Title:    Naomi's DateAuthor: Jan and Jo MonroeRating: gSummary: Tom's luck runs out as the  Captaindiscovers his weekly date with three year oldNaomi Wildmen.  It's a fun kids story set during the fourth season.Naomi's DateBy Jan and Jo Monroejmonroe@luna.cas.usf.edu copyright 1998Disclaimer: Paramount owns the Star TrekUniverse, We've just borrowing it for fun,not profit.      Captain Janeway was looking for TomParis.  He was not answering his combadge buthe was listed on the computer as babysittingNaomi Wildmen.  He was not in his quarters orin the Wildmen's.  "Computer, where is Lt.Paris?" "Holodeck 2" The computer quicklyreplied.She entered the turbolift,  Holodeck 2. She walked to the door and noticed that theprogram playing was labeled "Paris, Naomi 6." The Holodeck did not have a privacy lock. The Captain walked in and was greeted withthe sounds of Naomi giggling.  The only thingin the Holodeck was a scuttle with its dooropen. "This  dampeners keep us from beingflung out of our seats when we re flying." The Captain heard Tom explain. The Captain could not believe her ears. Tom was teaching a three year old to fly. "Mr. Paris," the Captain hurtled at him. Tom jerked up straight, "Come on Naomi,the Captain wants us." Tom lead Naomi out ofthe scuttle.  "Yes, Captain.""I need you to lay in a new course,return Naomi to her mother and proceedimmediately to the bridge.""Sorry, Captain, but Wildmen is on dutyin engineering, I could leave her with theDoc for a few minutes."  Tom replied"Fine. After the course correction comestraight to my ready room."  The Captainquickly left the holodeck.Tom picked up Naomi,   She asked, "UncleTommy, are we in trouble?"The Captain heard her call him UncleTommy. * I wonder what that's all about? I'llhave to ask him, because, she, herself hadseen him take a punch at someone who calledhim Tommy just teasing him. *"No, honey, We're not in any trouble,but I have to go the bridge so I'm going toleave you with Doc for a few minutes, justlike the Captain said I should."Tom had no problems dropping off Naomiat sickbay.  The Doc had agreed to take heras long as he was back in about a half hour. The Doc had her on his lap reading theclassic children's book "The Cat in the Hat." *********************Although the course corrections aroundthe gravity well were complicated,  Tomneeded less than five minutes for theprograming.  He then proceeded to the readyroom door but didn't. immediately signal theCaptain.  He took several deep breaths,gathering his courage to go and face hisirate Captain.Tom was back in the position that he hadbeen in far too many times. * But he thoughit was behind him he had been really good forthe last six-month*  Standing before theCaptain trying to explain his way out oftrouble.  The day had started out so well. It was Wednesday and he had been lookingforward to his afternoon date.  Two hours onthe Holodeck with a scuttle simulator and hislittle co-pilot.  The Captain had walked inon them and got all the wrong ideas."Exactly what were you thinking ofteaching Naomi to fly.  She's THREE yearsold.  How dare you take her into apretentiously dangerous situation like that? What if the safety had failed?"  She pausedjust long enough to catch her breath and thenwent on without giving Tom a chance torespond.  "I thought you had grown out ofthis type of reckless behavior.""Captain, It's not what you think."  Tomstarted"What exactly was it than?"  The Captaindemanded."I think that I should start at thebeginning.  When Naomi was about three weeksold, the doc convinced Wildmen that I wouldbe the perfect choice as a babysitter becauseof my medical training.  I knew how to changea dipper and order formula from thereplicater but that was about it.  That day Ihad Holodeck time reserved.  I'll admit thatwas started out by telling myself that Iwould just take her to a nice sea side park. I got there and I couldn't help my self.  Ipulled up a flight simulator than I told thecomputer to create an infant seat capable ofclass E maneuvers.""Paris have you lost your mind, a babyalong for class E maneuvers?"  The Captainfumed."I've never taken her on any maneuversabove a class C. Ever!"  Tom defendedhimself.  "I just wanted the baby seat to beable to take almost any punishment, to keepher safe.I strapped her in, she'd been crying andfussing, I didn't know what to do so Ithought that if I was flying that I wouldcalm down and think of something.  As soon asI started the scuttle, Naomi calmed rightdown and went to sleep." Tom paused.  "I justdid easy stuff, practice.  After we recovered Voyager from the Kazons, the doc started toslide my name in as a scheduled babysitter. When ever I got hurt.   I  stared to reservethe Holodeck for the babysitting time.  Sheloves to fly. Today, before you came in thesimulator put in some minor systems failures. We had a bumpy ride. Naomi wanted to know whyand then what the dampers did so I showedher.  I have never let her touch a bottom onthat simulator."  Tom finished."Let me get this straight, you have beentaking her flying every week since she wasthree weeks old?""Yes, Captain." Tom relied, "EveryWednesday, except when I was on an awaymission or we were under attack.""Does her mother know about this?""No Captain."Janeway hit her combadge, "EnsignWildmen report to the Captain's ready roomnow.""Captain's this is lieutenant Torres,ensign Wildmen is in a jefferies tube shecan't leave anytime soon. Is there somethingwrong with Naomi?""No, but have her replaced and send  hernow," Janeway ordered."Yes, Captain, Torres out."  B'Elannaordered Martin to relieve Wildmen. *B' Elannawondered what Tom had done now. She knew thiswas his time with Naomi. * "Yes, lieutenant you sent for me."Samantha Wildmen reported to Torres."Yes. The Captain wants you in her readyroom.""Has something happened to Naomi?""No, she's fine. But something tells methat Lieutenant Paris is in trouble." The door on the Captain's ready roomchirped.  "Come," the Captain ordered."Wildmen did you know that lieutenant Parishas been taking Naomi with him in the shuttlesimulation." "No Captain but it sure explains a lotof things. Why she looked forward to her"dates" with uncle Tommy. Her asking whatparts of a ship are for. "   At the look ofconfusion on the Captain's face,  sheexplained what she meant. "Naomi calls himUncle Tommy,  One day she asked what anacelle was. I thought she had heard one ofthe crew talking about it."  The Captain looked at her. "He has beendoing this since she was three weeks old."  "I don't think we need to worry, atleast he isn't trying to teach her to ski,"At the Captain's lost look, "He's broke fourbones, got a concussion, and has encouragedB'Elanna to try. The flight simulator seemslike a safer place for Naomi." "Well, if as her mother you don't mind,but I'm not sure it's a good idea. She couldget hurt." The Captain commented. "Well Captain, she could get hurt, evenget killed, at any time, look what happenedwhen she was born.  I knew when I signed onwith Starfleet could be dangerous."Captain Janeway was surprised byWildmen's faith in Tom. *Tom, a responsibleadult?* * She thought *I'm have to ask aboutthe Uncle Tommy* A difficult mental pictureto envision.   "Captain, I know that youstill have other issues to discuss with me,but I promised Doc that I would be back topick up Naomi in about five minutes."  Tomstated matter of factually."Fine, however, you are not to take herflying again until I have a chance to comewith you." the Captain ordered."Yes, ma'am."  Paris responded andpromptly left.********************"Are we in trouble?" Naomi asked whenTom picked her up from the sickbay.  Shehadn't been totally convinced on theholodeck.  "Not really, but we can't go flyingagain until the Captain can come with us. I'll try to get her to schedule us in nextWednesday.  Sorry that this week was cutshort.""That's OK, uncle Tommy," Naomi replied,"everyone has to do what the Captain tellsthem to."****************Later that same day B'Elanna Walked intoher quarter. "Computer what is lieutenantParis location?" "Lt. Paris is in his quarters."   B'Elanna touched  her combadge. "Torresto Paris.""Paris, here." he quickly replied "Could you come to my quarters?" sheasked a little too nicely. "Sure be right there."A few minutes later the door to B'Elannaquarters chirped. "Come in."  She called. Tom walked over to her and slowly kissedher, "You wanted to see me?"  "What did you do to get into troublethis time?" she asked without warning."What makes you think I'm in trouble?""The Captain wanted Wildmen to come toher ready room." "What does that have to do with me?" Tomturned on his most charming smile but shecould see the underlying guilty.B'Elanna knew that expression.  It was Paris', hiding his emotions from the worldface.  "You look so  guilty, So spill ithelmboy.""The Captain found out I was takingNaomi flying on Wednesdays.  She wentballistic that's all."  Tom shrugged. "I can see why." B'Elanna had turned togo to the replacater when the significance ofwhat he was telling her hit her. She whirlingaround, "You did what with Naomi?" "I took her flying.""You actually took her out in ashuttle?"  B'Elanna asked in disbelief."No, in the holodeck simulator.   Whatis the big deal I've been doing it since shewas a baby. Her mom said it was ok with heras long as I wasn't' t trying to teach her toski.  Wildmen seems to think that I'm aklutz."   "What was the Captain reaction to allthis?""We can't go flying again until theCaptain can come with us.  I asked her to setaside 1500 to 1800 next Wednesday.  Hopefullywe can start going on our own after that." Tom told her"Why are you babysitting Naomi?""I like it.  She is the only person inmy life that only cared about what I wasdoing right now, no past to live down, justthe now.  I started taking her flying whenshe was a month old, fun relaxing and she hada great time.  She is the only person thatcalls me Tommy and I don't want to killthem." "I always wondered why she called youUncle Tommy." B'Elanna commented.Tom sat on the couch and relaxed.  "Iknew that the flying might end soon any way. Naomi's starting to want to push buttons. She is so cute when she asks all her questionabout why I'm doing what I'm doing.""Is she going to be the next chiefhelmsmen?"  B'Elanna couldn't help asking asshe tried to hide her laughter."No. Flying is fun but she is much moreat home in the hydroponics bay.  She loves towatch the plants grow and the pick thevegetables.  We just have to teach her whichplants need to be killed off, like the leolaroot."  Tom told her with a straight face. B'Elanna collapsed onto the couch next to himin fits of laughter.*************After enduring a week of teasing andbaby jokes, Tom was setting in the Captain'sready room with Naomi setting on his lap. They were waiting for the Captain to completereading a report before going to theHolodeck.  Naomi was excited about being inthe ready room.  A forbidden place, like thebridge and engendering, potentially dangerouslocations.The door chirped, "Come" the Captaincalled.  Chakotay entered.  "I need Mr. Paris to come to the bridgefor a moment." Chakotay stated calmly.  Hewas trying to hide his smile form the pictureTom the babysitter."Mr. Paris, go, I can read and watch herat the same time."Tom and Chakotay left the ready room. Tom went to the helm, checked his readingsand made a course correction.  He checked thesensor again to review the effectiveness ofthe changes and was about to turn the helmover to his relief helmsmen when he heardNaomi start yelling.  He quickly turned overthe helm and walked to the ready room.  Thedoor opened to the sight of Naomi having atemper tantrum."Naomi Wildmen, What are you doing?" Tom asked her.She didn't answer but Tom walked over toher, picked her up and set her in an emptycorner.  "You know that tantrums are notallowed."  He stated calmly.  "You are goingto set in this corner for three minutes soyou can calm down and then think of anapology to the Captain for your actions.""Aunt B'Elanna does it and no one makesher sit in a corner," Naomi statedmutinously."Aunt B'Elanna's behavior right now isnot your concern, Your behavior is.  Any morestatements like that one and you will not begoing flying later."  Tom stated.  "Computerset a timer for three minutes, signal everythirty seconds."He than turn his attention to theCaptain.  "Sorry about that, she has onlybeen doing that for the last three weeks.  Ithink that one of the sitters is letting hermanipulate them with tantrums."  He glanced around the room, catchingsight of chakotay standing in the opendoorway.  Both the Captain and Chakotay had alook of amazed respect on their faces.  TomParis has stopped a child's temper tantrumand apologized for it.  He was actingremarkably like a parent. The Captain smiled faintly, "Iunderstand.  I still have more of this reportto finish.  Please be seated."  She sat ather desk to finish the report.  Tom sat on the couch near Naomi.Chokotay returned to the bridge.  Still,shaking his head in amazement.  Tom as aresponsible adult was easier to picture butknowing a child's behaviors, and acting likea parent suddenly became easier that Chakotayhas ever thought possible.  The only sound in the room was thecomputer counting of the time remaining inNaomi's timeout.The Captain laid down her pad just asthe computer announced "No time remaining."Tom went to the corner and picked upNaomi.  "Do you know why you should apologizeto the Captain?""Yes." Naomi sniffled, Tom carried herover to the Captain's desk and put her downon the floor.  "I'm sorry, I shouldn't havegot mad because I didn't get my own way.  Ma. . . Ma said you might not let uncle Tommyand me go flying anymore. You kept telling melater."Janeway smiled. "Apology accepted. Well,lets go then." * I guess I forgot howimpatient children can be. *They left the ready room on their way tothe holodeck. Naomi held each of their handswhile they walked soon she just picked herfeet up. Tom looked down, stopped and reacheddown and he swung her up on his shoulders."Sorry toots, forgot you have short legs."   "That's ok Uncle Tommy, I love you" Shesqueezed his neck. When they got to the holodeck, Parislowered Naomi to the floor.  "Which programdo you think the Captain would like to see?""Fifteen." She laughed. "Fifteen it is," Paris Laughed * hewondered what the Captain would have to sayabout this one. The asteroids are thealphabet* "Ok Naomi you go on in the Captainand I will be right in. Remember, don't touchanything." He turned to the Captain "This was workout based on one of her favorite books. "Cha,cha, boom, boom." She must tell me the letterbefore I hit it. Its set up like an astroidfield.""We better get in there before shedecides to start without us,"The Captain stated.They entered, Naomi was  alreadystrapped into her rather impressively largerestraint seat ready to go.  "Why don't you tell the Captain what therules are while I do pre-flight? " Tomsuggested.  "I have to tell what the letter is, sowe can save the ship from being damaged.  Ifwe don't damage the scuttle than I get tochoose between a story, s'mores, a swim oreating gagh with Aunt B'Elanna."The Captain looked at Tom questioningly."Eating gagh?"Tom shrugged, "She likes it. So Naomiwhat are we playing for today?""All of us having gagh with AuntB'Elanna!" She said excitedly. She turned andsaid, "Captain you can come to."The Captain looked at her. "Why do youlike gagh?""It  tickles," Naomi giggled.While they were talking, Tom had startedand completed the standard pre-flight checks. "Now, Naomi, your pre-flights.  Which side isstarboard?"  She pointed to the left.  "Whichway is port?"  She pointed right.  "Engagingengines."  They started to move."Coming up on the asteroid field now,"Tom announced.  "Which way should I go?" "Port," Naomi stated.  They fell into aneasy rhythm of Naomi watching the view screenand giving orders of how to connect thealphabet is order.  She only made one mistakewhen she got to the letters "p" and "q." Butwhen Tom asked she quickly corrected herself.The Captain sat in her seat, softlylaughing.  If anyone had told her that TomParis would be using a scuttle craft to teachthe alphabet to a three year old, she wouldhave laughed them out of her office.  But shewas setting there watching the action.  Thechanges in Tom were never so easy to see asright now.  The cocky, arrogant jerk that shehad meet in New Zealand had almost totallydisappeared.The trip thought the alphabet tookalmost an hour.  Almost, an hour wasremaining on their holodeck time.  "A trip tothe sea or to the playground?" Tom asked.The Captain answered, "The sea.""Computer, end current program and startParis treasure island, two."  The scuttledisappeared and a coast line with gentlyswaying sea grass appeared.  Near themappeared a beach bag.  Tom grabbed it andstarted to walk towards the shore line.  Hepicked a spot on the sand near the shoreline. "Anyone wants to build a sand castle withme?""ME." Naomi yelled.Tom and Naomi dropped to the sand andstarted to discuss design.  The Captain hungback for a moment but than joined to fun ofplaying in the sand.  The beach bag hadcontained an assortment of beach toys thatthey used to build the castle.  The time flewby, They  had just finished the castle,complete with turrets, out buildings, and amoat when the computer announced it customaryfive minute warning."Arch" tom ordered as he dusted sand offNaomi.  He know the sand would disappear whenthey left the holodeck but old habits werehard to break.  The Captain turned to Tom, "Come to myready room after you drop off Naomi." "Yes, Captain," he acknowledged, takingNaomi's hand and walking toward the turbolift.*************The Captain walked onto the bridge,catching Chakotay eyes and walked to herready room, he followed her in.  "Kathryn, I have to know.  What did hedo down there?"  She started telling him about herafternoon.  A scuttle based alphabet lessonand a design lesson in sand. During herdescription of the day, he lost a valiantattempt not to laugh.  "Who would have thought that Tom Pariswould be a closet teacher?" He asked."I would never have dreamed it but I sawit.  I still have to decide about the flying. It was educational but I really don't knowabout her being exposed to the scuttlecraft.""I would say let it stay the way it isfor now with the firm understanding that heis not to show her any of the controls. Maybe a stern discussion about the dangers ofpushing buttons without knowing what theywill do."  Chakotay suggested.She sighed, "I'm leaning in thatdirection.  By the way, I've been invited toeat Gagh.""Gagh?"Chakotay looked as surprised ashe was."Her choice of treats for going thoughtthe alphabets.""But, Gagh?"  Chakotay grimaced."Tom offered her swimming, s'mores,stories or Gagh, and she picked Gagh. Yourright I can do without it," Janeway laughed. "You could always be busy," Chakotaylaughed."Oh no! She told me that LieutenantParis couldn't because he was allergic to it.But that mama made her eat in the mess hallwith everyone else most of the time.    Sheasked me if I could teach Neelix to cookbetter." They both were laughing so hard theydidn't hear Tom enter the room."Sorry sir. I heard something I thoughtyou wanted me to come in?""That's fine LT. come on in. I wastelling Chakotay about my afternoon withNaomi."  Tom thought it must be ok or theywouldn't be laughing.  "I'm glad you enjoyedyourself anytime you want to join us, feelfree."   He hoped she wouldn't, but whatcould he do but offer.*"Paris you may continue with thesimulator as long as you follow a few rules. Naomi is not to touch the buttons or are youto tell her what they are for. Do youunderstand? ""Yes, ma'am" Tom was happy he started toleave."Come back here, Mr. Paris." Janewayordered."Sorry, ma'am.""You will also give her a lecture on whyshe can't touch them understood?""Yes, ma'am. By the way, I talked toB'Elanna about the invitation to dinner. Shesaid tomorrow would  be fine both her andensign Wildmen are free. We thought of eatingat 1600."  Tom told her."Why so early?" The Captain asked."Naomi has to go to bed at 1900.""Tell her I'll be there." The Captainsaid.  "Mr. Paris, What other programs areyou planning after she can run the alphabetswithout help?""I have a number program we just startedbut she wanted to show off today.  I'll haveto check the educational data base for thenext one.  I don't know off hand whatsequence of instruction is recommended."  Tomanswered honestly."I would like you to save thoseprograms, we might need them again someday. I am going to give Naomi holodeck time foreducational programs only.  Do you have anyother programs that are specificallyeducational?""Yes.  Colors, numbers, shapes."  "Save those programs and make themavailable to the crew.  Thank you for thisafternoon, You can go and inform theWildmen's of my decision."Tom smiled a real smile and left*******************The next evening the Captain walked intothe mess hall to meet her dinner companions. She was not surprised to see Chakotay settingat a table near Tom, B'Elanna, Samantha andNaomi.  He had a smirk on his face, whichsaid, *I'm just waiting for the show tobegin. *She walked over to her group and tookher seat.  Naomi had a bowl in front of herthat had what looked like six worms crawlingin it.  She picked up one and put it in hermonth, giggling the whole time.  The adultsaround her faintly shuddered at the sight ofher putting the slimy food into her month."What does it taste like?"  The Captainasked."Uncle Neelix's leola root and onionscasserole."  Naomi told her.The Captain cut off a very small pieceof gagh and tasted it.  It was all she coulddo to swallow it and not be ill at the table. "Interesting taste." Was her only comment. She could hear Chakotay softly laughing atthe next table.  She couldn't really hold itagainst him.The end----------------------- Headers --------------------------------Return-Path: <jmonroe@luna.cas.usf.edu>Received: from  relay22.mail.aol.com (relay22.mail.aol.com [172.31.106.68]) by air17.mail.aol.com (v39.9) with SMTP; Tue, 24 Feb 1998 22:44:29 -0500Received: from luna.cas.usf.edu (luna.cas.usf.edu [131.247.200.133])	  by relay22.mail.aol.com (8.8.5/8.8.5/AOL-4.0.0)	  with ESMTP id WAA22764 for <PTCarchive@aol.com>;	  Tue, 24 Feb 1998 22:44:26 -0500 (EST)Received: from localhost (jmonroe@localhost) by luna.cas.usf.edu (8.8.7/8.6.5) with SMTP id WAA14084 for <PTCarchive@aol.com>; Tue, 24 Feb 1998 22:44:36 -0500 (EST)Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 22:44:36 -0500 (EST)From: "Janet Monroe (CAS)" <jmonroe@luna.cas.usf.edu>To: PTCarchive@aol.comSubject: new storyMessage-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.95.980224224148.14038A-100000@luna.cas.usf.edu>MIME-Version: 1.0Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII