Chapter 6

"Well, Nerys," stated Julian as he flipped closed his tricorder. "It's time to start stockpiling those handkerchiefs. You're pregnant."

"Really?" exclaimed the ecstatic Colonel as she sat up on the biobed. "I mean, I only stopped my shots two weeks ago."

"What can I say, you two are quick workers," the doctor teased. "It's a healthy Betazoid/Bajoran hybrid."

"There are some anomalies in your blood chemistry, but nothing that's toxic to you or the baby. Have you been taking any herbs or eating any unusual foods?"

"Nearly everything I've been eating since I met Rathaus is somewhat unusual for me," she answered.

"Well, for now, why don't you stick to the foods you're used to eating. Like I said, it's nothing that should be dangerous to either of you."

"I think I can handle that.

"So how long will I carry?" she asked, already scowling at the idea of a long pregnancy.

"Let's see," replied Julian. "Betazoids carry for ten months, Bajorans for five." He made a great show of deliberate thinking to irritate the colonel. "I'd say about eight months, seven and a half if you're lucky." He laughed at her consternation.

Her eyes narrowed even farther and her forehead puckered. "Eight months!"

"What can I tell you? Next time have a full-Bajoran baby." He smiled at her consternation. Don't worry, at least this one shares half his, or her, physiology with you. We'll take good care of you," he promised.

"Well, I think it's time to share the good news with Rathaus. He'll get to spend the next eight months with a miserable pregnant woman. I think he'll willingly make the sacrifice, especially since it's half his fault." She smiled to herself as she jumped off the biobed. "Eight months, though!"

."At least Bajorans and Betazoids are compatible," he called out as she made for the door. His commanding officer speared him with one last glare as she hurriedly left the Infirmary.

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That evening, Kira held fast onto her secret. She let it linger on the corners of her consciousness, happy that Rathaus had not shown himself to be a particularly powerful telepath. She wanted to savor it alone for awhile. She wanted to imagine what his response would be, think of him, overwhelmed and ecstatic over the miracle that would sear them together forever. She waited patiently while he sifted through his afternoon commuiques. She waited through the long, elaborate dinner that had become their custom. She even waited through their languid foreplay. Only when he was perched above her, ready to take that final plunge into ecstasy, did she gasp her secret to him.

The effect was immediate. He stopped midair, stunned by the news. Slowly, he sank down to lay beside her. "Are you sure this is what you really want?"

Her eyes grew shadowed, "I thought it was what we both wanted? We planned it from the beginning?"

"A baby will change everything between us. You won't have much time for us."

She sat up beside him, an angry edge biting into her voice. "We discussed this before we married. We both agreed that we wanted children as soon as possible."

"I still don't think you understand just what we'll have to sacrifice because of this."

Her temper flared. "Of course I know what's involved. Two weeks ago, you couldn't wait for a child. You insisted I stop taking my birth control shots. You couldn't bear to wait any longer" Kira's steely voice punctured each successive "you" with more violence. Underneath, she felt waves of betrayal, hurt and confusion.

"Don't lose you temper with me," he growled. "Lose it with your coworkers and subordinates, but don't you ever lose it with me."

"I'll lose my temper with you and anyone else who deserves." Her voice increased in depth and volume with each successive word.

Rathaus moved quickly. With lightening speed, he her pinned down, his fingers twined around her neck, his body securely on top of hers. He shook her as he spoke. "I said don't ever lose your temper at me. Your Resistance skills be damned! I'll crush your neck before you're able to so much as scream."

Kira knew she had no way out, so she relented, willing her body to relax. He felt the change and released her with a final shake. "We won't discuss this again," he said. "I'm sorry for losing myself a minute ago. You just surprised me. I never expected you to conceive this quickly." He leaned over and kissed her burning cheek. "It won't happen again. I promise you."

He got up from their bed and, leaving his wife, walked out of the room. Kira lay still with fury and shock. All the months of loneliness and self-doubt combined with new emotions of betrayal and entrapment. She curled up and let the tears flow over her face until she finally fell into a fitful sleep.