Voyager's Child

“Their high priest or whoever he was said some sort of prayer, then his attendant washed my leg with water from one of the geysers .The priest then put some sort of ointment on, which stung rather, then bandaged it. It only took a few moments. There was nothing to it. I wish I’d asked for the Zeneans help when we first arrived, like you did Capt., um Kathryn

Well, I’d better be off before Rhesana catches me here as I’m breaking the segregation rules.”

He bade them goodnight and hurried away.

Kathryn shook her head “Whoever said that we’d finally achieved equality, got it all wrong,” She said. “But then I suppose, as Harry isn’t having a baby, his treatment was bound to be different! Or maybe their goddess’s rituals don’t apply to men” She laughed ruefully.

Rhesana visited them again the next day; this time when, she checked Kathryn with pendant the light was a clear bluish white. The priestess looked satisfied.

“Rest and eat well and you and your child will both be healthy.” She
pronounced.

“You should give birth easily enough as you’ve good child bearing hips. We’ll send you some special robes for the event. It will be a joyous occasion.”

Kathryn was trying not to think of her intention to have the child beamed out and was surprised Rhesana hadn’t sensed her thoughts as she tried to conceal them as she knew just how powerful the woman’s telepathic powers were.

The priestess just smiled knowingly and left.

The days passed pleasantly and the Voyager crewmembers felt more increasingly at home on the planet. B’Elanna missed Tom, but once Voyager was within range, she was able to have long conversations with him, almost every day.

Kathryn found the Zenean robes came in handy when she exchanged Status reports with Chakotay and Tuvok .She didn’t need to do anything to conceal her condition, as the robes were so voluminous. Judging from the reports, the Board of Investigation members were becoming an ever-greater source of annoyance to Chakotay, questioning his every decision and insisting on the most rigid adherence to protocol, which after seven years on their own, the crew were unaccustomed to. It reinforced her decision that having the child away from the ship was her only choice.

Kathryn found she was enjoying herself more than she’d done in years. Analysing the samples appealed to her scientific mind yet left her plenty of time to enjoy the temperate climate, the company of her companions and most of all the bath, where she’d spent hours, splashing around with Celes, B’Elanna and baby Mira. She’d long since decided to take some of the bathing robes back to the ship, as they were the most comfortable garments she’d ever worn Her appetite had returned and she enjoyed the plentiful supply of good food their Zenean host provided. She could feel the child growing within her and sometimes even see it moving beneath the thin robe.

She remembered reading somewhere, than unborn babies enjoyed sunlight and fashioned a makeshift sunbathing outfit with one of the camisoles and a sarong fastened round her hips, and would recline on a makeshift couch, Harry had put together in the secluded garden, enjoying the feel of the sun’s gentle rays on her bare skin. The Zenean climate was never too hot and far more pleasant than her native Indiana.

There were times she wished she could stay here forever and not have to go back to her duties aboard Voyager, though she missed her crew and the feeling of being in charge, though since the Committee had come on board she’d sometimes felt her ship wasn’t hers to command anymore. They’d been better off before their brief homecoming, yet she had the satisfaction of having fulfilled her promise to get them home and maybe everything happened for a purpose as she was about to realise her long repressed desire to become a mother. She wondered endlessly who the father was, but without the agitation, she’d felt before coming to this planet. The most important thing now was it was her child and she intended to give it all the love she’d denied herself any outlet for over the years.

She grew larger by the day and had started to waddle as she walked, giving rise to some good natured teasing from B’Elanna, who asked if she felt like a beached whale yet. Despite the discomfort of her size, she found she liked her body like this, especially on this planet, which revered motherhood so highly.

Celes was proving a real blessing, massaging her swollen ankles each evening with an ancient Bajoran technique. Even the work on creating new bio neural gel was progressing smoothly.

To everyone’s surprise, not least B’Elanna’s, Miral was much more settled and only cried if she were hungry or needed changing. She was growing fast plus recognised her father over the view screen, when they reported back to Voyager, gurgling happily when he spoke. Though Tom claimed he missed them, B’Elanna felt he was enjoying a break from the responsibilities of marriage and fatherhood, especially after the trauma of leaving Miral behind.

It was a fine afternoon and after analysing some samples, Kathryn was sunbathing in the garden while knitting baby clothes. The unborn child was kicking vigorously and she was sure she could occasionally make out the impression of a tiny foot. She wondered what it would look like this child of unknown origins. Would it resemble her or its unknown father? She’d resisted the temptation to find out if it were a boy or girl. She’d always wanted a girl, but rather fancied it was a boy from the way it was kicking. The love she felt for this unknown being was quite unlike anything she’d ever known before.

She heard a footstep behind her and turned expecting to see B’Elanna or Celes. Instead, she was surprised to see Rhesana carrying a large basket. She sat up hastily, draping her robe over her exposed skin, feeling the priestess would not approve of any activity, which didn’t involve the wearing of the habitual robes.

The priestess gave her usual enigmatic smile and settled herself on one of the garden benches.

“Your people have some strange customs.” she remarked placidly, as she started to unpack the basket. “I’ve brought you a few things you’ll need now you’re getting near your time. This is one of the robes our women wear to give birth. It slips off more easily than a bathing robe. Then this ointment is to strengthen the muscles used during labour, this one is to stimulate milk production, this one is for your skin to keep it supple, this one will ease the backache you’ll suffer from as your time approaches and these oils will help during the early stages of labour. Either one of your friends or a priestess could massage them into your skin, whichever you prefer. Our people forbid men to be present during labour, so the mother’s female friends and relatives attend her. The healing women such as myself assist if any rare problems arise”

Kathryn had pulled on her robe. She was now so large; it was considerably shorter at the front than the back. She eyed the variety of jars doubtfully, again wondering why Rhesana seemed unaware; she’d no plans to give birth in Zenean fashion.

“How do you know these remedies work for my species?” She asked.

“We know many things about you.” Rhesana said mysteriously. “I will tell you all before you leave here but now is not the time. I can tell you the birth will be straightforward, now you’re properly nourished and rested. Our thermal baths ease the pain. You will make a good mother, Kathryn.” With that and another enigmatic smile, she was gone.

Kathryn examined the robe out of curiosity. It was of the same fine material as a bathing robe but had fastens at the side and shoulders, which when undone made it fall apart as two pieces of material. She had never seen anything quite like it before. The ointments smelt pleasant, so she decided there was no harm in using them after her morning bath, if only as not to hurt Rhesana’s feelings.

Maybe she would even try feeding the baby even if it were just while they were here, but always she had to be first and foremost a Star ship captain much as she wanted to be a good mother. Apart from those closest to her in the Senior Staff, no one must ever know the child was hers. She’d been discussing with B’Elanna the possibility of a miniature holographic generator to project alien features on the child. Her chief Engineer thought it was possible, using a very simplified version of the Doctor’s portable emitter, but couldn’t start working on it until they knew exactly what the baby looked like.

She knew her time must be getting near, though having no idea of the date of conception, meant even that was hard to judge. She went inside and selected a PADD, she’d been putting off reading for as long as possible, a medical study discussing the pros and cons of various methods of delivery and the risks to mother and child that each entailed. It made uncomfortable reading as the only almost totally safe scenario for both was at a proper Federation maternity clinic. The safest method for the mother was having the baby delivered via the transporter, but that was the most dangerous for the baby with a ten per cent mortality risk, even greater than natural childbirth which posed a five per cent risk for both mother and baby, which varied if intervention was available if needed. Kathryn hardly needed to exercise her mathematical skills to start feeling guilty. Still, she reasoned, she had to put her Captain’s responsibilities first, yet she so wanted to be a mother too.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of B’Elanna, Celes, and Harry.

Despite the Zenean segregation policy, Harry had come to see her almost every day, instead of them beaming up to the Delta Flyer as they’d originally planned as a meeting place. The Zeneans seemed to be turning a blind eye as their telepathic abilities doubtless meant they knew.

Kathryn enjoyed the young man’s visits and appreciated his concern for her welfare. She invited him to stay for the evening meal and after they’d eaten, they sat outside in the garden.

B’Elanna brought Mira outside and Harry asked if he could hold her. B’Elanna agreed and watched mildly amused at the young man’s amazement that she quickly settled and fell asleep.

“You’re good with children.” She observed.

“I always wanted a younger brother or sister to play with.” He replied, “I had to be content with my cousins’ visits. Libby and I were planning to marry and have a large family but with being marooned.” He stopped, not wanting to upset Kathryn and shot her a contrite glance.

She smiled ruefully at him. “It’s alright Harry. What happened to Libby? Did you see her while we were on earth.”

“No, but my parents told me, she’d got fed up with waiting and married Danny, my friend from the Academy. They became close when I was believed dead They’ve two children and a third on the way.”

“I’m sorry.” Kathryn sighed. Of all her crew, Harry had suffered from homesickness the most. ”I I’ll get you home again, I promise. There must be plenty of women around who’d make you a good wife or girlfriend.

“I just don’t think I’m very lucky in love.” Harry replied. “I’ll have to content myself with being an honorary uncle, seeing as it’s unlikely I’ll ever be a father.”

Kathryn could think of no answer other than to inwardly blame herself for maybe the millionth time for the plight of her crew.

Harry tried to lift her mood. “Well it seems I can soon be an honorary uncle again, if you’ll let me! Have you thought of any names yet?”

She shook her head. “I want to see what it looks like first and choose a name that suits it. Though I’m open to suggestions.”

They passed the rest of the evening in an amiable though occasionally heated discussion of names from every corner of the galaxy. Celes favoured Bajoran names, B’Elanna and Kathryn human, while Harry thought they should honour their Zenean hosts by choosing a name from the planet.

During the next week, Rhesana brought a variety of candles, scented herbs and soothing chimes, which she said were to ease the birth. Kathryn was baffled but Celes seemed at home with the paraphernalia saying they resembled what the Bajoran women used. Kathryn continued to be puzzled the telepath seemed unaware of her intentions to have the baby beamed out rather than enduring labour. She noticed the priestess regarding her with an enigmatic smile as if she knew more than she did herself.

Kathryn decided to have an early night as her back had ached all day. She’d asked B’Elanna to apply some of the ointment Rhesana had given her, but it only eased the pain slightly, which was strange ,as it had worked well before now. She wished she knew when her child would be born, as either Celes or B’Elanna were insisting on staying with her during the day now, which slowed the work on the gel packs. Not only that but she was getting so large, she could hardly manage to waddle around, she understood now, what B’Elanna had been complaining about when her babies were on the way.

She sighed, as no sooner had she achieved a fairly comfortable position in bed, than she realised she urgently needed the bathroom. As she waddled across the floor, she could see B’Elanna and Celes through the open door, as they played a card game.

“Are you alright? You’ve been in there for ages.”

Kathryn struggled to the door in response to B’Elanna’s anxious call.

“Why did you lock the door .It isn’t wise so near.” B’Elanna’s voice trailed off as Kathryn doubled over with pain. She straightened up as it eased off, wiping the sweat from her face with her sleeve.

“I think the baby’s coming.” B’Elanna grabbed a medical tricorder and scanned her quickly. “You’re right! Let’s get you to the Flyer. Why didn’t you say earlier?” “I’ve been thinking over the last few days and I’ve made my mind up. I’m not risking the baby by beaming it out. I’ll stay here and have it naturally.”

For once B’Elanna was momentarily lost for words. Eventually she sputtered.” But the risks to you are too great!” she protested, “Who’ll deliver it? We’ve no specialised medical training! The transporter’s the best option.”

“I’m having it here.” Kathryn repeated in her most captain like tone that brokered no disobedience. “The human race has managed to survive before the advent of Starfleet medical!”

“I’ve delivered several babies.” Celes interrupted with the matter of fact statement.

“We all have in Academy simulations!” B’Elanna retorted.

“I meant in the refugee camp, I was brought up in, I assure you that was nothing like a simulation.” Celes said calmly

B’Elanna scanned Kathryn again looking anxious. “Well?” Kathryn demanded. “You are in labour.” B’Elanna answered “I didn’t need a tricorder to tell me that!” Kathryn snapped. “And?” “The baby’s head is in the correct position and its heartbeat is steady.” Kathryn smiled her relief. “You see, I can have a baby without the transporter!” “But you could develop complications!” B’Elanna objected.” What if it’s a large baby ?You’re so tiny !”

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Rhesana, carrying a large jug of what appeared to be the drink used during the healing ritual, her telepathic abilities obviously having informed her that the birth was imminent.

“The sacred hour approaches.” She intoned solemnly as she approached Kathryn, scanning her with the pendant, which glowed with a clear blue light.

“Can you persuade her to return to our ship for medical care?” B’Elanna asked

“She is healthy. So is the child. There is no need. The goddess will protect them both. The sacred draught will sustain her“Rhesana replied, placing the jug on the table and busying herself arranging candles and chimes around the room. She placed a new robe on Kathryn’s bed .It was of a similar design to the bathing and sleeping robes, but the bodice was lavishly embroidered and had fastenings to the waist.

“The robe of honour for a new mother.” she explained

Kathryn was thanking her when another contraction hit her and she doubled over in pain.

“It’s time to prepare. Cover her in the ointments and clothe her in the birthing robe I’ve given you!” she commanded as B’Elanna rushed to her friend’s side. “I can take you to the temple if you wish.”

My friends can assist me.” Kathryn said, recovering as the wave of pain passed.

Celes emerged from the other room carrying the basket containing the birthing robe and the ointments.

“I shall return if you need my help.” Rhesana said with her usual placid smile before leaving as quickly and silently as she’d come.

Kathryn took the basket into her bedroom, spread a towel over the bed and studied the contents of the jars

In the living room, B’Elanna was talking to Harry over her comm. Badge. “The Captain’s in labour and she refuses to return to the Flyer. What can we do? “I doubt you can do anything. You know how stubborn she is.” Mira chose that moment to start crying, adding to B’Elanna’s agitation. “How am I going to cope? I wish Tom were here! I know how to fix engines but nothing about midwifery! ”

“I’ll tell you what, I’ll come and pick up Mira and take her to Flyer. If I stay there I can transport the Captain if anything goes wrong. What do you think?

“That’s a good idea. I’ll tell her.” “I’ll see you in a minute then. B’Elanna started gathering up Mira’s bottles, toys, and clean clothes, while trying to soothe her daughter.

Hearing the crying, Kathryn emerged from the bedroom.

“Harry’s Mira to the Flyer to look after her. B’Elanna announced. If anything goes wrong. He’s beaming you up!”

Kathryn looked relieved that she’d finally convinced B’Elanna she wanted to have her baby naturally.

Harry lingered awkwardly as B’Elanna gather up Mira’s belongings, shifting from one foot to the other as if uncertain what to say.

B’Elanna took Celes to one side.

I’ll be back in about five minutes, as soon as I’ve settled Mira. You’d better help Kathryn change into the birthing robe and she’ll also need help rubbing the pain killing ointment on that Rhesana gave her. It needs applying thickly to be effective, not that I’m very confident it will work!”

The reality of the situation suddenly seemed to hit the Bajoran. She looked taken aback.

“I thought you’d do that.” She said nervously.” Well she is the Captain!”

“I thought you said you’d deliver the baby!” B’Elanna snapped, “You told me you’d had experience!”

“Not with the Captain though!”

B’Elanna softened slightly.

“You’ll just have to think of her as just another woman giving birth. I know it’s hard when you respect someone to see them at their most vulnerable, but it’s up to us now to see this baby’s born safely. “

Celes nodded.” I’ll try..” she promised ,as B’Elanna picked up Mira.

Harry was still regarding Kathryn with a typically masculine mixture of awe and embarrassment. ”Um, well, good luck, I hope everything goes well, I’ll be right by the transporter if you need me.” He said, holding out his hand rather stiffly to her, before throwing long years of ingrained protocol to the winds and embracing her, as closely as her vast bulk would allow.

She returned his embrace, touched by the young man’s sudden show of affection.

“We’d better get Mira settled or the baby will be here. “B’Elanna reminded them, and activating her comm. Badge, she, Mira and Harry, shimmered from view.

Kathryn winched as another labour pain struck. Celes took her arm.

“It’s time you prepared for the birth.” She said firmly, steering her towards the bedroom.

When B’Elanna returned a few minutes later, she found Kathryn clad in the birthing robe, pacing the floor and refusing to lie down. She seemed more comfortable, as if Rhesana’s ointments were working. The candlelight was soothing and Celes sang the old Bajoran birth chants, which were a centuries old method of easing a child into the world. Kathryn kept sipping the drink, Rhesana had brought, which seemed to have calming properties. Several hours passed until Kathryn entered the final stage of labour and the pain grew much worse.

B’Elanna suggested using the transporter, R at least asking Harry to beam down some painkillers but Kathryn was adamant.

“I’ve come this far and I’m having this baby my way!” she insisted, biting her lip to stop herself from screaming.

“It’s alright to scream. You’re not on the Bridge of Voyager now. “B’Elanna told her, as she accepted her stubborn friend’s decision. She scanned her with the tricorder. “It won’t be long now.”

“I want a bath. The water should ease the pain. Rhesana suggested that I do so.”

B’Elanna and Celes, helped Kathryn into the pool. B’Elanna got in beside her and massaged her back, going with the rhythm of the contractions.

Kathryn started to relax and managed a faint smile. “How can you do that so well? “she asked.

“Because I’ve had two children.” B’Elanna told her. “Now take deep breaths and push !”

Another hour or so elapsed and Kathryn was growing tired.

“Push !” Celes urged. “I’m so tired! “Kathryn moaned “You can do it, just keep pushing !” B’Elanna scanned Kathryn carefully with the tricorder. “It’s time” she told her

Kathryn screamed as the worse contraction yet tore through her body .

“Better take this off then.” She gasped fumbling with the robe, which slipped off easily .The pain was now unbearable as she felt her entire body was being torn apart.

In an instant, Celes was on her knees beside her. “The head’s coming! One more push and you’ve done it!”

Kathryn summoned her last ounce of strength, struggled to raise herself as B’Elanna supported her pushed hard and assisted by gravity, felt the baby slide from her body. into Celes’ waiting hands. She sank back in the water, as Celes laid the child on her chest. The child screamed lustily protesting at leaving the safety of her mother’s womb.

“It’s a girl.” Celes pronounced “and from the amount of noise she’s making. I think she’s pretty healthy.”

Kathryn raised her head to look at her daughter. She had her mother’s bone structure but her jet black hair and olive skin, suggested she was of mixed race parentage.

“She’s so beautiful!” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes as she contemplated the daughter, she wanted so much and never believed was possible.

“I’d better cut the cord.” Celes said, producing a laser scalpel from the med kit. She was obviously a born midwife as her usual timid air was replaced by supreme self assurance.

“We should keep it and the placenta.” Kathryn announced, rousing herself from contemplating her child. “They’re a rich source of stem cells and might be just what we need to repair Voyager’s gel packs.”

B’Elanna suppressed a giggle that Kathryn, just moments after giving birth was concerning herself about the welfare of her ship.

She tapped her COM badge and contacted Harry. The young man’s tone was anxious. “I thought you’d forgotten I was How is she?” “She’s fine, Harry.” “And the baby?” “A healthy girl” Harry’s sigh of relief was clearly audible.” That’s great!” he exclaimed, the joy in his voice obvious

“How’s Mira?” B’Elanna asked. “Fast asleep. I gave her her bottle and she was out like a light. She’s been as good as gold. I think she likes me!” B’Elanna then explained that Kathryn wanted to preserve the cord and placenta and Harry agreed to prepare a stasis chamber to beam them to when they were ready.

Celes cut the chord and Kathryn took the baby in her arms and lay back in the warm running water letting it gently cleanse both her and her new born child.

B’Elanna and Celes hovered nearby to ensure their safety, while at the same time letting Kathryn enjoy the first precious moments with her daughter as she counted the tiny fingers and toes.

She lost count of time as she lay back in the water enjoying the miracle of new life, while the warm water gently lapped over mother and child.

B’Elanna hastily changed out of her dripping garments before contacting Harry again

At B’Elanna’s command the young man beamed up the chord and placenta to a sealed stasis chamber. She had high hopes that combined with amino acids they’d found on the planet, she could successfully use them to create new neural gel packs for Voyager.

At last ,Kathryn was ready to leave the water and reluctantly let Celes take the baby, while B’Elanna helped her from the water and swathed her in the luxurious Zenean towels prior to slipping the robe, Rhesana had brought earlier, over her head.

The baby started to cry at the unfamiliar sensations around it, as Celes started to dress her .

B’Elanna helped Kathryn over to her bed and took out the medical tricorder.

“What do you want with that ?” Kathryn complained as B’Elanna started to scan her. “I’m fine, check that my baby is healthy !”

“All in good time!” B’Elanna retorted .She studied the readings and smiled with satisfaction. “No internal or external bleeding or damage. Just slight bruising. You’re lucky you don’t even need the dermal regenerator !”

“It didn’t feel like that !” Kathryn complained. “I felt I was being torn apart !

B’Elanna pulled the covers over her, and Celes handed her the baby. “it was worth it though.” she said smiling down at her child as B’Elanna scanned it and pronounced her as healthy as her mother.

The baby continued to cry as Kathryn rocked her gently.

“She’s probably hungry..” B’Elanna suggested

Kathryn looked rather worried. ”She’s so tiny, how will she know how to eat ?It took Seven weeks to master the art of swallowing properly !”she fretted thinking of the nearest to a child she’d nurtured before.

“This little one hasn’t been brainwashed by the Borg !Try her, she’s smarter than you think, if my two were anything to go by.” B’Elanna advised.

Kathryn opened her robe and offered the infant her breast. To her surprise, it ceased crying and began stimulating the milk flow with its tiny fingers before beginning to suckle greedily.

Kathryn gazed adoringly at the baby she’d yearned for ,for so long. She felt such overwhelming love it was almost painful .The tears started running down her cheeks again. She brushed them away with her sleeve, hiding her face as she bent to kiss the baby’s downy head.

B’Elanna and Celes were tactfully preoccupied at the other side of the room, examining a beautiful wooden cradle and a selection of baby clothes, which had appeared as if by magic. They could only assume the Zeneans had brought them in unnoticed during the birth.

Kathryn had by now composed herself and was thrilled with the gifts.

“I’m taking those back to Voyager !” she exclaimed. “They’re beautiful !”

B’Elanna was beginning to miss Mira and as soon as Kathryn’s baby was fed, suggested they should invite Harry to see her and return Mira.

“I’d like her to look her best” Kathryn protested, as Celes had just hastily dressed the infant in a nappy and shawl. “I think she needs changing in any case.”

She made to get out of bed.

“You rest for the next few hours! “B’Elanna sounded as stern as the ship’s doctor. “I’ll change her this time. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty more chances in future !”

She bathed the child and dressed her in the beautiful flowing pink and white baby clothes the Zeneans had given them .

She then tapped her comm. Badge and summoned Harry.

“There’s someone here who wants to meet you and I’m missing my daughter!” she told him.” Can you beam down now ? I assume we’re breaking some Zenean taboo, we’ll just have to hope they don’t find out !”

“I’ll be right with you. I’m longing to see the baby !”

A few minutes later, the room shimmered as Harry beamed in with Mira. B’Elanna rushed to embrace her sleeping child, before placing her in her rib.

“She’s fine,” Harry reassured her, “I think she likes me, she’s been good as gold !”.

He turned his attention to the new arrival, approaching Kathryn and the child in an awe struck and hesitant manner. Kathryn beckoned him closer and he proffered a finger, which the baby grasped tightly He smiled ,enchanted by the infant.

“She’s so beautiful,” he whispered “and so tiny!”

B’Elanna stared intently at Harry and the baby, she nudged Celes and whispered something in her ear. The Bajoran stared too.

Oblivious to their interest Harry gazed awestruck at the tiny baby as Kathryn held her .He gently caressed the infant’s mop of black hair and stroked her tiny fingers .Kathryn smiled at his obvious delight in her baby.

“Congratulations !” he murmured, bending towards her rather hesitantly and kissing her on the cheek as she raised no objection.

He then realised the other two women were scrutinising him intently.
“What’s the matter ?” he asked “Have I turned into a frog or
something?”
B’Elanna cleared her throat awkwardly.
“It’s just that, well..” she hesitated unsure how to word her
suspicions.

“Just what, B’Elanna ? “Kathryn prompted

“Celes and I thought, seeing them together, the baby looks a lot like Harry !”

“What ?” Harry gasped. “I’ve never ..”

“It can’t be !” Kathryn protested, “I’ve no idea who the father is, but I know Harry never laid a finger on me !”

“As anything is possible, a DNA scan might be a good idea, “B’Elanna suggested.” I only wish I could access everyone’s DNA structure from the Flyer’s computer as you must be curious who the father is, especially as the baby is so beautiful, “She added to mollify Kathryn who was eying her sternly. Long experience on Voyager had taught B’Elanna that just about anything was preferable to getting what the crew referred to as “The look” from Kathryn Janeway.

“That’s sensible” I suppose, “Kathryn conceded, gently putting her finger in her child’s mouth to obtain a DNA sample.

When all three samples were collected, B’Elanna analysed them with the medical tricorder. They were a perfect match, which left no doubts that the Harry was the child’s father.

A stunned silence fell over the room broken only by murmurs of “It’s impossible “from Kathryn and Harry.

We’d better think exactly what was happening nine months ago.” Kathryn said at last

“I was giving birth to Mira” B’Elanna said, so I was pretty much confined to my quarters or sickbay, which infuriated me as the ship’s gel packs were starting to fail I remember Tom telling me that you slipped on a gel experimental gel pack.” B’Elanna said “He told me you’d forbade everyone to mention it, but he found it too funny at the time not to want to share it. Apparently everyone was trying not to laugh. It would never have happened if I’d been in charge of engineering !”.”

“That must be it, the gel packs !” Kathryn and Harry spoke almost simultaneously

“Remember, when I slipped and one exploded all over me when Seven’s heel caught it .”

“And I was one of the volunteers to provide material for the experimental gel packs, “Harry added

“But how could it happen ? It seems impossible” Kathryn protested. “I’m thrilled the father is Harry as he’ll make a wonderful parent, but it doesn’t make sense !”

“I remember now,” Harry said after a moment’s thought. “Remember when I took you back to your quarters and you told me to help the doctor in sickbay ?”

Kathryn nodded

“Well when I got to sickbay he was very excited ,he said he thought he might have discovered a new fertility treatment. Apparently when you mix human sperm with the neural gel, it sort of enhances it, makes the cells move faster and more aggressively as well as strengthening them . I had to curb his enthusiasm before he asked for volunteers to try it out ! He thought given our unique situation it could be an ideal way to solve the problem for any women on board who wanted children but couldn’t find a suitable mate. I told him it was a good idea if it worked but not to make it known for a while in case you felt even more guilty about us getting stranded “

Kathryn beamed at Harry and their child. “Well that solves the mystery. Why ever didn’t I think of it before ?” She said. “I was absolutely covered in the contents of the gel pack and as I twisted my ankle slightly, I was sitting in it for several minutes. The timing is right too, as Mira’s birth made me forget all about my monthly fertility preservation injection.”

“You’ll be able to acknowledge your baby openly now you know how it happened? “B’Elanna asked.

Kathryn shook her head. “No, I can’t, I broke too many protocols .It would be fine if the Investigation Committee weren’t nosing around on my ship but what makes it worse is that everyone saw Harry take me back to my quarters that day. We both know he left me and went back to his duties, but the Committee would believe I took advantage of one of my youngest crew members ! We’ll still have to claim the baby is an alien child we found abandoned and only tell the senior staff who know Harry and myself the truth”

“I’ve an idea” Celes said, surprising them all. “I’ve been thinking about it for some time actually. I know you didn’t bring me on this mission because of my scientific expertise but because you thought I might make a better nanny than Starfleet officer. You’ve no need to look uncomfortable I know it’s the truth. Well as we’ll have been away for almost the duration of a Bajoran pregnancy, why not say the child is mine and Harry’s ? I’ve read Starfleet history about Captain’s having a Yeoman to wait on them. If you were to pretend to be very angry when we get back to Voyager, say I concealed the pregnancy, jeopardised the mission and my own health and the baby’s and acted in such an irresponsible manner that you’re punishing me by reviving the position of Yeoman, so I’ll do nothing but fetch and carry. That way, You could give me quarters close to your own to keep an eye on me as part of my “punishment”. Then I could help you look after the baby and you’d have her close by. Eventually you could say you wanted to adopt her as I was such a bad mother.”

“That would work.” Kathryn said, But it’s too much to ask of you, Celes, I couldn’t let you take the blame and ruin your prospects on Voyager! It’s too great a sacrifice though I appreciate your offer very much “

“What career do I have to ruin ?”Celes persisted “You and the other senior officers will know the truth and keep up the pretence and I’ll be useful to the ship at long last. Voyager needs her Captain’s authority unchallenged and her reputation untarnished by gossip. I’ll be much happier as your nanny and you’ll be able to bring up your child without anyone questioning your fitness as captain. I beg you let me do this for everyone’s good !”

“I’m sure I could make a tiny holo emitter to make the baby look part Bajoran” B’Elanna added “Then after a few months the Doctor could supposedly perform surgery to remove the ridges. It’s a common complication of human and Bajoran mixed race children, an irritating rash on the nasal ridges. I looked it up in the medical database”

Kathryn smiled at them .”I see you’ve got it all worked out ! You’ve been plotting all this behind my back !”Her voice sounded slightly unsteady as she was overcome by her friend’s loyalty.

“I’ve another idea to make the story convincing,” B’Elanna continued “I thought a few days before we were due to leave , we could send a message to Voyager and ask Tom to come and offer medical assistance to Celes, when we discover she’s about to give birth !.We could say the Doctor would be more usually employed on Voyager as Bajoran births are usually very straightforward. It help ward off suspicion and Tom and I should spend a few days here together. I hope now Mira has stopped crying so much he might bond with her better and to be honest I miss him !”

Kathryn nodded her agreement. “I know you do and I feel guilty keeping you apart., “

B’Elanna shook her head. “I think it’s been good to spend some time apart, I felt Tom was rejecting Mira as she isn’t Miral. Now he tells me how much he misses her during our daily conversations.”

“I’ll send for him within the next few days.” Kathryn promised. “We need some extra help to get the gel packs finished.”

“What about my “punishment” ?” asked Harry.” It is the twenty fourth century, and if Celes story is to be believed, I endangered the success of the mission as much as she supposedly did !”

Kathryn grinned.” I’ve already thought of that ! Instead of commanding the Night Shift and spending so much time on the Holodeck , I sentence you to baby sit !”

Harry beamed. ”Great! I want to spend some time with my daughter and help to bring her up.”

“We must all keep in touch and remember we’re the Voyager family, “Kathryn said. “Even when we get home. After so many years many of us are closer to each other than our families on earth.”

Tom and I thought of getting a house in San Francesco near Tom’s family to bring up our children.” B’Elanna confided. “As Miral will have spent so much time with her grandparents, we must stay near them.”

“And I want to be near my parents and my friends too.” Harry added “I’m going to request an assignment at Headquarters when we get home.”

“My dream is spend at least a few years settled on earth .”Kathryn added ”Especially now I’ve a child. I thought of buying a big house ,where Seven could have her own flat, as she wasn’t happy with her Aunt and is still too emotionally immature to cope on her own. I’d like enough rooms to hold regular get togethers. They’d be a place for you to stay, Celes,” she added “Now all we need to do is get home, It matters now more than ever. My baby and Mira need a safe environment to grow up in and you need to get back to Miral, B’Elanna.”

“It’s not your fault we got lost again, “B’Elanna consoled her. “But I admit I badly want to be with both my daughters . I know you’ll get us home though. “

.Tom’s father told him a secret before we got lost again.” She added. “ Starfleet was planning to make Kathryn an admiral, based at Starfleet Headquarters as soon as the investigation was concluded. I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, but this seems the right time. Just keep it a secret !”

At that moment there was a tap on the door and Rhesana entered carrying a large basket.

“Praise be to the Goddess. She has blessed you abundantly !”she exclaimed on catching sight of the baby sleeping in Kathryn’s arms.

She then looked sternly at Harry “You know you are forbidden in the women’s quarters, especially at such a sacred time !”

Harry blushed slightly. “I’ve only just got here,” he explained. “I came to return Mara to her mother and I’ve learned I’m the father of this baby. Isn’t she beautiful ? “he beamed proudly.

“She is indeed.” The priestess said slightly less sternly.” But go now honour our customs and return to your dwelling!”

Harry looked at Kathryn for guidance torn between two strong women. She shrugged an eyebrow and smiled. “I think we should respect our hostess, Harry. You’ll see your daughter again soon.”

Harry couldn’t resist another wondering glance at his new born daughter before bidding his friends a hasty farewell. Celes, who could hardy keep awake, retired to her room.

Rhesana put down her basket and swung her pendant over Kathryn and the baby. It glowed a clear blue over the child, but the gem clouded slightly over the new mother. However Rhesana seemed satisfied.

“A fine healthy daughter of the Goddess !” she pronounced “And you Kathryn will be restored after rest. I’ve brought you a restorative drink and ointments to ease any soreness.You will need daily massage to restore your body. . When the child is three days old, I request that you honour our goddess and thank her for her blessings in the temple. All our women partake in a purification and blessing ritual. You are the first from another world in many generations to have been so blessed on this world and our Goddess has favoured you highly. Custom dictates our women are accompanied by their mother or sister, so bring you friend who is as a sister with you.“

Kathryn looked doubtful.

“I swear no harm will come to you or your precious child.” Rhesana assured her.” And have I not cared for you well when your own medicines failed ?”

“You have indeed. I am honoured to accept your invitation.” Kathryn felt she had little choice but to agree.

The priestess touched Kathryn lightly on the bridge of the nose with her fingertip. “Sleep now!” she commanded. “You are safe in this place.”

She gave them her usual enigmatic smile and left.

“That woman reminds me an old earth painting called “The Mona Lisa” B’Elanna commented. “Tom told me he saw it when he was in France and showed me an image in the database. The woman looks as if she knows everything but has no intention of sharing her knowledge. Rhesana is like that, an enigma.”

Kathryn yawned, since Rhesana’s departure she felt unable to keep her
eyes open..

“I think we all need some rest now.” B’Elanna suggested as she poured out a glass of Rhesana’s brew for Kathryn. “Let’s put the baby in her cradle now, she’s fast asleep”

Despite her weariness, Kathryn seemed reluctant to relinquish her child.

“I keep wearing I’ll wake up and find I’ve dreamed all this. “she said.

“You might wish you had when she keeps you awake all night when she starts teething or needs changing when you’ve an important meeting to attend ! Not that I’d be without mine for the galaxy. I only wish Miral were with me too.”

Kathryn reluctantly allowed B’Elanna to put her baby in the cradle next to the bed as she sipped her drink.

“You’ll be back on your feet in a few hours, B’Elanna assured her. I’ll leave the door open for if you need anything. ”She patted her friend’s shoulder. “I am so thrilled for you, you’re going to make a wonderful mother !”

Kathryn was asleep almost before B’Elanna left the room but it took the half Klingon much longer to fall asleep. She’d worried for so long that something would go wrong during the birth that the sense of relief was overwhelming. And not only was Voyager’s captain safe and well, but Mira would have a playmate of her own age. It seemed almost too good to be true. Eventually she slept and woke only when she heard the new born baby crying and Mira decided to join in.

She settled Mira and then looked through the door of Kathryn’s room ,which had been left ajar .She was sitting propped up against the pillows sucking her child, with an expression of love and contentment across her features that B’Elanna had never seen before from her usually tough commanding officer. At long last, she appeared as a woman at peace with herself Smiling, she returned to bed for another hour or two.

It was mid afternoon before they were all rested and ready for their daily bath, which proved a novel experience with two babies.

Mira was fascinated by the new arrival and B’Elanna had to keep her from splashing around too enthusiastically.

Kathryn rather reluctantly allowed Celes to dry and dress her baby, while she applied the various ointments Rhesana had given her .

She had to ask B’Elanna’s help with the one to ease the aching muscles in her back

“I wish I’d had some of this stuff .”The younger woman said enviously “You’ve hardly a stretch mark ! No one would think you only gave birth yesterday !”

“We’ll have to replicate the recipes when we get back.” Kathryn said as she slipped her new robe over her head. “and I think I’ll be wearing this off duty too. It is so comfortable ! We couldn’t have picked a better planet to come to !”

Harry arrived a few minutes later .As he proudly cuddled his daughter, the conversation turned to the subject of names. Kathryn wanted to honour her companions as well as find names to suit the baby.

“I’d like Margaret as one of her names.” she said “It’s the anglicised version of my Mother’s name, Gretchen. She could be Meg for short. How about Margaret Harriet Bella Celeste ?

Harry, B’Elanna and Celes all shook their heads. “Well what would you like ?” Kathryn asked. “I could never have given birth to her without you.

“I’d like her called Mary after my Mother.” Harry said.” Margaret Mary sounds nice too.”

Kathryn nodded her agreement, while bestowing kisses on the baby’s head.” What’s your choice ,B’Elanna ?” she enquired “B’Elanna ,Bella, Lana ?Miral after your Mother ?”

“I hated having a Klingon name when I was a child.” B’Elanna said .”My father sometimes called me “Bella” but I used to dream of a nice human name like “Isobel” “I like that.” Kathryn agreed. “Now what’s your choice Celes ? A tradition Bajoran name ?”

“Since I’ve lived amongst humans, I’ve grown to like their names, especially traditional ones” Celes replied. “I think as she’s human, I’ll stick with your people’s names and if anyone who thinks she’s mine wonders why, I’ll say Harry wanted it that way !”

Harry glared at her but she ignored him. “I read your Shakespeare’s plays while I was at the Academy.” she said thoughtfully and there was a character called “Celia” in one of them. I liked it that he chose a name so like mine as humans knew nothing of our existence then. so I choose “Celia. “

Kathryn stared at her baby and repeated the four names in different combinations. “Margaret Isobel Celia Mary” sounds best. She said at last.” I know it’s a mouthful, but I intend to call her “Meg”. At least she’ll have plenty of names to choose from when she gets older. In the old days princesses used to have four names, so she’s in good company !”

The next two days passed in a blur of feeding and changing. Kathryn was proving as proficient at motherhood as she was at most other tasks .

They decided that after the purification ceremony, she would send for Tom using the false story of Celes being pregnant that they’d concocted. After he arrived, he could help B’Elanna with the gel packs and then after another two weeks or so they would be ready to return to Voyager. Kathryn knew she must soon return to her duties though she knew she’d feel torn between being a captain and being a mother.

“You soon get used to it” B’Elanna assured her” I can be both Chief Engineer and a Mother. You just learn to juggle things and you’re lucky as Celes will be a full time nanny !”

On the third day about mid afternoon, two of the young lilac clad priestesses appeared to escort the three women and two babies the temple. Kathryn was apprehensive but not unduly so, as she felt she had a good idea what to expect.

Much to her surprise, Harry was waiting outside the temple when they arrived .Before she could ask him why Rhesana had appeared.

“The father must partake in the first ceremony.” she announced, as she led Kathryn and Harry to a bench in the temple courtyard and instructed them to sit down, with Meg between them ,lying spread across both their laps. She instructed them each to place a hand on the baby’s forehead as she placed a fingertip on the bridge of their noses and then did the same with Meg.

Kathryn had the most curious sensation of being inside Harry’s thoughts for a brief instant, which was replaced by a shared sense of love and responsibly towards Meg, which felt uncertain whether it originated from herself, Harry or from them both..

Rhesana smiled. “You will make good parents, now return to the men’s quarters, Harry !”

The interior of the temple looked much as when she’d last seen it, though at that time, she’d felt too ill to pay much attention. She noticed one of the young priestesses seemed to be the centre of some ritual, while groups of women and young children were scattered Around ,some praying, some apparently waiting and others or seemed to be there purely to enjoy themselves.

Many of the women left what they were doing and clustered round Kathryn and Meg, exclaiming “Blessings to the Goddess for giving you a daughter !”

An attendant offered to take Mira, and B’Elanna reluctantly accepted the offer concluding that her baby would surely be safe amongst people who obviously revered children so much.

The ritual began, much as it had done before, Rhesana waved her pendant over Kathryn and smiled that it glowed a clear blue. She was then escorted to the ritual bath ,but instead of bathing with Meg, she had to watch apprehensively as the baby was taken by a young priestess ,who started bathing her in a large bowl.

Kathryn handed her con badge to B’Elanna, determined this time to be aware of what was being said and to try to comprehend whatever ritual ordeal lay ahead.

Like the time before, the bath was brief. Guessing what would happen, Kathryn was wearing the birthing robe, which she was able to slip off with some degree of dignity, as the attendants wrapped her in a large towel.

A towel clad Meg, was being held by one priestess, while another dipped a bowl in the baby’s bath water and ceremoniously carried the contents to the area in front of the statue.
As before, Rhesana was waiting and the attendants held up a screen to shield the proceedings from the other worshippers.

Rhesana solemnly cut off a lock of Kathryn’s hair with her ceremonial knife and then, with more difficulty did the same with Meg, as her anxious mother watched with her heart in her mouth.

The priestesses removed the towels from both mother and child as Rhesana set the combined locks alight intoning to the statue. “Great Mother Goddess, this woman and her child come before you, revealed in mind and a body to invoke your blessing !”

She gestured for Kathryn to lift Meg up as if offering her to the statue, before approaching ,followed by one of the priestesses, who carried a jar ,which seemed to contain the same curious ointment she’d used before, which seemed to glow in all the colours of the rainbow.

She began by drawing the two entwined circles across Kathryn’s back with the side of her hand , adding a mystic symbol where the two overlapped. She then did the same with Meg before gesturing an attendant to take her from Kathryn’s aching arms.

Then using her palms, she daubed the paste over various parts of her body, intoning over each part “Blessed be the womb that sustains, Blessed be the arms that carry, Blessed be the breasts that nurture, Blessed be the brain that teaches, Blessed be the heart that loves ,Blessed be !”

During the proceedings, which could not have lasted longer than about two minutes, B’Elanna looked on with a mixture of sympathy for Kathryn and contempt for Rhesana for making her endure such an ordeal, which seemed most unfitting for a starship captain to be subjected to, or any woman for that matter. while Celes stood in open mouthed horror at the ritual. Kathryn herself felt oddly calm at the proceedings, even strangely moved.

The proceedings reminded her vaguely of something she once read about the ritual anointing for a monarch or aspiring knight on earth in ancient times.
A shaft of sunlight suddenly came through, a small window high above the altar, as the golden warmth bathed Kathryn she felt a surge of something akin to exhilaration. Ecstatic, she flung her arms out towards the statue, which by some trick of the light seemed to be smiling at her. She cried out, an ecstatic cry in some language beyond even the powers of the Universal Translator.

B’Elanna gasped, as Kathryn looked as if she were made of flame, for she and the statue both glowed in an almost unearthly light. A phase for some old earth religious text sprung into her mind something about “A woman clothed in sun.”

Rhesana cried out, breaking the spell, “The Goddess has granted you great favour, you are blessed indeed !” She fell to her knees in front of the statue. and kissed its marble feet, before returning her attention back to Kathryn ,applying further mystic symbols to her back and ribs before beckoning one of the lilac clad attendants to come forward. A great chant of ecstatic music filled the temple as the priestesses acclaimed the Goddess’s blessing.

A priestess came forward and slipped a soft white robe over Kathryn’s head. She assumed the ritual was over and they could now leave, but she found herself surrounded by lilac clad priestesses, now the three behind her had dropped the screen they’d been holding.

They placed an elaborate embroidered robe over the white one and started arranging her hair elaborately, plaiting flowers in the thick tresses . Another priestess had clothed Meg in an equally elaborate outfit. She handed her back to her relieved mother.

Rhesana took the bowl containing the bathwater and added the ashes from the burned locks of hair. She then placed the bowl in front of the statue and gazed in it, appearing to fall into some sort of trance.

She spoke at last in a strange high pitched voice ”A blessed day has dawned. The Goddess grants her favour. This child is one unique. She will learn much, teach much and bring joy with her many descendants. Blessed be ! Blessed be !”

As Rhesana came out of the trance, obviously unaware of what she’d said, she asked Kathryn .”I hope the Goddess gave a happy future to your child ?She never lies.”

Kathryn smiled and nodded. “We have one final ceremony.” The priestess announced .

Zhehana took hold of B’Elanna and Celes and brought them in front of the statue.

B’Elanna looked furious and Celes terrified. Rhesana instructed then to each take hold of one of Kathryn’s hands and one of Meg’s .She ten touched them lightly on the bridge of the nose, first linking Kathryn and Meg with B’Elanna and then with Celes. For a moment, a dizzying mixture of each other thoughts swept through their minds and they would have fallen, had each not been held by two priestesses.

“You will care always for each other and unite to protect the child. she said before dismissing them. “Go with the Goddess’s blessings !”

There was no sign of Harry when the women left the temple and they said little during their short journey back to the house which had become home over the last months.

Kathryn seemed reflective in an almost trance like condition, while B’Elanna was thoughtful and Celes still looked troubled at what she’d just witnessed. The two babies slept, somewhat surprisingly.

As soon as they were inside ,Kathryn went to her room to change into some plainer robes and don the baggy underwear, she’d now grown accustomed to wearing. She carefully hung up the embroidered robe, thinking she would cherish such a beautiful garment and what a lovely wedding dress it would make, were she ever to marry.

She knew her mind was wandering but her scientific nature recoiled at accepting what she’d just experienced, yet emotionally she was deeply affected by it. Her back ached from standing and she was rubbing it absently when B’Elanna and Celes came in.

“You didn’t use Rhesana’s ointment this morning !” B’Elanna said accusingly” You never take care of yourself !”

“Meg needs bathing and changing .We can bother with that later” Kathryn replied.

“If I’m to be your nanny, I’d best start getting used to doing that.” Celes said.” Don’t worry I’ve bathed dozens of babies when I was in the refugee camp. You rest and let B’Elanna apply some of that strange priestess’s ointments.”

Kathryn hesitated then reluctantly concluded that in her present condition, Meg was properly safer with Celes, especially as her head was starting to swim a little.

She contented herself by issuing detailed instructions about the temperature of the water and watching Meg for every second.

When B’Elanna came back, she was carrying a medical tricorder as well as the jars of ointments. “I want to know what’s in those ointments.” she announced, “That will surely provide an explanation for what happened earlier. It must be some drug.” She ran the scanner over Kathryn and frowned. “According to this, there isn’t anything there.” She announced.

“Let me see!” Kathryn, who’d been lying on her side on the bed sat up and scanned where the elaborate patterns drawn across her ribs were, but according to the tricorder they weren’t there. Yet what had initially appeared to be crude circles were now a riot of swilling beautiful colour which slowed softly. “Sometimes there is no explanation and we have to accept it.” She said rather to B’Elanna’s surprise .”This isn’t the first time I’ve had a similar experience.”

“We’re scientists living in the twenty fourth century, there must be an explanation .”“B’Elanna persisted as she started massaging Kathryn’s back with the ointment. “I’d like to know what happened today.”

“I only know that one moment I was undergoing what seemed an absurd and embarrassing ritual and the next moment I felt as if I were on a higher plane of existence. It was like being one with universe and the Goddessbecame real and not just a statue.”

She sat up and pulled her robe up over her shoulders while B’Elanna massaged the back of her neck with another of the potions.. “There’s a lot of mysteries about these people, such as why they rarely use their fingers in their rituals but apply the ointments with their palms ,it’s quite painful. Then they seem able to give some sort of electric shock with their touch as well. I wonder if they’re touch telepaths like the Vulcans ?”

“Who knows? It’s a very curious culture.” said B'Elanna.

“But a highly civilised one, they saved Meg for me. That’s a debt I can never repay.”

At that moment, Celes rushed in through the open door, clutching a dripping Meg wrapped in a towel. The baby was screaming loudly. “Just look at her!” Celes demanded, I’ve rubbed as hard as I can and these marks won’t come off !” She pointed to the ritual markings that adorned the infant’s tiny body. ”What about you ,have yours gone yet ?”

“They’ll fade in a few days, I think it’s part of the ritual that they linger “Kathryn said calmly. She got up, her backache now vanished and took her child from Celes, hugging her close as she dried her with the towel. “If you scan them, they aren’t there in any case ! Will you bring me Meg’s clothes ?”

Celes shook her head disbelievingly at the other’s trust in Rhesana but didn’t argue knowing the Captain’s stubborn nature.

Meg continued to scream despite her mother’s efforts to soothe her. When Celes brought the clothes, Kathryn just put a nappy on the distressed baby and opening her robe, slipped the child under it, next to her skin, where after a few minutes, she quietened and started to suckle contentedly oblivious to the shimmering patterns which adorned hers and her mother’s bodies alike.

“I think we’d better do some work on the gel packs.” B’Elanna suggested to Celes .They went leaving a still thoughtful Kathryn pondering over the events in the temple.

Kathryn was in her mother’s house in Indiana, a young girl,obviously Meg aged about twelve,was playing with her two cousins while her proud Mother, Aunt and Grandmother looked on .Before Kathryn could figure out how Meg had grown so fast and why her family were there, the scene changed to a university graduation ceremony where a lovely young woman whom Kathryn somehow knew was her daughter was being praised as a brilliant student as she received her diploma .Kathryn was sitting on the front row with her now aged mother and Harry, B’Elanna and Tom .Just as Mira came on to dais, as she was obviously graduating at the same time, the scene changed again to Kathryn’s old family home, where Meg’s wedding was taking place.

Kathryn only had time to take in that Meg looked radiant wearing the elaborate robe Rhesana had given her mother many years before and all her old friends from Voyager were there as well as B’Elanna and Tom’s daughters who were two of the bridesmaids when the scene changed again.

This time she was lying in bed feeling very weak. She hardly recognised the weeping middle aged woman at her bedside as her daughter and who were all the others, four young people in the prime of life and a group of young children? There were others there too, B’Elanna, Harry, Tom Seven and Celes but how had they become so old and why were they all crying ?

Then she saw the EMH who hadn’t changed at all. He was shaking his head and saying to Meg. “There’s nothing I can do, I’m sorry .She’s lived to an amazing age. It’s been my privilege to know two of the most amazing women of this century. I only wish her sister’s family could have got here in time.” Meg cried out “Mother, No !”and Kathryn felt herself being pushed through a tunnel of light.

She woke with a horrified start .What if she’d accidentally smothered her baby, falling asleep like that ? To her great relief Meg was still suckling contently but when she looked more closely, she noticed much to her amazement that the shimming patterns had disappeared from both of them. Sitting upright against the pillows she noticed the clock on wall showed only ten minutes had elapsed since B’Elanna and Celes left and she knew that to have vivid dreams you had to have been asleep for far longer than that to enter REM sleep. It didn’t make sense.

If it were some sort of vision it showed a rosy future .She could only conclude that the dye on her skin had some sort of mind altering properties. Just then she heard Harry calling outside, so she hastily slipped on her outer robe and wrapped Meg in a shawl before calling him to come in.

The young man seemed rather ill at ease. “I came to see how you were.” He said rather hesitantly, B’Elanna said you were resting after the ceremony but she wouldn’t go into any details about. That mind linking thing was such a strange experience, kind of weird. Well I was thinking all this weird, I mean that I’m the father of your child ! I never dreamed in a thousand light years that anything like that would happen .It takes some getting used, not that I’m not proud of Meg. “He added hastily.

Kathryn gave him a rather mischievous look. “Don’t you remember all those years ago, when Voyager was duplicated, I told you weird was part of the everyday in Starfleet?”

He nodded “Yes I remember but this seems the weirdest thing yet !” Just then Meg started to cry and Kathryn went to pick her up.

She knew she couldn’t be hungry and didn’t appear to need her nappy changing, so instead of cuddling her she went over to where Harry was standing .

Unlike the women, he’d not become accustomed to the Zenean mode of dress and only wore a robe in the street, which he discarded indoors to reveal a casual shirt and trousers.

“Undo your shirt!” Kathryn instructed him. “What? “he looked flustered but was so used to obeying his captain, he was already fumbling with the buttons. “It’s time you started to bond with your daughter.” she said “Hold her against your skin.!” She handed him the child ,her hand brushing against his bare flesh as she settled her.

For the first time, Harry perceived her not as his captain, or even a mother substitute but as an attractive woman. Kathryn smiled contentedly, as she felt Rhesana had given her a vision of the future, soon it would be time to leave this planet and its people but she knew she would never forget them, especially the enigmatic priestess.