Emotions Series 02 Basic Emotions Read online

  "I'm listening, Ensign."

  "Yesterday when we were searching for more galacite, before we

  found that asteroid field that had a wealth of the mineral, we

  came across a group of planets about eight light years away.

  While they weren't any use to us after we found the asteroids,

  there were a couple of M-class planets that might be ideal for a

  little vacation."

  "That's a wonderful idea Harry, while we mine for minerals on the

  asteroids, B'Elanna and Tom can take a shuttle down to one of the

  planets and have a little time for themselves," the Captain

  remarked. "And you and Alera can babysit."

  "Well--I--uh," Harry stammered.

  Janeway laughed at the young man's expression, it was as if some

  one told him he had to look after a Kazon warrior for a week not

  two little babies.

  "You'll do fine, Harry. You two are the perfect choice. While

  we are mining the asteroid, you two would have had little to do

  anyway. And besides, if you two need any help, there are a lot of

  people on Voyager willing to give you a hand."

  "Sounds like we have a plan, Captain," Carey concurred, "but how

  can we convince them to go?"

  "Just leave that to me, Joe. I think I know just how to get them

  to go. And if my idea doesn't work, I can just pull rank and

  order them to go."

  The four dissolved into loud laughter which caused the other

  occupants of the mess hall to wonder what was going on.

  Chapter 3

  Tom holding Lucas and B'Elanna holding Kyle sat side by side on a

  biobed in Sickbay as the Doctor scanned all four of them with the

  medical tricorder. Occasionally, the Doctor would shake his head

  or say just 'ah huh, ah huh' as he reviewed the information being

  processed by the hand-held device.

  B'Elanna took notice of the Doctor's actions and with each

  passing moment looked more and more worried and frustrated.

  "Doctor, quit saying 'ah huh, ah huh' and tell us what's wrong

  with the boys." she demanded clearly having reached the limit of

  what little patience she possessed.

  The Doctor looked up at the family with a look of incredulousness

  on his face. "Why nothing is wrong with Kyle and Lucas. They

  are perfectly healthy."

  "Then why were we asked to come down here?" Tom asked reflecting

  his wife's impatience.

  "Actually, the Captain asked you to come down. She's been

  concerned about you and B'Elanna and she's not alone. I've had a

  number of people comment to me during the last few months about

  how tired you appear to be and how you two never have any time

  for yourselves," the EMH explained as he sat down on the chair in

  front of the four and clasped his hands in front of himself

  resting his elbows on his knees. "And it was a good thing she

  did too."

  "What do you mean?" Tom asked as he looked from the Doctor to his

  wife.

  "What I mean is you two are clearly showing signs of exhaustion

  in fact . . ." the EMH started to say but was interrupted when

  Harry Kim barged into the Sickbay rubbing his forehead. "Mr. Kim

  is there something I can do for you?"

  "Just a headache, Doc. I came down to get a analgesic," he

  explained as he headed over to the cabinet that contained the

  routine first aid supplies and finding the medicine proceeded to

  take it.

  "Go ahead, Doctor," B'Elanna insisted not wanting to wait,

  "anything you can say to us, you can say in front of Harry." Tom

  nodded his head agreeing with his wife's statement.

  "All right, I was going to ask you when was the last time either

  of you slept for more than five hours? Or when was the last time

  you two have been together, not counting work, without your

  children."

  Tom and B'Elanna shared a knowing look before Tom responded.

  "Well I...you know we've. . ."

  Harry piped up behind them. "They haven't. I believe that's

  what he's trying to say." B'Elanna shot Harry a death glare that

  usually struck fear in her staff, but Harry was too interested in

  his friends' health to be affected for a change.

  "Just what I thought," the EMH said. "I'm going to recommend that

  you two take some time off. I'm prescribing both of you take a

  vacation by yourselves away from Voyager without the boys."

  "Uhh, Doc," Tom whined as he shifted Lucas from his right arm to

  his left. "you've got to be kidding. We'll be fine."

  Ensign Kim approached the family his arms crossed over his chest,

  trying his best to look formidable. "Tom, it's all set, the

  shuttle is prepped and packed all ready for you two to finally

  take that honeymoon you've never been on," Harry explained.

  "What's this, a conspiracy?" B'Elanna asked as she looked at Harry

  and then back to the Doctor.

  "Nope, it's just your friends and crewmates telling you to take

  some time off for yourselves before you both collapse," Harry

  added.

  "And who are you, the new Doctor?" the pilot argued.

  "No he is NOT the new Doctor," the EMH piped up, "but his

  prognosis is remarkably accurate for a layperson. According to

  the medical scan, it's a wonder you two function as well as you

  have been. Now Mr. Kim here has found a lovely little planet for

  you to explore on a honeymoon and before either of you say

  anything about not going, I have the authority to order you to go

  with the Captain's blessing."

  "But what about . . . ," B'Elanna started to say.

  "Alera and I will look after Kyle and Lucas," Harry answered

  correctly anticipating her question. "Who better to look after

  them than your friend and a Betazoid telepath?"

  The logic was infallible. Tom and B'Elanna knew that this had

  been planned most carefully, they had no choice but to take a

  honeymoon.

  * * * * * * *

  A few hours later Tom and B'Elanna were packing away a few

  personal belongings including holopictures of the twins as Uncle

  Harry and Aunt Alera sat in the living area playing with their

  little honorary nephews. Even though the parents tried to drag

  their feet, eventually the packing was done and they found

  themselves out in their living area taking turns holding the two

  boys as they said their goodbyes. They admonished the boys to be

  good for their aunt and uncle and showered them with kisses

  before they handed them back over to the two ensigns.

  "Now you've got our list of instructions?" B'Elanna asked

  worriedly.

  "Yes, it's right here," Harry said as he held up the datapadd

  with his free hand.

  "Remember, Lucas can't stand apple sauce and for some reason we

  can't fathom Kyle loves pureed leola root," Tom told them as he

  rolled his eyes at the mere mention of the vegetable.

  "And they both love to be read to, I left the children's

  holobooks right on the table by their cribs," B'Elanna added.

  "And Alera, don't forget, sometimes to get them to burp you have

  to hold them . . .ah I'll show. . ." Tom started to say as he put

  his bag down on the floor and reached fo
r Kyle to demonstrate.

  Harry laughed. "We'll be fine, Tom. Don't worry about a thing.

  After all what could possibly go wrong? Besides Alera should be able

  to tell what's going on inside their little heads."

  "Is that true?" B'Elanna asked the Betazoid.

  "Well, yes and no, their little minds aren't processing complex

  thoughts yet, but I should be able to pick up on basic emotions,

  whether they are happy or sad--things like that," she explained

  trying to sound very confident though inside she was a little

  unsure of how much she could understand the boys' thoughts as she

  had never been around very many babies.

  Feeling somewhat relieved, Tom and B'Elanna nodded their heads in

  agreement and giving their sons one more kiss, hug, and a wave

  goodbye, left the cabin.

  "They'll be okay," Harry said to Alera after the door closed,

  when he noticed her concerned expression.

  "I'm sure they will be once they get going, but I can sense that

  they feel that they are abandoning them," she replied a bit

  worriedly.

  "Come on, 'Lera, no bad thoughts, Harry said with a grin. "Let's

  get their stroller and take these two for a walk on the holodeck,

  I created a little program last night that I think they'll like.

  It's based on a little park that my mother and father used to

  take me to when I was a little kid.

  Out in the corridor, Tom and B'Elanna walked hand in hand slowly

  toward the nearest turbolift. "I just hate leaving them, Tom."

  B'Elanna said as the turbolift door slid open and they stepped

  inside. "Our babies. We've never left them before," she said in

  a soft voice as the lift descended towards the shuttlebay.

  Tom was thinking the same thing and looked over at his beautiful

  wife to see that her eyes were becoming heavy with unshed tears

  as she bit her lower lip.

  "Computer halt turbolift," he ordered as he put their bag on the

  floor. "Come here, B'Elanna, he said as he opened his arms to

  welcome her into his embrace. He held her as the tears spilled,

  stroking her hair, kissing the top of her head, until she finally

  pulled away brushing away the wetness from her cheeks.

  "I'm sorry, Tom. I don't know what's come over me."

  "I do, you miss our little Flyboys already, I know that's how I

  feel," he said soothingly.

  "Then why do we have to go if we are going to be miserable?"

  The pilot cupped her face in his hands and gently kissed her on

  the lips.

  "Because we need to get away and rest, and remember for a little

  while how it was when it was just us. Our friends could see that

  we needed to get away, but we couldn't. I don't know, maybe

  because we were too close to the situation, but from their

  vantage point they could tell. They care about us and Lucas and

  Kyle, B'Elanna, they aren't doing this to be cruel."

  "I know," she admitted. "I'm sure when I get back I'll be glad

  we went, but now the boys are all I can think of."

  "So are you ready?" her husband asked.

  B'Elanna nodded and gave him a small, brave smile. "Computer

  resume."

  And the turbolift descended again towards its destination.

  The door of the turbolift slid behind them as they entered the

  corridor. They walked down the hall toward Shuttlebay One.

  "I can't believe we were ordered to do this," Torres griped as

  she walked beside her husband.

  "You have to admit we do need a break," Paris mentioned.

  Torres shook her head, "We were just fine, Tom. We don't need

  this vacation."

  Tom stifled a grin, "I heard you fell asleep in Engineering,

  B'Elanna. Most of the ship is talking about it. I almost fell

  asleep at the Conn yesterday. We definitely could use this

  vacation. I do feel apprehensive about leaving the kids, though."

  B'Elanna stopped then, her eyes wide. Several thoughts ran

  through her mind, but one stood apart. A vision of their children

  crying and sickly crept into her mind.

  "Tom, the babies. We have to get back to them!"

  B'Elanna spun around and ran back down the hall toward the

  turbolift. Tom caught up to her in no time. He grabbed her arms

  to stop her.

  "B'Elanna, they'll be fine. Harry and Alera will take good care

  of them. Besides, it will be good practice for them."

  His wife turned around to see a mischievous grin spread across

  Paris' face. She allowed a similar smile to fall on her face as

  well.

  "So you think it would do them some good?" she asked, running her

  hands over his chest.

  Tom nodded, "And this honeymoon will be good for us as well."

  B'Elanna's smile grew wider and she nodded. The two then

  continued down the corridor.

  They walked toward the shuttlebay. With each step, the two became

  more anxious. They kept telling themselves and each other that

  they needed this vacation. When the doors to the shuttlebay

  opened, they were ready for the trip.

  "Looks like they finally showed up," Chakotay said with a smirk,

  "I was sure they were going to be dragged in here kicking and

  screaming."

  Paris and Torres looked at each other and rolled their eyes.

  "You weren't far from the truth," Tom said, walking toward the

  Commander and Captain, "B'Elanna almost turned back around."

  "Tom!" B'Elanna growled as she hit him on the arm.

  Chakotay and Janeway smiled at Paris' mock hurt expression. "I

  know you will enjoy your honeymoon," Janeway stated, "We'll meet

  up with you in a few days. So enjoy."

  Tom and B'Elanna smiled and embraced their respective commanders.

  Chakotay then shook Paris' hand as Janeway hugged Torres.

  "See you two soon," the Captain said, holding back her happy

  tears.

  The two nodded again and went to their shuttle. The door slid

  open and the two stepped in. A gasp of surprise was heard from

  inside.

  "It's beautiful," Torres said, staring before her in awe.

  "We thought you'd like it," Janeway's voice came to them, "Lt.

  Carey, Harry, and I worked quite hard on it. Carey will be eating

  Neelix' cooking for months now after using all of his replicator credits."

  "Thanks," Tom breathed.

  Before the couple was a large bed for two. The covers were made

  of red satin, and the pillows were shaped like hearts. On both

  sides of the bed were pink and white candles. It gave the shuttle

  a romantic glow. The soft light gave the couple a warm feeling

  inside. They stood close together, their arms wrapped around the

  other's waist.

  "You know, I think I'm glad we waited this long to go on our

  honeymoon," Tom remarked, stunned at the renovated shuttle

  interior.

  B'Elanna said nothing as tears once again rolled down her face.

  She had never felt more loved and appreciated in her life.

  "Let's get on our way," B'Elanna finally said, "I don't want to

  leave Joe with my engines for too long."

  "Get going you two," Janeway said, "Don't worry about your

  engines, B'Elanna. I'll make sure Carey doesn't damage them too

  much w
hile you're gone."

  The shuttle's door shut as Tom sat in the pilot's chair. B'Elanna

  blew out the candles and sat beside him, staring at the bed in

  the back of the craft. Tom watched her from the corner of his eye

  as he went through the check list.

  "Don't worry, B'Elanna," he mentioned, "we'll get to use it

  soon."

  B'Elanna stared at him darkly, but her eyes sparkled, "We better,

  Helmboy. I want this honeymoon to be memorable."

  Tom smiled impishly, "Oh, it will. Trust me."

  B'Elanna rolled her eyes as they exited the shuttlebay and headed

  for the planet.

  Chapter 4

  With B'Elanna's head resting on Tom's shoulder the pair sat at

  the helm watching the stars streak by on their way to their

  destination.

  "Do you hear that B'Elanna?" Tom asked in a soft voice after a

  while, cocking his head to one side.

  B'Elanna didn't move her head from his shoulder but listened

  intently. "No, I don't. Why, what is it?" she asked.

  "If you listen very, very carefully 'Lanna you'll hear silence,

  It's been a long time hasn't it?" he asked as he stroked the