"Did you get the scans? I sent them twice just to make sure."

Leo smiled, "I got them," he nodded. "He got bigger since the last ones."

A couple nights after her conversation with her father, Andrea managed to give everyone a massive scare when she fainted during one of her walks. Unconscious for two hours and unable to get Leo on the line right away, Jim and M'Benga panicked over what to do. Jim because he promised his best friend that he'd keep an eye on his wife, failing to do so since she was alone when it happened. M'Benga because he was the acting CMO during Leo's time away and responsible for the well being of his wife and child.

When she woke up; dazed, confused and hungry, M'Benga put her on mandatory bed-rest. Jim backed him up; afraid of what could happen if she was left to wander the ship. Chris was worried, scolding her for walking without a chaperone so close to her due-date. Andrea would swear later to Hikaru during his visit, that her father had more grey hair after that call than before. When Leo finally called them, he was swearing and ready to pack his bags and come back. Andrea managed to talk him out of it, promising him that she would follow M'Benga's orders and that the baby was fine.

"He's going to be a big baby, Leo," she sighed, rubbing her belly. "He's already eight and a half pounds and he's probably going to gain a little more. My poor vagina is going to be destroyed, birthing out this big-headed child."

Leo snorted, "You'll be fine, Andy!" he shook his head. "If worse comes to worse, we can always find a doctor to fix you up down there."

She rolled her eyes, "Better be a good doctor," she huffed. "How's everything over there? People still puking blood up?"

"No thank god," he shuddered. "I've been running tests on everyone; especially the people who contracted the virus to make sure the vaccine is working."

"Is it?"

Leo nodded, "So far, though I want to run another set of tests before I leave."

Andrea pouted, "So you wont be home within the next two days?" she asked.

"I wish I could be home, baby," he sighed. "I know Pop was saying that I might be home earlier than expected, but you never know with these things."

She nodded sadly, "I know."

Leo sighed, "I feel bad. Like the worst husband in the world because I'm not going to be there to celebrate our first anniversary."

Andrea shrugged, "I guess the baby makes up for it," she said. "You're gonna be home in time for that, right?"

"Of course! Maybe I can get a transport back to the star base the day after our anniversary," he smiled. "I'll make it up to you then."

They talked for another half and hour, before Leo was called back to work. Andrea made sure to remind him to call Joanna, since the little girl was unable to make their last vid-chat the day before. With the exchange of "I love you's" and "Be safe", they both signed off for the night, with hopes to talk again the next morning.

…..

Andrea woke up early the next morning, discomfort settling in her belly. With a groan, she rolled onto her side and brought her knees up to her chest as high as she could. Now that the end was near, her entire body was on limbo. Joints burned and exhaustion took over, as she sat around for most of the day.

Nyota came by with breakfast, setting it on a tray for Andrea to eat in bed. Afterwards, Nyota helped her into the shower and dried her hair, before helping her back into bed.

"Do you need anything before I go?" she asked, picking up the tray.

Andrea shook her head; "I think I'll take a nap for now. Who's coming by for lunch?" she asked.

"Pavel said he'll stop by," Nyota smiled. "He misses you terribly, asking about you all the time up on the bridge. I think he's bringing a bunch of Russian nursery rhymes that he transcribed into English."

"Well, can you please tell him that I anticipate his arrival? It'll be nice to see everyone before I turn into a swearing, screaming banshee."

Nyota promised to do so, as she started towards the doorway. "If you need anything, you call me. I will leave my post no matter how silly the request is."

Andrea smiled, "I will," she nodded. "Thank you, Ny."

"You're welcome, Mama. Enjoy your nap and I'll see you later," she said, before walking out of the bedroom.

….

By lunch time, that little discomfort turned into total pain. Andrea clutched the sheets, letting out shaky breaths as the pain ripped through her body.

"Shit," she hissed, closing her eyes tightly.

This was labor. There was no doubt about it, especially when she checked herself. Probably no more than three centimeters dilated, Andrea tried to relax her body. This wasn't supposed to happen right now, the day before her anniversary and a week before the actual due date.

"Andrea? Are you avake?"

Her eyes snapped open as Pavel's voice filtered to the bedroom. The last thing she wanted to do, was frighten her friend with the fact that a baby was trying to bust out of her.

"Ah, there you are!" he smiled, standing in the doorway of the bedroom. "Vould you like me to bring lunch from the replicator?"

"Pavel.." she started, before gasping. "Call M'Benga."

The young man's smile wilted, as he watched her grip the sheets. "Vhat's vrong?" he asked, moving closer to the bed.

Andrea groaned, "I'm in labor," she gasped, brining her knees up as a contraction ripped through her. "Shit, shit, shit."

Pavel started cursing in Russian as he snatched the communicator off the night-stand, dialing medical. Only half listening, Andrea counted to ten in her head as the contraction went on.

"NO! The baby is coming! You must come now!" Pavel shouted, before cutting the call. "Keptin! I must call the Keptin!"

Reaching out, Andrea took his hand lightly to stop him. "Just.." she let out a short breath. "Just relax," she said soothingly. "If you tell everyone that the baby is coming, they'll rush in here expecting to find me crowning and ready to push a baby out."

Pavel paled at the mental image, "Oh.." he said weakly.

"Just call Jim and tell him to come here now," she ordered. "Then call Nyota and tell her to hail the U.S.S Huckleberry, and inform the captain that Leo needs to come home right away."

"Vhat about the Admiral?" he asked, clutching the communicator in his hand tightly. "Vhat do we do about him?"

"I'll call him as soon as we're in medical," she nodded. "But for now, just do what I said."

Pavel nodded and quickly went to work, calling upon Jim and Nyota, while keeping his eye on her. Andrea went through two more contractions before Pavel came back to let her know that Jim was on his way.

"Baby is early, no?" he asked, holding her hand.

Andrea nodded, "I guess he's ready to make his appearance," she managed a smile, before another contraction hit her. "Oh god, this is going to suck."

…

Forty-five minutes later, Andrea was set up on a bio-bed and hooked up to a fetal heart monitor.

Jim paced back and forth at the foot of the bed, "How far apart are they?" he asked.

"Five minutes apart," she sighed, closing her eyes. "Has anyone reached Leo yet?"

He shook his head, "Not yet," he looked at her. "But don't worry, I'm sure he's in the middle of reaming some asshole for not taking the proper vitamins."

Andrea managed a weak smile, "Did Dad call back about a shuttle? I know he went to get Jo from school after I called, so I'm hoping he got in touch with Admiral Barnett."

Jim nodded, "I took the call in Bones' office. He and Jo are taking a shuttle up to the Yorktown and they'll reach us by tomorrow or the day after," he smiled. "Jo says "Hi" by the way."

"Good," she nodded. "I'm going to rest my eyes for a bit. Will you wake me when M'Benga comes in with the pain reliever?" she asked.

Moving closer to the bed, Jim pulled the blanket up a little higher before smoothing her hair back. "I will," he nodded, before smiling. "Get some rest. You're gonna need it soon."

…..

As soon as Andrea's eyes slipped shut, Jim moved back into the CMO's office and quickly called Nyota.

"Anything?" he asked, as soon as she answered. "Please Ny. Tell me you got something."

The woman sighed, "I've been trying non-stop, Jim. It's like they fell off the face of the universe!"

Jim cursed, "Okay," he let out a deep breath. "M'Benga said that Andy might be at five centimeters within the next hour or two. So basically we're in for a long night, depending on when this baby decides it's wants out."

"I'll stay here the entire time, Jim, "Nyota said. "This is my priority right now. I've got Ensign Ryan scanning for any other disturbances at another console, just so I can do this"

"You call me the minute you hear anything about the U.S.S Huckleberry," he ordered. "Whether it's from them or from another ship. Understood?"

"I promise, Jim," she said. "How's she doing?"

He sighed, "Just fell asleep for a nap," he said down behind the desk. "Pike and Jo should be here within the next day or two, flying in on the Yorktown. Maybe I should call him back and see what he knows about the Huckleberry and it's radio silence."

Nyota hummed in agreement, "Do you want me to patch you through to him?" she asked.

"He's most likely getting Jo from school or trying to pack a few things at the house," he picked up the holo-frame from Leo's desk. "He'll probably call once he's onboard."

"I'll keep you posted, Jim," Nyota said. "Call me if her condition changes."

"Will do."

Ending the call, Jim looked down at the photograph. Taken on the day of their wedding, Andrea and Leo stood side by side, the ocean in the background. With his arms around her waist, Leo had Andrea pulled tightly against his side. Instead of looking at the camera their eyes were on each other, mega-watt smiles stretched on their faces. Jim sighed, as he set the holo-frame back onto the desk.

"What are you doing, Bones?" he asked, wishing that the photo could talk to him. "What are you doing?"