AN: Here we are, another piece to this one! I published Chapter 30 a little late last night, so if you've missed that one, please do go back and read it!
Fenix1015 suggested it might be fun to have one of Tom's "pools" on which chapter would actually see the arrival of Baby M. I don't know if anyone is interested in that, but we get to find out a bit more about Baby M this chapter!
I hope you enjoy! Please don't forget to let me know what you think!
111
The smile that had been on Seven's face all morning was probably a little painful to maintain long-term, and it was absolutely contagious. They had both gone to their duty shifts early, and Raffi had been a little extra-attentive by walking Seven directly to the door of Janeway's office and giving her a quick kiss before heading to the bridge. After they were both released from duties, temporarily, to report to sickbay, it had been Seven that had come to greet Raffi on the bridge, and she'd gotten a round of hugs and a few tossed "bets" on what their little one would be. Everyone—at least everyone who had bothered to get to know them—seemed excited to celebrate one more piece of Baby Musiker's development.
Seven wasn't often what Raffi would call "giddy," but she was sincerely happy this morning, and Raffi had no intention of doing anything to lessen that enthusiasm. In sickbay, Seven hadn't even lost her enthusiasm when she'd seen the gauge that the Doctor had chosen to try to get the blood sample they needed for the tests without the nanoprobes attempting to stop the blood flow before they could obtain enough. Raffi had felt a little dizzy upon seeing it, and had forced her hand into Seven's unoccupied hand. When Seven had assured her that she was fine, Raffi had told her that she needed her to hold her hand for her own benefit—which had only amused Seven and elevated her mood even more, as she teasingly soothed Raffi to distract herself while the Doctor obtained the required sample.
"Where is Dr. Crusher?" Seven asked, while the Doctor was slowly obtaining the sample.
"Is that your way of subtly informing me that you'd prefer a different physician?" The Doctor asked.
"It is my way of asking where Dr. Crusher is," Seven said. "I am curious—only because she said that she would be here."
"She's coming," the Doctor said. "She had a meeting with Vice Admiral Picard. The invitation appeared to be of a personal nature, but I can only assume it is related to her research here aboard the Soñador."
As if they had summoned her, Dr. Crusher came through the doors of sickbay right away. Picard followed her and waved away Raffi's attempt to move from her chosen spot on the biobed next to Seven.
"We are always at ease in sickbay," Picard said. "And this is my favorite kind of sickbay to observe on a starship."
"State of the art?" Raffi asked.
"Empty," Picard said, winking at her. Raffi laughed in response. "Seven—I hope you will forgive my intrusion on your appointment, and the tardiness with which I return your medical care provider."
"Lucky for Seven," the Doctor said, "I never left my post."
Raffi caught Crusher's expression—half amusement with the Doctor, and half something like embarrassment. She immediately stepped forward and picked up the dermal regenerator. As soon as the Doctor took the sample he'd been gathering, Crusher took Seven's arm to pass the regenerator over the puncture wound.
"I apologize," Crusher said, examining Seven's arm to make sure she'd fully healed any damage. "I've had meetings and calls all morning. There's a lot that I want to talk to you about, actually."
"I'll take my leave, now," Picard said.
"You don't want to stay, JL?" Raffi asked. "Find out if Baby M is a boy or a girl?" She knew he wouldn't stay, and he looked uncomfortable just to be there, but she liked teasing him. He smiled and shook his head.
"I wouldn't dream of interfering with this momentous family occasion," he said. "However, I will allow you to give me the good news in person. I've been meaning to catch up with you as it is. Maybe this evening? After everything is done with the Eldinians."
"Sounds like a plan," Raffi told him.
He left, and Raffi moved off of her perch next to Seven. The Doctor and Crusher were discussing the machine that would process the tests for them, and Crusher left the Doctor to handle things that, apparently, he was more adept at than she was. She came back and started what Raffi always thought of as a quick check-up for Seven, assessing her with her eyes more than anything else.
"Doctor—was it difficult to obtain the sample?" Crusher asked.
"It's growing more difficult every time we try," he said. "The nanoprobes try to stop the blood flow almost immediately."
"Excellent," Crusher said. She stopped examining Seven a moment to simply speak to Seven and Raffi. "I was contacted about certain samples that some researchers, shall we say, wanted. I told them that, as one of Seven's physicians, I could not authorize the gathering of such samples. I told them it would be stressful for my patient and, as an expectant mother, and as a new mother after that, she didn't need unnecessary stress. Beyond that, the plan that I was presented doesn't justify the collection of samples of Seven's tissue, hair, and bodily fluids—any scan will tell you that she is human. She possesses human DNA, and the samples aren't needed to confirm what we already know."
"Thank you," Raffi breathed out. "How did they respond?"
"The small team I met with seemed understanding," Crusher said. "And they accepted that we have enough data on Seven, that we don't need to prove that she's human. Furthermore, the Doctor and I can offer any information they need on Seven's unique physiology. I passed that information on to Starfleet."
"I've been informed that there was some question about my assimilation tubules," Seven said.
"That reminds me," Crusher said. "May I?" She asked, indicating Seven's left hand. Seven gave her permission by placing her hand in Crusher's. Crusher carefully studied Seven's hand. "Your tubules exit here?"
"Yes," Seven said.
"Can you—control them?" Crusher asked. "What I mean is—can you release them at will?"
Seven chewed on her answer a moment. The Doctor walked over, clearly done with what he'd been doing—the machine put to work—and stood next to Crusher.
"Yes," Seven said, looking at the Doctor directly, like she was waiting for him to say something. "However—I am not in the practice of doing so. As a result, I have learned, I suppose, to only release them when my intention is to use them. It is difficult to do so, now, if their release doesn't serve a purpose."
"For connecting to computers?" Crusher asked.
"I am certainly not connecting to people," Seven said, a hint of challenge to her voice.
"I am not your enemy, Seven," Crusher offered soothingly. "I want what's best for you. I am simply trying to understand so that the next time I'm put on the spot to offer information, I have more of it to offer." Seven visibly relaxed.
"I would never assimilate an individual," Seven said. "However, I do still use my Borg implants for inputting and extracting information, especially at computer consoles, and especially when nobody is present to witness the act."
"I understand," Crusher said.
"As I told them," the Doctor said, "the tubules cannot be removed or clamped. They are connected to and integrated with Seven's cardiovascular system. Attempting to clamp them could cause some confusion with the nanoprobes, and it could result in blood clot that could even be fatal to Seven's human systems. The attempt to do so would have no benefit, and would carry great risks. The only way to render the tubules entirely non-functional, without risking damage to Seven's cardiovascular system, would be to amputate the arm just above the elbow."
"I do not wish to lose my arm," Seven said.
Crusher rubbed Seven's shoulder affectionately and rested Seven's hand back on her thigh as a way of releasing her.
"Nobody's losing anything," Crusher said. "The Doctor explained that there was no reason to believe the tubules, themselves, posed any threat."
"The individual, once removed from the Collective, is responsible for their actions," the Doctor said.
"I suggested that, if they were concerned about those individuals, they may try a mandatory period of therapy with a trained counselor when an xB is severed from the Collective. This would benefit them by helping with trauma—latent or otherwise."
The Doctor, perhaps to busy himself, picked up a tricorder and used it to scan Seven somewhat absentmindedly.
"They have a completely ungrounded theory that there may be a latent Borg node in the brain that may drive the desire to assimilate. The question about its presence sounded more like the request to confirm or deny that there is an explosive device in Seven's brain, waiting to detonate and turn her back into a drone," the Doctor said. "Of course, I told them that it was a completely ludicrous hypothesis."
"We directed them to Commander Torres-Paris, should they have any other questions about Seven's brain or the functions of the Borg nodes and implants in her brain," Crusher said. "B'Elanna has an understanding of Seven's Borg systems that we're not able to have—and she can access anything that she needs to access at any time, without removing or damaging anything. I believe that we've finally gotten everyone to understand that, while there is a great deal to be learned from Seven, we have nothing to gain from causing her injury or trauma."
"To say we've been struggling with Dr. Spalen's views on things for a few days is really an understatement," Raffi said.
"He is most disagreeable," the Doctor said. "Persistent and, on the whole, oblivious."
Crusher laughed.
"The Doctor and I share, absolutely, a certain view of Dr. Spalen. I just thought you should know that, while the research team is still very interested in learning what they can about Seven and her experiences, we have assembled what B'Elanna calls a 'buffer team' of specialists to keep you from having too much undesired contact."
"Thank you. All of you," Seven said. She drew a deep breath and let it out.
"Don't mention it," the Doctor said, cheerful over being thanked for his contribution to the situation. "Are you ready to see how things are progressing with your baby?"
The smile from earlier returned. Seven nodded.
"Absolutely," she agreed with enthusiasm.
"Dr. Crusher?" The Doctor asked. "You will be doing the examination while I oversee your work?"
Raffi caught Crusher trying very hard to swallow back amusement.
"Absolutely, Doctor," she said, sounding much less genuinely enthusiastic than Seven had.
"Do I need to disrobe?" Seven asked.
"No—not for today. We can rearrange your uniform enough for the examination and the scan. Just get comfortable."
The Doctor brought the machine over that would read the information from the scan for them and would allow Seven and Raffi to see the information, too.
"Doctor—would you like to tell Seven the news we received from the Vulcan research team working on the attachment procedure?" Crusher asked.
"If you wish to share the information," the Doctor said.
"I insist. You tell them," Crusher said, going about setting things up and accessing files.
"We contacted the head of the project to transfer up-to-date information about your pregnancy for the research project," the Doctor said. "They were fascinated to see the progress that you're making. We discussed that, with your advanced rate of healing and gestation, you may complete two cycles in nearly the amount of time as any other woman would complete one. With my programming, I am, of course, able to become, automatically, an advanced practitioner of any medical practice. With a simple download from their research institute, I will be able to perform the procedure myself, and Dr. Crusher may stand in attendance to offer assistance and observe the procedure for her research."
"While you're discussing all the other big things in your life together," Crusher said with a smile, "you can start discussing how close you really wanted those 'close together' children to be. Should you decide to do the procedure a second time, however, I would be honored if you would allow me to assist the Doctor in the procedure. Don't feel the need to respond right now, though. We have other things to focus on at the moment. Have you had any symptoms, Seven?"
"I have been abnormally hungry," Seven said.
Crusher laughed. She rearranged Seven's uniform for her, and Seven moved in anticipation of what she needed to move the fabric out of the way.
"Your baby is growing at an advanced rate," Crusher said. "I would recommend eating when you feel hungry."
"She is," Raffi assured her.
"Someone is always offering me something to eat," Seven confirmed.
"Do you mind if I take some measurements of your growth? It's about time to start recording the changing of your belly, and we'll need a starting point. We should have started earlier, but…things have moved a bit more quickly than we originally expected," Crusher said. Seven nodded her permission, and the Doctor immediately moved to assist Crusher in recording measurements.
"Is everything as it should be?" Seven asked.
"You are progressing well," the Doctor said. "Have you had any other symptoms?"
"I have been abnormally dizzy," Seven said. "Particularly upon standing."
"That is to be expected, from time to time. You have increased blood flow and your hormones are constantly fluctuating," the Doctor said. "Try to minimize the chance of falls by changing positions slowly."
"I seem to have developed enhanced smelling," Seven offered. "I don't know if it's related to the new nodes that B'Elanna identified."
"That's normal, and probably entirely human," Crusher said with a laugh. The measurements done, she prodded gently at Seven's belly. "Any cramping, abdominal pain, bleeding?"
"I have no other symptoms except interrupted sleep cycles."
"Nightmares," Raffi offered as clarification.
"Also normal," Crusher said. "But—if you're bothered by anything in particular, you can always talk to Counselor Troi about it."
"I have made an appointment with her," Seven said.
"Excellent—Deanna will take good care of you."
"Most of the nightmares center around a common theme," Raffi said. She felt anxiety rise in her chest for a moment, not sure if Seven would approve of her coming right out with the problem. Seven looked at her, but she didn't seem to disapprove. Raffi rested her hand on Seven's shoulder.
"You look amazing," Crusher said, ignoring Raffi for a moment. "And—I imagine that it won't be long before you're feeling some movement from your baby." Seven's eyes went wide, but she looked pleased.
"What sensation should I expect?" Seven asked.
"Crickets," Raffi said suddenly. She hadn't meant to say it, but she had everyone's attention, now. She laughed and shrugged. "Crickets. That's what it felt like to me, at first. Little, hopping crickets."
Crusher was smiling with an expression that Raffi recognized immediately—a memory of her own.
"Popcorn," she said. "That's what I thought it was like. Popcorn popping." She looked at Seven. "Every mother is different. Just—pay attention to your body. You'll know when your little one is moving. And—if you think you feel it, you do. Don't worry about if you're right or not. You're right. Let's scan Baby Musiker and see if the nanonannies will give us a chance to see anything today." She placed the scanner on Seven's belly, and brought up the information. "What are the nightmares about? If you don't mind my asking. Is it something that the Doctor and I may be able to help with?"
"In all the nightmares, the baby isn't human," Raffi said. She sighed. "The baby is—something else. Something like a machine."
"Is this in response to Dr. Spalen?" Crusher asked.
"I am concerned that I may be injuring the baby," Seven said. "Without meaning to do so, of course."
"This baby is not in distress," Crusher said, gesturing toward the screen, now populated with information. The heartbeat sounded healthy to Raffi, though she had no actual training with which to make that assessment.
"Absolutely not," the Doctor said.
"Is the baby a machine?" Seven asked.
"Seven," the Doctor said, with the tone of someone about to lecture their child for asking ridiculous questions, "you can see from the scan that the baby registers as human—which is exactly to be expected given the DNA of the parents that created the child."
"We cannot see the baby clearly," Seven said.
"It would appear that the nanoprobes don't want us interfering," Crusher said. "It would seem they're also drawn to the power that radiates out from the scanner. They block our view, but we still get all the basic information that we need. The baby does not register as any sort of unknown species. Other than the advanced progression of your pregnancy, there's nothing out of the ordinary here, and it's very likely that the presence of the nanoprobes is what contributes to the speed of your baby's development. All of your baby's vitals and registering statistics are human, however."
Seven's sigh was audible, and she sank back into the biobed with the release of breath. Raffi reached and, using her fingertips, wiped away the tear that made its way down the side of Seven's face. The relief was instant and palpable, and Raffi felt it in her chest, too.
"Thank you," Raffi offered, saying what Seven might not be ready to say out loud for a moment.
"Baby Musiker is measuring at twelve weeks, currently," Crusher said. "You're just about through your first trimester—in record time. Do you have any other questions?"
"The baby is healthy?" Seven asked.
"Baby Musiker appears to be perfectly healthy," the Doctor said, beaming as though the baby were as much his as theirs. "The tests will be completed later, but we do not anticipate any problems with those. I will contact you when we have the results."
"You can sit up, Seven, unless there's something else," Crusher said.
Seven did sit up, and Raffi found her hand and squeezed it.
"Will we know if we have a boy or a girl?" Raffi asked.
"We already have that information," the Doctor said. His face registered. "I have yet to share that information with you. Dr. Crusher?" He passed over a PADD, and Crusher looked at it. She smiled to herself.
"Do you want to tell them, Doctor?"
"I will—oversee your bedside manner and skills at presenting the information," he said. Raffi noticed that Crusher closed her eyes, amused but probably covering over an eyeroll. The Doctor was going to enjoy, for as long as he could, the fact that the Vulcans had put him into a position of superiority over Crusher for the possible future procedure.
"Do you have some preference of how you might want to do this?" Crusher asked. "It was very direct for me, but…I know that some parents prefer to receive the information in a particular way."
"We just want to know," Raffi said.
"Do you have a preference for boy or girl?" Crusher asked.
"As long as our child is healthy and human," Seven said, "we will be pleased."
Crusher smiled.
"In that case, I can assure you that your daughter is healthy and human," Crusher said.
It took a moment to register. As it did, Raffi thought she might be the one who needed to sit on the biobed and report that she'd felt unusually dizzy. She hugged Seven, quickly, and Seven returned the hug with enthusiasm.
"Congratulations," the Doctor offered. "Baby Musiker is a baby girl!"
Pulling out of the hug, Raffi kissed Seven.
"We have a baby girl," Raffi said, holding Seven's face to keep her focus for a second. "A healthy, human, baby girl, Seven. But—I still wouldn't care if she were an android."
Seven was teary-eyed, but it didn't make Raffi feel concerned in the least. She, too, felt a little teary-eyed.
"We have to tell Elnor," Seven said.
"We'll tell him right away," Raffi assured her. "He's going to be so excited to know he has a little sister."