"That it has been along time. Since we have seen anyone from the ship. I mean other then our own kids and grand kids."

"They aren't. We are taking them to Mars' Colony to meet the ship. When it comes in for shore leave." Chakotay told her. Chakotay stated."We are to leave at eight I figure that way the kids will sleep most of the way there."

"Then I guess I better get in side and start packing." Kathryn said.

"I told the housekeeper to do it while we watched the children." Chakotay told her.

"The housekeeper asked as she came out the door. Ma'am it is six o'clock did you want to feed the children before you leave?" She asked as she came up to them.

"Yes and we will have to clean them up as well." Kathryn told her. "Children come on now it is time for supper." Kathryn called to the children. Turning around and looking for them.

Chakotay called from the house. "We are already here. Someone said*eats* that was all it took to get us here."

The housekeeper and Kathryn laughed, as they started for the house.

"I 'm not sure ma'am, but I think I know where they get their appetites."

"From their grandfather." They both said at the same time. Laughing they entered the house.

Kathryn and Chakotay had taken this post on Betazed because the Vulcan government started a research faculty there and had asked Kathryn to run it. She had been running it for four years. "Chakotay I suppose since you have made all these arrangements you have also informed staff?" Kathryn asked.

"Yes dear they have known for the last four months. They have you caught up and ahead of the game with government red tape." Chakotay told her. *Chakotay didn't like the sound of her voice, She sounded, so unsure of herself and that wasn't the way his Kathryn sounded.

"Who is taking over for me? Are they sending someone to replace me? You know there have been deficiencies in the work and the government has been after me to find out what is going on. You know P'fem has been trying to get my job for a while now."

"Kathryn can stop worrying about your job and P'fem. Tuvok took care of him. He shipped out this morning." Chakotay said. "You remember when I sent all those records at the government's request. They had noticed the discrepancies in the work. They asked him to look into it."

"What happens next?" Kathryn asked.

"Nothing. Honey, your people like you. Even the ones he thought worked for him. They are the very ones that turn him into the government." Chakotay told her.

Kathryn was shocked.

Later as they were boarding the ship for the Mars colony. They saw T'mar and his family The children ran to each other. T'mar turned to the flight attendant they are all part of our group, so they were seated together.

"How are things with you mother Janeway?" T'mar asked

"They are fine Chakotay was telling me just before we left that P'fem has been recalled to the home world. He was falsifying the records and asking others to back him up. They turned him in." Kathryn was shaking her head as she quit talking.

"Well I hope he gets what is coming to him." T'mar told her.

"How was the trip to Bolin?" Kathryn asked.

" It was a unique situation. We saw TJ and his family. They gave off a lot of love, but they didn't like touch or being touched. Their friends couldn't figure out the fact that TJ and I were brothers they don't have a word or phrase for adoption. They thought we were unusual to because we touched a lot. The Bolin's thought Vulcan didn't touch at all. It was fun. The kids and Phoebe wanted to stay. They didn't want us to leave either."

"Where is Phoebe?" Kathryn asked.

"Oh! She is laying down. Hey kids quiet down your mothers trying to sleep."

"With this crew who could sleep." Phoebe stated.

Kathryn stood, hugging Phoebe. "We should quiet them down. Before the other passengers start complaining. I need to get my two into bed anyway, they have been playing in and around the water all day. It is past their bedtime."

"Yes, Mother Tooly would love it if you brought them back, so tired that she couldn't enjoy them. Have you talked to Comus lately?"

"No, have you? They were sent to that planet all most a year ago." Kathryn said. "It is hard for them to get things out of there. I'm not sure why they took that assignment." Kathryn looked worried.

"Well mom you know those two they will try anything once." Phoebe answered. Mother Tooly called last week. She had just visited them.

They had all the children in bed by this time. "That was fast. They must have been more tired then I thought." Kathryn told her.

"If you ladies will have a seat. We are about to land at earth station and pick up passengers." The flight attendant told them.

"Sure." Kathryn smiled at the girl. "Then we should get in the bathroom and clean it up we left quit a mess." She said.

"That is all right the other girl has already cleaned it." The attendant told her.

Phoebe sat and then she smiled. "Mom you look tired yourself. Why don't you go lie down for a while?"

"Turning toward the attendant. Kathryn asked. Do I have enough time for that?"

"Sure there is as long as you just lie down. You wouldn't have time to shower or anything like that." The girl told her.

"That's fine." She leaned over and gave Chakotay a kiss."Goodnight lover."

"Sweet dreams sweetheart." Chakotay told her. "I will be in later to tuck you in."

They sat there until they thought she was safely out of hearing.

"Dad you haven't told her anything, have you?"

"No, I'm trying to keep the secret as long as I can. Your grandmother Janeway was a little up set with me when she was told she couldn't talk to your mother about the party." Chakotay told them

"I know. She called me. She was livid about your flatly refusing to let her talk to mom." Phoebe told him. "I explained it to her, everything is all right now. Here comes more of the assembly. She will be at the ceremony "Hi!" "You all, Nelix, Susan, and other of the old crew." Turning to the attendant. "Well tell the pilot he can take us to DS9 now."

"I thought we were going to Mars' Colony?" Chakotay asked.

"We are but ensign Tim Brown is there, and can't get a ride to Mars. I told him we would come and get him."

"I will be glad to see him." I know he was TJ's friend more the mine, but since TJ has been working on Bolin. We have become very close. Where Tim is all over the place, he can find me easier then getting to TJ. T'mar told them.

"What have your Mother and father been doing lately? "Chakotay asked.

T'mar started to answer him. Then he cut himself off. "I think I'll leave that for dad and mom to tell you if I tell you everything then they won't have anything to talk about."

"What do you have to say for yourself Mr. Nelix?"Chakotay asked.

"Oh! Mr. Chakotay you haven't met my wife Susan."

"No, I haven't Susan I'm not sure, but I think there is more to this then my wife getting some special award for her work. Chakotay said in a suspicious tone. Every time I say something or ask a question they all stop talking. "

Susan smiled at him. "Well what more could there be?"

"Mrs. Paris We are at DS9" the attendant told Phoebe.

"Hi Tim. Comus! Dwayne! Comus you are huge." Phoebe said.

"Yes I am, so nice of you to point that out. I feel like a barn. Comus barked at them.

Dwayne told her. " Why don't you go and lie down then maybe you could keep a civil tongue in your head?"

Chakotay stood. "What is going on here? You two were brought up better then this."He demanded to know.

"You sure she doesn't have a little Klinlon mixed in there." She started at him with fingers at the ready to gouge him. "See what I mean?" Dwayne told him.

"Phoebe get your sister out of here." Chakotay told her. "Now what has been going on?"

"I don't know I thought it might be the strain of the last year on that God, forsaken Planet I tried to get her to quit, but it has been useless. Part of their trouble is their atmosphere. They don't want to change their ways of doing things. This get-together has been a great way to get her out of there. Now I'm not sure it was a good idea as she has been that way ever since we left the planet." Dwayne looked at the floor. "Sorry to dump that on you like that. I've had it I love her, but these mood swings are too much."

"That's ok. Her mother went through this same thing. Not as violent. She would cuss me out one minute. Then cry and want to make love to me the next." Chakotay smiled. "Of course Kathryn never got that big. How many children she having?"

"She is having quads. Dwayne said.

"Four!!! Chakotay said with a look of horror.

"Don't ask me how that happen I don't know." Dwayne looked at him. "What am I going to do with five people to feed? The company I worked for there fired me, because I wouldn't skip this and stay there?"

"What about her job." Chakotay asked.

"They took that too because she came with me, and the government kept everything else we had. Our money and possessions. I got some out with my mother. I hid in her belongings." Dwayne said.

"What money, you gambled it all away." Comus yelled.

"You shut up. Your mother as well as the children are trying to sleep." Chakotay hissed at her. "Now sit there and behave yourself. Chakotay demanded. Now little lady what is going on, tells me what's wrong with you and why." "I won't have you act this way in front of your mother."

"I was raped and no one, not even my husband over there, will believe me." Comus cried.

"It is not the fact I didn't believe you Comus. The man you accused would have no reason to have done it. Why would the president of the world want to rape you he can have anyone he wanted?" Dwayne asked her.

"Because I told him no so many times that he backed off. The other women saw what was happening and they also began to tell him no. He told me it was revenge, because I had taught them to say no." Comus cried.

Dwayne got down beside her. "I'm sorry love."

"Well when we get to Mars we can prove it by a medical scan." Chakotay told them.

She pulled a letter out of her pocket. "Julian Basher already did one that's how I knew there was four." I don't know which of the two will live and which won't because we don't know much about their gestation period."

Dwayne looked up I know. "It's a month longer then ours. Let me see what he has here and maybe I can figure it out. That's what they had me working on. They wanted to know how to get their women to carry to term."

Comus began to cry. "Then when ours are born the others will die. That is a relief."

"Hang on love that depends on which came first the rape or the love making."

"Ours had to have come first because remember after you didn't believe me I moved out of your bed."

T'mar spoke up. "I thought after a woman became pregnant she couldn't get that way again until the other was born."

Dwayne looked at him. "It happens about once in every hundred thousand births. I think you might be right love You just might be right. When we get to the colony, I have a special test that will tell us for sure what we need to know. As you heard, we won't be going back. Sorry love."

"Well let's get you into a bed then you can rest for a while." Chakotay told her.

"That's why I came back out. I won't fit in one of those." Comus told her father.

"Your right the attendant told her, but if you will come with me I will show you a bed you can lay on. Would you like your husband to come with you?"

"Yes, please. Dwayne come with me."

"Sure love he smiled. After the hell I've been thought. I want to be with her as long as god allows." Dwayne smiled as he left the room.

"I'm sorry to intrude Commander, I don't like it some things wrong." One of the young men that had come on with. Tim spoke up.

Tim said. "Spill it Carter."

"Well it was his reference to God sir. His father was against any reference to God sir. You see sir. He and I are cousins. He didn't even acknowledge me sir. I don't think that is Dwayne. He and I were raised together."

"I understand, but until we get to a Federation medical unit. There is nothing I can do." *I wish Q was here.* He thought. *He could get to the bottom of this.*

Q popped in. "Hi all. Chakotay you wanted to asked me something. What are you trying to hang on me?"

"Hi Q I'm not blaming anything on anybody. I'm just confused. I could use some of your special help." Come over here and sit by me so we can talk in private. As they sat alone and Chakotay told him what had happened.

"I see, you want me to go to this planet and find out what really happened? Q asked him.

"I know it is asking a lot, but what am I going to do? Kathryn will be waking up soon." Chakotay told him.

"Where are we headed right now?" Q asked.

"We are headed for Mars" Chakotay said.

Q snapped his fingers. He disappeared for about three minuets. When he comes back, he had the real Comus and Dwayne with him.

"Dad what is you doing here?" Comus asked.

"That is what I would like to know since you are in the other room pregnant with four." Chakotay demanded.

Comus looked at Dwayne. "Vidit and Gosheven they so wanted to get away from here."

"Please go back down, and get your things and come with us for good." Chakotay begged them. "This never seeing you is driving your mother crazy. We can take the other couple with us, but we need you. Gosheven said something about the problem with the atmosphere, but they are unwilling to change their ways."

Dwayne looked at Comus. "What do you think?" Dwayne asked her. "Please come don't stay here. They really don't want you here. "Vidit begged them.

Dwayne looked at Comus "yes" She said.

Q said. "Dwayne you come with me, so I don't clean out the wrong houses.

The two came back with a lot of stuff. They were soon on their way to Mars again.

"Vidit how could you do this? How were we supposed to leave when we were already gone?"

"I am sorry Comus, but when Dwayne's mother told about the party. We just knew that it was a perfect time to get away." Vidit told her. "Comus is there a doctor on board I think I'm in trouble."

"Dwayne you better have a look."

"Come on old girl lets go have a look and see what has been going on. It maybe nothing, but the fact that you are in space. You have never been there before."

"What is she talking about does she think she might be having her babies now? Chakotay asked in wide eyed wonder.

"Yes sir, but it's a month early. Gosheven stated looking worried.

"Where is the nearest star base? Chakotay asked.

"The nearest star base Gosheven looked even more worried. I know what we did was wrong, but I wanted her to keep the babies I didn't want to lose them. If you are turning us over to the authorities. Will they let her keep the children with her?

Chakotay looked at him. Smiling he said, as he saw. The real fear in his face, the smile faded. "I don't want the authorities I want a good medical facility.

The man wilted. But they will still take them. Gosheven said.

Chakotay looked at his daughter, and demanded of her. "Will you please explain what this poor man is talking about?"

"I'm sorry dad I haven't been paying attention what's wrong?" Comus asked.

"He keeps muttering something about them taking their children." I asked where the nearest star base was. He asked if the authorities would let them keep their children when I told him all I wanted was the medical facility he seemed to think they will take the children.

"The authorities on his planet would take them, and do experiments on them, especially if they lived." Comus told her father.

"Can you convince him we don't do that sort of thing? Chakotay asked her.

"Gosheven there is nothing to worry about they won't take your children." Comus told him. "The rest of us don't do those things."

The attendant said. "If you will all take your seats, we will be landing at Mars in about one hour.

"Well tell the piolet that we need about three hours to get cleaned up, eat, and ready for what is coming. Comus told the attendant everyone wishing to shower and change clothes now is the time.

Three hours later they were landing on the planet. They had called and had Vidit and Gosheven beamed directly to a medical facility. Comus looked at everyone. Kathryn looked at her. "Do we pass inspection?" She laughed.

"Yes mom you do." Phoebe smiled. "Everyone gets off except my parents.

Kathryn looked at her. "That is rude if they aren't ready they may take longer then I will. Please take your time."

Everyone ignored her and filed off the ship. Then Phoebe walked over to the door and smiled. "Mom it's your turn.

"Phoebe what is going on?" Kathryn demanded to know. At her daughter's smile. Kathryn took Chakotay's hand.

He smiled. "It is okay love. The folks are waiting for you. "Congratulations my love.

Kathryn looked at all the people. There were all kinds of people. There was every kind from Starfleet people to all of her God children, and their children.

"What is going on Phoebe? This isn't Mars this is Vulcan." Kathryn turns to look at her daughter.

"You're right mom. Just go on down the steps."

Kathryn hanging onto Chakotay for dear life, as she went down the steps "Hi everyone." Kathryn said waving at all the people. , They were led over to stand next to the President of the Vulcan government.

"As the cheers began to subside, the President raised his hand. "I would like all of you to meet our scientist of the year Kathryn Janeway. She has broken the data retention problem. Those connected to the bio packs. As most of you know, she has been at it for four years. What we didn't know was she had a person who was changing information. When the person decided he wanted to take over he told some of the others. Hoping they would help him convince us she couldn't do the job we wanted her to do. What makes us feel bad is he was one of our top scientists. Kathryn ran our Emergency Medical Ship for ten years before that."

"Mr. Janeway better known to all as Chakotay. He is known for his untiring work at her side, as Captian of the Emergency Medical Ship. Then as chief of security at the research faculty. He is being honored today, as well with a certificate. For the fact that you have taught several different types of people what it means to succeed."

"At eight o'clock there will be a formal dinner and ball for this great couple." The president smiled as Maria walkup and said. "Aunt Kathryn can I have a hug?"

"Now let these folk get to their quarters, so they can talk with their friends and family members."

They got on the transporters. They were transported to their apartments. The government had maintained them because they were coming and going from the planet all the time.

Phoebe handed her mother a card. "This has everyone's name and number on it. You can call one or a whole family down. They all want to talk to you."

"Phoebe how long are we going to be here? Kathryn asked.

"You and Dad have several weeks some of the others only have a few days." Phoebe answered.

"Then find out who has the least amount of time then go from there."

"That sounds like a great idea it was a good thing we had time on the ship. T'mar, I and the kids have to be on DS9 by the end of the week. We are on the docket to leave the day after tomorrow." Phoebe told them.

"I thought DS9 belonged to Cardasia?" Chakotay said

"It is and it isn't. We maintain a presents there since the war they haven't got the men or the money to maintain it so we do that and guys like T'mar that maintains key systems Phoebe explained.

"Well we can go there and visit you." Chakotay said.

"T'mar's folks have been assigned to the medical frigate." You will be seeing them quite often if you decide to take the new post running it."Phoebe told them. "You would go back to your old jobs as Captian and head of the sciences."

Kathryn looked as if she was going to cry. "I'm being replaced at the research facility then."

"Mom only because you got the project done. Better then any of them thought it could be done." Phoebe told her. "In fact you went way beyond what they expected. Someone said part of it was because of the other guy's interference. You worked on some other things that you might other wise have ignored. Oh! They are changing the use of that building it will house their research on the Romylin connection."

The door beeped when Chakotay answered it. Dwayne walked in.

"Hi folks. Well we are the God parents of four beautiful babies. All doing well father and mother are trying to figure out what they are going to do with the rest of their life. They know they don't want to go back to their world."

"What did he do for a living?" Kathryn asked.

"He is a medical man of sorts they don't practice medicine like we do. From the look of those babies it is because of the medical knowledge they have been losing so many children at birth."

"Do you think he could learn what we have and work similar to the way Tom did? Kathryn asked.

" I don't honestly know mom." Dwayne said

"Well when they get to leave the medical bay have him come and talk to me." Kathryn told him.

"Well you should talk to Tom first. When we were on their planet I was inter changeably with their doctors. He was talking to him in sick bay. Tom will have a better idea about whether he could do it. You know where the biggest holes are in his education." Dwayne told them. "Have any of you seen my wife?" As they all shook their heads."Well if you see her tell her I'm looking for her. I was almost certain that she said she was coming here, after she got through with post flight physicals." I'm right here, love. We have a problem. Comus told them.

"Well sit and tell us what is wrong and we will work something out." Dwayne told her.

" Well Jaor raped me repeatedly, and said if I told you he would just kill you. Then I would be with him forever." He was never going to let us off that world. He said he would kill you if we ever tried to leave. That's why I always refused to leave." Comus began to cry.

Well sweetheart we are along way from there, so don't worry about him, he can't touch either of us now. Dwayne said.

"Yes but he got me pregnant. The doctor said The physical way their species connects to the mother is somehow different from ours. I asked about an abortion, but he thought it might jeopardies my life. He pointed out after they get here I could give them away if we didn't want them." Comus began to cry again.

"Its ok love we will work it out I'll take a job on mom and dad's new ship. We will have a limited number of people, with whom we have to deal. Dwayne told her You keep saying them. How many is there any way?"

"Two." She hung her head as thought she was ashamed of what had happened.

"Oh no! You don't you hold up that head, as thought you were a Q and in titled to do this thing." Dwayne told her. "You did nothing wrong absolutely nothing."

You make me feel so good. The truth is that if I had told you things would have been different. You would have taken the job at Diestrum Institute." Comus told him.

"Well why can't he take they job, but do it on the ship?" T'mar asked. Everyone was so busy talking they forgot to close the door and just about everyone had heard the problem.

Mr. Tuvok walked in. "Well Hi. Everyone seems to be here. This is like old home week. Do you remember this man Comus?"

"He is Mr. Condar. He helped us when we first came back to the delta quadrant."

The doctor who examined you was worried about you he called me because he remembered I knew you when you were little. He thought I might know someone that could help you deal with this. Mr. Condar would like to help you deal with this crisis."

What do you think Comus? In fact he might have to help all of you. You, Dwayne, and the kids.

"That will be fine. If he wants to go on another ship with Dad in charge."

Condar laughed. "He brought me safely home the last time."

"You are all here. Where are the children?".Tuvok asked.

"They are in the playroom with me." Maria told him. "It has been fun caching up."

"I thought you were at the institute for the duration?" B'Elanna asked her.

"Well I told them I couldn't miss Aunt Kathryn's and Uncle Chakotay's party. They said ok. By the way the head of the institute said to give you his best."

"Who has been taking care of your kids Comus?" While we are here, we should set up that test they gave me when I was three. Maria told her

"Which one?" They all asked at once.

"Gaberial Maria told them.

"Well Phoebe and I have split it up between the two of us. Nether of the children exhibited your abilities." Kathryn said.

"Of course he didn't have a ship to get around in." Maria said. "Besides I don't think he is as high as I am."

The door beeped B'Elanna turned and opened it. "Hi may I help you"

"Yes I am looking for Dwayne Tooly. Doctor Paris said I might find him here." Gosheven stated.

"Well come on in, so you met my husband. Dwayne, this gentleman would like to see you. Where did you see him last?"

"He just ran up the stars saying something to the effect that he didn't have long to get ready for a dinner and dance. He didn't seem too happy about it." Gosheven said.

B'Elanna looked at her watch and squealed saying. "We have about an hour before we are to be at the royal palace."

Everybody went on the run in all directions. "Who is staying with the children?" This very stately young Vulcan walked in. "Grandfather you said to be here at this time." She said turning to Tuvok.

Yes T'nal the children are in the playroom. They will be staying here for the night. You will find bedding for them in there as well. At her look of confusion. It is called a sleep over. It is an Earth custom. Ask Victor he will help you set it up when its time for the children to go to bed." Chakotay told her. "Victor come here I would like you to meet T'nal. She is here to help with the children. Please lend her a hand with where things are, and how to make the pallet when it is time." Chakotay told them.

"Now if I don't get changed, we will be late and that would be disgraceful." He said as he left the room.

"T'nal shaking her head said. Humans they have such a way of stating the inane.

Victor took exception to that. "What do you call getting up set and telling someone you should have asked before touching me?

"Well you should have."

"As it happened I tripped over something, and bumped into him by accident. I even showed him what it was and apologize he was still upset. So who are you to put down the way other races do things."

"I see no reason for you to be so up set about." P'nal said.

"I see no reason for you to be up set either." Victor snorted. As they went to opposite corners of the play room."

Chakotay and Tuvok stood watching the inter. change between the two young people. "They are headed for problems or marriage." Tuvok said

Chakotay said "He is only fourteen years old."

Tuvok looked at him, "Do you remember the time we had with Phoebe and T'mar?"

Chakotay smiled. "I remember we weren't sure if the families were going to survive that."

"Who are his parents? We had better warn them." Tuvok said.

" Jim and Vivian Carter, they were part of the stellar cryptography people." Chakotay said.

"Well ladies are you ready to leave." Chakotay turned as the two women entered the room. We are already late."

"Mr. and Mrs. Carter you remember Commander Tuvok?" Chakotay asked them.

"We need to talk later like tomorrow." Chakotay told them. "No one is in trouble yet."

They looked at each other. "We know Victor bumped into the Presidents aide the other day but, he apologized for that. Jim told them.

"This has nothing to do with that. You remember the problem between Phoebe and T'mar. We just watched Victor and P'nal go at each other the way the other two did." Chakotay told them. "You could see the sparks flying."

"Who are her parents? They both asked at the same time."

Tuvok looked at them, and then answered. "Her mother is my daughter S'lin, and her father is the man your son bumped into."

They both turned green. Chakotay looked at them. "Is that look because he might be interested in someone of anther race, or the fact that she has high parentage?"

"The parentage sir, No offence Mr. Tuvok, but now we can stay at things like this and after awhile leave. No one misses us, but with that type of connections we couldn't get away with it."

"I take no offence, but you better get use to the fact that it has started." Tuvok informed them.

"Do you think if we sent him back to earth that might work, to break it up?"

"Will all of you find your seats please? The President would like a word with you father. P'gee said.

"I have some people I would like to introduce to you the Carters. Treat them well, as they maybe your in-laws soon. Mr. Chakotay and I just witnessed your daughter and their son in the most intelligent and spectacular battle. Tuvok told him.

"You are of course not serious?" P'gee asked.

Tuvok looked down his noise at him.

"That is all right Mr. Pgee. We will be sending your son to Earth so he can't bother you again.

Mr. Tuvok please give the President our excuses and tell Kathryn we will talk to her in the morning."

They turn and left the room and the palace.

"Tuvok looked at his son - in - law. "You have just made a powerful enemy. They may not be much to look at, and they may hate this type of affair, the President of Polaris Prim is her father. I tell you that you will write an apology to night to both them and the President and hope P'nal doesn't hear of this."

"He is to late I have already heard. Now lets go to the table the others are waiting. You, young man have caused enough trouble for one night.

The four men walk to the table and took their seats with the exception of P'gee and his wife was moved to the foot of the table where the Carters were to have sat. This was all done in silence.

Kathryn looked at Chakotay. P'nal looked at them and leaned over. "Mr. Tuvok or your husband will explain later including why some of your crewmen left." President told her.

Everyone ate and danced talked as thought nothing unusual had happened. Kathryn had known S'lin for many years walked over to her. "What happened that you and your husband were moved to the bottom of the table?"

"As the President said, My father or your husband will explain it to you I am not allowed." S'lin said turning and walking away.

Tuvok took her elbow. "Come with me Kathryn. She is in disgrace because her husband did some thing to displease the President. I will explain it in the morning."

"Tuvok she is your daughter you must do some thing. What can I do?"

"Nothing for you to even to say something about it. That could make it worse." Tuvok told her.

"Did I make it worse by going and speaking to her.?" Kathryn asked.

"No because the Vulcan's know you will speak to the lowest person as you would to the highest ranking one. "Tuvok told her. "If you do not wish to wait for me to tell you in the morning. Then when you get back to your apartment ask Chakotay. He was there, but only after you get back there. Other wise there could be more trouble.

Chapter Two

The next morning Tuvok and Chakotay sat at the breakfast table. "Now spill it boys what happened last night?"

"Well you know about the fact that Vivan Carter is the daughter of the President of Polaris Prim. Well last night my son - in - law told them that their son wasn't good enough for his daughter." Tuvok told her.

"They don't claim that distinction. How was he supposed to know?" Kathryn asked.

"It is his job to know these things." Tuvok explained. Everyone setting at the table had been investigated before being aloud to sit that close to the President. Even our own people because of the threat of assassination." Tuvok pointed out. "The place they were put was where the Carter's would have sat."

"I see." Picking up the card, Phoebe had given her. She went down the list until she found the Carter's name. Calling them she requested them to come to her apartment.

They said. "We will take the children right away ma'am."

"Please sit the children are not the problem. What happened last night is. Mr. Tuvok told me what happened. The question is what do you intend to do about it?

"I told the man we would send the boy away what more do they expect?"

Mr. Tuvok spoke up "They don't even want that my son - in - law was wrong. Later today you will get a letter of apologies.

"He did it again." P'nal looked at her grandfather. " This makes the fourth time in as many months he has done this. The President told him if it happened again he would be fired. At her grandfather's look. She said. "I'm sorry grandfather" hanging her head.

Kathryn said. "Come over here dear. You are obviously upset by this.

How would you like to go with us on the medical ship? You can continue your studies there. By the time you get back your parents will have their problems straightened out." Do you think you can get them to let her go, Mr. Tuvok?" Victor asked

He bent his head in a small bow. "Do you wish to do this my grandchild?

Victor walked out of the other room. "I'm sorry Captian for causing this embarrassment. I apologized to him, but he called me a name I won't repeat for anyone. Please P'nal come with us, we are not all stupid or crazy."

Tuvok's head came up so fast. That you could almost hear the wind whistle by you. Was that name *&^$*%*&^(*%." He hung his head again, as Victor shook his head.

"We aren't trying to dilute your blood line. We honestly don't think your stupid in fact your grandfather is the one person I look up to the most." You want to meet the smartest person around. Just wait for the Paris to pick up their children. Then ask if you can talk to Maria Paris. At three she was off the scale they use here for intellectuality. Right Captian Chakotay?" Victor asked.

"You are right Victor. Now I hear some of the children in the other room you two want to go check on them please?"

"Yes sir they both answered." Turning they left the room.

"Well folks sense the kids think of me as Captian. What do you think we should do about this? I know Mr. Tuvok you would like us to forget it, and leave it for the government to clear up at its own rate. I'm worried however sense we get paid by the government as to how long that might be fourth coming if there are to many like P'gee they might not want the drain on the government fiances."

Any ideas or do you think we should have a bigger group for this?"

"We called the parents of the children that are up to come and get them." Victor told them. The door beeped Victor walked over and let them in. Phoebe walked in. "I brought Maria with me. You said something about someone wanted to talk to her?"

"Miss Maria will you come with me. Victor asked. P'nal this is Miss Maria. She is the lady I told you about."

"Talk to her she can tell you just about anything you want to know." Victor encouraged her.

"What I want to know no one but my father can answer and he wouldn't in fact I wouldn't dare ask. P'nal told him. Victor looked at the floor.

"Victor how is your leg that last surgery seems to have got you off the crutches you were on?"

"They took me off the crutches yesterday." Victor told her.

"Then when you bumped into my dad you were on crutches?" P'nal demanded to know.

"Yes, I'm sorry P'nal I was hoping to save you that" Victor admitted.

Maria saw the look on the girl's face. "You come with me." She bundled the girl out of the apartment. Getting her up to Maria's flat. There now you can relax and let your hair down. I read in the paper where your father was fired.

The girl's head came up. "You can read Vulcan?"

"Yes along with twenty - three other languages, I can do fifteen different types of sciences, and one hundred and fifty different computer programs. P'nal stood there just staring at her. "Victor said you were the smartest person around.

Well one of the smartest. Of course when they run the test on Gaberial they might find there are more. In fact before they leave, they should have them all checked out. They will have Mr. Condar to help them Like he helped me."

"If I may ask a personal question. What were your sores?"

Like Victor told you, I tested off the charts. Three hundred on the Johnson Test. Then on the one here I made it all the way through the test without missing a question. I asked if they had more because this was fun. Mr. Condar helped me he got me my own computer. I was always in trouble that way I quit getting into trouble with the one the adults were trying to use.

Mean while down stairs. "Mr. Tuvok can you get me a look at this new ship, and give us a run down as to what we can expect. What types of work we will do. I take it that this is not a regular medical ship."

The next day they went over the ship. This is the command floor. The bridge is there Tuvok pointed to a door across from them. They walked in to hear B'Elanna yelling at a young man.

He stiffened to attention "Captian on deck."

B'Elanna spun around. "Sorry Captian."

"What did you do to get chewed out young man?"

"Sirs I forgot to tell the commander that you were coming to inspect today.

Commander Torris I'm here on an unofficial walk through. When I come for my official inspection, the whole staff will know in advance. You know I don't like surprises. Young man what is your name and what are your duties. Who told you today was an official visit.

"Yes sir." B'Elanna said.

"Yes sir, My name is Dutchery sir. My duties are in communication. Dr. Paris told me sir, but everyone knows Sir that you were brought back here so you could run this ship sir.

Chakotay walked around the room looking at things, as the boy talked. Tried not to laugh out right at the boy. When he said, the doctor did it. Who is in charge of the communication?

"I am sir."

"You are the chief of communications. What is your rank?"

"Well until tomorrow I am, then Major Kim is on Earth he reports in then sir." Dutchery answered.

"Carry on Chakotay said as he walked out the door.

"This door is to your office. Chakotay walked around it tripping on a piece of carpet that was lose. He hit his com. badge. " This is Captian Chakotay to ship's services."

"Ship's services were snarled at him. What do you want?

"Never mind I will come and see you." Chakotay said. He turns to the others lets go I think I have a personal problem to handle show me the way to ship's services. Chakotay told them.

"This way Captian." Tuvok lead the way down to ships services.

Chakotay walked in. Which one of you was just on the com. link.

"I was what of it?"

"Do you know who I am or my rank? Chakotay asked him.

"No, and I don't care. You and that Klinlon %&***( had better go take a walk."

"Mr. Tuvok do we have a brig on this ship." Chakotay asked.

"Yes Sir." Tuvok answered.

"See to it, and give him a padd with the rules of courtesy when he can recite them and the head of security is sure that he knows how to act he can let him out.

"Yes Sir. Tuvok hit his com. badge Tuvok to Nelix.

"Nelix here"

"I need a security team to ship's services.

"We will be right there, sir. Nelix out.

Chakotay looked around "Who is in charge of this area?

One of the other men said. " He is sir."

"When he is off duty, who takes over." Chakotay asked/

"No one sir that was part of his problem. He has spent the last six weeks on call for everything. It seemed he'd just get to sleep and Commander Toirris would call about something that was miner and could have waited until morning.

Chakotay looked at him. "Then you are his second in command. Bring a padd with you. While I am doing my walk through, we will make notes of things we need to fix before we leave port. First on your list is the carpet in my office, isn't down right. I tripped over it.

"I thought they had that replaced already. They were supposed to do that first thing this morning. Harper told him.

"Why would it need replacing it hasn't even been used?

"I sure was glad you were delayed. Someone put to much pressure on the pipes and it was flooded. If all your papers and the papers for the ship were in there that would have been a real mess."

How many decks are there? Hang on a minute he hit his com. badge. Captian to Sick - bay."

"Sick - bay Paris here."

"Tom go to the brig and give the man there something to make him sleep for twenty - four hours. Oh ok so how many decks?

Twenty, four are different types of storage. Three are different types of sick bays. Five are for families.

"Five!!! Chakotay looked at him

"We have one for the officers, one for noncoms, one for the crew, and one for the doctors and sciences."

"That is four. What is the last one for?" Chakotay asked

"The families of the sick."

"Lets start there and see if we can't get that cut down and give the doctors more room.

Two hours later They had finished the tour. "Mr. Tuvok who is my second in command?" Chakotay asked.

"I am sir." Tuvok told him.

"Well get a memo out to my senior staff there will be a meeting at Oh ten hundred Tomorrow and not to worry it's a getting acquainted meeting and to discuss any problems they may have. To bring their second in command. Now I'm going to the brig. Harper get to my carpet as soon as you can. I will be moving in at oh seven hundred tomorrow." Chakotay said.

Harper set off for his area. Chakotay and Tuvok started toward the brig.

"Sir sir!!!"

"Yes ensign." Chakotay said.

"Doctor Pritch just had her baby."

"Well give her my best." Chakotay smiled.

"Mr. Tuvok she's the one that requires that special tank for the little one where will we put it."

"Where the mother and the doctor tell you and they can at it easily."

"What specie is she?" Chakotay asked.

"Augine sir they have their children. Then the children spend six moths in a tub of goo." The Ensign told him.

Tom was just coming out of the brig when they got there. "Tom how is the prisoner?" Chakotay asked

"I didn't need to give him anything we just transported him to sick - bay. He has a tumor in his brain we aren't sure how we missed it when he had his welcome aboard physical." Tom said.

"Isn't his brother here visiting?" Tuvok asked. "Find him I think you will find the brother took the physical.

"Yes sir." Tom answered. "Where is Kathryn, I saw her in one of the labs a few minuets ago, but I can't seem to find her now? She wanted to know my opinion of Gosheven."

Chakotay hit his comm. badge. "Computer where is Kathryn Janeway?"

"Kathryn Janeway is in med. one. Admiring the new born." Kathryn answered. "They haven't got all the bugs out of the system yet. It came through to me."

"That is not a bug. They made it that way unless you can't or won't answer then it will answer for you." Tuvok said.

Tom hit his badge. "Stay there I'm on my way."

Chakotay and Tuvok walked into the med. six. "Doctor report about the prisoner." Chakotay ordered.

"Just a minuet I 'm in the middle of brain surgery." The E. M. H. answered.

"Sir's I'm Dr. Patterson sir. That is my brother he is operating on."

"Are you the one that took his physical for him?" Chakotay asked.

The man hung his head. "Yes sir." Patterson said. But he's a hologram, a fifty-year-old, hologram. They must have a lot better way of doing things since then.

"That's right and he knows them all." Chakotay looked at him. What do you do on this ship?

"I'm a bio chemist sir." Patterson told him.

"Not anymore you and your bother will be relived of duty as of now. Report to the Admiral's office as soon as he is able." Chakotay ordered.

"You can't do that you don't have the authority to do it." Patterson informed him.

Chakotay looked at Tuvok have they changed the rules about the Captian's power? Chakotay asked.

"Not that I know of sir." Tuvok answered.

"I thought not." Chakotay looked at the man and smiled.

We will see what. Dr. Janeway has to say about this?" Patterson said full of bravado.

"She says anyone that falsifies a simple medical physical is not trust worthy at anything else." Dr. Kathryn Janeway director of sciences on this ship.

The next morning Chakotay sat in his office.* boy! I hate to send out this type report, but I guess if I want to keep my power I can't let them get away with this.* "Computer this is a report to go to Admiral Sarnac This report is about Ensign Ted Patterson and Dr. Fred Patterson, these men lied about their physicals. Ted Patterson had a brain tumor instead of going to the doctor he had his brother take his physical. Dr. Fred Patterson took it for him. Kathryn Janeway head of ships sciences is afraid if he would falsify something as trivially as a physical. What is to stop he from falsifying his work? I have told them they are through here. I sent them to be reassigned. Chakotay Captian of the Medical Frigate Comar."

At 01000 Chakotay got up and walked to the senior staff meeting room.

Taking a deep breath, he walked in. "Well everyone how are things going?

We are scheduled to leave space dock in fifteen standard days.

We will start with ship's services. Mr. Harper became head of the services as of fourteen hundred yesterday. It seems the man lied about something and I won't have that from anyone. "Mr. Harper how many people do you have in your department?" Chakotay asked.

"I have twelve sir." Six on days and six on nights." Harper told him.

I will get you twelve more. I want a person on the deck where there are children. You will get calls from children I want them treated just like you would an adult's call. At the man's look of annoyance. When my daughter was young, the faucet broke in our quarters ship services decided that she was just playing and ignore her. They had quit a mess to clean up. I found water in the hall and her doing her best to keep our stuff from getting wet. They came in and it took them five minutes to fix the faucet. Then eight hours to get everything dried out. If we keep a man on those decks he can just go and have a look, and keep it small. For false Alarms the child is talked to, and the parent is informed. If it happens again, the parents will be called from work. I figure after that they will have put a stop to it. If not turn the name of the offending party to me."

Commander Torris you're next. "How is engineer doing?"

"Fine sir. If I could get that universal translator working, it won't pick up the Toy toy."

"Is it mechanical or language?" Chakotay asked.

"Language" Torris told him.

"Call Maria Paris. She has this thing about language." Chakotay said.

"Yes sir." Torris answered.

"Medical, Tom I see you have been put in charge of all six sick-bays. Congratulations, who is your second in command? How is your staffing?"

Chakotay asked.

"My second in command is the holodoc. My staffing was fine until Patterson got himself fired."

B'Elanna laughed and told him. "Well better now then when you have a sick -bay full of people. Then he doesn't want to work to hard today, so he makes something up and give it to you."

"Then it hit Chakotay just how bad it could have been. Janeway will help you find someone to replace him, so get with her." Chakotay told him.

"He went a round the table asking for problems Ok Kathryn report. Chakotay asked.

"Yes sir, Other then our needing a new bio chemist. We have two things Gosheven can do. He can be put in with the hydroponics people. He understands why he can't do medical. In fact after talking to Dr. Paris he was the one that came to me, and said he couldn't do it. He did however have an idea of using plants to heal some people. Especially if they don't have, or have used today's medicine and it didn't work. I was going to ask the botanist to work with him on that project.

That's fine. Anything else? Chakotay asked.

Yes can we have a party just before we leave to show off our new digs, and interest some of the young one coming up. In this sorts of fields?

Later Tuvok walked into the building where the crew was staying.

He saw Chakotay. "Chakotay where is my granddaughter?" He asked.

"She's in apartment two C."

"Thank you." Tuvok told him in his most formal voice.

"Tuvok take it easy. Let her talk find out what's on her mind first. I know she is confused. She keeps saying what I need to know my father could tell me but I can't ask." Chakotay warned him. "In fact Tuvok I have never seen anything like it. Even T'mar didn't have this much trouble and he was raised by non Vulcan."

"Thank you again." Tuvok repeated. Then turned and went up the stairs. He knocked on the door. Maria answered the door.

"Oh! Hi Uncle Tuvok comes on in. P'nal your grandfather is here. I leaving now I got to see Grandpa T'pal shouldn't be to late." Maria told her.

"See you later, Uncle Tuvok."

"Grandfather" She bowed her head in respect.

" P'nal come and sit with me. I have been told by a friend that I should let you talk and find out what is on your mind then the rest maybe easier for both of us. T'mar didn't have all this trouble and he was raised by non Vulcan."

"Yes grandfather, but he wasn't lied to, and made the brunt of scandal.

Why did my father do that? I know people who would have cleaned peoples boots for that job. He through it away. Victor and I have been talking he said even if I didn't want to go on the ship with you that I should ask if I could go somewhere else. I just want to get away from my parents for a while. Mother says what my dad does is all right with her, but Grandfather I don't feel that way he was wrong all wrong." P'nal sighed. "I am sorry Grandfather."

"I am not. You see I cannot figure out why he did it either." Tuvok told her. "I would be proud to have you with me." You will have to tell your folks you are going and get your things."

P'nal looked at him. "I am glad you are willing for me to go as I told them today. If you didn't wish for me to go with you. I was going with Maria Paris to the institute where she works, and start school there or even to the academy. My things that I really wanted are in the bedroom. Would you help me sort out what I really need? I think I thought like a kid, and brought some things that I don't need. Some I can't take be cause of space limitations. "Sure I will, but I think the best person to help you with our clothes is Kathryn She has lived on a board ship most of her adult life. She can pick out clothes that will fit any occasion because sometimes we have very formal occasions and some picnics with swimming."

"Should I call her now?" P'nal asked

"Yes then if there are things you need for your wardrobe. We can get them before we leave." Tuvok told her.

P'nal walked over to the com. panel. "P'nal to Dr. Janeway."

"Janeway here what is it P'nal?"

"I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time? Grandfather is here and he says I can go with him. What I need is some advice as to what to take with me. Grandfather said something about formal wear and things for picnics and swimming. Oh, that I should get it done, so we can by things I might need before we leave."

"I will be there in a few minutes. What sorts of jobs do you think you would like to train for something in the sciences or some other field. That will also determine what sort of clothes you will need."

"That is easy I want to teach small children. You know the four, fives and six year olds." My father wouldn't hear of it. I had to be trained so that I could be the wife of an ambassador."

"Well I will see you in a few minutes." Kathryn told her.

After breaking the connection she turned. "P'nal is coming with us. I guess Tuvok listened to her.

"Tell her I said she was to report to the teacher on board the ship tomorrow." Chakotay told Kathryn.

"The teachers don't report for another two weeks." Kathryn looked at him. "Chakotay what do you have in mind? Besides Tuvok will know the difference."

"I don't want her thinking that it will be a cake walk with us. Send Tuvok down here for something before you tell her then I will explain it to him." Chakotay looked at her. "Sweetheart I hope that by doing that she will think twice before cutting all ties with her parents." It's very hard for her. She is hurt and doesn't understand why her world is falling apart."

Kathryn kissed Chakotay and walked out the door. Going up stairs she wasn't happy with what Chakotay had in mind. She knocked on the door P'nal opened it.

"Hi Dr. Janeway come in." P'nal looked like a kid in a candy shop.

"How much have you got done?" Kathryn asked.

"Only the books and some of my collection that I can take." P'nal told her.

"Shall we get started at those clothes?" Kathryn asked

As they entered the bedroom, Tuvok looked up. Well I will leave the more personal things to you ladies."

"Tuvok, Chakotay wanted you to stop by if you have time." Kathryn said. "By the way the Captian wants you to report to the school on the ship in the morning."

Dr. Janeway. "What is expected of me? I mean I get there and there is no one there. What do I do then?" P'nal asked. I wondered as I know those teachers don't report for another two weeks."

"You go find your Grandfather he is my husbands second in command.

Then you do just what he tells you to. I am curious who told you they weren't?" Kathryn asked

"A friend of mine is one of the teachers. We met when I was taking an art class at the college." P'nal said.

"When did she tell you this?" Kathryn asked.

"A couple of days ago. We meet for lunch every so often." P'nal answered her.

Chakotay let Tuvok in. "Hi how are things with your granddaughter?"

"Fine They are letting me take her because they really don't want her. They informed me they never have." Tuvok looked at Chakotay and just shook his head. "I'm sorry Chakotay."

"That's all right What are friends for if not to help. Then what I had in mind shouldn't be done you see I was going to make it part of her duties to write her folks, but if they don't want any part of her."

"Make it to her grandmother. Then I will have my wife keep them. When or if my daughter or her husband comes to their senses she can give them the letters. I have told her of their decision and why they made it.

"It seems that she is part Terrain. It is a long and sorted story. The father was from earth." Tuvok told him all this it was not his way to talk to anyone like this.

"Well it is good that we know. Then we can help her with the mixed

Feelings that come from that mixture." Chakotay walked over to the com. panel. "Captian Chakotay to crewman P'nal,

"P'nal here sir."

"Cancel that order that my wife just gave you. Come directly to my office at oh ten hundred. Chakotay out.

"Yes sir. P'nal out." She turned and looked at Kathryn. I wonder why he did that?" Shrugging her shoulders. She went back to what her and Kathryn had been doing. "That was the Captian. I'm to report to him in his office at oh ten hundred. What time is that in standard time?"

"Ten in the morning." Kathryn told her. "The easy way to remember 0100 is one a.m. 1200 is noon, 1300 is one p.m. to 2400 is midnight. It started out as Military time, but we use it because it's less confusing. Learn it, it will keep you out of trouble. If an officer or a supervisor tells you to be somewhere, and you don't show or are late you have to face consequences."

"Chakotay is a great believer in young adults (that is anyone over fourteen) trying different jobs. That's why he called you crewman that will be your title until you earn your rank as ensign. They don't give it to everyone. The youngest person who every got one was TJ Paris he spent thirty-six hours taking care of one hundred and twenty-five children. He had no help and fifty of those in a medical comma. They had to be checked every two hours. He is now a doctor. Well here is the list of things you will need. I'm not sure who can go with you."

"That's ok after seeing the Captian in the morning I will call my grandmother." P'nal said.

The next morning Chakotay looked at the girl in front of him. " Your Grandfather said he told you why your father and mother let you come. What did he tell you?

"Just they didn't want me. That they were glad to get rid of me."

"I see, well because of that I want you to talk to Mr. Condar he is a Bedized. My wife said you wanted to be a teacher. Are you sure that's what you really want or would you like to try other types of work?" Chakotay asked. "How soon can you report for work we have some children? That needs care, while their parents are working?"

"Tomorrow morning I have some shopping to do this afternoon. Doctor Janeway told me to by some jump suits for working in, as I won't get the regulation jump suit. As well as more personal things. I was going to call my Grandmother and ask her to go with me."

"Come with me. He took her to the bridge. Mr. Tuvok.

"Yes sir, Tuvok raised his head.

"We are going to start something new.

"New sir

"Yes the crewmen are going to have a regulation uniform. They will have chest badges that tell everyone they are crewmen. Can you call your wife and tell her we need for her to go shopping for P'nal? I want her to go to work right now. We have children that need care. Do you have your list that he can give your Grandmother?"

"Yes sir, she took a padd out of her pocket and handed it to Tuvok. Thank you Grandfather.

"Tuvok looked at her you will from now on refer to me as Commander.

"Yes sir, sorry sir." P'nal said. Captian when do I start with Mr. Condar.

"Contact him tomorrow. Now come on we are going to the day care area. One of the children was born two days ago. His mother will tell you how to care for him. He lives in a tub of goo. Then their is four born six days ago. You care for them in the usual way.

You will have a list of names of the parents and where they work."

"Yes sir." P'nal said writing as fast as she could.

"Have you caught up with me? We have to stop here you have to have a physical.

"Yes sir, I had one two days ago. When we brought all the little ones that they knew were going with you for theirs. One little girl was afraid of the doctor, so I set next to her and he runs the saner over me then over her, after she found out he didn't hurt me." I asked if he found anything. He said I was operating with in normal parameters. That made the little girl laugh." P'nal smiled. Then she caught herself sorry sir."

"There is no reason to apologize for being yourself. Doctor Paris this young lady starts working today. She needs a physical. Do you often find yourself doing that? I mean doing things that are unacceptable by Vulcan Standards?" Chakotay asked.

"Yes sir. I try not to, but it's so hard." Grandfather gets that look of his.

She smiled again."

You are doing well for a human and Vulcan." Tom told her. "You can report to work. P'nal just sat there staring strait ahead.

Chakotay hit his com. badge. "Tuvok to med- three now." Then he helped Tom lay the child down.

Tom looked at Chakotay. "I thought she knew."

"No just her parents, and they just told Tuvok last night."

Tuvok walked in. "What happened?"

"I'm sorry Tuvok I thought she knew she was half Vulcan and half human." Tom apologized.

"That's ok Tom. I should have told her last night." Tuvok admitted. "Well she is coming around." Tom breathing a sight of relief.

"Well helm boy are you ready to go to lunch?" B'Elanna asked.

"Can't this girl need medical help." Tom said.

B'Elanna looked at the girl. "Come with me girl you need a woman. Now come here she led the girl to the rest room and sat her down. Now go ahead and cry." B'Elanna told. "Her and do a good job, or I will turn you over and give you a paddling."

P'nal looked at her. "I'm Vulcan we don't cry."

"P'nal you are all so human, and they do ask me. I'm half human and half Klinlon. Cry a lot that's why I got you away from your Grandpa. The Klinlon's don't cry either. It tore me up that my mother wouldn't let me cry. It is up to you how you handle this. T'mar my son is half Vulcan half human. He had the same kind of problem. I told him to do whichever he felt like sometime he cried sometimes he would stand there like Tuvok. Now you have had a shock, and it was a big one. The people you loved all your life have lied to you."

P'nal looked at her. "What I can't figure out is why?" I find myself wanting to hit something and the next one to through myself off a cliff."

" I can give you the something to hit. Come on you can pretend it is your Mom and Dad. P'nal?"

"I'm ok come on lets go find that thing to beat on. P'nal got up and walked out into the other room. I going with Commander Torris for a while then I want to talk to you Grandpa." P'nal told them. Captian is it all right if I

start work tomorrow?" P'nal asked.

B'Elanna caught the Captain's eye. Shaking her head up and down to get him to say yes.

"Yes go a head. Little one. Your grandfather will be at your disposal when you're done." Chakotay said.

"I will be in my quarters when you want me. Your parents to if I can get them here, and Mr. Condar he has help many like you."Tuvok told her.

Chapter three

It was three hours later. Tuvok, his wife and P'nal's parents were setting there waiting for P'nal to show up. I'm not setting around waiting for some kid, P'gee declared. Tuvok looked at him you will wait for your daughter and you will tell her the truth and apologize to her for what you did to her."

P'nal and Mr. Condar walked into the room. "Sorry I took so long, but since you waited for fourteen years to tell me about my birth. I figure you had plenty of time to Waite for me. It took three hours to get past wanting to kill both of you. Grandpa you will enjoy this I got up to level nine on Commander Torris' Klinlon exercise program. Mr. Condar said, It was all right for me to feel like killing you, but he thought this would be better. I want to know the name of my father."

"S'lin said, P'nal it's not that easy."

"What are you telling me that their is so many you don't who it was?" P'nal spit out.

Her father walked over and slapped her. "You will not talk to your mother that way." P'gee shouted at her. We are your parents I'm human I had surgery so I could live comfortably on Vulcan.

"Now everybody listen I have a chance to go back to Earth and I didn't want to take either of you and I'm leaving for Earth in one hour." P'gee walked out the door.

P'nal said mom. "I'm going with Grandfather because I want to get away for a while. You will be doing things with your friends, and Captian Chakotay has a program. Where children from thirteen and up get to try all kind of jobs. I have always wanted to be a teacher. I start in the day care tomorrow morning."

"Grandmother did you get me the things I need?" P'nal asked.

"Yes they are over there in the corner." Her Grandmother said. "If you should need any thing else? All you have to do is ask."

Picking up her things, she kissed her Grandmother. "Thank you for buying these and loving me. Now if you will forgive me, I'm going to my quarters. P'nal left the room.

"Father I thought she would be staying with you?" S'lin said.

"When you said I could take her you didn't really care." Tuvok said.

"Well my wife I think we have a problem?" Tuvok told her.

"No, my husband I have the problem, you are leaving again."

"You could go with me?" Tuvok answered.

"Folks" Mr. Condar stated. "What are you going to do about P'nal?"

Her biggest problem is she is more human then Vulcan. She never understood why. I would recommend that you let B'Elanna Torris help her deal with this problem. Being half human and half Klinlon she knows what the girl is going through. I will leave you to discuss this alone."

The next morning P'nal reported to the day care. She found her grandmother setting there. "Grandmother what are you doing here?" P'nal asked.

"The Captian told me to report to you here at oh eight hundred. I wasn't sure when that was, so I have been here sense six o'clock. Amanda told her.

" Sorry grandmother the commander should have explained the time thing when he brought you on board. As long as you are here, you will be living by it. This is the way it works then the girl explained it to her. P'nal said turned as the door opened. Hello may I help you?" P'nal asked.

"Yes I'm Dr. Pritch this is my son Bggb (bi'gb) all he requires is that you take him out and wipe him down and let him breath for about ten minuets. Then put him back it is similar to feeding any other child. You do this every four hours."

"We will do everything us can. what should we look for that he might be in trouble and need a doctor." P'nal asked.

"If he floats up side down like this her turn her boy over." To show P'nal what she meant. "By the way your list has me working in medicine I am assigned to med. six.

"I see we will watch him very closely." The door opened a couple walked in carrying two babies a piece. They took them over to the beds provided for them. They get feed every four hours. With baby supplement 410. We will be in hydroponics bay two. Just call for Vidit our last name is to hard to pronounce. She handed her grandmother the padd read this and know which is which. Then all the people were coming all at once Janeway stopped by to see how P'nal was doing and noticed the older woman with her."

Janeway walked over to the woman. "Hi I'm Dr. Janeway

"Hi Amanda can you check the kid in the goo make sure he isn't floating upside down I'm trying to get these children signed in."

"Where is P'nal?" Janeway asked.

"In the bathroom with one that is being potty trained." Amanda told her. "There she is now."

She came out with a boy squealing. "I did it I did it." P'nal looked up. "Dr. Janeway hangs on, Amanda when was the Pritch boy checked. A while I asked her to do it I guess she wants orders from you only. Is everyone signed in?" P'nal asked.

"Yes." Amanda said.

"Well boys and girls get a toy and play quietly a while We will read a story in a few minutes.

"Now grandmother this is Doctor Kathryn Janeway, She is the head of all sciences on board this ship. Dr. Janeway this is Amanda, the wife of, Tuvok and assigned to me for today. You will probably get her by the time we leave as she is a scientist. P'nal told her. By the way Amanda there is the Captian then Commander Tuvok then Dr. Janeway for right now that's all you have to remember of the command staff. She reaches down and picked up a child this floor is like ice. Dr. Janeway what department do I call for something like this?" P'nal asked.

"Ship's services." Kathryn told her. You can call me Kathryn or Aunt

Kathryn.

Mr. Condar walked in. "Hi ladies how are you today?" Boy! They dumped you in at the deep end of the pool.

"It is ok will all of you excuse me. I need to check on Bggb. Amanda

grabs a book and start reading circle. I will call ship's services as soon as Bggb is taken care of she reached into the goo and picked him up. She dried him off and laid him on the special hammock type of thing to rest and went to call ship's services. Thomas get way from that. As she ran to stop him from pulling over the tub with Bggb in it. Ship's services said they would be right here that he thought they had put down the carpet in the children's area. P'nal took a deep breath. Another child went to investigate Bggb's tub.

Gaberial come here. Mr. Condar called it is time for your special work.

The doors opened and Chakotay walked in. P'nal looks ready to die because everything was a mess. The children were being to loud. I'm sorry Captian for the noise.

The doors opened and Victor walked in. "Someone called ship's services."

"Yes I need carpet down on this floor these little ones cannot crawl around on this floor." P'nal said.

"Come on kids all of you take hold of hands. Some of you adults grab the babies. He took them to a door and opened it. This is the room you wanted to use. Bring Bggb's tub over here. Chakotay rolled it over see P'nal you open this and put the tub in here and the other children can't tip it over then you put this screen over like this then they also can't throw toys in either."

This area was made for the cribs for the same reasons and the floor is already carpeted." Victor looked at her. "Hang in there you are doing fine. You saw a problem and called for help. He looked around You shouldn't feel to bad you had the Captian and the third in command here and they didn't know any more then you did." He winked at her and smiled. Now do you still want the hall done. Come on I want to show you the rest of your domain. Excuse us folk we will be right back."

Chakotay started to say something. Kathryn put her hand on his arm when he looked at her she shook her head.

"He is trying to give her time to catch her breath. You told her she would have five or six children here. When the parents heard there, would be someone here they all brought their children it is all most as bad as what happened to TJ. They just brought them in and dropped them off. All adults over here please except for maybe fifteen or so this is the complete compliment of children for the ship. Tuvok I want another person assigned to help crewman P'nal she has forty-five children and no one showed her around here. Who was assigned to do that?

"Crewman Doud, but when sick bay called, they said he was unable to work. To be honest it was my fault sir. I forgot to send someone else." Tuvok out.

"Captian to sickbay."

"Sick bay Paris here. How badly is Crewman Doud hurt?" Chakotay asked.

He has a broken leg and arm. I fixed them but I didn't want him walking on it a lot just yet." Tom told him.

"Could he lay on the floor and read a book?" Chakotay asked.

"How is P'nal doing?"

"She was to have six children and she got forty- five. So beam Doud over he can read to the children while he rests from his injuries." Chakotay told him.

P'nal came back on a dead run going straight to the tub. "I'm sorry love Bggb, I forgot I had you out I hope you are going to be all right." Petting him as she slowly lowered him back into his goo. His legs began to kick and he started to squirming. Well he seems to be ok." Turning I'm sorry Captian

It took awhile.

The door opened and a young man limped in. "Captian Crewman Doud reporting as ordered."

"Doud this is P'nal she is in charge. P'nal he is here to read to the children feeds the infants. Anything as long as he sits while he does it. Do you think you can run with just three of you?" Chakotay asked.

"Yes sir I think I just got a little over whelmed my friend said that happens to the best of them. Even you sir." P'nal smiled then realized what she had said. "Sorry sir." P'nal apologized.

"That's ok now I know who is to blame for this problem. Now take me on a tour and tell me what you got planed for the day?" The Captian asked.

"Well I thought I would leave Crewman Doud here with the five real tiny one, grandma with the older kids and I will take the six and down. He takes Bggb out of his tub once every two hours. Then the other four get feed every four hours. Other wise he can sit and do nothing. If I give him the group I have then he would be doing potty things. As well as reading. I figured grandmother would be more comfortable with the older ones. Captian may I make a suggestion. That new people are given something that explains time on board. Grandmother was here from oh six hundred this morning because she didn't know what time oh eight hundred was. A map of the ship so they know where to find the area they will be working in." P'nal told him.

"I will think about it. Chakotay answered.

Kathryn walked into the room. Where they had left Crewman Doud. The quads were crying, and he was trying to change diapers. I think I got the hang of this, but they still won't quit crying. Kathryn smiled. Hang on she hit her com. badge. Janeway to P'nal.

"Excuse me Captian P'nal to Janeway what is it you need doctor.

"What formula do we feed the quads?" Kathryn asked.

"I'm sorry infant supplement 410." P'nal told her. "Sorry excuse me Captian I had better get back to my group."

"Yes you had." Chakotay smiled you are doing well. I intend to find out who let the cat out of the bag. At her look of confusion. Don't worry about it.

P'nal went into the younger set of children and got them settled to hear a story. When there was screaming and hollering in the hall. She got up. " Stay right here I will be back in a minute." She went out in the hall. "Vidit come this way. Your children are safe."

"Why is there metal over them? They are not animals?" Vidit screamed.

"Vidit settle down. Now that is to keep other little ones from throwing toys in and hurting them. Under normal operating day there would be children up to two years old in here. They throw things this is normal for their age. See we have the same thing over the other little boy that is in here. Dr. Janeway can you explain it to her I'm not sure she believes me. Thank you." She turned and went into the other room. Now for our story. She sat quietly and read the story.

At lunch they got all the children feed. Then got them down for naps those that took naps. Soon it was time for the parents to pick up the children. When they were all gone. "Can all of you stay for a few minutes I have a couple of things that I would like to talk about?"

The Captian walked in. "I hear you had some trouble today?" Chakotay asked.

"Yes sir That was why I had just asked them to stay and talk about what happened. To see if and how we could fix things. Vidit got up set about the screen over her children I tried to explain it to her but . . . " P'nal just shook her head. "Come in here she led them into a room with a table laying a padd on the table. Amanda how did you get a long with the older children."

Well they seem to settle just well after I informed them that if they didn't behave I would turn them into the Captian and that would slow there acceptances into the crewmen's studies' program. That is all they talked about from age nine and up. The others got out colors and paints and other things to do. Then everything was fine." Amanda smiled she seemed very proud of herself.

"Dr. Janeway and Crewman Doud how did you make out?" P'nal asked.

"Well after I figured out how to change a diaper, the quads were easy enough. Oh Dr. Pritch saw me doing what you did when you put her boy back into the goo. She said not to do that again." He turned red. "It is part of their sex thing." Doud smiled

"I guess I took for granted that you knew how. Sorry. Did you two get Vidit calmed down ok? I left, because I seemed to make her more angry.

"Now we need a different way of doing things out in the hall. That was what up set her at first because the children were not where they where she left them. That seemed to scared her."

"I should have told you this and I forgot. On their planet the children are taken and experiments ran on them with or without the parent's permission.

The person you can thank for all the kids showing up is Dr. Paris." The Captian told her.

"Thank you sir, "well have you any suggestions? I thought of a sign" that we could hang by the door with a room number with age but that would be hard because of all the language." P'nal was frowning.

Doud looked up he said. "No, it wouldn't you put a number on the door then on the sign you put a number and a picture of the children in that group.

Like this he shows them his padd. Do you think that would work? It would be a learning thing for the older little kid three four and five year olds. Dr. Paris said I couldn't go back to my regular job for the next three days. With your permission sir I would like to help out here until I can go back to work. Doud asked the Captian.

At the Captian's nod. Doud said. "I will have that sign ready for you in the morning. My mom is art teacher to the Crewman kids." Doud said why didn't I think to call her earlier she should know what they have planed for this age group. She is after all the head of the school here.

Its about time someone remembered that. Mrs. Doud said angered.

The Captian stood. "I take it that, that would be me."

Mrs. Doud looked at him and had the good grace to turn bright red.

"As it happened, I had not been told that you had reported to work yet." Chakotay told her "Now since you knew they were here why didn't you come over and help out, or at least introduce your self. Now sit P'nal will you give her your padd to read. They waited for her to read it.

"Now do you have anything that will help her in doing her job? By the way this was for her to take care of the five new born children we have, but word got around and she ended with all most all of the children on board this time." Chakotay told her. "They are the children of the non scientific personnel. Be nice to her remember she was doing as she was told by me. I'm quit sure she would like your help." He left the room.

"He is right I should have. I apologize to P'nal. The five new born tell me about them."

"Well four are from one family. You must tell the parents and give them the right to see them anytime they walk in here. On their home planet they just escaped from the children could and would be taken at anytime experiments done and if the kid lived you got him back if not oh well . . . " P'nal told her.

"Was that the lady I heard screaming earlier?" Doud asked her.

"Yes she dropped the children off in the hall when she came back they weren't there that scared her." P'nal told her. "The other one is Augine he lives in a bat of goo. You have to take him out and wipe him off.

Crewman Doud told her. "Don't forget the sex thing." As he was laughing. At his mothers look. He stopped.

"Sex and a new born?" She asked with a look of shock

At the look of shock. P'nal said. "I had left the baby out of his goo a little longer then she had told me to. So when I got back to him I rubbed his head at the back and talked to him as I lowered him into his goo. His mother saw Jim doing it and told him to tell all of us not to do that. It was part of their mating. We were only trying to comfort the child. It won't happen again."

"I'm sure it won't the problems we get into when parents don't tell us things. Who are these ladies and what are they doing here?"

"This is Dr. Janeway, head of the sciences, she was nice enough since her people aren't here yet to help me. This is Amanda wife of Tuvok who does not have her final work appointment here yet, so they told her to help me. She is also my Grandmother." P'nal said with such pride. It almost hurt to see it.

Later Kathryn and Chakotay were setting in their quarters. "Why are you so quiet?"

"I was thinking about what happened today the head of the school was gruff with P'nal and when she introduced Amanda and me the woman about had an attack." Of course it might have something to do with the way she did it." Kathryn said.

At his look of confusion. "She introduces me as Dr. Janeway head of the sciences then her grandmother as Amanda the wife of Tuvok and my grandmother. I'm not sure if the woman was feeling picked on. She began to laugh, you should have seen her face when P'nal was telling her about the new babiers and Jim told her not to forget the sex thing.

Chakotay got the same look on his face. It's ok you see if you rub the top part of the head that is part of their mating. She was very honest about Vidit and Gosheven's children. Stressing that they were to have unlimited access to their children and why. Those that are working tomorrow are to be there at oh seven hundred so we have time to get things ready as it was today she thought the hall was all there was to the preschool." Kathryn told him

"She asked me if there was away that new people on a ship like her grandmother was there at oh six hundred because she did not know military time. She has made a couple of good ideas that I have already put into operation. Uniforms for the crewmen with a patch on them that Identifies them as such. The booklet makes sense to." Chakotay told her.

"She asked me if I had some extra time if I could teach her what the different insignia mean and what department they belong to." Kathryn said.

Chakotay got up and walks over to the panel Computer a message for crewmen P'nal, Doud and Carter have them report to the Captian's quarters.

Hitting his comm. badge. "Captian to the information officer."

"Information office, toy con here Captian."

"Do we have information about the insignias and how military time works? Any other such information that children or older people that have never been on a ship before might need to know. Where to go for small schematic of the ship. Bring them at sixteen hundred to my quarters. Yes P'nal come to my quarters at sixteen hundred tonight. Yes Victor come to my Quarters at sixteen hundred tonight. Yes Jim come to my quarters at sixteen hundred tonight. Turning to Kathryn what will we serve them? It's been a while but I seem to remember that all teens have hollow legs. I don't want them to sit here scared to say anything instead I want their input and advice. Chakotay looked at her.

Then I would sit them around the table and give them the information and tell them, that's what you have ask them if it answers their questions you might be surprised about what they want to know or what they think should be taught to the other younger children. Jim said when we were working together he expressed a concern about some eight or nine getting into the labs on deck with medical bays, or the wrong bay.

"Those would be locked I seem to remember a three year old that got into some places she wasn't supposed to be." They both stood their laughing.

The door buzzed Chakotay walked over and opened the door "Hi

Comus Dwight kids come on in." What's up with you all?" He asked.

"I was wondering what if anything I could do on this ship besides just sit and grow old." Comus asked.

I have a special project you can handle for now then as we get organized. There is bound to be someone who needs your services."

The door buzzed. "That must be the rest of the crew that you will coordinate their actives." He handed her a padd. Went to open the door. "Hi come in. This is my daughter Comus. Go over to the table and have a seat. Now this is Toy Con is that the way you say it?

"Yes sir."

This is crewmen P'nal, Carter and Doud. This project is getting information to the new person and the stuff to be taught to the children. Toy Con you were to bring the information that we now have given it to everyone, so they can read it. If you have some questions or ideas don't, be afraid someone else will think your stupid because remember they may be next."

"Now go to work and see what you can get done."

"Dwayne will you get me some coffee." Comus asked.

"Would you make that two?" Asked Toy Con.

"Sure." Dwayne said.

Kathryn stepped up. "Who has had their supper?"

"No one raised their hands. Five sandwiches coming up. Three drinks.

Ma'am nothing with milk or milk products for me Dr. Paris said it would interact with the medicine he gave me. Jim told her. Then promptly took his stuff and lay on the floor.

Before long the only ones sitting at the table were the two adults. They read and ate their supper and drank about four glasses of liquid.

"Okay most of this stuff is ok if you have an idea What they are talking about. Everybody finds the one on time. Now read this along. Ship time is the military way of telling time It starts at 0100 and leaves off at 2400. When dose it start at one a.m. or one p.m.? See what I mean they are presuming that you will start at midnight. All though here that might be a problem as the Vulcan suns give you no real night. They are also presuming that your world thinks like Earth." Jim said.

"For someone like me our planet has no day that is why we are so small. But our time is figured by rope knots. There is so many knots you work, so many more you sleep and so on." Toy Con told them.

"How do know if you have over slept?" Victor smiled at him

"You don't." Toy Con told him a little up set. But you better not be, you can either be killed or fired depending on what your job is."

Comus said. "Take it easy he was only joking."

"Well good looking start writing. 0100 is at one a.m. or the first hour after . . .

They were working along when the comm. panel buzzed. Chakotay here.

Sorry to bother you so late sir, but we just found the note for Jim to come to your quarters. Mrs. Doud told him.

"Yes he is here. Chakotay said.

"Forgive me sir, but do you realize that it is after 2400."

" I'm sorry. All of you it's time to get to bed before I have all your parents on my neck." Chakotay told them. "Hang on. Transporters is site to site working. P'nal what is your deck and room number."

Deck 14 room 5.

Transport P'nal to deck 14 room 5.

He pointed at the next one yours.

Deck 14 room 10

transport Jim to deck 14 room 10

Then there was just Comus. "Your husband is going to kill me."

"Working has been fun those kids think on their feet. Well I had better get to bed, or I won't be able to get up in time to get to work." P'nal asked me to help.

"I have to talk to her about that." Chakotay told her.

"Well it seems that Mrs. Doud informed her after everyone else left that she couldn't use the rooms be cause she didn't clean up good enough."Comus told him.

"What did she say she was going to do?" Chakotay asked her

"She told me to report to the room she would have handled it. Then she asked who was directly over Mrs. Doud." She called Tuvok and asked for an anointment. For seven in the morning." Comus told him.

"I see well she is following procedure." Chakotay told her.

Smiling Comus told transport. "Would you transport me to Deck 10 room 40. Thank you.

"The next morning P'nal got up dressed in her jump suit and went to commander Tuvok's office. She was there right at oh seven hundred reaching out, she knocked on the door.

"Come," Tuvok ordered.

P'nal walked in. "Commander" giving him a nod of respect.

"Yes you asked for this meeting what is it you want?" Tuvok asked.

"Well as you know the Captian put me in charge of a pre school group. The head of the school has told me. She was not going to let me, or the parents in the school area. What I need to know is what recourse I have if any and how to implement them?" P'nal asked him.

"I see Well it works this way. Tuvok told her

"This sounds like it is going to take longer then a half hour."

"If you keep interrupting, it can take forever." Tuvok got this funny look on his face. "Captian I'm sorry I didn't hear the door.

"I'm a ware of that." Chakotay answered.

"It must be broken as I had to knock, because it didn't chime when I came either." P'nal told him.

"P'nal did you go to the Captian, before you saw me that is unacceptable." Tuvok warned her.

"No she asked my daughter who she should see about her problem and was told to see you. My daughter told me and I wanted to see how she would handle it. She has people that will be waiting for her at the school to clean the rooms, and get ready for the rest of the day." Chakotay said. "I took the liberty of call Mrs. Doud here I hope you don't mind."

"No sir, Tuvok said.

Yesterday was a trial by fire. You heard me tell her that she would have five small children. Well she ended with 45 children. She knew nothing of the area, because there was no one to help her. I would imagine she just wanted to hide and forget the day happened. Chakotay told him.

There was a knock at the door. "Come" Tuvok called.

"Mrs. Doud come in.

"Well ^*&^$%#()&^) I see you went over my head to grandpa and he brought in the Captian. Mrs. Doud attack P'nal.

"Mrs. Doud that is enough!!!!" The Captian yelled over her tirade. P'nal go to the school your staff will be waiting for you. Thank you for making her show her true colors. Now scoot.

P'nal left as quick as she could get to the door. Saying nothing."

She ran to the school as fast as she could. As she went she hit her comm. badge. "P'nal to commander Torris."

"Torris here what is it P'nal?"

"What is the name of that program from the other day?

"Torris 1. Why what is wrong with your breathing? B'Elana asked.

"Nothing I'm running from grandpa's office to the school. I'm going to be late talk to you later." P'nal out. She slowed as she got near the school.

"Hi everyone lets get in there and start getting ready for the kids. "We cannot the door is locked." Amanda told her.

"P'nal to ship's services

"Ship's services Doud speaking.

"The doors to the school are locked will you please unlock them." P'nal asked in her nicest voice.

"When my wife says so and not before." Doud stated.

"Would you please check with commander Tuvok, as I think your wife has no authority over the school anymore. P'nal informed him politely.

"You little shit head *^%&%%$*)(* *&&^%(&^*&(* *(&^*&)

Kathryn walked over and hit her comm. badge to turn it off.

Janeway to computer save and send that last link between P'nal and Ship's services. To Commander Tuvok and Captian Chakotay. Then give me Commander Tuvok."

"Tuvok here what is it Kathryn?"

The school is locked and ship's services won't unlock it. You and the Captian will be getting a recording of an interchange between P'nal and ship's services." Janeway told him.

"Try the door now." Tuvok told her.

Amanda turned the handle. "Thank you Tuvok."

"Oh! my! God!! This didn't look this way when I left Yesterday." P'nal sank to the floor.

"Mrs. Doud did this trying to discredit you. What she didn't know was that I was here after you left and she came back to do this." I called the parents and told them what happened and that you couldn't take care of the children until we got this place cleaned up." Chakotay said looking as though the was ready to split someone in half.

The door opened. "P'nal teachers come with me. She took them to med. bay 1 there until we can get your place cleaned up." Dr. Pritch smiled at them. She turned to go.

P'nal said. "Thank you we really appreciate this."

Five hours later they came and got the children and teachers. Taking them back to the school, everything had been scrubbed down.

P'nal looked around. "It is beautiful. Thank you all we will enjoy it very much." P'nal had great big tears in her eyes.

Kathryn looked around. " It is beautiful now kids you know which room you were in last time lets get there."

This lady walked into the room. "Hi! P'nal it's me Sharon. The parents did a really good job then they asked about things to decorate the walls." How are you doing after dealing with dragon lady?"

"I don't think we will have to put up with her because I think she got fired." P'nal told her.

"P'nal P'nal" Jim came running something is wrong with Bggb. She went running. She got to the tub did someone call med. 6 and tell his mother. Come here little one. Yes I know Mama is coming. As she talked, he seemed to get better. His mother and Dr. Paris came in.

His mother walked. Over to her P'nal went to hand him to her. No keep talking she reach over and pushed on his back. Do that the next time that happens he has the colic I forgot about it.

"That's all right." P'nal told her. Oh Susan while we are here do not rub this one here. That's part of their mating ritual.

Tuvok and the Captian walk in. Well this looks a lot better then it did earlier.

"Yes sirs, thanks to the parents they did it." She said with such pride her grandparents were a little up set by it. Because she showed so many of her emotions.

Mr. Condar saw it. "Mr. Tuvok it is normal for her to do that."

"It is not the Vulcan way." Amanda said.

"That's true but look at it this way. She has been miserable for the last ten years trying to live up to your way and every time she failed to meet your standards with everyone telling her she had to do better. She has developed a good way to handle most things. With what she has been through the break up of her parents this teacher thing. She is holing together really well."

That is the Vulcan in her." Condar commented.

They looked at each other.

"Amanda I would like you to take over in here. Jim the Captian and Commander Tuvok would like to talk to you. Why don't you use the conference room? When you're done, you can relieve Amanda so she can go back to her group."

Chapter four

"Susan I'm not sure what I'm doing. Dr. Janeway said I had to make out a report about what happened over the last two days." P'nal said.

"Well after school I will show you how it's done it is relatively easy." Susan told her.

"P'nal I need to talk to you NOW." Jim looked so upset let's go to the con . . ."

Susan saw at once there was problem. "Come with me She led them to an

office. This is your office as long as you run this department." Susan told her.

"Now what is the matter?" P'nal asked.

"The Captian and the Commander just told me that they fired my folks. They played a tape of what my folks said to you. They have offered to let me stay with them and stay in the crewmen's program. I don't know what to do?" Jim cried.

I have just the man for you to talk to. He is a grown up he knows more then I do. If you're worried about what, they said don't. Hitting her comm. badge. "P'nal to Mr. Condar."

Condar here. "What can I do for you P'nal?

"Come to the preschool office. Please."

"Where is that?" He asked.

"Is Susan there?" P'nal asked

"Yes." He said.

"Well grab her and have her bring you here." P'nal eager.

They showed up. "Thank you Susan." Condar watched her walk away.

"Don't get to interested she is married to the Telaxin Security chief." P'nal told him. I called you in here so you could talk to this man and help him make a Decision about his life. I will leave you to it." P'nal told them.

In another part of the ship. Well we are out of a job again thanks to you." Mr. Doud yeld.

"Oh shut up. You were as much at fault as I was." Mrs. Doud.

" What is the Admiral going to say? He wanted them discredited." Mr. Doud yeld.

"I don't know I'm seriously thinking of telling them that he is out to get them. You realized with what happened we could lose everything our children the house." Mrs. Doud.

"What do we do now?" Mr. Doud.

"Find the Captian." Mrs. Doud

"Computer where is Captian Chakotay?" Mr. Doud.

"The Captian is in the preschool. The computer told them.

"Thank you Oh! God he is there talking to Jimmy lets hurry maybe we can save our lives. Mr. Doud

They walked into the preschool. Captian can we talk to you it won't save us, but it's something we think you should know. Commander you to in fact sir we would like to have you two know everything we know about what is going on. With admiral Sarnac." They were told.

"Where is Jimmy?" Mrs. Doud asked.

"He is in my office with Mr. Condar. P'nal told them.

"P'nal it wasn't you. We were given orders to disrupt this ship anyway we could. He hasn't got a lot of the crew because he is trying to find the worst people he can. He is part of the separatists' movement."

"How do I know you are telling the truth?" Chakotay asked.

"We are willing to under go a mind meld." They said together.

Chakotay looked at Tuvok. "How do we prove it?"

"Well from what I'm picking up. They are." Mr. Condar told them. As for the admiral does he know T'mar? Can he still do like he did as a child and just stand in the room with someone and read them?" Condar asked.

"No " The Captian said.

"His boy can and so can I. We play games that way he is so smart he can't find enough to do." P'nal told them if you can get him here, so we can get in the same room with him. We will do our best.

Her grandfather said. "You actually play mind games.

"Yes they are simple things." P'nal told him

"You are actually melded together for that much time?" Tuvok asked No we never have touched each other." P'nal told him.

Robert walked out of his room, "P'nal did you and great grandpa want me for something."

"What are those people over there talking to grandpa Chakotay are thinking?" P'nal asked.

"You said I shouldn't do that without their pre . . pre . .mishtin." Robert told her.

"They told the Captian it was ok, because they told him something and he wants to make sure they are telling the truth. P'nal asked him.

Robert shook his head then he picked up a toy off the floor and started to listen what was in their minds. He began to laugh really hard then he opened up, so P'nal could see into his mind. She smiled. *Let's get past that and go on.* She thought.

*Tuvok had heard of this type of thing, but he had never witnessed it himself. He was slightly confused by what he saw happening to the children.* Tuvok though.

Chakotay looked his way. Tuvok nodded his head toward the children. Chakotay watched them. *Noting the funny look that covered their faces. Looking at Tuvok, he shrugged.* He excused himself from the group and walked over to Tuvok. "What is going on?" he asked.

"A mind meld without touching. I have heard of it, but never seen it done before." Tuvok answered.

*Robert looked at P'nal should I make them tell all the truth, all the time? * Robert thought.

*Yes as long as they can keep their ability to be kind to others.* P'nal explained what she meant.*

Robert said. "So be it." Then he lay on the floor and went to sleep.

Chakotay asked Tuvok. "How long will it take before we can find out what is in there."

Go to my office as soon as I put him in a safe place I will come in and tell you all about it and the thoughts he left behind." P'nal told them.

Chakotay said. "Vic take the boy and lay him some place safe."

"No. Our minds are still together." P'nal told them.

Chakotay looked at Tuvok. "You said you had heard of such things, but had never seen it in person? Why a child, and how long does it last?"

You remember that T'mar and I had it when he was young. Amanda came up to them. "My family has done that for years and properly trained he will be able to do it all his life. She looked at them and smiled.

Tuvok said. "You never told me that before."

"You never asked." She replied.

"Now gentlemen, I"m sorry to yell at you Captian. I'm not sure how it would affect him or me if the link was just snapped, and not broken gently." P'nal told them. "Now for what we got from our subjects. They know only what they told you. They are however real happy that you are willing to give Jim the chance to stay with the program. They want him to have a better chance then they have been able to give." P'nal looked at them. "Grandfather where did this ability come from? I know that he and I are cousins, but . . . ?" P'nal asked.

"As your Grandmother just informed me it's from her side of the family. Tuvok told her. "It seems that the two of you properly trained can maintain this link or ability for life." Tuvok told her.

"I had better let you talk in private." Chakotay told them.

"Captian if you will set up the Admiral's visit at the end of the week. Maybe Grandmother or a member of her family can help with how we can work easier so that Robert doesn't get so tired." P'nal told him.

"There is another problem T'mar and his family is scheduled to leave tomorrow to go to DS9. The Captian sat back in the chair. Does the president believe in this special mind meld or is it a case of outlawed because of it's being invasive? I mean if you have to touch me I know you are doing something to me. I'm trying to think of a reason to keep them here. Any ideas?"

"Well we could request them as replacements for the crew we just lost."

Tuvok said.

"That's true." Chakotay replied.

P'nal got up quietly and left the room, and left the men talking. Going out into hall. "Susan how is everything going?" P'nal asked as they walked down the hall.

" I was coming to help you with how to write your reports." Susan said.

"That will have to wait the Captian and the Commander are still in there." This was said just as they walked in the door.

Kathryn walked over did. "Tuvok or Chakotay tell you to leave. At the girl's shake of her head. Then what are you doing out here? What were you talking about when you left?

They were talking about away to keep T'mar and his family from leaving and getting them on this ship. I didn't think they needed me. P'nal answered.

"Well get back in there. That was rude to leave." Kathryn told her.

"Grandmother" P'nal raised voice.

" yes"

"The special training Robert needs would he be able to get that on DS9?"

"No P'nal."

"P'nal went into the room. They both stopped talking. "Well is everything ok out there? What did you find out?" The Captian asked.

Everything is fine, and yes Grandmother said that Robert cannot the special training he needs on DS9. But between the two of you, you could give it to us. Since I'm his link I will have to go into training to. We cannot be broken apart. Now the Captian had asked if this has been outlawed. Has it? P'nal asked.

Tuvok looked at her with disapproval. Yes it has as you would have known if you had been here as you should have been. Tuvok told her.

"I know I shouldn't have left without permission. Dr. Janeway told me. I know that you both know what T'mar and Phoebe do for a living, but I don't." P'nal said.

"T'mar is an engineer, and Phoebe is a diplomat." Chakotay told her.

"Can we convince the president that it would be a good idea to have a diplomat on board in case one of us more inarticulate say or do something stupid? She would be there to save our integrity. Excuse me sirs, but I have heard more Earth slang in the last few days. One other thing that occurred to me is what Robert's parents are going to say about all this?"

The Captian hit his comm. badge "computer. . . .," She handed him the list of parents where abouts, "Get me Comus Wilson and T'mar Paris Captian out."

"T'mar here Captian"

T'mar come to the children's school.

P'nal raised her voice, so she could be heard. "The children are fine."

Chakotay noted the sigh that came over the comm. link. He smiled at P'nal. Captian out.

"Comus here Captian"

"Is your sister still there? The Captian asked.

"Yes sir."

"Tell her there is nothing wrong with the children but I want her to come to the school." Captian out. "Better?'

P'nal smiled. And turned a pretty medium green. All four showed up. As well as the grandparents. I think we need to take this to the conference room. There isn't enough room in my office for this many people. P'nal

told them I will go relieve Amanda she can explain what is going on I can't." P'nal told them.

"That is a good idea we do need her, but I want you to stay after all it is your life. We are talking about, now Robert is to small to know what is going on, but you do know and after it is explained you may not want to do it. At her look of confusion. You know where the room is get everyone settled and we will be right there. Sit dear I know all of this is confusing, and the way I expect you to act and think is a lot. I know you can do everything I ask of you. If you cannot now is the time to find out. Here you have a safety net. If for some reason you screw up there is someone older and with more experience to help you will never be given something that will cause anyone to die or be hurt."

"Come on let's get this conference over, so we can get back to work. As she stood up, he put his arm around her shoulders she gave him a hug and smiled at him.

"I wonder what that feeling was?" P'nal told him at his look of confusion. "I had an empty place deep in side, but since I have been on this job with children that don't know that you don't touch a Vulcan or they don't care, all they know is I hurt and I need a hug and a Band-Aid. They entered the room with his arm still around her shoulders. When he saw the look on Tuvok's face he let his arm drop. "Now set there and behave yourself." Chakotay told her.

She laughed and said. "Yes daddy."

"P'nal" her grandmother spoke her name like a bullet coming out of a gun. We will have a talk after this meeting. Amanda told her.

"If it is about your Vulcan ways. Save it for the end of the day." The Captian told her. Looking at Amanda. P'nal if she says anything about it before report her you are in charge here. Do you understand me?"

"Yes sir." She said weakly.

"I didn't hear that?" Chakotay stated.

"Yes Sir!!!" P'nal spoke up.

"That's better. Now Amanda explains what is going on with P'nal and Robert.

"That is more of my Vulcan ways. Amanda said.

"Commander take your wife across the hall to P'nal's office and explain the way things run around here. Then if she thinks she can work under those restrictions she can come back to this room. If not then she will go and pack and leave the ship." I'm sure there is someone else that can help with Robert and P'nal."

"Come my wife." Tuvok helped her from the chair. They left the room.

P'nal picked up the padd in front of her. She made some notes. Kathryn sat next to her. "What is that for?"

"A couple of thing for that other project we are working on." P'nal told her.

"Like not leaving a meeting without permission." Kathryn said smiled.

"The rules of in subornation. It can be a very fine line. Like calling the Captian daddy when he isn't." P'nal laughed. "He had talked to me the way I wished my father had. When he hugged me, it was the greatest you know when you feel like someone actually approves of you. Like a father should make you feel. I have to talk to Mr. Condar about that."

Tuvok and his wife came back into the room. "Welcome back now for the discussion we were here to have Amanda will start by explaining what it is that Robert and P'nal share?" Chakotay asked.

"Captian, I would like to apologize for my behavior before." The commander has explained the errors of my actions." Amanda told him.

"The thing that the children share. Is call free Raine mind meld it can be controlled and most people don't even know that you know how? P'nal how did you find out that he was doing it?" Amanda asked.

"Well he was setting on the floor, by Bggb 's tub. They were talking about everything. When I came in Robert told me that Bggb liked the way I handled him. I said yeah sure the next thing I knew Robert was introducing me to Bggb through his mind. I told him he shouldn't do that without permission. There was one thing that happened earlier today Dr. Pritch came in. She asked Doud how he new the baby was in trouble he said that he sensed it. She looked at him. Then he told her yes that he heard her. So I wasn't sure if it was because they were both able to mind meld, or he could do it with anybody. P'nal told them.

"P'nal P'nal where is she? Where are my children?" Vidit screaming.

"Excuse me a minute duty calls. P'nal got up and left the room. She came back I think I'm going to ask that, that woman get transferred into this duty. It would save my staff from her frightful screaming at them. Then there are the other children it scares them." "Today he came out of the playroom when you were here and asked if I had called him. I was only thinking about it." P'nal finished her story.

When T'mar said. "He has been doing it before he was born. In fact he drove the doctor crazy. He would tell him I'm fine. He told me we couldn't go camping, because he would be there the next night and he was. P'nal got up and walked to the door opened it. Robert go back to the playroom. No she grabbed her head. T'mar stood up young man do you want to keep your friend? Then you stop that right now. If you can't behave, you will have to the back to the hospital."

"Everyone was staring at him." What hospital? They all said at once. "We were told when he was six months old that there was something wrong with him that he wasn't right we took him to the hospital they told us about. I went to see him about three days later, and they had him drugged out of his mind. If even in that state he would make contact, They would stab him with a pin. They called it conditioning I called it torture. I grab him off the bed or tried to he was tied down to the bed. I got out of there and went to dad Paris. He helped me clean him out then we went and stayed at TJ's until the party then we took a chance of coming back. I found out, when I got here that Maria had told the President. What had happened he had the place closed down and the people running it locked up and some of them got own medicine? That is where he learned to do what he just did to P'nal. P'nal are you all right.

Tom was standing behind her with a saner. "Yes she will be ok in a few minutes She will have a headache for a day or two. Robert see what you did." T'mar asked him.

He crawled across the table and lay his head on hers he laid that way for a while. "There hers all better."

P'nal picked up her head. Tom scanned her to see what had change. She is all right the things that were out of kilter were all back where they were suppose to be.

Robert put his arms around P'nal's neck. "I sorry PP." Robert said. P'nal hugged him back. "That's ok love."

"Now how do we start training the warrior here?" P'nal asked.

"You tell I wat do." Robert told her.

"Just that simple hun." P'nal smiled. The boy shook his head.

"I be good for you." Robert told her

She said. "What happens the next time you get mad at me?"

He hunched his shoulder.

"We start working on your temper tomorrow." If you ever do that to me or anyone else you get no more help from me. Do we understand each other?" P'nal asked.

The boy said"Yes PP"

Chakotay looked at her "PP" he asked with an amused sound in his voice.

"Yes sir it's the age group. They talk, but they still shorten words in there own way. P'nal explained.

"Who him?" Robert asked.

"To you he is grandpa, To me he is Captian." P'nal told him

"Who she pointing to Amanda?" Robert asked.

"To me grandma, to you teacher." P'nal answered.

"She don't like me. I'm not Vulcan." Robert told her.

"Well I will leave you. I have a ship to run. Tuvok you coordinate. Whatever Amanda needs to get Robert trained. Chakotay ordered.

"Grandpa" Robert called.

"Yes Robert what can I do for you?" Chakotay sounded proud of him.

"Two tings. Can you make that lady quit creaming, and give me hug?" Robert asked.

Chakotay smiled. "Well if you can let go of the pretty girl. I will. Robert jumped up and made a grab for him. Nearly falling. As for the lady I will do my best. He kissed the boy and tickled him making him laughed.

"Everyone get back to work." The Captian told them.

Amanda was the first out of the room. "Come child." As she took Robert's hand

"Wat see mama." He cried.

"No, your mother has work to do. Amanda told him.

"No I don't and anytime my son wants to see me he can. T'mar I suggest you talk to this woman. She might be part of your family, I won't have her turn my child into an android." She bent and picked up the boy. "What can I do for you?" Phoebe asked the boy.

"Cme and meeet my frien Bg ."

"Okay let's go they walked into the room. To find Dr. Pritch taking Bggb for the night. "Oh well love I will meet him tomorrow."

"Hi, Robert I though you had left already. Dr. Pritch She reach into the tub picking up her son. Laying him on a towel she bent down so the boy could rub his friends back.

Robert said. "Mama this is Bggb and his mama Dr. Pth."

Nodding. "I'm Dr. Gig Pritch actually.

Nodding. "Phoebe Paris

"Doctor Paris' wife?"

"No. His daughter - in - law." Phoebe told her.

They both laughed.

"You see Bggb they don't make no sense." Robert told his friend.

Amanda cornered P'nal you will be in our quarters after supper. Do you hear me and your precious Captian won't be there to protect you? Kathryn heard this, and was not happy about it. She went into the office "Janeway to Tuvok"

"Tuvok here what can I do for you Kathryn."

"Tuvok I just heard Amanda threaten P'nal." Kathryn told him.

"Are you sure she was threatening the girl? Tuvok

asked.

"What would you call it?" She told P'nal to be in your quarters after supper. Then her precious Captian won't be there to protect her. Kathryn said.

"I see well I will handle it. I believe P'nal is a schedule to be at your quarters for a meeting. On that new project he has them working on."

"I 'll remind her." Kathryn told him. Tuvok you have to get her straightened out. As it is, she is being very disruptive, and she has been cruel to two of the children in as many hours. I won't tell Chakotay as long as you put a stop to her."

"It's to late he is setting right here. He has expressed the same problem as you have. I have to agree with both of you she is disruptive. He already called P'nal and ordered her to that meeting, so my wife could hear him." Tuvok told her. I will find someone to train Robert. Tuvok out.

Kathryn turned to find Amanda behind her. She put on her best Captian look. Kathryn demanded. "How long have you been eavesdropping?"

"Long enough that you won't stop me from getting my hands back on that kid. We had him just about turned. He would have been the next president. Amanda shouted.

"He can't be president, he has no relationship to the President." Kathryn told her.

"His father is the grandson of the President." Amanda yelled.

"No dear he was called that by the Paris children." Kathryn told her. "They were no relation." Amanda slugged Kathryn catching her off guard.

"I don't know what is going on. Amanda you have to stop this. This is not logical." Another swing this time. Kathryn was ready and push her away.

The door opened. Nelix and three other men came in. "She hit me." Amanda yelled. Nelix looked. Looked at them. Arrest her he pointed at Amanda. Turning lets get her out of here. Tuvok my husband. She yelled. Tom gave her a shot to quiet her down. Tuvok go help figure out what is wrong with her. Chakotay ordered them.

Tom reaches over as they dragged her away, and gave her a small shot just enough to get her to the brig. Tuvok turns to P'nal do you know what's wrong with your grandmother?" Tuvok asked of her.

"Mom has been worried about her for sometime I thought you knew about it she worked at the hospital that Robert was in. Mom was trying to protect me from her I guess. She told me To never be alone with grandma at any time because she had this thing about children." If you need more information, you will have to contact mom." P'nal walked away with her head down.

Susan came up to her. "You get that head up. You are aloud to feel sorry for her, but never disgraced." Susan told her.

"But I am in disgrace. My grandmother hates children and mixed blood worst of all. She did this on the planet. That's why my parents made the big thing of getting grandfather to take me with him. They are going to Earth, but the job was with no children I don't understand it all." As P'nal talked to Susan.

Her grandfather heard the rest of what was going on. He went to his office. Walking over to his comm. panel. "Computer open a channel to Vulcan. I wish to speak to P'gee." Then he sat and thought about everything that had happened since he had been back. There were a lot of little things, as he looked at them now should have tipped him. That there was a problem. Tuvok was feeling real down.

"I have your link to P'gee" The computer told him.

"Tuvok here P'gee. P'gee what is going on? No more evasions. Amanda just attacked one of the officers here. Kathryn tried to protect P'nal. P'nal told her friend that you were going to Earth. If you wanted me to take her all, you had to do was ask or with your job with the President you could have written her orders to be here. Tuvok ran out of air so he had to stop talking.

"Dad this is S'lin One mother has been going down hill since they closed the hospital. She started to show signs of real hatred of the children before the hospital closed. She could control it lately she hasn't. It started with those of mixed blood at first, then it became with all kids. We tried to figure out away to send P'nal to Sh'mada on Mars then they started to have trouble there. Of course we couldn't send her there. We tried to get P'nal ordered on the ship, but a friend of moms found it he feels the same as she does and he ripped it up." S'lin said.

"Have you been able to get her to a doctor?" Tuvok asked. Feeling as if someone had kicked him. The door chimed. "Come"

"I tried, but she fatly refused to go. S'lin said.

"Hi mom" P'nal said.

"Hi baby you do understand why we had to do what we did." S'lin smiled.

"Yes ma'am. "P'nal answered. Bye mom I hope to see you soon.

"Computer close the channel. What brings you here? The Captian sent me here something about family needing each other. Tuvok smiled. What happened to this family we seem to be falling apart here all of a sudden?" No one acts like they are Vulcan. Even I don't want to. I'm not sure what is going on.

"Grandfather I wonder have we got away on this ship to scan the planet?" P'nal asked. "I wonder if there is something in the air or water? Causing these things, Everything started about five years ago." P'nal asked. Tuvok hit his comm. badge "Tuvok to the bridge."

Bridge here Wilson here. What can I do for you Commander?

"I want an environmental scan done on the planet." Tuvok out.

"Chakotay to Tuvok."

"Tuvok here."

"In my ready room."

"You go to your room, or wherever you are supposed to be." Tuvok said.

She smiled I go back to the school and do my reports and clean the place up. Then I 'm going to T'mar's he wants to talk to me about what happened today. He said it had something that Robert told him." P'nal told him.

"Call me before you go as I want to be there." Tuvok said.

They walked out of his office. She went to the school and he to the Captian's ready room." Tuvok got to the Captian's ready room, he pushed the bell."

The door chimed. "Come in." The Captian said.

Tuvok walked in. "You wanted me sir?"

"Yes you requested an envirmental scan of Vulcan. May I inquire why?" The Captian.

"It was something P'nal said. She said that this thing was Vulcan's quite acting like Vulcan's started about five years ago. I wondered if there was something in the environment." Tuvok told him.

"Bridge to Commander Tuvok"

"Tuvok here."

"We found something in the water supply. It is a compound we have never seen before." Harrison told him.

"Send, no I will get someone to bring me a sample so on ones knows we are looking for something." Tuvok told him.

"It was already done we told them that we were working on calibrating some of our equipment. I hope we didn't screw up things sir."

"No they would have bought that." Tuvok told him.

"Chakotay asked. "Who is working on the sample?"

"Dr. Janeway she said it was to important to leave to anyone else. She is in lab nine."

Chakotay and Tuvok came into the lab nine. "How are things going?"

"We broke some of it down. Maria is working on a compound she was sure she had developed for cleaning polluted water. Kathryn told them.

Maria walked into the room from looking as if someone had hit her.

"Maria sit and talked to me." Chakotay told her. "Dr. Paris to lab nine."

Maria began to cry. She kept sobbing until her father walked in. "Daddy what am I to do. They are using it to try to kill people.

"They didn't want to they put something with it. What would they put with it? If they wanted to make them revert to what they were before.

They got the, I don't do that it's not logical to do that." He asked her. At her look of confusion. He explained they don't cry because to is not accomplishing anything. Now you are a scientist. You have to think like one." Tom Paris told her. At the same time he held out his arms to her. She went into them.

"Daddy that was to help people, not harm them." Maria began to sob again. Tom hit his comm. badge. "Paris to Torris"

"Torris here what is it Tom?" B'Elanna asked.

"Come to Lab nine. Maria needs her mother. I will explain when you get here." Paris out.

B'Elanna ran into the room. "What is going on here?" B'Elanna asked. "Mama they turn my good thing, into something to try to kill or incapacitate them." Maria said in between sobs.

"It's ok let them come out. You don't need them." B'Elanna told her. Turning to the rest of them. "All right what is going on?" she demanded.

Chaskotay was sitting next to Kathryn. "Well Tuvok and P'nal thought it was funny, that his wife was acting the way she was. So they played a hunch and it paid off. The scanners picked up something in the drinking water. It turned out to be her compound. She made it for fixing polluted water. They had added something to make the Vulcan's revert to their old ways. "Chakotay told her. "Maria is like all scenist when they find out their work is being used for warfare."

"I have one question can it be reversed?" Everyone looked at each other. That my sweet is what you start on first thing in the morning. By then your Uncles will have told the president, so he can stop the water and figure out how to get it all out of the system. Right Uncles?" B'Elanna asked.

Tuvok's comm. badge went off. "Tuvok here."

"Commander this is P'nal. You asked to be in formed when I was going to T'mar's. Quarters sir."

"What room are they in?" Tuvok asked. You may call me grandfather.

"They are in the Captian's quarters . . . Grandfather." P'nal told him.

"I have to go. T'mar called P'nal and asked her to come to his quarters, because of something Robert told him."

"They all got up and started for the door. Chakotay hit his comm. badge. "Chakotay to Security."

"Security here sir, Thompson speaking."

"Thompson I want a security team on Lab nine now." Chakotay ordered.

"Who is going to work in there have them go to the retina scan device thank you Maria Paris?" Nice to work with you again. Thompson out.

"Is that you Charlie?" Maria asked. "Why did you leave the institute?"

"Yes ma'am. My normal rotation came up." He told her.

They left and headed for the Captian's quarters. When they got there, P'nal was just walking up to the door. Kathryn put in the code. When the door opened they all walked in to the room. "Boy! P'nal you travel in very prestigious circles." The man held a phaser to the boy's head.

"I tried PP Robert began to cry.

"Come and get this brat he has done nothing, but cry since I shot his parents." The man yelled at her.

"B'bas what are you doing?" P'nal asked him.

"Just what your Grandmother told me if she didn't call me once very twenty - four hours." B'bas answered.

"My Grandmother didn't call you because she is in the brig for Tring to hurt the boy." Now you give me that phaser. We will sit and you can exp-lain what is going on." P'nal reached out and took the phaser.

He gave it to her. Sat on the floor and began to cry. "I failed, P'nal I love you. Your grandmother said if I did as she said. I could marry you come spring. That is when I have my next pon fare. B'bas told her.

"What would you want with me B'bas? I have no reason to want to marry you. Even before this in fact if you have hurt his parents or him will hate you forever." P'nal told him. The Captian had taken the phaser and called security. Kathryn and Tom found the other two behind the table, on the other side of the room. They were coming around from the stun setting of the phaser. Tom ran the scanner over them. "They are going to be fine." Tom told them.

The security team showed up. "Take him to the brig and hold him for the Vulcan government." The Captian ordered.

"Maria are you ok?" Thompson asked her.

"I'm fine Charlie. I would like you to meet my parents. Tom and B'Elanna Paris." Maria introduced them to him. "Could we get together later after lunch I really need to talk to you?" Maria asked him.

B'Elanna asked "Who is he? He is the father of the baby I'm carrying." at the look on her fathers face. "Don't get mad at him the brass at the institute found out about us and transferred him out before I could tell him. She informed them all. "The place has a rule that doctors like me can't have a life with anyone but the other doctors."

"Well now to P'nal and Roberts problems. Robert walked over. "Can I talk to your baby?

"I guess so he tilted his head. Then he began to laugh like a happy child should. Then all the other stuff came out and P'nal looked at her grandfather with the saddest face it hurt him to watch her suffer. Then the boy lay on the floor and went to sleep.

P'nal disconnects love he is sleeping peacefully now. P'nal picks him up and kissed him. *I'm sorry PP

I know love, but it had to be told. Now go back to sleep and have sweet dreams.* She turned were do I put him down, so I can disconnect slowly.

Kathryn walked over to her. touching her shoulder. "Come this way." She led her down a hall to a bedroom. Then turn and walked back into the living room. Shortly P'nal walked out of the hall, and over to her grandfather. She rapped her arms around him and squeezed him tightly. P'nal turns around and sat next to her grandfather.

"This is what Robert picked up from the baby. He is as happy as can be and he is sure his papa will want him. Now the hard part. Grandmother is the one who attacked me this morning not Robert. She is the leader of the separatists. Grandmother wants to be queen of the land, and have everyone to do as she says. She really want us back to where we were before warring and living hand to mouth. That is why they stole the formula of the stuff Maria was working on."

"Yes, but they caught the man that did that he is in prison now." Maria told her.

"Not before he sent out a copy of the formula." P'nal stated. With your formula they could add their stuff and feed it into the water and no one was the wiser."

They thought Thompson was part of it, That is how they found out about us we were together. We have been man and wife for sometime, but with their way of doing things we couldn't tell anyone. When I found out, I was pregnant I came here. I figured dad or one of my Uncles would be able to find him.

"Are you sure he isn't?" Chakotay asked.

"Yes because the time they had him doing that he was with me, and we proved it quit a bit was done when we were off planet they found the security man in involved. Maria told them.

The door buzzed. Chakotay walked over."Who is it?"

"Thompson sir." Chakotay opened the door.

Thompson walked in. Sir may I see my wife." He asked.

Maria ran over to him and threw herself at him. "I missed you so."

"He dropped a packet of letters." Addressed to Maria all returned to him. He tossed them at Tom. "I think that tells it all." Chakotay told Tom.

Thompson I thought you were on duty. I called Mr. Nelix and he came and relieved me. He knows about us. In fact he heard about my letters being sent back, so he took one and sent it with his name no it, but they sent it back I think they were reading her mail. The only thing that got through was the things they approved." Thompson told them.

Chapter four

"Sweetheart can you come with me now. I love you and your family, but I want to be alone with you." Charlie told her.

"Hang on a minute the Captian hit his comm. badge Captian to security." The Captian called.

"Security here. What can I do for you Captian?" Mr. Nelix asked

"I was wondering if you gave Thompson the rest of the night off, or if just a few minutes to come and visit his wife?" Chakotay asked.

"The night sir. If I had the man power it would be the week." Nelix told him.

"I see thank you Mr. Nelix." Captian out. "Captian to Ship's services" "Ship's services here Toy Bon sir."

"I need quarters for a married couple. As soon as possible. Call my quarters when you find them."

"I have one deck 10 room 6."