Janeway went to her ready room. Tuvok arrived a few minutes later to report on the mission. Janeway said, "Good work. We're en route to the wormhole. Captain Uout was pleased with your team's performance, and he was especially pleased with your work in commanding them. I'm giving all of you the next 2 days off. You've earned it."

"Thank you, Captain."

Janeway smiled. "Now that you're off duty, how would you like to come to my quarters for dinner? We've got some catching up to do."

"I would like that."

"Great. I've got some paperwork to finish. How about at 1900 hours?"

"I'll be there."

1900 hours came around, and Tuvok was prompt in arriving at Kathryn's quarters. She let him in, and they sat down to dinner. The meal was pasta primavera. Kathryn was still experiencing morning sickness, and the pasta was easy on her stomach. Tuvok said, "The meal is delicious."

"Thank you."

"How have things been going on Voyager?"

"Oh, you know, same old same old. We've been in this boring area of space for several weeks now. The crew is excited to be getting out of it. We'll be at the wormhole tomorrow morning."

Tuvok nodded. Janeway continued, "I do have some other news, though. This past week, I have been feeling dizzy and nauseous, so I went to see the Doctor this morning. I'm pregnant!"

Tuvok was speechless. After a long pause, Kathryn said, "Tuvok, aren't you happy?"

"I am pleased that we are going to have a child. However, I have behaved in a dishonorable manner by getting you pregnant out of wedlock."

"I was just as involved in this as you were. It takes two to tango."

They finished their dinner in silence. Tuvok was preoccupied with thoughts of what he was going to do about this new piece of news. Kathryn was trying to figure out why Tuvok was so upset. He hid it well, but she still knew. This situation was eating him up inside. After dinner, Tuvok said, "Thank you for dinner. I should go and get some rest. It has been a taxing few weeks."

Kathryn simply said, "Good night."

Tuvok went back to his quarters. He changed into his robes, got out his lamp, and began to meditate. He found that he was having trouble concentrating. After about 20 minutes of this, his door chimed. He called out, "Enter!"

Kes walked in and said, "Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were meditating."

"Kes, come in. It's alright. I wasn't having much success. What can I do for you?"

"Actually, I was going to ask you that question. I was in my quarters, practicing the telepathic exercises you showed me, and as I was doing so, I sensed very strongly that something was bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?"

Tuvok hesitated. Kes was so young. What could she possibly know about these matters? However, Tuvok knew that she was wise beyond her years, so he decided that talking about his problem couldn't hurt. "I have done something shameful and I have to face the person I have wronged every day."

Kes didn't know what Tuvok could have possibly done that was making him feel so guilty. Before she had a chance to ask, he continued, "On Vulcan, children are not born out of wedlock. It is considered a great disgrace for the parents, especially the father. Mothers are held in high regard, and it is considered the supreme insult for the father of the child not to marry the mother."

Tuvok continued, "T'Pel and I had a civil marriage ceremony prior to our Vulcan wedding. I have gotten a woman pregnant, and I cannot marry her because, although we are not bonded, I am still legally married to T'Pel. Since we cannot communicate with the Federation, I have no way of contacting her and asking for a divorce. I am now in the unenviable position of having to insult the most important woman in my life, the mother of my unborn child."

"Does she know how you feel about this matter?"

"She doesn't understand why it bothers me so much."

"In an effort to better understand the people on Voyager, I have been studying the history of many Federation worlds. Early nineteenth century Earth history has especially fascinated me. There was a time, in the southern United States, when certain people were not allowed to marry. They still fell in love and had children, but without the legal recognition. They developed a ceremony where they would publicly declare their commitment to one another. The community would recognize their union, even if the government did not."

This got Tuvok thinking. He said, "Thank you, Kes. You have been most helpful."

Tuvok went to Kathryn's quarters and rang the chime. She invited him in and said, "Couldn't sleep?"

"No, I could not. I've been doing some thinking. I need to explain my behavior earlier this evening. I am not upset at you. I was upset at myself. On Vulcan, mothers occupy a position of great honor. It is considered a huge insult for a man to father a child and not marry the mother. I did not wish to insult you in that manner."

Kathryn said, half-jokingly, "I thought insult was an emotion."

Tuvok merely raised his eyebrow and went on with what he was saying, "However, it has recently come to my attention that it is possible to publicly declare our commitment to one another, thus achieving the cultural status of marriage, without achieving the legal status of marriage. I promise to stay by your side and honor and protect you as we raise our child. Will you marry me?"

Kathryn smiled. "Yes, Tuvok. I will."