Author’s note: The song is ‘Knights of the Round Table’, it belongs to Monty Python, I just like it. And I thought Tom would too.

            Tom rocked Arianna. She was beautiful, perfect, and she was his. He had to take care of her, even more than he’d had to take care of his sisters. She was his Arianna, his little star, come down to brighten his life. He was waxing poetic again. Now, she was a baby and had needs, let’s think. She’ll need clothes, a crib, toys, diapers, and food. What did she eat? He’d best ask the Doc. A crib, that he could build, he had an idea, based on his own crib as a child. Clothes, diapers and toys would have to replicate. Which meant he’d be eating Neelix’s cooking for a while. But oh well, she was worth it. Chuckling Tom shook his head, God he was disgusting, but hey, he’d always loved kids.

****

            “Plenty of protein, her digestive system is very similar to that of a Klingon’s. Just make sure she gets a lot of meat, but she can eat other food as well, no problem.”

            “Thanks Doc, I just want to take good care of her.”

            “Perfectly understandable. Don’t worry, you’ll be a great father for Arianna.”

            “Thanks Doc, well, I best see what Neelix has for us today.”

            “I suppose I’ll be seeing you again then.”

            Tom laughed, “Yeah, see ya Doc.” He left Sickbay.

****

            Harry Kim stared at his friend in amazement. He couldn’t believe he was seeing Tom Paris cradling a baby, wrapped in a beige blanket, spoon feeding it minced meat and leola root mush. From beneath the blanket a purple tail came out and wrapped around Tom’s drink. He chuckled. “Thirsty sweetheart?” Taking back the cup from her he carefully tilted it for her. She drank greedily. “What?” he demanded, catching the looks Harry was throwing his way.

            Harry laughed, “I’m just marveling at the new domestic you.”

            Tom chuckled, “I love kids, always have. My mom’s always talking about the time when Kathleen was a baby. It was the middle of the night and she needed to be changed. I , 5 or 6 at the time, heard her before my parents did. My mom woke up to find me cheerfully changing her, standing on a stool to reach the table. She says I was born to be a father.” watching Tom take care of Arianna Harry could well believe that.

****

Tom sang to Arianna as he assembled her crib,

We're Knights of the Round Table.
We dance whene'er we're able.

First, the base of the crib, simple steel rods.

We do routines and chorus scenes

With footwork impeccable.

Then the frame

We dine well here in Camelot.
We eat ham and jam and spam a lot.

Arianna giggled as she watched her ‘father’ dance around like a madman, singing an old song as he assembled her crib

We're Knights of the Round Table.
Our shows are formidable,

Then connect the pumps B’ELANNA was kind enough to build.

But many times we're given rhymes
That are quite unsingable.

Now the ropes, connected to the pumps.

We're opera mad in Camelot.
We sing from the diaphragm a lot.

Now, finally the crib, shaped like an ancient earth ship

In war we're tough and able,
Quite indefatigable.

Between our quests we sequin vests and impersonate Clark Gable.

The ship was beautifully detailed, painted gold and carved with Greek gods.

It's a busy life in Camelot. Tom laid Arianna in the crib, singing softly to her as he started the pumps

I have to push the pram a lot.

The ship immediately began rocking in the motion of a ship on water. Arianna fell asleep quickly

**Unbeknownst to our musical hero**

              In a shadowy room a group of cloaked figures gathered together.

 “The bonding is complete. The Guardian will protect the one who will become many with his life. And she will flourish beneath his care.” 

              “Their love for each other will fuel the many.”

              “How long before The Connection?”

              “A few years. When she is older, perhaps 5, it depends on how strong she is.”

              “Patience, these things take time.”