Dedication: This is dedicated to Josh Clark (the big teddy bear) and Nancy Hower, for bringing the characters of Joe and Samantha (however little of them we see) to life. Dedicated to the CroWs for taking my idea and supporting it faithfully. To Cheile, the Gaelic Ite and my cybertwin for being the first to write Joe and Sam into her stories. You've been a terrific friend and you're very special to me. To hopeless romantics everywhere who love romance and happy endings.
Disclaimer: Joe Carey, Samantha Wildman, Naomi Wildman and the rest of the Star Trek universe is owned by Paramount and no infringement is intended. "I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore" is owned by REO Speedwagon. Lynne Carey and Sadiki are owned by me. This story may be archived, distributed or whatever, as long as the notes, dedication and all disclaimers are kept attached. Comments are welcome at <Mara_J_Antilles@hotmail.com>
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Dreams Can Come True
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
©1998, By: Claire Daniels
Dearest Samantha,
I pray this finds you well. You can't know how much I missed you
or the great sense of relief I felt when we got the letters. It brought
me great joy to learn that I have a daughter. If the Gods were kind,
I am certain that she looks just like you.
I have some news for you, though I am afraid that it is rather unpleasant.
You were the center of my universe. When Voyager was reported lost,
Starfleet assumed the worst and informed everyone that the crew was presumed
dead. At first, i refused to believe it, but when a year passed and
you did not return, I succumbed. I was unable to function, unwilling
to try, then I met Sadiki. She showed me how to live again.
We were married three years ago, and we have two sons.
I know that this hurts you. I would give anything to be able to inform
you in person, but alas, that is not possible. Sadiki and I anxiously
await your return so that we may introduce you and Naomi to our family.
Please do not hesitate to find someone on Voyager for yourself and Naomi.
I wish you the happiness that we had, that I have found again with Sadiki.
I think of you and Naomi often.
Please know that I never meant to hurt you. I must go now.
The children are waiting for us to take them to the park. I send
my love to Naomi.
Live well,
Greskrendtregk
"Wildman to Neelix,"
Samantha said, tapping her commbadge.
"Neelix here."
"Could Naomi stay
with you tonight?"
"Sure. Is everything
all right?"
"It's fine," she replied.
"I just need some time alone."
"No problem.
We'll have a sleep-over."
"Thanks, Neelix.
Wildman out."
For what seemed like
the millionth time since Voyager had gotten lost, she urled up on her bed
and cried.
~~~*~~~
Joe sat down at his desk and began to read.
Darling Joe,
I was so relieved to get your letter. I can't say how worried we
were when Voyager was lost. Everyone assumed you were dead.
the boys were devastated. It was difficult for them. It was
difficult for me, too. I didn't want o believe you were gone, but
I needed someone to share my life with, to help raise the boys. I
found that person in Jason. We were married two years ago and are
expecting a child in four months.
I know that you're hurt and probably angry. Please understand that
I didn't do it to hurt you, and it isn't because I don't love you.
A part of me always will, you're the father of my sons. I'm happy,
Joe. For the first time since Voyager was lost, I'm truly happy.
I want you to be happy too. I'm sure there are a number of women
on Voyager who you would find make you happy. Don't be afraid to
choose one. I wish you the best and I hope whoever you find realizes
how lucky she is.
Please have a safe journey and return home soon. The boys can't wait
to see you.
Love,
Lynne
Joe put down the PADD and leaned back in his chair. He had been pretty sure that Lynne had moved on, but as long as they hadn't heard anything, he could continue to hold on to the hope that he was wrong. Now he was forced to face the truth. He was glad that Lynne had been able to find someone who would treat her and the boys right. He rose and left his quarters, heading for the Mess Hall. He had a lot of thinking to do and he couldn't do it surrounded by things that reminded him of her.
~~~*~~~
"Evening, Neelix,"
Joe said as he entered the Mess Hall.
"Well, good evening,
Lieutenant," Neelix replied in his usual cheerful way. "Tell me,
what can I get for you this fine evening?"
"Just coffee."
"I'm brewing a fresh
pot. Why don't you go and have a seat and I'll bring it over when
its done.?"
"Thanks, Neelix."
Neelix studied Joe
as he chose his seat. He seemed troubled, so unlike the Joe Carey
he met when he first came on Voyager. Neelix went back into the Galley
to check on the coffee. He wondered what he could do to help him.
It was more than his job as morale officer, Joe Carey was a friend.
He was always coming down to fix the relpicators when they fritzed out,
never complained about the coffee. He had helped out and now Neelix
fel it was his turn.
Joe sat at a table,
looking out the window. He was happy that Lynne and the boys were
taken care o. That had been his second wish since Voyager had gotten
lost. His first was that he would return, but if he couldn't, he
wanted Lynne to find someone. Shew had, now it was his time.
"You look troubled,"
Neelix said. "Is there anything I can do?"
Joe smiled.
"I'm okay. I've just got a lot on my mind."
"It's about the letter,
isn't it?"
"Lynne found someone
else. They're expecting a child in four months."
"I'm so sorry," Neelix
said.
"I'm okay, Neelix."
The Talaxian looked
at him skeptically.
"It's fine, Neelix.
I'd assumed that she'd found someone else."
"But you didn't know
for certain," Neelix said. "Now you do."
I'm glad that she
and the boys are happy. She told me not to be afraid to find someone
else here on Voyager."
"Do you have anyone
in mind?" Neelix inquired.
"I've been looking,"
Joe confessed. "I feel guilty somehow. My marriage has officially
ended and I'm not even that upset. What does that say about my marriage?
About me?"
"Situations change,
so do people," Neelix reminded him. "Both you and Lynne are different
than you were when you first met. It's only normal that your relationship
would change too. Joe, it doesn't make you a bad person. It
makes you human."
Joe smiled.
"Thanks, Neelix."
Neelix returned the
smile then his expression turned mischievous.
"What?" Joe asked,
noting the change."
"You said you've been
looking for someone here on Voyager. Have you found anyone?"
"Maybe," Joe answered,
his expression unreadable. "I'm going to go pay her a visit."
"Well, I wish you
luck," Neelix said.
"Thanks," Joe replied,
"for everything."
"You're welcome."
~~~*~~~
"Come in," Samantha
Wildman said in response to the chime of her door. She wiped at her
eyes and sat up from her place on the couch, putting on her best 'there's-nothing-wrong-with-me'
look. The doors opened to admit Joe Carey.
"Hello, Joe," Samantha
greeted him.
Hi, Samantha," he
replied.
"How have you been?"
she asked.
"Fine."
"That's good."
Joe studied her for
a few moments. Her eyes were red and puffy, a sure sign that she'd
been crying. He wondered what was wrong. "How have *you* been?"
"Me? I'm okay."
"Sam, I want to help,
but I can't unless I know what's wong."
Samantha looked up
at him. "Greskrendtregk found someone else. He married her
three years ago." Her face fell and all the sparkle went out of her
eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Sam,"
Joe said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"They have two boys."
Joe pulled her ino
a hug. "It hurts, I know."
"I just wanted to
shrivel up and die. I know he's happy, but it's just so hard to deal
with."
"I know." He
pulled back and looked at her. "I got a letter from Lynne.
She met someone. They're married and she's expecting a child in four
months."
Samantha hugged him.
"I'm sorry. Here you are consoling me when you're trying to deal
with the same thing yourself."
"It's okay.
The funny thing is, I'm really not that upset. I'd assumed that she
moved on. She told me to find someone here on Voyager."
"Greskrendtregk told
me the same thing. I guess I knew that he found someone, but I could
always hope, you know? Now, I *know* and it just hurts so much-"
"Torres to Carey,"
Joe's commbadge chirped.
"Carey here," he replied.
"What's up, B'El?"
"We've got a problem
with gel pack section Ten-Alpha. Could you go take a look?"
"No problem, Chief.
I'll get right on it."
"I appreciate it.
Torres out."
Joe yurned to Samantha.
"I'm going to go take care of that before B'El blows a plasma conduit.
If you need to talk, you know where to find me."
Samantha smiled.
"Thanks."
Joe returned the smile
then left with a wave.
~~~*~~~
"So," Sue Nicoletti
said, "Lynne set you free. When are you going to start making some
moves?"
"Well, you sure don't
waste any time, do you?" Joe chuckled.
"No, and neither should
you. You've been alone too long, Joe. You need someone to share
your life with."
"And I suppose you
know just the person."
"As a matter of fact,
I do," Sue declared.
"For your information,
I've already got someone in mind."
"You were just setting
me up, weren't you?"
"Yep," Joe grinned.
Sue rolled her eyes
and smiled ruefully at him. "You're incorrigible."
"I know," he answered,
grinning again.
Samantha sat at her
table in the Mess Hall watching the exchange between them. She sighed,
wishing it could be her. Startled, she put a lid on the thought and
wondered where on Earth it had come from. Where on Earth, indeed.
Who was she kidding? She'd been attracted to Joe Carey ever since
she first came onto Voyager. With his brown curly locks, those gorgeous
hazel eyes and that lilting smile, who *wouldn't* be attracted? *No
one,* Samantha thought bitterly, *which is why you don't stand a chance.*
Sighing deeply and feeling as though happiness had been slipped through
her fingers again, she turned her attention back to her food.
"Would you excuse
me a minute?" Joe asked, noticing Samantha.
Sue looked over at
Sam, a knowing smile registering on her face. "Sure."
Joe winked and walked
over to Sam. "Is this seat taken?" he asked, indicating the chair
next to her.
"No," she answered,
looking up from her tray. "Please sit down."
"Thanks," he replied,
seating himself.
"You seem like you're
doing okay," Sam observed.
"I am," he smiled.
"I'm doing much better. You seem upset, though. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she lied.
"I had to explain everything to Naomi and she didn't take it very well."
"Do you want me to
talk to her?"
"No," Sam said shaking
her head. "I'm sure she'll be fine in a couple of days. She
just needs some time."
"I was wondering,
would you like to see my new holodeck program?"
"I can't leave Naomi,"
Sam said apologetically.
"Bring her along,"
Joe answered. "There are a few things I'm sure she'd enjoy seeing."
"If you're sure it's
okay," Sam said.
"It's fine.
I'll see you both at 1800 hours?"
"We'll be there."
"Dress warm," Joe
advised.
~~~*~~~
Samantha and Naomi
arrived at Holodeck 2 promptly at 1800. Joe was waiting for them
outsaide. He bent down so he could talk to Naomi.
"What are we gonna
see?" she asked.
"It's a surprise,"
he said.
"Oh," Naomi replied.
"I like surprises."
"Are you ready to
see it?"
"Oh, yes!" Naomi exclaimed
She took Joe and Samantha's hands in hers. "Let's go!"
They entered the holodeck.
and Naomi's eyes grew wide. Before them was a veritable winter wonderland.
Snow convered the ground and ahead there was a snowman.
"Mommy, can I go play
in the snow?" Naomi asked.
"Of course you can,
Sweetie."
"Thanks, Mommy!" Naomi
called over her shoulder as she ran ahead. Sam watched her go then
turned to Joe.
"Come on," he said
offering her his hand, "there's something I want to show you."
Sam took his hand.
Joe led her through a maze of trees to a clearing. Smantha's eyes
went almost as wide as her daughter's had a few minutes before. There
was a white gazebo decorated with tiny lamps and there were hundreds of
fireflies, bathing everything in a warm romantic glow.
"What do you think?"
he asked.
"It's beautiful,"
she replied.
"Do you want to dance?"
Joe asked, aware of her hand still in his.
"But there's no music,"
Sam said.
"Computer, play selection
Carey-twelve," Joe commanded. He led Samantha to the center of the
gazebo and pulled her close to him. She felt his hand at the small
of her back as the music began to play.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't fight this feeling
any longer
And yet I'm still afraid
to let it flow
What started out as friendship
Has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength
to let it show
I tell myself that I can't
hold out forever
I said there is no reason
for my fear
Cause I feel so secure when
we're together
You give my life direction
You make everything so clear
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sam relaxed against
Joe moving in time with the music. For a fleeting moment, she wondered
what Sue Nicoletti would say, but pushed the thought from her mind.
She wanted to pretend, at least for a little while, that she was the one
he wanted.
Joe rested his cheek
on top of Samantha's head, feeling her hair brush against it. He
closed his eyes, listening to the music and memorizing how it felt to hld
her this close, pretending for the moment that he was the one she wanted,
the one she loved. When the song was almost over, he pulled back
to look at her. Her blue eyes were bright and her cheeks were rosy
from the cold. She was, in a word, exquisite. They found their
faces mere inches apart and Joe was gradually moving in to kiss her.
After what seemed an eternity, their lips met.
Sam felt Joe's hands
framing her face and slid her arms around his neck. It had been such
a long time since she'd been kissed, she wanted to lose herself in it.
She was vaguely aware of Joe's arms slipping around her waist and pulling
her closer.
"Mommy!" they heard
a voice call out. They snapped back to reality, jumping away from
each other like two hormone-crazed teenagers caught in a parked car.
"Mommy!" Naomi called
again as she ran full speed into the clearing.
"What is it, Sweetie?"
Sam asked, smiling as she took in her daughter's pink cheeks and tousled
hair.
"Come see what I made!"
"Okay, honey," Sam
said taking Naomi's hand. Naomi took Joe's hand in her free one and
led them to where she had finished her creation.
"Naomi," Samantha
breathed, "it's beautiful."
"Very impressive,"
Joe agreed.
Standing before them
was a castle, big enough for Naomi to play in, made entirely of snow.
"It's where I'm going
to live when I marry my prince. Just like in the stories Uncle Tommy
tells me," Naomi said, beaming with pride.
Suddenly, Sam wished
she were a child again. When she was small, all her dreams came true.
She had married her prince and lived happily ever after, she thought.
She still had dreams about marrying a prince, but it wasn't Greskrendtregk's
face she saw, it was Joe Carey's. Samantha looked around and noticed
that Naomi was playing with a snowball and Joe was watching her intently.
*Probably remembering that kiss,* she thought, blushing hotly.
Quickly, she regained
her composure. "Come on, Naomi, it's time to be getting homeso you
can go to sleep."
"But-" the child started
to protest.
"We'll save the program
and you can come back and play tomorrow. Right now, it's past your
bedtime. Don't forget, you have to practice your math with Seven
tomorrow and you know how she doesn't like it when you're late."
"Okay," said Naomi.
She knew it would be useless to argue with her mother. Besides, she
could tell that her mother really wanted to leave. Naomi hoped that
it wasn't because of Joe. She knew he liked her mother and she thought
he was really nat. Her secret wish was to have him for a dad.
"Computer, save program
Wildman-eight," Joe commanded. He turned to Naomi. "You can
use it any time you want."
"What do you say?"
Samantha prompted her daughter.
"Thank you," Naomi
said dutifully.
"You're welcome,"
Joe answered. "Goodnight, Samantha."
"Goodnight," she replied,
then she and Naomi left the holodeck and headed for their quarters.
Samantha put Naomi
to bed then went to her own room, but she couldn't sleep. Every time
she closed her eyes, she saw herself kissing him. She knew it was
crazy, but she still felt like she was betraying Greskrendtregk somehow.
There was more to it than that. She knew how Naomi had been hurt
when she'd told her about Greskrendtregk and Sadiki. She didn't want
to have her hurt again if she got attached to Joe and things didn't work
out for them. It was her job as a mother to put the needs of her
daughter first, even if they contrasted with her own. She wouldn't
have her daughter hurt anymore than she already had been. Samantha
sighed deeply. There was only one thing left to do.
~~~*~~~
Joe arrived in Engineering
wondering what was wrong with Samantha. He knew she was avoiding
him and couldn't figure out why. He was pretty sure she'd want to
kiss him just as much as he'd wanted to kiss her.
"Ah, Lieutenant!"
Neelix's voice snapped him out of his reverie.
"Hi, Neelix," Joe
replied.
"How are you this
fine evening?" Neelix asked.
"Fine, thank you."
"So, what can I get
for you?"
"Coffee would be great."
The Talaxian poured
him a cup of the steaming brew. "Anything else? Some leola
root danish, perhaps?"
"No thanks."
Naomi watched as he
chose a table and sat down. He looked depressed, just like her mother.
She would have to do something about this.
"Hi!"
Joe looked up from
his mug to see Naomi Wildman's face peering at him.
"Hello there," Joe
answered, smiling. "Would you like to join me?"
"Okay," Naomi said,
climbing into the seat across from him.
"So, how've you been?"
Joe asked.
"Good. How about
you?"
"Okay. Engineering
can be a drag sometimes."
"Yeah, that's what
Mommy says about Stellar Cartography. Sometimes, she gets real busy.
That's why I spend lots of time with Uncle Neelix."
"You miss your Mommy
a lot, don't you?"
"Yeah, when she has
to go to work." Naomi looked thoughtful for a moment. "Can
I ask you a question?"
"You can ask me anything
you want."
"How did it feel when
Aunt B'Elanna broke your nose?"
"Uh.....it hurt--a
lot."
"Was there blood everywhere?"
"You could say that.
My uniform was as red as Tom's."
"Ouch," Naomi said,
making a face.
"Yeah," Joe replied,
grinning. "I have to hand it to her, though, she did it with one
punch."
Naomi laughed, a sound
that reminded him so much of her mother. "You're cool," she said.
"When Mommy finally finds me a daddy, I hope he's as cool as you."
"Well, thank you,"
Joe said. "You know us old guys, we try."
"I've gotta go now,"
she said. "Uncle Neelix will be in big trouble if Mommy finds out
I stayed up so late."
"Then you better get
going. We wouldn't want Uncle Neelix to get in trouble," Joe answered
in a conspiratorial whisper.
"Okay," Naomi whispered
back. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, sweetheart."
Joe watched as she pranced out of the Mess Hall.
Out in the corridor,
Naomi smiled. Phase One of Operation: Daddy was complete. Now
it was on to Phase Two.
~~~*~~~
Samantha sat in the
gazebo waiting for Joe. He arrived a few minutes later and when she
looked at him, she could hear her heart pounding in her chest.
"I got your note,"
they both began at the same time.
"I didn't send you
a note," they both spoke again in unison.
Samantha thought for
a moment. If Joe hadn't sent her the note, she had a very good idea
who did.
"Samantha," Joe said,
seizing the opportunity, "I may not have sent you that note, but I'm glad
that we're here. You've been avoiding me. Why?"
"I've just been busy,
that's all."
"Look, Sam.
Something happened between us last night. You can't tell me you didn't
feel it."
Samantha looked at
him, deciding that the truth would be the best way to go. "No, I
can't. You're right, I have been avoiding you. Yes, I do feel
something for you. I'm thinking of Naomi. She was devastated
when I told her about her father, and I have no wish to put her through
that again."
"What do you mean."
"What if things don't
work out? Naomi will get attatched and then she'll get hurt.
I don't want that for her."
"Neither do I.
Samantha, Naomi is a terrific child. I wouldn't want to get involved
in her life unless I was going to stick around."
What are you saying?"
"I'm saying-" Joe
took a deep breath. "Samantha, I love you. I've loved you for
a long time."
"Joe, I love you,
too. Naomi adores you."
He grinned and handed
her a box. "I was hoping you'd say that."
"Joe, what-"
"Open it."
Samantha opened the
box and discovered a gold band with a large round diamond in the center.
She looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Samantha Wildman,"
he said kneeling on one knee, "will you marry me?"
"Yes."
Joe had to strain
to hear her answer. "You'll have to do better than that," he said.
"Yes," she answered
again, this time audibly. "Yes, I'll marry you."
Joe slipped the ring
on her hand and kissed her. From her hiding place, Naomi watched
with a bright smile on her face. Operation: Daddy complete.
~~~*~~~
"By the powers vested
in me under Starfleet Command, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Mr. Carey, you may kiss your bride," Captain Janeway said with a knowing
smile.
"Yes, ma'am," Joe
replied as he lifeted Sam's veil and kissed her.
"Now let's party!"
Tom Paris said as a massive cheer went up from the crowd.
Seven of Nine stood
off to the side watching the newlyweds dance. She still did not understand
the purpose of a reception. In her opinion, it was inefficient.
The Doctor had told her to think of it as a chance to practice her social
skills. She did her best to look as though she were having a good
time and secretly wondered if she would ever understand what the Captain
had called a 'social life'.
Jeff Larson stood
a few feet away from Seven, noting her obvious discomfort. He walked
over to her. "Good evening, Seven."
"Good evening, Ensign,"
she greeted him.
"We're not on duty
now, Seven. You can call me Jeff."
"Jeff," she repeated,
testing it out.
"Would you like to
dance?" he asked indicating the dance floor where several couples including
the Captain and Commander and Tom and B'Elanna were dancing.
"I do not know how.
Borg do not dance."
"Jeff smiled.
"It's easy. I'll show you." He held out his hand.
Seven considered for
a moment. The Captain had told her fitting in wouldn't be easy.
She had to start somewhere and she supposed that this was as good a place
as any. She took his hand and allowed him to lead her onto the floor.
The Captain, watching discreetly from her place on the floor with Chakotay,
smiled. Somehow, she knew Seven would be okay.
~~~*~~~
Samantha smiled as she felt Joe's arms slip around her waist. She relaxed against him, thinking about how much her life had changed in the past two weeks: she was free of her past, she had married her prince and Voyager was a little closer to home. She looked oput the window of the ski lodge Joe had programmed in for the honeymoon. In the distance, Naomi's snowcastle was clearly visible. Maybe dreams came true afterall.
The End