"What should we try for lunch?" Harry asked. They were on the station. Harry had talked Tom into coming to the station to find supplies and lunch. Tom agreed. He didn't have much to with them at the station.
"I don't know," Tom looked around. "What looks good?" They were used to trying new things.
"Let's go over there," Harry pointed to a small cafe. Tom nodded and they headed over.
They found a table outside and took a seat. It wasn't long before someone came to take their order. Harry smiled at them. "What is good here?"
The person told them, and Tom and Harry ordered the food. Harry and Tom started talking about the happening on the ship and their families. The food showed up and Tom took a bite of food and found it tasty. He didn't know how long they were going to be here, but he may take B'Elanna out for the night. Just the two of them.
Tom had just finished eating and pushed his plate away. He started looking around the station. He noticed many different aliens and some Starfleet personnel. He noticed that many of the alien species had dark hair and not blond hair like he did. It wasn't hard for Tom to notice the blond head bouncing along. That he was head shorter than the others and there was something about that blond head that made Tom pause.
The blond headed was walking away from them. "Harry." Tom said. Harry looked up from his finished plate. "Does that head seem similar?" Harry looked at where Tom was pointing and nodded. They paid for their lunch before standing. They followed the blond and got closer to the head.
Understanding hit Tom like a ton of bricks. That blond-headed person was his son, Dexter and Tom realized the boy next to him was Jack. Tom turned to Harry. He noticed that Harry saw the boys, too. "Harry, grab Jack," Harry nodded.
Tom reached out and grabbed Dexter around the waist. Dexter let out a scream. People were looking their way. "He's my son," He hissed at them. Tom glanced back and saw that Harry had a hold on Jack. Tom headed for the dock where their ship was docked.
Tom had Dexter slugged over his shoulder as they entered the ship. Tom turned to Harry. "Take Jack home," Harry nodded and went down one corridor. "Commander Torres to our quarters," B'Elanna would know his voice right away. Tom carried Dexter back to their quarters. It was a good thing that Dexter didn't say anything, or Tom wouldn't be responsible for he said or did.
Once they got home, Tom pointed to the couch. "Sir and don't move a muscle," Tom set Dexter down while speaking. Dexter ran to the couch. He had never seen his dad this angry. Tom paced the living area as they waited for B'Elanna.
"Tom, if you want to have…" B'Elanna's words stopped when she saw Tom pacing their quarters. She had started when she entered. She had thought that Tom was spending the day with Harry on the station. Tom didn't look happy. "What is going on?"
Tom pointed at the couch. "Our son," B'Elanna looked over at the couch to see Dexter sitting there very still. Dexter should be at school. B'Elanna looked from Dexter to Tom. "What happened?"
"I was having lunch with Harry when I saw a small blond head walking by. I thought it was curious and followed them. I saw that it was Dexter. I grabbed him and Harry grabbed Jack. He was in the station when he shouldn't have been."
B'Elanna looked at Dexter. "Dexter Paris, what were you thinking?"
"I'm going to guess he wasn't thinking," Tom grumbled.
B'Elanna threw Tom a look. He wasn't helping right now. "Tom, why don't you go to our room," B'Elanna sighed. Tom nodded and went to their room. B'Elanna waited until the door to her room was closed before turning to Dexter. "Why were you on the station? It was off limits to children."
"I don't know," Dexter shrugged his shoulders.
"Whose idea, was it?" B'Elanna asked.
"I don't remember," Dexter mumbled.
B'Elanna was starting to get frustrated with their son. "Dexter Paris, I'm going to need some answers from you, or you are grounded until you start showing better behavior."
"Ground me," Dexter mumbled.
B'Elanna curled her hands into fists. Dexter was already grounded for being in the Jeffery's tube. Now they had this added on. B'Elanna took a breath before saying in a calm voice. "Dexter, your father and I love you. When you disobey us, you hurt us. We are not mad at you, just disappointed because we raised you to think before you act. You can test our boundaries as all you want, but we will always be there when you need us. I don't know what we are doing to do now, but you are grounded until further notice. Go to your room," B'Elanna watched as Dexter went to his room. B'Elanna sighed. She had to deal with another Paris man. She went into her room to see Tom sitting on the couch. He looked up when he saw her. "He is grounded forever," She said.
Tom nodded. He looked up at B'Elanna. "Something could have happened to him. If I didn't see him someone else would have."
"I know," B'Elanna whispered. She didn't want to think about what could have happened to Dexter.
"Someone could have taken him, and we may not have seen him again. What would they have done to him."
B'Elanna went over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's something he doesn't understand with being on ship that watches out for you," Tom nodded. He knew that B'Elanna was right. Their kids barely had to face things they did as children. Their lives were on this ship where everyone was watching them. "We may have to talk with all our children just make sure they are all safe."
I agree. I have to get back to work. Will you be okay with Dexter here alone?" Tom nodded. B'Elanna kissed him. "You are a good father, Tom. Never doubt yourself."
Tom nodded. He knew his wife was right. He got up and followed B'Elanna out to the living area. If he knew his son or it was something he would have tried at Dexter age, he was to escape the first chance he got.
Tom watched as B'Elanna left. He sat on the couch as quietly as he could. He didn't turn om the TV or PADD as he waited. The boys' door opened and Dexter poked his head out. He didn't turn his head towards the couch. Amateur. Tom thought. Dexter turned and looked at Tom and B'Elanna's door before sneaking out of his room. Tom let Dexter make it all the way to the door before saying.
"I wouldn't."
Dexter froze mid-step. He turned on his heel and saw Tom sitting on the couch. "Dad," Tom could hear the shook in the voice. "What are you doing there?" Dexter didn't know what to think. He knew that his dad was mad at him, but he didn't think that his father would watch his every move.
"Waiting for you to try to escape our quarters."
Dexter narrowed his eyes at his father. "How did you know I was going to escape?"
Tom smiled. "I would have done the same thing when I was your age." Dexter frowned before throwing his father another look and headed back to his room. Dexter heard his father say. "Next time, son."
Dexter wanted to slam something, but everything was bolted to the floor. It was the problem living on a ship. He sometimes wished they lived on a planet, and he could do what he wanted. Dexter fell on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He wasn't getting out of here from the front door, his father was sitting out there knowing every move he was making. That was the problem being the son of Tom Paris.
Dexter put his hands behind his head where he noticed a vent. He measured it with his mind and wondered if he could squeeze through in. He stood on his bed and reached for a panel. He smiled when he realized that he was tall enough to reach it. He started to pull at it but soon realized that it wasn't coming off. He looked at it and noticed a crack. He needed something to pry it open.
Dexter glanced around the room and found a toy tool that was his brother's. He jumped off the bed and grabbed it. He climbed back on the bed and shoved the toy in the opening. He pulled until the toy was almost broken and the vent covering came off. He was glad that it landed on the bed and not on the floor because his father would hear it.
Dexter took one more look at the door before pulling himself in the hole. It was a little tight, but Dexter could crawl and make his way out. He headed left hoping that it was the right way.
Dexter smiled when he heard voices. He glanced down to see that the hallway was right there, and he knew he was out of his quarters. He had to continue on or he would be found out and brought back to his father. He took another left and headed away from the voices.
Soon he came to the end of the vent. He either had to slide down or leave the vent. He heard the voices of the captain and Seven. His only way out was down. The captain and Seven would bring him to his parents. If his parents found out he would be grounded until they made it to Earth. Dexter took a breath before sliding down. Dexter wanted to scream but held it in or he would be found out.
He slid down until he came to a stop. There was an opening there and he didn't hear any voices. He kicked the covering until it fell on the floor. Dexter waited a moment to see if anyone heard and came to see what the noise was. Dexter held his breath and pressed himself against the wall to make sure no one could see him. Dexter waited for what felt like forever but was only five minutes. He jumped down and saw he was in the brig.
Dexter slowly made his way to the front of the cell. He saw the crewmember at his station looking right at him. He tried to smile and stepped out but the forcefield was in place. Dexter moaned. He gave a big smile. "Excuse me, sir," The crewmember frown at him. Dexter took a breath getting past the lump in his throat. "Can you please let me out?"
The crewmember didn't answer him instead touched his comm badge and called Tuvok. Dexter backed away until he hit the bed. Tuvok wasn't a big fan of the children on board. Dexter took a seat and waited until Tuvok came. It didn't take long before Tuvok got there. Dexter was hoping that Tuvok would just let him go and not tell his parents about this.
Tuvok looked from the crewmember to Dexter. "Does his parents know he is here?"
"No, sir," The crewmember replied.
"Commander Paris," Tuvok called Dexter's dad. Dexter didn't like it because his dad was really angry at him. Dexter heard his dad's reply to Tuvok. "I have your son in my brig and was wondering if you would like to get him."
"Keep him there," Tom told Tuvok. "Maybe he could some thinking about why he is there."
Dexter's heart sank. How long would his dad keep him here? He did nothing wrong to be here. "Okay, Mr. Paris," Tuvok looked at the crewmember. "He is to stay here until one of his parents come and get him."
The crewmember nodded. Tuvok headed for the door.
"When are they coming?" Dexter shouted at him.
Tuvok turned towards him. "I don't know," Tuvok turned back to the door and walked out.
Dexter's stomach let out a growl. Dexter didn't know what time it was, but it had to be close to dinner time. He hoped that his dad would come and get him soon because he didn't know when he was going to eat next. He looked at the ground and was ready to say something when the doors opened, and his father walked in.
Dexter stood from the bed and made his way to the front. "Dad," Dexter tried to smile. He wasn't going to spend the night in the brig.
"Open it," Tom told the guard.
The guard did as he was told. Dexter was ready to walk out. "Take a seat, Dexter," Tom said and went into the brig. There was no sparkle in his dad's eyes and Dexter did as he was told. Dexter knew he was in a lot of trouble because his dad was using his commandeering officer's voice.
The hole closed up after Tom, he went and took a seat next to Dexter on the bed. Tom didn't look at his son for a moment. Tom didn't know if he could look at him. The place he never wanted to see his children in this place. He had spent time in jail, and it was a place he didn't wish anyone on. "Dexter," He said his son's name. "Did you like spending time in here?"
Dexter took a quick glance at his dad before saying, "No."
Tom glanced around the cell before saying. "If you keep going down the path you are going, you may end up here with Jack by your side. I was in jail before I came out here. I wouldn't wish this on anyone, especially my son. Do you want to end up here?"
Dexter gripped his hands and shook his head. "No."
Tom sighed. "I want to help, but I need to know what is going on?"
Dexter looked away for a moment before speaking. "First it was Mom, who we almost lost. I'm glad that she is back, but before things can get back to normal you almost die. Jack loses his dad and that could have been you. I don't want to lose either of you."
Tom sighed. He remembered when his father was away and how he worried about him every day he was gone or worried about if every knock or call was Starfleet telling his mom that her husband and father of her children were gone. Before he became a father or even before he met B'Elanna, he told himself that he didn't want his children to go through what he went through, but they are. They live and work on a starship. He is Chief Helmsperson and B'Elanna is Chief Engineer.
"I know you don't want to lose either of us," Tom started. He also knew that B'Elanna had this talk with Dexter before. "Neither one of us wants to go leaving you and your siblings alone."
"I know," Dexter mumbled. "But no one understands what is like having senior staff as parents, maybe Harry's kids but they are too young to fully understand."
Tom knew the other kids' parents were not senior staff, so they were there more often. Tom didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry."
Dexter shook his head. "You have nothing to be sorry about. It is an honor that you and Mom are senior staff. You help make decisions on the ship."
Tom nodded. "Why have you been acting out?" Tom had to ask the question because a lot has been going on and his words are telling something different.
Dexter looked away for a moment. "To remind you that you have children," Dexter mumbled.
Tom wanted to laugh, but he held it in. Tom smiled. "Trust me, son, we can never forget that we have children. You are the first thing on our mind in the morning and one of the last things we think about at night. We do anything for you. Here," Tom pulled out the PADD he was holding and headed it to Dexter. "This is a letter I wrote when I thought I wasn't going to make it."
Dexter took the PADD and read the letter. He looked up with tears in his eyes after he read the letter. There was a smile on his face. "I love you, too, Dad," Dexter leaned over and hugged Tom.
"Maybe think before you do," Tom said after the broke the hug. "I know you know better," Dexter tried to smile. "Let's go home and get some dinner," Tom stood, and Dexter followed. "Open it," Tom told the crewmember.
The forcefield opened and both Paris men left the brig.