Title: Naomi's Tears
Author: Veronica Jane Williams
E-MAIL: xkhoi@iafrica.com
RATING: G
DISCLAIMER: Paramount owns Voyager. I wrote this little story.
SUMMARY: Written in response to the Soothin' Summer Shower Challenge
that appeared earlier on alt.startrek.creative (ASC). Naomi is
unhappy about a recent event, and her mother is frantic.
NAOMI'S TEARS
"Naomi, where are you?" Samantha Wildman's voice rang out in the
forest. She moved impatiently through the foliage which filled
the forest and artfully skirted little puddles searching for her
daughter.
There was no answer as she made her way to the pool where she
knew she'd find Flotter and his friend Treevis. They would
know, she was certain. Naomi had been introduced to the two
favourite children's interactive chacterers by none other than
her Uncle Neelix. Now she had even added her own little subroutines
to the programme.
Samantha felt the humidity and cloying heat, and knew there
would be some rain. That child! She was getting so precocious
she would have set the computer to create lightning and thunder
and rain at precisely the moment she would find Naomi. She had
been fascinated the last few months with the rain showers, standing
so that the water dripped from her eyelashes and lips, her thrown
upwards. It was the only connection the child had to Earth.
"Come on Naomi, please," she said again as she reached the clearing
and spotted Treevis where he was trying to offer the little girl some
cover. Naomi sat on the ground, with Flotter bringing up the rear.
Samantha saw the look in Naomi's eyes and felt a burn in her chest.
Naomi was deeply distressed. Neelix was the closest person on Voyager
she had to a father.
"Naomi is sad, Samantha," Flotter offered.
"Yes, she is very, very, very sad," a little rain drop piped up.
Where did that one come from? Samantha thought as she looked at
the raindrop with little watery feet and hands. Flotter's little
brothers and sisters?
"She won't speak to us, Samantha," said Treevis, his branchy
arm going protectively around his little friend.
"She's going to let it rain soon, Sam, then she'll be all wet.
Please tell us what is the matter?"
Samanthat, after standing a few seconds watching Noami's two
friends try to comfort her, went to sit next to her daughter.
Treevis rather theatrically made a space for Samantha to sit.
How alike mother and daughter looked, he thought. And how sad the
little girl. They tried all afternoon to cheer her up.
"Naomi honey, you know you should tell me at all times where you're
going," Samantha admonished softly.
Naomi looked sullenly at her mother, then her eyes softened
a little.
"But you can ask the ship's computer, Mommy," she offered sagely.
"I know sweetheart, but you know how Mommys are: We like to be
told in person."
"I know, Mama. I'm sorry," Naomi said, her eyes filling with tears
even as the rain started coming down.
"What's the matter, Naomi?" she asked, sensing already the child's
answer. Neelix had been declared dead earlier that afternoon. He had
been killed in a shuttle away mission and Tom had tried desperately
to resuscitate him. They were all devastated, none more so than
Naomi, who looked on Neelix as her very special friend.
"Yes, what's the matter, little friend?" Flotter and Treevis
seemed to chorus, with the little raindrop in a small squeaking
voice adding his little penny.
"Now I don't have a real friend anymore," she wailed as she threw
herself in Sam's arms and sobbed brokenly. They were getting really
rainsoaked, even though it was only holographic rain and she wanted
Naomi out of it. The rain would stop as soon as they exited the
holodeck. The little girl had added that extra routine to the
programme. She sighed. Children! Only Neelix right now could
handle her, Sam thought. He had such a wonderful way with Naomi,
and this afternoon... Noami had taken one look at her mother
and ran off, her face puckering as she started crying. She had
an idea where Naomi would head to and allowed her to be alone
for a short while.
"Naomi," Samantha said as she pulled her daughter up and started
to the holodeck entrance, "look." Sam pointed through the leaves
to the holoddeck entrances where Seven of Nine was standing,
with Neelix next to her. Naomi spotted the two, but her eyes
fixed on the little Talaxian and she rushed to him.
"Neelix!" she cried as he bent slightly to catch the child
diving into his arms. Seven stood impassive as she watched the
two, while Samantha smiled indulgently.
Sam watched Neelix soothe the little girl while the rain bathed
them; really a warm little shower that seemed to rinse away the
child's fears.
"I love you, Neelix," Samantha heard her say as they left the
holodeck.
************
end
V.J.W.
e-mail: xkhoi@iafrica.com
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