Chapter Two
Chantilly stood in front of the mirror in her new clothes. The full length mirror with it's carved wooden frame looked out of place in the sterile silver and grey environment of Sickbay's Isolation Ward. She and the Captain had spent the last hour picking out clothes, which covered the bed behind her, and several of the beds behind those held the discards. It had been two years since she'd gotten to pick out clothes. She had thought that it wasn't possible for her to look nice in clothes now that she was pregnant, but the Captain's keen eye had proved her wrong.
First it had been the underwear, low-cut panties in baby blue lace with a matching bra. She might not like her middle name, but she did have to admit lace looked nice on her. Then there was the jumpsuit that she'd insisted that she wanted. Pants and blouses could be taken off too easily. The first one she liked, the one she was wearing now, was very dark gray, but across her belly and breasts it blushed a bright red, a brighter shade than that on the Captain's uniform. Over it she wore a dark gray sweater, fastened only with a single silver button at the top, and cut so it opened over her swollen belly.
At eighteen weeks along, there was no way she was going to be able to hide it, she was going to have a baby. For a moment she despaired. Chantilly was not ready to be a mother. Before tears could gather in her eyes again, she felt a hand on her back and looked up. It was the Captain.
"Don't worry, Chantilly, we'll all be here to help you when you need it," Captain Osanna said. The Captain pushed back Chantilly's dark hair and put a hair barrette that matched her jumpsuit in it. "There. One pretty young girl ready to go out and charm the galaxy to her side."
"Do you really think I'm pretty?" Chantilly asked, looking at her reflection in the mirror. "I mean my dark hair is nothing special, and I've got this bulging belly."
"Yes you are, Chantilly," Osanna said in a soothing tone. "Dressed up properly, like this, no boy would deny that fact. As for your belly, there is a great deal of difference between a girl that's just over-weight, and a slim girl like you who is with child. A young lady having a baby has a healthy glow to her, and lights up a room when she enters it."
Chantilly looked at her face. Now that the tears had been washed away, it did look a lot better. There was tone to it, and it blushed slightly as she imagined her entering a room filled with royalty. Dashing knights came up to and sought her favor, seeking to joust for her honor. In her mind she wore a silver tiara and sat with the King and Queen as they watched the knights fight for her hand.
"I am pretty," the words came out as a whisper. She touched the mirror. A smile graced her face for the first time in years. The captain was right. Chantilly turned and embraced the Captain in a hug. "Thank you."
"You are quite welcome," the Captain said. Then as the hug was broken, the Captain kept her close with a hand on each shoulder. "Now, let's get out of here. I've set up the spare room in my quarters for you."
"Habiba's room?" Chantilly asked, a little nervously.
"I believe it was," Osanna said. "Is that a problem? I've done a little redecorating to it already."
"Does it still have the bunk bed in it?" Chantilly asked. The Captain nodded. "Can I sleep on the top one?"
"Well, the doctor might have some objection to you climbing up there," the Captain began, but as Chantilly started to frown, stopped. "We won't tell her though." The captain placed her left arm around Chantilly and drew her close as they exited the room.
Captain Shawneela Osanna stood at the door, watching as Chantilly examined her new room. It bore little resemblance to the pale silk decor that it had been done in when she had taken command. That had been an obviously little girls room done in an Arabic Harem style. When Osanna had taken on the redesign of that room, the last of the ones she had done, she had continued the old world design that she had in the rest of the quarters. This was her command for the next five years, at least, and she wanted to feel comfortable. The time between diplomatic ferry missions had given her plenty of time to get it just right.
The bunk beds now boasted an oak veneer, aged as if they were a decades old installation. The walls were painted as if they were parchment, and below a real oak chair rail, covered with deep red velvet, matching the covers on the beds Right under the window was a Louis XIV desk, a gift of an Academy Classmate. It was definitely no longer the room of a little girl anymore. On the far wall there were three paintings of the first three Commanding Admirals of Star Fleet in the formal style of the period. She'd actually intended it as a guest room for when her two nephews visited.
The Captain had practically been holding her breath as Chantilly took in her new room. It was so different and at first, she could tell that Chantilly wasn't quite sure what to think about it. Then just as Chantilly sat down in the chair before the desk, she could feel the emotion solidify into happiness and joy.
"So, what do you think?" Osanna said. She could feel the emotions, but that was just the surface. Osanna kept herself to that surface most of the time. To do otherwise was to intrude on other's private thoughts, which was against her personal ethics. Most Betazoids ascribed to that code, though Osanna was probably stricter in her application of it than most.
"I like it," Chantilly said. The teen was glowing with happiness. "I don't want to change a thing. It's grown up and sophisticated. There is no lace, or pink. I hate pink."
Osanna had seen Chantilly's last room. Pink lacy sheets, pink walls ... it was a definite change for the girl, exactly what Tivan had suggested. "We will have to find something for your baby when she comes, but other than that, I think we can leave it like this. We might want to get a dresser and mirror though."
"To match the desk?" Chantelly said. Osanna could tell that the girl loved the desk, as she ran her fingers around the edge of the ornate desk.
"Certainly!" Osanna replied. "Now, let's get a good lunch, and then you can do your catch up work, while I check in with the Bridge." She could feel a little disgust from the girl when the school work was mentioned. It appeared to not be directed at the work itself, but at the girl. Chantelly was looking downward again. "Chin up. You're only two weeks behind. Not bad for a girl who hasn't attended class in a year and a half."
"I was a year ahead," Chantelly mumbled. "And I never attended class."
"You'll be there again, I'm sure," Osanna said, leading the way out of the room. "So what would you like for lunch? The doctor would like you to have a lot of it."
The Captain could feel Chantilly's internal rejoicing that she was getting to choose what she ate again. "I want a big Italian Sub with plenty of mustard, lettuce, and the yellow tomatoes with the pink streaks in them. Then a big bowl of corn chips with sharp cheddar dip, and a big chocolate milk shake."
"I'm certain we can accommodate that," Osanna said, before moving to the replicator to punch in the order. "The portions you're asking for certainly fit the Doctor's recommendations, though I'm not sure about the shake." Her own order most certainly didn't fit Doctor T'Hana's recommendation, but every once in a while the Betazoid got a craving for that addictive late night fast food from just of the Academy Campus. A quarter pounder with cheese, hold the ketchup and the mayo, with a large side of fries and large cola filled that craving rather well.
"She gave me one last night for dinner," Chantilly said.
"Well, I guess it gets Doctor T'Hana's seal of approval then," Osanna said, before sitting down with Chantilly for a nice lunch. Chantilly ate every bit of her order, and then stole some of Osanna's fries.
Commander Yoakim Plecnic liked serving with Captain Osanna. His month working with then-Captain Fahim had been very different than the last two months under Osanna. Fahim ruled the ship with an iron fist, and kept everything regimented. Everything had been required to ship shape in Bristol fashion. The phrase may have been an old English one for a ship in the condition of it's commissioning, and Fahim was Arab, but it fit the requirements that he followed. They were requirements that Commander Bourbon had espoused to run Engineering with as well, only he'd actually used the phrase.
It had surprised him when he'd been promoted from Operations to First Officer. He'd thrown himself into the job, working long hours in pursuit of the Captain's goals. Then Fahim had been promoted and Commander Osanna of the Galaxy had become Captain Osanna of the Oklahoma. The whole cadence of the ship had changed the moment she took command. Fahim had been distant, commanding. Osanna was involved and caring. She took time to get to know the crew, dining with them, taking their children on a picnic. The crew saw her as a matriarch, one they could trust.
Plecnic was no different, and he was beginning to alter his own style to follow hers. He had no idea how Captain Osanna had discovered that he could cook, or that he baked a very good poteca. She had, and dinner in his quarters was becoming a weekly event. Sometimes it was just her and him, but sometimes the Doctor and Counselor or the Chief of Security would be invited. Their discussions over poteca and tea were not limited to duty, but not excluding. He was very comfortable with that relationship, and felt that in two months he had gotten to know the Captain very well.
It was no surprise to him that Osanna had offered to share her quarters with Chantilly Bourbon. He'd been reminded of an old poem his mother had once read him today, when he'd passed the Captain and Chantilly on their way out of sickbay.
If I can keep one heart from breaking
I shall not live in vain.
If I can ease one life the aching
Or heal one pain,
Or lift one fainting robin,
Back into it's nest again
I shall not live in vain.
It described his Captain so well, that poem. She had what he'd labeled as a saving people complex. It was going to make their missions interesting, as was the Captain's empathic and telepathic abilities. Captain Osanna had already taught him a few technics to aid in communication between them telepathically.
He leaned back in his chair in the conference lounge, taking a brief look at the chronometer that the previous Captain had put on the wall. His musing had nearly taken him to the time which Admiral Necheyev was scheduled to talk to him and the Captain on their next mission. Behind him, the doors parted. He turned and suppressed the urge to stand. Captain Osanna didn't like that protocol.
"Sorry I'm late, Yoakim," Osanna said. "I had to put Chantilly to bed."
"The Admiral hasn't contacted us yet, so that's fine," Plecnic said, with a smile. "How is Chantilly?"
"Much better, I think," Osanna said. She was smiling, obviously happy with the job that she'd done. "She likes her new room, and ate very well. She's going to take a nap and then do her school work. T'Hana's checking on her in about an hour."
"Bridge to Captain Osanna." The voice was one of the newer Lieutenants who had been left in command by Plecnic.
"Go ahead, Lieutenant Xentica." It amazed Plecnic how the Captain remembered everyone's names.
"Incoming communication from Admiral Necheyev."
"Transfer it into here, Xentica, and Happy Birthday." He hadn't remembered that. Plecnic would have to remember to wish Xentica a happy birthday as well when he returned to the Bridge.
"Thank you Captain."
Admiral Necheyev appeared on screen; it appeared that she was letting her blond hair grow a little bit. "Good Afternoon, Admiral," Captain Osanna greeted.
"Captain Osanna, Commander Plecnic, I have your next assignment for you," Necheyev said. That was the usual greeting. Plecnic thought the Admiral must be very busy given how quickly she gave out orders. Still, it was nice that Necheyev personally contacted all her Captains with their missions, no matter how far down they were in any way.
"Before you go into it, Admiral, I think I have a matter of some urgency that may require your help in dealing with," Captain Osanna interrupted. "I'm afraid that the Oklahoma has a problem."
"What type of problem?" Necheyev asked, her face furrowed into a frown.
"My Chief Engineer has just been arrested for raping and assaulting his daughter," Osanna said. Plecnic could almost hear the nervousness the Captain had in bringing this up. "He's apparently been doing this for the last year and a half, and Chantilly is pregnant with his child."
"Then it's obvious that you need to get to the nearest Star Base for the Commander's court-martial and likely a civilian trial on the child molestation chrages," Necheyev said. Plecnic noticed that her frown had turned into an expression of anger, obviously not directed at him or his Captain, but clearly she agreed with his personal feelings in the matter. Plecnic was sure that Commander Bourbon was deserving of the full punishment for his crime, if not more. "I believe that would be Star base 12."
"That's where we run into another problem," Commander Plecnic said. He'd been investigating the problem along with Lieutenant Gostillna. "We can't make the child molestation charge on board because there is no regulation against it. Plus, Star Base 12 is commanded by Admiral Fahim, who used to command this ship. We have reason to believe that he was involved in an assault on Chantilly and may be molesting his own daughter, Habiba, as well. Once Commander Bourbon is transferred to Star base 12 under Fahim's authority, Chantilly has to go with him, and I believe that would put her in danger."
"That is a problem Commander," Necheyev said, her face was now thoughtful. "Do you agree with Commander Plecnic's assessment, Captain?"
"Yes. If anything, I believe the Commander's view is optimistic," Osanna said.
"Then, Commander, I want you to scour all precedent," Necheyev said, in a commanding tone that hadn't been heard since she had left the center seat of the Deleware, Plecnic's first post. "I know you're very thorough. I expect you to find a way to keep that girl on the Oklahoma, and I'll back you all the way. Captain Osanna, I will be hitching a ride on the Mary Rose when this conference on Betazed is over. I expect you to be at Star base 12 by then, try to time it as close as possible."
"I will," Captain Osanna said. She was much more at ease now that she was assured of support, from what Plecnic could tell.
"By the way, your mother sends her regards," Necheyev said, with a smile.
"Give her mine as well," Osanna said.
"I will," Necheyev said. "Let me know if you need any more help before I arrive at Starbase 12. Necheyev out."
The screen went dark, replaced by the Star Fleet Logo, then by a view of the stars, as if it was just another window. "Well, Commander, it looks like we better get to work."
"Indeed." Commander Plecnic stood, and followed his Captain out onto the bridge. He had a lot of work to do, so he doubted he'd be able to stay there long. Necheyev was almost as a demanding task master as Captain Fahim had been.