B'Elanna followed Tom into the turbo lift. They were leaving the weekly briefing. Tom had to do some work on Delta Flyer and B'Elanna was headed for Engineering. "Do you want me to pick up the kids or dinner?" Tom asked without looking at her.

"Dinner," B'Elanna sighed. It has been a while since Tom, and she spent any time with each other. The doctor gave her all clear two months ago for them to have sex again. She had gone back to work with James in daycare. "Tom," B'Elanna looked at her husband. "When was the last time we had any time alone?" She asked.

Tom smiled his half smile, the one she fell in love with so many years ago. "Before the kids or after," B'Elanna rolled her eyes. Tom sighed. "Not before James was born. It was probably when we conceived him. You think we need some time together?" Tom asked.

"I do."

"Computer stop turbolift," Tom smiled. The turbolift stopped. Tom stepped closer to B'Elanna. "Do you miss me?" He pressed into her.

B'Elanna wrapped her arms him. "I do," Tom leaned down and kissed her. As they kissed, Tom reached between them and started to unzip her uniform. B'Elanna broke the kiss. "We can't."

The sparkle in Tom's eyes made him seem younger than his age. Tom continued to unzip her uniform until he hit the end. He pushed one end over her shoulder and did the other. Her uniform fell to her feet.

Tom reached for her shirt but B'Elanna pushed his hands away. "I think you are a little over dressed," She reached for his zipper and started to unzip it. Tom pulled his arms out. Tom was reaching for her when one of their comm badges went off.

"Commander Torres," Tom reached down and brought her badge.

"Go ahead, Ensign West."

"Turbolift One went down," Tom decided to kiss the side of her neck. "Since you are close, you might want to take a look."

Tom ran a hand along the edge of shirt. "I'll take a look," B'Elanna got out somehow. B'Elanna dropped her comm badge as Tom took a hold of her shirt and pulled it over her head.

Tom looked at her. "I think I know what is stopping the turbolift," Before B'Elanna could respond Tom kissed her stomach. Tom got on his knees, pulling B'Elanna down with him.

"Tom," B'Elanna moaned. "We can't," It wasn't much of effort.

"I'm showing my wife what she means to me."

"Tom," B'Elanna moaned. "We are going to be in so trouble."

"B'Elanna, be quiet and let me romance you," Tom kissed her and pulled her under him. Tom spent the next half an hour showing B'Elanna what he meant to him.

"Commanders," Janeway was pacing behind her desk. "We were trying to figure out what was going on with the turbolift when two of my senior staff were having sex on it."

"Sorry, Captain," B'Elanna threw her husband a look. "It was never supposed to happen."

Janeway sighed. "I know right now is hard with four children and your jobs, but next time reserve some time on the holodeck," Janeway sighed. "Dismissed."

B'Elanna hit Tom once they exited Janeway's ready room. "We need to stop having sex while on duty."

Tom smiled. "You enjoyed yourself several times for both times."

"Damn it Tom," B'Elanna was getting frustrated with him. "We have a product of one those times. You better hope that I'm not pregnant again. I don't think we could handle five," B'Elanna started to walk to the turbolift. She was going to Engineering.

"It wouldn't be a problem," Tom whispered.

B'Elanna turned around to face him. "How?"

Tom made his way to B'Elanna. "You remember after we found out about James," B'Elanna nodded. "You basically told me we were done," B'Elanna nodded again. "Well, I got a vasectomy, so there will be no more Paris-Torres babies."

B'Elanna looked at him. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" B'Elanna was hurt that Tom wouldn't have told her.

Tom ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't see a reason to tell you. We both knew that James was our last."

B'Elanna bit her bottom lip and turned back to the turbolift. She wasn't going to say anything to her husband right now. She got on the turbolift and headed to work.

Tom knew that he had hurt B'Elanna, and he was going to have to make it up to her. He didn't know how long he stood there before making his way to the bridge. He sat at the helm, thinking that Janeway had a good idea. He had to look but he didn't think he would have a problem to get one night on the holodeck. He was just going to find a babysitter for the kids. He hoped it wasn't too hard.

Tom dropped dinner on the table as smiled at B'Elanna. She didn't return his smile. He was going to tell her his plan when the kids came running out of their room to greet him. He kissed the top of their heads before helping them sit at the table. While the children told them about their day, Tom kept glancing at B'Elanna who wouldn't look at him as she held James.

After dinner, the kids ran to their rooms to play for a bit before they settled down with a movie. Tom helped B'Elanna clean up. "B'Elanna," He mumbled.

"I'm not talking to you," B'Elanna picked up James and headed to the couch.

Tom opened his mouth when he heard. "Commander Paris to the bridge."

Tom sighed. "I'll be back," He turned towards the door, he stopped and turned on his foot. "I wanted to tell you that we have holodeck two from six on Saturday to one on Sunday. I also found a babysitter," Tom turned walked out.

Tom came home to dim lights; the kids were asleep. He turned off the lights and went to his room to find James sleeping in his crib and B'Elanna sitting up in bed with a PADD. Tom didn't know if he should say something to B'Elanna or not, so he slowly undressed and changed into pajamas. She still didn't say anything about earlier or to tell him to leave the room.

"Why didn't you tell me?" B'Elanna asked.

"I thought we were done, and it didn't matter," Tom sighed as he took a seat on the edge if the bed.

"I feel that it should have been something we should have talked about," B'Elanna said in a quiet voice.

Tom ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe I should have, but I remember you telling me that we were done after James was conceived."

"We are done, but I liked the possibility that it could happen. I don't think my body could handle another pregnancy."

Tom moved closer to Tom. "You don't have to worry about another pregnancy scare," They have been worrying about pregnancy scares since they got together.

"True," B'Elanna watched as Tom got closer to her.

"And I don't think we have the space for another," They both glanced at James.

B'Elanna put her PADD down. "I know what you did was right. I didn't like you not telling me. We are married and there are a few things that we have kept from each other but this affects our family."

"I'm sorry," Tom leaned over B'Elanna. "I should have talked to you about it. You are right we don't keep things from each other unless order," Tom kissed her. B'Elanna let out a moan. Tom knew that he had his wife, but then James let out a cry. Tom broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against B'Elanna. "I thought he was sleeping through the night."

B'Elanna pushed him away before getting out of bed to comfort their son. "Most nights he does but there are a few nights he doesn't," B'Elanna checked him to realize James wanted to be held. "So, you are saying we got a night without the kids," B'Elanna smiled as she paced with James.

"Yes," Tom smiled.

"Who is watching the kids?" B'Elanna asked.

"Neelix," Tom said.

"Good because we need it," B'Elanna a sleeping James back in his crib.

"Now Neelix," B'Elanna decided to give Neelix some last minute instructions about James.

Neelix took James out of B'Elanna's arms. "B'Elanna, I have watched your kids before I know what I am doing. Now go and spend some time with your husband. You are meeting him at holodeck two."

B'Elanna nodded and turned to the kids. She kissed each of them goodbye. "Be good for Neelix," All three children smiled. B'Elanna didn't know if she believed them because they were her children. B'Elanna picked up the bag that she and Tom packed last night. "Bye," She said one more time before leaving.

B'Elanna made her way to holodeck two to find that Tom was already there, waiting for her. Tom smiled at her. "I was thinking Paris-Torres eight."

B'Elanna smiled. It was a small house on the Mediterranean Sea. It was one of B'Elanna's favorites. "I love it," She watched as Tom put the program in.

They stepped in and the door closed behind them. All they could hear was the waves crashing against the sand. In front of them stood the small bungalow. They traded smiles before heading to the bungalow. Tom opened the door and they both stepped in their little paradise. The kitchen was on the right with the living room to the left. In the back was a bathroom and a bedroom.

B'Elanna had always wanted a house on the sea. She must have told Tom once or twice because one anniversary, Tom made this program. They spent several days here and would return several times.

"What should we do first?" Tom took the bag off her shoulder.

"Let's take a nap," B'Elanna made her way to the bathroom. They undressed and jumped into bed. Tom pulled B'Elanna close as they fell asleep. There no babies crying in their crib or children coming into their room because they had a bad dream. This reminded them of a time before kids and it was just the two of them.

After a refreshing nap, Tom and B'Elanna got up and put on their bathing suits to have a refreshing dip in the sea. They ended up lying on the beach, drying in the sun with Tom leaving patterns on B'Elanna's back.

"You know I love you," Tom kissed B'Elanna on her neck.

"Your better," B'Elanna mumbled.

"I better," Tom smiled.

"Yeah, I'll give you four reasons," B'Elanna turned and looked at him.

"What are those four reasons," There was a sparkle in Tom's eyes like he knew what it was.

"Miral, Dexter, Gabby, and James," B'Elanna smiled.

"As those are good reasons," Tom leaned over B'Elanna. "I don't want to talk about our children," Tom kissed her.

B'Elanna broke the kiss. "Then what should we talk about?"

"Us and remember what life was like before kids," Tom kissed her again.

"What was life like before we had kids," B'Elanna wrapped her arms around him.

"We were lovers," Tom kissed her. "Friends," He kissed her again. "And a couple," He kissed her one more time and B'Elanna let out a moan. Words were soon gone.

About an hour later, B'Elanna woke and saw that her husband was still sleeping. She hit him. "Tom what are you feeding me?"

Tom woke and smiled at his wife. "My famous," He kissed her. "Chicken and rice," He kissed her one more time.

"Then you better get started," B'Elanna pushed away from him and got up. She was heading for the house when Tom finally got up and followed her.

When Tom entered, he saw that B'Elanna was headed for the bathroom. He sighed and went to change in the bathroom. He came out and headed for the kitchen and started working on dinner for the two of them.

"Smell great," B'Elanna said as she came out.

"There is a bottle of wine in there," Tom pointed to the fridge.

B'Elanna grabbed the wine and two glasses. She poured the wine in the glasses and handed one to Tom. She took a sip of wine and moaned. She didn't remember that last time she got to enjoy a glass of wine. It had to be before James was born.

"Should we eat at the table or in front of TV watching a movie?" Tom stirred the pot.

"Movie," B'Elanna came up behind him to check on the food.

Tom smiled. "Good choice," He grabbed two plates and dished the food on the plates. B'Elanna took the wine as Tom took the food. They went to sit on the couch. "What movie should we watch?" Tom placed the food on the table.

"Anything that isn't kid related," B'Elanna took a sip of her wine before taking a bite of food.

Tom let out a laugh as he told the computer to play a movie. Soon the food was gone, and Tom placed an arm around B'Elanna. B'Elanna leaned into him and finished watching the movie like that.

After the movie, they put the dishes away and went to the bedroom where they spoke without words. It was a moment to reconnect and for them to remember that they were lovers as well as officers and parents. Every sigh and moan were music to their ears. They took their time as if it was their first time together. Afterwards they fell into each other's arms and fell asleep.

B'Elanna woke in Tom's arms. She looked at Tom and saw how he aged. There was white hair at his temple and a few more laugh lines on his face. His beard that was coming in had a few whites in it. B'Elanna ran a hand over his face, she couldn't remember the last time she did this.

Tom took the hand and kissed her palm. "Good morning, beautiful."

"Good morning," B'Elanna laughed. "When was the last time I woke up in your arms?"

Tom leaned over and kissed her. "Before we had kids that didn't want to sleep in the middle every night."

B'Elanna laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Whose idea was it to have children."

"I don't know," Tom slipped inside of her and B'Elanna let out a moan. Morning sex, not having it since before they had children.

"Do we have to go back?" B'Elanna asked. It was almost one and their time on the holodeck was ending. They would have to get back to work and their kids.

"Yeah," Tom smiled as he picked up their bag. "Or Neelix is going to send the kids here or Janeway is going to need us for something."

B'Elanna sighed. "Computer ended program," The program ended, and they were standing on an empty holodeck. They walked out of the holodeck.

"Commander Torres to Engineering," A voice said.

B'Elanna moaned and gave Tom's hand a squeeze. "I'll see you later at home," Tom nodded and watched B'Elanna walk on a turbolift.

Tom gripped the bag and headed for another turbolift. He made his way to their quarters. As Tom opened the door, he was hit by the noise of his children.

"Daddy," Three of his children ran to him. Tom dropped the bag on the floor and gathered around him. Tom kissed them on the top of their head. He looked up at Neelix, who was holding James.

"How…" Before Tom could finish, they heard.

"Commander Paris to the bridge."

Tom gave Neelix a look. "If you don't mind watching them a little bit longer."

"I don't mind," Neelix smiled.

Tom looked down at his children. "Sorry, I have to go to work," He smiled at them before leaving again.

"I hate this," Miral yelled. Tears started streaming down her face.

"Hate what?" Neelix asked. He had a feeling he knew what it was about.

"We never see our parents," Miral turned away from the door and looked at Neelix. "Everyone at school sees their parents more than we do."

"Your parents are senior officers," Neelix started to rock James because he was starting to fuss because he could feel the tension in the room.

"That doesn't matter because…"

"Miral," Dexter started.

"No," Miral turned on her brother. "Mom and Dad are never here or if they are here, they can be called away any moment."

James started to cry. Neelix started to check on James. "Miral, why don't you have this conversation with your parents when they come home."

"When?" Miral cried.

Neelix sighed. He had watched the Paris kids for years, watched as the family grew. He saw what kind of faces Tom and B'Elanna made when they had to leave their children. "Miral, go to your room and stay there until one of your parents comes home."

"No," Miral yelled. "You are not my mom or dad."

"But I am," Miral turned around to see her mom standing there with her hands on her hips.

"Mom," Miral gasped.

"Miral, go to your room until I can deal with you," B'Elanna glanced at her nine-year-old daughter. Miral opened her mouth to say something but B'Elanna didn't let her. "Your room, Miral," B'Elanna pointed towards the girls' room. "Or I'll…" Miral started making her way to the room. B'Elanna knew she would have slammed the door if she could have. B'Elanna turned to Neelix. "Thank you for watching the children," B'Elanna took James from Neelix. "Even if they have my temper."

Neelix smiled. "It was my pleasure. I'll see you later, B'Elanna," Neelix said goodbye to the children before leaving.

B'Elanna watched the door close before looking at the other children. "Do you think you can play in Dexter's room while I talk to Miral." Dexter and Gabby nodded and went to Dexter's room.

B'Elanna sighed before heading to Miral's room. She went into the room to find Miral lying on her bed. B'Elanna took a seat at the desk with James in her arms. She could put him down, but the room was a mess with all the toys and clothes. B'Elanna made a note that they were going to have to clean this room and probably Dexter's room too.

"Miral, what is going on?" B'Elanna asked.

"Nothing," Miral mumbled into her pillow.

"Then why were you auguring with Neelix when I cam in," B'Elanna leaned down and picked up a toy that James could play with and give it to him.

Miral looked up at her mother," Why do you and Dad have to be senior staff?"

B'Elanna had to think of that answer. She was taken back sixteen years when she became Chief Engineer. At the same time Tom was made Chief Helmsman. A lot has changed in sixteen years and a lot hasn't. "Because Janeway knew we were the best at what we do. Why do you ask?" B'Elanna asked.

"It's just everyone at school sees their parents on a regular bases while you and Dad are.."

"On call," B'Elanna said.

Miral nodded. "Yeah, I just thought that you and Dad would want to spend every moment with us and not be gone for the night."

"Oh, sweetheart," James decided to throw the toy on the floor, B'Elanna picked it up and gave it back to him. "Your father and I would love to spend as much time as we can with you and your brothers and sister, but sometimes Mom and Dad need time to be themselves," Miral gave her mother a confused look. "It might be hard for you realize but Dad and I had lives before we had children and sometimes, we want to remember that. You'll understand when you are older and maybe have your own children. We also needed a break from work."

"Oh," Miral said.

"Miral sometimes Mom and Dad have a hard time balancing work and family. It is even harder when we are starship and are senior officers, but you must remember that no matter what we would rather spend time with you and your siblings."

"Okay," Miral sat up.

"Miral, I remember your dad told you to talk to one of us if you are unhappy."

Miral blushed. "Sorry."

"Don't hold it in or you are going to explode. You are human and Klingon both have too much emotion."

"Okay," Miral mumbled.

B'Elanna knew that she didn't understand but she hoped her daughter wouldn't hold her emotions in her like she did for so many years. "If you have trouble come and find me and I'll help you."

'Okay," Miral nodded.

"Let's go and find some dinner," B'Elanna stood with James. She held out her hand and Miral took it.

"Okay," B'Elanna led them out of the room.