Micah had been on high alert since Collin told her of Toren’s presence in sickbay. What was he doing on the Olympic? What was he even doing in uniform? Collin had let her cut her shift short and she’d hurried to the day care center to pick up Lake. Luckily, it was a good day and her daughter had been happily surprised that she got to go home early. The two of them were sitting at the small dining table now, a cup of coffee near Micah and a glass of chocolate milk within reach of her little girl. Crayon wands and a half colored picture of a puppy, held the child’s interest.

Micah sighed. She’d never mentioned Toren to his daughter after he was taken off the Oympic. Even the birthday gifts he’d sent were still in their festive wrapping paper up in one of the closets. She’d really never expected to see him again and hadn’t wanted to introduce his memory to her daughter until Lake began asking her own questions about him. The only thing in their quarters that was a reminder of his time in Micah’s life, was a holo photo of the two of them during an afternoon in the holodeck at an amusement park.

“Mama, look!” Roused from her thoughts, Micah looked over and saw that Lake had drawn her version of a big, pink, bow on top of the puppy’s head.

“Mmm hmmm. That’s very pretty. What’s the puppy’s name, Sweetie?” Before hearing the answer, her mind was back on the possibility that Toren could show up at their door at any minute.

”…like it?” Lake watched her mother for a response, but none came. Kneeling on the chair, she was able to reach over and put her small hand on Micah’s arm. “Don’t you like it?”

Caught not paying attention again, Micah made a goofy face. “I’m sorry, Lake. My mind was on something else. Did you tell me the puppy’s name?”

The little girl who was almost always in a good mood, looked serious for a moment. “Are you sad? Is Uncle Collin okay?”

Micah leaned into her daughter and gave her a smile and a hug. “I’m not sad, pumpkin and Uncle Collin is fine. He’s at work right now.”

The little girl’s grey eyes brightened immediately. “Its Oliver. My puppy’s name is Oliver.” She went back to coloring.

—Micah and Lake
OOC: Chris, I thought her having no knowledge of Toren as her father would allow you to write something wonderful about their Betazoid connection as soon as they get near each other. Its also a reason to be unhappy with Micah :)