Author's Note: I have no excuse for any of this. I wanted to write something fluffy, and Jorgan is my personal favorite. Since I pick on him so much, I thought I would see what happened should he end up with a Cathar CO (Bioware totally dropped the ball with companion conversations with the Cathar species in my opinion.) So, now we have this. This story spawned from the conversation where Jorgan brings up adopting a "Litter of our own."

Let it be known that this is in absolutely no way connected to Family is more than Blood or Fynta in any way. Completely different storyline. Hope you all enjoy it. I'm not sure I've ever written so much fluff.

Where it Began

Thirteen Weeks

You knew this could happen. Nahir Par rested both hands on the counter in the medbay, staring at the test, while Elara Dorne stood by silently. The Cathar commando squeezed her eyes shut and hung her head. It was her fault; she should have known better than to get involved with her subordinate.

"Sir, there are protocols to follow," Elara noted, her voice gentle, if a bit pointed. Nahir had made a grave error in her calculations, and now she had to face the consequences.

"Yes, Dorne, I'm aware." The major's tone was less friendly, though her anger wasn't aimed at the medic. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. "I'll submit the appropriate paperwork presently."

Elara stepped forward, reaching out as if she wanted to touch Nahir, then withdrew her hand. "With all due respect, sir. There is still some time-what I mean to say is, there is no rush."

Nahir exhaled sharply. "Perhaps. Thank you, Lieutenant, for your discretion." The blond gave a curt not and went about cleaning up the exam table, while the major walked numbly through the ship.

Nahir's first instinct was to go to her room and suffer a mild panic attack, but that wouldn't change the inevitable. This situation had spiraled out of control far too quickly, and she couldn't silence the voice in her head that said I told you this was a bad idea. The first time she'd slept with Aric Jorgan had been a carefully planned occurrence on his part. They had kissed, once, in the heat of the moment when their systems were flooded with adrenaline.

The next time, however, he'd called for a mandatory R&R without requesting permission first. When Nahir had questioned him on it, the Cathar had smiled and said he thought they should get to know each other better. She'd intended to reprimand him for being so forward with his commanding officer, but her argument had evaporated when his claws grazed the back of her neck. She'd allowed herself to be pulled into the kiss, and more.

Nahir determined when she woke that it wouldn't happen again, no matter how enjoyable being wrapped in his arms had been. That promise had lasted until the next he'd pinned her to the wall and growled against her throat. It's biology, Nahir tried to console herself. Captain Aric Jorgan was everything she could want in a breeding male: strong, authoritative, resolute, and good genetic material. He was impossible to ignore.

The major checked the armory first, finding it empty. Then, her ears pricked at the familiar sound of Aric's voice from the staging room. "No, Forex, you're missing the point." Nahir stopped in the doorway to watch as he tried to explain the reason behind this particular general's decision for choosing to save one man instead of holding the line. Just another, in a long line of old military films that Jorgan and the war droid liked to watch debate.

Aric turned when he caught her scent, glancing to where Nahir leaned against the doorframe. His green eyes softened when she smiled, before Forex recalled his attention. "Loss of life is regrettable, but had he-"

"Yeah, Forex," Aric interrupted. "But he didn't, which is why it's history and important for you to learn. You see that soldier right there?" He pointed to a skinny kid in an oversized uniform. "He went on to win two of the biggest battles in the Cold War."

"Are you suggesting that this man knew the future, Captain?" Forex's flat domed processor tilted to one side in curiosity, and Aric sighed.

"No, I'm not," the captain continued. "I'm saying that life is unpredictable, and that not everything can be measured in mathematical equations."

Nahir sighed. Life was indeed, unpredictable. Aric caught the shift in her mood and furrowed his brows. Now was as good a time as any, she supposed. "Captain, might I have a word?"

"Of course," Aric replied. "Forex, watch the rest, and really pay attention to the narrator. He can probably explain it better than I can."

Nahir didn't wait for her second in command to follow. She went straight to her room and stood with her hands on her hips, staring at the floor. Her stomach flipped when Aric slipped into the room and shut the door quietly. He closed the distance between them, letting his hands rest on her upper arms. "What's wrong?"

Turning her eyes to meet his, Nahir felt her courage wane. She needed to handle this promptly, before she had too much time to think about it. "You might want to sit down."

"Not a chance," the captain stated firmly. "Not until you tell me what has you so upset."

To everyone else, Nahir Par was a cold, calculating commander. She kept her temper in check at all times in order to present a better front for Cathar everywhere. Nahir didn't drink, she rarely swore, and she did her utmost to remain professional in all aspects of her life. She'd failed miserably on all accounts, and now had to face the consequences. Taking a deep breath, Nahir plowed ahead. "I screwed up, Aric. Big time."

One of Jorgan's brows rose, and a slight smile curved his lips. "I find that hard to believe." His voice was low and sensual, and Nahir fought against the desire to succumb to the gentle warmth of his hands as the rubbed up and down her arms.

"I'm pregnant."

Aric's hands stopped abruptly. He stumbled back two steps to sink onto her bed, his face a mask of disbelief. Nahir watched him work through the emotions she hadn't given herself a chance to feel yet, and a part of her grew angry because of it. Finally, he exhaled a long breath and rubbed his hands down his face. "How far along?"

Nahir grabbed the datapad to recall her medical file before handing it to him. "Thirteen weeks."

Aric accepted the device, keeping his eyes on her. "That explains the dizzy spells and your lack of appetite." When Nahir made a questioning noise, he smiled. "I've become quite familiar with your scent, and it's been off for a while, so I started paying attention."

Jorgan scrolled through the information on the device in his hand, then his face split into a wide grin. Nahir certainly hadn't expected that. "There are three."

"What?" The major snatched the device. She'd never gotten that far into the report, it hadn't even occurred to her to check. "So there are." The panic attack that she'd staved off earlier hit full force, and she had to support herself against the desk to avoid collapsing. Three. She was going to be a mother to three little Cathar. "Shit."

Jorgan got to his feet and grabbed Nahir's arms, pulling her to the bed to sit. "Easy, take a few deep breaths." He'd never seen her like this. Nahir had been a steadfast soldier from the day she stepped foot into Aric's ops room.

The major's shoulders shook under Jorgan's hands as she gasped each breath, her hand balled into a fist around the fabric over her chest. He couldn't blame her. This would a serious blow to her career, not to mention life in general. And, if high command found out he was the father. . . . That thought died abruptly as the statement hit him. He was going to be a father.

Aric had almost popped the question a hundred times, then shied away at the last moment because Nahir would always put the Republic above herself. She wouldn't agree to join her life to one of her subordinates, because the ramifications were so immense. If he asked now, she'd think it was because of the pregnancy, not the fact that he loved the blasted woman.

In an attempt to settled Nahir's nerves, Jorgan pressed his claws out and ran them gently over her scalp. She shivered once, turning stunning, magenta eyes on him. "Aric, what am I going to do?"

If Nahir rotated out of the service, Aric would barely see her. But, if they both stayed in, who would raise their children. The idea of only seeing his kids every few months tore at him viciously, and they weren't even here yet. "We'll figure it out. One step at a time."

"Elara says she won't file the report until we are ready," Nahir continued, leaning against Jorgan's chest as if she hadn't heard him. She pushed to her feet suddenly and began pacing the room.

Aric stayed seated on the bed, giving her space to sort herself. "Shit," Nahir swore again, and Jorgan flinched. The major claimed that foul speech was the language of idiots, often times to Vik. She held to the belief that an officer had no business lowering him or herself to those depths. The fact that she'd cursed twice in the last five minutes meant she was in bad shape. Nahir had always been unflappable, and the sight of her falling apart worried him.

"Nahir," Aric hedged.

The major stopped to look at him, eyes still wide with panic. Damn she was beautiful, and Jorgan couldn't help but remember the way his umber fur contrasted with her off-white coloring. Shaking the thoughts from his mind, Jorgan joined her, holding her shoulders in a strong grasp to ground her to reality. "We'll figure it out," he repeated.

"Aric, I don't want to be a mom," the major admitted quietly, dropping her eyes. Jorgan's heart clenched at the implications, and his hands tightened involuntarily. Nahir must have realized where his thoughts had turned, because she squeezed his forearm. "I didn't mean I wanted to get rid of them," she amended, and Jorgan let out a heavy puff of air. "I just-I don't know how to raise kids. And how can I stay in the army?"

Nahir looked away again, staring at her bed. "I suppose adoption is out of the question."

"If it means that much, I'll rotate out," Jorgan offered. He had no clue what he would do as a civilian, but Nahir was right. There was no way in hell that he would let someone else raise his children.

"That would mean admitting you were the father," the major sighed. Jorgan hadn't considered that he'd have to hide his relation to her children forever, otherwise, they were looking at some pretty severe charges within the military. Fraternization between commanding officer and direct chain of command was strictly prohibited.

It occurred to Jorgan that it might not be as easy to hide as Nahir hoped, though. Aric cleared his throat and offered a half smirk. "You realize Garza will figure it out, right?" Jorgan's smile grew when she raised both brows. "Cathar aren't exactly numerous anymore, lover. I'm the only one you see on a regular bases, and well, if even one of those come out with orange fur. . . ."

Nahir groaned and slapped her hand to her forehead. "I'm such an idiot."

Jorgan chuckled and kissed the point of impact gently. He inhaled her scent, paying closer attention to the subtle change in her body chemistry. Nahir pushed him away, glaring. "That's what got us into this mess," she growled.

"Well, you're already pregnant," Jorgan added, pulling her against his body and slipping his hands into her back pockets. "What's the worst that could happen?"

It was well after lights out when Aric slipped from the bed. Nahir crooned in her sleep, rolling over to claim his pillow for her source of warmth in his absence. The captain crept from the room into the darkened central area and slumped into a chair. This whole damn mess had started on Nar Shaddaa. Jorgan couldn't explain his annoyance with the SIS agent, Jonas Balkar, other than the fact that the man couldn't take no for an answer.

Lieutenant Nahir Par had made it quite clear that she wasn't interested, but Balkar refused to take the hint. Eventually, Aric had stepped in on behalf of his commanding officer. Not that she needed it, but it felt like the right thing to do, to show his support. At least, that's what the Cathar had told himself at the time.

Nahir was a catch by any man's standards. She was tall, lean, strong, and as much a predator as Aric had ever seen. Her off white fur contrasted beautifully with almond shaped, magenta eyes. Intricate grey stripes directed the eye towards a small, brown nose. When Aric had met her on Ord Mantell, his first reaction had been one of surprise to find a female Cathar in the military. Generally speaking, they remained close to their families and settled down with a lifemate to start litters of their own. His second impression had been that she was cute. Not attractive in a sense of physical appeal, but like an adorable kitten.

When she'd openly protested Wraith's cruelty, Jorgan had realized that the young sergeant was committed to her cause. She planned to save the innocents of the galaxy single handedly if need be, and she wasn't going to let a mouthy assassin stand in her way. When Aric had been demoted, his temper had gotten the better of him, and the newly promoted lieutenant had reminded him that it wasn't her fault. She'd been deceived as much as he had. In that moment, Aric's new CO hadn't looked like a kitten anymore.

They'd learned to work together, their ability to communicate non-verbally through pheromone secretion increasing their efficiency in the field. At first, it had been simple signals, such as when Nahir wanted to take a more aggressive approach, or when she felt that playing the diplomat would work better. Those were difficult for Jorgan; standing down took effort.

The more Aric got to know the young soldier, the stronger their muted communications became. Eventually, he could almost tell what she was thinking, and it appeared she'd come to the same realization. He'd been drawn to her without realizing it; seeking her out simply for the pleasure of her company.

Back on Nar Shaddaa, Jonas Balkar had made Nahir uncomfortable, and in turn, Jorgan had been affected equally. His protective instincts overpowered his good judgment in a moment of anger, and Aric had reacted badly. After they'd returned to the Thunderclap, the commander locked herself in her quarters for two hours. When she'd emerged, Aric could tell something had changed.

Lieutenant Par had only called Jorgan by his rank or last name after Nar Shaddaa. The ease that of their relationship had all but vanished, leaving his CO stiff and business like at all times. It was the way things should be, the commanding officer keeping herself apart from her squad to maintain a good example. It's how he conducted himself when he ran the ops command back on Ord Mantell, and the Deadeyes before that. Still, the sudden isolation stung.

It stayed that way for weeks. Through the Tatooine mission, taking out the Shadow Fist, then Alderaan. Things remained much the same all through rebuilding the squad and the Gauntlet mission. Jorgan had been injured in that one, and woke up in the Thunderclap medbay with no idea how he'd gotten there. Nahir and Elara bustled about, calling out numbers, but Nahir's scent had been soothing. He didn't regain consciousness again until a week later.

Jorgan remembered watching the story on the holonews about a peace summit that had turned into a hostage situation, and smiling when Nahir appeared beside General Garza to ensure the Republic that the senators were safe in their homes thanks to the brave soldiers of the Army of the Galactic Republic.

Nahir had stayed with Jorgan in the hospital, then through his physical therapy. Then, at last, she'd welcomed him back aboard the Thunderclap with a kiss that had startled them both. The memory brought a smile to the captain's lips as he sat in the dark. Nahir's eyes had been wide, and he could see the apology forming on her lips, smell her mingled arousal and hesitance. Aric had pulled her against him again in an attempt to silence any doubts.

Their relationship had remained one of constant tension after that first kiss. A few lingering touches, stolen flirting in the briefing room or armory, and a lot of pheromone over stimulation. They'd kept their distance though while rescuing the Deadeyes and the preparation to take down Rakton. Until Aric decided he'd had enough. Havoc had some down time, so he'd put them in orbit over a small planet with a few good cantinas and told the rest of the squad to have a good time. His heart had never beat as fast as when he prepared to approach Nahir.

It had been a pleasant surprise when she curled her fingers in his shirt and crushed their lips together. They stumbled into her room, leaving a trail of clothing in their wake as both Cathar finally gave in to their urges. The coupling had been loud, violent, and incredibly satisfying. Even the memory of that night caused heat to flood Aric's body.

And now you're going to be a father. Jorgan leaned forward to rest his face in his hands. They'd been careful. Nahir had a contraceptive implant, but Jorgan had known there was the possibility that their combined hormones could override the device. Again, it all came down to biology.

Pushing to his feet, Aric shook away the guilt and dread and focused on the future. Somehow, they would make this work. He'd never considered having a family before, and suddenly, he couldn't wait to find out what it was like.