Copyright 2000, Susan S. McCrackin  Reprinted with permission of the author.

He walked out of the opened turbolift doors and headed down the corridor towards their living quarters. He was halfway there when he heard the voices.

"Well, Kathryn B’Elanna, I think your mother and your Aunt B’Elanna are having another ‘discussion.’" He shook his head as he felt her start to wiggle in his arms. As soon as he got close to their home, he put her down and let her run ahead of him. He stood, watching her as she toddled forward, straddle legged with her arms waving in the air for balance. He saw the doors open for her and heard the voices cut themselves off as she entered the room calling their names.

"Mama. Bala. Mama. Bala."

"Kathryn B’Elanna! Hello, sweetheart."

He heard B’Elanna’s voice and knew she was standing closest to the door. Before he reached the door to see for himself, he knew she would have Kathryn B’Elanna in her arms. 

"Hello." He walked up to Seven and kissed her on the cheek. "Hello, B’Elanna." He nodded to her, noting that she barely glanced in his direction.

"Hello, Doctor." She gave the child in her arms her full attention, "Look, Kathryn B’Elanna, I replicated you some new blocks. Let’s play." She immediately sat on the floor with the child and pulled out the new blocks for the squealing child. They were instantly absorbed in their play.

"So," he looked at his wife, "I heard you and B’Elanna having another friendly talk."

Seven of Nine just looked at him and B’Elanna spoke from the floor, "Oh, it was nothing. We were just discussing some improvement to the warp core program."

"Yes, it sounded like a discussion from down the corridor," the Doctor smiled down at B’Elanna. "If your discussions get any friendlier, you two are going to need a referee."

"It really was a discussion, Doctor," Seven looked at him, calmly. "We were not arguing."

"Remind me not to be around when you two actually argue," he moved to take a seat on the sofa, stretching himself out. As he did, Kathryn B’Elanna ran up to him, showing him one of her new blocks. "That is really pretty. Did you tell your Aunt B’Elanna thank you?"

Kathryn B’Elanna turned and ran to B’Elanna, grabbing her around the neck in a big hug, "T’ank Bala."

B’Elanna returned the hug, a big smile on her face, "You are so welcome, Kathryn B’Elanna. Now, let’s build a tower!" Kathryn B’Elanna broke the hug and they returned to their play.

The Doctor let his eyes drift from his child and B’Elanna on the floor to Seven, standing away from the activities, but watching the play closely. He noticed the smile on her face. He often thought it strange that she did not seem threatened by the close relationship between Kathryn B’Elanna and B’Elanna. Kathryn B’Elanna idolized her "Aunt" and often mimicked her mannerisms. The child acted as much like B’Elanna as she looked like her mother. Seven would sit and watch them play for hours, never seeming to tire of their antics and also never seeming to be jealous of their bond. 

"So," he addressed his wife, "are you ready for the birthday party tonight?"

"Yes," she walked over and sat in the rocking chair. As soon as she settled herself, Kathryn B’Elanna ran to her, arms raised. She leaned over and picked up her child and hugged her tightly. The child kissed her cheek and then wiggled to be put down. Laughing, she lowered Kathryn B’Elanna to the floor and the child sat back down to help B’Elanna build the tower. Seven looked to the Doctor, "It does not seem possible she is a year old already."

"I know," he replied, "I sometimes wish I could keep her just like this forever."

Seven did not reply but just looked at him and nodded her head.

The Doctor went back to watching his daughter. He smiled as he watched B’Elanna play with Kathryn B’Elanna. He looked up at his wife, enjoying the smile on her face as she watched the two of them play, noticing how peaceful her eyes were. Life was so different for her now. He remembered the times he had seen the pain and loneliness in her eyes but that was gone now. She was happy and that made him happy.

The mess hall was full of people and a huge cake sat in the center of the room. Presents were everywhere. Seven was carrying Kathryn B’Elanna on her hip, walking around the cake, pointing out the decorations. Everything she saw excited the young girl who was laughing and squealing. She brought huge smiles to everyone in the room. Seven looked around until she caught the Doctor’s eyes and a secret look passed between them. He moved to stand beside her, Kathryn B’Elanna between them. He leaned down, kissing the baby on her head while giving his wife a wink. He looked up to see Neelix hold the Doctor’s holo-imager up, indicating he had caught that moment. The Doctor nodded his appreciation at him. That would be a special picture.

Suddenly, Kathryn B’Elanna squirmed, "Down, Mama. Down." Seven lowered her to the floor and she immediately started running around adult legs toward the mess hall doors. Seven watched her, a smile starting to spread across her face and she knew that Ketaria and Kahkar Omarahn were coming in. The doors opened as Kathryn B’Elanna ran up to them and Ketaria was squatted down waiting for her.

"Happy birthday, Kathryn B’Elanna," exclaimed Ketaria, gathering her in her arms and hugging the child tightly. "I can’t believe you are already one year old. You are getting to be such a big girl!" She shifted the child to hold her in her right arm and walked into the mess hall with Kahkar at her side. They nodded their greetings as they made their way to Kathryn B’Elanna’s parents.

"Hello, Ketaria, Kahkar," the Doctor greeted them warmly, "I’m glad you were able to make the party."

"We would not have missed this," Kahkar beamed, "this is a special night." He leaned over and gave Seven a kiss on her cheek, "And how are you doing, Seven?"

"I am doing fine, Kahkar."

He looked at her carefully, "Is she being honest with me, Doctor?"

"Yes, Kahkar, she is doing just fine these days. I haven’t found any problems with any of her implants."

"You gentlemen worry too much," Seven looked at each of them sternly. "You checked me yourself only two weeks ago, Kahkar. Nothing has changed in that time."

"Ah, Seven," Kahkar sighed, "you know I don’t want anything to go wrong with my favorite patient. You are just going to have to put up with me worrying about you."

"He worries about me all the time, Seven," Ketaria spoke up, "you will just have to get used to it."

Seven nodded at her, one eyebrow raised. Kahkar stood back and listened to the conversation that followed, watching her carefully. He had not been able to put his concerns about her to rest. Part of him knew he should not be worried. She had not shown any sign of a recurrence of the reversed polarity of her implants and the implants themselves did not appear to have been damaged as a result. Though they had fixed the problem, her recovery had taken longer than he had anticipated. That had not made him happy and had only added to his discomfort. Even now, she was not as strong as she had been and still tired easily. She did look better to him, though. There was more color to her face and the sparkle had finally come back into her eyes. Maybe it was finally time for him to stop being so worried about her.

His thoughts were interrupted by the group that was coming into the mess hall, lead by the Captain and followed by Tom Paris and B’Elanna Torres carrying a covered object between them. They made a big show of setting the object up near the table with the presents before the Captain turned her attention to the guest of honor.

"Happy birthday!" She walked up to Ketaria and Kathryn B’Elanna, holding her arms out to the child.

Kathryn B’Elanna reached back for her, "Capn!"

Kathryn Janeway laughed as she lifted the child from Ketaria’s arms. She turned to face the crowded room, "Tonight, we gather to wish Kathryn B’Elanna a happy first birthday. But, this occasion gives us the opportunity to celebrate more. We celebrate the people we have around us who are important to us, friends who have joined us," she turned and nodded to the Omarahns, "and the family we have on this ship and the families we have within our larger family." She nodded to Naomi and her mother and then turned to the Doctor and Seven. "While fate threw us into the Delta Quadrant, fate has also been kind and today, all our lives are better for these gifts. It is appropriate that one of the biggest gifts to all of us is honored tonight. Please, join me in wishing Kathryn B’Elanna a big happy first birthday!"

Neelix pushed the table holding the cake toward them and Seven noticed that he had placed two lit candles on the cake. She looked at him and he whispered as he pushed the cake by her, "One for her birthday and one to grow on." Her eyes showed her appreciation for his remembering.

The Captain led the group in singing happy birthday to the child in her arms. Then, the Captain held her over the cake, "Blow out the candles, Kathryn B’Elanna." When the child looked at her, she said, "Come on, do what I do." She puckered up her lips and blew and Kathryn B’Elanna did likewise. "Good, now do that to the candles."

Kathryn B’Elanna puckered up her lips and blew air at the candles and they went out. Everyone in the room cheered and the baby looked up, her face full of laughter and delight. Her head turned toward her mother who was standing back, watching everything. Their eyes met and Kathryn B’Elanna laughed, her hands clapping in excitement. 

No one in the room missed the look on Seven’s face as she watched her child. Ketaria not only saw but also could feel. In the time she had known Seven of Nine, she had never felt such happiness or contentment coming from her. She watched as Seven reached for the Doctor’s hand and moved closer to him. She noticed the Doctor release her hand and lift his arm to wrap around her waist and she to lower her head to rest it on his shoulder. Ketaria closed her eyes and soaked in the emotions pouring from Seven. She remembered one of their first encounters, when she had reached for Seven’s hand to give her peace and comfort. Tonight, she was filled with Seven’s.

The mess hall was littered with torn pieces of paper and presents. The large present from the Captain was still covered and occupying a presence in the center of the room. As the Captain went to stand next to it, everyone grew quiet, waiting on her to announce the gift.

"Kathryn B’Elanna," the Captain addressed the child sitting on her mother’s lap, "for your birthday," she reached up and pulled the cover off the object revealing a blueprint, "I give you your own room!"

Everyone applauded and Kathryn B’Elanna clapped her hands with them. Seven rose to look at the picture, smiling her appreciation at her Captain.

"Captain, that is a wonderful gift. Thank you very much." She was looking at the picture with excitement in her eyes.

"Hey," yelled Tom from the back, "is that for KB or her parents?"

Kathryn Janeway laughed as Seven blushed, "After tonight, Kathryn B’Elanna is going to need someplace to put all this stuff!"

The Doctor walked up and put his hand on his wife’s shoulder, "Thank you, Captain. Your gift is greatly appreciated." He turned to address the crowd, "By all of us!" 

Everyone laughed and Seven blushed deeper but smiled as he leaned forward to give her a light kiss. As they turned to study the blueprints of the remodeling of their living quarters, Neelix came forward, "There is plenty of food, so please, everyone, help yourself."

Kathryn Janeway stood back and watched as the Doctor and Seven examined her gift, their delight obvious. From across the room, Chakotay watched his captain, noticing that, while her face was lit up with a huge smile, there was something in her eyes that troubled him. 

Something, he thought, is not quite right.

"Well, I think that is all of them." B’Elanna put the last of the presents on the sofa. She smiled as she watched Kathryn B’Elanna pulling out one of the toys, sitting down to play with it.

"Thank you for helping bring all this in," the Doctor was trying to organize the presents. "My goodness, what are we going to do with all of this…stuff?" He turned to look at Seven who was standing away from them, looking at the wall. He smiled to himself and walked up to her, "Trying to figure out what it is going to look like?"

She turned to him, "Yes. It is hard to believe there will be another room here soon." She paused, looking at him, "It will be nice for Kathryn B’Elanna to have her own room," then she smiled, "and for us to have ours back."

B’Elanna turned from them to hide the grin on her face. She walked over and picked KB off the floor, "You know, Seven, maybe now that Kathryn B’Elanna is getting to be such a big girl, you might let her come spend the night with her Aunt B’Elanna."

Seven looked at her in surprise and puzzlement, "Explain."

"It is a common practice for parents to allow their children to spend the night with friends or family members. It is fun for the children and it often gives the parents an evening to spend some time by themselves." She looked at the Doctor, "You might want to consider doing that sometime."

The Doctor gave her a big grin, then spoke to his daughter, "Well, how would you like to spend the night with your Aunt B’Elanna?"

"Yes, would you like to go with me?" B’Elanna lifted the child up in the air and looked at her in the face. "Would you like to spend the night with me?"

The child squealed and grabbed B’Elanna by the neck. Seven looked at them doubtfully. "Where would she sleep?"

"She would sleep with me. She would be fine and we would have a great time. What about it, Seven? Ready to let her have a sleep-over?"

Seven hesitated. She had not been separated from Kathryn B’Elanna since she had recovered from the problem with her implants. She watched as B’Elanna held Kathryn B’Elanna, swinging her back and forth, making the child giggle and laugh. She glanced over at the Doctor and his look told her whatever she decided would be fine with him. She gave herself a few moments before responding.

"It would be acceptable."

B’Elanna stopped swinging Kathryn B’Elanna, almost shocked that Seven had agreed. It took her a moment to respond, "That’s great, Seven. So, when do you want to do this?" She took a chance, "Tonight?"

"Tonight?" Seven looked uncertain.

"Why not?"

Seven looked to the Doctor who shrugged.

B’Elanna offered, "We could plan for another night if you would rather."

Seven’s eyes went to her child then to B’Elanna’s, "No, tonight would be fine. If she wants to go."

"So, Kathryn B’Elanna, want to go with me tonight?" The child laughed and B’Elanna looked at Seven, "I will take good care of her and will bring her back if she decides she is unhappy with the situation."

Seven gave her a slight nod and they went into the bedroom to fix a small overnight bag. The Doctor concentrated on picking up and organizing all the toys and presents in the small living quarters. In a few minutes they came out, B’Elanna carrying Kathryn B’Elanna and the small bag. Seven leaned over and gave her baby a kiss on the cheek. The Doctor watched her carefully. He could see she was a little uncertain about letting her baby leave for the night but he could also tell she was not upset. 

He walked over and took his daughter from B’Elanna and gave her a big hug. "You be a good girl and behave for your Aunt B’Elanna." He looked at B’Elanna, "If you have any problems at all, just call."

"Don’t worry. We will be fine." She took Kathryn B’Elanna back from the Doctor and walked quickly to the doors, turning back to face them, "Seven, if you change your mind about this, just let me know and I’ll bring her back."

Seven smiled at her and they waved goodbye. She watched as they left and the doors closed behind them. The two of them stood there for a moment in the silent quarters. Slowly, the Doctor turned to her, "Well, this feels strange."

She looked around the room, then gave him a lost look, "It is quiet."

He walked up to her and slipped his arms around her, "It has been a year since we were alone." He laughed a little, "I guess we have forgotten how that feels."

She leaned her head on his shoulder, "I do not think I like this."

"Do you want to call B’Elanna?"

She hesitated before responding and he knew she was seriously considering doing just that but she said, "No."

He hugged her tightly, then broke away and said, "Let’s get this place straightened up."

They busied themselves putting away toys and clothes. The Doctor worked on getting as many of the toys into a small box as he could and did not notice that Seven had left the room. When he finally finished, he pushed himself off the floor and, brushing his hands together, turned to see his wife standing in front of him.

Her hair was loose and hanging down, almost to her shoulders and she was wearing a soft blue robe that set off her eyes. His eyes widened and a smile started to spread across his face.

"You are beautiful."

She smiled back at him and moved slowly across the room to him, slipping her arms around his waist. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. She pulled back from him and looked him in the eyes and he reached up to push her robe off her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. Then, he ran the back of his fingertips across the tops of her shoulders and down her arms. She shivered and reached her arms up to wrap around his neck. He put one arm behind her back and reached down with the other behind her legs and lifting her, carried her to the bedroom.

Chakotay walked through the doors of her ready room and saw his Captain staring out of the windows.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She slowly turned to face him, "How did you know?"

"I know you, Kathryn. I could see it in your eyes." He walked up to stand next to her, joining her in looking out of the window, "Want to tell me what has you so concerned?"

She stood for a long moment before leaning over and picking up a PADD from the table in front of her and handing it to him. She walked away from him as he read, going to sit on the sofa and waited for him to finish.

After a few minutes, he looked at her, amazement and concern in his face, "Are they serious?"

"Very."

"How did they even find out?"

"It would be hard to keep it a secret. Everyone has been writing home and messages have been going back and forth on a regular basis. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised someone would write home about it. It wouldn’t take long for the Federation to get wind of this." She paused, "I guess I should have given them a complete report. Maybe I could have managed to ward all of this off."

"Kathryn, you knew this would be a problem."

"I know, Chakotay. I guess I just hoped….." Her words trailed off.

He moved to sit down beside her, "You hoped that when we got back to earth, the sight of the Doctor, Seven and Kathryn B’Elanna as a family would have an overridingly positive impact on everyone before they had a chance to think about what their family really was." He smiled, "Who could look at them and not be impressed by how beautiful a family they are?"

She nodded and took the PADD from him, looking at it. "Chakotay, what are we going to do? Look at this. They are saying the marriage isn’t legal. Well, we expected that. But they go on to say they might incarcerate Seven because she is Borg and they fear she can’t be trusted. The Doctor’s program is archaic and they had considered deleting him. And they are trying to determine ‘the best disposition for the child.’" She looked up at her second in command, "What a mess. What a mess."

"But they have not had the chance to know the Doctor and Seven as we know them. When we get back to earth, we will be there to support them and to stand behind them. We will fight for them. And they themselves will change people’s minds. They are a beautiful family and no one can look at Kathryn B’Elanna and see anything other than a healthy, loved, well adjusted child. We’ll make sure they get through this, Kathryn."

"Oh, I hope you are right, Chakotay, but I do have to tell you," she looked up at him, "I am really worried about this."

He nodded. She was right to be concerned. "Are you going to tell them?"

"I will have to, eventually. But I don’t think I am going to tell them right away. I thought I would see if I can do anything through official channels to resolve any of these…issues before I talk to them."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No, thank you, Chakotay. But," she smiled at him, "if I need your help, I’ll let you know."

"Will you keep me informed?"

"Oh, yes. I’ll keep you up to date on everything that goes on. Besides," she paused, "I suspect I am going to need someone to talk to about this from time to time."

"Well, you can count on me for that."

She smiled her appreciation to him, then turned to stare at the PADD in her hand.

B’Elanna looked down at the sleeping child curled up next to her. Her face was ringed with blond curls and she had her hand pulled up to her mouth, almost sucking on it. Her face was relaxed and peaceful, her cheeks still flushed from the excitement of their play.

B’Elanna did not think she could love anyone as much as she loved this child. She knew she loved Tom but the love she felt for this child was different. It was almost as if Kathryn B’Elanna were her own child. There had been a special bond between them from the first time Seven had put KB in her arms. It was as if Seven herself had created that bond by giving her a special part of this child, knowing that it meant B’Elanna would always be there for her. 

It was odd how Seven never seemed jealous of their relationship and never minded the time B’Elanna spent with KB. She wondered if she would be the same if the situation were reversed. Her relationship with Seven was often strained when it came to other issues but that was always forgotten when it came to KB.

B’Elanna knew KB loved her but she did not doubt there was a special relationship between KB and her mother. While Seven was not over demonstrative, everyone on the ship knew how much she loved KB and the Doctor. But the relationship between Seven and her child was incredibly strong and unique. The child often watched her mother and seemed to know when Seven was concerned or upset. She had the innate ability to calm her mother and would make her way across a crowded room to find her mother when she sensed something was not right. B’Elanna had seen this happen more than once. Their love was special and strong. 

As B’Elanna watched the sleeping child, she wondered if this was what Seven had been like as a child. How much alike were Annika Hansen and Kathryn B’Elanna? How could parents put a child like this in harms way? Suddenly, she was angry with Seven’s parents. She moved to curl herself around the sleeping form and put her arm over KB. She would fight to the death to protect this child. She would die before she let anything or anyone hurt KB.

They were walking around the new bedroom, arranging it. It was not large but it was adequate and the Captain’s plans had even managed to include a window. Seven was pleased her child would be able to go to sleep under the light of stars. She was already teaching Kathryn B’Elanna about stars and suns. She took the child with her to work everyday, allowing her to play on the platform in front of her console and she talked to her often about the work she was doing. She knew Kathryn B’Elanna did not understand most of what she said but that was not important. Their time together was and sharing their day was.

She felt the Doctor walk up to her and turned to embrace him. He laughed at her. "I take it you are satisfied with the results?"

"Yes."

He kissed her lightly on the lips and she returned it a little more passionately. When they broke the kiss, he looked at her with a grin on his face, "Goodness, that was a surprise."

She responded by lifting her hand to the back of his head and pulling him forward to kiss him again. Then, she hugged him tightly before pulling back slightly to look at him, "I love you very much."

He looked her in the eyes, his expression tender, yet serious, "There is never a moment that I doubt that.

They heard the outer doors open and he started to break away but she held him, "It is only B’Elanna bringing back Kathryn B’Elanna. I programmed the doors to open for B’Elanna at any time."

"And what if she were to come in during a ‘private moment?’"

"Then she would have to close her eyes."

He laughed in surprise, amazed at his wife. For the first time since she had gotten so sick, he was starting to think she was fully recovered. Her eyes were brighter and her color good all the time. And there was no doubt their relationship had greatly improved lately. She spent more time talking and spending time with him. She used to rest as soon as he came home and could take over Kathryn B’Elanna’s care. It would be all she could do to spend any time at all with him after he put the child down for the night. She was also working her full shift in Astrometrics. He leaned forward to give her a kiss when he heard B’Elanna’s voice behind him.

"Oops, Kathryn B’Elanna. I think we caught your mom and dad kissing in your bedroom."

Seven gave the Doctor another quick kiss before responding to B’Elanna, "Yes, you did. And now, I am going to give Kathryn B’Elanna a kiss." She walked over, hands held out to her child who wiggled out of B’Elanna’s arms into her mothers, immediately grabbing her around the neck and sharing a kiss with her.

B’Elanna and the Doctor exchanged happy looks. B’Elanna leaned against the small dresser, "Seven, I have to tell you, you look really good today. Probably the best I have seen you look in a long time."

Seven adjusted Kathryn B’Elanna in her arms and kissed her on the cheek before responding, "I feel very good."

"I think she has fully recovered," the Doctor moved to stand beside her, taking his daughter into his arms. She settled into his arms and gave B’Elanna a coquettish look.

"You are a scamp!" B’Elanna laughed at the child’s antics. 

Seven looked around and asked, "What do you think of Kathryn B’Elanna’s room?"

"I think this looks great. I can’t believe this whole remodeling only took three days."

"Well, when the Captain wants to get something done, she gets it done," the Doctor looked around the room appreciatively. "This really was a wonderful gift." He looked at his daughter and kissed her on the forehead, "You must be a special person to warrant such a gift."

Seven and B’Elanna looked at each other. Neither spoke but they both knew the Doctor was right.

The Doctor was working at his desk when he heard the Captain’s voice.

"Janeway to the Doctor. We are responding to a distress signal. Prepare for injured."

"Aye, Captain," he responded, quickly moving out into the Sickbay to start his preparations. "Do you have any idea of how many or what kind of injuries?"

"Initial reports indicate as many as ten injured from some kind of shipboard explosion. We are not certain of what kind. I will inform you as we receive updated information. Janeway out."

Ten, he thought. That would stress the limits of his ability to provide adequate care. Hopefully, all ten would not be seriously injured. He looked up to see Tom Paris come rushing through the doors.

"The Captain sent me. She thought you would need help."

He barely had time to nod before he heard the Captain’s voice again. 

"Janeway to the Doctor. We are beginning to transport the most seriously injured now."

He turned to see the first victim begin to materialize on a nearby biobed. He rushed to scan his patient, trying to determine exactly what they were dealing with. Reading his scans, he said tersely, "Plasma burns."

Tom nodded and turned to start preparing hyposprays. They worked together, almost silently, moving from one victim to the next as they materialized, administering pain medication and tending wounds. After two hours, they had tended to the most serious wounds and were allowing the less seriously who had been waiting in the corridor in for treatment. After another hour, the captain of the ship that had been damaged entered. He looked around, glancing at the uniforms of the two starfleet officers in front of him.

"I am Barrat, captain of the Ikora. Thank you for tending to our wounded." He bowed a little to the two men in front of him. 

"You are welcome," the Doctor returned his bow, "I am the Chief Medical Officer of Voyager and this is Lieutenant Paris."

"And how may I address you?"

"You may call me Doctor. That is the title by which I am referred."

"Then, Doctor," said Captain Barrat, "may I visit with my crewmembers?"

"All but the two over there," the Doctor indicated two unconscious figures on biobeds nearby. "They were the most seriously wounded and I have them heavily sedated. They will require additional treatment and a period of rest before they will be allowed visitors."

"Of course. I….."

He was interrupted by a call from the corridor.

"Doctor, we have an emergency out here!"

The Doctor started for the doors, then stopped and turned, "Mr. Paris, my mobile emitter!"

Tom grabbed the mobile emitter and tossed it to the Doctor who grabbed it out of the air and attached it to his arm, then quickly went to administer to the emergency in the corridor. When Captain Barrat looked at Tom with a question, he explained, "The Doctor is an Emergency Medical Hologram."

"A hologram?"

"Yes."

"He isn’t a real person?"

"Well," Tom stumbled in his reply, "there are those of us who would argue that he is as real as any of us but the reality is, the Doctor is a computer program. He has to have the mobile emitter on in order to leave the Sickbay."

"Impressive," commented Barrat. "The technology of your vessel is admirable."

Tom nodded and absentmindedly turned his attention back to the patient he was working on when Captain Barrat had first entered the Sickbay. The visitor moved to one of his men, on a biobed across the room from where Tom was working.

"How are you, Porit?"

"Doing fine now, Captain," the man replied. "Their doctor took good care of me."

"Yes, we were lucky that the people of this great ship came to our rescue." He leaned forward, dropping his voice, and continued, "You heard?" The man nodded to him. "Stay alert. See what else they have that we might be able to use. There is much on this ship we might be able to barter."

The man nodded his understanding and glanced over at the man in the next biobed who also nodded. The captain moved on, going from one of his crewmember to the next.

After a few minutes, the Doctor came back in, walking up to Tom. "One of the patients had an allergic reaction to the medication. He is all right now."

Tom finished with the work he was doing and turned, "I think we have everyone stabilized. I am going to prepare the hyposprays for the next round of medication."

"Good idea, Tom. I think we still face a few problems with the two over there but we can allow most of our patients to transport back to their ship. At least, as long as it is safe for anyone to go back there. Have you heard what happened?"

"Apparently, a plasma conduit blew in a confined area where this work crew was. It temporarily crippled the ship. I think they have life support but their propulsion was damaged. I overhead a couple of them saying there were other crew members already working to repair the damage." He gave the Doctor a laughing look, "I’d be willing to bet B’Elanna is already on their ship, fixing the problem."

The Doctor laughed back at him, "I wouldn’t bet against you on that one, Mr. Paris." He looked over at their supplies, "Are you ready?"

Tom lifted the tray and nodded and they moved to work on one of the most seriously injured patients. Again, they worked together, silently, their actions coordinated by the infrequent directions of the Doctor. After another hour, the Doctor looked up at Tom, "I think both of these will make a full recovery."

Tom looked back at the Doctor with a look of appreciation, "You really worked a miracle here today."

The Doctor laughed, "No, Mr. Paris, you are not going to get any extra time off for that remark."

"Darn. You are starting to catch on to me." Tom laughed but he gave the Doctor a look that told him he wasn’t trying to get extra time off. The Doctor gave him a small, knowing smile and turned to replace his instruments. They both turned when they heard the doors of the Sickbay open behind them.

Seven walked in with Kathryn B’Elanna in her arms. The child was smiling, her hands clapping in excitement.

"Dada." She wiggled in Seven’s arms. "Dada."

"Kathryn B’Elanna! How is Daddy’s girl?" He reached for the child and lifted her from Seven’s arms.

"She wanted to see her daddy," Seven glanced around the room, "I hope it all right that I brought her."

"Of course. Mr. Paris and I were just finishing up. As a matter of fact, I think Mr. Paris can manage things while I put her to bed tonight." He turned to Tom, "Can’t you Mr. Paris?"

"Certainly," Tom grinned. 

They were caught up in their conversation and did not notice the looks that passed between the captain of the Ikora and some of his crewmembers. They shared a few whispered words, then Captain Barrat stepped forward, "Excuse me, Doctor. I do not mean to interrupt but I was wondering when my crewmembers would be allowed to return to our ship?"

"Oh, Captain Barrat, excuse me. I am afraid I was temporarily distracted," he grinned at the child in his arms. "May I introduce you to my wife, Seven and to our daughter, Kathryn B’Elanna. This is Captain Barrat, the captain of the Ikora."

Seven nodded to him and Kathryn B’Elanna looked at him, her face and body uncharacteristically still. 

"It is a nice to meet you." He looked at Seven, a strange look coming over his face, "Excuse me for staring, but that implant appears to be Borg."

"It is," Seven replied, "I was Borg but I was separated from the collective. I am an individual."

"Then it is indeed a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He moved his head to look at Kathryn B’Elanna, "What a beautiful child."

"Thank you." Seven could not help but offer him a smile but was surprised at Kathryn B’Elanna’s reaction. Her usually friendly child was hiding her head in her father’s neck.

"Goodness, Kathryn B’Elanna," the Doctor tried to pull her away from his neck while she just held on tighter, "it isn’t like you to be bashful." 

Captain Barrat backed away slightly, "Perhaps she is just not comfortable with strangers."

"Perhaps," replied the Doctor, "it is also past her bedtime. If you will excuse me, Captain, Seven and I will go put our daughter to bed." He turned to Tom, "I’ll return as soon as Kathryn B’Elanna is asleep." He looked at Captain Barrat, "Except for these two most seriously injured, the rest of your crew are free to return to your ship. I will probably want to check a couple of them before you leave, however."

"Thank you, Doctor. Your help is greatly appreciated." He bowed slightly, "Perhaps you would do us the honor of caring for my crew on our ship."

"That would be nice. I will be glad to if Captain Janeway approves my visit."

"I will speak to her about it." He looked at Seven, "It was a pleasure to meet you," he paused and looked at the baby in the Doctor’s arms, "and to meet your child."

Seven gave him a small nod, "Good night." Then, she turned and walked out, holding onto the Doctor’s arm. 

Captain Barrat watched after them before turning to Tom, "I thought you said the Doctor was a hologram."

"He is."

"But he is married to her?"

Tom laughed, "Yes, he certainly is."

"He is a lucky…man."

"No argument on that."

"And the child?"

Tom nodded his head, understanding the man’s confusion, "Kathryn B’Elanna really is their child. And how that happened is a very long story. You had probably just trust me on that one."

Captain Barrat looked at him in total confusion, then gave him a laugh. "This truly is an amazing ship."

"That it is." Tom turned and moved to check on one of the two remaining patients. 

Captain Barrat slowly walked back to Porit’s side and spoke softly, "She would bring a huge barter."

"Yes, she would."

"We must return to our ship immediately and plan. This ship’s weapons are formidable. We must implement a perfect plan if we are to take our spoils and escape unscathed."