Chris sat back, idly flicking through the more recent reports on the crew. It had been 34 hours since they had visited the station and while it had been otherwise quiet, the fact that there was a baby on board had quickly spread to the rest of the ship, he had heard that a few people had detoured to sickbay to take a peek at their current guest. He had even seen Tilly with a tiny set of science uniforms in passing.
It had concerned him that…Michael hadn't talked to him about it…about the baby. He knew this was sudden and he hadn't pressed it for the sake of allowing her to process this but he had hoped she would. There was no denying that this…certainly threw the spanner on how they were going to be in a relationship.
Their boundaries between each other had been slipping away and she seemed to enjoy that freedom without fear. Chris knew her history, her inexperience of it was always a struggle for her but she was learning how a relationship and growing. They hadn't gone all the way yet— something Chris knew she was weary of given their differences on strength but he felt that once that had been crossed, Michael would be able to settle those fears she had.
But this… this would no doubt rock her. How could it not? Which mean that she needed his support on this, no matter what she chose in regards to this child.
The doors opened and he immediately rose to greet his guest, though he relaxed to see it was Michael who immediately pushed herself into his chest, arms wrapping around him. He immediately returned it, rubbing her back and rested his chin on top of her head. Her face buried into his uniform, the cool nature of her skin seeping through.
"I don't know what to do." She mumbled, her voice muffled by his chest. "If I keep her, I'm her mother… I never thought I could be a mother. Vampires are sterile, I accepted that after I turned."
Chris inhaled deeply. He knew that….reproduction was a very complicated matter, especially emotionally. Males weren't so invested but he wasn't sure if that was personal or by nature. He himself had come to terms that he too would be spared of the child-free life with his job as a captain… but now, he supposed that given they were mates…he'd fill the paternal role for the child. His lips pursed; suddenly feeling a welt of uncertainty but… no this was not about him. It was about Michael and the child. He could open that box after her decision.
"Motherhood is a learned thing, no one ever gets it right and not all new mothers feel that straight away. Hell, my mother kept forgetting my name the first few days after my birth." He spoke, "this is sudden and unexpected, no one is expecting you to suddenly become maternal and everything overnight and you need time to adjust and revaluate."
"What…what If I don't keep her?"
"Then I'm sure she'll be looked after with all the care and love she deserves. Giving up a child is the hardest thing to do for anyone. That doesn't make you a bad person for choosing that path if that's what you want."
Michael's face stayed buried, though arms around him slipped down to his waist, resting around him more comfortably.
"How… how about this for an idea, you've got the next few days off, why don't you spend it with the child? Get to know her…tend to her needs and…just be with her. If… by the end of that time, you still don't feel that it's working, we can talk to Cornwell about options and placements?"
Michael's chin rose, dark red eyes peered up to him before she nodded. "I…suppose that's a logical approach. I don't...know how to interact with babies."
Chris smiled. "Me neither but…as long as they're fed, clean and well-rested, they're like little drunk people."
Her lip twitch and her worry seemed to melt away from her eyes. "Can…can you come with me? Visit her in sickbay? She…She's gonna need a name."
"Of course."
Michael this time took the lead until they got into the room itself where, in the arms of Dr Culber was the infant, though he rocked her gently with a small bottle in hand, though Chris was surprised to see Stamets standing there as well, arms folded though not quite to engrossed with the feeding as Culber was.
Both turned at their entry though that's when Michael hesitated again. He touched her hand softly coaxing her forwards.
"How is our smallest guest?"
"Hungry," Stamets replied dryly. "She tries to bite everyone."
"Only when we don't get the bottle in her mouth quick enough." Culber chided his husband softly. On his hand though, there was a few series of tiny bite marks that look to have been healing. "Huge appetite but is taking the supplements well. Within the next few days, she should be in better health and putting on much-needed baby fat."
"That's good to hear." Chris agreed, moving closer to the child.
The baby was much more alert, her entire world of focus was on the bottle, opaque that seemed to over its content though he could see the reddish stain on the inside of her lips of escaped…content. He was glad to be ignorant of that for now because he was sure he'd lose his appetite if he knew the details. But, he could see the bottle teat was different, thicker and harder rubber; like the sort, Michael and Stamets bit through when they fed on those bottles than the typical baby teats he had seen in the past.
Her hat was off, and her dark curls looked very soft, though it was clear Tilly had gotten to her with that blue, miniature uniform she was wearing, silver stripes and all. It was adorably cute, but he'd have to talk about boundaries with Ensign Tilly. A baby was not a crew member and shouldn't be wearing a uniform, fake or not.
"Once she'd fed, she'll need a burp but…I think she'd probably sleep." Culber mused, "Dr Pollards taking over for me once the burping is done but she's in good hands."
Michael nodded softly though Chris watched as she got a little closer, though Culber gently shifted, supporting the bottle differently though enough to allow him to shift the child to gently had her over.
The baby whined as the bottle shifted though Michael slipped her arms under her, supporting her head and back with her elbow and her rear with the other, her hand supporting her top half quickly steadying the bottle before the baby continued to guzzle.
Chris moved, a hand touching on her shoulder, feeling her melt back and relaxed only a fraction though he could feel the uncertainty still within her.
"Doctor, Commander, you're dismissed." Pollard could come now if they needed her but for now, he felt privacy was what they needed.
"Aye, Captain." Stamets moved first, his arms coming around Culber's waist before suddenly they were both gone in a breeze, leaving the three of them alone.
Michael stayed standing stiffly, staring down like she was holding a ticking time bomb. His arms rubbed down her shoulders, moving to stand behind her, peering over her shoulder. Every so often, the baby let out a few noises though he turned his attention back to his mate, pulling her softly back against his chest before he shifted his arms around her. Michael shifted into his chest glanced up to him.
"She's tiny." Her brows denting together, "What…what if I break her?"
Chris leant forwards, peering at the child again, "Well, I think you're overthinking on what can go wrong. Yes, she's tiny but…she's more durable than I am if her scans were any indication."
"I don't feel like I'll be good enough for her." Her voice quietened.
Chris exhaled heavily, kissing her forehead softly. "You are good enough for her, Michael. You've been through a lot the last few years and I know you're worried based on your own experiences but…you'll be an amazing person Mother. If you want to keep her, then I'll do my part as well because I want to." Not because he felt like he had to. To settle those thoughts she might have.
Michael exhaled out, a finger coming to brush over the child's cheek though brown eyes moved from the bottle up to her face before the teat was released and Michael gently pulled it away…Chris took it off her, feeling it was empty before placing it down on the biobed behind them.
"How do I…" Michael shifted the child against her shoulder before starting to pat.
"Hmm." The baby grunted out, shifting and wiggling a little though her head seemed too heavy to properly lift.
Chris shifted, smiling as he caught her attention.
"Oo." She gurgled out, hands gripping Michael's uniform before she abruptly burped and brought up a shot of red sludge and liquid straight down her back.
"She spat up on me…didn't she." Michael sighed but she didn't wait for an answer before pulling her back and turned to him. Chris though held his hands out, allowing her to slip the small being into them.
Michael shrugged out her jacket and folded it up, the spit-up on the inside. "What should her name be? We… can't exactly be calling her baby Girl, now, can we?"
Chris rocked softly. "I'm sure we could find one. Why don't we draw from who we know? People that are important to us. My Mother's name was Willia, adoptive mother's Amanda and your birth mother is—"
"Gabrielle." Michael finished, her voice softening. "I… I considered that name but… with Lorca's first name so similar… I don't think I can have that. He's ruined that name for her."
"We could call her Michael, Michael the second." He joked, the child gurgling before letting out a yawn, flashing out the two tiny rows of teeth, "I think she agrees."
Michael's face softened, "Actually, she'd be the third. I was named after my father." She stepped closer, her lips pursing as she contemplated. "Misha."
Chris's head tilted, "Isn't that Russian?"
Her head bobbed. "Mikhail is the Russian name for Michael and Misha is a diminutive version of it."
He spared a glanced down before he hummed with a sense of approval. "She looks like she could be a Misha."
Michael's lips turned up, a finger coming back to the baby's cheeks. "Then…let's call her that. Something unique and… well it's not going to confuse anyone who's still around. Misha Amanda Burnham."
Hearing that, he felt a warm feeling in his chest. Sure, it wasn't decided but it…gave something to the child. An identity. Even if she was given up, then there would be a link for the child to follow when she was old enough to understand; to be curious.
The newly named child gurgle before burying her head into his chest, her fists bunching up towards her face.
"She probably needs to sleep." Michael sighed.
"We can wrap her up." A new voice spoke, though it took everything for Chris to not react, though his head turned swiftly to see Dr Pollard walk into sickbay with a type of blanket that looked to be freshly replicated and a small kit
Pollard swept in placed the kit down on the biobed. "I've consulted Lieutenant Collins with what is needed, He has a set of twin daughters on Earth so he's got experience in the baby department. So far, plenty of changes of clothes, diapers and rags…wipes, little bags… he was througher." She added. "Sleeping, it's best to swaddle her. Her limbs close and that will help stimulate the familiar sensation that babies have of being in the womb. Babies find that very comforting."
On the biobed, she opened up the blanket out, that it was like a T shape before Chris stepped forwards and gently set her down in the centre of that and stepped aside, Michael hovering as she watched as the doc began to pull up the sides and wrap her up like a burrito then pulled out the little knitted hat to complete the look.
"Aw."
"if tonight is all good, I can release her from sickbay tomorrow."
"Okay, Doctor Pollard," Michael spoke, though her ruby gaze moved away to the door before returning to him. Chris moved, his finger trailing along the back of her hand as thy walked out though silence fell between them.
Unlike before, this was not as tense and something told him she was far more relaxed than before. Less…worried. Which in all considering…was what he felt was a good start.
Michael waited until they had ended back to Chris's quarters before she decided; she had to make a new chapter. She had to make the first move. He had been open and fluid to her choices until it had to be faced but this… this was her move to make. She needed more. Needed him. Needed to feel that sense of completeness that came with their relationship.
As soon as the door closed, she struck, pulling him down into a deep kiss; feeling his surprise before he responded back, his lips so soft and warm against hers, his scent drifting all around her like a warm blanket… her hands drifted to the back of his head, threading through the brown and silver threads that felt so soft under her fingertips.
She felt him press closer, arms slipping under and around her waist.
Chris though broke the kiss sharply, pulling back sharply with a heavy breath, his blue eyes mildly dilated though there was warmth, want and caution that resided there too.
"How…should we do this?" He asked, "I don't…want to make this too hard on you."
Michael smiled. "Missionary is safest for you, I'll break your hip if I top." A part of her easily recalled Ophelia breaking that Orion's hip or spine with a hard thrust. Safety, she wanted to experience him this way before they could test any other position. She could…feel how his body reacted and how strong he was…
Chris nodded, leaning down, warm hand coming to cup her cheeks. "If you need me to stop, let me know."
Michael smiled, leaning back towards him, their faces inches apart. "You too. I don't want to break something."
With that, the gap between them broke though she was careful as she guided them to his room. Her fingers slipping under his uniform, feeling as his muscles tensed under her touch or the rush of blood that seemed to wash throughout his body, his mouth kissing against hers hungrily as his hands slipped down her sides; without her jacket, one less thing to worry about.
She groaned softly out as he found her zipper, her fingers digging into his jacket and with very little effort pulled the fragile threads from each other, and tore his jacket and shirt right up the back in the same motion, a hum of surprise echoing against her lips though she pulled it off him fully before her pants dropped to the floor….
Chris's breathing echoed in a pattern of even breaths, laying face down though unmoving as she ran the dermal regenerator across his back, knitting up the slight cuts of her nails that she had left and the bruises that covered his hips, back and neck. His mind was far out in the depth of unconscientiousness; exhaustion lulling him away so… she focused on keeping him comfortable for when he woke. Last thing she wanted was him to wake up in pain.
"Commander Burnham, a message from Admiral Cornwell." The computer spoke.
Michael sighed. "Send it through to the captain's quarters." She placed the regenerator down and hurriedly slipped on her pants and vest before entering the adjoining lounge to see Cornwell's hologram standing like a picture next to the coffee table, though upon seeing her, Cornwell's eyebrows rose.
"I hope I wasn't interrupting." Though it was clear her activities hadn't gone passed her though Michael simply didn't address it.
"I wasn't expecting a call until later, Admiral."
Cornwell's expression shifted, "It can't wait. I need you to return to bloodstone with the child and with all the gathered data, embryos and venoms you have in your possession. I've manages to claim them on our terms as the DNA and experiments were taken without consent from you or knowledge that violates our rights as sentient beings and since it was done under Starfleet's banner, they're not willing to risk the rumour of illegal genetic tinkering spread."
"I see." Which was something, she supposed. "how are the other clans taking to the news of a half-blooded child?"
Cornwell's lips pursed, "Surprised, but I doubt they'll believe it until they see her. I take it she's still in good health? No complications?"
"None yet to make themselves present. Dr Culber's been overseeing her and should be cleared soon." Michael responded, "Will there be facilities prepped or an I using my house there?"
"Your house should surface while you're there if it's proven she's safe on the surface. We've got a new-born who's currently staying there with Russo and her group. I'll make arrangements for the necessary equipment for the child to be made."
Michael nodded once. "When should I leave?"
"As soon as you're ready, I'll leave orders for Commander Saru to jump to Bloodstone in 12 hours. I can talk more in-depth with you there."
"Yes….Governor."
"Well….Shit." Leland grumbled as he stalked across the bridge with discontent.
Georgiou airily watched though couldn't…disagree with the turn of events. "You've been monitoring this planet for months and they still slipped away from you." She spoke up, "That's not gonna look good."
Leland gave her a solid look of displeasure before he shook his head. "What's your assessments from the planet?"
"Old, but as I said, at least seven vampires, one is Yetson's." One of the few scents she was familiar with since she had had her thighs wrapped around her head in their fight. "One is definitely Your Georgiou's." Smelling her own scent, which was off without that sire edge from Burnham, was the dead giveaway. But, it was enough that their theory on the other Georgiou was correct. "The rain falls washing it all away but…they've been gone for a week, perhaps more. Corpses there is any indication. They would have all fed before leaving."
Philippa could imagine the squabbled if they hadn't. If Yetson was strict, then she'd ensure it'd be smooth to avoid detection. She certainly would if it meant keeping the furniture intact.
"Can you find the warp trail?"
"No, sir." One of the officers spoke up, "It's dissipated so tracking is impossible, but what we have does confirm a Klingon ship, small. A bird-of-prey. It must have a new cloaking modulation to escape our sensors and Discovery's algorithm."
"Fantastic," Leland grumbled. "Set control to assess any prime locations, places with a big human population, crime rate and areas that could interest a psychotic vampire and her new friends. Georgiou. I want you to personally assist in data gathering. You're the closet thing we have to an Ophelia…"
Georgiou growled angrily in response.
