Okay, I know, it would never happen. What can I say? This is my universe, I can do what I want in it.
I feel the need to comment on all the 'indiscriminate breeding' going on, as one of my beta's put it. I always felt Voyager and The Next Generation never had a handle on what the personal lives of their officers were really like. Deep Space Nine did it the best. Relationships, marriages, and children were an integral part of that show. I don't know about the rest of you, but my life has all that in it too. They may be officers, but they are people first and I believe they want lives like the rest of us.
Star Trek belongs to Paramount. I only wish is was mine. This is all for fun and games.
Thanks to Annie, Jam, Mel, Junior and Senior for beta reading and storyline help they all gave.
Special thanks to Juli for the loan of the 'you know what' and to Jam for letting me keep Uncle Martok. I did write that scene before she posted "Man of Honor", honest.
Rated R for sexual situations.
Klingon Hearts--Enterprise
Transitions--Changing of the Guard
by: Tracy L. Sobieski
"Are you sure you don't want Deanna, too?" Will Riker asked his former Captain. "You've taken the rest of the senior staff, what's one more?"
"That's all right, Number One." Jean Luc Picard's lips twitched at his friend's sarcasm. "I think I'll leave your wife where she is."
"You just don't want to deal with the mood swings. Coward."
"I heard that!" A very pregnant Deanna Troi joined the two men. It was Admiral Picard's going away party. Most of the crew had beamed down to Starfleet Headquarters to be there.
Will stood up and helped her sit down on the couch then resumed his seat next to her. She looked exhausted. It had been a long day and being more than eight months pregnant didn't help.
"You about ready to get back to the house?" he asked her. They kept a home in Anchorage for when the Enterprise was in orbit. Sometimes they just needed to get off the ship.
"No...I'm fine, just a little tired. You two have your talk. I'll sit here and rest."
"Sure?"
"Yes. I'll let you know if I change my mind, okay?" She reassured him.
Will sat back on the couch and pulled her close so she could lean against him. Deanna gratefully curled up along side of him, resting her head on his shoulder.
Jean Luc watched the entire exchange with amused indulgence. And not a little twinge of regret, that his friend had managed to do what he never could. Have a Starfleet career and a family. All those times Will turned down the Captain's chair. Jean Luc knew why. His First Officer was -happy- where he was. Perfectly content to wait for the Enterprise. So different from the gung ho young officer that boarded his ship at Farpoint. He discovered what was important to him.
"Do you have any suggestions for replacing the crew members you took?" Will asked.
"As a matter of fact, I do. I was informed today that Voyager is being decommissioned. Her Senior Staff is available."
"Voyager... It only took Command, what? Three years to decide what to do with her? She's been sitting in space dock since Janeway got her home," Will's disgust at Starfleet red tape was evident.
"Things were complicated. There were legal matters to attend to. For Janeway and her crew. Plus all the modifications made to Voyager over the years have kept the engineers busy. There is so much alien technology integrated into her systems, the only ones who can maintain the ship are the engineers who were in the Delta quadrant with her. They'll be studying Voyager for years."
"I suppose it makes sense. Have you heard anything from Kathryn Janeway since the review hearings?"
"Yes, I spoke to her at some length after them. She was not happy that the review board refused to press any charges against her. She didn't agree with the decision that she was technically not under their jurisdiction."
"Sounds like her," Will smiled broadly. "I would have loved to have seen the expression on the board members faces when -she- presented the list of charges against herself."
"They were not pleased," the Admiral smirked. "Janeway and her crew were lauded as hero's upon their return. To bring them up on charges, even the Maquis, was not something Command wanted to do. It would have meant too much backlash."
"Did she really marry the Maquis who served as her First Officer?"
"The minute they resigned their commissions, I'm told. They live in Ohio now. Farmers, if you can believe that."
"I think I can, they were stuck on that ship so long I'm surprised any of the crew would want to take another ship posting."
"Well the rest of the Senior Staff does."
"I'd like Torres for my engineer. What she did with that ship was amazing."
"I thought you might. I told her to expect your call before she takes any other posting. It actually works out rather well. Her husband will be able to fill another one of the open positions on the Enterprise."
"Really? Is she married to their Ops Officer?" That would work out nicely for him.
"No," the Admiral paused and Will got the feeling he wasn't going to like what was coming. "She's married to Voyager's Chief Helmsman."
"Paris?!" Riker roared and looked at Picard like he'd lost his mind. "No way! I don't want him on my ship."
"Will," his wife interrupted, "he's changed."
"No one can change that much. I remember Caldik Prime. He was a mercenary, for God's sake! Paris wasn't even Maquis, just hired gun. The man has no principals."
"I've met him, Will. He's not who you think he is," the Admiral said.
"Does he have to come with her, can't you get him assigned to another ship?" Riker half jested.
"Sorry, they go together or not at all. They have children, Will. Commander Torres is still on maternity leave."
"Great, well, it seems I have no choice. I'm not letting Torres go because her husband is a screw up. Who else is available from Voyager? Would it be too much to hope for that the Chief of Operations is unassigned."
"That would be Lieutenant Harry Kim and he is available for transfer in about three months. His wife will have completed her academy training and they will be free then."
"He's married to a cadet?! Isn't he a little old for that?"
"She's not your average cadet. They picked her up in the Delta Quadrant, she served with them on Voyager as a civilian consultant."
"Oh well, I'm sure we can fit her in somewhere. It's not like she's the Borg Voyager had." As soon as the words left his mouth Will knew who Mrs. Kim was. His wife was trying to hold back the laughter.
"Ummmmm...."
"Don't!" Will held up his hand. "Don't even say it. Did everybody on that ship pair off with someone? The Captain and the First Officer, the Chief Engineer and the Helmsman, the Ops Officer and the Borg. It sounds like a bad holo-novel, if you ask me."
"I think their Morale Officer is still single," Deanna couldn't resist.
What did he expect? They were on that ship for almost seven years, with only each other. It was a miracle they even made it home. In all likelihood they should have spent the rest of their lives stuck on Voyager.
*****
Tom answered the door when the bell rang. B'Elanna was busy with the baby. They were living with his father, in the family home. After so many years apart, Owen Paris practically begged them to move in with him. There had been so much that needed to be said. So much hurt that needed to be healed. It had been good for all of them.
"Captain Riker, please, come in."
"Mr. Paris," Will greeted him with a nod as he walked into their home.
"Please, have a seat," Tom motioned t
o the couch. "B'Elanna will be right with you. She's just putting the baby down for his nap. Can I get you anything?"
"No, thank you," Riker replied as he took a seat. He was uncomfortable around Paris. His dislike of the man was difficult to hide.
Tom viewed the visitor to his home warily. He got the feeling Captain Riker didn't want to deal with him. He grinned inwardly. His reputation preceded him in all circles.
"You don't want me on your ship," Tom stated plainly.
Will looked up, a little taken aback. Was he that obvious?
"Truthfully?" Riker asked.
"No...I think it would be best if you and I stayed away from that, don't you?" Tom's gaze was intent. This was no laughing matter. His wife's career was at stake. He would do nothing to jeopardize her future in Starfleet.
Will Riker was a smart man, he understood what Tom was telling him.
"Yes, Commander, I think it would."
A tense moment passed as each of them sized the other up. Then, a shriek of delight interrupted them as a small bundle of energy flew into the room. Her long red hair flying behind her as she ran to Tom.
"Daddy! I wanna go!"
Tom bent down and picked up the child. His face transformed when he looked at his daughter. The expression of amused tenderness surprised the Captain.
"In a little bit, as soon as Mommy is done with Robert. I have to keep Captain Riker company, until she can talk to him."
K'Leena noticed the other man for the first time. Tom placed her on the floor and she walked over to Will.
"I'm K'Leena."
"Nice to meet you, K'Leena," Will replied with a smile. "You know, I have a little boy who is just about your age, I think. His name is Lucas."
The child pulled a face.
"No girls?" she asked.
"Sorry," Will chuckled.
She shrugged and lost interest in him, turning back to her father.
"When's Momma gonna be done?" she asked.
"Soon," Tom looked down on his daughter. "So, what do you want to do today at the holopark?" It was their time together. Just the two of them. Tom made it a point to do this with her at least once a week. "Flotter?"
"No. I wanna fly."
Tom couldn't keep the grin from his face. He knew what she was going to say before he even asked. It was always the same.
"You sure? We could try another program. Dr. Seuss, maybe?" he teased.
"The Flyer." Once K'Leena and her one track mind were set, there was no stopping her.
"All right, but we can't tell Mommy," Tom whispered in a conspiratorial tone. "She made me promise to try and get you interested in something other than flying." Not that B'Elanna believed for an instant that he would be able do it.
"kay, it's a sec'et."
"Why don't you go and see if Grandpa is still in the kitchen. I think there are some cookies left. He might share with you."
"kay, bye," and she was gone as fast as she came.
"She can fly?" Will couldn't stop himself. The child was so young.
"Holosims," Tom shrugged. "She loves it."
"Is she any good?"
Paris grinned with pride.
"Better than I was at that age."
"No luck trying to get her interested in anything else?" B'Elanna asked with a smile as she walked into the room. Riker stood up as she entered.
"Did you really think it was possible?" Tom's eyes flashed with mischief.
"What I think, is you didn't try very hard," she replied with an arched eyebrow.
"Next time, I promise. I'll leave you and Captain Riker now, I'm sure you don't need me hanging around for this." Tom gave his wife a kiss on the cheek then nodded to the Captain on his way out of the room.
Will watched as he left. Tom Paris was not at all what he expected.
"So, Captain," B'Elanna began as they sat down. "Is it true? Do those fools down at Command really expect us to switch the Enterprise over to the new gel-packs while we're deployed?"
"Yes, Commander, I'm afraid they do. How much of a problem is this going to be?"
"I can't even begin to guess. Worst case scenario: we have cascade failure of each system when we install the new packs. This should be done in space dock...."
*****
Tom found his daughter in the kitchen, telling her Grandpa all about their plans for the day.
"Daddy an I are goin' flyin'," she was so excited.
"Are you ready to leave, sweetheart?" Tom asked when he came into the room.
"Yep," she jumped down off the chair.
"Go upstairs and get a sweater, we'll go as soon as you get down here, okay?"
"'kay," and she was off running again. Tom was pretty sure he'd never seen her -walk- anywhere. The child went straight from crawl to run.
"Tom," Owen began seriously once they were alone. "I don't want to tell you how to raise your daughter...."
"But...," Tom stiffened slightly, old habits die hard. His father still had the power to unsettle him.
"I just don't want you making the same mistakes I did," his father said sadly. "I know she loves to fly and I am glad you encourage her, it's just that it can become something else so very fast. Before you know it, it's not just for fun anymore and you're pushing for better performances, higher scores. You know the talent is there and you think you're promoting it, but you're really crushing it."
"I won't, Dad. I'm very careful about how much I let her do. We only move up a level when she asks to and I've made sure she understands she is learning as much from her failures as she is from her success."
"Good...I was just a little worried. I'm sorry if I've overstepped my bounds."
"You haven't, I know you love her and just want what's best."
"I want that for all of you. B'Elanna and you as well."
"I know," Tom smiled. "You want to come with us today? K'Leena loves an audience."
"Sorry, I have a date with your wife today. We're taking Robert to the park when she's done with Captain Riker."
*****
Will bent over and kissed his wife. She was curled up on the bed, their newborn son sleeping next to her.
"How are you feeling?" She gave birth only a day ago and looked exhausted, in his opinion.
"Tired, but good," Deanna replied, her eyes still closed and a small smile on her lips.
"I'm taking Lucas with me to meet the Parises then I'll drop him off at the nursery. Do you need anything before I go?"
"No, I'm fine. Do me a favor though," she asked.
"Anything."
"Give Tom Paris a chance. There's more to him than you realize."
"That was low, Deanna. Now I have to," Will smiled at her.
"If you weren't so stubborn...."
"All right, all right. For you, okay?"
"I love you."
"I love you too."
*****
"My Daddy's the Cap'n. You havta lis'en to me."
"Lucas Ian Riker!" Will was floored at his son's statement, censure was evident in his reprimand. So much for bringing the kid along to ease the tension.
K'Leena Paris looked at the arrogant little boy with all the disdain a three and a half year old can muster and promptly stuck out her tongue.
"Naw uh, you'r mean!"
Will fought the urge to groan aloud. This was going well.
"That's enough, little lady," Tom tried to sound stern as he picked up his daughter.
"You will apologize, Lucas, the Captain told his son firmly.
"Suhry," he said, looking down on his shoes.
Lucas just -knew- she was going to be trouble, he was already getting yelled at.
*****
"Captain's Personal Log--stardate 56858.4. The integration of the new crew members seems to be going well, as well as can be expected anyway. It is difficult when you lose the Captain and several senior staff members at the same time. Admiral Picard decimated my staff when he took Beverly, Data and Geordi back to Starfleet Command to serve on his personal st
aff. Finding replacements to serve on the Federation's Flag Ship has not been an easy task. I was lucky enough to get Lt. Commander B'Elanna Torres for my Chief Engineer, Voyager's decommission has helped with my search. Commander Torres is the for most specialist in ships with bio-neural circuitry. Her expertise has been invaluable in the switch over to the redesigned gel-packs. Unfortunately, the posting of Commander Torres has also meant her husband has been assigned to my ship. My wife had the nerve to tell me it was a blessing, since my Chief Helmsman accepted a posting on the U.S.S. Zulu as it's First Officer. For some reason she finds Tom Paris a fine officer. I find him a royal pain in the ass. It is hard to reconcile his service record aboard Voyager with the arrogant man who now sits at my helm. My wife tells me he reminds her of someone she used to know a long time ago. I'm beginning to think my wife needs the services of a good councilor."
Klingon Hearts 05 Transitions - Changing of the Guard Page 1
