It was a rather nice day on Montressor, Dopplar noted. The wind was warm and refreshing from the uncomfortable heat of summer, and not a cloud could be seen. Dozens of ships dotted the sky, crisscrossing and weaving in and out of paths with each other. It seemed everyone thought today was the perfect day to go space-sailing. Dopplar sighed happily, adjusting his glasses as he peered back down at the heavy tome in his hands. The worn pages fluttered softly in the wind, but he was sure not to lose his place. This book was quite possibly the most interesting one he'd read in months, and he was loathe to put it down.

"Dopplar?" The clear voice of his belovedly betrothed, Ameliya, rang out from somewhere upstairs. The scientist looked up, ears perking. "Dopplar!" she called again, a bit more urgency in her voice. He set down his book on the floor and stood up from the parlor window seat, then hurried up the old staircase, calling,

"Yes dear? Where are you?"

"I'm in the nursery!" came her reply. He took a left from the top of the stairs and reached the halfway opened door. Dopplar peeked inside and found Ameliya sitting in the rocking chair beside the window. One paw rested on her protruding belly, while the other beckoned him closer.

"What is it?"

She looked up excitedly, her cheeks flushed. "They're kicking! The kits are kicking!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him forward, encouraging him to feel her stomach. He laid a gentle hand on her and waited. A moment later, he felt a hard kick on the underside of his paw. He blinked, startled. Again, the baby kicked, even harder. A wide smile broke across his face.

"Oh my goodness!" he exclaimed. "They are! Quite the strong little ones, aren't they?" She nodded proudly.

"I'd say they get it from their mother's side."

He chuckled. "Well, it certainly isn't from me." The couple sat in silence for a while, witness to what seemed to be a wrestling match going on. Gradually, the litter settled down. They exchanged amused glances.

"Well, that was really something." Ameliya said, still smiling.

"Indeed." Dopplar agreed. Suddenly, he leaned down and pecked Ameliya fondly on the cheek. "I can't tell you how happy I am, Ameliya. To think, we'll have a litter of pups in a matter of weeks-"

She interrupted him, grabbing his collar and pushing her lips against his in a strong kiss. "Who says they're not kits?" she challenged. He fumbled a bit for words, still breathless.

"Well, I-I don't suppose…Perhaps you- I-"

Ameliya laughed. "Oh, the eloquence with which you speak." She grabbed the arm rests of the chair and attempted to heave herself up and out of it. But because of the advanced stage of her pregnancy- or to put it bluntly, her big belly- she couldn't manage to squeeze out of the chair.

Dopplar smothered a laugh and offered her a hand. She scowled at him before reluctantly accepting. Grasping his paw with both of hers, the two managed to get her out of the chair and on her feet. Smoothing her jacket –she had refused to give up wearing her uniform, opting instead to have it modified to accommodate her girth- she looked up at Dopplar and smiled warmly.

"Thank you Doctor." He entwined the fingers of one of his hands with hers and placed the other on her stomach.

"You're welcome, Love." They touched their foreheads together and basked in each others warmth and affection.

Ameliya wouldn't ever admit it, but Dopplar could've sworn he heard her purring.


A fluffy little oneshot set between Silver's escape and Jim's welcome-back party. Review, please?