Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek. I wish I did, but I don't.

A/N: Okay, so there's a bit of suspense in the flashback of this chapter. Keep in mind it is only just a story. I hope you like it.

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Origins: The Journey Begins

Chapter 13: One Good Night Sleep

STARDATE: 2236.79 (Sun, March 20th, 2236) [7 months, 2 days Pregnant]

It was late at night for the Uhura family. All the children were exhausted from the day's events and were currently sleeping soundly in their respective beds. Ahadi, himself, had climbed into bed early and was fast asleep before Miotep climbed in beside him only 15 minutes later.

Miotep laid her head on the pillow and waited for sleep to take over. She slowed her breathing and closed her eyes but sleep did not seem to come. She adjusted the pillow and turned (uneasily) onto her side. Still, she did not slip into sleep.

In her sleep deprived anger, Miotep threw the pillow onto the floor and snuggled in as close as she could to her husband. Ahadi snorted loudly in his sleep, released his breath before subconsciously wrapping his dark arm securely around Miotep's belly. He loved her even in his sleep.

Miotep smiled and started to stroke her husband's arm. Ahadi inhaled sharply, held his breath and snorted loudly. Right near Miotep's ear. Miotep huffed and tried to roll over away from her husband. Ahadi exhaled, his breath washing over Miotep's face. Miotep coughed and tried escaped her husband's bad breath. But Ahadi wouldn't allow it, he clung onto her and wrapped his leg around hers. Sometimes he loved her too much.

Miotep exhaled deeply and stopped resisting, trying to relax into her husband's unusual embrace. Over the next half an hour Miotep became increasingly hot and bothered. The heat her husband was producing was becoming too much to bear. She already had to adjust to her own elevated heat as well as the heat of two children within her. She was a walking furnace. Now her husband was clinging onto her with a grip so fierce the jaws of life couldn't pry him away from her. He loved her, but this was too much.

She tried to wiggle her legs out from underneath Ahadi's but he was too heavy. She tried to use her arms to shift his legs but she couldn't bend far enough to reach. She was heating up and she had no way to escape from the warmth of her husband.

She shifted herself as best as she could so that her lips were right near his ear. "Ahadi." She whispered into his ear.

Ahadi's hand instinctively came to swat whatever it was near his ear. His dark hand would have hit Miotep in the side of the face if she didn't pull her head away in time.

"Ahadi." She tried again, this time, a little louder.

This time, she was responded with a gruff, "Hm?"

"'hadi!" Miotep spoke loudly startling the sleeping man. His eyes opened slowly. He smiled softly as his wife's face appeared before his own.

"Mio." His voice was croaky. He was quite delusional from his sleep, looking at their tangled legs and furrowing his brows in confusion as he tried to remember when that happened. He gave up and rested his head back down on the pillow. Forgetting about the entangled legs and insane heat he slowly drifted back into sleep.

Miotep tapped him gently on the shoulder. When she heard him snort and exhale she hit him harder. He startled and looked at his wife. He was funny when he was tired; most times he wouldn't even make sense, some nights he would sleep talk to Miotep, and when she didn't respond he kick her. Miotep was fed up. He shouldn't be allowed to sleep when I can't. It's not fair. "I'm too hot." She said loudly.

"Yes, you are." He beamed.

"I need air, 'hadi," Miotep said as she tapped his leg to silently order him to remove it from her thighs.

It took effort, but Ahadi managed to remove his leg from her thighs, turn over and begin snoring again.

Miotep just sighed in relief as she wiggled her legs. Even though Ahadi had removed his leg from her, she still felt incredibly hot. It was March in Kenya, which meant that it rained often. Sometimes all day, but the cool air that came after the rain did not help Miotep's burning body.

She wasn't hot because of the temperature or the weather, it was because she was a human incubator. Her body was heating up due to the tiny humans growing inside of her, which made it hard for her to find sleep, which made her angry, causing her to get worked up, which only made her body burn even more. She was trapped in an infinite cycle of fire.

After discovering that it was 2:00 o'clock in the morning, Miotep broke down into soft sobs. She had discarded her blankets over four hours ago and even tried using the mist of a spray bottle to take the edge off the heat. It wasn't as effective as she thought it would be. She didn't know if the pool of water beneath her was from the spray bottle or her sweat.

She hauled herself into a sitting position and wept into her hands. Silently at first until she couldn't stop herself from heaving heavily. She succeeded in getting her large frame up off the bed and away from her husband without waking him.

"I'll just go… and cry in someplace… cool." She cried to herself between her sharp intakes of air.

She stifled her cries as she wobbled past her children's doors towards the stairs. Each step she took she let out a short sob. The further down the stairs she got the louder the sobs became.

She decided to try the lounge room. Perhaps she might be able to fall asleep on the couch. She waddled into the lounge, but just as she was about to settle herself down on the lounge the wind picked up, causing the mended window in the lounge room to rattle. Ahadi had tried his best to fix the window so the whistling would stop. However, as the wind grew wilder, the newly mended window broke once again, filling the entire lower floor with whistling.

"Why can't I get any sleep?!" She wailed as left the lounge room and made her way into the kitchen. The whistling window was less prominent in this section of the house, but it wasn't the whistling that kept her awake, it was the heat. She flicked on the light. "I just want to sleep. Please." She had no idea who she was talking to. She just wanted someone to talk to. To scream at. To cry with. "Please, God!" Oh, that's a good start.

"God, why do you not want me to sleep?!" She was almost yelling. I better keep my voice down before my family think I've gone delusional. "Come on!" She began to get angry. "Why aren't I sleeping?!" Screw the family. I want answers!

"I'm in the kitchen for crying out loud!" She exclaimed in anger. She was marching around the island bench when she caught sight of the stove. A small orange flame flickered wildly. The rear hotplate on the gas stove was still alight. Ahadi must have left it on after he had made dinner.

Miotep waddled over to the stove and turned it off. She calmed herself down; her sobs becoming small sniffles. "Now can I sleep?" She asked the empty room.

She spotted the freezer and an idea came to her mind. She hastily made her way over to the freezer, pulled the door opened and just basked in the cold mist that was coming from the cold box in front of her.

Whenever her children were searching for the frozen desserts they often stood on the ledge of the freezer to get a better view. Miotep thought about it. Would it support my weight? When the kids were caught standing on the ledge Miotep and Ahadi would often scold them, saying that the freezer was no place to stand. But Miotep needed relief. She needed this.

She looked around to make sure that no one was watching. There was always the chance that Denahi would wake up in the middle of the night and make himself a sandwich. With no sight of Denahi or any other family member, Miotep stepped up onto the small ledge inside the freezer. She tried to lean forward but her large stomach prevented her from doing so.

Miotep stepped down off of the ledge and wiped away the frost that had stuck to her pyjamas. Miotep scanned the kitchen once more, this time, more intently. Satisfied to know that she was the only one there she slowly lifted her pyjama shirt up over the impressive baby bump. She eyed the empty room before eyeing off the freezer.

With her night shirt hoisted up under her bust and her exposed belly protruding out in front of her, Miotep carefully stepped up onto the ledge of the freezer once more.

She sighed a contented sigh when she felt her abdomen come in contact with the frost covered ice-cream container. One of the babies within her gave her a sharp kick. Miotep pressed a hand against the baby that had kicked her. "Ok. So one of you doesn't like the cold, but Mama needs relief." Miotep said softly to her swollen stomach. Miotep was in heaven until the freezer began to protest.

"Beep. Close freezer door. Beep. Contents not suitable for rising temperature." The female electronic voice of the freezer began. "Beep. Close freezer door." She began again.

"Oh, hush, you. Can't you see that I'm finally enjoying myself?" Miotep responded to the electric voice.

"Beep. Contents not suitable for rising temperature."

"Tell me about it. I have twins in here."

"Beep. Closer freezer door."

"I feel rejected when you shut me out like this," Miotep said to the freezer. She was obviously very tired. She was talking to the voice in the freezer.

"Beep. Contents not suitable for rising temperature."

"You're the worst psychologist ever," Miotep said as she shut the freezer door and stepped away from it. The heat within Miotep swelled once more and she felt the need to open the freezer again.

"That's it. I'm going to sleep. I don't know where, I don't know how, but I will sleep tonight." Miotep said confidently to herself. Now filled with determination Miotep left the kitchen with purpose in her step. Only to return seconds later to see if she had turned the stove top off properly.

Not trusting herself to sit down on the sofa, she opted for slowly pacing around the lounge room. "Cool. Ice. Freezer. Mmm… freezer." Miotep slurred as she began to feel over tired. "Something cold. Water. Water is cold. Lots of water. Bath." Miotep paused mid-step as her last word sunk into her consciousness.

Bath.

Miotep's hormones flooded her being and she found herself weeping softly once more. Damn these hormones. I'm such a fool. She began to reminisce about the day they had nearly lost Sehale.


mSTARDATE: 2234.218 (Wed, Aug 6th, 2234)

…Aproximately 1 year and 7 months ago…

Nanenna was exactly two months old the day the memorable incident happened. Ahadi's family had come around to visit the growing family and marvel at the first female born into Ahadi's family. Ahadi's parents had visited the family many times since the birth of Nanenna, and today was just like any of the other times, or so they thought it would be.

Sehale was one year and nine months old. He loved running around trying to keep up with his older brother who was only four and a half years old.

Miotep had baby Nanenna in a small baby capsule on the kitchen counter while she continued to make snacks for the guests. Ashanti was in the kitchen helping her sister while Ahadi was somewhere outside tending to his plomeeks in the field. Ahadi had taken his father to the field to lecture him on the proper uses of plomeeks.

Every now and then Denahi would run through the kitchen with young Sehale staggering to catch up. "Look out for your brother, Denahi," Miotep called from behind the kitchen bench. Ashanti had no idea what was going on, she just continued to add the strawberries to the cream cake.

The day went off without a hitch. The family came, shared their excitement, told stories of their own experiences, laughed, ate and had a merry old time. Ahadi's family came prepared; they brought a small pink rattle, a purple blanket and a box of diapers for the newest member of the family. Ahadi's parents had brought them a box of diapers last time they had visited along with a couple of plush toys for the baby girl.

Denahi, seeing the gifts in his Mama's hands he ventured over to where his Bibi (grandmother) and Babu (grandfather) sat on the couch. Denahi watched his Mama get up off of her couch and lean forward to envelop Bibi in a hug.

"Thank you so much," Miotep said as she brought the purple blanket to her chest.

Denahi looked back at Bibi and Babu and gently tugged on his Babu's pant leg. Babu looked down to find young Denahi standing quietly by his side.

"Young Denahi, what can I do for you?" Babu asked as he leaned down to face his eldest grandchild. Babu's voice was deep but kind, his face was worn with wisdom, and his eyes were very similar to the child who was staring back at him.

Denahi pointed to the blanket in his Mama's hand. "What's that?" he asked knowing full well that it was a gift for the new baby. Last time when Babu and Bibi came they brought presents for the new baby. However, Denahi and Sehale were upset that there had been no presents for them. Denahi hoped they remembered to bring presents for them this time.

"That is a gift for your sister," Babu answered. Denahi's queries had caught the attention of everyone in the room, including little Sehale. Sehale quickly staggered to his stubby feet and waddled over to investigate what his older brother was doing.

After spotting the gifts in his Mama's hand, Sehale had no trouble in sharing his thoughts, "Me too?" He asked his Mama while he tried to grab at the rattle that was resting in her lap.

"No, 'hale. These are for Nanenna." Mama said as she used the blanket to point in the direction of Baba, who was currently holding his sleeping sister.

"Ah-ha." He said simply. He turned to where his grandparents sat. He rested his arms on his Bibi's lap and looked up at her face with his big brown eyes. "Same too?" he asked.

Bibi smiled brightly. Her grandson was such a player when it came to the heartstrings. "No, you don't have the same presents." She responded with a beaming smile.

"Ah-ha," Sehale replied.

Next thing he knew his Babu was bending down to pick up a bag near Denahi's feet. Sehale jumped up from his spot and bounced over to stand next to his brother.

"What are you doing, Babu?" Denahi asked with curiosity as he leant forward. Sehale, being shorter and more impatient than his brother, decided to climb up Babu's leg and place himself on his Babu's lap.

"For me?" Sehale asked his Babu as the bag was placed on the spare space next to them.

"And Denahi." Bibi chimed in.

"Mama." Ahadi groaned from across the room. "They have enough as it is."

"Just you wait, Ahadi. Wait, until you have grandchildren." Ahadi's mother responded gently.

"A hat!" Denahi exclaimed as he roughly placed the chef's hat on his head. "A cookie hat!" It was, indeed, a cookie hat indeed. The small chef's hat had pictures of cookies all over it.

"Thank you, Babu!" Denahi yelled as he jumped around with the hat on his head.

"Actually, Bibi picked the hat out," Babu confessed. Denahi raced around to give his Bibi a great hug while Sehale tried to pull the next gift out of the bag.

"Truck!" Sehale screamed joyfully as Babu helped pull the plastic truck out from within its box. The children were so pleased with their toys they were told by Mama to play outside so that the adults could talk.

It was only after Ahadi's parent left when the incident occurred.

When Mama had told Denahi and Sehale to play outside she didn't expect to be out all afternoon searching for her second born. When she had called Sehale's name over an hour ago, he had not responded. Not one word. Which was very disconcerting.

Holding young Nanenna to her chest she ran across the fields in search of her son. Ahadi's booming voice could be heard from the other side of the paddock.

They had lost their son. He wasn't in sight. Anything could've happened to him. Their house wasn't too far from the National Park where wild African animals were allowed to roam free. Surely he couldn't have walked that far. Then again, it was Sehale they were looking for.

"Mama!" Denahi's voice interjected Miotep's thoughts. "Sehale's asleep." He said softer as Miotep approached her sons. Denahi was standing off to the side giving her a perfect view of Sehale's peaceful body. He had his arms wrapped around his new toy truck. He must have fallen asleep under the tree. However, with the heat of the African sun beating down on the small boy, she was sure he was unconscious.

"Ahadi!" She yelled as she knelt down near her sleeping son. Overwhelmed, she started to cry. The baby in her arms didn't even stir.

Ahadi raced onto the scene seconds later. He skidded to a stop near his sleeping son and placed his small body in his arms. "He's hot. Too hot." Ahadi analysed. His brought his large dirty hand to his son's head. He brought his hand away from the burning head only to bring it to Sehale's small neck quickly.

Upon seeing her husband rapidly shift from Sehale's head to his neck made her cry even louder. "Ahadi, what's wrong?!" She cried. She knew if her husband was checking for her son's pulse, then something was definitely wrong.

"He's overheated. He must have slipped into a coma. His heart beat is nearly non-existent."

"What?! No, my baby! My boy!" she sat in the dirt bringing her daughter to her chest as she continued to cry.

"Mama?!" Denahi had never seen his Mama like this. He was so confused that he had tears running down his face. His brother was fine. He was sleeping, wasn't he? He was sleeping. Why is Mama crying? What's Baba doing? What's happening? What's happened to my kaka (brother)?

"Denahi run inside and turned the bath water on! Only cold water!" Ahadi yelled at his eldest son. Denahi looked from his grief-stricken Mama to his determined Baba. Without words, he ran back into the house up the stairs and started to fill the bath with cold water.

Seconds later he heard the thundering footsteps of his Baba coming up the stairs. His Baba appeared at the bathroom door with his brother in his arms.

Ahadi noticed his eldest son standing silently off to the side. Ahadi bent down with Sehale's limp body in his arms. "Denahi, can you help me take off your brother's clothes?" Ahadi asked in Swahili.

Denahi nodded softly and carefully approached his Baba like he was a wild animal. He didn't want to get too close, but his Baba asked him to help. As he slowly took his brother's shirt off he asked his Baba, "He sleeping, right, Baba?"

Ahadi had to stop himself from breaking into tears, "Sehale is sleeping so deeply that we have to use very cold water to wake him up. Is the water cold?" Ahadi's voice was almost breaking from built up emotion.

Denahi stepped over to the bathtub and placed his hand in the water. "Very cold water, Baba." Denahi quietly stepping aside to allow his Baba to gently place Sehale's naked body into the cold water.

Minutes past.

Miotep had rung the ambulance before ascending the stairs. She wrapped her daughter in the purple blanket and drew her in closer to her chest. She headed for the bathroom to see her boys.

As she entered the bathroom she was relieved to see Sehale sitting up quietly in the bath. He was awake but very weak looking. Ahadi's strong arm supported him as he laid in the cold water.

"Sehale!" Miotep cried in relief as she saw Sehale smile back at her.

Sehale looked at his Mama than to the purple bundle in her arms. "My truck?"


…Present Time…

Miotep was lying naked in the bathtub. She had rolled up a towel and placed it in the water under her back before rolling another towel up to place under her neck. The cold water soothed the fire in her belly and she drifted off to sleep.

She was still asleep when morning arrived. Sehale was the first to find her. He had turned on the light and almost screamed in fright when he saw his Mama naked in the tub.

"Mama, what you doing in here?" Sehale said loudly to cover up his shock.

Miotep squinted at the sudden bright light and shivered as the cold water washed over her caramel skin. "I was… sleeping."

"Ah-ha," Sehale said, as he often did when he didn't know what else to say.