Title: Not In the Dark
By Julia
Comments to: frosty@tdn.com
Disclaimer: The Star Trek Universe belongs to Paramount/Viacom. I just
borrow the characters. But I own the story and the characters I created. I
also own the idea, please don't take it. The song "I Am Only A Memory Away"
is from Sailor Moon and I thought it fitting to this story. It belongs to
Michael Benghiat, Lois Blaisch, and Andy Heyward, who wrote the music and
lyrics.
Dedication: To JoAnna, Lauren, and Amy!

MANY THANKS TO LAUREN WHO HELPED ME OUT A GREAT DEAL WITH THIS STORY!

The storm raged outside. The rain beat down on the roof of the house and
Ashlyn JoAnna Paris could hear the sound of the roaring waves from the
ocean below. She stood by the window and looked out towards the ocean. 
>From the light from the lighthouse that stood higher up on the hill, she
could see out to the ocean. She sighed contentedly and turned away from the
window, going back to the piano. She began to play "Fur Elise."
        A few minutes later, she couldn't even hear the rain anymore. She became
engrossed in playing the music of Beethoven. She didn't notice when her
sisters came into the living room and set down a tray on the table. She
only looked up when she smelled the aroma of hot cocoa.
        Jasmine Amy Paris, who was thirteen, was sitting in front of the
fireplace, carefully running a brush through her waist length blond hair. A
cup of hot chocolate sat beside her, along with a cheap romance novel.
        Ashlyn looked over at her twin sister and complete look alike, Sydney
Lauren Paris. Curled up on the couch, Sydney was sketching something. She
glanced up at Jasmine and then back down at her pad. The next time she
glanced up, Ashlyn caught her eye.
        "Have some hot chocolate. It's Jasmine's new recipe." Sydney said, taking
a sip of her own. "It sounded good."
        Ashlyn smiled. "Thanks." She sighed again and stood up, coming to join
her
sister's by the fire. She helped herself to a cup of hot cocoa. 
        Jasmine flipped her hair over her shoulder and quickly braided her hair
into three braids. Biting her lip, she braided the three braids together
and secured them with a hair band. "Look okay?" She asked Ashlyn and Ashlyn
nodded.
        Sydney stopped her sketching long enough to look over at Ashlyn. "Are you
going to tell Mom and Dad tonight?" She asked her, studying her intently.
        Ashlyn's face paled but she managed to nod. She ran a hand absentmindedly
through her dark brown hair. Blue eyes were fixed on the table. "Yeah, I am."
        Jasmine, who had been humming quietly, stopped. She looked up at Sydney.
"They're not going to take it well."    
        "Better than you think, Jasmine. Be optimistic." Ashlyn said, smiling. "I
know Mom and Dad."
        "I hate to admit it, Ash, but I agree with Jaz. They're going to flip."
She tucked a strand of her short hair behind her ear.
        Sydney and Ashlyn were identical, down to their exact height and the
color
of their blue eyes. The only difference was their hair lengths. Ashlyn's
fell to the middle of her back, while Sydney's was chin length.
        "We'll worry about it when they get home." Ashlyn decided, turning the
page to her book. 
They fell into a companionable silence. Ashlyn stared into the fire as
Jasmine picked up her book and spread out in front of the fire and read.
Sydney sketched Jasmine in front of the fire and then turned to another
page and sketched Ashlyn. She was just finishing up the background for
Ashlyn's sketch when thunder clashed, and the lights went out.
        "Dang! Will this storm ever stop?" Jasmine demanded and sat up, folding
her page down to keep her place.
        "Doubt it." Sydney told her, standing up and lighting a few candles.
"Wanna play a board-game?" She asked, opening a drawer in the large book
case that stood on one wall.    
        "Yeah, sure." Jasmine stood up and took the tray of hot cocoa back into
the kitchen. Ashlyn cleared away the table in front of the fire and moved a
few more candles over to see.
        "Okay, we either have Monopoly or Life. Both the twentieth century
editions."
        "Life!" Jasmine hollered from the kitchen and came back out carrying the
tray again. This time it had a wine bottle and three wine glasses. "It's
getting a little warm in here, so I got a bottle of sparkling cider. And we
have the cake I made earlier today, and some cheese and crackers."
        "Yum!" Ashlyn took the tray from her and set it on the fireplace. Jasmine
took the game from Sydney and sat down across from Ashlyn, who was sitting
with her back to the fire. Sydney sat down to the left of Jasmine.
        "I'm the blue car." Sydney called, taking the cars out of the box.
        "White." Jasmine said, handing out the money.
        "I'll have green." Ashlyn said, shuffling the career, salary, stock, and
house cards. "You can go first, Sydney."
        "Okay." Sydney spun the wheel and it stopped on four. "Part-time job.
Collect $5,000!" She took the money from Ashlyn, who was playing banker.
"Your turn, Jaz."
        Jasmine spun and it stopped on eight. She moved the white car eight
spaces. "Dean's List! Groovy! Hand over a life tile!"
        "What time are Mom and Dad supposed to be home tonight?" Ashlyn asked,
moving the green car ten spaces and taking a life tile for graduating.
        Sydney glanced at the clock above the fireplace. "It's only nine thirty.
They probably won't be home till midnight or so. Later, maybe. One of us
should stay up and see if they're just staying in California for tonight."
        "I'm not tired. I'll stay up." Jasmine volunteered, stopping at the 'Get
Married' stop sign. "Gimme a guy, Ash. And don't name him Charles!" She
shuddered at the thought of Charles, their neighbor.
        "Who should she marry?" Sydney asked Ashlyn, grinning evilly at her
sister.
        "Darien." Ashlyn smiled at Jasmine's relieved look. 
        "What are your plans for tomorrow?" Sydney asked the two a few minutes
later. 
        "Explaining to Mom and Dad about...well, you know. Jasmine?"
        "Have my photo shoot tomorrow morning, and I'm going to the mall and
blowing some money. And Justin mentioned something about going out tomorrow
for dinner, or I might have him come over." 
        "Ooooh!" Sydney smiled widely. "Jasmine's having a guy over! I think its
time to haul out the baby pictures!"
        Ashlyn grinned. "I think you're right! Or maybe mention...what was his
name...Nick?"
        Jasmine paled. "You wouldn't!" She looked at Sydney and then back at
Ashlyn. "Would you?!" She sighed and looked at Sydney. "Your spin."
        Sydney spun the wheel and moved the blue car to the 'Buy A House' stop
sign. Ashlyn put three cards down on the table. "You can get the beach
house, mobile home, or split-level! Well, take your pick!" Jasmine hid a
giggle with a cough. Sydney stared at the cards.
        "But they're all ugly!"
        "I'm sorry," Jasmine told her, moving the Victorian house card closer to
her.
        Sydney glared at her and took the beach house. She paid the bank and spun
the wheel again, moving forward two spaces. She leaned over to read the
space. "You're fired, start new career! DANGIT!" She handed over the artist
career card and 100,000 dollar salary card. She drew again and came up with
the accountant and the 20,000 salary card.
        "Just isn't your day! Is it?" Jasmine asked her, landing on a pay day and
helping herself to her ninety thousand.
        Sydney glared at her again but shrugged it off. Ashlyn went, buying her
house and landing on a pay day, too. Sydney span the wheel again and moved
forward three places. "Furnish baby room, pay $5,000." She handed over the
money to Ashlyn, who was the salesperson.
        An hour later, they finally finished the game. Ashlyn had a successful
life, having a baby boy and adopting twins. She retired to Countryside acres.
        Jasmine had only had a baby girl and had had a mid-life crisis. She
became
a superstar after that, with the $100,000 salary card. She retired to
Millionaire Estates and sat back and watched Sydney finish.
        Sydney was almost entirely broke. She had kept landing on the spaces
where
she had to pay for her kids. And kids she had! She had nine kids, landing
on all of the kid spaces except one.
        "Well, that was a life I hope to never have." She announced as they put
the game away. Ashlyn shuffled a deck of cards and dealt out seven cards to
each of them.
        Three bottles of sparkling cider, a cake, two pots of cocoa, a bag of
marshmallows, six cokes, and a box of crackers later they had played ten
games of Go Fish, fifteen games of Crazy Eights, and were in the middle of
playing their sixth Uno game. Long ago, it had been decided that all of
them would wait up for their parents and after the second bottle of
sparkling cider, all three of them had been bouncing off the walls.
        "Uno!" Sydney hollered and watched urgently as Jasmine put down a red
six.
Ashlyn looked over at Sydney and put down a Wild card. "Green." She said
uncertainly. 
        "Yes!" Sydney slammed down her green three and jumped up, doing a little
dance around the living room.
        "She has won every game of Uno!" Jasmine exclaimed, securing the rubber
band around the deck.
        "Yep!" Ashlyn took a sip of her sparkling cider and handed Jasmine the
games and cards. "What now?"
        "Umm...we've played games, ate, talked..."
        Sydney picked up Jasmine's book and read the back. "Ashlyn can read to
us!" She handed Ashlyn the book. "I don't understand why you read such
cheap romance stuff, but it sounds good!"
        "Okay, its called 'Victoria.' Texas' pride was in her blood, burning love
was in her heart." Ashlyn cleared her throat and took another sip of her
cider. 
        "The air was cool enough so that she wished she had worn a shawl, but it
wouldn't do to go back for one. All she had to do was waken her mother and
she was in trouble. Her father would not take lightly such a clandestine
meeting as this.
        As soon as Cade's voice came out of the darkness, she forgot her father
and the chill of the evening. Indeed, Cade drew her into his arms in an
embrace that set her blood tingling as she responded eagerly to his kiss."
        "'I had to say goodbye to you in private,' he said, his voice husky. 'Not
in front of all those people in the morning.'" Jasmine recited as she
interrupted Ashlyn. She looked up to see Sydney and Ashlyn looking at her.
"Sorry, I've read the book so many times, I have it memorized."
        "I think I'm getting tired of romance in the ancient West." Sydney said,
taking the book from Ashlyn. She looked at the clock. "Midnight!" As if to
answer her, the thunder clapped and Jasmine jumped.
        "Let's watch a movie. I'll go make some pop corn." Jasmine stood up and
disappeared into the kitchen. 
        "What movie?" Sydney asked Ashlyn, blowing out a few of the candles and
offering her sister a hand up off the floor.
        "Titanic!" Jasmine yelled from the kitchen.
        "No! Not Titanic, a happy movie! Everyone dies in Titanic." Ashlyn
exclaimed.
        "The ship sinks, of course they do!" Jasmine hollered back.
        "How about Beaches?" Sydney asked, browsing through the computer
selection.      
        "Someone still dies."
        "Death is a part of life, Ashlyn! If you don't like death, watch a Disney
movie!"
        "Yeah!" Jasmine came back out. "Let's have a Disney Bash!" She scanned
the
movies available. "First, Cinderella. Then...Mulan, Aladdin, gotta love
Jasmine!" She grinned and then continued reading, "Hercules, Hunchback of
Notre Dame, Peter Pan...and...Pocahontas!"
        Sydney groaned. Before she knew it, little mice were dancing around the
screen, making dresses.
        Ashlyn clapped when the movie ended. "I love happy endings!"
        "That girl needs a real man." Jasmine commented. 
        "I want to puke." Sydney told them both. "Let's watch Mulan. That
character at least has strength."
        They watched Mulan, Aladdin, Hercules, and were halfway through Hunchback
of Notre Dame when Jasmine fell asleep, using Sydney's right shoulder as a
pillow. A few minutes later, Sydney felt a pressure on her left shoulder.
She looked over to see Ashlyn sound asleep. Sydney leaned back against a
pillow and was half-way asleep herself when a pounding came at the door.
        Jasmine woke instantly and sat up, yawning. It was four o'clock in the
morning. "Who could THAT be? Mom and Dad wouldn't knock." She got up and
woke Ashlyn. Ashlyn looked at her tiredly but got up and lit a few candles.
Sydney got a tricorder and a phaser from the kitchen.
        "Who is it?" Ashlyn called as the three stood around the door.
        "StarFleet security, please open the door." Ashlyn did and admitted two
officers, one an ensign and the other a  Lieutenant. She looked confused.
"How may we help you?"
        "We need you to come to San Francisco with us. Something has happened,"
the brunette lieutenant told them.
        "Oh god." Sydney took Jasmine's hand and Ashlyn's hands. "We'll go get
dressed. Come in, though." 
        The three of them met back at the top of the third floor five minutes
later. For once, Jasmine didn't look like a super model. Her hair was in
the braided braid she had done earlier this morning and she wore simple
black pants and a red shirt.
        Sydney and Ashlyn had just thrown on jeans and a sweatshirt. Sydney took
Ashlyn and Jasmine's hands again and wouldn't let go. She held each of
their gazes before they descended the last flight of stairs. "Whatever
happens, we go through it together. Got it?"
        Jasmine nodded and Ashlyn squeezed Sydney's hand in reply. Sydney took a
deep breath. "Let's go." She told the officers and followed them out of the
house.

***

        StarFleet Headquarters was bustling and busy, even if it was one o'clock
on the West coast. Admirals hurried past, being tailed by young ensigns who
were jotting down everything the Admiral said.
        Newspaper reporters rushed about, just adding to the confusion. The
brunette lieutenant had identified herself as Lt. Annette Golden. The
ensign was Jacob Doreen. They led the three girls through the mass of
confusion now, shielding them from video camera's and holo-projectors. 
        "In here, please." Annette told them and led them into an office. It was
a
spacious office that looked over the bay. The stars were out and the moon
hung almost out of sight. They knew this office.
        Admiral Owen Paris. Chairman of the Federation Council of Admirals. He
was
their grandfather, but they hardly ever saw him. He didn't receive Tom well
when Voyager had made it home.
        He still disowned him and hadn't seen Ashlyn or Sydney for almost three
years. He saw Jasmine more often, she often stayed with them when she was
in San Francisco modeling or visiting a friend. Even if Owen didn't approve
of his son, his wife did.
        "Nanny" is what they all called her. Owen always found something that
needed to be done at the office when Jasmine visited, but he was fond of
his youngest granddaughter. 
        Now, Owen sat behind his desk, going over reports. He looked up when
Annette cleared her throat. His blue eyes studied Ashlyn, Sydney, and
Jasmine closely. He nodded to Annette and Jacob. They left.
        "Please, have a seat," he said. "I'm sorry we had to wake you so late,
but
there has been an accident."
        Ashlyn stiffened and held onto Sydney's hand tighter. "Its Mom and Dad,
isn't it?" She asked. Owen nodded.
        "I'm sorry. There was nothing we could do for Commander Torres. I'm
sorry.
Your father is in critical condition, I'm sorry, but I cannot admit you to
see him."
        Jasmine looked up at him and glowered. "Her name is B'Elanna Paris,
Grandfather!"
        Owen flinched. "I'm sorry about your loss."
        "What about Tom? Your son?! What about him?! YOU ARE JUST STANDING THERE,
TELLING YOUR GRANDCHILDREN THAT OUR PARENTS ARE DEAD! OR DYING! AND YOU'RE
SAYING I CAN'T SEE DADDY!?" Jasmine was near hysterics. Ashlyn and Sydney
had never seen her get so upset so quickly. Sydney pulled Jasmine back down
onto the couch and Jasmine buried her head into her shoulder, sobs wracking
her body.
        Ashlyn stood up and glared at Owen. Blue eyes met even wilder blue. "I
have every right to see my father. Let me see him." She held his gaze.
        "He's down the hall. Tell the Doctor I admitted you." Owen turned and
Sydney saw him cover his face with one hand. She turned at the door seeing
that Ashlyn had taken Jasmine up ahead. 
        "I didn't mean to be so...straightforward..." Owen said, seeming to talk
to himself. "What have I become?"
        "A monster." Sydney answered him and left the room.
        "I cannot admit you, I'm sorry!" The young doctor stood in front of the
entry to the surgery bay. "He is too sick! We still have a chance to save
him, but he-"
        "Quit your excuses." Sydney told him bluntly, coming into the Sickbay.
"Get out of my way before I decide to remove you myself."
        "I need names and proof of identity."
        "Ashlyn Paris, Sydney Paris, and Jasmine Paris." The Doctor backed away. 
        "I'm sorry, I didn't realize-" His apologies fell on deaf ears: Sydney,
Ashlyn, and Jasmine were halfway to Tom's bedside before he even got the
word 'sorry' out.
        Jasmine flung herself at her father as he opened his eyes slowly. She was
crying again and she clung to the surgical gown. He squeezed her hand.
"Shh...baby, its okay. Everything will be okay..."
        Jasmine clung to Tom and didn't let go of him. Sydney sat down in a chair
and Ashlyn knelt and held Tom's free hand.
        "How? How did it happen?" Jasmine asked quietly, wiping away a few tears.
        "Do you really want to know, baby?"
        Ashlyn squeezed Jasmine's hand. "Jasmine, are you sure you want to know?"
        "I want to hear it from Daddy, not some Admiral."
        Tom sighed painfully and shut his eyes, bringing back the memory...

***

        "Warp core pressure at sixty-six percent and rising!" B'Elanna Paris
called out and boosted the power from the plasma manifolds.
        "Just a little more and I'll have enough power to get us out of the
system!" Tom called out to his wife, and turned to see Captain Roosevelt
sitting stiffly in the command chair.
        "Seventy-three percent." B'Elanna called, but was interrupted by the
computer beeping an alarm. "Wait a minute, its dropping!" 
        The ship rocked. "The manifolds are overloading, trying to switch power
to
backup!"
        "Hurry, 'Lanna!" Tom called, "We're losing speed."
        "Boost all the power you can get, from life support, too." Roosevelt
ordered and held on tighter to the command chair. He exchanged a glance
with his first officer, Erin Morrill. "ETA out of the system?"
        "Two minutes." Tom said, just as the Engineering console exploded,
throwing B'Elanna against the wall. He saw it all out of the corner of his
eye. "B'ELANNA!" His scream echoed through the silence that followed...

***

        "When I woke up, I was here. The Lexington-C had beamed us out...B'Elanna
was...not retrieved. She could have been saved...she could have been
saved..." Tom trailed off and his face crumbled with pain and sadness. He
buried his head in Jasmine's blond hair. "I can't believe how stupid we
were...We're leaving you three here in this universe...alone and unguarded.
How could we...how..." 
        "Don't say that, Daddy. Don't." Ashlyn held onto his hand tighter. "We
can
take care of ourselves, you taught us well and were the greatest parents we
ever could have wanted."
        "Thank you, Ashlyn..." He trailed off and gasped for air. "They're
getting
worse. I don't have..." He grimaced. "Much time..."
        "Jasmine...Sydney and I are going to wait outside so you can say what you
want to in private...I think we each should say good-bye privately."
Jasmine nodded and Ashlyn got up. Sydney followed her.
        "Please don't cry, Jazzy Bear. Please." Tom held her tighter and rocked
her back and forth slightly. "You've always been an angel...I always loved
seeing you at your photo shoots or coming home to a dinner that you cooked
yourself...I'm sorry we won't be able to go ice skating this winter...but
still go and I'll be with you...Mind your sisters and remember that your
mother and I loved you more then life itself..."
        "Daddy, don't! Don't say good-bye! I'll watch Snowflake for you and I'll
make sure Alanis gets her food everyday..." Jasmine began to cry again and
clung to Tom tighter than ever. "I can't let you go..."
        "Try, Jazzy, try. Just remember that I love you."

***

        "Hey, Syd." Sydney smiled weakly as she sat down in the chair again.
        "Hey," she answered him back. She smiled again, pushing the tears of
anguish back. She had to be strong for him.
        "You were always so strong..." Tom whispered to her. "Just like your
mother...You are so much like her..."
        "I miss her already..." Sydney admitted, holding onto his hand.
        "I do too, Sydney...I thought I would lose her more than once, but it
never happened...And now..." He took a deep breath. "I remember the day you
and Ashlyn were born...The Doctor was so worried you wouldn't pull
through...And look at you now..."
        "I wouldn't be who I am without you..." Sydney told him, fighting back
the
tears still. She wouldn't let herself cry, not now. Not with him like this.
        "Yes, you would. You would still be the fantastic artist you are and know
how to hold everyone together."
        Finally, Sydney couldn't stand it any longer. The tears came and she
hugged Tom, whispering quietly, "Please...I can't be this strong forever..."
        "Yes, you can..."

***

        Ashlyn looked at her image in the mirror in the small bathroom that was
off the Sickbay and took a deep breath. She was the last to go, last to
tell her father. Last to say good-bye.
        "Ashlyn, you better talk to him soon." Sydney appeared in the mirror.
"He's fading fast."
        "Okay..." Ashlyn turned and hugged her twin, before going to sit next to
Tom.
        He smiled at her. "Hi..." Ashlyn had always been the 'daddy's little
girl.' Out of the three of them, this was hardest on her. Yet, having to
tell him what she needed too, would be harder than ever.
        "Daddy, I need to tell you something... And this isn't the place or time,
but I need to..."
        Tom smiled. "Well, now is the time."
        "I'm pregnant."
        Tom studied Ashlyn and struggled to sit up. "I figured, Ash."
        "You knew?!" Ashlyn gaped. 
        "Yes, I did." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head. "It's
okay, sweetie. Everything will be okay. Understand? It was a big mistake
but make sure you love this baby."
        "I will, Daddy. I will."
        "I love you, Daddy."
        "I love you too, Ash, and you inside there." He said to Ashlyn's stomach.
"You're my girl." Ashlyn saw Jasmine and Sydney peaking around the corner.
She waved them into the room. Jasmine climbed onto Tom's lap and Sydney
knelt beside them both, taking their hands.
        The four of them sat there for several moments, listening to the silence.
And Tom gently slipped away...

***

        Dear Diary,

So much has happened the last few days, I decided it was time to just stop
and write everything down. I poured my heart out to you last week, the
night they died. The night I was left alone. 

The funeral was yesterday. We buried Mom and Dad near the lighthouse, so
their souls could come home to us when we were scared. That's what Ashlyn
said. She's worried about Sydney. 

She hasn't eaten in four days, and she hasn't talked. She didn't cry at the
funeral, she just looks at Ashlyn and me with haunted eyes. She's done
nothing but paint or sketch. The hall is full of new paintings. She's taken
the ones that used to hang in the living room down, and replaced one of the
family with one of Mom and Dad.

Ashlyn's starting to feel the effects of her pregnancy. She's getting
morning sickness and is craving the most obscure things. She woke me up at
one o'clock this morning to fix her mashed potato's with chocolate sauce. 

I'm not sure how to describe my own feelings. I've been going to school,
and my grades have been rising. I'm just more focused now, I guess. 

Uncle Harry is arriving tomorrow. Voyager-B was in the Beta Quadrant but
he's bringing a shuttle to Earth. Ashlyn has made it clear that she's not
giving up custody of me, though I think a few people might fight it.

Chakotay said he'd be glad to look after me. I declined. I can't move away
from my sisters, I belong with them. As Sydney said the night Mom and Dad
died, 'We'll get through this together.'

                                Jasmine

***

        Dear Mom,

        Hey. How are you? Well, that's a rhetorical question. Where are you, is
more like it? I've tried to imagine where you are...I've failed.
        Shoot, I haven't even written two paragraphs and I'm starting to cry.
This
has been happening when I try and write you. I normally stop, but I need to
talk to someone, and you were always there when I needed you.
        Well, I'm about two and a half months pregnant. I made an appointment
with
Doctor William, he's worried that the birth may be hard on me. I haven't
told Blake yet, I don't know what he'll do.
        There are other worries beside me...I'm so worried about Sydney. She's
said one word to me since the accident. "Leave." That's it. Nothing more. I
went into check on her a few days ago. Aunt Jennifer had been complaining
about all the new paintings, and Sydney had just gone to her room, I went
in to see if she was okay. She was sitting on the floor, painting. And she
just looked up and said quietly, "Leave."
        Jasmine is just taking each day in strides. Though she's changed. It's
hard to describe how she has, but it's gradual. Like she's analyzing
herself, trying to find a different potential than her good looks...She
hasn't been to the modeling agency for days...She's been reading and
studying more. Like she wants to live up to standards that aren't there.
        Me? Well, it's hard to self-diagnose yourself in situations like this. I
talked to a StarFleet official, and they said until Sydney and I turn
eighteen, we can't take custody of Jasmine. I just turned seventeen,
though! And I'm almost certain Aunt April or Jennifer wants to take her.
She can't go live in that house. I don't trust them...  I'm sitting here,
writing a letter to my mother's grave...Counselor Jeffry warned me against
it. He said it wouldn't help the grieving process. I think it is...I can
actually talk to someone who cares...cared. The ocean is pretty quiet
today, but I can smell the salt air.
        I'm going to the lighthouse now. To think. I'm leaving some flowers to
keep you company. They'll be knocked down in the next storm, but I'll be
back. 

                                Your daughter,
                        Ashlyn JoAnna Paris

***

        Ashlyn got up and folded the paper carefully. She set it under the vase
of
daisies and glanced over at her father's grave. It had a vase of jasmine
flowers sitting on it. Snowflake, the old black lab, was lying at the foot
of the grave.
        "Come on, Snowflake." She patted her knee and the dog stood up and
stretched. Tom had named Snowflake, B'Elanna used to say that it was just
part of his sense of humor. But Snowflake she was, and Snowflake she had
always been. He had gotten her when they got back from the Delta Quadrant.
Snowflake was now twelve years old. 
        Ashlyn petted the old dog's head and left the small graveyard that she
and
Jasmine had built when one of their cats had died. The cat's grave was now
between her parents. 
        The lighthouse stood further up the hill. Ashlyn pulled a key from her
pocket and unlocked the door. Stairs greeted her and she climbed several
flights until she came to the main room.
        It had a bed in the corner and windows all around. Stairs in the corner
led to the balcony to see the ocean. The room had a small bar and a
computer console. When Ashlyn and her sisters had been littler, they used
to come and play in the lighthouse, pretending they were waiting for their
lost loves to come back from the sea.
        Snowflake jumped up onto the bed and went to sleep. Ashlyn climbed the
stairs to the balcony and sat down, looking out at the sea. 
        "Hey." Ashlyn turned to see Jasmine a few feet away.
        "Hi. Couldn't sleep either?"
        "I didn't want too...Aunt Jennifer said she was going to file for custody
of me."
        Ashlyn paled and pulled Jasmine next to her and kept her arm around her
sister. "I won't let that happen, okay? Uncle Harry will get here tonight
and it says in Mom and Dad's will, if something ever happened to you, he'd
be able to decide who you live with."
        "What about you?"
        "I'm old enough to take care of myself, I'm a Federation citizen, they
just won't let me have legal custody of you until I'm eighteen."
        "That doesn't make sense." Jasmine said, patting Snowflake's head.
        "I know. But Uncle Harry will be here tonight, and maybe he can chase
away
Aunt Jennifer and Aunt April. Them being here isn't helping Sydney at all.
        "Nothing is helping Sydney," Jasmine pointed out.
        "She's grieving, there's nothing we can do to stop it. But I'm worried
about her, too."
        "Its like she's dead inside. And all she knows how to do is paint."
        "And feed those birds of hers." Ashlyn leaned back against the light of
the lighthouse.
        "How are you holding up?" Jasmine asked, after a while of silence.
        "I'm not sure. I'm worried about what Blake's going to do when he finds
out."
        "Won't he be happy? He was really supportive when he was here last week.
And thought you throwing up was just a side effect of what you were going
through."
        "I don't know what he'll be. Shocked. Hurt. Mad."
        "Won't he be happy?"
        "Jasmine?" Jasmine looked over at her. "He could get kicked out of the
Academy for doing this. As far as StarFleet is concerned, I'm still a
minor. As far as the Federation is concerned, I'm an adult. He could be
charged for rape and tried."
        "Dang..." Jasmine trailed off and massaged Snowflake's ear.
        "This is all getting to big. We need some time alone. I think we might go
on a vacation or something."
        Jasmine paled. "Where would we go?"
        "Don't worry, no where off of Earth. Maybe to visit Uncle Chakotay in
Montana. Sound okay?"
        "No..." Jasmine turned her head away but Ashlyn could see her eyes were
welling up with tears. "Dangit, I hate this...I think of a place where we
were with Mom and Dad and I just start to cry..."
        "C'mere. It's okay. We won't go to Montana. How about Hawaii? We've never
been there."
        Jasmine sniffled and wiped her eyes with a corner of her sweatshirt. 
        "Ashlyn! Oh, Ashlyn! Where are you? Ashlyn?!" Ashlyn sighed and stood up,
leaning over the lighthouse rail.
        "I'm up here, Aunt Jennifer!" Jennifer looked up and waved.
        "Come down here! The Federation Service is here to talk to you!"
        "I'll be right down!" Ashlyn called and turned to Jasmine. "You're coming
too, I think you have a say in where you live."
        Jasmine smiled gratefully and Ashlyn helped her up. They coaxed Snowflake
down the stairs and left the lighthouse.

***

        April and Jennifer were sitting in the living room when Ashlyn and
Jasmine
came in. April looked slightly alarmed to see Jasmine there, but she didn't
say anything. A man sat in one of the chairs. Jasmine sat down in a chair
opposite of him and Ashlyn sat down on the fireplace.
        The man looked to be about forty. He was going bald and was quite thin.
He
had a mustache, but no beard and he raised an eyebrow in greeting. He
exchanged a look with April that clearly meant, "What's the girl doing here?"
        April cleared her throat. "Jasmine, why don't you go and start dinner?"
        "I want to be here. It's my future you people are discussing, and I'm
having a say in my own future."
        "Jasmine, don't argue, please go start dinner." Jennifer persisted.
Jasmine exchanged a glance with Ashlyn and was about to rise when Sydney
walked into the room. 
        "She's fine," was all she said and sat down on the fireplace next to
Ashlyn. "And I'd like to make one thing clear right now: My sister's and I
are staying together."
        The man now cleared his throat and turned to Jasmine. "Hello. I'll be
your
custody officer for the next four or five years. My name is George Trask.
You can tell me anything and I'll try and do my best to help you through
it." He had a very distinct British accent and he spoke slowly and clearly,
as if Jasmine was a little kid and couldn't understand him.
        "Uh...thanks, I think." Jasmine looked at Ashlyn. Ashlyn didn't say
anything. George turned to Jennifer and April.
        "You called me here today to discuss this child's future, correct?"
        "Yes, we did. As you know, her parent's passed away just last week."
Jasmine, who had been looking at her aunt, looked away. Ashlyn moved from
the fireplace to where Jasmine was sitting, and took her hand. 
        "If I could say one thing?" The three adults looked at her. "Jasmine is
the youngest, and she's always been the most vulnerable. I think it would
be best if all three of you talked to her, and not as if she wasn't there."
        "If the young lady is finished?" George asked April. April nodded and
shot
a Look at Ashlyn. Ashlyn sighed and Sydney glared at her aunt. George
looked over at Ashlyn. "I understand you want custody of your sister. But
you are too young, and to take custody of your sister, your entire history
would have to be checked to make sure the child would grow up in a safe and
secure environment. I think we can immediately toss aside that
investigation because of your current predicament."
        "My what?" Ashlyn looked at him. "Being pregnant is a predicament? Since
when is reproducing a predicament?"
        "You are only seventeen, correct?" George looked at Sydney. "Both of
you?"
        "Yes. We turned seventeen last month."
        "Even if we acknowledged your claim to this child, you could not legally
claim her as your own until you are past seventeen and a half. By then, her
guardianship to your aunts would have already been finalized. We want what
is best for the child, do we not?" He talked to Ashlyn the same way he
talked to Jasmine. Slow and clearly. Like she was deaf.
        "What is best for Jasmine is to be with her family. Her sister's. My
parents were very close to all of us. They quit StarFleet when they got
back from the Delta Quadrant to raise us in a secure environment. They only
reapplied a few years ago, when we were old enough to look after Jasmine.
We have never been on good terms with my father's side of the family, my
mother didn't have any living relatives."
        George looked bored. "I am not here to learn about your family history. I
am here to decide the custody of the child-"
        "WILL YOU STOP CALLING ME A CHILD?! I AM THIRTEEN YEARS OLD AND I AM
LIVING FLESH AND BLOOD! IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME, HERE: I'LL SHOW YOU!"
Jasmine ran from the living room and a second later, she came back into the
living room, blood streaming from her arm. "ARE YOU SATISFIED, YOU IGNORANT
BASTARD?! ARE YOU?! I HAVE LOST EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING DAMN YOU,
EVERYTHING! AND NOW YOU WANT ME TO GO WITH THEM!" She spat the name out as
if it was poisoned and pointed to Jennifer and April. "THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN
THERE FOR ME! NEVER! MY SISTER'S AND PARENTS WOULD GO THROUGH HELL AND A
DOMINION WAR TO KEEP ME WITH THEM, I KNOW THEY WOULD! BUT NOW, THEY WANT ME
TO LEAVE?! WHEN WERE THEY WITH ME? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU GUYS,
HUH?! ANSWER ME THAT! I WON'T GO! I WON'T GO!" She fell to the floor,
sobbing, slamming her fist down on the carpet.
        Sydney was the first to react. She simply got up and left the room.
Didn't
glance at Jasmine, just left. The front door was thrown open and then
closed. Ashlyn glowered at George and helped Jasmine up. She turned to
George. "Well, I hope you're happy." She disappeared into the bathroom with
Jasmine. She could hear George start to talk to quietly to her aunts.
        "Shh...It'll be okay, Jasmine. I won't let them take you. I know how it
is...It's okay. Let it out. Just cry." Ashlyn shut the door to the bathroom
and cradled Jasmine's head in her lap as she applied a wet washcloth to the
cut on her arm. 
It was deep and long. At least four inches. It would probably leave a scar.
Jasmine finally stopped crying and sniffled every so slightly. She allowed
Ashlyn to bandage the arm. 
        There was a knock at the door. "Ashlyn, Jasmine. Come out here." It was
Aunt Jennifer. Ashlyn stood up and helped Jasmine up. She kept her arm
around Jasmine's shoulders, protectively.
        "What?" Ashlyn demanded. Jennifer didn't say anything. 
        "Mr. Trask has decided that Jasmine will come live with me. He also
believes a counseling school should be in order. She will attend the school
for several months until they think she is out of immediate danger."
        "You can't do this." Ashlyn stated, hugging Jasmine tighter. 
        "We can and we did. This is no place to raise a growing girl. And
certainly not one with such potential as Jasmine. She should learn the
proper way to be presented to society."
        "You know, Tom was right." A new voice cut in. Jennifer turned.
        "Who are you and what are you doing in this house?"
        "Harry Kim. *Captain* Harry Kim."
        "And that means what to me?"
        "That means you're leaving now. It is clearly stated in the Paris' will
that if something would happen, I have legal guardianship. It was decided
even before Sydney and Ashlyn were born."
        "That is ridiculous. I can't possibly allow you, of all people, to take
custody of this child."
        Harry didn't waver. "Well, guess what? You don't have a say about it.
Now,
I want you and your sister and that ridiculous man who started preaching
about my god-daughter to be taken to a boarding school, out of this house.
Now."
        Jennifer laughed. "I am not going anywhere! Don't be absurd!"
        Harry moved closer and took hold of Jennifer's arm. "Leave."
"You will hear of this!" Jennifer yelled at him. Harry raised an eyebrow,
an old trademark he had learned from Tuvok. 
        "No, I don't think so. I have custody papers signed and filled out. All I
have to do is ask Jasmine if I can be her legal guardian. Now get that
monkey and your sister out of this house and off the property."
        "I won't go."
        Harry had started to walk past her but stopped. He just stared straight
ahead and then looked back to meet her eye. "Then you will deal with my
Borg. Come on, Jazzy, let's get those papers filled out. Hey Ash, how you
holdin' up?" He put his arms around both of them and they walked back out
into the living room.
        "You will be removed from the premises." A cold voice said from behind
them. Jennifer humphed.
        "I'll do no such thing. I will resist."
        "Resistance is futile. Now remove yourself or I will remove you myself."
        "How rude!" Jennifer folded her arms and tossed a lock of blond hair over
her shoulder.
        Seven sighed inwardly, this would take awhile. "Rudeness is irrelevant." 

***

        Three hours later, Ashlyn and Harry sat at the dining room table. The
aroma of Italian food wafted through the room and Ashlyn felt her stomach
growl.
        "Almost done, Jasmine?" Harry called out to the kitchen. Jasmine pushed
the shudder doors aside and entered, carrying a bowl full of noodles and a
large bowl of spaghetti sauce. She carefully set them down and then
disappeared again. 
        "Do you want wine, Uncle Harry?" She called. 
        "Please! Want any?" He asked Ashlyn. She shook her head. 
        "No...you don't know yet, do you?"
        "Know what?" Jasmine came back out. "Oh, that. Ashlyn's pregnant." She
set
down the glass of wine and then snapped her fingers. "Forgot the garlic
bread!" Harry sat in silence, staring at Ashlyn. She grew uncomfortable.
        Finally, Harry got over it enough to speak. He even smiled. "Well,
congratulations!" 
        "Am I too late for dinner?" Harry turned to see Seven of Nine walk into
the dining room. After escorting Jennifer Paris back to San Francisco, she
had come back to the Paris Residence and had immediately taken a nap. Harry
had told them that they had been traveling for almost four days straight at
warp nine point six. 
        "Nope, you're just in time. Wine?"
        Seven gave him a look. "I don't think so, Harry. Remember the time I had
one glass of champagne? Though a cup of Irish Mocha would be nice." Jasmine
disappeared and noise came from the kitchen. Seven turned to Ashlyn.
        "Congratulations are in order." Seven said to her.
        Ashlyn smiled, "Thanks."
        Seven looked around. "Where is Sydney?"
        "She's been gone most of the day. But I saw a light on in the lighthouse.
I think she's up there." Harry said.
        Jasmine came back in and sat down, handing Seven her mocha. Seven
grinned.
"Thanks!"
        "Lately, she's addicted to that stuff. It's all she drinks. You should
see
her on the bridge of Voyager! 'Ensign, get me some Irish Mocha!' 'Hey you,
is that Irish Mocha?' The crewmen are always so scared of her when she
demands to know what they're drinking, they just give it to her!"
        "Oh, it's not that bad." Seven shook her head, her short blond hair
moving
as she laughed. 
        "Is too!" Harry took a bite of his spaghetti and swallowed. "Jasmine,
this
is delicious! You'll have to give me the recipe."
        "Since when can you cook?" Seven inquired.
        "Since Libby taught me!" Harry told her. Harry had never given up hope on
Libby and they had married not even a month after Voyager got home. But
both had changed too much, and the marriage only lasted a year. Libby was
remarried now to a Bajoran, and lived on New Bajor, a colony in the Gamma
Quadrant.
        "Sure..." Seven pretended to cough but mouthed to Ashlyn, "He can't cook
worth the entire Collective!"
        "Hey, I heard that!" Seven turned to him.
        "Heard what? The air rushing over the top of your head?"

***

        Sydney came back into the house after dinner was over. She didn't say
anything to Harry or Seven. She glanced at Jasmine with a blank look before
going upstairs. 
        Seven and Harry had been sitting by the fire, Jasmine was reading, and
Ashlyn was playing the piano. Jasmine stifled a yawn and then another one.
Ashlyn looked up. "Jazzy, you should think about bedtime."
        Jasmine rubbed her eyes. "I'm going to go say goodnight to Mom and Dad.
Want to come?" She asked Harry. Harry smiled. "If you want me to. Or would
you rather be alone?"
        "You can come, I could use the company." Harry stood up and offered her
his arm. "Then, let's go."
        Ashlyn stood up and joined Seven on the couch. "She hasn't been this
happy
in a week."
        "Harry didn't even wait to see if it was okay with StarFleet, he just
entered the Bridge, demanded a shuttle, and when I wouldn't let him take
one, he told me what happened. I did a sight to sight transport and went to
warp within five hundred kilometers of Voyager. The crew was shocked, to
say the least."
        Ashlyn sighed. "It was a shock...a rude shock. We found out about it in
the middle of the night and then Admiral Paris almost didn't let us see
Dad." Ashlyn sighed again. "Sydney has hardly eaten, nor has she said
anything. She's like a ghost. I was so afraid Jasmine was slipping inside
herself, but I think the custody thing being settled is helping her."
        "What about you?" Seven asked.
        "Well...I'm surviving. I try not to think about it, Jasmine has been
watching me like a hawk. She caters to my every whim. I eat right on time,
I can hardly put on my own shoes anymore."
        "And it will just get worse." Seven replied. "When I was pregnant with
Calin..." Seven trailed off and looked down at her hands. She ran a finger
over the metal on her left hand. 
        Tuvok had entered his Pon Farr during the fifth year on Voyager. Seven
had
'assisted' him and had become pregnant. She gave birth to a son, whom she
named Calin. He was a sickly child and died three months later. It hit
Seven hard and after that, she became more human.
        She sighed and tried again. "When I was pregnant with Calin, Harry did
everything to make me comfortable. Tuvok was thankful to me for helping
him, but he had a mate. He didn't want claim to Calin." She sighed. "Vulcans."
        "Mom told me Calin was a cute baby."
        Seven smiled widely, still full of parental pride. "Oh, he was! He had
blue eyes and these little pointed ears. His skin was tan and he had this
puff of red hair. Where he got red hair, I'll never know. I guess one of my
parents must have had red hair."
        Ashlyn smiled and leaned back against a pillow. "Have you ever thought
about having more children one day?"
        Seven gave her a weak smile. "I want to get married first. I didn't like
being a single mother. A baby deserves two parents. Have you told the
father yet about your pregnancy?"
        "No, I haven't. This baby probably won't have two parents."
        "No, but she'll have two aunts and a bunch of family members. And that
should be enough."

***

        The next few days were filled with preparations for vacation. Harry took
them all to Hawaii, and Jasmine and Ashlyn both had a time to relax and get
out all their stress. Sydney sat in the hotel most of the day, she only
went out to walk on the beach at night. They were gone over a week and a
half and the vacation did Jasmine and Ashlyn both a deal of good.
        Three weeks later, Seven headed back to Voyager. Harry had taken a few
weeks leave from StarFleet and had worked it out with the Federation that
he would still be able to serve as Voyager's captain, and that Ashlyn had
guardianship of Jasmine while he was away.
        Moving on had been painful for both Ashlyn and Jasmine. There were
several
nights when Jasmine would come into Ashlyn's room and they would cry
together. 
        Sydney grew more silent and stone-like every day. She was bare bones and
had even stopped painting. She took long walks and sometimes she wasn't
seen for days. When she was at home, she was either sitting by her
birdcage, watching the ocean; or up in the lighthouse, just standing at the
rail. Like she was deciding whether or not to throw herself over the edge
to the ocean below.
        Ashlyn and Jasmine grew more worried about her with each passing day and
would often try and suggest going to a concert or playing a game. Sydney
just looked at them with hollowed out eyes.
        Jasmine got mad at her occasionally, telling her she was just making it
worse. It wasn't their fault that Mom and Dad had died, they should work
together to live. It's what Mom and Dad would have wanted, Jasmine told
Sydney. Sydney just looked at her and said, "How do you know what Mom and
Dad would have wanted?"
        Ashlyn told Blake about her pregnancy a few days after her talk with
Seven. He seemed understanding and even a little excited about the baby. He
came around more and Ashlyn seemed happier.
        Life continued, for everyone except Sydney. She just stood at the top of
the lighthouse or the balcony outside her room and looked at the sea...

***



        "Girls! Come down here, please!" Harry Kim yelled up the stairs. A few
moments later, Jasmine appeared and turned to help Ashlyn down. Ashlyn
sighed and took Jasmine's offered hand.
        "I'm not that pregnant, yet, Jasmine. I can walk still. I'm not even
waddling."
        "Are, too!"
        "I'm only four months pregnant!"
        "So? There is a decisive waddle to your walk. I'm your younger sister and
I'm intent on one thing coming out all right this year, understand?"
        "Aye, chief." Ashlyn muttered and sat down in one of the entry way
chairs.
"Sydney isn't coming down. She says she's going for a walk."
        Harry sighed. "We have to do something about her. Nothing has worked!
Yelling, screaming, pleading, ignoring it, talking about it, not talking
about it. I hate to have to leave, but StarFleet is either kicking me out
or putting me back in the Beta Quadrant."
        Jasmine sighed. "We should be okay. I think maybe the time for the three
of us just to be alone would be good. Aunt Jennifer and Aunt April came
back here with us the day it happened, and a  week later you came. We
haven't been alone since," she looked up at Harry. "Not that your coming
was a bad thing, you chased away those aunts of mine!"
        Harry grinned and hugged Jasmine. He talked to Ashlyn over her head.
"I've
transferred money into your account and I've talked with the neighbors.
They'll be coming to check up on you every so often. Jasmine will no doubt
be able to take care of all of you with no problem. I'll contact you as
soon as I get back to Voyager."
        Ashlyn stood up and hugged Harry. Quietly, so Jasmine couldn't hear her,
she said, "Thank you. You brought my baby sister back." Harry responded by
just hugging her tighter.
        "You take care of yourself, Ash. Ya hear? And watch that boyfriend of
yours. I don't like him."
        Jasmine glowered. "Neither do I and I'll make sure he gets the message:
if
he screws up, I'll kick his butt from here back to the Delta Quadrant."
        "You wouldn't know how to hurt a mouse!" Ashlyn interjected and sighed.
"I'll watch Blake. I don't know why you guy's are so worried. He's thrilled
and he's been nothing but supportive." Jasmine and Harry exchanged a
worried glance. 
        Harry hugged them both one more time, picked up his bag, turned and left
the house.

***

        "Feels weird for the house to be so quiet, doesn't it?" Ashlyn said at
dinner. Jasmine nodded and finished chewing the piece of meat she had been
eating.
        "Yeah, it does. A little too quiet for my liking." 
        "Think we should bring food out to Sydney?" Ashlyn asked, looking through
the window to see the lighthouse.
        "If she's hungry, she'll come get it. I know she's eating."
        "She's nothing but bones!" Ashlyn exclaimed. 
        "You don't really think food slips unnoticed out of my kitchen, do you? I
know about your midnight snacks with the chocolate, and several pieces of
fruit are gone, so unless this is Fruit Week, instead of Sweet Week..."
        Ashlyn made a face. "I certainly didn't take any fruit."
        "Well, then where did they go? As much as I think my cat is the smartest
thing ever to walk the face of this Earth, I know he isn't smart enough to
open the refrigerator and take out a half dozen apples."
        Ashlyn sighed and put down her chicken leg. "I think I'm full," she
commented. "But it was delicious!"
        "Finish your meat, and the salad." Jasmine said without looking up from
her plate.
        "I'm not hungry!"
        "You might not be, but that baby of yours is. Now, eat!" Jasmine stood up
and went out into the kitchen.
        Ashlyn sighed and finished eating. "Jazzy, we really need to decide what
to do about Sydney."
        "She's not going to respond." Jasmine hollered.
        "I know! But what can we do? She's either thinking about suicide or
painting. She hasn't been to the graves and she hasn't spoken for days!"
        "Send her to a counselor?" Jasmine suggested, coming back out with a
chocolate cake. "Counseling is actually helping me."
        "I don't think counseling would be right for Sydney. She might actually
go
and do something stupid. She's just...all holding it inside."
        "Or she's dealing with it in her own way. We can't really tell, Ash.
We're
not Sydney."
        "Sometimes I feel like she does. Like, I dunno. It's hard to describe.
But
the point is: We have to be there for her."
        "I know. I know." Jasmine and Ashlyn finished dinner and Ashlyn sat down
at the piano. Jasmine sighed and picked up her diary.
        An hour later, a beeping came from the computer console. Jasmine got up
and answered the call. Her face was unreadable when she saw it was Blake.
"Ash, its for you. It's Blake." She got up and went back to the couch. 
        "Hey, Blake." Ashlyn said, smiling as she sat down in the computer chair.
Blake grinned.
        "Hey, beautiful. Want to do something tonight? Go to a party or
something?"
        Ashlyn sighed. "Normally, I'd love to, but I'm not really up to it
tonight. I have a headache and the baby is doing somersaults. If I get up
or anything, I'll probably throw up my dinner."
        Blake sighed. "Ever since you got pregnant, we haven't been able to go
anywhere! It's no fun!"
        "Me get pregnant? It's not entirely all my fault!"
        Blake leaned towards the computer screen. "Yeah, and if StarFleet finds
out, I'm dead! So, let's just go to this party."
        "Blake, I don't feel well. Another night, okay? When Sydney is actually
in
a state where she can watch Jasmine."
        "Have it your way." He cut the communication and Ashlyn got up slowly.
        "Ashlyn, not to pry, but where has Blake been recently? He seemed
thrilled
at the thought of the pregnancy, but he's never here. I'm taking better
care of you than he is."
        Ashlyn didn't say anything. "I don't know, Jasmine. This has been hard
for
him."
        "Well, what about you? I mean, open your eyes! Our parents were killed
and
Sydney's said, what two sentences? I don't mean offense, but I don't think
Blake has it that bad!"
        "You're probably right, Jasmine."
        "I know I'm right." Jasmine told her.
        "Can we change the subject?" Ashlyn asked her and Jasmine shrugged. "Are
you going to the modeling agency tomorrow?"
        "No, I have a test to study for."
        "Jasmine, maybe you should. Getting out of the house would do you some
good. You haven't been out all week."
        "I'm working on something. Something that will make sure that Mom and Dad
will never be forgotten, I don't want to leave until it's done."
        "When will it?"
        Jasmine looked up. "I'm not exactly sure..." she trailed off.

***

        Three weeks later, Jasmine came into Ashlyn's room early. Ashlyn was
lying in bed, reading. She looked up from her book as Jasmine came in and
sat down at the foot of the bed. She was holding a large parcel.
        "What is that?"
        "Mom and Dad's everlasting life." Jasmine opened the package and
carefully
took out a book. It was hard bound but large enough for full page photo's.
"I wrote a book about their life."
        "You did what?" Ashlyn took the book from Jasmine and gently set it on
her
lap. She opened to the first page. 
        "Paris-Torres: The Story of Their Life, by Jasmine Amy Paris. Dedicated
to
my parents for everything, I love you." She flipped to the next page.
"Contents: Birth. Meeting. The Love Story. Marriage. Family. After." She
looked up at Jasmine. "You wrote a biography on Mom and Dad?"
        "For them. They'll never be forgotten. They'll always be with us. Here."
She took the book back and flipped to the first part, birth. Two baby
pictures gazed up at them. A small baby girl with prominent brow ridges,
sitting quietly, holding a small duck. The other picture was of a little
boy, smiling and waving at the camera. His blond hair shone from the flash
of the camera and the blue eyes were unmistakable.
        "This is what you've been working on, hasn't it?"
        "Yeah..." Jasmine looked down at the book. "Now, I can always look at
this
and just remember their life. And remember that they loved us..."
        "It's beautiful, Jasmine. Beautiful." She picked up a pen from her
night-stand and handed it to Jasmine. Jasmine looked confused. "Well,
autograph it, dummy!" 
        Jasmine shook her head. "No—"
        "Autograph it." Jasmine sighed and flipped back to the title page. She
carefully signed her name, and handed the pen to Ashlyn. "You, too."
        Ashlyn signed too and closed the book. "We'll have Sydney sign a little
later."

***

Dear Diary,

Ashlyn's nearing her six month of pregnancy. She's a little grumpy but
loving being pregnant, I think. We go shopping every few days and I'm
building a baby fortress in the basement. Ashlyn is moving down there when
the baby is born.
        She decided not to find out about the gender of the baby. But it's
healthy
and should be due by July. Blake hasn't been here in weeks, I don't know
what's wrong with him.
        I'm working on another book, at the author's request. I've gotten so much
mail for "The Days No More." Sydney read it, she didn't say anything about
it. Ashlyn says we should publish the next book when the baby is born, I
think we will. But I have another one to publish before that. 'The Paris
Volumes: The Story of Childhood,' is nearing completion. Ashlyn and I
wracked our brains for childhood stories and adventures. We came up with
some of the best ones and I typed them up. 
        I don't know why I'm writing all of them, but I feel like I'm giving back
a little of what Mom and Dad gave me. For once, I'm being acknowledged for
something more than my blond hair. And Mom and Dad's legacy just can't go
forgotten. It's heartwarming to know that people really care about our
lives, and are still interested in the stories of Tom Paris and B'Elanna
Torres...

                                                Jasmine

***

        The knock on the door thundered through the large house. Ashlyn sighed
and
carefully sat up from where she was been sprawled out on the couch. Her
head hurt and she really didn't feel like moving. But Jasmine was in New
York City and Sydney was out in the lighthouse, like normal.
        Ashlyn paused at the entry way mirror and quickly brushed a lock of brown
hair out of her face. She straightened her shirt and smiled as the baby
kicked when she placed her hand on her stomach.
        The knock came again and Ashlyn turned away from the mirror and walked
the
few feet to the front door. She pulled it open and smiled widely when she
saw Blake standing there. 
        "Blake!" Blake pushed the door open wider and slammed it behind him.
Ashlyn took his hand and led him into the living room. "I didn't think you
were coming until this weekend. Did the semester end at the Academy or
something?"
        "No, I'm no longer in the Academy," Blake said harshly, turning to glare
at her. "Thanks to you and *that,*" He motioned to her stomach and glowered
at it, "I was expelled."
        Ashlyn stared at him in shock. "What?"
        "You heard me. Since you got pregnant, I was thrown out of the Academy.
Thanks to you." He grabbed her arm. Ashlyn took a step back.
        "Blake, I'm sorry. Really. But we both got into this mess."
        "No! Shut up for a minute and don't say anything! *We* didn't get into
this mess. This is your mess and I'm not going to have a part of it. That
child you're carrying probably isn't even mine! I know how many guys you
were sleeping with besides me. You slut."
        "What? What the Hell are you saying, Blake?!"
        "I'm saying that you're carrying a bastard child! You cost me my dreams,
you and that *thing!*"
        "It's a baby, Blake! Stop talking like it isn't real! I was never one to
want to get pregnant at seventeen, but you were so persistent!"
        Without warning, Blake raised his hand and smacked Ashlyn across the
face.
Caught off guard, she stumbled back, bumping into the couch and hitting her
head on a sharp corner of a table. 
        "You never could respond to words, could you?" He sneered at her. "Maybe
it's time to get rid of that child before it causes me even more trouble!"
He pulled back his leg and gave Ashlyn a sharp kick in the abdomen. A sharp
pain seared through her and she gasped, biting her lip. A second later,
another kick came and then a different noise: a war cry she knew from all
the games she and Sydney had played as kids.
        Through blurred vision, she saw Sydney swiftly take down Blake, kicking
him in the groin and giving him an immediate black eye. Soon, Blake was
lying on the floor next to Ashlyn, blood streaming from his nose and mouth,
a bruise already forming around his eye, and an arm that was sickly twisted
in the wrong way. 
        A moment later, Sydney was kneeling beside Ashlyn, carefully checking her
sister for broken bones. "You have a cracked rib. How is the baby?" She
asked, worriedly. She didn't wait for Ashlyn's response, she got up and
grabbed a tricorder from the table. Jasmine kept one on the living room
table just in case Sydney ever needed it for the baby. Sydney ran a quick
scan. "I can't tell from this thing about the baby. Here, let me get the
med kit." She got up again and disappeared into the kitchen.
        She came back out and gave Ashlyn a hypo to help with the pain. She ran
an
instrument over Ashlyn's face, clearing it of the bruise that had formed
from Blake's first attack. Ashlyn sighed heavily and bit her lip, drifting
off into unconsciousness. 
        "WHAT IN THE NAME OF KAHLESS HAPPENED?!" Jasmine was back, and already
turning red faced with anger. "WHAT THE HELL DID HE DO TO HER?!"
        "I'm not sure, she was on the ground and he was kicking her near the
stomach. Don't worry, he won't wake up for quite awhile."
        Jasmine, surveying Blake's form, smiled sweetly. "And when he does, he'll
have *quite* a headache."
        "I don't care about him, we need to get Ashlyn to the hospital, I don't
know if the baby is okay or not."
        "I'll contact the hospital." 

***

        "Sydney? Jasmine?" Ashlyn struggled to open her eyes. The pain was gone
and she felt rested. Someone squeezed her hand.
        "I'm here, Ash." Ashlyn's vision focused and she smiled when she saw
Sydney. 
        "What happened?"
        "I came into the house just as Blake was kicking you. What happened?"
Ashlyn lifted her head to look around, Sydney helped her sit up.
        "He was kicked out of the Academy because he got me pregnant...he was
saying the baby isn't his..."
        Someone snorted and Sydney and Ashlyn looked up. Jasmine entered the
room.
"That's b.s. I had a test done, he is the father. The baby is fine, he
didn't do any harm to it. I've already pressed charges and he's arrested."
        "I can't believe he didn't want the baby..." Ashlyn trailed off.
        "Ashlyn, listen to me." Jasmine took her sister's other hand. "Blake was
a
controlling pig. He caused you more trouble then he was worth. You need to
give this baby a good home and not worry about Blake. He won't bother you
again. I'm going to make sure of that. We'll raise the baby together: me,
you, and Sydney."
        "I can't believe I let this happen. I'm so sorry, Ashlyn. I was so caught
up in my own pain...I can't believe I shut you guy's out for these
months...We should have dealt with it together."
        "Don't dwell on the past, Sydney. It's okay. We have three months before
the baby is born, that's plenty of time. Can we get out of here now?"

***

Dear Mom and Dad,

        Well, I bet you guy's didn't expect to hear from me anytime soon. I have
to write this letter, even if it is hard. It's Sydney, if you hadn't
guessed all ready.
        This will be the only letter from me for a long time. Jasmine and Ashlyn
probably told you that I didn't take your death's well. That's an
understatement.
        Four months have been wasted on my own self pity when I should have been
taking care of Ashlyn and Jasmine. At first, I was just in shock. I
couldn't believe you had been taken from me. 
        Then, I started to get mad. I couldn't understand why you left us. Like
that, just like it was planned or something. But it was far from planned,
and I ask you to forgive me for thinking you wanted to leave us. 
        After I got over my anger and sadness, there wasn't much left, I guess. I
painted, and I debated within myself why I was still here. There were
several nights that I just stood on the walk of the lighthouse and
considered throwing myself off. But I never did.
        Everything that has happened has given me a new self awareness. But I'm
not healed yet. I'll wake up crying when I finally fall asleep and I find
myself sometimes thinking that you're coming back. 
        Jasmine is still writing and Ashlyn is almost nine months pregnant. She's
due any day, and really kinda grumpy. We all miss you so much it hurts...
        I need to get my life back on track before I begin coming here, to the
graves. It's just too hard. I hope you understand.

                                                Love,
                                Sydney

***

        "Sydney! SYDNEY!" Jasmine pounded on the door to her sister's room. "GET
UP!" The door opened. 
        "What is going on, Jasmine? It's two in the morning!"
        "It's Ashlyn, we were eating Sundaes and all of a sudden, she just gasped
in pain. It's time."
        "Jasmine, calm down. She has several hours more to go, if she just
started
contraptions, we'll have some time to wait." Sydney grabbed the robe from
the chair next to her bed and wrapped it around her. "Is she still intent
on having the baby here?"
        "Yeah, she doesn't want to go to the hospital."
        "Get some pillows, blankets, and a lot of card games, food, and board
games. Might as well bring some of those old romance novels of yours and
those 20th century magazines. We'll have a while to wait."

***

        "How about Calypso?" Sydney asked three hours later. She looked up at
Ashlyn, who was pacing the room.
        "Calypso? What kind of name is that? This baby is gonna be a boy. I know
it.. OUCH! DAMMIT! Jasmine, read more phrases."
        "Pain. It's a noun. First meaning. I have a pain in my shoulder: ache,
aching, soreness, hurt, hurting, smarting, pang, throb, twinge, pinch,
stitch, discomfort, malaise. Second Meaning. May this country never again
know the pain of war: suffering, distress, anguish, torment, torture,
ordeal, hell, misery, grief, woe, heartache, heartbreak, sorrow, sadness,
affliction, wretchedness, unhappiness. Third Meaning. Does your ankle still
pain you?: hurt, ache, smart, throb, sting, discomfort. Fourth Meaning. The
child's constant tantrums pain his mother: distress, agonize, torment—"
        "Enough! It's gone. More names, Sydney."
        Sydney flipped open a book, closed her eyes, and pointed to a name.
"Kenneth."
        "No!" She gasped in pain. How many minutes apart are they?"
        Jasmine checked the clock. "Four. We're getting close. Enough names and
meanings of the word pain. Lie down."
        Ashlyn didn't argue. 
        A half hour later, Jasmine and Sydney were both sweating. Jasmine held
Ashlyn's hand as Sydney looked up worriedly. "Something's not right..."

***

        Ashlyn's head was swimming. It felt as if an old Native American war drum
was pounding through it. She wanted to cry out, she wanted to give up, but
the constant pressure on her hand kept her focused.
        Through the haze, she heard worried voices. "What do you mean something's
not right!?" Who was that? Auh, Jasmine. Yes, her voice always did get a
little too annoying in times of panic. Why didn't anyone tell her? She
groaned, trying to let Jasmine know to shut up.
        Jasmine wetted the washcloth again and placed it back on her head. Ashlyn
had been fading in and out of a delirious state for several moments now.
"Just call the hospital! They can be here in several seconds flat!"
        "You do it, I need to make sure nothing goes wrong." Jasmine quickly got
up and was on the line with the hospital in a matter of moments. Two
seconds later, three men stood in the living room, and one stepped forward.
        "I'm Dr. Grand. Let's go." He gathered the two other men around Ashlyn,
and Jasmine and Sydney joined them. All of them disappeared in a ray of light.
        Before long, Ashlyn was being wheeled through the busy halls of the
hospital, Sydney and Jasmine running along beside. Dr. Grand wheeled the
bed Ashlyn was lying on into a room, but a nurse stopped Sydney and Jasmine
at the door. "One family member only, please." Jasmine stepped back and
ushered to Sydney.
        "Go on, Syd, I'll wait in the lobby. I need to contact Harry, anyway."
        "Thanks, Jazzy." Sydney gave her a quick hug and then rushed into the
delivery room as Ashlyn's groans grew louder. The nurse pointed down the
hall to the waiting area, and Jasmine soon found herself there.
        She took a seat in the corner and surveyed the other occupants of the
room. There were eight people in the other corner, looking quite agitated.
There were two nurses at the station, going over readouts, and an old man
sat a few seats down from her. He looked over at her when he felt her
gazing at him. He smiled. "I'm waiting for my grand-son," he said.
        Jasmine smiled at him and scooted closer. "I'm waiting for my sister, she
went into labor earlier this afternoon."
        Jasmine chatted with him for a few moments, it took her mind off the
difficulties with Ashlyn. His name was Alfred Norman. He was seventy, and
this was his first grand-child. He used to be a professor at Harvard
University, but retired a few years ago.
        "How old is your sister?" Alfred questioned after a lulled conversation. 
        "Seventeen...well, almost eighteen. She turns eighteen next month."
        "Jasmine Paris?" Jasmine looked up at her name. A nurse stood near the
entrance. "We need a family member to fill out some information for us,
unless your parents will when they stop by later."
        Jasmine shook her head as she stood up. "Uh...they won't. They're
deceased. I can fill it out."
        The nurse nodded politely and handed her a PADD. Jasmine sat down again.
        "I'm sorry to hear about your parents," Alfred said. "My wife died a few
years ago."
        "Thanks," Jasmine said quietly, and turned her attention to the
information. Name of patient, age of patient, history of patient... She
looked down at the rest of the information. Normal stuff. She started
filling it out.
        "Alfred Norman? You can go in and see your daughter and grand-daughter
now." Alfred hurriedly stood up.
        "Grand-daughter? I thought Diana was having a boy! Yippee!" The old man
almost started dancing around. He turned to Jasmine. "Well, Miss Paris, it
was a pleasure meeting you! Good-bye! And good luck!" Jasmine smiled at him.
        The commotion had attracted the other family's attention. Jasmine felt
their stares and looked up from the PADD. A woman turned around. "I don't
mean to be to bold, but are you Jasmine Paris, the author of the Paris'
biography?"
        Jasmine nodded slowly. "I only told the story, I don't take credit for
it."
        The woman stood up and Jasmine studied her face. She had dark hair and
dark eyes. She looked to be a few older than Harry. "I don't know if you
remember me, but I'm Susan Nicoletti, I served with your parents."
        Jasmine tried to recall the name. Susan... Sue Nicoletti! Engineering
officer. Jasmine stood up. "I remember my mom telling me a story about you
once, you...threw Vorik a birthday party. Right?" Susan nodded.
        "That's right. What are you doing here at the hospital?"
        "Ashlyn's in labor, there were some complications with the birth, so we
brought her here. What's your story?"
        "My sister-in-law was admitted a few hours ago, still has a while to go,
but the whole family has camped out here." Susan introduced Jasmine to the
rest of her family and Jasmine filled out the rest of the information on
Ashlyn. She handed it back to the nurse and began to pace the length of the
waiting room, impatient. 
        Finally, she couldn't stand it any longer. She had talked to Susan, but
they had left a few minutes before to get some lunch. Alfred had come and
gone, and the waiting room was empty. Surely she should have heard
something from the doctor's! She approached the nurse's station. "Could I
get some information on my sister? It's been an hour."
        The nurse shook her head. "I haven't heard anything, it could be awhile
longer-" She was interrupted by the door opening and Sydney appearing. She
had an ear-to-ear grin and came running towards Jasmine. She picked her up,
swung her around, and was off running again, dragging Jasmine behind her.
She didn't stop till she was at the entrance to the door to the delivery
room. "Shh..." Sydney said before entering. 
        Propped up against several pillows, Ashlyn held a small bundle in her
arms. The bundle was wrapped in a pink blanket and Jasmine and Sydney
approached quietly and slowly. Ashlyn smiled at both of them. "What should
we name her?" Jasmine didn't respond at first, just crawled up next to
Ashlyn and curled up next to her. Sydney went around to the other side of
the bed, and slid in next to Ashlyn. The baby was sound asleep, and Jasmine
moved the folds of the blanket to see her face. She had a curly mop of pale
gold hair and as Jasmine repositioned the blanket around the baby's face,
her eyes fluttered open. Jasmine gasped slightly as a pair of bright green
eyes looked up at her. "Green eyes!"
        "Blake had green eyes..." Ashlyn said softly. She rubbed the baby's
forehead softly. "You can hardly feel her ridges!"
        "She is only one eighth Klingon," Sydney said. "But she does need a
name."  
        "Paris," Ashlyn said. "Paris Irina Gray." 
        Sydney looked up at Ashlyn and then down at Paris. "Beautiful," she
murmured.
        A soft knock came at the door. Dr. Grand stuck his head in. "How about a
picture?" Ashlyn nodded and held Paris up slightly. Sydney squeezed her
twin's hand tightly and Jasmine leaned her head on Ashlyn's shoulder. The
flash went off.

***

        "Ashlyn! Ashlyn!" Sydney repositioned Paris in her stroller. Ashlyn
appeared at the top of the stairs.
        "Yes, Sydney?" She looked tired. She had been sick with a cold for the
last week, and none of the medicines the doctor had provided had been working.
        "I'm going to take Paris to see Santa, okay?" Ashlyn nodded, sniffled,
and
came down the stairs. She kissed her finger and placed it on Paris's head. 
        "I wish I could go with you, but-"
        "But you can't risk being out in the cold and spreading germs to your
wonderful daughter. Don't worry. Little Miss Paris will be safe with her
Aunty Sydney, won't she?" Sydney kissed the baby's head. Ashlyn rolled her
eyes but she was grinning.      
        "You're worse than I am!" She commented and Sydney shook her head.
        "No one can worship this child more than you. Okay, I have the bottle,
the
diaper bag, the shopping list. Blankets, hood...uh...got everything! We'll
be back!" Ashlyn opened the door for Sydney as she wheeled the stroller out
and disappeared down the driveway.

***

        The mall was bustling, which was expected for the time of year. Sydney
wheeled Paris carefully through the crowded stores, stopping every now and
then to look or buy a gift.
        Paris watched the people around her with wide eyes but gurgled up at
Sydney, happily, when Sydney stopped to check on her. Sydney left the
stroller near the end of the Santa line, and rocked Paris gently back and
forth. 
        Sydney didn't really understand the whole Santa Claus history, but Tom
had
always brought her and her sisters to see him, every year, and it felt
right. The little boy who had been sitting on Santa's lap ran back to his
mother and waved to the Santa. "Santa" waved back. 
        "Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!" "Santa" said. He carefully took Paris from
Sydney's arms and looked up at her. "We have a little youngin'!" Through
the fake beard and mustache, Sydney could tell that the man playing "Santa"
wasn't much older than her. In fact, he looked to be about her age. "What's
her name?"
        "Paris," Sydney said. "She's two months."
        "What would she like for Christmas? Oh, wait, don't tell me!" He bent
down
his ear to Paris's face. "Mmm-hmm...I see. Oh, okay. We'll see what we can
do!" He looked up at Sydney. "Well, we'll make sure her wish comes true!"
        Sydney nodded and made a mental note to check to see if Santa's eyes were
really dark brown. "Thanks, thank you very much. Could I get a picture
quickly?" 
        "Santa" nodded. "Of course," he held Paris up higher and an elf handed a
small Santa hat to him. He secured it onto Paris's head and pointed at the
camera. "Say Rudolph!" Sydney took a couple of pictures, they'd need them
for the Christmas cards, and reclaimed Paris.
        "Santa" smiled at Sydney. "Merry Christmas to the both of you!" He winked
at her and then took a small girl up on his lap. Sydney found the way back
to the stroller and checked her watch. There was about an hour left before
she should be heading home. She dropped off the roll of film – almost all
pictures of Paris – at an old one hour photo shop, and then wheeled the
stroller towards the food cart. 
        Sydney gave Paris a bottle, Ashlyn hadn't been keen on the idea of bottle
feeding, but figured it was the only way when Paris was out and about
without her. "You're such a good girl!" Sydney cooed softly.
        "All right, Ben, I get the point! Seven o'clock sharp! Sheesh, it's only
the start of December, not that many people are going to come and see me,
are they?"
        "You never know, Tommy-boy, but don't be late!" The conversation
attracted
Sydney's attention as she watched a tall boy, who looked to be about her
age, come out of a back hallway. The hallway, normally used for clerks or
janitors, was spare and mostly empty. As the boy passed, he through a wink
at her. 
        A moment later, Sydney stood up and headed back to the photo shop with
Paris when she passed Santa's Chair. It was closed! So the boy had been
Santa! Sydney laughed quietly to herself, got back the photos, and headed
home.

***

        Ashlyn was waiting at the door as Sydney wheeled Paris into the house. It
had started snowing on the way home, and Sydney had bundled Paris as best
she could. She took off her coat and scarf, and hung them on the coat rack.
Ashlyn quickly picked Paris out of the mound of blankets. "Where is her
bottle?" She asked. Sydney, who had been sitting and pulling off her boots,
stood up. She looked around in the baby bag. Ii wasn't there.
        "Shoot, I must have left it at the table we were sitting at. I'll get a
new one tomorrow, we have plenty here at home."
        "That one was correctly angled though! And do you know how long it takes
to break in the nipples? I'm not feeding my daughter a brand new one!"
        "Ash, calm down. If you want, I'll go back and see if I can find it."
        "Please!" Ashlyn said indignantly. Sydney sighed and took her scarf from
the coat rack. Ashlyn rocked Paris gently and then wheeled the stroller
into the closet behind the front door. Sydney pulled on her boots again,
and wrapped her coat tighter around her. "Okay, I'm off on the hunt for the
missing bottle!" Ashlyn didn't crack a smile. Sydney sighed and shut the
door behind her.
        She met Jasmine halfway down the long driveway, she was in the hover-car,
having gotten her license only a few days ago. Sydney stopped her and got
in the other side. "Could we backtrack to the mall? I forgot Paris's baby
bottle."
        Jasmine quirked an eyebrow. "You're walking all the way back to the mall
in this weather for a baby bottle? Is this another Ashlyn mission of
recovery?"
        "Hey, don't look at me. She's just as much as your sister as mine."
        Jasmine pressed down on the acceleration pedal and pulled the car to a
stop in front of the house. "A baby bottle isn't that big of a deal, I got
some at the store."
        "Okay..." Sydney turned around in her seat and gathered some bags in her
hands. Jasmine got the mail, her school bag, and the rest of the groceries.
Ashlyn was again waiting at the door, but her smile ceased when she saw
Sydney again.
        "I thought-"
        Jasmine stopped her with a hand. "Ash, Sydney doesn't need to walk all
the
way back to the mall just to get a bottle. I picked some up on my way home
from school, they're the soft nipple kind, Paris will do fine. She hardly
uses them anyway, she's too young."
        Ashlyn looked like she was ready to argue, but a cry from the basement
drew her away from the front door. Sydney set her bags of groceries on the
table and took off her winter clothes once again. "I still don't see why we
just can't have a replicator like everybody else..." She grumbled quietly
to herself.
        "Because I refuse to let anyone in this house eat that reused matter that
they call food! We don't live in space, and even if we did, the answer
would still be no! Now, out of my kitchen, scoot! I have food to put away,
and whenever you help, the potatoes are always on the left side of the
refrigerator instead of the right and the carrots are in the cupboard!"
        "I get the point, Jazzy! I'll stay out of the kitchen!"
        "Didn't I just say that? Oh, could you turn on some Christmas music?"

***

        The groceries were soon put away to Jasmine's liking, the potatoes on the
correct side of the refrigerator and the carrots not in the cupboard. She
sat down at the kitchen table and pulled the mail towards her. "Letter to
Ashlyn, bill, bill, bill, letter to me..." Jasmine trailed off, and stopped
at the letter. It was in a white envelope, instead of a secured PADD like
the rest of them. She quickly opened it, and unfolded the paper.

Dear Jasmine Paris,

        My name is Henry Wallace and I am a publisher in San Francisco. I have
recently been able to read the biography you wrote on your parents, and I
offer my deepest sympathies in their passing.
        I have come to understand that you will not sign for the book, nor take
any responsibility on its success. I accept that with an understanding
heart. As you said in the foreword, "They lived it, I'm only writing it."
        Yet, through the sad tragedy of your parent's passing, I see true writing
talent. I wish to offer you a publishing deal if you would be interested,
and to meet with you, at your convenience. 

                        Signed,
        Henry Wallace

        Jasmine carefully set the letter down, and looked at it, her hands
shaking. As if on auto-pilot, she walked over to the computer console and
sent a message to Nanny, asking if she would be able to stay with her over
the weekend. Jasmine turned away from the console just as it beeped. She
turned back. An old woman's face appeared.
        "Hello, Jazzy!" She said brightly. 
        Jasmine grinned. "Talk about weird timing! Hi Nanny!"
        "Of course you can stay here this weekend, another modeling convention?"
        "No, actually, I'm meeting someone."
        "Well, whatever the reason, you're always welcome. Oh, and don't worry,
your aunts will not be here." Jasmine smiled, relieved.

***

        "Okay, I'll be gone by the time you wake up tomorrow. I'm leaving
sometime
after I finish packing. And I have all your meals planned out. You can have
cereal for breakfast, and Ashlyn knows how to make sandwiches and stuff.
For dinner, just pick a carton in the refrigerator, stir it before putting
it on the oven, and then heat it for about ten minutes. Sydney, make sure
Ashlyn remembers to eat," Jasmine said, glancing at her sister. Ashlyn made
a face. "As for Paris, if you need a bottle, it's in the cabinet over
there. I did laundry today, and washed several of her outfits. The stroller
is in the closet where it's always been. And the mail is sorted and I sent
it to your respective consoles, so check for messages. Take any messages I
get from people, and please keep the house in order...I'll be back late on
Sunday."
        Sydney shook her head. "Jasmine, we can handle you being gone for two
days! We'll miss you, though, okay? Why you're even going to visit them is—"
        "Sydney, they're family!" Ashlyn snapped. Sydney raised an eyebrow.
        "And you guys, stop fighting! I've heard more fighting in the past few
weeks then I have in an entire year! So just...calm down!" Jasmine sighed,
and left the kitchen. Ashlyn glowered at Sydney before picking Paris up and
disappearing down the basement stairs.

***

        "Sydney! Sydney!?" Ashlyn looked in the refrigerator once more and then
slammed it shut. Sydney appeared in the kitchen doorway. "How much did you
and you're friends have to eat last night!?" Ashlyn demanded. "There's
hardly any food left!"
        "We had some chips, and some dinner! You said you weren't hungry."
        "Well, I wasn't then, but I am now! Paris was up half the night with a
fever and you were out partying!"
        "Ash, I wouldn't call it partying. I went to the movies with some
neighbors."
        "And were out till midnight! While I'm here with a baby who could have
been killed!"
        "She wasn't in any real danger, you said so yourself this morning.
Besides, why are you complaining to me about this? She's your daughter!"
        "Oh, so that automatically means that I'm not entitled to have any fun?
I've been up for almost twenty-four hours, cleaning this house, watching my
daughter, and trying to study for a test I have tomorrow! And now I'm
hungry! And there is no food!"
        A piercing scream erupted from the basement just as Sydney opened her
mouth to retort. Ashlyn frowned and sat down. "I'm not getting her. You
can. When we had her, you said you were going to help raise her. And I'm
tired and hungry, and I'm sick of her crying all the time!" Ashlyn herself,
was close to tears. Sydney frowned deeply and went down to reclaim Paris.
She was fussing in her crib, obviously unsettled by all the fighting.
        "Oh...it's okay." Sydney lifted her out of the crib, carrying her over to
the changing table. "Were we being too loud? Is that why you're upset?" She
changed Paris's diaper and dressed her in overalls and a coat from the
stack of clothes on the dresser. Ashlyn hadn't put them away after they had
come out of the laundry. She heard footsteps on the stairs.
        "I'll take it from here," Ashlyn said, not meeting Sydney's gaze. She
reached for Paris but Sydney stepped back.
        "Don't worry about it. I'll watch her for awhile, you can study for that
test of yours. I'm going to the store." Ashlyn looked about ready to argue
but Sydney turned away. 

***

        The store was crowded, it being only a week away from Christmas. Paris
was
situated happily in the front of the cart as Sydney went row by row,
gathering groceries from a partial list that Jasmine had started before she
left. 
        "Milk...chocolate milk...strawberry milk? Okay..." Jasmine loaded the
three gallons into the cart and looked down at the list, which was clenched
between Paris's fist. Her anger at Ashlyn was starting to dissipate as she
looked down at the small child. "What next, Paris-boo? Candy? No, you're
too young to have candy. Oh, for us. Well, Santa Claus does need cookies
and milk..." Sydney took the meat from the man behind the counter and was
backing the cart out of the crowded aisle, when she ran into someone. She
whirled around, looking about, and then looked down at the floor. A boy
about her age was sprawled out on the floor.
        "Ooh! Sorry!" Sydney offered him a hand up and he accepted it. He gave
her
a lop-sided grin. "Actually, Santa's favorite food are marshmallows."
        "Excuse me?" Sydney asked, stepping back a little. He grinned.
        "I play Santa at a nearby mall. I think I saw you there the other day,
with your daughter."
        "Oh, I remember you! Little young to be playing Santa, aren't we? And
she's my niece, not my daughter." Sydney had to strain her head to look up
at him. He had longish brown hair that was combed back. He had dark brown
eyes and was wearing a red polo shirt. He had a friendly twinkle in his
eye, that reminded Sydney a lot of Tom's.
        "Sorry for the mix-up. Doing the holiday shopping?"
        "No, I'm satisfying my sister's craving for food. My younger sister is
out
of town, she's the one that does all the cooking, so I'm trying to find
something that I can make without it getting burnt. Are you cold, little
girl?" Sydney bent down and secured the blanket around Paris. The boy and
Sydney began walking slowly down the next aisle.
        "You have a very cute niece. What's her name?"
        "Paris. Paris Gray." 
        "Paris? That's a pretty name...And you are?" He gave her a small smile.
        "Sydney. Sydney Paris."
        "Wait..." Sydney grinned over her shoulder at him as she pushed the cart
forward.
        "See ya later, Santa Claus!"

***

        "Stop looking at me that way, Paris! I don't like him! And even if I did
why would you care? You only care about eating, getting attention, and
eating some more! You're too young and too cute to worry about anything
else. Oh, stop giving me that look." Sydney sighed as she turned around to
see Paris studying her with a blank gaze. "Okay, I'll admit it! He was
kinda cute! Are you happy now? Are you happy now? Sydney tickled Paris's
feet and reached for the last bag of groceries. She set it down on the
island in the middle of the kitchen and began going through it. Paris
followed her as she put away the last few items of food. "I'm not going to
say anymore! It's for me to know and you to wonder!"
        "Sydney?" Sydney turned to see Ashlyn standing at the top of the basement
stairs. She looked refreshed, and calmer. She picked Paris up from her high
chair. "I'm sorry I got so upset earlier."      
        "It's okay. I understand you were...stressed."
        "It's just...I don't know! Everything lately! I never talk to any of my
friends anymore, and I was just so jealous when you went out with people
the other night. And school..."
        "Is almost over. Don't worry about it, Ash, I understand. And besides,
things always get a little stressful around here when Jasmine's away."  
        "You got that right. Neither of us can cook."
        "Hey! I'm a pretty decent chef...at least at making cereal!" Ashlyn
laughed and turned to go back downstairs.
        "Oh, and some guy called for you a few minutes ago. A Thomas Collins?
Know
him?"
        "No..."
        "Oh, well, he said that you might not. You ran into each other at the
store, apparently. He left his number, he wants you to call him back."

***

        Jasmine stood outside the tall building, uneasy. It was one of the newer
buildings in San Francisco, on the other side of town from StarFleet. It
was at least one hundred stories, and was considered one of the largest on
this side of the city. Jasmine hadn't told anyone about Henry Wallace's
offer, but had agreed to meet with him today, to listen to his offer.
Taking a deep breath, she pulled open the door and strode into the lobby of
the building.
        Several people noticed the tall, blond haired girl as she entered. She
was
dressed in black pants and a white, button-up, silk shirt. She was wearing
three inch platform shoes that made her even taller, and carried a few
wrapped packages. Her hair fell over both shoulders, and more hair cascaded
down her back. She seemed uncertain, yet reassured.
        A brown haired secretary greeted Jasmine. She looked tired, but smiled at
Jasmine. "May I help you?"
        "Yes, I'm here to meet with Henry Wallace."
        "Oh, yes. Wallace Publishing is on the forty-seventh floor. Just take the
turbolift up."
        "Thank you." Jasmine said, and entered the busy turbolift. It was glass
and Jasmine felt her stomach drop as it descended. People got in and got
off as she continued going up, trying hard not to look at the ground far
below.
        Finally, she reached the forty-seventh floor and got off. A young
secretary greeted her. "Hello! Are you Jasmine Paris?"
        "Yes, I am. I was supposed to meet with Henry Wallace today, but I'm a
little late."
        "Oh, don't worry about it. Mr. Wallace has canceled all his meetings
today, just to meet with you. His office is straight down the hall, the
last one on the left. I'll inform him you're here."
        "Thanks," Jasmine said softly, walking down the hall. She tapped lightly
on the door.
        "Come in!" Jasmine entered and caught her first glimpse of Henry Wallace.
He was younger than she pictured him, about thirty. He had brown hair and
blue eyes, and was wearing a suit. 
        Jasmine noticed someone else in the room. He was an older man, about
Grandpa Owen's age. He quickly got up as she entered.
        "I'll just get the information I need from the secretary," he said
hurriedly, but Henry Wallace waved him back.
        "Just a moment, Mark. I'd like you to meet Jasmine Paris, the author of
that wonderful biography I had you read. She's also writing The Paris
Volumes, about her childhood."
        "It's...nice to meet you, Miss Paris."
        "Jasmine, this is an associate of mine, Mark Torres. Any relation do you
think to your mother?"
        Jasmine studied Mark and looked away quickly. No, it couldn't be him. He
was dead! "No, no...my mother's relatives are all dead."
        "Torres is a common last name," Mark said. "It was a pleasure meeting
you,
Jasmine. Good luck on your future endeavors."
        "Thank you. The same to you," Jasmine said, not meeting his eye. Mark
Torres quickly left Henry Wallace's office and Henry motioned for Jasmine
to sit down.
        "Okay, as I can not convince you to take any credit for your biography,
or
The Paris Volumes, what can we make you take credit for? Your future works!"
        "Excuse me?"
        "Oh, come on, Miss Paris! Really, you need to continue writing! I see
true
talent! That is why, I'm going to offer you a publishing deal. I see you
brought some of your stories, good, good, now, let's get down to business!"
        Three hours later, Jasmine left, walking on air. Henry had poured over
her
short stories, determining what ideas he liked best, and then making
Jasmine brainstorm for more. He had jotted them all down, and selected the
ones he was interested in and sent her on her way. Jasmine would come back
to San Francisco in a month with the rough draft of a first story for a
series, and they'd decide where it would go from there. Jasmine's head swam
with different plot twists, and different story ideas. She wasn't watching
as she ran smack into another figure. She jumped back, alarmed. She looked
up to see Mark Torres.
        "Oh...excuse me. Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." Jasmine
tried to get around him.
        "You're her daughter, aren't you?" Mark asked as Jasmine passed. Jasmine
turned.
        "Who's daughter?" Jasmine took a step back.
        "B'Elanna...no, you can't be. She...no, you are!"
        "B'Elanna Torres was my mother. But she doesn't have any relatives."
        "Of course..." Mark Torres watched Jasmine Paris go, a sad look on his
face. She was right. B'Elanna Torres didn't have any relatives. No one who
left their child at five would be considered a relative. Sadly, Mark Torres
turned, and went into his office.

***

        Sydney sat at her desk, reading the message over and over. It had been a
day since she had run into Thomas, as she knew his name now, at the store,
and she still hadn't returned his call. He had left a message on her
console again, asking if it had been the right address. Sydney sighed and
keyed in his number.
        "Hi... Thomas, this is Sydney Paris, returning your call—" 
        The screen shimmered into existence to reveal Thomas. He was wearing a
green polo shirt this time and sat back as he studied Sydney's image. "Hi,
Sydney!"
        "Oh...uh...hello. You called?"
        "Yeah, hey, I was wondering. A few of my friends are going on a sleigh
ride tonight...in about two hours, and I was wondering if you'd like to come."
        Sydney paled and looked away. "Well...sure, yeah, I guess so. But I
hardly
know you."
        "I'm Santa Claus, I won't bite." He winked at her. "We'll pick you up at
eight. See ya then! Oh, by the way, you look great!" The screen went dark
and Sydney was left staring at it, in pure shock.

***

        "Hello!? I'm home!" Jasmine dropped her bag by the front door, taking off
her coat and scarf. There was silence. "Anyone? Sydney? Ashlyn? Paris, even!?"
        "We're down here!" Jasmine found Ashlyn and Sydney in the basement.
Ashlyn
was sprawled out on her bed, with Paris sitting on the pillows, studying.
Sydney was folding laundry, and looked as if she was going somewhere.
        "Welcome home!" Ashlyn greeted her. She put down the PADD she had been
studying. 
        "Hey, twerp." Sydney greeted her. She gave her a hug and Jasmine plopped
herself down on the end of Ashlyn's bed.
        "Have a hot date, Syd?" Jasmine teased as Sydney stood up and looked out
the window once more.
        "No...well, he is cute but..."
        "Wait a minute! I leave for one weekend and Ashlyn starts studying and
the
kitchen is clean and Sydney has a boyfriend!?"
        "He's not my boyfriend! He's just..."
        "Santa Claus," Ashlyn answered her. She took a framed picture from her
nightstand and handed it to Jasmine. "He plays Santa Claus. Sydney and him
are going on a sleigh ride today. They made friends yesterday when she
pushed him down."
        "You push him down and he invites you on a sleigh ride? Dang, Sydney, why
can't I be so lucky with guys?"
        "I didn't mean to bump into him! He shouldn't have been standing so
close.
Besides, he probably just saw Ashlyn sometime, and is trying to get to her
through me."
        "We look exactly alike!" Ashlyn sighed. "Anyway, how was your weekend,
Jazzy?"
        "Well, it was okay. I didn't see Admiral Paris at all, but Nanny was
thrilled beyond belief about Paris. She wanted to see all the pictures and
hear all about our lives. She is planning to come visit soon."
        "Great, another Paris to invade our household." Sydney said bitterly.
Jasmine gave her a Look.
        "Nanny's different, Syd. She's not like him. She is so much like Dad..."
        "Enough about Nanny, we'll discuss it later. What else did you do? There
had to be a reason for your visit. Maybe something to do with a Henry
Wallace?"
        "How did you find out about him?"
        "A man called this afternoon, saying he was your publisher. He said
something about finding you an editor near here? Care to fill us in?"
Ashlyn's eyes twinkled.
        "Well...I...sort of... got a book deal."
        "Oh, migod! You're not serious!" Ashlyn and Sydney erupted into screams,
causing Paris to clap her hands excitedly. 
        "Yeah, I am. I'm not sure what it's going to be about yet...but I got
one!"
        "Well...when is your deadline? You do have a deadline, right? And what
about school?" Sydney asked her, giving her a motherly look.
        "One of you can teach me! Uncle Harry already said it was okay if I was
home schooled, I talked to him this morning when I was still in San
Francisco. Come on, please!?"
        "Well...I guess it's okay. You did seem to be getting bored with going to
school day after day. And it does get difficult to make meals during the
day!" Ashlyn grinned and then stopped. "Hey, do you guys hear bells?"
        "He's here!" Sydney jumped up and was up the stairs, and throwing the
front door open by the time Jasmine stood up. "Well, someone's excited!"
Ashlyn commented, rising, and picking up Paris.
        "Come on, let's go check him out!" Jasmine said, grabbing onto Ashlyn's
arm. They made their way upstairs where Sydney was sitting on the stairs,
pulling on her boots. "Going to introduce your sister's to your date?"
        "He's not my date," Sydney said quickly as Thomas held out his hand to
help her up off the stair. She accepted. 
        "I'm Santa Claus," he said to Jasmine and Ashlyn. "But you can call me
Thomas."
        "Isn't Santa's real name Kris?" Jasmine asked, looking him up and down
with the critical eye she used to use on Blake.
        "Don't be mean to Santa," Ashlyn said to Jasmine. "He won't get you
anything for Christmas." She moved Paris to her other hip.
        "Thomas, these are my sisters, and my niece, who you have met. Ashlyn,
Paris's mother, and my twin sister, and my little sister, Jasmine... who
plays the father role of embarrassing me at every oppertunity."
        "Sounds a lot like my sister. It's a pleasure to meet both of you, but we
should get going, Sydney. The others are probably getting the wrong idea-"
        "Let's go then!" Sydney said hurriedly, giving her sister's each a hug
and
dropping a kiss on Paris's forehead. She grabbed her scarf and slammed the
door behind her.
        "What a hunk!" Jasmine said as Ashlyn and her watched the sleigh pull out
of the driveway.
        "You're telling me! Maybe we should steal him for your daddy, huh, Paris?
No? Okay, we'll settle for that cute neighbor boy." She grinned over at
Jasmine. "Could you make some coffee? I've been having to live off Sydney's
cooking, and we all know what THAT tastes like."

***

        Sydney was quickly introduced to Thomas's friends. His best friend,
Lawrence, was the one who owned the team of four Clydesdales that were
pulling the sleigh. He was riding in the front with his girlfriend, Lucy.
Thomas and Sydney were in the back, facing backwards. They were on their
way to pick up Thomas's cousin, Jeffrey. Sydney kept a comfortable distance
between herself and Thomas, still not at ease with him. Lucy turned around
to talk to Sydney.
        "Where did you meet our Tom here?"
        "In... the store, actually. A few days ago." Sydney answered, craning her
neck to see Lucy. She repositioned herself, in the process drawing closer
to Thomas, to see her.
        "Hear about his little gig? Playing Santa?" Lucy managed not to laugh.
"Our cute little Thomas...Santa Claus." Her blond hair bounced around her
face.
        "She knew that, Luce," Thomas said, looking up to see Lucy. "She came by
the other day with her niece."
        "You have a niece? But didn't we go to school together...I thought you
didn't have any older siblings."
        "I don't. Ashlyn, my twin, had a daughter a few months ago."
        "Oh! With Blake Gray, huh? I always thought they'd end up together, he
still around?"
        "No, he's not. He's in jail, actually, and doesn't even know he has a
daughter."
        "Oh...dang, never thought of Blake as a jailbird. Shows you can never
know
too much about people, right? Don't worry though, Thomas here is a good
guy. If I wasn't held down with Lawrence, I'd probably steal him!"
        "Hey!" Lawrence commented, grabbing Lucy's hand. She laughed and turned
around again, burrowing down into Lawrence's shoulder. Over her shoulder,
she told Sydney, "But don't worry, you can have him." Sydney blushed, and
turned to look out at the ocean. She didn't notice till it was too late
that Thomas had nonchalantly put his arm around her shoulders.
        Sydney found, as the night went on, that Thomas wasn't all bad. He played
the piano, and his friends were nice and polite, except for the comment
every now and then about Thomas and her hooking up. She told Lucy a little
more about Paris and Ashlyn, but for the most part, talked to Thomas. He
had an older brother, and his parents were divorced. He was about a year
older than Sydney, he had his own apartment in town and was studying music
at a local college.
        "Well, we've talked all about my life...what about you?" Thomas asked
when
there was a lull in the conversation. It was getting colder and darker, and
they had just dropped off his other friends. Lawrence was driving them
home, but not paying any attention to the conversation. He was thinking
about Lucy. 
        "Well...I paint...I'm not sure about what I want to do with my life...I'm
just staying at home right now, to help out with Paris and everything."
Sydney didn't mention anything about losing her parents. Thomas nodded and
Lawrence pulled up in front of her house. There was a light on in the
kitchen. Ashlyn and Jasmine jumped away from the window as they saw Sydney
glance over towards them. Thomas walked her to the door.
        "Well, I hope you had fun tonight." Thomas said, as they stood outside
the
front door.
        "Yeah, it was cool." Sydney said, shivering in the cold night air. She
looked up at him. 
        "Well, I should probably get home...I really like you, Sydney." He gave
her a kiss on the cheek and headed back to the sleigh, waving over his
shoulder. Sydney stood, dumbfounded, on the porch for several moments until
the sleigh pulled away. Thomas threw one last look over his shoulder and
winked. As they drove out of sight, the door was thrown open, revealing two
very impatient girls. 
        "What happened?"
        "He kissed you!"
        "What's he like?"
        "Was it cold?"
        "Did he hold your hand?"
        Sydney walked past both of them, and up the stairs. Ashlyn and Jasmine
stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking dejected. "Well at least tell us
something!" They said together. Sydney turned.
        "It was fun," she said simply, and disappeared into her room, a small
smile on her face.

***

        That night, Sydney couldn't sleep. Flashes of earlier that night kept
running through her head. Thomas...his smile...his laugh...the way he held
her. Sydney sighed and rolled over, almost falling off the bed in the
process. 
        'This isn't getting you anywhere, you might as well admit that you like
him.' A voice inside of her said.
        'That's absurd,' another part of her shot back. 'I just met him and we
have nothing in common.'
        'Then why can't you go to sleep?'
        'I'm just not tired! I'm preoccupied!'
        'Oh, sure, that's always the story.'
        "SHUT UP!" Sydney yelled suddenly, her voice echoing off dark walls of
her
room. Nothing moved. Nothing was there. She knew Ashlyn wouldn't hear the
yell, she was in the basement. And Jasmine was such a dark sleeper, there
would have to have Mars explode before she woke up.
        Sighing once more, Sydney pulled the blankets back and sat up. Her
slippers were waiting for her cold feet, and she slipped them on, wrapping
a large white blanket around her, as well. Her easel stood in the corner, a
large white paper greeting her as she sat down before it. Slowly, Sydney
mixed the paints into the colors she wanted, and began to draw. 
        Normally, Sydney sketched a picture first, and if she deemed it worthy,
then she painted. But not tonight. As Sydney painted, her mind wandered. 
        Soon, she forgot about Thomas and that night. She got lost in her own
thoughts, as she continued to paint. She thought about a lot that night.
Her parents, her sisters, Paris.
        Even if it seemed that she was over losing her parents, Sydney knew deep
down she still wasn't. There would be nights when they were all that she
could think about, and she still saw them on the streets. But somehow, she
managed not to think that much of her depression. Ashlyn and Jasmine were
both in counseling, and that had helped it...for them.
        Sydney swallowed forcefully and looked up at her painting. She hadn't
even
been concentrating on what she had been drawing. Normally, Sydney drew
people or painted the ocean. This was completely different. It looked a
little abstract around the edges of the painting, but the main middle part
consisted of a sleigh, drawn by four Clydesdales. Two people were curled up
in the back of the sleigh, and as Sydney studied her painting closer, she
could make out the faces. She had painted Thomas... and herself!
        'You're in love.' The voices started up again.

***

        The next day, Sydney hurried off to do more holiday shopping somewhere
across America, and Ashlyn had school. Jasmine was staying home, starting
the cooking for Christmas, and starting her novel. Paris watched her from
her high chair.
        "What are you looking at, you little one?" Jasmine asked, pausing as she
passed Paris, to tickle her feet. Paris smiled and seemed to wave at Jasmine.
        She followed Jasmine's movements throughout the morning as Jasmine
started
to get the meal for Christmas Day together. Jasmine's family had never been
very religious, but Tom had celebrated Christmas as a little boy, and it
was more of a tradition for family to be together, then anything else.
        "Cuz we are born...innocent...Believe me, Adia, we are still,
innocent..."
Jasmine sang along with the song, "Adia" by Sarah McLachlan. She had
inherited Tom's taste in music: she would only listen to alternative music
from the 1990's. 
        "Okay, Paris, come on, let's go to the lighthouse. Wadda say to that?
Yes,
no? Well, anyway, come on." Jasmine picked Paris up and balanced her
lightly on one hip. She grabbed the lunch she had packed for herself and a
bottle for Paris, and slung her writer's bag over her shoulder. Soon after
Christmas was over, Jasmine was going shopping for a real study. She had
already drawn up plans in her mind and was going to convert the attic into
Jasmine's own study.
        Several hours passed as Jasmine poured over different story plots, trying
some out, and tossing others. Finally, just as she got a good thought
pattern on one particular story, the console beeped, interrupting her
concentration, and waking Paris up. 
        "Blast!" Jasmine cursed under her breath, getting up and running to get
Paris. "Computer, place call on audio. Hello!?" She tried to shush Paris in
the background.
        "Uh...hello, is Sydney there?"
        "She's out for the day, she won't be back till dinner time."
        "Oh, sorry, uhm...could you tell her that Thomas called and for her to
call him back?"
        Jasmine stopped. "Thomas? Oh, sure! Yeah, Sydney's been waiting for your
call. Can I give her a message?" She grinned evilly.
        "Yeah, ask her if she has dinner plans tonight. And to call me back."
"Sure thing," Jasmine answered and the call ended. Jasmine rocked Paris a
few more times before setting her back down in the crib that Ashlyn had
installed in the lighthouse and went back to her novel.

***

        "We're home!" Sydney yelled as she pushed open the front door, setting
down her numerous shopping bags, and turning to take more groceries that
Jasmine had requested from Ashlyn.
        "In the kitchen!" Jasmine yelled, taking out the roast chicken as Sydney
and Ashlyn appeared in the doorway. "Dinner'll be ready in just a few
minutes."
        "Gross! Chicken!" Sydney made a face. "What did I do this time, Jazzy?"
        "Oh, nothing. You're not eating here. Thomas called earlier, he wants to
take you to dinner. So Ashlyn and I are having chicken. Go get ready and
return his call. Hurry up!"
        "But-"
        "What are you butting for, Syd!? He's all you could talk about on the way
home!" Ashlyn gave Jasmine a look that clearly said, "I found out about
last night!"
        "Go get ready," Jasmine said, pushing her out of the kitchen. She whirled
on Ashlyn when Sydney disappeared up the stairs with her shopping bags.
"What'd you get?"
        "Well..." Ashlyn paused dramatically. "She had so much fun! They went on
the sleigh ride, right? And I guess he had his arm around her most of the
evening, and his friends kept making jokes about them being together or
Thomas being single and she'd get all red and everything! I can just
picture it! But he's so good looking! And this is just what Sydney needs!"
        "Shhh! Here she comes." Jasmine pushed a few plates in Ashlyn's arms and
turned to see Sydney. "So, you going to dinner?"
        Sydney gave her a look. "Yes, in fact, I am. We're going to New York City
for dinner, he already had reservations, so I...had to go."
        "Oh, of course, you just HAD too," Ashlyn commented from the table. Paris
giggled. "I'm training my daughter so well...aren't I? Aren't I?" She
tickled Paris under the chin and the baby giggled some more.
        "Well, I'm going to go get ready. I probably won't be back till late, so
don't wait up-"
        "Wait up? Of course we're waiting up! You're the only one with the
interesting life around here, remember?" Jasmine grinned. "All we are
is...a cook/writer wanna be, and a struggling single mother trying to get
through college."
        "Hey! I'm managing!" Ashlyn said, throwing a roll at Jasmine. Jasmine
dodged it and it landed with a "thump" on the counter.
        "Well, I'm going to go get ready, he should be here...soon!" Sydney
kicked
into motion as she looked at her watch. 
        A half hour later, she came back down the stairs to see Jasmine and
Ashlyn
sharing a pot of hot cocoa. The dinner dishes were stacked neatly in the
sink, and the roll was still sitting alone on the counter. 
        "Woohoo!" Ashlyn crowed. "Turn around!" Sydney sighed but turned around.
Thomas had said the restaurant was up-scale, and Sydney had dressed to the
event.
        She was wearing a wrap-around skirt that was dark blue. It had a slit up
the left leg, and fell around her ankles. She had on a white, silk blouse
that was untucked. She had borrowed Ashlyn's black heels, and she appeared
taller. 
        "That is so cool! Why can't we dress like that, Ash?"
        "I'm not sure, Jazzy, I think it has to deal with the fact that we don't
have lives." Ashlyn bounced Paris on her hip.
        "You guys, stop flattering me! You guys have perfectly fine lives!"
        "We know, but this is your night so we're being kind." Jasmine told her.
She stood up as she heard a hover car coming down the driveway. "Here's
your date! Be home by midnight, don't do anything dumb, and call us if
there's a problem." She handed Sydney her coat and ushered her out the
door, waving to Thomas.

***

        Gentle laughter broke the night silence as the hovercar pulled up to the
house several hours later. Sydney felt as if she was walking through a
dream, Thomas was everything she had always looked for in a guy, and was
full of surprises. She held onto the bouquet of roses he had given her
earlier that evening tightly as he escorted her to the door. The snow
crunched around their feet and Sydney felt a slight dread in the bottom of
her stomach knowing that the night would soon be over.
        "You should have told me that you enjoyed the theater! I would have
gotten
us tickets for 'Joseph...'!" Thomas said, giving her a cocky smile. "Well,
I guess I could always ask you out again..." 
        Sydney smiled. "Don't worry about it, it was still a great evening. Where
did you find that restaurant? I'll have to take Jasmine there, she'll be so
jealous of those cooks!"
        "So you really did have fun?" Thomas asked, his voice quieter. Sydney
looked up at him.
        "Yeah, I did." Thomas grinned.
        "Then how to end a perfect evening with a perfect girl...?" Thomas leaned
forward and gently kissed her. The kiss was short, but sweet. Thomas drew
back a moment later and kissed Sydney's hand. "I shall await the next time
I will be able to see my fair lady," he bowed at the waist. "Till then,
goodnight."
        Sydney waved and then went inside. The Christmas tree greeted her and a
fire was going in the fireplace. She entered the living room to find Ashlyn
curled up on the couch, one arm around Paris. Paris was still awake, but
she was quiet. Her eyes came to rest on Sydney as she entered. Jasmine was
curled up in front of the fireplace, a notebook beside her.
        "Yeah, they'll wait up..." Sydney said, looking at her sisters fondly.

***

        "Sydney! It's Thomas! Pick up!" Jasmine yelled from the bottom of the
stairs. There was no response. "Sydney!?" Sighing, she went back to the
console. "I can't find her, Thomas, I'll have her call you back."
        "Okay, thanks, Jasmine." The screen went dark and Jasmine left the
kitchen. She went upstairs to find Sydney sitting at the window, looking
out at the ocean. 
        "Why didn't you answer it? He's called twice!"
        "If he calls again, I moved to Vulcan."
        Jasmine sighed and sat down on Sydney's bed. "What happened? You seemed
so
happy this morning, then you went for a walk, come back, and you're acting
like you were right after Mom and Dad died."
        "I am not!"
        "You are too! Look, you have four new paintings done, you haven't eaten
anything, and you're staring at the sea with...with that look on your face!
What happened?!"
        "I just...can't see him anymore!" Sydney glared up at Jasmine, tears
starting to flow down her face. Ashlyn, who had been giving Paris a bath in
the next room, appeared in the doorway.
        "What's going on here?!" She exclaimed, wrapping Paris tighter in the
towel. "What's all the commotion!?"
        "Sydney won't return Thomas's calls. She claims she can't see him
anymore.
I don't see why! He's so nice!"
        "Jasmine, don't push it, let me talk to her, okay?"
        "Oh, whatever." Jasmine threw her hands up in the air and left the room,
muttering curses under her breath.
        "Will you please tell my younger sister to stop being so pushy? She's not
Mom!"
        "No, but she's the closest thing to. Why can't you see Thomas anymore?
He's called twice!"
        "I don't want to see him anymore."
        "Why?" Ashlyn joined her twin at the window, and studied the ocean far
below.
        "He...he reminds me of Dad..." Sydney pulled the pillow she held closer
to
her.
        "Because...because of his name?"
        "No! Everything! When...when I'm with him...I forget them! I can't think
of anything but him, and being with him! Hell, I had a dream last night
about our life together!"
        "You love him," Ashlyn said matter-of-factly.
        "No...I can't! I feel...as if...if I'm with him, that'll I'll forget
them.
I can't forget them! But I am...over the last few months, I am! I can't
remember their voices, or the way it felt when one of them tucked us
in...or Dad's stories...and when I'm with him, I forget all of it! I can't!"
        "Sydney...it's okay...shhh..." Jasmine appeared in the doorway to reclaim
Paris. She just took Paris, and left.
        Sydney sobbed for only a few minutes and then looked up at Ashlyn. "Why
did I have to fall in love with him? He's...screwing everything up!"
        "Actually, I think he's doing the exact opposite."
        "I won't see him anymore, I can't. And don't press it, Ash, I don't want
to see him. You guys are what matter, that's all." Sydney stood up and
looked out at the ocean once more.

***

        "Well, what are we going to do about it?" Jasmine pressed, paying for the
gift and following Ashlyn out the door.
        "Nothing, Jazzy. It's not our life. If she doesn't want to see Thomas
anymore, then she doesn't have to. Simply tell him she isn't home or
something."
        "Right, so she can hide in her hole. That's mature." Jasmine said
bitterly, pausing to look at a Santa Claus display in the window. Ashlyn
stopped as well, and readjusted Paris in her stroller.
        "Jasmine, you have a therapist for these bitter emotions, don't project
them at me."
        Jasmine sighed. "What time are Uncle Harry and Seven coming tomorrow?"
        "They'll be here late tonight. Come on, we better get home."
        Jasmine and Ashlyn headed back towards the hovercar when Jasmine stopped.
"What's wrong?" Ashlyn asked.
        "Isn't that Thomas over there?" She asked, pointing towards a figure
talking to someone outside of the bakery.
        "I...think it is! But that doesn't concern us, come on, Jasmine."
        "No! I'm going to talk to him!"
        "Jasmine..." Ashlyn sighed and started after her. Thomas saw them coming
towards him and met them halfway.
        Before Jasmine could say anything, Thomas said, "Where has Sydney been!?
I've been so worried! She's never home and she never returned my calls!
What happened?!"
        Ashlyn's heart melted at how upset Thomas appeared. He looked like he
hadn't slept, and he clasped a bag tiredly.
        "Thomas, let's go get a latte or something. Jasmine and I need to talk to
you." Jasmine took the stroller from Ashlyn and walked behind them.
        A few minutes later, they were seated at a nearby cafe. Ashlyn had a cup
of hot cocoa, and Jasmine had black coffee. Thomas didn't order anything.
He looked at Ashlyn over the table. "Now why hasn't she returned my calls?
What did I do wrong?"
        "It's not you, Thomas. She's...scared." 
        "Scared? How did I scare her? Why?"
        Ashlyn held up a hand and he stopped. She sighed and looked down at
Paris,
who had fallen asleep. "About nine months ago, our parents were killed in
an accident. Our father's name was Thomas. Thomas Eugene Paris. I think...I
think she's scared to get close to anyone with his name. We were...a very
close family. And Sydney changed a lot during the months after their death.
She went through a depression of sorts, and she's still dealing with a lot
of it. She's afraid, I think, that if she gets close to anyone, and loves
them the way that our parents loved each other, she'll either get hurt or
something will happen and they'll die."
        "I had...no idea. I read about your parents in an article...I even bought
the biography that Jasmine wrote on them...but I never placed it..."
        "It's not your fault," Jasmine said softly.
        "Well, what do we do now?" Ashlyn asked Thomas. He studied her for a
moment and then reached into his bag.
        "I think I have an idea."

***

        "GET UP! SYDNEY, ASHLYN, UNCLE HARRY, SEVEN! GET DOWN HERE!
SYDDDDNNEEEEEYYYYY!" Jasmine stamped her foot again and stomped back into
the kitchen, passing the window on her way. She stopped dead in her tracks.
The snow had melted away just a few days ago but as she looked outside, it
was a Winter Wonderland. "ASHLYN! IT SNOWED! HEY EVERYBODY, WAKE UP! IT
SNOWED!"
        A piercing wail broke the silence and Jasmine smiled. 'Good, Paris will
start screaming, waking Ashlyn up, she'll get mad at me and wake everyone
else up by her screaming.'
        Sure enough, a moment later, Jasmine heard angry footsteps on the stairs.
Ashlyn appeared, holding a screaming Paris. "YOU WOKE HER UP WITH ALL YOUR
SCREAMING! THIS WAS THE FIRST NIGHT IN A MONTH THAT SHE HADN'T WOKEN UP! I
WANT SLEEP!"
        "Woah! Enough with the caroling!" A voice came from behind them. Jasmine
turned around to see Harry Kim standing in the doorway, his hair tossed
about, but his eyes were wide and twinkling. Jasmine threw herself into his
arms. "UNCLE HARRY!"
        Even Ashlyn smiled and gave him a hug. Harry drew back to study Ashlyn.
"You've grown up, Ashlyn. Oh, and who is this? Who is this? It's your Uncle
Harry!" Ashlyn passed Paris over to Harry and he bounced her up and down.
        "She's so small! And aren't these ridges cute? Who'd think a 1/8 Klingon
child would have such pronounced ridges! Sev, come take a look at this!"
Seven appeared behind Harry, wearing a large, pink bathrobe. She leaned her
chin on Harry's shoulder, gazing down at Paris. "She's...so beautiful..."
        "Here, you can hold her," Harry handed Paris to Seven and her face broke
into a wide grin.
        "Ashlyn, you are so blessed." Ashlyn looked down at Jasmine who was
smiling with childish delight.
        "I know, I become so scared sometimes, but Jasmine and Sydney have been
angels."
        "Where are the angels?" Sydney's voice came from behind everyone. She
came
into the kitchen, and headed straight towards the coffee pot. 
        "Right there," Ashlyn said, pointing to the mirror that hung on a wall.
"Come on, let's open presents!"
        "PRESENTS!" Jasmine screamed and ran into the living room. Everyone
followed her to find presents stacked in piles. Jasmine blushed. "I
kinda...well, sorted them earlier. I couldn't sleep." Harry grinned at his
god-daughter and ruffled her hair. He and Seven sat down on the couch.
Jasmine sat down next to the fireplace, like usual, and Sydney plopped down
on the floor. Ashlyn joined her, but left Seven holding Paris. 
        "Okay, who's first?" Harry asked, leaning forward. He looked over at
Jasmine who was already eyeing her presents with a devilish grin. "How
about Jasmine?"
        Jasmine grinned widely and plucked a large envelope off the top of her
stack. She ripped it open and withdrew a card with a large reindeer on it.
She read it quickly and then took out a large, check sized piece of paper.
"We owe you a complete rehaul of the attic, designed anyway you like, to
make way for our published author." She turned to Sydney, her eyes wide.
"How did you guys know that I wanted to redo the attic?"
        "We know you, Jazzy." Sydney said. "We'll go shopping sometime next week.
Besides, you'll need someplace to do your writing."
        "Writing? Did I miss something?"
        "Sydney is the new famous Paris. She wrote the biography which we sent
you
and The Paris Volumes are in the process of being published as we speak,
and she recently signed a deal with a big-shot publisher in San Francisco
for a fiction series."
        "Congratulations!" Seven said, smiling warmly at Jasmine. Jasmine
blushed. 
        "Okay, how about it be Seven's turn?" Harry said, turning to his long
time
friend, and more recently, romantic interest.
        "Well, what present?" Seven studied her stack and selected a small one
from behind the rest. Harry paled.
        "Not that one!"
        "Arguing is irrelevant," Seven said with a playful grin and unwrapped the
small package, revealing a black box. Harry took a deep breath and got down
on one knee. "Before you open it, I need to ask you something..." He paused
and looked at Ashlyn, who was playing with Paris. She stopped. "Will you
marry me?" Jasmine gasped, Seven stopped breathing, and Sydney stared
expectantly at Seven.
        "Well, will you?" Ashlyn asked. "If you marry him, you marry us too!"
        Slowly, Seven's face grew into a wide grin. "Yes, Harry. I will. It's
about time too!"
        "Woopeeeeeee!" Jasmine hollered, beginning to jump around like a crazed
animal.
        "Jasmine Amy Paris, come back here and sit down and act like a lady!"
Ashlyn said, and Jasmine sat down again. The presents continued until there
didn't seem to be any left. Sydney sat back, exhausted. 
        "Well, I say this is one of the best Christmas's!"
        "It's not over yet...look, Santa left a gift." Ashlyn said, beckoning to
the fireplace where a small red package had appeared. Jasmine looked at it.
        "It's to you, Sydney. Better open it." She handed it over to Sydney who
looked at them both confused. She slowly unwrapped it. A recording chip
fell out into her hand, along with a note.

Dear Sydney, 

I've watched you this year and you've been a wonderful girl. Please, take
this present as a show of my love and for the hope of the future.

                                        Your "Santa Claus,"
                                Thomas

        "Oh...migod..." Sydney trailed off. "No...it couldn't be!" As if on
auto-pilot, she stood up and walked over to the console, sliding the
recording chip into a slot. "Computer, begin playback."
        Piano music floated through the room. It was "Santa Claus Is Coming To
Town." Sydney sat in silence listening to it. "Fur Elise" started up soon
after the first song ended. She listened in silence to the rest of the
recording. There were a few loves songs she didn't recognize, but Seven
picked out one of them right away.
        "That's 'Someone To Watch Over Me!'" Harry looked over at her.
        "I don't recognize it..."
        "The Doctor and I danced to this one time...it was when I was trying to
find the 'perfect' date." Seven stood up and began swaying to the music,
singing softly. "There's a saying old, says that love is blind. Still we're
often told, "Seek and ye shall find," so I'm going to seek a certain lad,
I've had in mind. Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet, he's the
missing link, I can not forget. Only man I ever think of with regret, won't
you tell him please to put on some speed. Follow my lead, how I need...
someone to watch over me." Harry joined her and they started to dance. 
Ashlyn held Paris tightly as she watched them dance, a longing look in her
eyes. Jasmine glanced over at her, and she could tell she was thinking of
Blake. Paris clapped her hands together joyfully and looked up at her mother.
Suddenly, the music stopped and Sydney stood up. She took the recording
chip and started towards the stairs. Ashlyn called after her and she turned
around. "I...I need to think," she finished lamely, and disappeared upstairs.
        Jasmine sighed. "Let her go, she's confused about loving him and all
that.
But that's not stopping us from...eating! I'm starved and, if I do say so
myself, I make pretty good cinnamon rolls! Come on!"

***

        Sydney stood at the window, gazing at the ocean. Piano music was playing
softly in the background. The computer had recognized the song as "'Til
There Was You" from "The Music Man." 
        Why was he pursuing this? They had only gone out twice, and it wasn't
like
they'd been dating for years. But...he seemed to...complete her somehow.
Sydney felt tears springing to her eyes, and she tried to fight them. She
didn't want a relationship, she didn't need a relationship. 
        'But you still love him,' the voice inside of her said.
        'Doesn't mean I need him,' Sydney shot back.
        'But it also means that you can't live without him.' The voice seemed
satisfied.

***

        "Another excellent meal," Harry said right as he finished breakfast. He
leaned back in his chair. "All my favorite girls in one place."
        Seven grinned and admired her engagement ring. Jasmine looked from Harry
to Seven. "So when's the date?"
        "Date?" Harry asked, jerking back to reality from staring at Seven.
        "Yeah, you know, the wedding date? Or did you forget already?" She asked,
teasingly.
        Seven blushed and looked down at her ring. "I'm not sure...honey?"
        Harry made a huge scene over thinking about it and Seven gave him a sharp
look. Finally, he laughed and said, "As soon as possible, of course!"
        Ashlyn grinned. "Yay! How about spring? I love spring weddings!"
        "Spring sound okay, sweetie?" Harry asked, and Seven nodded.
        "It will give our crew time to get used to it. All of those young naive
ensigns will have to learn that their captain is a taken man."
        "And this is coming from the woman who makes the entire hall stop as
every
man stops to look?" Harry shot back, and grinned. Seven and Harry fell into
companionable silence, staring at each other. Ashlyn leaned over to Jasmine.
        "Maybe this would be a good time to initiate  Plan Christmas Love!"
Jasmine grinned at her sister.
        "I think you're right, you get Chastity, I'll get Kris Kringle." Jasmine
excused herself, looking as if she would start clearing the table. She took
the empty plate of Cinnamon Rolls into the kitchen, and set it down on the
counter. Harry and Seven had hardly noticed her leave. Good, they wouldn't
notice her using the comm system, either. 

***

        "Sydney? Sydney? Can I come in? It's Ashlyn." Ashlyn tapped again at the
door.
        Finally, it opened a crack, revealing Sydney. Her eyes were somewhat
puffy, as if she had cried a little, and she hurriedly turned off the piano
music that was being played quite loud. She blushed a little.
        "Oh! Sydney's in love! Now what should we do about that?"
        "Knock it off, Ash, I am not," Sydney denied. She plopped herself down on
the bed.
        "Sydney, you can stop being so scared. He obviously likes you! Why don't
you give him a chance?"
        "I can...I just can't give myself a chance."
        Ashlyn sighed and walked towards the window, craning her head to see a
hovercar pull up in front of the house. Sydney didn't notice. "Okay...will
you at least come down and be with us? It is Christmas."
        "Fine," Sydney said. She went into her bathroom and washed her face.
Ashlyn left and Sydney followed a few minutes later. As she turned the
corner to walk down the stairs, she heard a deep, masculine laugh. And it
wasn't Harry. 
        Cautiously, Sydney made her way through the kitchen, and peeked out into
the living room. Harry was sitting on the couch, with Seven on one side of
him, and Jasmine on the other. Ashlyn was holding Paris, and sitting in an
arm chair. And...Thomas was perched on the piano bench someone had pulled
over!
        Ashlyn caught sight of Sydney and cleared her throat. The conversation
stopped and Thomas stood up, gulping noticeably. Ashlyn stood up as well.
"Sydney, I don't think you have met 'Santa Claus.' Thomas...this is my
sister, Sydney. Sydney, this is Thomas." She was smiling widely.
        Sydney must have stood there for five minutes straight, staring at
Thomas.
She looked as if she wanted to run, but her feet remained routed to the
ground. Thomas exchanged a look with Ashlyn and Ashlyn's expression read,
"What did you come here for?" That seemed to reassure Thomas and he came
towards Sydney. She backed up and now did run.
        She ran out the door, past his hovercar, past the graves, past the
lighthouse. But...as she ran, she noticed someone was running after her.
Finally, Sydney couldn't run anymore. Tears were streaming down her face,
and her sides ached with running too much. Thomas closed the gap between
them and took Sydney in his arms, kissing her tears away. He held her for
what seemed like an eternity, and as the first stars began to appear, he
wished on the first that he could her forever more.

***

         The night was dark and clear, completely opposite the night that had
taken place in the same house a year earlier. Three months have gone by,
and as Sydney stands at the window, she is amazed to think that her parents
have been gone a year.
        A song she heard a long time ago echoes through her head...

***


 I hear the voice of my destiny call
 And I know I must go find my way
 The hardest part will be leaving you all
 And I'll miss you much more
 than words can say
 
 I'll be only a memory away
 If you need me
 You can call me any time of day
 And I'll be there, it's OK
 Only a memory away

 My intuition says something is wrong
 My friends said they'd come and say good-bye
 I can't go until I know what's going on
 I fear there is danger somewhere near by

 I'll be only a memory away
 If you need me
 You can call me any time of day
 And I'll be there, it's OK
 Only a memory away

 We've been together through good times and bad
 You've always been there for me
 I'll always treasure the best friends I have
 Eternally

 I'll be only a memory away
 If you need me
 You can call me any time of day
 And I'll be there, it's OK
 Only a memory away...

***

        "Sydney?" Jasmine and Ashlyn shook her out of her thoughts. Sydney looked
up to see them dressed and ready to go. Ashlyn held six month year-old
Paris firmly and Sydney reached out to smooth out a wrinkle in the new dress.
        "Let's go," Sydney said softly, turning to the door. They left the house,
one at a time, took the old path they had ran up as little girls, and
walked up to the graves.
        Fresh flowers sat between them and Ashlyn went first, lying down a
letter,
unable to express her feelings except in words. She sat Paris between the
two graves, and prayed. 
        Jasmine went next, talking quietly to the graves and holding the first
copy of her novel. It was hard bound and the pages lined with told.
Carefully, she set it into a glass case that was in front of the graves.
She, too, said a few words, and then went to stand beside Ashlyn.
        Sydney's turn. She took a deep breath and knelt next to the graves of her
parents. She looked down at both of them. "I stayed up all of last night,
trying to decide what I would say. The thing is, I have to much to say to
you that I can say now. It's not fair to live in the past, as I have found
out, but I can't jump in and dive into the future. I know you're up there,
watching me, and I know you brought Thomas to me, and I thank you from the
bottom of my heart for him. You've blessed me more than I feel the need to
be, but you have also blessed my sisters, and every time I see one of them
smile, I think of you. I'm trying not to forget you, but after a while, I
guess, I will. But you will always be in my heart, whether in corporeal
form or not." Sydney bowed her head and up in the sky, she knew they were
watching.
Echoing through her mind was the song she had thought of earlier. 

"I am only a memory away..."

        When Sydney went through her depression, she always thought of herself in
the dark. But as she looked at the graves that night and up at her sisters,
and niece, she knew she had been wrong. They weren't in the dark. Not at all.

***