Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 0/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or logansfox@home.com but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.
Some of you may recall this story from about seven or eight months ago when
I started it, it wasn't finished then, but it is now. My apologies for
waiting until now to complete it. My muse has been on shore leave.It's a little dark.. and a little reaching.. but it was my first attempt at
a Voyager fiction. Some of the characters may be a bit rough, and no doubt
you'll notice them getting better near the end, mostly because the first
seven or eight chapters were written over half a year ago, and the last four
or five only a month ago.Thanks to all of those who inquired about the completion, and many many
thanks to my beta reader Catwomn (jo!) for being the goddess she is and
muddling her way thought this too many times for either of us to count.Enjoy!
--
Lieutenant Danae Bowen (fondly known on the outside as Lea)
Chief Engineer
USS ESSEX
Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 1/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or lfox@continuum.org but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.******************
Prologue
It was just a cold metal box, making it's way through the blackness of
space. Jerking roughly left to right, shaking with the force of it's
momentum forward.She shuddered in revulsion as her bleeding body worked the controls to the
shuttle craft expertly. She thanked Kahless that her father had taught her
to fly practically in her sleep. Her vision blurred before her as another
phaser blast skimmed the ship and everything shuddered violently. Blood
poured into her eyes, making the ship she could see in the distance blur
further, but she was determined. The Galteth would not lay their slimy
green tentacles on her one moment longer...she had to make it home...and she
would.The ship grew larger in her view screen. She was going to make it...she
was. Another phaser hit and the shuttle craft's minor shields were down.
Something exploded behind her, but still she flew onward ... towards that
ship...towards Voyager. As everything started to go black, the pain no
longer bearable, she was rewarded with the most beautiful sight she had seen
in weeks. Voyager's tractor beam reached out and locked on to her tiny
vessel and began drawing her in. Soon she would be home. Soon she would be
wrapped in her momma's warm arms, with her father storming around,
threatening to annihilate the creations that had done this to her.D'Annai slumped forward in her seat, her head striking one last time on the
flight console, knowing that in moments she would be safe.This cold metal box would not be her coffin today. She was going home.
****
End Prologue.
Part One.
"The damage to her systems is extensive. This girl has been brutally
violated...repeatedly. The object of some sort of grotesque medical
experiment. I'd say she's been in an extremely hostile environment for
weeks, perhaps more."Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager sighed as she
looked upon the badly beaten body of the young female they had rescued from
a doomed shuttle. "That's all very shocking, Doctor, but what we need to
know now is whether or not you can save her.""I believe so. I do request the aid of Lt. Torres, however."
Janeway looked at the holographic doctor in mild confusion. "For what
purpose?""This female is obviously part Klingon. My best match for blood and plasma
would be from a similar donor. Lt. Torres is my best choice."Janeway nodded. "Another reason to save this girl, doctor. She must have
had some contact with the Alpha Quadrant if she is part Klingon.""Oh more so than that, Captain. The girl is more human than she is
Klingon.""Excuse me?"
The doctor shrugged. "My scan's suggest she is at least half human, if not
more."The captain paused for only a moment before rising her hand to her comm
badge. "Janeway to Torres.""Torres here. Go ahead Captain."
"Please report to sick bay, Lieutenant. I require your help in a rather
delicate matter.""On my way, Captain. Torres out."
The doctor raised his dermal regenerator to the young woman unconscious in
the biobed before him, and began repairing the more obvious damage done."What are the extent of her injuries, Doctor?"
"Oh, scull fracture, low caliber phaser burns, burns caused by a recent
explosion, skin chaffing from bonds, various internal injuries caused by
obvious violation, broken arm, broken wrist, broken ankle, massive blood
loss, extensive period of unconsciousness, ruptured spleen, punctured lung,
and those are just the beginning.""Good Lord!"
The doctor nodded. "Although I share your horror, Captain, I would
appreciate it if you would either help me with her recovery or back away
from the biobed. Your immediate presence is making matters more difficult
for me."Janeway frowned. "My apologies, Doctor. What can I do to help?"
The doctor handed her the dermal regenerator. "Go ahead and heal any
visible abrasions. It is best we minimize blood loss as quickly as
possible."The doors to sick bay slid open and Lt. B'Elanna Torres appeared.
"Captain?""Oh, B'Elanna, good. The doctor requires your assistance."
As the doctor began explaining to B'Elanna about his need for matching blood
and plasma samples, Janeway continued healing the more minor wounds on the
girl's body.After a cursory glance at the young stranger, B'Elanna shrugged, and allowed
herself to be led to the next bed, while the doctor prepared a collection
unit for the materials he needed to harvest from her body."Captain? How did a human/klingon hybrid get so far out into the delta
quadrant?"Janeway shrugged in confusion, "Lieutenant, I'm hoping to answer those
questions and more, once our young guest awakens. We had to destroy an
alien ship to rescue her, and I would sincerely like to know why."B'Elanna growled low as she saw how mangled the girl truly was. "The ship
you destroyed, did they do that to her?""I would assume so, B'Elanna. They were doing their best to kill her when
we came upon her vessel, they were so determined that they fired on Voyager.
In the end we had no choice but to destroy them.""PetaQ!" Her curse was low, but the Captain heard it all the same.
"Lieutenant?"
"They did it to her because she was a hybrid, I'd lay my rations for a month
down on that.""What makes you so sure?"
B'Elanna growled audibly. "I lived through it, Captain. Before I joined
the Maquis, she was me." The human/klingon shook her head. "No matter
where you go, people never change."The Captain left the side of the young stranger, and rested a hand on the
shoulder of her Chief Engineer. "But you've found a home with us, B'Elanna.
Don't ever forget that. Tom, Harry, Chakotay, Neelix, myself and others, we
all care about you, for who you are."B'Elanna gave the captain a rare smile, "Thank you, Captain. I won't forget
any time soon.""All right, Lieutenant. All finished." The doctor rose and carried the
units of blood over to the other biobed, and hooked a tube into the arm of
his patient. "If you would both kindly leave, I have work to do. Oh, and
Captain? If you see Mr. Paris, please let him know I could use his help in
surgery if he's not too busy."The captain nodded, and moved to the door. "B'Elanna?"
The Klingon shook her head slowly. "Captain, if it's all right with the
doctor, I'd like to assist if I may at least until Tom arrives.""Doctor?"
"Fine, fine. Lieutenant, you'll find theater dress in my office. Please be
quick about it if you plan on helping."B'Elanna moved away without another word, and the doors slid shut behind the
Captain.*************
The doctor removed his operating gloves as he made sure his patient was
comfortable in her biobed. Slowly he scanned a sample of her blood and DNA
make up into the computer."Computer, search all known files for a DNA match."
The doctor sat behind his desk, filling out his report as he waited for the
computer to finish searching files. It was an odd request for sure, but
there was something about the girl upon which the doctor just couldn't place
his finger. Some familiarity. Some oddity. Some...thing.The computer beeped.
"Two partial DNA matches recovered."
The doctor frowned. "That was fast. Computer, elaborate."
"Patient X DNA found to match DNA patterns from Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres
and Ensign Tom Paris."The doctor blinked in surprise. "Computer, give me any probable reasons for
this DNA match?""The DNA scan done on Patient X, and subsequent matches are consistent with
immediate family relations.""Elaborate."
"Matched patterns are the biological parents of Patient X."
The doctor blinked. Interesting. "Computer, perform a temporal coding on
the DNA of Patient X.""Please restate command."
"Computer, scan Patient X for any temporal anomalies."
"Patient X is displaying temporal anomalies."
"Elaborate."
"The cellular degeneration of Patient X is consistent with that of known
time travelers.""Computer, is Patient X of this time?"
"Patient X is not of this time."
*******************
B'Elanna Torres sat in the mess hall picking at a green and orange goo that
was that evenings dinner creation ALA Neelix. Ensigns Tom Paris and Harry
Kim sat at her table, showing about the same amount of interest in dinner."Hey, Harry, I'll give you two days rations if you eat the whole bowl." Tom
smirked.Harry scowled. "I wouldn't eat this for two WEEKS rations."
Tom turned to B'Elanna, "How about you, B'Ela?" No response. "B'Elanna?"
She never looked up from the goo. "I realize dinner is rather interesting
tonight, but your hair is on fire. B'Ela? Hello.... I just thought I'd let
you know, I'll be spending the night with a few ladies from astrometrics, so
don't expect me until morning.""That's nice, Tom."
Tom raised his eyebrows, "Okay, since normally my head would be landing on
Neelix's stove after a comment like that, I'm going to go with something
distracting you, B'Ela and want to talk about it?"Low growl. "It's the girl. How could anyone be so bloody cruel? You
should have seen her, she was...mangled! There's no better word for it!
Just destroyed!"Tom edged back, "B'Elanna, calm down, she's going to be fine."
Her growl deepened, until her throat reverberated with it. "That's not the
point, Tom! It should never have happened in the first place!" Her bowl of
goo went flying across the mess hall, crashing somewhere behind Neelix's
counter.Neelix's head popped up, his face spattered in orange and green.
"Lieutenant Torres, if you didn't like Perlothian Charkut you really didn't
need to throw it at me. I would have been more than happy to make you a
salad, or replicate whatever it is you desire."B'Elanna slammed her head into the table, hard enough to make Tom and
Harry's dishes bounce. "B'Ela! Stop!" Tom was on his feet in an instant,
his strong arms wrapping around his even stronger lover.B'Elanna opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by the beep of her comm
badge."Doctor to Lt. Torres."
"Torres."
"Lieutenant, would you please meet me in sick bay at your earliest
convenience?""The girl...is she..."
"No, Lt. Torres. She will be just fine. I expect her to awaken within the
next twelve hours.""Then what?"
"I have something which I would like to discuss with you, privately."
Sigh. "I'm on my way, Doctor."
"Thank you. Doctor out."
Tom looked up at her with unsure eyes. "Will I see you tonight, B'Elanna?"
She nodded. "Probably. But don't panic if I don't show up, the warp core
has been fluctuating for the last few nights...it's going to pick the most
inconvenient moment to go off-line, I just know it."He gave her a small smile, "Are you all right?"
"I'm better than the girl, now aren't I?" With that B'Elanna spun on her
heel and strode out of the mess hall.Tom glanced at Harry, Harry at Tom. "Well. The doctor is the least
enviable person on the ship right now, I'd say."Tom smiled wearily at his best friend, but his eyes tracked in concern to
where B'Elanna had just disappeared.*********************
B'Elanna sat back in shock, her bronze skin paling as the blood rushed out
of her face. "You're sure?""Quite sure, Lieutenant. However if you wish to do additional checks, it
will take only a moment to scan your DNA coding and compare it to hers.""Do it."
The doctor pressed a cold metal tool against her skin, withdrawing the
necessary sample, doing the same with the girl. The computer beeped in an
instant. "Pattern match found.""Full detail."
"Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres is found to be the biological parent of Patient
X.""Confirm."
"There is a 99.7 percent chance that B'Elanna Torres is the biological
parent of Patient X."The doctor turned back to B'Elanna. "Satisfied?"
"How?"
"I'm not sure. I'm afraid we'll have to wait until our patient awakens
before we will know for sure...even then, who's to say.""Who else knows?"
"No one at this time. I do however feel the need to contact Ensign Paris."
Even a holograph had to step back at the sound of B'Elanna's growl. "Why?!"
"Lt. Torres, the father of this girl has been determined to be Mr. Paris."
Her growl faded to a groan, and B'Elanna pressed her head back against the
wall."Are you all right, Lieutenant?"
"Honestly, Doctor? No."
"Would you like to lay down?"
"I'd like answers, that's what I'd like!"
"I'm afraid I don't have your answers, Lieutenant."
"Then I'm afraid you can't help me, Doctor. Notify me when she...my
daughter, awakens.""Yes, Lieutenant."
"And Doctor? I'll tell Tom, for now you keep this to yourself."
"If that's what you think is best. However I do feel I have a duty to..."
"Shove your duties out an airlock, Doctor."
"Excuse me."
B'Elanna breathed in slowly and counted to ten. "Please do as I have
requested. I will tell Tom, in time. I wish to speak with the...my
daughter, first.""Understood."
B'Elanna afforded one look in the direction of the recovering girl, closed
her eyes, and walked rather unsteadily towards the door. In a moment she
was free of sickbay, and in the safety of the corridor.All she was left with now was one decision. Go to Tom's...or find something
else to distract her. She strode into the turbolift. "Main Engineering,"
she barked, and knew she wouldn't see Tom again that night.
****************
End Part One
--
Lieutenant Danae Bowen (fondly known on the outside as Lea)
Chief Engineer
USS ESSEX
Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 2/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or lfox@continuum.org but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.********************
Part Two
"Paris to Torres."
B'Elanna ignored the shrill of her com badge as she stuck her head deeper
into the wall panel, trying to piece back together a systems relay."Paris to Torres."
She rolled her eyes, come on Tom, please give up.
"Paris to Torres."
She sighed, and hit her combadge. "What is it, Tom."
"Where are you?"
"Right now? Knee deep in gel packs and running out of time before I need
this relay back in action.""Why didn't you come over?" He wasn't being as pathetic as he sounded, just
concerned."Sorry, Tom. I told you not to worry, didn't I? Something just came up.
I'll talk to you at breakfast. Torres out."Something came up all right, B'Elanna thought to herself. Our daughter from
the not so distant future, that is.02:47 and she was still awake, trying to piece together not only the systems
relay, but her own thoughts. First, she figured she had to speak to the
girl herself, figure out what had happened to bring her here. Then she
would have to speak to Tom, it really wasn't right to keep him in the dark
about this, he'd figure it out sooner or later anyhow. She sighed, why
wasn't anything simple in her life? Kahless knew she was supposed to be a
warrior of sorts, and yeah, she could take on pretty near any physical
threat and do away with it, but this? Who could have thought of this for
which to prepare?03:17 B'Elanna was getting nowhere fast. With a growl of resignation, she
threw down her tools and motioned over a junior officer, ordering him to
piece back together the mess she had made of the relay. What the hell, she
thought to herself, what's the good of having command if I can't delegate.Wandering the corridors at three thirty in the morning was not amusing, but
finding herself standing in front of the doors to sick bay almost was.
Quietly, she slipped through the entrance and moved to sit beside the girl's
biobed.The doctor poked his head out of his office from where he had been
monitoring the girl's vital signs. Seeing B'Elanna, he nodded once, then
went back to writing out his reports.B'Elanna cocked her head to the side as she studied the girl's features.
With a gentle hand, she stroked her fingers over the ridges on the girl's
forehead.A soft sigh disturbed a strand of hair resting on the girl's brow, and
B'Elanna couldn't resist brushing it aside. Glancing down, once more, she
was surprised to find the girl's ice blue eyes searching for hers."Momma?"
B'Elanna stiffened, but smiled. "Hi."
The girl frowned, and reached a hand out to touch B'Elanna's forehead.
"You're so young, Momma."B'Elanna had to smile, "Yeah, I suppose I would be."
"Why?"
B'Elanna smoothed back the girl's hair, and smiled down at her. "Shh, now.
You sleep and get well, and we'll talk in the morning, all right?""Will you stay with me? Please, Momma?"
B'Elanna sighed. "Of course. I won't leave you."
At that the girl closed her eyes once again, gripping her mother's hand
firmly in her own, and drifted off to a healing sleep. B'Elanna looked down
at the hand entwined in her own, and her heart lurched.Questions flooded her mind as she stared down at the trusting face of her
grown child. Had she been a good mother? Did she give the girl everything
she needed growing up? Had she been there for her? Questions that haunted
B'Elanna every time she thought of having a child, questions brought on by
the trauma of her own childhood. She pushed her impatience aside, knowing
that those questions would have to wait until the girl was stronger, but
right now, more than anything, she wished that she knew her child's name.******************
"Lt. Torres." The voice was niggling away at the back of her mind. "Lt.
Torres... B'Elanna." Louder now, dragging her out of sleep. "Lt. Torres,
it's time to wake up now." And B'Elanna opened her eyes. "Ah, there you
are. Welcome back to the land of the living...so to speak."Humor when she first woke up, not what she needed. Ever so softly she
growled, her brows curling together as she tried to straighten, finding her
joints were stiff and complaining from a night spent draped over a biobed.The doctor clucked softly as he passed by her. "I see certain things are
hereditary.""Wha?" B'Elanna was barely awake and he was being cryptic?
"Your daughter, Lieutenant. I woke her up this morning, and she growled at
me in the same manner. It was rather refreshing.""Refreshing? To be growled at?"
"Yes. Most of my patients wake up complaining about this and that and when
are they getting out. A growl is much different, and variety makes for... a
good mood.""Oookay. Right. How is she?"
"D'Annai is doing quite well. I expect to release her tomorrow morning by
the latest."B'Elanna smiled softly, a look uncommon for her. "D'Annai? That's her
name?"The doctor nodded. "Yes, She's actually a wonderful conversationalist.
Whatever you and Mr. Paris did with her while she was growing up was
excellent. A very pleasant young lady indeed."B'Elanna looked down at her daughter, now sleeping once more. She reached
out to touch her cheek. "D'Annai."The doctor sobered. "I spoke with her about some of her experiences aboard
that vessel. She's very traumatized. It took quite a bit of coaxing for
her to let me touch her at first." He rested his hand on B'Elanna's
shoulder. "She is in need of counseling, but I'm not sure whom to suggest
given our limited resources aboard Voyager.""I understand, Doctor. Did you...fill her in on the time difference?"
The doctor nodded shortly. "From what I can tell she's from about
twenty-five years in the future. She figured it out herself after having
seen you, and she took it quite well. She did, however, want to know where
was her father."B'Elanna shrugged. "I didn't see any point in telling him last night. Let
her get well, and then I'll speak with him."B'Elanna wouldn't admit it even to herself, but she was being selfish in not
telling Tom. This was the first person to come into her life that belonged
to her, in a way, and she wanted to keep it that way for just a while
longer...just until she got to know her. She told herself that she would
tell Tom today...but for now, she just wanted a little bit more time."Sounds like you two had quite the conversation. I'm surprised you didn't
wake me up."The doctor shrugged, "You were tired, it is only natural for you to sleep
soundly. You should, however, hurry. I checked the roster and you're due
in engineering in less than an hour."B'Elanna looked down at D'Annai and sighed. "Doctor, could I wake her for
just a minute, just to talk with her? I promise if she tires I'll let her
sleep."The doctor looked undecided for a moment, and then nodded. He brought out a
hypospray, and pressed it to D'Annai's neck. Within seconds her lashes
fluttered, and B'Elanna's brown eyes were met by her daughter's cobalt blue."Hi, Momma."
"Hi, D'Annai."
"Am I still in the past?"
"I'm afraid so."
The girl sighed. "It was the Galteth. It was rumored that they could jump
time periods...I just didn't realize..."B'Elanna smoothed her hand over the girl's forehead. "Shh, D'Annai...it's
all right now. I have so much to ask you, but it can wait for another
time."The girl smiled softly, "Is Dad here?"
B'Elanna's gaze clouded. "Um...no... He's um...on duty this morning. I'll
try and make sure he gets by to see you soon though."Her expression darkened. "He doesn't know about me, does he?"
B'Elanna considered lying for a moment, but she couldn't bring herself to do
so. "No, I haven't told him.""Oh. All right."
B'Elanna smiled down at her, "I have to go now. I have to be in
Engineering, but I'll come back later. Captain Janeway will want to talk to
you soon, I'll try and be here, all right?""K, Momma." D'Annai's eyes began to flutter as she fought her exhaustion
for just one more moment. "Ma?"B'Elanna returned her gaze to her daughter, "Yes?"
"Do you mind if I call you momma? I know it's you but isn't you...and I
don't want to..."B'Elanna sighed, and lowered her lips to the girls ridges, "Shh. You rest.
You can call me whatever you like. Just get well."D'Annai smiled as she drifted back into sleep. "You were always a wonderful
mother... I was...lucky."And tears sprang to B'Elanna's eyes as she moved away.
**************
Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay stood in Sickbay peering down
curiously at the still sleeping D'Annai."All right, doctor, tell us what you know."
"Well, I've ascertained that her name is D'Annai, she is one quarter
Klingon, three quarters human. She is from approximately twenty-five years
in the future. She is approximately 23 earth years of age. Was in
excellent health before all this happened, which is one of the reasons she
pulled through so well. All of her injuries are basically healed, and she
should be ready for release in approximately 18 hours."Janeway nodded. "All right. Now tell me what you're not telling me."
"Captain?"
"You're hedging, Doctor. What are you hedging around?"
"I've been requested not to say, Captain."
"By who?"
"Me."
Janeway and Chakotay turned to see B'Elanna standing in the doorway,
listening quietly."B'Elanna, would you like to explain?"
The Klingon shrugged, "I felt I needed time to assimilate the information."
"What information?"
"Go ahead, Doc."
"I performed DNA tests on D'Annai, when it became apparent to me that she
was too much of a coincidence. It turns out that not only is she from
twenty-five years in the future, she's from twenty-five years in our future.
D'Annai is the daughter of Lt. Torres and Mr. Paris."Not a single person in the room missed Chakotay's head swivel swiftly to
stare at B'Elanna. His head switched quickly back to the girl on the biobed
and then back to his friend. "I'll be damned."The captain stood stunned for a moment, then raised her eyebrows. "Well,
I've never congratulated a person on having a 23 year old daughter before,
B'Elanna. How are you?"B'Elanna nodded, "I'm okay with it. Really."
"And Tom?"
"That's the part I'm not so okay with."
The doctor cut in. "I'm afraid Lt. Torres has not yet found the words to
explain this situation to Mr. Paris.""You haven't told him?" Janeway stared at her incredulously.
"No, ma'am."
The captain shook her head, "B'Elanna, not to intrude in private business,
however, I do suggest strongly that you tell him, immediately. This won't
take long to get to him once it's out, and he may not react as calmly as
you."The doctor snorted, and B'Elanna glared darts at the holographic program.
"Yes, Captain. I'll tell him."
"Now?"
B'Elanna sighed. "Now." She turned on her heel and stalked out of sickbay,
groaning inwardly. Why is it I never get the easy things in life?She tapped her comm badge. "Torres to Paris."
"Go ahead B'Elanna."
"Where are you?"
"Mess hall."
"Stay there. We have to talk."
***************************
End Part Two
--
Lieutenant Danae Bowen (fondly known on the outside as Lea)
Chief Engineer
USS ESSEX
Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 3/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or lfox@continuum.org but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.******************
Part Three
Okay, so he was upset. Scratch that. Tom Paris was royally pissed off.
"You've known about this since yesterday, and never thought to bother
telling me? B'Elanna, what's gotten into you?"Never one to back away from anger, B'Elanna was at a loss. Tom was right to
be upset, she should have told him straight off that D'Annai was his
daughter, but she couldn't. So, left with nothing else to do, she got angry
right back."You're SO right, Ensign Paris, I should have dropped everything including
MY feelings about this matter and run right over to you proclaiming to all
the heavens that D'Annai is our daughter, praise be, be happy, the daughter
we never knew has returned to us from a future time!" B'Elanna snarled
viciously. "Did you stop to think that PERHAPS I was having a hard time
dealing? Maybe I needed a bit of time to work things out BEFORE I came to
you? But you're right, only your feelings matter, because even though she
is OUR daughter, only you have the right to be upset!"Tom didn't back down. "Fine. You're feelings matter, B'Elanna, but to the
exclusion of my own? What gave you the right to keep this from me? And for
that matter, why the hell did the doctor tell you and not me? He should
have told us together!"B'Elanna shrugged in a sharp movement. "I don't know. Go talk to him.
MAYBE he was trying to be sensitive!""The doctor?!"
"How the hell am I supposed to know, Paris?! I'm not a bloody mind reader!"
"Obviously."
The few people in the mess hall made a strategic retreat, inching towards
the back of the room, and out of the path of any flying objects. Only Harry
was brave enough to remain within a few feet of the angry pair."Tom, B'Elanna, maybe you should take this back to your quarters? Or a
holodeck. You've got a rather large audience here." Harry stepped back
quickly.Tom took a deep breath. "That would be a good idea. Why don't we go to the
holodeck."B'Elanna stared at Tom for a moment before shaking her head. "I have a
better idea. Why don't you go to hell?"She turned on her heel and stomped out of the mess hall, leaving behind a
still seething Paris, and several relieved onlookers.She paused outside the doors, and leaned against the wall. "Well, that went
well," she muttered to herself, before heaving a sigh and heading towards
Engineering.******************
Tom paced back and forth before the doors to sickbay. He didn't understand
why this decision was so difficult, he only had two choices. 1. He could go
into sickbay and face the daughter he wouldn't know for years; or 2. He
could walk right back into the turbolift and let B'Elanna and the others
sort out this temporal disaster.He groaned and put a hand to his head; his temples were pounding, but even
still, he knew what he had to do. He took a deep breath and entered
sickbay.D'Annai was awake, sitting up on her biobed, chatting amiably with the
doctor as he scanned her. The doctor looked over his shoulder, and smiled.
"Welcome, Mr. Paris. It certainly is nice to see you here for a purpose
other than duty or injury." Tom's eyes never left D'Annai as he nodded at
the doctor. The doctor sighed, dramatically. "I'm left to assume that Lt.
Torres finally got around to discussing this matter with you?"Tom's eyes narrowed as he finally glanced towards the doctor. "You know,
that's something I would like to take up with you, Doctor."The doctor almost flinched at the tone of Tom's voice. "Mr. Paris?"
"Exactly why is it that you chose to tell B'Elanna and not me about this
mess?!" He glanced down at D'Annai. "No offense."She shrugged. "None taken."
The doctor imitated D'Annai's shrug. "I'm sure you will realize with time
that I've done the best thing possible. I assumed that this would come as a
shock to both you and Lt. Torres, so I chose to tell one of you, and allow
the other to explain. Lt. Torres had already met D'Annai, and I assumed
that the forth coming explanation would have been less difficult for her to
accept." The doctor shook his head. "I must admit, her refusal to discuss
this right away with you did take me by surprise. I had hoped that Lt.
Torres would have a more logical control of the situation.""For God's sake, Doc, she's not Tuvok!"
The doctor smiled, "And I'm sure we all thank our various deities for that."
Tom sighed. "All right. Fine. So this is unprecedented I take it?"
"In my experience. Of course we have had our temporal anomalies aboard
Voyager...and several recorded anomalies throughout the Federation's
history, but I don't think we've ever had crew member's children appear.
Ancestors. Future relatives...but nothing quite this close to our present
time.""And we all made mistakes in our handling of it so far. Myself included.
So, where do we go from here?"The doctor raised his hands in an expression of lack. "Tom Paris, D'Annai
Paris."Tom looked back down at his daughter. "Hi, there."
She smiled up at him. "Bout time you noticed me. I was beginning to think
I was invisible.""Definitely not invisible." Tom looked at the wall, then back to D'Annai.
"You're going to have to go easy on me for a while. I've never had a
daughter before, definitely not one old enough for me to date."D'Annai giggled. "Glad to see you haven't changed."
"A Klingon giggling? That's another new thing for me to file away for
future use." Tom winked at her conspiratorially."Quarter Klingon, remember? I got most of Momma's looks, and her temper,
but I got most of your personality."Tom smiled. "Hate to tell you this, D'Annai, but if that's true, then aside
from the looks department...you're doomed."Another giggle. "Tell me about it."
Tom relaxed. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
************
He was whistling as he strode down the corridor. D'Annai had proven to be
very companionable, and Tom had actually grown used to being called Dad. He
thrust out his chest proudly, Dad...it had a nice ring to it.His whistling stopped as his mind tracked to what the doctor had to say when
the holograph took Tom out of the room. She had been traumatized, not by
her time travel, but by her captors. She needed help. He and B'Elanna had
to help D'Annai in anyway possible, but she needed professional help as
well. The girl put on a good front when he and B'Elanna were around,
apparently, but alone was a different story. The doctor had informed Tom
about having to sedate her throughout the day when nightmares overtook her;
about having to speak with her for over an hour before she'd allow him to
touch her; about crying in the dark when she was alone. Though D'Annai was
physically fit, and would be released the next morning, her mind was a
different story.Since Kes's departure, there were few people aboard that could act as a
counselor. The doctor had inquired about speaking with Janeway regarding
the possible aid of Tuvok, but rather implored him to speak with B'Elanna
about the two of them taking counseling sessions in order to better deal
with the repercussions that were bound to arise."Computer, locate B'Elanna Torres."
"B'Elanna Torres is in Main Engineering."
Tom sighed. Of course. "Paris to Torres."
"What?"
Okay, she was still mad. "B'Elanna could you meet me in my quarters?"
"I'm busy."
"Truce, Chief. It's about D'Annai. And it's important."
Pause. "I'll be there in ten minutes."
Tom smiled. "I'll be waiting. Paris out."
*************
"Computer, one half lights."
The lights immediately dimmed in Tom's quarters. Quickly he changed from
his Starfleet uniform into civvies, and set up his dinner table for two.
Moving to the replicator, he thought for a moment before speaking."Two plates of roast chicken, sweet corn, and baked potatoes. Two plates of
Bavarian chocolate cake."He moved to a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of Margot '86, a beautiful red
wine. Taking the wine to the table, he returned to the replicator for
dinner."So much for my rations for the week." He sighed. At least it was worth
it...he hoped.His door chimed, and he called for B'Elanna to enter.
She strode through the door, her face a mask of displeasure, and stopped
dead in her tracks. "What the hell?""Surprise."
"You dragged me from Engineering, claiming concern for our daughter, for
THIS?" She turned on her heel.Tom's arm shot out, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder, but stopping
her all the same. "B'Ela...wait.""What?"
He turned her around slowly, and handed her a white rose. "Courtesy of
Neelix, and my promise to rave on his leola root soup next time he cooks
it."No smile. "What is this about, Tom?"
He sighed. "It is about D'Annai, B'Ela. But it's about us, too. I just
thought if we sat down to dinner we could talk...without throwing things."
He gave her a small smile."You're not mad at me anymore?"
"I'm upset, but not mad. How about we eat first, and talk later? Give us
both some time together, quietly. 'Kay?"She smiled, and nodded. "What did you do, Paris, take Harry for all he was
worth?"He laughed. "Nah, just killed all my rations for about a week."
"You romantic, you."
"Gee, B'Ela, you know me so well."
They grinned at each other, eyes twinkling, as they sat down to dinner.
There was time to discuss the serious stuff later, for now, they would enjoy
the moment.*****************
End Part Three
--
Lieutenant Danae Bowen (fondly known on the outside as Lea)
Chief Engineer
USS ESSEX
Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 4/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or lfox@continuum.org but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.******************
Part Four
B'Elanna Torres unwrapped herself from the arms of Tom Paris, and rolled to
her back, staring at the dark ceiling of Tom's quarters. What was she going
to do about Tom? Herself? And now D'Annai? Life kept getting more and more
complicated, and somehow B'Elanna kept getting left behind. Warp cores,
engine malfunctions, system failures, all of that she could keep ahead
of...but her life? It wasn't possible.Somewhere between giving her life to the Maquis, becoming a Starfleet
officer, gaining status as Chief Engineer, and growing up, she'd fallen in
love with a hotshot pilot. B'Elanna had barely managed to assimilate that
unforeseen circumstance, before having all of this land in her lap. They
were supposed to enjoy their romance, grow with it, become a necessary part
of the other, get married and have children...grow old and die together.
Having a grown daughter appear on their proverbial doorstep at this, their
so fragile beginning, threw B'Elanna further into the confusion of her
heart. She knew she could never turn her back on the girl, no matter from
which time period she came. Already her heart pulled at the thought of
D'Annai left in sickbay alone, with no one to hold her as she dreamed, as
she cried, but where was it written that B'Elanna's life always, always had
to be so unfair.B'Elanna rose silently, so as not to awaken Tom. As she dressed slowly, she
muttered in soft tones, "Stop feeling sorry for yourself, stupid half breed.
All you've ever done is feel sorry for yourself. So the world doesn't go
like you want...boo hoo, curl up and cry." She growled at herself until
reality took over, and she could raise her head once more. "Good. Finally.
Klingons do not indulge themselves in self pity. D'Annai has it worse than
you, B'Elanna, so stop being so bloody selfish!" She nodded at herself in
the mirror, then, casting back one final glance at her sleeping lover, she
smiled, and stepped out of the bedroom. With her head held high she stepped
out of Tom's quarters and into the corridor, having made up her mind to
spend the rest of the night in sickbay with D'Annai.*****************
D'Annai was awake when B'Elanna passed through sickbay's doors. Quickly,
her eyes were wiped so that her mother would not see she had been crying.
Too late, however, and B'Elanna's heart broke. Slowly, she moved towards
the biobed, giving the girl whatever time was necessary for her
embarrassment to be hidden."Hi, Momma."
Smile. "Hi, D'Annai. How are you feeling?"
Weak grin. "I've been better."
"Do you want to talk about it?" B'Elanna slid into the chair beside the
biobed, and smoothed her gentle fingers over D'Annai's ridges."Not right now." D'Annai smiled stronger now. "You've done that since I
was a child."B'Elanna paused. "Done what?"
"Touched my ridges...any time I was upset, any time I was hurt or afraid,
you were there. It's always been the most comforting touch I've ever known.
You used to put me to sleep by smoothing my ridges, and singing. You know,
that's my very first memory?""I sang to you?"
"Yes, sometimes the lives of warriors past, sometimes ancient human songs.
You would sing to me in Klingon and in Spanish, English and Fed Standard,
every word carrying me towards the dream world."B'Elanna looked at her daughter with shining eyes. "D'Annai...would
you...sing one of those songs for me?""Sure, what would you like to hear?"
"Choose your favorite."
D'Annai smiled fondly, "You would sing this to me as I fell asleep; yours
was the last voice I heard every night, Momma. It took me years before I
realized you changed the lyrics to suit me.""What is it?"
"An ancient human song, Irish I believe. It was originally called Danny
Boy...but you changed it for me. I'll sing you your version."D'Annai cleared her voice slightly, before choosing a pitch that would work
well with the song, and ever so softly her voice began to fill the air:"Oh, Danni girl, the pipes, the pipes are calling,
From glen to glen and down the mountain side;
The summer's gone, and all the leaves are falling;
'Tis ye, 'tis ye must go, and I must bide.But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow;
'Til I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow;
Danni girl, Oh Danni girl, I love you so.And when ye come and all the flowers are dying,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be.
Ye'll come and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.And I shall hear, 'though soft ye tread around me,
And all my grave shall linger sweeter be,
Then ye will bend and tell me that ye love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until ye come to me."Tears had formed in B'Elanna's eyes by the time D'Annai's sweet voice
trailed off into the night. The women smiled softly at one another, as
D'Annai settled back down into the biobed."Momma, you really don't have to stay the night. I'll be fine."
B'Elanna sighed, "Perhaps, but will I?" Softly, B'Elanna continued stroking
D'Annai's brow, watching as the younger woman began to drift off to sleep.
From somewhere deep inside her, the long forgotten words to a Klingon song
resurfaced in B'Elanna's mind, and as quietly as D'Annai breathed beside
her, B'Elanna began to sing.****************
Tom slumped back against the corridor wall outside sickbay. The last notes
of his daughters song played through his mind as he tried to comprehend the
beauty of what he had just heard.When he had followed B'Elanna from his quarters, taking care that she not
see him, he had expected her to return to the side of D'Annai, but he had
not expected to be eavesdropping on such a private moment.Picking up just the mildest sound from within, Tom returned to the entrance,
the doors held open slightly by a technical a glitch B'Elanna had yet to
fix. Ancient words barely reached his ears as B'Elanna's lips moved, her
voice no more than a breath as she sang her family's story.Tom sighed as he silently observed the two ladies in his life. When had
B'Elanna become so...motherly, he wondered to himself as he watched her
stroke D'Annai's forehead lovingly. God she's beautiful; so strong,
graceful, full of purpose. She would make a terrific mother, he decided
right then, not time or circumstance would ever change that fact.Tomorrow, reality would fall upon them; Captain Janeway would need to talk
further with D'Annai, determine the course of events that lead up to her
appearance upon Voyager, set up treatment and counseling. They would need
to find her quarters, examine all abnormalities in the shuttle, and debris
of the other ship, find out if there was any way to get D'Annai home. If
not, she would have to take certain tests to gauge her levels of expertise,
find her a career on Voyager, and then they would have to work out exactly
what place their odd family had in this time. But all of that would be
tomorrow.As B'Elanna's voice softened further, and no longer reached his ears, Tom
backed away from sickbay. B'Elanna was singing now only for their child.End Part Four.
--
Lieutenant Danae Bowen (fondly known on the outside as Lea)
Chief Engineer
USS ESSEX
Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 5/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or lfox@continuum.org but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.******************
Part Five
Captain Kathryn Janeway peered over Engineering's report regarding the
destroyed space vessel, as well as the shuttlecraft that had brought D'Annai
Paris into their midst."Are you trying to tell me that the shuttlecraft had no trans temporal
capabilities?""None at all, Captain. Only the original ship was outfitted for time
travel, and when we destroyed the ship, we apparently destroyed whatever
system they were using to jump time."The Captain glared down at the young Lieutenant with whom she was speaking.
"And does Lt. Torres agree with your report?""Yes ma'am. She finalized the details herself before I brought it to you."
Janeway sighed. "So, your conclusion stands, there is no way at this time
to send our guest back to her own time?""Yes, ma'am. That is our conclusion."
"Dismissed."
The lieutenant paused uncertainly, then turned and walked out of the
Captain's ready room, leaving her with the engineering report. She tapped
her com badge, "All senior officers, report to the briefing room." She
paused, then tapped her comm badge once more. "Janeway to Torres.""Go ahead, Captain."
"Would you bring D'Annai to the meeting please?"
"We're on our way."
Janeway moved from her ready room, across the bridge, noting that Chakotay
had left Lt. Marlin in charge of the bridge. She nodded at the junior
officer before making her way to the briefing room.B'Elanna and D'Annai were the last to arrive for the meeting. B'Elanna
immediately noticed that Tom was alone on the far side of the conference
table. B'Elanna smiled and led D'Annai over to sit beside Tom, then slid
into the chair beside her daughter. As the girl glanced at the relatively
large group of people around her, she shivered, and B'Elanna's heart was
warmed to see Tom's arm shoot out and take D'Annai's hand into his own.
Slowly, the girl's body began to relax, but her expression remained tense."Miss Paris, I assume, being from our future, you are familiar with all
people in this room?" Janeway looked over to D'Annai."Yes, ma'am."
"Commander Chakotay, Mr. Tuvok, Mr. Kim, may I present D'Annai Paris.
Under ordinary circumstances, we wouldn't be getting to know this young lady
for another, what... two or three years?" She looked towards D'Annai, and
the girl nodded, silently. "But as we all well know, circumstances on
Voyager are never ordinary." She paused. "D'Annai, are you aware of the
damage you could cause to our timeline should you choose to speak of events
from our future.""Yes, Captain."
"Do I have your word to adhere to the temporal directives set by the
Federation?""On my honor."
Chakotay smiled. "Coming from a Klingon, even a part Klingon, I think we
can accept that."Captain Janeway stood and began pacing the briefing room. "B'Elanna, you've
read the engineering report on the shuttle and debris.""Yes. It definitely doesn't appear promising."
"No, so I gathered. So, if sending D'Annai forward isn't possible, the
question becomes, what do we do? Suggestions?"Tom shrugged. "I suggest we find out what D'Annai is trained to do, and put
her to work. We've accepted crew members from various sources, I don't see
why D'Annai can't join the crew now.""All right. We have one feasible suggestion. Any others?"
The crew was silent. Chakotay nodded. "Captain, I believe Mr. Paris has
hit the nail on the head so to speak.""As do I." She paused and swiveled back to face D'Annai. "Miss Paris?
Since you are wearing the pips of a Lieutenant junior grade, you've
obviously had training. What is your department?"D'Annai shrugged. "I have two actually. I was practically raised in
Engineering, and I fly as well as my father."The captain chuckled, "No doubt. Knowing Mr. Paris, you probably had
control of a shuttlecraft by the time you were ten."D'Annai smiled. "Eight actually. But we're not supposed to talk about
that."The captain frowned, "For what reason?"
D'Annai ducked. "Eight?! You let her fly a shuttle at EIGHT?! What were
you thinking?!!" B'Elanna's hand reached out and chucked Tom up the side of
his head."B"Elanna! I haven't done anything yet!"
B'Elanna blushed. "Yeah, well,.. think about it before you do!"
"With all due respect, Captain, that would be why."
The tension of the meeting broke as Harry and Chakotay couldn't suppress
grins, and the Captain shook her head. Janeway smiled. "Understood. All
right. B'Elanna, take Miss Paris to Engineering and see what she can do.
I'll have Neelix prepare quarters for our new Lieutenant. They should be
ready by tonight. Dismissed."Tom smiled down at his daughter. "You're in for it now, D'Annai. Working
for B'Ela is not what I'd call fun.""Watch it, Mister. I do believe I outrank you." B'Elanna smiled sweetly.
Tom grinned, "Yes, sir!" He winked. "How about you confine me to quarters?"
D'Annai grimaced, "Ugh! Hormone control! Kahless, do you people NEVER
change?"Tom's smile grew. "Not 'till the day I die!"
B'Elanna rolled her eyes in exasperation. "And they wonder why I spend my
life in engineering. Come on, D'Annai, let's get you used to working on a
wing and a prayer."**************
B'Elanna stretched back on her sofa, and watched as D'Annai replicated
several items of clothing for herself. The captain had agreed to a base
amount of rations for the girl to start off, and she proved to be an
excellent "shopper." D'Annai held her pips in her hand as she looked at her
newly replicated uniforms and smiled."It will be good to be back in my own uniform. Borrowing from you, although
welcome, was a bit tight, Momma. I'd almost forgotten how short you are."B'Elanna growled teasingly. "Do you hear me telling you you're a mutant
giant? What did Paris do, infect his genes just so you two could stand back
and laugh at me?"D'Annai grinned, "If you think I'm bad you should see... um... never mind."
"Good choice, girl. I don't think I want to know anything more about my
future than you've already presented." She raised an eyebrow, "It's
depressing enough to know I'll be with Tom for years to come."D'Annai shook her head, "You and he, don't you ever stop fighting long
enough to say I love you? You both act like your in this against your will,
yet you know you can't live without the other, so what's your problem?"B'Elanna shrugged. "We don't know any other way to be. We started out as
enemies, moved into a grudging friendship... and now, who's to say what this
is?" She swiftly changed subjects, "How about you? Do you have a mate in the
future?"D'Annai snorted. "Hardly. The way this ship breeds, I was bound to be
alone for life.""Oh, not many young men then?"
"Not many decent men. They're all so busy chasing skirts, none of them
consider a relationship." D'Annai sighed as she sank into the sofa beside
B'Elanna. "It doesn't matter anyway. As it stands there's not much hope of
me getting back. Momma and Dad are going to be frantic." She paused.
"Actually, I guess not... if I'm here, then in the future you'll know that
I'm here, with you, so you can't be worried." Sigh."Do you miss... them... us?"
D'Annai nodded. "Yes. It was hard on that ship, without you. I'd never
been away from either of you before, obviously. I mean, Captain" pause "..
Janeway" B'Elanna raised her eyebrows and D'Annai shook her head, "Janeway
arranged for my own quarters a year or so ago... before... whatever, anyway,
in the end, you and dad were just down the hall. We had dinner together at
least five nights a week, played pool with Uncle Harry on the holodeck,
just... I don't know, family stuff."B'Elanna grinned, "Did you ever beat Paris?"
"At pool?" Nod. "Yes. He taught me well."
An evil glint came into B'Elanna's eyes and she began to speak slowly,
"D'Annai... how would you like to help me take Paris down a notch?""Momma," D'Annai's tone was warning, "you're not planning on using me to
cheat Dad out of rations are you?"B'Elanna flashed her daughter an honest to God smile full of mischief and
fun. "It wouldn't be cheating, Dani, you'd win fair and square. It's not
our fault if he doesn't realize how good you are before you start to play.""Ma, he's going want to play a game before we wager, you know that."
B'Elanna's smile deepened, as she wrapped an arm around D'Annai's shoulders.
"You wouldn't deny your father the chance to teach his only child how to
play pool, would you?""Oh, Momma." D'Annai sighed in resignation.
"That's my girl. Just think of it as therapy."
"How is this supposed to help me cope?"
"Did I say it was for you? This will do wonders for MY state of being."
**************
End Part Five
--
Lieutenant Danae Bowen (fondly known on the outside as Lea)
Chief Engineer
USS ESSEX
Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 6/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or lfox@continuum.org but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.******************
Part Six
D'Annai Paris smoothed down the fabric of her flowing forest green dress,
peering uncertainly at her flesh as her knee peeked out from beneath the
slit in the material.B'Elanna Torres, dressed in a similar dress of deep burgundy, pressed her
hand onto her daughter's shoulder. "Relax," she said softly, as they walked
up to the holodeck entrance, "It'll be fine."The doors slid open, and B'Elanna stepped through, glancing back at D'Annai.
The girl took one look at the number of crew present in Sandrine's and spun
on her heel."No, you don't!" B'Elanna caught the girl by her shoulder, effectively
stopping her before she cleared the doors."Momma, I can't do this. I can't be in there with all those people staring
at me. Please?"B'Elanna sighed. "D'Annai, nobody in there is going to hurt you. Sure
they're going to stare at you, but not for the reasons you think. You are a
spectacularly beautiful woman, and that dress compliments your beauty
perfectly. All those people are going to be staring at you thinking, my
God! That's Tom and B'Elanna's daughter? How did those two ever create
such a magnificent creature? But no one will lay a hand on you without your
permission. No one, and if they do, between Tom and myself there won't be
enough left of him for the Captain to send to the brig. You have to trust
me, Dani, all right?"D'Annai clenched her fists tightly, the stress showing in her eyes and
mouth. Ever so slowly drops of blood formed where her nails cut into her
flesh, and the fire eased out of D'Annai's eyes."Dani... I promise you. You are safe on Voyager." B'Elanna's voice
softened as the tension eased from her girl. Quickly, she reached up and
brushed her fingers over D'Annai's ridges, calming them both. "Okay?"D'Annai nodded, her nails still biting into her flesh, but otherwise she was
outwardly calm. This time she followed B'Elanna into the holodeck, staying
close to B'Elanna's presence, but standing for all she was worth on her own.
Rolling her eyes at Tom's holographic bar owner, B'Elanna quickly lead
D'Annai to the middle of the room where Tom Paris and Harry Kim were just
finishing a game of pool."Ha!" Tom exclaimed, as his final ball sank easily into the corner pocket.
"Thank you, Harry. You've saved me from a fate worse than death... eating
Neelix's creations for the next week.""Yeah, yeah, rub it in. Who do you think gets to eat it now?"
"Shouldn't bet what you can't afford to lose, my friend." Tom raised his
arms in a challenge, "Who's next?!"B'Elanna cleared her throat audibly, and Tom turned. A smug smile crossed
his woman's face as Tom's eyes widened. "B'Ela, you... look... incredible.
What's the occasion?""No occasion. D'Annai mentioned getting out tonight, so we decided to join
you and Harry. Do you mind?"Tom's eyes narrowed. B'Elanna was never this demure. "Not at all. Did you
want to sit down? I'll get you something to drink."She smiled. "Thanks. D'Annai, did you want a drink?"
D'Annai nodded, drawing Tom's attention away from B'Elanna and towards
herself, again his eyes bugged. "By the Gods!" He sank back against the
pool table, "What did you two do? Spend your next two months of rations?
You look beautiful, by the way, D'Annai." He winked at her. "Almost as
good as B'Ela."D'Annai shrugged. "Momma mentioned that you and Uncl..." Low growl,
clenching of her fist, deep breath, "Mr. Kim would be here playing an old
earth game... pool? I thought maybe you could teach me, too, and we could
play together."Tom broke into a huge grin, "You're on! Just let me get your drinks, and
I'll run over the basics with you." He disappeared towards the bar, and
D'Annai cast an uncertain glance at her mother.B'Elanna smiled reassuringly at her, making go ahead motions with her hands,
before instantly returning to composure in time for Tom's return. Harry's
jaw dropped as he caught the silent message between the two, and his eyes
narrowed. It came down to a particular choice for him, rat out two Klingons
for pulling a scam... or betray his best friend? He sighed, only one choice
would keep him out of sickbay tonight.He walked over to D'Annai carrying a pool cue. "Here, D'Annai, you'll need
this.""Are you going to play too?" D'Annai asked innocently.
"Nah. Eight ball is a two player game. I'll just watch from over here."
He moved to sit down with B'Elanna.Tom set their drinks down, and picked up his own pool cue. "Okay, how much
do you know about the game?"D'Annai shrugged, "Not much. I really wasn't that interested." Her nail
worried her palm deeper.Tom smiled widely, "Not a problem, we'll start at the beginning. The stick
you have in your hand, that's a cue. You'll use the cue to strike the white
ball on the table, the cue ball. Okay?" D'Annai nodded. "You'll want to
aim the pool cue in a direction that will send the cue ball into another
ball, easing the game ball into a pocket." Tom began to explain the game in
length, taking D'Annai closer to the table, having her run practice shots,
setting her up to play a friendly, non wager game with him, which she
promptly lost, by a long shot.Tom patted her on the shoulder, "Not to worry, Dani. It does take time to
learn."B'Elanna leaned forward. "I don't know about that, Paris. I bet that if
she tried, she could beat you next game.""B'Elanna, she just started. I've been playing for years. There's no way
she could beat me.""Want to put your rations where your mouth is?" B'Elanna grinned wickedly.
Tom shrugged, and smiled back. He inched closer to his lover, "Okay,
rations, and something a little more interesting.""What were you thinking of?"
"If I win, and have no doubt, I will, I want you in my bed every night for
the next month, no excuses, unless there's a warp core breach.""Fine. If D'Annai wins, our regular ration bet, plus your participation as
my opponent in my exercise programs for a month.""B'Ela! That could kill me!"
"Scared?" Her eyebrow lifted.
"Bite me!"
"Any time, lover." With a slow and deliberate action, B'Elanna ran her
tongue over her teeth, her smile never fading.Tom shook his head, and picked up the replicated coin he and Harry used to
determine who would break. "Heads or tails, Dani?""Heads."
Coin flip. Tom peered down at the coin. "Heads it is. Go ahead."
And that was the last thing Tom had to do with that particular game. After
D'Annai's first three shots, Tom sank back in horror, alternating glances
between B'Elanna's smug grin, and his daughter's look of pure concentration.
He caught a glimpse of Harry shaking his head in sorrow for his friend."Harry, I think I've been had."
"Whatever gave you that idea?"
"I think it may have had something to do with the fact she just kicked my
ass."B'Elanna had brought a data PADD with her that evening, so now, as she
walked up to Tom and D'Annai, she dropped it on the pool table before him."Read it and weep, flyboy."
Tom looked down at the offending object. "What's on it?"
"My training schedule for the next month. Read it, and be there, sucker."
She gave him a brass wink, and strode out of the holodeck laughing softly.D'Annai turned to follow her mother, glancing back at Tom, offering him a
small shrug in apology before disappearing into the corridor.Tom felt Harry's hand clap him on the shoulder. "Yep."
"Shut up."
"You were definitely had."
"Shut up."
"How many times have you fallen for that I'm an innocent female, teach me
routine now? Four, five times?""Shut up."
Tom started towards the door, intent on heading home and indulging in self
pity."See you in the mess hall?"
"Oh, God, please shut up."
"It's leola root week, you know."
Groan. "Harry..."
"I think Neelix even made leola root cake."
Tom stopped, and stared at his best friend in a moment of horror, before
they both started to laugh."She got you good. But then, you shouldn't bet what you can't afford to
lose, right, pal?""Harry?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
*****************
End Part Six
--
Lieutenant Danae Bowen (fondly known on the outside as Lea)
Chief Engineer
USS ESSEX
Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 7/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or lfox@continuum.org but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.******************
Part Seven
They were coming for her... all of them... thousands... all coming... all
wanting her... wanting to study her... wanting to hurt her. She could hear
them, sliming their way along the hallways of the dank, dark ship that
rattled and shook with every sector of space they traveled through. The
ship lurched and she fell forward, her head slamming into a dirt and slime
covered wall. Screaming she slapped at the pieces of algae substance that
clung to her face and hair. She clapped a hand across her mouth as the
Galteth changed their direction, moving towards the sound of her voice.No..no..no..no!! She began to run, now heedless of the sound her boots made
against the metallic floor of the ship. Please... Kahless... please...
please... I can't do this anymore...Something shot out from the corridor in front of her, a tentacle. Green,
wrapping around her feet... dragging her to the floor. KAHLESS NO! She
screamed as she was dragged once more into the intestines of the ship.**********************
Her eyes flew open as she fell from her bed to the floor, cracking her head
hard against the nightstand in her sleeping area. The pain caused a deeper
confusion as her nightmare blended with reality and this time she couldn't
shake it off."Momma?!"
D'Annai's broken cry echoed through her room, as she curled up between the
nightstand and the wall, whimpering in fear as her eyes refused to tell her
mind that the metal probes coming towards her were only in her dreams.Squeezing her eyes tightly shut, she drew her knees up to her chest, and
buried her head in the darkness.**********************
B'Elanna looked around the mess hall, shifting restlessly. She'd hardly
touched this morning's breakfast, which bore an amazing resemblance, in
flavor at least, to terran oatmeal. Tom raised his eyebrows as he watched
her with growing concern."Okay." He dropped his spoon onto his tray, and took one of B'Elanna's
hands into his own. "What's the problem? Engines not running at a hundred
and ten percent? Vorrik making moves on you again? Feeling guilty over
swindling me out of every last ration? Because you can always make it
better by declining to take your reward."He was rewarded with a small smile. "Hardly, flyboy, your rations are mine,
as are your evenings for the next month.""Then what?"
She sighed. "D'Annai was supposed to meet me here over a half an hour ago.
There's been no word from her."Tom straightened. "Computer, locate Lieutenant D'Annai Paris."
"Lieutenant D'Annai Paris is in her quarters."
Tom smiled. "You see, she just slept in is all."
B'Elanna shrugged and tapped her comm badge. "Torres to D'Annai Paris." No
response. "Torres to D'Annai Paris. D'Annai respond." Still nothing."So she's a heavy sleeper." He sighed. "All right. We'll check up on
her." He took one last look down at his finally edible meal, and shook his
head. "I never thought I'd see the day that you became a mother hen."B'Elanna growled softly, a dangerous sound. "What are you trying to say,
Paris?"Tom froze. "Nothing, B'Ela. It looks good on you." He looked over his
shoulder, and grinned at her. "If you're this beautiful as a mother, I
can't wait to see you pregnant."She rolled her eyes, "That set both my stomachs churning, Paris. Where do
you come up with this drivel?"His teasing smile widened as he stopped to sling an arm about her shoulders,
"I guess you just inspire me, Torres.""Great. First I'm a mother hen, and now I inspire drivel. Why is it I love
you again?"He leaned down to nip her ear, before whispering, "We make beautiful
children together."Sighing, B'Elanna was left with nothing to argue.
****************
"Tom, she's not answering, we have to go in!"
"B'Elanna, she's a grown adult, even if we are her parents, we can't just go
storming into her quarters like a lynch mob and drag her out of bed.""What if she's had a relapse? She was so beaten up, Tom, you didn't see her
when they first brought her in. There may have been complications.""Fine. You use your override, and you go in there and explain why it is
you're in her quarters without being invited. I'm staying out.""Fine!" Muttering under her breath, B'Elanna punched her override code into
the computer panel, and gave a satisfied nod as the door hissed compliantly
open. "Dani?" She called out softly, leaving Tom standing in the doorway
as she edged deeper into her daughter's darkened quarters. "Computer, half
lights." The room lightened. "Dani?" She moved towards the sleeping area,
frowning as she caught sight of the empty bed. "Computer, locate D'Annai
Paris.""D'Annai Paris is in her quarters."
"Like hell! I'm here and she's not!"
"Please restate command."
In response B'Elanna merely growled at the tin voice, and moved closer to
the bed. As she reached the edge of the bed, a small voice reached her
ears."They're coming."
"Dani?" B'Elanna moved to the other side of the bed, squinting, just barely
making out the shape of her daughter, cringing on the floor. "Computer,
full lights. Dani? What's wrong?" She fell to her knees beside the
shaking girl."They're coming. For me. They're coming. Now."
"Nobody's coming, D'Annai. You're okay."
The girl looked up, her face streaked with tears, her eyes filled with
horror. "They're coming, Momma... coming to take me." Slowly, a keening
sound rose from the girl, soft at first, rapidly building in volume as
D'Annai began rocking herself back and forth, her eyes now shut firmly
against whatever she was seeing."Dani?" B'Elanna began to shake her gently. "Dani?! Stop it!" Harder
shaking. "D'ANNAI STOP PLEASE! TOM!!! TOM!! Get in here, NOW!"Tom was at the door before B'Elanna finished yelling for him. "B'Ela...
what? What happened?"She shook her head, "I don't know... she was like this when I came in. Help
us!"Tom looked at them in stunned silence, raising his hands, not able to do
anything. Finally, he closed his agape mouth, and reached for his comm
badge. "Paris, to transporter room one. Emergency medical transport!
Three to beam to sickbay!"Almost immediately they began to dissolve, only to reappear in sickbay, the
doctor standing in wait. "What happened?" The doctor wasted no time as he
moved towards the still rocking form of D'Annai.Her parents shrugged, as B'Elanna moved aside to let the doctor work. "She
was just like this. She didn't show up for breakfast. I don't know how
long."The doctor paused as he looked up at B'Elanna. "There's no need to stop
speaking in complete sentences, Lieutenant Torres. She will be fine.""You know what's wrong?" Tom stepped in.
"Of course, Mr. Paris. If you had stepped back and taken a good look at her
from the point of view of a medic rather than that of a father, you'd have
realized that young Miss Paris is in shock.""SHOCK?"
"Yes, Ensign, plain and simple, as they say. Now, will one of you please
help me get her to the biobed, and I'll fix your daughter. Of course,
neither of you will think to say thank you, and in another day or two, one
or all of you will be back, expecting me to put your veritable pieces back
in place." As he spoke, they lifted her onto a biobed, and the holograph
pressed a hypospray into her neck. Just as he turned around to speak
further to the parents, the ship rocked, and the red alert klaxon began to
sound."What the hell?"
"All crew, report to battle stations. Senior staff to the bridge!"
Tom and B'Elanna paused as they glanced over to their stricken daughter,
who's keening wail now could be heard above the klaxon."Go on, I'll take care of D'Annai." The doctor nodded his head towards the
door.One more pause, and then they both took off, running for the turbolift, and
the bridge.The last thing they heard before the turbolift's doors hissed shut was
D'Annai's scream, "KAHLESS PLEASE DON'T LET THEM TAKE ME AGAIN!"And they were left to stare at each other with horror filled faces.
***********************
End Part Seven
--
Lieutenant Danae Bowen (fondly known on the outside as Lea)
Chief Engineer
USS ESSEX
Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 8/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or lfox@continuum.org but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.******************
Part Eight
"Tuvok, I want those ships identified immediately!"
"Captain, the ships are identical to the vessel bearing D'Annai Paris."
Captain Kathryn Janeway turned to face the vulcan, every muscle on her body
stiff with tension. "Can someone explain to me how they managed to surprise
us? Ships of that caliber should have been picked up on sensors before they
got with in firing range!"Tuvok's calm expression never changed. "The sensors did pick up a temporal
shift before the ships appeared, however, with the rapid onset of the
attack, I have not had the time to analyze this shift closely.""Wonderful." Janeway turned back to her view screen. "Hail the lead ship."
"No response." Harry Kim frowned at his console.
"Then keep hailing them until there is a response, Mr. Kim."
The turbolift doors flew open and Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres moved
quickly to their stations."Lieutenants, any ideas on how we can deal with this latest... adventure."
Her words were amusing, her voice grim."Who are they, Captain?" Tom's eyes flicked from the screen to his captain.
"They appear to be friends of your daughter's captors." B'Elanna met Tom's
gaze across the bridge, incredulation written in their eyes. "Perhaps we
should get D'Annai's opinion on this."That returned Tom's attention. "Not possible, Captain. She's in sickbay."
"What happened now?"
"The doc said something about shock. It was probably a delayed reaction to
the whole experience."Janeway sighed, and sank back into the captain's chair. "Janeway to
sickbay.""This is the doctor."
"Doctor, what is the condition of D'Annai Paris?"
"Sleeping comfortably, for the moment. I have had to sedate her."
"Can she help us at all... information, anything?"
"I would have to bring her around, Captain, and there is no telling what her
state of mind will be like.""Never mind then, we'll just have to go it on our own." She paused.
"Suggestions?"Tom immediately voiced his thoughts, "Fire a string warning shots across
their bows. We've destroyed one of their ships, we can do it again.""Opinions?" No answer. "Do it."
All eyes trailed back to the view screen as Voyager's phaser beams lashed
out at the ships before them."Captain, we are receiving an incoming transmission."
She rose to her feet and straightened her uniform. "On screen."
Only years of Starfleet and personal training could keep the grimace of
disgust from showing on Janeway's face as the view screen came alive with
the image of their new enemies. Still, facing the green and black creature,
slime sliding down the side of its face, tentacles whipping angrily back and
forth in the air, Janeway was forced to swallow before speaking."I am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager. What is
your business firing upon my ship?"The Galteth drew in a hissing breath, "We must needs avenge our others.
Needs you must die.""With all do respect, I have a problem with that concept. Your... others...
were firing upon our ship at the time, we had no choice but to destroy their
vessel in self defense.""No explanations. Others dead, we must needs your deaths in return. Our
way."Sigh. "But not ours. We apologize for the deaths of your others, and we
wish to make amends. Aside from our deaths, is there something we can trade
with you in the sake of peace?""No peace without death."
"Doctor to Janeway."
"Cut audio, Ensign Kim. Go ahead, Doctor."
"In the interest of our lives, I revived Lieutenant Paris. She says that if
this is the same species that had her, they are called the Galteth. They
are a highly advanced in temporal technology, but they lack a decent level
of defensive weaponry.""That would explain why there are six vessels to our one. Is there anything
they desire beyond bringing death that D'Annai can recall?""One moment, Captain."
"Acknowledged. B'Elanna, give me a rundown on those ships. I want weapons,
shield and engine capabilities. I want to know what we're dealing with."B'Elanna studied her console for a moment. "Captain, these ships are hardly
a match for Voyager. Two photon torpedoes would penetrate their shields
easily. Their weapons are not impressive, our shields should withstand.
Engine capabilities... inconclusive."Chakotay swiveled. "Lieutenant?"
"I can't get a clear reading on their engines. Whatever it is, it's not a
warp core.""That's not very helpful, Lieutenant."
"It's the best I can give you. I can't even tell if their engine is cloaked
or is merely something the computer just can't get a lock on.""Doctor? I'm still waiting."
"Sorry, Captain, that's my fault." D'Annai's voice, weak, but thoughtful
reached Janeway's ears."Do you have an answer for me, Lieutenant?"
"All I can suggest is the obvious. Try offering to share technology...
upgrade their shielding.""Lieutenant, I refuse to share Federation technology with a hostile
species.""Yes, ma'am. Unfortunately, that's all I can come up with. I wasn't
exactly privy to their personal traits. They were more interested in
figuring out mine."Janeway paused. "Lieutenant, are you feeling up to meeting me here?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Excuse me, I have to protest, Captain. D'Annai is in no way "up to" going
to the bridge. She can barely hold herself upright!""Your objections are taken under advisement, Doctor, however, I believe
D'Annai's presence is necessary.""I'm on my way, Captain."
Janeway pretended not to hear the doctor in the background muttering,
"Typical. Nobody listens to me.""Harry, reopen channel." Pause "Galteth commander, I wish to explain
Voyager's actions against your others.""No explanation. Must needs..."
"Die. So I heard. You feel the need to kill us because we killed your
others first, is this correct?""Yes,"
"Your others committed crimes against this ship and it's persons before we
fired upon them."The Galteth paused. "We listen."
The turbolift hissed open, and D'Annai made her way slowly to the captain,
leaning against a rail to steady herself. "Sorry, Captain. The doctor had
to activate his emitter and help me to the turbolift. That hypospray of his
sure packs a punch." Her eyes trailed to the viewscreen, and her face
paled. "Captain?""Hang in there, Lieutenant. Galteth commander, do you see the fright on
this child's face? Your others did this to her. They kidnapped her from
this vessel, without warning or cause, and beat her to within an inch of her
life. We destroyed their vessel to avenge Miss Paris's pain.""Many for one must not needs die. One for one must needs die."
"They ALL hurt her. Do you understand? I refuse to stand by while one of
my own is being killed."Confusion... or what passed for confusion.. registered on the Galteth's
face. "We must needs avenge others. But you must needs avenge other yours.
What we must needs do I do not understand."Janeway relaxed some as the other ships began to power down their weapons.
"Power down weapons, and go to yellow alert." She breathed out very slowly.
"All right, Galteth commander, what do you suggest we do to resolve our
situation?""We must needs talk. Will decide soon."
"Understood. We'll be waiting." A signal to Tuvok cut the sight of the
Galteth from their screen, D'Annai visibly relaxing. B'Elanna moved to her
daughter, the look on her face challenging anyone to tell her to do
different, and helped her over to the engineering console to sit down.Janeway in turn sat down in the Captain's chair, and stared at the screen
full of ships surrounding Voyager. "I guess we wait."*************
End Part Eight.
--
Lieutenant Danae Bowen (fondly known on the outside as Lea)
Chief Engineer
USS ESSEX
Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 9/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or lfox@continuum.org but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.******************
Part Nine
All bodies were tense aboard the bridge of Voyager as Captain Kathryn
Janeway and her crew waited impatiently for the response of the Galteth.
Meanwhile, Janeway turned to face the newest member of her crew, who was
still slightly shaking at the engineering station. Slowly she made her way
over until she stood beside Lieutenants B'Elanna Torres and D'Annai Paris.
She looked down upon the younger lieutenant, and smiled softly."How are you holding up, D'Annai?"
"Holding my own, Captain. Although, I do hope that they respond soon. I
hate waiting."Janeway smiled. "I know others who feel the same way." Her eyes tracked
from B'Elanna to Tom Paris, who was impatiently tapping his fingers on the
helm console, every once in a while glancing back to make sure his "family"
was all right. "Myself included. While we're waiting, is there anything
else that you can tell me about this race?"D'Annai shrugged apologetically. "I can tell you what happened to me, if
that will be any help."Janeway nodded, "But not here. How about the conference room?"
"That will be fine, Captain."
"B'Elanna, Tom, you're with me. Commander, you have the bridge. If they
make any move, and I do mean ANY move, I want to be informed immediately.""Understood, Captain." Chakotay's eyes followed the four people as they
exited the bridge, betraying his curiosity, but his face remained
expressionless. He nodded to Tom's relief as the junior officer took over
the now vacated helm.*******************
"D'Annai, start at the beginning, or as close to it as you can get without
getting into the time line dilemma.""Yes, ma'am." D'Annai paused, took a breath, and closed her eyes as she
eased back into her seat. B'Elanna's hand squeezed her own, just as Tom
patted her knee reassuringly. "Lieutenant Bowler and myself were on a
shuttle excursion; we had just completed a successful trade with a species
we come in contact with only a week or so before. Anyway, on the way back,
one of those" gestures her head to the viewing port where they could see the
Galteth ships laying in wait "pops out of nowhere and begins to fire upon
us. We were weighed down with supplies, Bowler started freaking out and
hitting controls, but we were hit before I had a chance to go into evasive
maneuvers."Janeway shook her head, "And the Paris need to destroy shuttles expands into
the next generation."D'Annai opened her eyes slightly and gave them a weak grin, winking at Tom.
"Sorry, Dad, I know how much you value those shuttles."Tom shrugged, "Not my fault you let me teach her to fly, Captain."
Janeway gave him a mock glare, trying to keep the mood light. "Go on,
D'Annai."She closed her eyes once more, allowing the images to flow through her
words, "Bowler was killed in the first blast, at least I hope he was. The
command console exploded in his face, I went to help him, but half his face
was missing, and there was nothing I could do. I tried every trick I knew
of, but everything was off line. My shields, my engines, all non
responsive, and I didn't have the time to try and fix them. I grabbed a
phaser, and shot the first Galteth to materialize on the shuttle, but there
were too many, and I was taken. They left Bowler and the shuttle adrift in
space, I only hope that Voyager found them and gave the Lieutenant a decent
send off. He was a good man. Anyway, they took all the supplies out of the
shuttle with me. I think I started out more as a research project for
them... I'm not sure what fascinated them more, my human side, or my
klingon, but whatever it was, they had a test to test it. I don't know how
long I laid in this cell thing they kept me in, I kept going in and out of
consciousness, I think I cracked my head when the shuttle first lurched, but
I don't remember it.""Are you telling me that their primary goal with you was scientific?"
D'Annai shrugged, "Until I angered them."
Janeway raised an eyebrow, "Exactly what did you do, Miss Paris?"
"I refused their tests. After what must have been several weeks, I couldn't
take the poking and prodding anymore. I couldn't understand them, the food
was worse than anything Neelix even considered cooking, everything was
covered in slime, and had some kind of algae growing off the roofs... it was
dank, dark, damp... and it stank. I got mad." She paused. "I slugged the
one I think was the doctor."B'Elanna couldn't restrain her smile of victory. "How badly?"
"I broke every tooth in it's mouth. And every bone in my hand."
B'Elanna nodded swiftly, "Qapla'"
D'Annai shook her head, "Hardly, Momma. I busted it's teeth, and it freaked
out. I think I got a few more shots in before I was taken down by bigger
Galteth.""Still, you fought well. I'm proud."
D'Annai giggled, "When did you get so Klingon?"
"I think I was born that way."
"Ladies, I do believe we were getting somewhere in this tale?" Tom turned
and rolled his eyes at the captain. "Klingons."All three women turned to glare at the helmsmen, but all in good humor.
D'Annai was grateful for the constant distraction, it kept her from becoming
too involved in her tale. "They ended up taking me to a lab or something
like it anyway. I was strapped to a table and the tests became trials.
Rather than testing my strength through blood tests and such, they chose to
see how much my body could take before giving out. They took every
measurement of my body, inside and out... I can't count the number of times
I was cut open and then sewn back together. They didn't even use a
regenerator. I had probes used upon me, both as discovery and as weapons
when they felt I was resisting. It was pure luck that their equipment was
old, and when I was left for their sleep period I was able to worry loose my
restraints and make it to their shuttle bay. I think I was hit once or
twice by a phaser, well something that resembled a phaser anyway. And the
shuttle practically dissolved around me during the last few hits it took.
But I can fly anything, in any condition." She smiled at Tom proudly."That seals it." He said suddenly.
"What?" Three sets of eyes looked at him curiously.
"She's definitely my daughter."
B'Elanna and D'Annai both rolled their eyes sarcastically, looking at Tom
with disapproval.He looked over at the Captain. "Eep. She's definitely B'Elanna's daughter
too."Their laughter was stopped suddenly by the chirp of Janeway's comm badge.
"Captain, the Galteth are hailing us.""We're on our way, Commander. D'Annai, would you prefer to remain here?"
"No, ma'am, I'd rather see this all the way through."
"All right. Let's go make peace."
*******************
"We must needs not make you die, Captain." The Galteth commander wheezed
air out of his nasal cavity."That's good to know, Commander. What is it that you have decided upon in
place?""We must needs full account of happenings in which your other harmed. Must
needs have reasoning for revenge having not been.""Lieutenant Paris, are you comfortable with this?"
D'Annai glared at the screen, her mind telling her to agree and move on, her
heart telling her that this "commander" could not be trusted. Finally, she
forced herself to nod. "With your permission, Captain, I'll return to my
quarters and fill out a complete report. You'll have it within the hour.""That will be fine, Lieutenant. Dismissed." Janeway turned her attention
back to the Galteth. "You will have your report, Commander. I am grateful
that your decision was peaceful, a battle between our species was not what I
desired.""We must needs wait here. Voyager wait with Galteth vessels?"
"Yes, Commander. Until Lieutenant Paris's report is filed, we will wait
with you.""Communique expected." The screen went blank, and Voyager relaxed once
again.Janeway turned to Tuvok. "Tuvok, remain in yellow alert until we are
completely clear of those vessels. The last thing we need right now is to
be stabbed in the back.""Of course, Captain. That would be the most logical course of action."
Janeway turned away and sank into her seat, "Of course."
*****************
Danae sat in her quarters, speaking quietly into her log, recording every
detail of her time aboard the Galteth ship. She remembered far more than
she had told the Captain, remembered the pain of the probe as it was pushed
inside her, making her scream in agony... she remembered the smell of her
burning flesh as lasers were used to cut her open once the knives and
scalpels had dulled beyond use. She remembered being suffocated into
unconsciousness, starved for over a week, dehydrated, and then gagged with a
huge influx of water. She remembered pitching forward and cracking her head
against the side of the wall the first time a phaser type blast struck her
back, she remembered the second time when she reopened the laser cut across
her stomach as she pitched forward into the shuttle bay when her knee blew
out from the strength of the blast. She remembered dragging her limp and
useless leg into that shuttle, her last hope, praying to every known God
that her skills would be enough to carry her home. And she remembered
shivering in that shuttle as she sped away from the Galteth ship, knowing it
would only be a matter of time until they caught up with her again and it
started all over. But Voyager had appeared in front of her, and her will to
go on returned full force.The one thing that Danae will never admit to, will be waking up in sick bay,
and realizing that everything she knew and loved was gone. She loved
B'Elanna and Tom, no matter what they were her parents, but she missed her
Momma and Daddy, she missed her friends, her job, her life. But she was as
good at hiding her emotions as both her parents, and for as long as she
existed on this Voyager, they would never know her disappointment at waking
up to find them twenty five years younger.After all, no one ever said life would be fair.
**********************
End Part Nine
--
Lieutenant Danae Bowen (fondly known on the outside as Lea)
Chief Engineer
USS ESSEX
Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 10/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or lfox@continuum.org but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.******************
Part Ten
Once the Galteth vessel had moved on, life slowly returned to normal aboard
Voyager. Months passed and still no way of returning D'Annai to her own
time had been found. Seven worked throughout her down time, trying to help
the girl find her way home, but even the borg could do nothing. The
technology was just not available to the lost federation starship.At one point, Janeway had suggested requesting of the Galteth commander a
slip stream trip returning D'Annai to her time, but the girl had
understandably adamantly refused the concept. She would rather live on
Voyager twenty five years in the past then she would spend another hour upon
a Galteth vessel.So quietly she slipped into life aboard Voyager, her mother and father
gently easing her into daily duties. She worked well in engineering,
B'Elanna at first treating her gently before figuring out the girl knew
exactly what she was doing, and things settled down once more.Evenings were spent at Sandrine's, D'Annai laughing as she continually beat
Tom at pool, B'Elanna sitting back watching peacefully as her "family"
continued to grow closer. D'Annai had two weekly sessions with Tuvok as he
struggled to help her come to terms with all that had happened, teaching her
to accept and disperse the negative emotions that still at times overwhelmed
her deep into the night.And time continued to move on. It was funny, Danae hardly even noticed when
the one year anniversary of her arrival appeared. Simply stated, her lack
of remembrance made it easy for her parents to surprise her.*************
"Momma, we go to Sandrine's almost every night. Why don't we just stay in
and have dinner together, my rations?"B'Elanna frowned at her ever so familiarly stubborn daughter. "Dani, Dad is
waiting for us. And I think he invited Lieutenant Solace to join us."D'Annai's eyes widened in shock, and she groaned, "Momma!"
B'Elanna shrugged her shoulders innocently, "Your father has a mind of his
own. I can't help what he does."D'Annai turned abruptly and began sifting through her closet and drawers,
switching between one and the other rapidly as her heart beat out an
unsteady rhythm deep within her chest. Groaning once more, she turned with
several articles of clothing hanging from her fingers."Why didn't you tell me earlier? How am I supposed to be ready now? I have
nothing to wear! Momma!"B'Elanna's lips twitched and her eyes watered as she used all her strength
to force back the laughter threatening to overtake her."D'Annai, calm down. Tom and Simon will be waiting. Now, think about what
sort of statement you want to be making tonight, and we'll work from there."Upon a sigh, B'Elanna took the clothing from the fingers of her mortified
daughter, and sat on D'Annai's bed. Together, they untangled the mass of
clothing, and began to plot out what the younger woman would wear.******
"Momma... are you SURE?"
Nearly an hour had passed; B'Elanna and D'Annai were standing once more in
front of the doors to Sandrine's, D'Annai again almost unwilling to enter."I'm sure. Trust me. When I wear those for Tom, he goes ballistic."
D'Annai shuddered. "Okay. Stop right there. I get the picture."
They had decided to go extremely casual for this outing. B'Elanna knew what
to expect on the other side of the door, surreptitiously leaning against the
keypad next to the holodeck's doors, causing a short series of blips to
sound within. D'Annai hadn't resisted as her mother, exasperated, had
finally pushed upon her exactly what the younger woman was wearing.Dressed in skin tight acid wash jeans, and a forest green wool sweater, with
a black leather belt, and black leather cowboy boots, she was relaxed, but
dressed to kill. The male portion of Voyager's crew had long gotten used to
D'Annai's beauty, but still, several passing her in the hallway inhaled in
surprise and admiration."Ready?" B'Elanna glanced at D'Annai, receiving a somewhat hesitant nod.
Taking D'Annai by the arm, B'Elanna pressed her daughter in front of her and
ordered the computer to open the doors. Inside, Sandrine's was dim and
silent. D'Annai's brow furrowed in confusion as she slowly began to turn."Momma?"
Barely had she finished the query to her mother, only a quarter of the way
turned from the door, when motion caused her attention to immediately flip
back to the interior."SURPRISE!"
Her eyes widened in shock, as she took two stumbling steps backwards into
the arms of her mother.Tom Paris stood at the front of the crowd of people, grinning from ear to
ear. His hand was resting upon the shoulder of Simon Solace, and beside
Simon stood a laughing Harry Kim. Others were there as well; Neelix,
Janeway, Chakotay, among those D'Annai had befriended over her year upon
Voyager.B'Elanna felt D'Annai falter, before feeling the girl stiffen with
determination. B'Elanna was almost willing to bet she could have placed the
exact instant D'Annai forced a smile onto her face before moving into the
somewhat crowded room.Pats on the back, waggled eyebrows at her choice of outfit, and loving
comments were passed back and forth, the crew coming together to make sure
D'Annai knew that she was officially a part of their "collective" as Seven
had said.Hours passed as D'Annai slowly relaxed, leaning back into the shoulder of
Simon Solace. People slowly began filtering out of Sandrine's, and soon it
came time for her to turn in as well. She had a relatively early duty shift
in the morning, and really didn't want to fall asleep across her station.Bidding her friends a goodnight, D'Annai walked slowly down the corridor
with Simon, their voices soft as they disappeared into the turbolift.B'Elanna stepped back into the warm embrace of her lover, watching their
daughter and her male interest disappear into the depths of Voyager.Tom sighed as he rested his chin upon the top of B'Elanna's head. "Our
little girl is all grown up."B'Elanna snorted, "She was grown up long before she was our little girl,
Paris. But it is good to see her carrying on with a normal life.""You love her a lot, don't you, B'Ela?"
B'Elanna nodded quietly, but she said nothing as she and Tom exited
Sandrine's and headed for his quarters for the night.Of course, when it came to Tom Paris, words were rarely needed. She smiled
up at him in a thoughtful moment, and kissed his chin."What was that for?" he grinned, "Not that I'm complaining."
"Just for being you, Tom."
"Even when I'm a pig?"
She laughed, "Especially then, flyboy."
**************
End Part Ten.
--
Lieutenant Danae Bowen (fondly known on the outside as Lea)
Chief Engineer
USS ESSEX
Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 11/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or lfox@continuum.org but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.******************
Part Eleven
As the months continued to pass, most of Voyager's original crew forgot
D'Annai's unorthodox entrance into their lives, and just accepted her as one
of their own.Unorthodox was quite the word for life on that ship; in the passing time
Seven had adopted children. Borg children, true, but still children in their
own way. The captain had agreed to take in con artists and deregulated
Starfleet officers among others. D'Annai's story may have been unique, but
no longer the first thing to come to mind upon her arrival. In the end,
D'Annai Paris was merely the daughter of Tom and B'Elanna, and people forgot
to question her age.Simon Solace became a constant in D'Annai's life. D'Annai rarely lacked the
offer of male company, but Simon was generally her premier choice. True, he
was just past thirty, but D'Annai herself was only seven months shy of her
twenty fifth birthday. Her birthday and true age were things she couldn't
afford to share with the crew, giving away too much of the future. If she
were to give any knowledge of the future just the slightest alteration could
throw everything off, and the possibility existed that she would never be
born. So, quietly, she sat back and smiled a little smug smile every time
she saw her mother.Captain Janeway had slowly ordered more responsibility into D'Annai's hands
as the girl proved to be hard working and reliable, much like both her
parents. Janeway had a feeling that Tom was feeling a bit left out in the
cold by the ladies in his life of late. Over the years he had grown used to
B'Elanna's mild obsession with Engineering, he'd grown used to not having
her around as much as he'd like, but his daughter was threatening to follow
in B'Elanna's footsteps. When something went wrong, whether on B'Elanna's
shift or D'Annai's, both women stayed in Engineering until exhaustion forced
them to leave, or the problem was solved. In the end, that left very little
"daddy daughter" time.So, keeping with D'Annai's abilities, Janeway split her shifts between helm
and engineering. She figured at least then Tom and D'Annai would have as
much to talk about as B'Elanna and D'Annai, and the longing look she saw in
her pilot's eyes would fade.In the end, that was how D'Annai found herself to be at Voyager's helm the
night all hell broke loose once more. She was working gamma shift, with
Harry in the Captain's chair when out of no where a shot fired across their
bow. Both Harry and D'Annai stared at the screen in shock for a brief
moment, before swinging into action."Shields at maximum! Evasive maneuvers! Red alert! Ready weapons!" Harry
was on his feet in an instant, "Kim to Janeway."The captain's sleep filled voice filled the comm, "What is it Mr. Kim?"
"Captain, we have an unidentified vessel firing upon us. We've taken
evasive maneuvers but we haven't pinned down where the shots are coming
from.""Hold the fort, Ensign. I'm on my way."
"Yes, Captain." Turning to his computer panel, Harry began going over the
sensor data, searching for the source of the offensive."Ensign Kim, I think I've located a cloaked ship two thousand fifty
kilometers off our port." Simon Solace looked up from his station, waiting
for his orders.Harry looked blank for a moment, before shrugging. "Isolate that sector of
space and get us an image on that ship.""Working on that." Simon paused, his eyes fluttering in surprise as another
blast came from the cloaked vessel, bouncing off Voyager's shields.
"Shields down to 80 percent. Whatever that ship is throwing at us, it's
draining us too quickly to compensate!"D'Annai spared a quick glance backwards. "What the hell is this? I didn't
think ships could fire without decloaking first!"Harry shrugged, "Apparently this one can. Lieutenant Solace, progress on
that ship?""Sensors can't get a lock. I'm trying to compensate now."
The turbolift doors opened, and Janeway exited with Chakotay and Tom on her
heels."Status, Mr. Kim." She demanded harshly, a flick of her head sending D'Annai
away from the helm, Tom taking over. Harry relinquished the captain's chair,
and Janeway sat with Chakotay beside her. D'Annai moved to the engineering
console, monitoring ship's status."Captain, we don't know who they are or what they want, but they're draining
our shields faster than anything I've seen, and they're not decloaking to do
it!"Janeway's groan was quiet, but heard by all. "Shield status, Mr. Solace?"
"Sixty four percent and dropping fast, Captain."
"On screen."
The sector of space showing increased neutrino levels came immediately on
screen, and everyone on the bridge could see the slight shimmering in space
betraying the presence of the other vessel."Mr. Kim, open a channel."
"Aye, Captain, channel open."
"This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager. Please
respond.""No answer."
"Send it again, Harry."
"Still no response."
Janeway growled softly as another blast rocked the ship. "I'm going to take
that as a response. Mr. Solace, power phasers and fire.""At what, ma'am?"
"At the space they're occupying. I don't care if you have to fire ten
misses, just hit that vessel.""Yes, ma'am."
The view screen lit up as Voyager's weapons came online and began to light
up the space where the enemy vessel shimmered. At first there was nothing,
two shots... three... but on the fourth shot they were rewarded with the
sight of a small explosion and a ship shimmered completely into view."Harry, let's see if they'll answer now."
"Channel open."
"Enemy vessel, this is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the federation starship
Voyager. I suggest that you respond. Now.""Receiving transmission."
"On screen."
The view screen flickered and then the image of an unknown alien came into
view.Janeway straightened noticeably. "Nice of you to respond."
"Do not resist. You have trespassed into our space. You will be
destroyed."She put on her best diplomatic face, and nodded towards the screen. "I am
sorry if we have offended you..." she held out for the offer of a name, but
non was given, "We are merely explorers trying to get home. We meant no ill
intentions towards your people.""All intruders are destroyed upon sight."
"If we could just discuss..."
"No discussion. Prepare to die."
The screen went dead, and Janeway looked around at her bridge crew in shock.
"Not very talkative, is he?""They're powering up weapons... firing!"
The turbolift doors opened with a jerk, spilling Tuvok out onto the bridge.
The vulcan raised an eyebrow but immediately relieved Simon from his station
and took over."Evasive maneuvers, Mr. Paris!"
"Returning fire."
"Status!"
"Shields down to 40... 36... 31...27... 20... shields down to 18 percent,
Captain."Voyager rocked harshly first to the left, then to the right. Chakotay fell
forward onto his knees as Voyager lurched one final time. Consoles began to
explode across the bridge."Shields down, Captain. Hull breach on deck 11. Damage reports coming in
from all decks.""Prepare a volley of photon torpedoes. Get that ship off my screen."
Another explosion rocked Voyager, sparks and smoke filled the air on the
bridge, a scream as one of the night watch ensigns went down as her console
blew out at her."Torpedoes launching."
Another explosion. Cries came in from everywhere as the inertial dampeners
were knocked off line. The power began to fail to all systems, emergency
lighting was the only thing keeping the bridge from plunging into total
darkness.Finally, there was silence.
Janeway's smoke clogged voice finally broke the tension. "Mr. Tuvok,
report.""Enemy ship destroyed, Captain. They took heavy damage to their engine core
resulting in a massive overload. The last explosion we felt was their
destruction.""And too very nearly our own, Tuvok."
Emergency lighting dimmed as the ship struggled to keep power flowing.
"Lt. Paris, what's the status on Engineering?"
There was no response.
"D'Annai?"
Turning through the darkened room, Janeway noticed the empty engineering
station."Tom?" Janeway turned back, questioning.
Tom was on his feet before she'd even moved. "Dani?" His voice cracked
with tension as he ran past Chakotay's seat to where D'Annai was laying on
the floor, unconscious. "Oh, God! Oh, Christ, no!"The palm of Tom's hand slid as he dropped to his knees beside his daughter.
Lifting his hand he stared at the warm blood dripping from his fingertips.
Blood that had started at the baseline of D'Annai's skull, and spread in
pools around the chunk of bone protruding from under her hair."Oh, Christ, oh, God... don't die, oh please... Dani."
Janeway's face paled as she neared Tom and D'Annai. She took one look at
the blood and bone fragments, and raised her hand to her comm badge.
"Janeway to sickbay, medical emergency on the bridge."She neared D'Annai's crumpled form, and knelt down beside Tom. "Tom. Tom!"
He looked at her, his blue eyes stricken. "Tom, you have to listen to me
now. It's going to take the medical team time to get here. You have
medical training. You can do something now."Tom nodded, and moved into action. He was the only person now that could
save his daughter.********
End Part Eleven
--
Lieutenant Danae Bowen (fondly known on the outside as Lea)
Chief Engineer
USS ESSEX
Title: Knowledge and Experience
Part: 12/12
Author: Danae Bowen
Rating: PG
Post Date: June 11, 2000
Archive: Please Do.
Comments: Please either to here or lfox@continuum.org but please be nice,
I'm breakable.
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything mentioned herein belongs to Paramount
and to the people who own Star Trek. The story idea, D'Annai Paris, and
Simon Solace are mine mine mine. I am not making money off this, as the
utter lack of talent will prove, so please don't sue me. No copyright
infringement was intended. And if this borders on anyone else’s story, my
apologies, I don't read an awful lot of fan fiction.
Summary: Voyager rescues a shuttle from an attack by mysterious aliens.
Aboard is a girl, familiar but at the same time unfamiliar. She is about to
change the lives of Tom and B'Elanna, forever.******************
Part Twelve - Conclusion
It was just a cold metal box. Everyone told themselves that it would be far
more fearsome, far more intimidating, for more glorious than the plain metal
box inscribed with the Starfleet insignia that it was.Funny how peacefully it floated away from the ship that had housed it until
it's use. It seemed to just fade into the stars and planets that they
passed by; it just faded away from everyone that held it's contents dear.
It just melded into the dark space surrounding it.Tom stood stoically by the window watching as the federation issue coffin
took his daughter's body far away from everything she had known in life. He
didn't cry, he'd done that already. He'd sobbed long into the night after
she had died, turning away from all solace as he allowed himself for the
first time to truly grieve his loss.B'Elanna, standing next to Tom, her arm curved protectively across her
stomach, took D'Annai's loss as hard as Tom. She'd passed out in sickbay,
having abandoned engineering the instant Janeway had contacted her to tell
her that D'Annai had been injured. She'd left everything she was sworn to
care for to stand at her daughter's bedside as the doctor worked on
D'Annai's rapidly decreasing life signs, but it was all in vain.D'Annai had lived for two hours after the accident. The doctor had done all
he could, but after forty five minutes, even he had to say it was useless.
Her brain had been penetrated by broken pieces of her skull from where she
had been propelled into the engineering console. The bone that had broken
through her skull had been her spine, driven up through her body through the
sheer force of momentum at the moment of impact. Even if the doctor could
have repaired her spinal damage, could have pieced her skull back together,
could have stitched her brain back into it's original form, brain cells were
non reproductive. The damage done would have been permanent, and D'Annai
would have been a vegetable for as long as she may have lived.The doctor had taken Tom and B'Elanna to the side, spoke with them quietly,
telling them everything he had discovered through working on the girl. They
decided together, with no words shared, merely a look from one to the other,
that no measures would be taken to preserve her life in that manner. They
had asked the doctor to allow D'Annai to die with dignity, and honor.And so they sat with her for just short of seventy minutes, the longest
seventy minutes either of them had ever lived, and waited. She never opened
her eyes. She never saw the pain and sorrow dropping dead weight onto her
parents shoulders. She never saw the all encompassing grief overwhelm them
both as the doctors monitors bleeped one final time, and she was gone.That was when B'Elanna fainted. Her body just seemed to give out the
instant after D'Annai's, and she crumpled to the floor, leaning against her
dead daughter's powered down bio bed.That was how the medical exam came about, and Tom and B'Elanna's lives would
change forever. The night B'Elanna lost her daughter was the night she
found out that in just over seven months she would give birth to that very
child.Now, as they watched the final view they would have of their daughter's cold
metal coffin, Tom and B'Elanna turned away. Even though their hearts ached,
they were luckier than most. D'Annai wasn't completely gone; soon they
would all meet again, and this time there would be no mistakes.END