Unworthy - Kirsten Beyer [52]
Instead, she saw respect.
“Well done,” Cambridge said with a smile.
“I failed,” Seven insisted.
“You tried,” Cambridge corrected her. “You are one of the bravest individuals I have ever known.”
Seven was suddenly conscious of his hands, holding hers tightly. She pulled them back quickly.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Seven.”
With a nod, Seven rose and left the office.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Don’t move,” B’Elanna whispered.
Tom lay opposite her, staring into her eyes with an intensity that suggested a desire to lose himself in them forever. Although they had begun the previous night nestled securely in each other’s arms, at some point while they slept, Miral had forced her way between them and now lay sprawled with one arm across B’Elanna’s abdomen, a leg atop Tom’s.
Tom reached toward his wife and gently brushed back a tangle of long hair until his hand came to rest on B’Elanna’s cheek.
“You know I don’t want to,” Tom whispered back.
“Then don’t.”
Tom closed his eyes briefly, clearly envisioning spending the entire day like this with great pleasure.
“Just tell me I’m not dreaming,” he said.
“I will if you will,” B’Elanna replied drowsily.
Tom opened his eyes and a wide smile spread across his face.
“I still can’t believe you’re both here. I honestly never thought this day would come.”
“I knew it would,” B’Elanna said. “That’s the only thing that kept me going.”
Tom’s smile faded.
“Are you sure we’re doing the right thing by staying here? If you still want to go, you know I’m with you.”
“All I want is for the three of us to be together,” B’Elanna assured him. “And I’m starting to think that you’re happier here than even you know.”
Tom seemed to consider her point.
“It’s different,” he conceded. “But it’s good. And last night was amazing.”
B’Elanna lifted her head and rested it on her hand.
“I assume you’re referring to what happened after our guests left, but dinner was nice too,” she replied, feigning dismay. “Part of me still doesn’t believe that we’re all together again in the Delta quadrant. But it’s strange without …”
Tom picked up her thought, “Admiral Janeway.”
B’Elanna nodded somberly. “I still miss her. Telling Neelix was awful.”
“I know. Just as awful as when I had to tell you.”
“What do you think of Eden?” B’Elanna asked.
“She’s fair. She’s a good captain. And she’s going to have my ass if I’m late for duty this morning,” Tom suddenly realized.
B’Elanna reached for him as he started to disentangle himself from Miral and pulled his lips to hers.
“And I’ll have your ass if you’re not back here the moment your shift is over,” she assured him.
“Yes, ma’am,” Tom said.
As he stumbled toward the ’fresher, he tossed over his shoulder, “How are you going to keep yourself busy today?”
B’Elanna gently shifted Miral, who rolled over onto her side with a faint snort of protest.
“Probably in sickbay at least part of the time,” B’Elanna replied. “Beyond that, I don’t really know. I don’t suppose they added a preschool during the last refit,” she suggested idly.
“Nope,” Tom replied through the open door.
“I’ll probably start going through the ship’s database for educational materials. I might see if I can download Kula’s program to our quarters, or maybe to the Galen.”
“Talk to the Doc. I’m sure he’ll help you any way he can. He’s still as full of himself as ever.”
“I noticed that,” B’Elanna chuckled.
She was about to share with Tom her silent disappointment that Harry hadn’t joined them last night when the door chimed. Pulling on her robe, B’Elanna crossed into the living area and releasing the lock manually found Nancy Conlon standing before her.
“You’re up early, Lieutenant,” B’Elanna said in surprise. “Tom’s in the shower but he’ll be on duty in a few minutes.”
“I’m sorry to disturb you,” Conlon said, clearly ill at ease. “But I didn’t stop by to see Commander Paris.”
“Oh,” B’Elanna replied. “Okay.” After an uncertain pause she added, “Do you want to come in?”
“Thank you,” Conlon said, stepping just inside the doors.
“I was just going to replicate some raktajino,” B