to understand I didn't mean it," Dexter tried not to look at his father.
Tom looked around and grabbed something. "Come on," Tom pulled Dexter off the bio bed. The doctor looked their way. "I'll fix Dexter's hands at home," The doctor nodded, and Tom pulled Dexter out of sickbay.
"Dad, I don't want to go home right now," Dexter made Tom let go of his arm. Tom sighed and nodded. He led them to the turbolift.
"Shuttle bay one," Tom said to the computer. Dexter gave his father a look. Tom gave a small smile. "It is where I go when I need moment from it all."
Dexter wondered when his dad needed a moment because he was always seeing his dad at home or thought his dad was working. "When do you need a moment?" Dexter asked as the turbolift doors opened.
Tom led the way off the turbolift. "When it gets a little hard between work and home," Dexter nodded. He didn't think that it was hard on his dad. Tom ruffled Dexter's hair.
"You'll understand when you are older," Father and son walked into shuttle bay one. Dexter took his father's word for it.
Tom made his way to the Delta Flyer, he moved out of the way and ushered Dexter in. "Take a seat," Tom told his son. Dexter took the first seat he could. Tom kneeled in front of him and took his hands. Tom took out the medical bag and pulled out the tool he needed to fix Dexter's hand.
"Dad, I didn't mean to hurt him or lose my temper," Dexter watched his dad.
"I understand," Tom mumbled.
"He was talking about Mom and it still hurt that we almost lost her."
Tom looked into his son's eyes. "I know. I don't want to lose your mother either."
"He called me a baby for wanting my mom. He will never know the feeling of what it was like sitting there telling a judge what kind of mom is. Hoping that you said the right thing to get your mom back. The relief that your mom is okay and coming home. You are going to spend time to make sure your mom is still there even those you know that she is there. I don't want to lose my mom."
Tom let Dexter say all that was on his mind. When Dexter was done, Tom gathered Dexter in his arms. Tom didn't know B'Elanna's trial could influence Dexter. Tom wondered if the other children felt the same. "Jack hit a rough spot," Tom mumbled.
Dexter nodded. "I have been trying to stay away from Jack and Jeremy. I was walking away when he said. was a baby. I reacted before I thought."
Tom pulled back. "I know. Things like that happen. I am not mad at you. After we had our talk. I know you have been staying away from those boys. They will never know what it was like losing a parent like you. It is the experience that makes us who we are. I am proud of the man you are growing up to be. I can see that you are trying."
Dexter looked up at his dad, "I do feel bad about hurting Jack but a little part of me is glad that he is hurt," It was a whisper that Tom almost didn't hear.
Tom smiled. "I probably would have done the same thing," Dexter's eyes widen as he looked at his father with shock. "I don't think Grandpa would have been as understanding as me," Dexter laughed.
"How much trouble am I in?" Dexter asked after a moment.
"For your mother's sake we will say you are grounded for two weeks. If I had my way, I would say you are not grounded because you were protecting your mother's honor, but your mother wouldn't see it that way," Dexter smiled. "Are you ready to go home?" Tom had finished fixing Dexter's hands.
"Yeah," Dexter sighed.
"Good because I'm hungry," Tom stood up. Dexter followed his father. "Let's hope there is still food left," Tom threw an arm around Dexter's shoulder. Dexter laughed.
They entered their quarters to find everyone else sitting on the couch. "There is dinner left by the replicators," B'Elanna stood and walked over to them as Dexter sat and Tom grabbed dinner for them. B'Elanna took a seat next to Dexter as Tom put a plate of food in front of him. "Why was Dexter in Sickbay?" B'Elanna looked between son and father.
Tom traded a look with Dexter. Dexter took a bite of food before looking at his mother. "I got in a fight with Jack," Dexter was ready to explain why when B'Elanna interrupted.
"Dexter, we have told you to stay away from those boys."
Before B'Elanna could say more, Dexter growled. "I have. I was leaving the classrooms when they came at me about you. I tried to walk away but he said something, and I punched him. The fight happened because of you, and I wasn't feeling good. I am sorry about the fight. I didn't mean to hurt him that bad," Dexter didn't even finish his dinner as he stood and went to his room.
Tom looked at B'Elanna. "You didn't see Dexter seating in sickbay worrying about what he did to Jack. He didn't feel good about it. He wanted to make sure Jack was okay. Honestly, I would have done the same thing as him."
"Tom." B'Elanna whispered. "Our kids have a little more strength than other kids."
"I know. Dexter didn't like hitting the boy. The problem was he was making fun of Dexter almost losing you."
B'Elanna closed her eyes. She didn't want to think about it. She hated that the children went through that. She could see Dexter doing that. She just didn't want them to blame it on their Klingon temper and strength. "I was being hard on him."
Tom nodded. "I did ground him, and he knows what he did was wrong," B'Elanna nodded. "The teachers want us to have a meeting with Jack's parents to talk about the boys," B'Elanna nodded again.
"I have to talk to Dexter," B'Elanna stood and grabbed Dexter's forgot plate. She headed for the boys' room.
"Can I come in?" B'Elanna asked after she knocked on the door.
"Yeah," Dexter mumbled.
B'Elanna entered to find Dexter sitting on his bed. Dexter didn't look up at her as she entered. "I brought your dinner," Dexter's stomach let out a growl as he smelled the food. It made Dexter look up. B'Elanna handed him his plate. "I'm sorry," B'Elanna took a seat next to him. "I should have listened to you."
Dexter took a bite of food. "Mom, I have been staying away from those boys. I remember the look on your face when you found us in the Delta Flyer. I don't want to see that face again, so I have been staying away. I guess I'm not feeling good right now because I almost lost you and they would never know that feeling."
B'Elanna never thought about what her getting taken would mean to her children. That they might never see her again. B'Elanna wanted to hug Dexter, but he still had a plate in his hand. She threw an arm around him. "I'm sorry you had to go through that but know this you will never lose me."
Dexter set his plate on the floor. "I know but you could leave us."
B'Elanna wrapped her arms around him. "I will never leave you willingly. I love you so much and I love your sisters and brother. I will always be here," B'Elanna placed a hand on Dexter's heart.
Dexter sighed. "I know, but it is still going to hurt to lose you or Dad. I don't want to lose either of you."
B'Elanna kissed the top of his head. She didn't know what to say. It was hard being a senior staff member. They were given harder missions. She oversaw finding them a home while Tom oversaw most missions to find supplies. Some things could happen to them and leave one of them raising their kids by themselves or they could both be lost. Leaving their children orphans. B'Elanna knew that the crew would take care of her children. The children wouldn't be the same if one or both died. After Miral was born, they decided that only one of them would go on a mission one at a time. B'Elanna didn't know what to tell her son. "Dex…"
B'Elanna didn't finish as Dexter wrapped his arms around her. It was a hug that meant so much. It reassured her and him that everything was going to okay. It was something they both needed.
Tom met B'Elanna outside the turbolift that led to the classrooms. Today they were going to the meeting with Jack's parents to talk about the boys. They made their way down the hall to the classroom. It was quiet in the hall because school was over for the day. Neelix was watching all the kids so they could have this meeting.
Tom and B'Elanna entered the classroom to find Jack's parents there already, they were two crew members. Jack's parents were sitting on one side of the table in the center of the room. One of the teachers was sitting at the head of the table.
"Please take a seat, Commanders Torres and Paris," The teacher pointed to the two empty chairs. Tom and B'Elanna traded a look before taking the last two seats. "We are here to talk about Jack and Dexter behavior with each other. As you both know, Dexter and Jack got into a fight in front of the classrooms after school." All the parents nodded. Tom didn't want to remember the feeling he when saw Dexter in Sickbay with his hurt hands. "It seems that Dexter has stayed away from Jack since they got caught in the Delta Flyer. Jack has been bothering Dexter during class and free time," The teacher went on to explain some of the things that Jack has done to Dexter.
"I find that hard to believe that Dexter has done nothing to Jack," Jack's mom threw Tom and B'Elanna a look.
B'Elanna could feel the anger rise in her. Tom placed a hand on B'Elanna's leg. "It is true," The teacher sighed.
"My son is a good boy," Jack's mother looked right at B'Elanna when she said this. "You must have forgotten because Dexter's parents are senior officers."
"This has nothing to do with who Dexter's parents are," The teacher said. "This is about Dexter and Jack," Jack's mother rolled her eyes.
B'Elanna had enough. "What is your problem?"
"My son ended up in sickbay while Dexter just got starches on his hands."
"Jack had started it while my son was walking away. My son has been listening to me and his father. He has tried to stay from Jack and his friend, but when Jack started to talk about something terrible happen. My son wasn't going to stand there and let it happen."
"Maybe your son should learn some control," Jack's mother narrowed her eyes at B'Elanna.
"What's that suppose to mean?" B'Elanna asked.
Jack's mother stared right at B'Elanna. "His mother has anger issues."
B'Elanna was ready to jump over the table and strangle this woman. B'Elanna took a breath, she didn't need to show Jack's mother how much anger she had right now for her son.
"Enough," Jack's father said to his wife. "You are not seeing our son as a bully. Dexter almost lost his mother, and he is still trying to work through it. Our son provoked him and he reacted like any child would have done the same. This has nothing to do with the commanders being senior staff," Jack's father turned to Tom and B'Elanna. "I'm sorry for the harm my son caused your son. We will punish our son."
Tom and B'Elanna nodded. "We have punished Dexter for his involvement in the fight," Tom said. "We'll continue to talk to Dexter about staying away from Jack," Tom turned to Jack's father. "We can only do so much; you are going to have to do things on your side."
"I agree. I will be talking to Jack and see what can be done," Both men nodded and looked at their wives to make sure they agreed with them. Both wives threw their husbands a look before nodding. The teacher let out a sigh of relief.
Jack's parents were the first to stand. "If that is everything," Jack's dad said. The teacher nodded. Tom and B'Elanna watched as Jack's parents left the classroom.
Tom and B'Elanna stood after a moment. "I hope everything go better for Dexter because he is such a good boy," Tom and B'Elanna knew their son and it was right.
"Thank you trying to help," B'Elanna said as they left. They were hoping for the same thing.