Chapter 9

A flash of realization popped into Kathryn's mind. She had been keeping Chakotay at arm's length to the point he had taken up with Seven. Here Airiann was probably doing the same thing. Keeping Dolph at arm's length to protect her heart. A long distant relationship was hard in Star Fleet. Only about 60% of marriages lasted 10 year or more. When both people were active members of Star Fleet. Kathryn suddenly wasn't feeling all that great. She said goodbye to Tuvok and left.

As she walked the halls of Voyager, she wondered if that's why Airiann was spending so much time with Chakotay. Maybe it was some kind of fling. Something that was 'just a bit of fun' for now, and would end soon enough. That only pacified her. Kathryn felt like a child that didn't want to share her toys. Just because she wasn't play with Chakotay now. Didn't mean she want someone else playing with him. How childish… How selfish… How heartless, she told herself.

A few weeks later Harry and Tom were using the gym. A lot of the holodeck rations were still limited. If the trade deal went through and they got the supplies they needed. The captain said she would reinstate to holodeck rations. For now, Harry and Tom were practicing wresting before Chakotay's class.

Harry threw Tom over his hip. As Tom got up Harry said, "I just don't know any more Tom. After watching all these pregnant women… and you and B'Elanna. I'm thinking twice about starting a family." Tom got up and started to circle Harry. "It's a lot of work and sleepless night, but I swear Harry. I've never been happier." Tom tried to go for Harry's legs but missed, they continued their dance. "Really Tom, you are always complaining about not having any alone time with B'Elanna. Or her being too tired if you do get a chance to be romantic." Harry grabbed and flipped Tom over his shoulder this time. Tom laid on the mat for a minute before Harry helped him up. They walked to the bench that had their towels and drinks. "I admit B'Elanna and I didn't really plan to start a family, as soon as we did. But you can work that out with whatever girl you wind up with." "Maybe, I don't want to be single forever. I'm only an Ensign, even with the captain's recommendation that I get a promotion. There are no guarantees that it will happen."

Just then Chakotay walked in. Tom motioned with a head jerk, "Well, you don't want to end up like him. In love with one woman and because he can't have her, starts up with 2 younger women that doesn't go anywhere." Harry lowered his voice, "So Airiann and him are what? Shipmates til port."

(An expression for people on star ships or at an outpost who would sexual relationship with a friend but it was kept casual.)

"Hard to imagine with her being pregnant, but who knows. It really seems to look that way."

Seven was working on a project in her quarters. She had invited over Airiann over for lunch. They had finished the meal. Seven was satisfied with the amount of food her friend had eaten. They moved on to Airiann's much loved ice cream desert. When Airiann winced as she adjusted herself in her chair. "Airiann, that is the second time you have made that noise. Are you unwell?" "Yes Seven, I'm 28 weeks, pregnant with 3 little gymnasts. That are killing my back, my feet are puffy and I've been dizzy all day, today." Seven looked at her, her brain thinking of what those symptoms could mean. She asked her, "Have you had a headache or change in your vision." Airiann shrugged, "I guess." Seven stood up, she was not going to worry about cleaning up. She needed to get Airiann to sickbay. This could be nothing, but it could also be very serious. There was no way of knowing until the EMH doctor looked her over. "We must get you to sickbay right now." Airiann rubbed her stomach, "Seven, that's not necessary." Seven went around the table helping Airiann up. "Airiann, I did not ask if you wanted to go to sickbay. I said we are going to sickbay, Now." Airiann looked surprised but got up, and went with Seven to sickbay.

Once in sickbay Seven call for the EMH Doctor. Airiann wouldn't let anyone else exam her. Seven explained why she had brought Airiann in. Airiann felt a little like a child, but thought that Seven was being very sweet.

"I am glad you brought her in Seven. Airiann, your blood pressure is up. Along with the back pain, headache, and change in vision. Could be considered normal, that can also be signs of preeclampsia." Seven shot Airiann a look that said I told you so. "I have my shift later. Perhaps you should ask Commander Chakotay or Tuvok to keep an eye on her this evening." Airiann had just about to have enough. She sat up on the bio bed and placed her legs over the side. "Seven, dragging me here and telling our Doctor my symptoms was right and sweet. But I'm a grown woman and I don't need to have a sitter." The Doctor knew he needed to keep her there until someone could watch over her. He decided because he was a hologram, she wouldn't be able to pick up on any deception. He gently grabbed both her legs and swing Airiann's legs up on the bed said, "I will give you a hypo spray to help with the blood pressure, just lay down."

He came back and gave her the hypo spray and told her to wait. Just to make sure it took effect. Then he went and spoke with Seven in his office. The Doctor called Chakotay on the bridge. While Seven left to return to her quarters and clean their lunch mess up, before her shift.

Chakotay was sitting in the Captain's chair, when the small view screen activated. "Sickbay to Commander Chakotay." "Chakotay here, go ahead Doctor." "Commander, I wanted to inform you that one of the pregnant women was having some health concerns." "I see. Is she alright?" "Yes, I have given her a hypo spray to help her rest. But I was hoping you would be able to keep an eye on her this evening." Chakotay smiled, "Is she the rather difficult one carrying triplets." "Yes, can I except you after your shift?" "Thank you, Doctor, I will be there as soon as I finish my shift." The screen went blank.

Tom chuckled over his shoulder, "If the Doc can keep her there that long." Chakotay smiled, "Well, possums can be difficult to contain. Another reason that nickname suits her." Chakotay took a minute to type a quick message, into the view screen panel. He had plans for the evening, but he was sure Kathryn would give him a rain check.

The Doctor went to Airiann's bed side. She was half a sleep as he scanned her, "How do you feel?" She cracked her eyes open, "What did you give me?" "Something to help you relax, until Commander Chakotay can take escort you home." She started to shift to her side and he helped her. "You are going to get an ear full, when I'm not so tired." The Doctor placed a sheet over her lower half and reduced the lights. Instead of turning his program off. He choose to grab a chair and a tablet to read. He sat next to her to make sure the other medical staff didn't bother her. He was the only other person who knew, who was implanted with what. He also knew that Airiann was very worried if it got out, that she had chosen Chakotay. He also wasn't sure why she chose to spend so much time with Chakotay. It was fueling the rumors that there was something going on there.

The mess was full of laughter and chatter as Kathryn entered, at meal time. Kathryn wasn't really hungry but wanted to get out. Chakotay was supposed to come over for dinner. She had been looking forward to it and the back rub she would no doubt get. But he had canceled saying something came up and he would make it up to her later.

Harry, Tom, B'Elanna and their daughter were sitting at a table laughing. She wasn't trying to listen as she waited in the line, but she couldn't help but over hear them.

"So, what's with possum?" "I had to look it up. Doesn't look like an animal a woman would want to be compared to." Harry said looking at B'Elanna. She smiled as she wiped Miral face, "You didn't hear it from me, but she said it has to do with them being good mothers and adopting orphans." Harry looked unsure about her answer, "Is she spending the evening with Tuvok or Chakotay?" Tom with a smile, "I happen to know the Commander is looking after her tonight." "Tom, you and Harry need to tell the rumor mill. Nothing is going on with them. He is her XO and they are just friends." Tom leaned in and with a snicker said, "Really, I think she enjoys taking Chakotay's orders." B'Elanna kicked him under the table as she saw the Captain walking over. "Ouch, what's that for?"

Kathryn pretended not to have heard most of their conversation. She had a cup of tea in her hands, "Everyone seems to be in a good mood to night." She lovingly brushed Miral's hair to the side. Tom sat up straight now knowing why his wife had kicked him. "Yes Captain, I think with having their rations restored, and another successful jump. Everyone is hopeful this will actually work." Kathryn decided to test the waters and asked, "Have you seen Chakotay? I thought he would have been in here celebrating too." B'Elanna figure the captain was fishing for information. "No Captain, I haven't seen him. Maybe he's working on his reports for the delegates." Kathryn nodded as if she agreed, "Well, enjoy your night. I think I will treat myself to a nice bath and a good book."

As soon as Kathryn got in her quarters, she could have torn the place part. She couldn't believe it. Chakotay had blown her off, to spend time with the little 'minger'. She decides to test him, as well. She sat at the desk in her quarters and sent a private message.

'Chakotay, just wondering if you were done with whatever came up? If so, would you like to come and have a coffee or tea?'

She waited for a reply. Normally he responded quickly. It took over 5 minutes before she received a message back.

'Sorry Kathryn, still busy. But I promise, I will make it up to you.'

Kathryn could have thrown her monitor across the room. Bastard was probably doing exactly what Tom implied. Giving Airiann some private orders. She couldn't help herself and looked up on the computer if sex in their condition was dangerous. To her dismay she found it was perfectly fine in certain positions. No doubt, Chakotay being the creative man he is. Had looked this up already and they were trying severely of them.

Airiann's private area included a bedroom with a very small sitting area and a private bathroom. The rest of the quarters had a large sitting comfortably seating 6. Then a kitchenette with replicator, another full bathroom, a changing table and 4 cribs already with room for more a few more.

Airiann was lying on the sofa propped up with her feet in Chakotay's lap. He had a pad in his hand loaded with a book he was reading aloud to her. He was reading something this evening about the ocean life on Tyty 2. When his padd made a noise. He finished reading the chapter and then typed a responds.

"What was that?"

"Just someone wanting to make plans for later."

"I hope you didn't turn her down on a count of me."

"Dam Empathy," he teased. He enjoyed Airiann's company immense. They had many conversations about a verity of subjects, including some very personal ones. Both had confided in each other about wanting someone but the person out ranked them. And rules were rules. She gave him a shove with her foot. He grabbed it started to tickle her. She couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't start something you can't finish young lady."

"Mercy… mercy!"

He let her go, with a small chuckle himself.

After a few minutes of companionable silence. Chakotay asked, "So have you thought anymore about what we were talking about last week?"

"About me not giving up Star Fleet? (she paused) I think I've given Star Fleet enough of my life."

"You have such talent. You're not as quick as B'Elanna under pressure. But your pretty dam good."

She shoved him with her foot again, as she rubbed her stomach. "Hey, watch your mouth around my kids.

"I apologize Ms. Sage and company."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Well… Mr. Chakotay, what about you? Are you going to take up that teaching position Star Fleet offered you?"

"I have no idea. Part of me wants to, but the other part feels… old and used up." He watched her pout. He knew she didn't like that kind of talk.

"Hope you're not to used up. We expect regular visits from Uncle Chakotay." She knew that would make him smile, and it did. He flashed those dimples. How on any world could a woman sit next this man and not succumb to those dimples? Good Lord, she thought what if her daughters had those dimples. She'd be beating the boys off with a stick.

"What are you smiling about?" He asked.

"I was just thinking that we are both a sad sack of manure. Both too scared to really go for it. Just grab our love interested and just plant one on them." As soon as the words left her mouth. She got a flash of an image of him and Kathryn kissing on new Earth. She eyebrows shot up, "Unless you already have?"

Chakotay smiled and despite the fact that men don't blush. His cheeks started to get red.

"If your mother doesn't behave, I will have to punish her." He says grabbing her foot, wiggling his fingers. As if he was about to tickle her again. It was enough to make both of them laugh hard.

Just then the door chimed. They looked at each other confused as to who it could. Before Airiann could tell the person to enter, Captain Janeway barged in. She glared at the two of them and lost her temper.

Minger...

is a British word meaning an unattractive or unpleasant person or thing.

*** If you are wondering or confused. They need 6 to 8 placentas and umbilical cords. But only 5 women stepped up to be implanted. Which meant 1 or more needed to have multiple birth. As I put in an earlier chapter there are going to be a told of 7 babies born.

Kathryn is only have 1 child and even she doesn't know who's (it belongs to the gay couple). Airiann is pregnant with her twins and a mystery baby. Airiann and the EMH Doctor are the only ones who know. Who is pregnant with which babies, for privacy reasons.