A/N: The song I've used to inspire me for this chapter is another one you won't find anywhere else. Inspiration for this chapter, 'The Dream' from Doug Larche's Angels in the Snow!.

Chapter 11

Later that evening, after Ben had gone back to his room and things had calmed down a bit, Kristin found herself alone and unable to sleep. She still had not heard from Cynthia. A news announcement had come in hours before; the UEO had the situation under control for the moment. According to Katie, the UEO had its own group of subfighters. She couldn't explain how they came about, but at least it was something to hold Bourne off. Everyone knew it wouldn't stop him permanently, but it would at least slow his progress down.

Still, with that small glimmer of hope, Kristin had hoped her vid-phone would ring and that her daughter's smiling face would be on the screen, but to no avail. Kristin had said some prayers, but that was all she could do for the moment. She paced absent-mindedly. She looked at the small shrine in the corner of her room.

"I wish you were here," she whispered. "I know it's been awhile; no one believes you're still alive. Still, I have hope…"

Suddenly, her vid-phone did ring just then, causing her to jump. She rushed to answer it.

"Mom?"

"Oh, my God! Cynthia, darling, are you alright?" Kristin's voice trembled with joy as she said a silent 'thank you'.

"Yes, Mom, I'm fine; I'm sorry I couldn't call you earlier. I didn't have any reception. We were in Argentina."

"Where the earthquake hit?" Kristin asked worriedly.

Cynthia nodded. "We heard there was a group of refugee children here. They needed a place to go."

Kristin sighed. "How are things there, in San Juan?"

"Only a few casualties actually," Cynthia told her. "We managed to rescue the children, and we're back at the orphanage."

Kristin breathed a sigh of relief. "I hope you plan on staying there for a while now. I'm sure you've heard about Alexander Bourne's latest tactics."

"Yeah, I did," Cynthia confirmed. "You're alright?"

"I'm fine. Everyone was a little shaken up earlier, but things have calmed down now. Katie's been in contact with us; the UEO has the situation alleviated for the moment, but no one can say for how long…"

"Then, I hope you can understand that's why I can't sit idly by and watch," Cynthia said softly.

"What?"

"Mom, there are hundreds of refugees trying to escape Bourne's rule every day; half of them are children, children without homes, without families. Someone needs to help them."

"And I feel for them," Kristin replied, "but the UEO-"

Cynthia shook her head. "The UEO doesn't give a damn about them! Bourne isn't going to stop; you know that, and so do I. The UEO is going to find themselves outnumbered and overwhelmed, if they aren't finding it already. They don't have the time or the resources to be concerned about the refugees. You used to be concerned about helping others."

"I still am," Kristin said after taking a deep breath. "But, can you blame me for worrying about my only child?"

"I know you're worried, but someone has to try to change the world."

"But why does it have to be my daughter?"

"You used to do the same thing, and I used to ask that same question. Why does it have to be my mother? Yet, I never asked you to stop," Cynthia pointed out.

"Touché," Kristin replied. "But, I'm not as adventurous as I once was, I suppose. I care about the fate of humanity…" her voice trailed off as she glanced towards her small shrine. "Without seaQuest, my priorities have changed," she added quietly.

"I know losing seaQuest has left a hole in your life, in everyone's lives," Cynthia said. "But, it's been eight years, Mom. Even if that submarine is found at the bottom of the ocean somewhere…" She didn't finish. She couldn't find it in her heart to tell her mother she thought the crew was dead.

"I know," Kristin said after a moment. "But, there are some days, the hope that they'll be found alive and well is all I have."

Cynthia sighed. "I don't want you to be angry with me."

"I'm not angry," Kristin assured her. "I know what you have to do, and I shouldn't have questioned it. You're my daughter, and I love you no matter what. You make me proud every day. It just scares me that I might lose you." Like seaQuest, she thought, but she didn't voice it out loud.

"You're not going to lose me, Mom. I'll be fine. I'll call you soon. And, how about I visit for the holidays? We haven't seen one another in a while."

Kristin smiled. "I'd love that. I love you. Take care of yourself."

"I will, Mommy. I love you too. And, please don't worry. And, you take care of yourself as well."

She nodded. "I will. I have Ben."

"Bye. I'll call you soon." With that, Cynthia cut the link.

Kristin stood there for a time, reflecting on the conversation. Cynthia was right. Years ago, Kristin would be out there, fighting for the same injustices her daughter was. But now, Kristin wanted to avoid it. She knew that wasn't denying the fact that it was happening. She was just afraid. She lay down and try to sleep, praying that her loved ones would be alright during whatever dangers they were about to face.

Seven months later, 2031

The status of the world had taken a darker turn, much to everyone's dismay. However, no matter what she was told, Kristin still held out the hope that seaQuest would return. As Cynthia had predicted, the UEO did find themselves outnumbered many times, and they lost more territories to Bourne.

But, once again, the UEO managed to hold Bourne down for the time being, stopping his progress once again. This was the perfect opportunity for Katie to take a leave of absence. Although none of them could ignore the fact that danger was always looming before them, Ben, Katie, and Kristin were ecstatic that the newest member of the Krieg family would be joining them shortly. And, as planned, Katie left the Clinton to stay in Nexus for a while until after the baby was born.

Ben and Kristin waited anxiously in the Nexus docking bay. Kristin chuckled softly at Ben's nervousness.

"You're acting like a teenager on his first date," she noted. He was pacing back and forth.

"I know, I know," Ben said. "It's just that I want everything to be perfect. I want to make sure Katie's comfortable. And what if the baby's early? I'm kind of freaking out," he admitted.

Kristin patted his shoulder gently. "First of all, Katie isn't going to be expecting the Ritz Carlton, but you need to remember, she's lived most of her life underwater. She's used to cramped quarters. This will be a treat for her. Second, if you're scared, think of how scared she must be. Every new parent is nervous, but the point is, you'll get through it together. And, if you need help, I'm right here. Now, take a deep breath."

Ben did as Kristin instructed, but didn't let it out.

Kristin laughed again. "Let it out, Mr. Krieg. Just relax. Everything's going to be okay."

Ben breathed out. After a moment, he asked, "How do you know?"

"Because I've been there. Believe me, I was terribly nervous when I was a new parent. But, nature gives us instincts. Nature gives you the tools, I assure you." Noises could be heard from the docking bay, indicating a launch had just docked. "Now, chin up, your wife's here. You need to be strong for her."

Ben held his breath as a very pregnant Katie stepped into the docking bay, being escorted by one of the security guards.

"Watch your step, Ma'am," the guard told her as they walked down the few steps to where Kristin and Ben were standing. Once down the stairs, Katie rushed as fast as a very pregnant woman can into the waiting arms of her husband.

"Oh, I've missed you so. How's our little one?" Ben whispered.

"Doing just fine," Katie assured him. She gently pulled away and turned to Kristin, and the two women hugged. "How are you, Doc?"

"I'm fine," she told her. "Very excited to meet my niece."

Katie laughed softly.

"What?"

"She must be excited too because she's kicking up a storm," Katie replied.

"And it has nothing to do with the fact Daddy's here?" Ben asked, a little crushed.

"Oh, I'm sure she's excited about that too," Kristin said, squeezing his arm gently. She turned back to Katie. "Well, I hate to run off, but I really have a lot of work to do. Besides, you two don't want me being the third wheel. You two enjoy your reunion. I'll see you later. Bye."

"Bye," Ben and Katie called to her as she headed to the lab.

"Let's get you to our room," Ben said. "Do you need a wheelchair?"

Katie laughed and shook her head. "I'm pregnant, not broken. I can walk."

Ben offered his arm to her. "Sorry; I'm a little nervous."

"It shows," Katie noted, "but I think it's sweet. " She accepted his arm, and they started walking. "So, how is she?" Katie nodded her head, indicating she meant Kristin. "She certainly left quickly."

Ben shrugged his shoulders. "The same, I guess. There are days when she's so quiet; I know she misses them, but she doesn't like to talk about it. I guess I can't blame her. It's hard for all of us. Are they still looking for it?"

"Captain Oliver Hudson is using a UEO supply hauler; McGath's actually not too happy about it. He'd rather Hudson supplied his efforts to the task at hand, but Hudson is adamant that seaQuest is out there."

Ben sighed. "Well, in fairness, it's still hard to believe it just disappeared. It must be lying at the bottom of the ocean somewhere."

"But it's been nine years; don't you think someone would have found it by now?" Katie asked.

Ben shrugged. "I don't know. We're still learning new things about the ocean…and with the way the world is changing, there're new things that happen to the world nearly every day now."

Katie sighed. "Don't remind me." She rubbed her belly lovingly.

"We're here," Ben said, stopping in front of his door. "Close your eyes."

"Why?" she asked quizzically.

"Just do it," Ben urged. "I've redecorated."

Ben led her inside and helped her sit down. "Okay, you can open them now."

Katie did and immediately let out a sigh. "Oh, Ben…I can't believe you did all this." Katie was sitting in a very comfortable rocking chair next to a beautiful wooden crib. Inside the crib, there were sheets and bedding decorated in pink and purple hearts and bears. Then, there was the typical baby furniture: a changing table, a dresser, a diaper bin. And, Ben had utilized the last corner to place lots and lots of toys.

"Is it okay?" he asked. "The dresser's filled with clothes and things too. I wanted to make sure we had everything."

Katie looked through the dresser. "Well, there is one thing we don't have."

Ben blanched slightly. "What's that?"

Katie laughed. "We haven't decided on a name. Well, not completely anyway."

Ben sighed. "I know, but we've narrowed it down to three: Charlotte, Stephanie, and Sophia."

"Yes, I know, but what if the baby's early? I don't want my baby entering the world without a name."

"Fine; Charlotte."

"You like Charlotte? Are you sure?"

Ben nodded. "Positive. I've been thinking about it, and I thought we could call her Charlie."

Katie laughed. "I guess that's cute." She thought for a moment and nodded. "Charlotte Krieg. It certainly sounds right. What about a middle name?"

Ben didn't have to think. "Kristin."

Katie smiled. "Exactly what I was thinking. Charlotte Kristin Krieg." Then, she added, "There's actually something else I want to talk to you about too."

"What else have we forgotten?"

"Well, now that we're going to be parents, have you thought about what would happen if anything happened to us?" Katie asked.

"You mean a will?"

She nodded. "With the way the world is, I think it's a good idea."

Ben thought for a moment. "I suppose you're right."

Katie took paperwork out of her bag. "Good, because I had this drawn up." She handed them to Ben. "All we need to do is fill in the blanks just in case."

"Wow, you've really planned this out. We need to decide who would raise her? Well, I think you already know."

Katie sighed. "Well, obviously Kristin, but I'd like someone else in case. Maybe a partner…"

Ben chuckled. "So, you'd like a mother and a father?"

"Ideally."

"There's only two men I'd choose, and they're both gone. Leave it blank."

Katie sighed. She wrote Kristin's name down. Then, when Ben wasn't looking, she wrote Nathan's name in the other. "Do you think we should mention it to her?"

"What, tell the doc that we want her to raise our daughter in case of our untimely death? Probably not. What are the chances that will actually happen? This is just a precaution, right?"

Katie nodded and stuffed the paperwork in an envelope.