"Are you saying, Doctor, that she's human underneath the Borg technology?"
"Yes, Captain."
I'm dumbfounded, "Seven?"
"The Borg has assimilated a wide variety of species. However, they have found that humans and human physiology is the most amenable to assimilation."
"Glad we could help!" I assert cynically.
Seven raises her eyebrown, brushing off my remark as she continues, "when the Borg began to raise drones from infancy, they used human DNA to do so. "
"Doctor?"
"She's right, Captain. I've done a fully genetic analysis. This baby is indeed fully human."
"Can the implants be removed?"
"I've done a full scan. The implants are complexly integrated – even more than they were with Seven and the children."
"But?"
"But, it is possible to remove them. Additionally, since she is only 8 months old, her organs are still quite plaint and regenerative." He takes a cleansing breath, "however, the process of removing the implants and outer Borg plating will be a long process, requiring 4 separate surgeries at least."
"But you can do it?"
"Yes."
"Good. Get started."
"Captain. Who is going to assume responsibility for her? I assume you've set up a family with one of the crew?"
I look to my right. Chakotay nods in acquiescence and he states, "we're going to take care of her".
The Doctor smiles warmly, "I can't think of a better home".
/
"Thank you" I grab his hand as we leave Sickbay and lean into him.
"You're right," he says quietly, "it's the right thing to do."
The turbolift doors open in front of us. "Bridge".
"She's beautiful, isn't she?"
"Yes. She is" he beams. "What am I going to do with three girls?"
I laugh. Oh yes, we're going to have him wrapped around our fingers, aren't we?
I lean in, "I think that eventually we'll find a way to even the score."
/
Chakotay is already acting like a father and this baby isn't even genetically his. I shouldn't have expected any less of him. He paces sickbay while the Doctor is finishing the last procedure on our newest addition. Poor thing. Her frail body has been pushed to the limit.
This is the first time I'll be seeing her without all of her Borg implants. "Come sit down, Chakotay."
"I'm nervous," he looks down. His hands are restless at his side and he reaches up to tug at his earlobe.
"Oh no. You've got it bad, papa"
That brings a wide grin to his face, "I like the sound of that". He comes and joins me on the biobed.
"I do too."
He refocuses himself, "are we ready for this? Two babies. Two girls."
"I don't know. It's not going to be easy. I think we'll manage though."
"It's going to be messy" he brushes a stray piece of hair behind my ear.
"Mmm.. wonderfully messy. Can you believe it? We're parents!"
He just nods his head and smiles, "I can't believe it. I still can't believe that you're my wife."
"Oh Chakotay," he's perfect.
/
"Here she is!" The Doctor wheels out the incubator but the angle obfuscates our view. Four hours later and we're welcoming a new member into our family.
I'm suddenly unprepared. Am I ready for this? I'm about to become a mother. Our little one isn't due for another three weeks and we're about to be put through a crash course in parenting in that time. I start to panic. My hands start shaking as I walk over to where she's resting. Like he has a sixth sense, he grabs my hand and in doing so he grounds me. We stop before we get to her, and he looks at me. He looks right at me, yes – we're ready.
I've seen her before and every time I do my breath catches. This time, though, I stop breathing altogether. Tears come to our eyes without warning and we give no effort to stop them.
"Can we hold her?"
"Of course, Commander"
Like he's done it a thousand times he places his hand delicately under her neck as his long fingers support her tiny head. His other hand cradles her slight body. Such a big, strong man brought to tears by a little baby. It's such a beautiful sight and my heart bursts with love for him, for her, and for the little one who hasn't even been born. This is my family.