I don't own Star Trek.

Chekov: That's because Star Trek was inwented in Russia!

Me: No, Chekov, it wasn't. And this is TNG, why are you here?

Chekov: Because Scotty was operating the transporter while drunk again.

Me: (sigh) Fine, you can stay for this part.

Chekov: Yay! On with ze story!

Beverly stared.

"You, sir? But I thought-"

"That I didn't like kids? No, I don't mind them, I'm just not the best with them. But I'll have help from someone who apparently is." I nodded toward the room where Orion was hugging Hugh again. "And besides, it'll make both of them so happy."

"Whose quarters will he stay in?"

"Hugh and I are going to share the captain's quarters. I know, it's taken us a while, but we had all those assignments after the wedding, otherwise we'd already-

"Captain, you don't have to justify it. You're married, regulations permit married couples to share quarters. Besides," Crusher smirked, "you're not 'going to', you already do."

"Oh...Right. Forgot for a moment." I mentally kicked myself.

"No you didn't," Crusher said, "You're just happy, because Hugh is, and you're about to make him even happier." Well, that was true. Hugh's smile was contagious and irresistible. I turned back to where Hugh was standing up to leave a somewhat sad faced Orion. I walked over and met him at the door.

"You're forgetting something." I said.

"Huh? I-I am?" Hugh immediately started checking himself over. I had to try very hard not to laugh, it was too cute how flustered he got over it.

"Our son." I said. Both Borg looked up at me as I nodded. Hugh got a huge smile, then turned around just in time to catch Orion running into his arms and hugging his neck. The child looked at me apprehensively.

"It's okay," Hugh assured, "This is Jean-Luc Picard. He's a wonderful man and will love you just as much as I do." Orion seemed to accept that as he then smiled at me.

"Shamu Picker." he said, and everyone, myself included, burst out laughing.

"Why don't you just call me 'Picard' for now." I said.

"Okay, Picker." Well, it was close to being my name. He WAS still a baby, so I could let it slide. Crusher had gone into the room and packed up some supplies and the few toys Orion had shown interest in. I took the bag from her as we left, Orion held in Hugh's arms. The entire walk to our quarters was filled with "What's that?" and "What's it do?" and of course "Why?". He reminded me of Hugh when we first rescued him, so curious about everything. Only Hugh didn't squirm nearly as much.

"Calm down, sweetie," Hugh laughed, "You live here now, you have plenty of time to learn all about the Enterprise and how it works."

"Ennerprise." Orion said. I could hear crew members gushing at the sight of the little Borg as we walked by. And who could blame them? Orion was cuter than even Hugh, if that was even possible. I smiled at both as we entered our quarters. Apparently, Crusher had informed the quartermaster of the addition, as a small version of Hugh's alcove had been added to the captain's quarters. Captain and Bridge Chief Engineer, that is. The normal bed had been replaced with Hugh's alcove bed, which had been enlarged to fit the two of us comfortably. I turned to look at Hugh as we walked in and, I fully admit, I almost squealed. Orion had fallen asleep in Hugh's arms, his tiny eye closed, his little mechanical hand resting over the older Borg's heart. Hugh softly kissed the top of his little head as he laid him in the small alcove and tucked the covers around him while I attached the regeneration line.

"Good night, little one." I said softly.

"Sweet dreams." Hugh added. Then he and I crawled into bed, where I held him close against me. I left my shirt off on accident, but didn't really mind once I felt the warmth from Hugh's implants against me, and his cheek on my shoulder as his arms wrapped around me. The way he always slept now. I pulled the covers over us and held Hugh close.

"I love you, Hugh." He didn't answer, being already asleep, but a smile appeared on his face.

It only took a few weeks for everyone to get used to Orion. Other off-duty crew members would gladly take him while Hugh and I served our shifts, and the other children gladly accepted a new friend into their ranks. It was hard to believe he'd once been a hive-minded drone. Now, he was just like any other three-year-old, his physical appearance being the only indication of what he was. Orion would laugh and play as though he'd never been in the hive at all.

That is, until night fell. Then we never knew what to expect. Some nights he slept through just fine. Tonight, however, was not one of those nights.

Hugh and I both woke to a shrill, piercing scream from very nearby. I sat up and looked over to our side. Orion was sitting up in bed, bawling, hugging his teddy bear for dear life, and shaking hard all over. As Hugh sat up, I was already out of bed and at the child's side.

"Shhhhhh, it's okay, it's okay, Orion." I said softly, hugging him close. He immediately buried his face in my chest, still shaking. I gently picked him up and carried him over to our bed. Hugh, well versed in this by now, had already made room between us for Orion. I crawled back into bed and just held him while Hugh stroked his back comfortingly. Finally, he calmed enough to speak.

"Scary dream." he sniffed, "Big scary monsters take daddies away." I noticed Hugh biting his lip, fighting tears as he remembered having very similar dreams himself not too long ago. Now the poor child had them.

"It's okay, Orion," I assured him, "You're safe here. Hugh and I aren't going anywhere. No one will ever take us away from you."

"We love you, sweetie." Hugh added, leaning against me so he could put an arm around Orion. I wrapped an arm around each of them, holding my little family close.

"Yes we do." I nodded, "I love you both more than anything in the universe." Hugh smiled as we lay down and pulled our covers up over the three of us. Orion snuggled up with his teddy bear in the middle of us. Hugh and I faced each other and held hands as we all drifted back to sleep.