Red Mittens and a Rose Garden – the Trisha Pike Chronicles,
Ch21 – "the Vulcan Pain Control Touch"
A/N: AU. What if there was a long-term consequence to the weekend romp between Lt Caitlin Pike and Lt Harmon Rabb Jr at that motel back in the summer of 1996? What is the responsible way to deal with an unexpected aftermath?
A/N – link to Canon Episodes: A "post-canon" timeline puts this into "JAG Season 23…" (solely for those who want to count! "Season 24" would start around 20-Sep-2018).
A/N: Publication date: 11-05-2020: Thanks for *all* your encouraging PMs and positive reviews – along with your suggestions (many of which *do* find their way into my stories).
Notes: Mike, UK, 11-May-2020 – msg... I hope you will enjoy – and allow – my slight journey on a "Trek" as the UK begins its first, tentative steps towards planning a way forward from the Coronavirus lockdown.
Characters from FFNET – C Pike, H Rabb jr, Faith McBurney-Coleman plus OC
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Ch21 – "the Vulcan Pain Control Touch"
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Sunday 19th August 2018, 19:17hrs EDT
Penthouse suite, 210 E Fairfax St, Falls Church, VA 22046:
The conversations had flowed easily. Caitlin and Victoria ("always Victoria to my Victor") had meshed seamlessly and were clearly plotting further adventures for the two helpless midshipmen whom they had borne, whilst Harm and Victor were at ease in the armchairs, ruthlessly recounting their failures to realise that they had each left behind an impregnated woman more than two decades earlier.
"But Victor, if she didn't tell me, how was I to know?"
"Well Harm, we men *are* expected by our ladies to be completely psychic and omnipresent to meet their needs in all time-zones" Victor replied. He looked across at his son, the spark of laughter twinkling in his eyes. "But I commend my son for his self-control. With your daughter as a willing target, I would find my self-restraint under severe provocation."
Harm raised a Coke: "Amen to that Victor. I guess that our two love-birds are determined to obey the regulations of my Academy, but 'look out the next day after Graduation' is all I can say."
Around a half-hour later, Victor and Victoria bade their farewells and took RV with them. They would be dropping him back at his Academy dorm before heading back to their overnight hotel at Bay Bridge Airport, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Stevensville.
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Sunday 19th August 2018, 20:06hrs EDT
Penthouse suite, 210 E Fairfax St, Falls Church, VA 22046:
"OK Trisha, before we load up the bags and head off to the Academy, please tell me about your idea for my Hallowe'en costume."
"Sure Mom." Trisha marshalled her thoughts. "OK, you'll be past week 36 in your pregnancy, the evening will be cool at the end of October and we need to plan for the possibility that you might – at that point – go into labour at any stage. So, it seems to me that there is only one possible costume to match your exalted position as leading lady of the Academy and imminent mother." She smiled, as she absent-mindedly folded a spare blouse into her sea-bag.
"Well?" Caitlin couldn't contain her curiosity any more.
"Mom – it's so simple. You'll be 'Mother Superior' and Dad can match you as a purple-clad Cardinal."
Caitlin Rabb gasped in surprise, then howled with laughter, clapping her hands to applaud her daughter's inventiveness. "Trisha; I like it; no, I *love* it. Hopefully no-one could be offended?"
"No, I don't reckon so. The Chaplain ain't Catholic, we get you a habit that drops to, say, just below your knees. On your legs, you wear my black 'Amelias' to keep your feet and legs warm over your support stockings – and to give you good grip on the ground as you walk – and we see who bites." Trisha was chuckling at her mom's initial surprised expression, which was rapidly morphing into one of amused acceptance.
"So, what about *your* costume this year?"
"Well, RV had got himself another cowboy-pastiche outfit after last year's 'Texas Ranger' outfit, so I am thinking about Amelia Earhart again or a cowgirl – the jods are fine for either character. I can finish with a cowboy hat or flying helmet and then I would wear my brown Amelias this year to complete the costume."
Caitlin nodded. "OK, I am sold. Come on Harm, let's load up for Annapolis".
"Yes ma'am."
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Tuesday 11th September 2018, 08:30hrs EST
Annapolis Satellite office of Lowell, Hanson law offices,
821 Chesapeake Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403,
Caitlin parked the Jeep and made her stately way into the offices. Maria Elena stood ready to shadow her – as she had begun to do, unprompted, since the start of the previous week – but Caitlin made it to her desk without incident. Maria Elena faded away to bring Caitlin a de-caffeinated coffee.
The TV in the Reception was broadcasting the countdown to the 17th anniversary commemorations of the surprise attacks in New York, Washington and – ultimately – a small field in Pennsylvania. Caitlin realised that, the following year, there would be adults walking around who had not even been born on that fateful morning in September 2001.
As was her routine, she patted the black ribbon adorning Dalton Lowne's photograph. Harm, after noticing the picture on one of his earlier visits, had explained to her the significance of Dalton Lowne in the course of the slow-motion car-crash which had been Sarah Mackenzie's love-life until she and Harm had finally extracted their heads from their respective sixes and "got it on."
With 30 weeks now gone (six months and 26 days, she told herself) Caitlin was "comfortably into the final trimester" (in the words of the semi-naïve twenty-something assistant obstetrician who was supporting Diana - her main OB-GYN). The second "pearl of wisdom" from the twenty-something was that Caitlin's baby would 'concentrate on ripening'. Caitlin had been ready to smack the cheerful youngster by the time that the consultation had finished – "if only I could reach her!" – and so the thought (and violent impulse) lay unvoiced.
She had settled into her daily routine of standing up, every half-hour or so, to walk around the office suite. Even with air-conditioning in the office, the early-September weather was becoming oppressive. Still, no point in complaining, she realised; it was way too late to think about contraception or a vasectomy for her husband! Mind you, once the birth was over, she didn't want anything interfering with what she was very pleased to acknowledge as a *very* enjoyable married sex-life.…
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Thursday 27th September 2018, 12:40hrs EST
Satellite office of Lowell, Hanson law offices,
821 Chesapeake Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403,
Harm paid off the cab fare and walked up towards the doors of Caitlin's office, ready for his customary once-per-week lunch with his wife. He noticed that their Jeep had been reverse-parked as Caitlin had arrived that morning, ready for a "speedy getaway" in case she needed to get to the maternity unit, which lay 40 miles away in the Sibley hospital complex on the eastern side of the DC Metropolitan area.
The Academy was smoothly flowing through the 2018-2019 academic year and their daughter was continuing to excel. Their "father-daughter" September flight in "Sarah" on the preceding Sunday had been just as enjoyable as the preceding flights. Trisha was taking more responsibility in the air, to the point that Harm was considering investing in a set of CFI-delivered flying lessons for her as a Christmas present to get her thinking about going "solo" during 2019.
"Hi Hammer; welcome back." Maria Elena greeted him with her customary hug and kiss before he strolled nonchalantly into Caitlin's office to entice her out to lunch. Both women laughed warmly, increasing Harm's discomfiture at standing between two women who both knew things about him which the other shouldn't know. He shrugged. Ah well, too late now! Caitlin and Maria Elena would no doubt be comparing notes on him at every coffee break for a month! He decided not to add to his woes by mentioning Jack Keeter…
The short stroll to the fast-food joint was achievable for her in the prevailing air temperatures. Autumn had served notice of its intention to arrive, during the preceding week. Harm had noted that the flight with Trisha had been noticeably colder at altitude - although with the added advantage of a faster climb rate in the cooler, denser air.
Henceforth, Harm would manage approximately one lunch break per week, off-site in Chesapeake Avenue, until Caitlin went on her maternity leave.
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Sunday 30th September 2018, 11:28hrs EDT
Penthouse suite, 210 E Fairfax St, Falls Church, VA 22046:
"OK Mom, stand up on the block and then please hold still – I need to get this pinned right, all the way around the hem."
Having just laced her mom into the black pair of Amelia Earhart long boots, Trisha was at last ready to get the sizing right on Caitlin's costume for the upcoming Hallowe'en Ball. Part of Trisha's stress stemmed from the fact that Harm's purple Cardinal outfit was still to be completed. A costume shop in Falls Church had provided about 85% of the basic elements for her Dad's costume but further work was required – and *that* was dependent upon completion of her priority task - the "pregnant nun" costume for her mom.
Caitlin stood obediently on the ten-inch-deep block of wood, heels together. She was rather glad that no-one could see her, apart from the obvious audience of her husband and daughter. She could see that Harm was admiring the view and enjoying her slight discomfort. Caitlin Pike (as was) had always been proud of her body. Now, standing on a block of wood in the middle of their lounge wearing just bra and panties (apart from Trisha's black pair of "Amelia Earhart" boots which underpinned her planned costume) she was feeling just slightly self-conscious.
"Mom, I reckon that a longer habit, without a cloak, would work best. It will keep you warmer and you could wear a slip under it, plus I can more-easily lay the knotted rope – the cincture - around you just above your bump and I can get the material to fall more-elegantly." Trisha chuckled. "Oh boy, a pregnant Mother Superior; it's good that the Church has such serious legal problems at the moment, otherwise I can see the odd disapproving views greeting you on Hallowe'en night."
Caitlin smiled back. "Well, on the eve of All Hallows, we are celebrating an old Pagan festival anyway. It serves the Christian church right for dropping a festival on the date of an old pagan event! Oh Trisha, on that theme - I'm thinking of blood-red nail polish as a finishing touch. You and I need to go shopping at some point."
"Mom, you are so wicked!" Trisha was very proud of her mom's sense of adventure. "I'm going to fabricate the habit from a graduation gown, so I will just need to add the wimple, the scapula and the cowl. I reckon that a black pillowcase gives me the basis for the cowl."
"OK Trisha, that makes sense; remind me what the knotted rope signifies?" Caitlin Rabb was looking at the three knots which Trisha had already tied in the white rope.
"Poverty, chastity and obedience." Trisha smirked, looking pointedly around Caitlin's opulent apartment and then focussing upon her mom's pregnant figure. "Yep, I reckon our Mother Superior has failed on all three of those vows by now!"
Within a half-hour, Trisha had all the measurements that she needed. The following weekend, she would be back in the apartment all weekend once the Horsemen gathering had finished, using Caitlin's treasured sewing machine. Her dad was already booked to collect her from around the corner once the meeting in the Galway Bay had completed.
Now approaching the end of her 33rd week of her pregnancy, Caitlin Rabb was getting ready to dial back her workload. The Lowell & Hanson practice had recently picked up a valuable contract to review past litigation cases for another practice which had been censured by the regulator (the DoJ). Much of the workload in the period leading up until Christmas could be accomplished from home with an occasional visit to the office, so Caitlin had volunteered to lead the workload because it matched her preferred working pattern.
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Saturday 7th October 2018, 18:43hrs EDT
Penthouse suite, 210 E Fairfax St, Falls Church, VA 22046:
"OK Mom, that's my sewing done for the day. Dad, what are the chances of us going flying on Saturday (or maybe Sunday) next weekend please?"
"I'd say better than evens – but let's just check with your mom. Caitlin, you'll be at 35 weeks by then. Would you mind us dropping out for a couple of hours of 'daddy and daughter' time on Saturday afternoon?"
Caitlin was sitting, very comfortably, on the settee as she pondered the question. "No Harm, no problem for me at all. Look, how about we stay over in the Residence on Friday evening, then if Trisha heads back there after her Horsemen lunch, you could drive her out to the airfield…" She paused. "Ah, what if someone sees you?"
"Mom, I'll be quite happy to cycle out to Lee airfield after the Horsemen lunch. That gives you and Dad a quiet, relaxing morning in the Residence and then Dad can drive out to meet me at the Hangar – or in Starbucks. Dad, what do you think?"
"Sounds like a plan. I agree, let's not wilfully seek out publicity for your parentage - the past two-plus years have worked well. So, let's plan to spend Saturday night back here in Falls Church after the flying, then go back over to the Residence on Monday morning? Trisha, alternatively would you prefer to be back in the dorm for Sunday evening?"
Trisha nodded ruefully. "I'm afraid so, Dad – that way, fewer questions get asked. A Saturday night away visiting with my mom in Falls Church presents no problem, but I don't want to miss Monday morning formation."
"OK, we have a plan for next weekend. Caitlin, are you OK with all that and the timings?"
Caitlin Rabb looked lovingly at her husband and daughter, yawned gently and smiled. "Yes, that seems perfect." She dropped her gaze, to caress her mid-riff. "So long as little Samuel here doesn't decide to join in the fun."
"But Mom, you still have five weeks left by next weekend – and he *is* a boy after all!"
"Yes, but just because you were a helpful little baby girl and popped out bang on time for your mommy all those years ago, does not mean that your little brother will be so obliging! Remember, boys often take longer to get the hint when it is time for them to make their appearance." She sat back on the settee and waggled her boot-clad legs at her husband. "Harm, time to unlace me please. Oh and by the way Trisha, you'll be flying in your brown 'Amelia boots' until after Hallowe'en, because your father is doing a great job in polishing this black pair up for the party. They are staying indoors away from dust and mud until November."
"OK mom, no problem - I had guessed that I'd be in the brown pair for Hallowe'en this year. They suit the Amelia Earhart outfit even better than the black pair, probably, so please do not fuss. You definitely need the blacks for the habit. Now Dad, if you just keep an eye on Mom and get her unlaced, I'll go and serve up dinner. Food in ten minutes, people."
As Trisha bounded into the kitchen, Harm gently picked up Caitlin's hand and kissed it. "You know Caitlin, every day I thank God for our lovely daughter."
"Yep – and in five weeks or so, you'll have a second little one to thank your blessings over."
"Caitlin, when we met up again and you used the expression 'mother of your children', I really didn't think that you would be serious about going through all this again. But I thank the Lord that you did - you are making me *so* happy, darling Caitlin."
"Well Harm, I have to admit that it's been tough - probably the hardest seven months of my entire adult life. The tiredness is worse than I remember 22 years ago and the blood pressure monitoring is new (but very welcome to confirm that I am OK) but realistically I am fine overall. I am pleased that the weight gain is normal and I'll work it off over time – plus breastfeeding will be a great way to shed the pounds anyway." She smiled, then brought up the one subject which she had been keeping at the back of her mind since she had fallen pregnant.
"Harm, there is one thing that I want you to arrange, once the birth is behind us and Samuel is thriving. You will finally have the son that you have – clearly – always wanted, but I would like to ask you to arrange something, entirely for me."
He looked into her eyes; even now, in the seventh month of her pregnancy, she felt her body respond as he uttered his reply. "Name it darling Caitlin."
"A vasectomy – please?"
He nodded. "Seems a sensible and responsible thing to do. In fact, it's something that I was already thinking about." He leaned in and nuzzled the base of her throat. "After all, we don't want anything interfering with our married fun once you are cleared and back to full fitness."
"Thank you, darling Harm. I love you so much."
Harm placed his hand on Caitlin's bump. "Darling, I owe you so much – it's a small contribution from me to ensure our continued family happiness. You are, after all, doing the hard work this year."
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Wednesday 31st October 2018, 18:29hrs EDT
Main Ballroom, Westin Annapolis hotel, 100 Westgate Circus, Annapolis MD, VA 21401:
".. and so, ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy your evening. Have fun!"
Harm completed his address to the audience. Turning from the microphone, he left "the younger generation" to start their Hallowe'en ball. Dressed in the full purple robes of a Cardinal in the church, he was pleased to be standing alongside a heavily-pregnant nun – aka Mother Superior Caitlin Rabb, with her scarlet finger nails and carefully-applied make-up. Standing close by, Trisha ("Amelia Earhart") and RV ("Texas Ranger") were making ready to head off to the table where the other Horsemen had gathered. Samantha Wilkinson was rocking a passable version of Wonder Woman this year – she definitely had Tony Lee's full attention.
"OK youngsters, we oldies have it sorted for this table. You guys go have fun." Harm noticed that Trisha and RV did not need any further encouragement.
"OK Caitlin, that's us off the hook; I am now superfluous for the rest of the evening. So, darling pregnant Mrs Mother Superior Rabb, what drink might your devoted cardinal obtain for you?"
Sadly, monsignor, it will have to be fruit juice; tonight, I fancy apple please, Harm."
"On my way."
As he approached the bar, he found himself admiring the rear view of what looked like a Federation Star Fleet officer from the old "Star Trek" TV series – there was a utility belt with a phaser and Tri-corder hanging off the hip at each side, along with a very-convincing pair of "Mr Spock" pointed ears visible where the obviously-female officer had piled up her hair into a short pony-tail on the crown of her head. The glossy thigh-length boots were *definitely* not military-spec, accentuating the legs of the Star Fleet officer and reaching to the hem of the mid-thigh skirt, finished off with heels which teetered on the edge of vertiginous.
The Star Fleet officer was clearly comfortable standing there and chatting animatedly with another of the fancy dress participants who, in turn, was dressed convincingly as a Klingon Officer.
Harm found himself gazing at the Klingon, whose eyes were looking back at Harm in friendly acknowledgement. The Klingon waved, causing Harm to step across the room to introduce himself and find out who was waving to…
"Admiral, good evening; I am so glad that introducing this Hallowe'en party was one of the best of your initiatives – along with recruiting my wife, of course." Gesturing to the Star Fleet officer at his side, Jack McBurney had "de-cloaked" as Harm recognised his voice, meaning that the Star Fleet officer was…
"Good evening Faith; what an excellent costume. And Jack, please call me Harm tonight." He turned back to Faith, looking closely at her excellent make-up job. "I trust that your babysitters are sorted?"
"Oh yes Harm: the hotel provides a good and vetted service. Jack or I (or both) will turn into pumpkins at around 11:30hrs and head back upstairs to our suite, to relieve the babysitters. It made sense to have the little ones here, rather than leaving them in the apartment in Admiral Heights. With a 12-year-old and a 10-year-old, they are relatively easy on the babysitters these days." She smiled, opening the "tri-corder" case attached to her utility belt to produce a smartphone. "Set on vibrate and ready for any emergency."
"Well, I wish you a peaceful evening; didn't the Vulcans and Klingons have some rivalries on Star Trek?"
"Maybe Harm, but - dear Admiral - we're discussing a peace mission tonight." Faith's laughter rang around the room – clearly "the Vulcan" was off-duty and enjoying time with her very own Klingon. Harm hoped that the two characters would always be close to each other when the next bout of Vulcan "pon farr" struck on its seven-year mating cycle.
Harm and Caitlin shared their drinks for around ten minutes, before Harm set off again to "work the room." Working his way around the room, it took Harm over 40 minutes before he circled back to the table where Caitlin was sitting, entertaining a steady stream of young midshipmen keen to enquire about the likely delivery date and naming ideas for the Rabbs' new birthday. Trisha regretfully had needed to drop back to preserve the secrecy of her father's identity, so she spent most of the evening with the other Horsemen. she kept half an eye on her mom, however. She just had a sneaky feeling that something was going to channel the magic of Hallowe'en night...
The evening continued through several courses of food and onto the dancing.
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Wednesday 31st October 2018, 20:37hrs EDT
Main Ballroom, Westin Annapolis hotel, 100 Westgate Circus, Annapolis MD, VA 21401:
"Admiral Rabb, please return to your table. Admiral Rabb, to your table at the rush."
Harm extricated himself from a deep philosophical conversation at the far end of the ballroom and scooted back to the table. On arrival, it was immediately clear why he was needed. Caitlin sat uncomfortably in her seat, turned away from the table and with her hands pressed to her sides.
"Caitlin darling, what's wrong?"
Kneeling beside Caitlin, Faith McBurney-Coleman looked up at him. "Harm, her waters have broken but she is fine. There is a long gap between contractions, so you two have plenty of time to get across to the delivery suite, which I understand is over in DC. Which hospital and are you using?
"Sibley Memorial up in Palisades is our nominated OB-GYN as it is accessible from the Falls Church apartment. Fortunately it's only around 40 miles away and under an hour from here – especially at this time of night."
"OK, that makes sense; we should have her there in plenty of time before your son even starts to think about arriving. I reckon that we can be there by 22:00hrs comfortably."
"We?" Harm was slightly slow on the update - and recieved a scornful look from "the Vulcan" kneeling alongside his wife. Faith turned to Trisha, keeping a straight face in view of the audience. "Midshipman Pike, if you are free to continue assisting, may I offer you a lift to the hospital to assist Mrs Rabb? It also gives you flexibility in returning later in the night with me, for morning formation." Trisha recognised Faith's attempt to protect the secret of her parentage and nodded gratefully.
"Why, Captain Coleman, that is most kind; yes please I would appreciate a lift."
Faith turned to her Klingon husband. "Darling, sorry but I need the Porsche. Will you be ok, worst case, with a cab to work in the morning?"
Jack gently grasped his wife's hands, squeezing them together. "Of course darling; you go and help this midshipman. I'll get the kids home tomorrow if necessary."
He paused: "Faith darling - where is your uniform for tomorrow? Have you got time to change now?"
Faith smiled, looked down at her pointed toecaps then looked up at him. "It's tempting, but the changeover won't be a five-minute task. Plus, I shall be driving home at some point before I get ready for work. There is a uniform in the suite upstairs (as well as one at home), so I am not worried."
Trisha nodded gratefully, then quickly dipped Harm's car keys and headed out, tossing a "Meet up in the lobby" over her shoulder." Faith responded with a quick "thumbs up" and then turned all her concentration onto getting Caitlin up onto her feet and pointing at the door.
Harm spotted another member of the Supervisory board and summoned the man over. A quick explanation followed, after which the other Admiral was very happy to advise Harm: "Admiral, you stand relieved. We shall enjoy and safely complete this evening. Now go and be with your wife. I shall also let Captain McBurney-Coleman's team know in the morning that she may be delayed supporting your wife at the hospital."
"Thanks Andy; much appreciated."
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With Caitlin safely strapped into the passenger seat, Harm sprinted around to the driver's door. Samantha – still dressed in a very convincing Wonder Woman costume - slipped into the back seat and buckled up as Tony Lee slid into the seat beside her, smiling conspiratorially.
Faith was waiting for Harm to load up, her silver Porsche parked just behind his Lexus, with Trisha already strapped in alongside her.
Faith pulled out and swung the Porsche expertly around in a circle, parking up just alongside the driver's door of Harm's Jeep. She swung her legs out of the cockpit and stood tall, before walking across to Harm's vehicle. She looked at him as he leaned on his window frame.
"Harm, I've got the hospital address loaded into the GPS; so may I lead? That way, you have one less distraction when you want to concentrate on your wife." She looked into the back seats: "Samantha and Tony, I assume that you also have smartphones with GPS functions if we do get separated?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"OK. Harm, we are good to go. No need to rush."
"Good thinking Faith. We don't need to break speed limits."
"Straight down the 50 and a loop around the 495 seems to be the best bet for giving Caitlin a smooth ride, Harm."
"OK Faith, lead on."
Faith smiled – the good-quality make-up of her Vulcan persona hadn't moved all evening. "OK Harm, I'll keep it below Warp One all the way." She smiled, touching one finger to her imaginary cap peak in a salute, then she walked back to her car.
Harm watched Faith's gait as she walked to her car. She clearly wasn't comfortable in those heels. But she was looking after his daughter and helping the Rabb family. He slipped off the parking brake, rolled forward and U-turned to take up station behind Faith's Porsche.
Two miles into the journey from the Westin, Faith's car pulled into the side of the road. Trisha bounded out of the passenger door and ran up to Harm's driver's door.
"Sorry Dad, we need a quick change of driver. Faith just cannot drive in those heels."
Looking frontwards, Harm saw Faith walking slowly around the front of her car and clambering in through the open passenger door. He looked back at his daughter, standing at his window. Trisha smiled. "Hey Dad, I get to drive a Porsche *and* greet my brother. What a great night!"
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As the Porsche settled onto the roadway once more, Trisha checked her rear-view mirror. Her father's Jeep was holding station behind. She looked across at Faith. "Good job you brought a co-driver Faith – oh, if I may call you Faith in private tonight, Captain?"
"Yes of course Trisha." Faith flexed her ankles, trying to relieve the growing pain in her feet. "These boots were meant to be for a few short walks around the hotel tonight as part of the Star Fleet costume, then back to the suite – not walking halfway across Washington."
Trisha was enjoying the feeling of piloting a powerful car. "Well Faith, this is reminiscent of that old film 'Pretty Woman', where the heroine is driving Richard Gere's Lotus sports car in boots not unlike what you are wearing tonight."
A knowing smile broke across Faith Coleman's face. "Actually Caitlin, I have it on good authority that Julia Roberts had a body double for her legs in that film!"
"Really?"
"Yep, some long-legged actress from California."
The journey westwards continued smoothly towards DC.
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Wednesday 31st October 2018, 22:02hrs EDT
Sibley Maternal Foetal Medicine,
5255 Loughboro Rd NW 1st Floor, Washington, DC 20016, United States
Faith directed Trisha to the Receiving bay, pulling around to allow Harm to line up Caitlin for the short walk inside. A telephone call ten minutes out had alerted the hospital's reception committee of the incoming mon-in-labour. Faith was just looking idly in through the sliding doors when she recognised a face.
"Hey, Doctor Diana: What are you doing here?"
Diana Evans looked, puzzled, trying to make sense of the scene unfolding before her. A purple-robed Cardinal was assisting a heavily-pregnant Mother Superior across to a gurney, and she was being addressed by a woman dressed in a pastiche of a Star Trek "Star Fleet" uniform, starting with highly-glossed "stripper" thighboots all the way up to realistic-looking Vulcan ear tips. A younger version of Amelia Earhart stood alongside the Vulcan Star Fleet officer, with Wonder Woman standing just behind. Al Capone (Tony Lee), complete with violin case, looked like the most-normal of the six characters in front of her!
"Oh crap, it would *have* to be Hallowe'en!" she thought.
She focussed on the face, then realised…
"Faith, err, Coleman? What are you doing here?"
"Bringing in your next customer from the Academy."
"Star Fleet Academy? Surely not!"
Faith chuckled as she answered Di's question. "No, USNA up at Annapolis – the Superintendent's wife Caitlin Rabb is giving birth to their second child." She nodded her head across the parking lot. "Young Amelia Earhart over there, parking the cars, is their first child."
"Oh well, let's get started – but Faith, surely you are on the wrong side of the country - what happened to SoCal?"
"Doc, I could say the same about you but come, let's get Caitlin inside. We'll have time to chat later, I am sure. You and I have obviously both moved east in the past ten years."
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Wednesday 31st October 2018, 22:39hrs EDT
Labour and Delivery suites, Sibley Maternal Foetal Medicine,
5255 Loughboro Rd NW 1st Floor, Washington, DC 20016, United States
Within a half-hour, Caitlin's attending obstetrician had arrived and everything was proceeding smoothly for the Rabbs - although with no sign yet that their son was eager to emerge.
Faith and Diana had caught up on their ten-year gap in history. Just as Faith had been poached by Harm to join the Academy as his XO, so Diana's husband (now a Lieutenant-General) had been posted to the Pentagon in 2014 with his O-9 promotion. The promotion had enabled her to make the move eastwards to Sibley (which was convenient for visiting her ageing mom up in Chevy Chase).
By 04:45hrs on the Thursday morning, it was becoming clear that Caitlin was exhausted, worn out and was emotionally moving rapidly past the point of exhaustion, with no sign of Samuel arriving.
Faith took Diana, Harm and Trisha to one side. "Look guys, this may seem a little unusual, but I'd like 15 minutes to try a relaxation technique on Caitlin; it's harmless but it may just give her the focus that she needs to get this baby out. Samantha, I'll need your assistance." Mystified, Sam Wilkinson merely nodded reassuringly.
Harm shrugged, smiling gratefully. "OK Faith, go for it."
Faith walked back into Caitlin's area, closing the curtains behind her. Caitlin looked up at her, clearly weary and emotional. "Faith, I don't remember Trisha being this difficult when she was being born."
"Well Caitlin, never mind that, let's try something different to get you relaxed and ready to deliver. She leaned across Caitlin, taking both her hands and looking into Caitlin's eyes. "Caitlin, I am going to try something to get you relaxed and then to focus you on one task; look into my eyes…"
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Samantha Wilkinson stood at the side in bemused amazement, idly scratching her Wonder Woman tiara (she was still fully-costumed). "If I had not seen it, I would not have believed it; Mrs Rabb is calm and smiling – she looks totally relaxed now. But I need to find and remember that trick if I am ever in an L&D setting. Well done, Captain McBurney-Coleman."
Harm joined in, looking relieved that Caitlin's delivery was now back on track. "Yes, Faith; well done – so was that an old Vulcan mind trick?" He decided to stay in role for a moment, leading Faith to reply in kind.
"In a way, yes it was, Admiral. I used the Vulcan Pain Control Touch; and if you must know I – Lt Saavik - am half-Romulan and half-Vulcan". She preened briefly, before flashing Harm a smile which would have made many a young (male) midshipman's heart leap for joy.
Faith then stepped "out of role" and smiled at Harm, placing a hand on his arm. "Harm, she's relaxed now, and Doctor Di reckons that she only needs around 15 minutes to get set before your son will be joining you and us." The three of them stood around in a small, concerned huddle for around a quarter-hour as the clock edged down towards 05:20hrs.
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Thursday 1st November 2018, 05:38hrs EDT
Labour and Delivery suites, Sibley Maternal Foetal Medicine,
5255 Loughboro Rd NW 1st Floor, Washington, DC 20016, United States
True enough, just 20 minutes later, the new Rabb son slid into the world. Harm and Caitlin shed happy tears as the baby's cries echoed around the room.
With initial checks completed, Harm brought his son out to meet the friends and family who were assembled.
"Hello everyone, meet Samuel Daniel Harmon Rabb."
He handed his son to a nurse who needed to take him away for some routine tests, and accepted the congratulations of the assembled group.
Just at that point, several alarms in Caitlin's bay of the L&D ward began to sound off. Faith was elbowed out of the way, as a tall brunette nurse strode into the bay.
For the next few minutes, Harm stood tensely alongside Faith, with Trisha on his other arm. Another alarm began bleeping and he edged forward, eavesdropping on the urgent conversations amongst the medical staff.
The only word that Harm heard was "haemorrhage". This took him back to the death of his beloved Sarah back in 2011. He cranked his emotion-meter up to "ELEVEN" and acted. With a despairing cry of "CAITLIN – NO! Not again!" he launched himself at the curtain which shielded Caitlin.
Trisha, caught flat-footed by his sudden lurch for the curtain, grabbed for him and missed, grabbing a handful of fresh air. Similarly caught off balance, Faith – handicapped as she was in her spike heels - failed to gain the necessary traction to launch herself to intercept him as he flew towards the door of L&D.
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End Ch21 – "the Vulcan Pain Control Touch"