Disclaimer: I own nothing Star Trek-related…though I might consider the idea of beaming Kirk, Spock, Khan, and the actors who play them to my house, once I manage to construct my own transporter. Until then, nothing is mine except original characters.

AN: Here's the next chapter! Sorry I didn't post earlier; my computer was on the fritz, so I had to wait a couple days. Anyway, please enjoy, and don't forget to review. Thanks!

Chapter 4: Determination:

After returning to my quarters from a meal I couldn't remember, I very briefly entertained the thought of Immaculate Conception.

Then nausea hit me again, and it took a while to come back to reality. As I swallowed down the bile rising up in my throat, I took a seat on my couch and stared into the air above the coffee table.

"I'm pregnant," I whispered, one hand drifting to my stomach while the other hung limply at my side. How was this possible?

My brain quickly took that thought and ran with it. Khan had never really touched me in any way that suggested he wanted to bed me, and the idea of having sex with him was enough to make me want to vomit all over again. And I was positive I was still a virgin; a girl would notice that sort of thing, right?

'So, that leaves the usual method out.' The next one: science.

Artificial insemination was the only explanation. As my head cleared, I realized that I knew exactly when this had happened: the day Dr. Richards had given me three injections in a row.

No matter what I expected, that realization wasn't it. I had honestly believed that those other two had been some other kind of experiment, but the idea that it was all to get me pregnant had never entered my mind. I'd believed that it was only to make me more like Khan's people, a more efficient means to an end.

But why would Khan order this? What did he have to gain from getting the girl he considered a scientific guinea pig pregnant with his baby? What sort of sick game was he playing?

For a few minutes, I got seriously pissed off, and considered wrecking my quarters, all while screaming my anger and frustration. I wanted to punch a hole in the wall, and demand answers to my questions. I even considered the idea of going on a hunger strike, or some other kind of protest against what he was doing.

Then, a strange, cool sensation ran through me, and I felt the heat of my anger slowly fade. As angry as I was about this, I couldn't afford to lose my temper. Oh, there was nothing more I wanted to do than kick the crap out of Khan and his doctor, but I knew I wouldn't be able to –I wasn't strong or fast enough to fight and beat them, and I'd only end up getting myself killed for no reason.

Fighting down the anger boiling inside, I tried to figure things out rationally, just like I'd been taught at the Academy by one of the few Vulcan instructors there. She had (in a very roundabout way) said that getting angry and losing control tended to make a person act out at just the wrong time and place, which would only make things worse. If I wanted to make it out of this in one piece, I had to keep a level head.

Taking a deep breath, I started thinking everything over. I knew that Khan wanted me to stay here, but I had no idea why. He could have any woman he wanted, and I had no doubts that there were at least a handful of attractive females amongst his crew, some of whom would gladly have agreed to provide him with a baby, no problem.

I, however, was a problem. I wasn't "one of them," no matter what they did to scientifically enhance me. Why choose me for this insane idea? Why choose me to have his child?

My stomach churned as that last thought really hit me. I was pregnant with Khan's baby.

The sensation of drops falling down my face made me realize that I was crying. This was the last thing I wanted. Why was he doing this to me? If I hadn't fully believed that he was an evil man, I truly did now. This violation of my body was horrifying and depressing, and I had no idea how to handle it.

The hand that rested on my belly began rubbing the warm sanctuary that held the newly forming being. For a brief second, I considered ending it all, but I couldn't do that –could I? No, that wasn't me –that wasn't how I did things. I'd survived three hundred years or more as an ice cube, woken up in another century, and even after finding out that everyone I'd ever loved was dead, I pushed onwards.

'Plus, Mom and Dad would never forgive me if I threw away this second chance at life,' I lectured myself. They may be gone, but the lessons they'd taught me were still here. I'd just have to look at this situation in another way.

After a good hour, I finally had it: I'd always wanted to have kids, but never had the chance to.

In my century, I'd never had a serious boyfriend, and as I'd begun to get older, it looked like being a mom was something that would never happen. I'd considered the idea of adopting a child, when I felt more emotionally and financially stable, but it was something that had been at least five or ten years off. Or, barring that, I figured to at least mentor the less-fortunate kids out in the world.

Now here I was, pregnant with a brilliant madman's baby. Would this little boy or girl turn out like its father, or would it be more like me? They said that kids were half one parent, and half the other, so would mine be a psycho with a slightly gentle heart or conscience?

'I could raise it to be good. I could help it become a decent person, one who respects life and the emotions of others.'

And why not? One of my aunts had said that I'd be a good mother, and here was a chance to be one.

'But it would be Khan's baby. What guarantee do I have that it won't go bad, like its father?'

Could I somehow manage to terminate this pregnancy? Back in my time, doing so was a touchy subject, particularly in instances that were similar to mine. However, I'd fully respected both sides of the argument, and understood them –I tried not to judge the choices of the mothers who decided on that particular course of action.

Now it was my turn to choose. I felt violated by what Khan had done (or had ordered done), but the part of me that wanted to be a mom, along with that overprotective nature of mine, shone through all that. Maternal instinct kicked in, and with that, I made my decision.

Remembering the look on Ria's face upon learning the news, Khan smiled and leaned back in his chair. He had donated certain materials for this experiment; it was good to know that they hadn't been wasted.

Truth be told, he'd made children before, but this time, he actually cared about what happened to his offspring. This particular child would bridge his people to the universe they now lived in, and with his guidance, it would one day rule over his people and their descendants.

'Boy or girl, this child will be strong,' he thought to himself as he considered the reports in front of him. 'He or she will be strong in mind, body and spirit, but with a little of Ria's openness and gentleness and patience.'

In spite of what his people might think, Khan was a bit fond of her, and he fully intended to have Ria at his side, the two of them raising their child together. 'Well, I will have the firmer hand in the baby's upbringing, but she will have her turn in teaching it.'

He would ensure that is offspring, male or female, would be able to lead their people into the wide reaches of space, and Ria's gentle hand would ensure that the child had a delicate, more diplomatic touch when it came to dealing with others.

'How unfortunate that, in this century, a crushing blow to the head is deemed barbaric when talking with stubborn diplomats,' he thought with a nostalgic sigh.

It had been so much easier to handle those he didn't like back then! There had been no verbal dancing around, no having to try and please all parties as much as possible while having to surrender what he and his people needed most. A simple show of military power had been all that was required during "negotiations" with the other nations of his world –he simply had to show the strength of his fighters, and the ambassadors had agreed to nearly all of his demands.

Setting aside the work he was supposed to be doing, Khan picked up a data pad, fingers flying over the screen as he began a list of educational requirements for his child. The future of his people rested on how well he taught his son or daughter –he would not let either himself or his child fail them.

From the looks Thomas had been getting on his walks through the halls, he knew that Nadia must have said something to one of her "friends" amongst the crew.

As a doctor, Thomas Richards fully believed in keeping his patient's conditions and treatments confidential. In a group where any sign of weakness meant you were a "lesser" person, it was vital that his patient's secrets remain just that: secret. He did not like seeing his patients taunted or mistreated for reasons beyond their control. That in itself was his weakness, but it was a belief that he held to.

But even if Nadia was young, she was also his nurse –unlike the others, she had wanted to be a nurse, and because he had taken her on, she respected him and his orders. But sometimes, her love of gossip overrode her good sense. He'd have to find a means of reprimanding her for speaking of their Commander's private business.

"Nadia," he said, motioning her towards his office, a disapproving scowl on his face. "I need to speak to you."

She knew that he was angry, so she put on her most flirtatious smile, not knowing that it would have no effect on him this time. She may be his lover (at least, for now), so it was understandable that that sense of being linked to a favorite of Khan's had gone to her head.

But being a favorite of Khan's also meant that Thomas was fiercely loyal to him, and would do anything that his Commander asked. If Nadia did anything to jeopardize Khan's plans, Thomas would kill her himself.

"You've been talking to people, haven't you?" he said coldly, using the tone of voice that even she took seriously. "You talked about our leader's plans, when you should have kept it secret."

The flirtatious look on her face melted away to fear. "I couldn't help it," she whispered, fingers clenched at her side. "Miranda and some of the crew already knew that something was going on, and they wanted answers. I'm no match for the men she hangs out with!"

That was true enough –Miranda Isaacs had some very intelligent, very strong men in her area, and if they wanted to know something, they'd do anything to get the information. Still, that was no excuse for blatantly telling confidential information to others, and he told her so.

"I'm sorry, sir," she said, head lowering. "I did try, but when they ganged up on me…And they are part of the crew. We don't keep secrets from our own, but if we did, it isn't for very long."

Again, that was true. "I'll have to tell the Commander about this," Thomas stated, causing her to look at him in absolute terror. "He'll probably want to discipline you himself, but I'll do my best to try and make sure it isn't too much for you to handle."

His nurse looked torn between hope and terror. "Thank you, sir," she whispered. "May I return to my post now?"

He nodded, allowing her to retreat. Now came the hard part: telling his superior officer.

"If I didn't need every member of my crew, I'd have her shot," Khan snapped at his medical officer. "As it is, I'll let her live, but make sure that she gets a solid beating. I won't have her forget her place, and the requirements that come with it."

Richards nodded. "Yes, sir," he replied. "Will you be addressing the crew about this matter? They'll want to know what's fact and what's rumor."

Yes, unfortunately, he'd have to. More than likely, all sorts of gossip and rumors were being passed around the ship, and if he didn't put them in check, it could cause rebellion to stir. He couldn't have that, now, could he?

But before he did that, he needed to speak to Ria.

Putting a hand over my belly, I sat up straight as Khan strolled into my quarters. I didn't dare ask him what was wrong –all I saw was the furious look on his face, and knew that something had happened.

"I must tell the crew about the child," he declared, his voice full of cold fury. "You will remain here, with your door locked. If anyone tries to break in to harm you, you have the skills to fight. Use them, and if necessary, kill your opponent."

I swallowed, thinking about the life growing inside me as he looked at me. Then I realized he expected a response, so I reluctantly nodded, indicating I would do as he asked.

I was shocked as a rather tender look flashed across his face for a brief second, a look that vanished just as quickly as it had appeared. "Stay safe. A guard of those I fully trust will be outside your door, and they will be armed." Then he was gone.

As the doors swiftly opened and shut behind him, I saw the five men and women there, serious looks upon their faces as they took their posts. They would protect me with their lives, because their leaded demanded it.

Once again alone with my thoughts, I began to think about what to do next. I knew I would keep this baby, but what about his or her future? What would become of it after it was born?

'I can't let it grow up here,' I told myself. 'I don't want it to be like its father.'

But I had no doubt of what Khan wanted for this child: a carbon-copy of him, only with better diplomatic skills and the ability to actually be decent to people from other races. He'd probably let me interact with the baby, but in all likelihood, it'd be a short meeting –he couldn't risk me possibly turning the child against him, or worse, make it 'soft.'

No, I couldn't let my baby become a tyrant. Like all parents, I wanted what was best for it, and the future I hoped for had to be as far away from Khan as possible.

But how was I going to escape? If my chances of getting away had been slim before, they were going to be non-existent now. Khan would never let me off this ship as long as I was pregnant, and after the baby was born, he needed me to help raise his 'heir,' so letting me go free wasn't an option either.

"I need to get out of here," I whispered to myself, eyes darting around as I tried to think.

Unfortunately, escaping from a dangerous situation wasn't something I'd learned at the Academy –though there probably was a course for it. I'd only learned the basics of everything, with the hope of learning more from experience aboard the Enterprise. It really was too bad I'd only been aboard such a short time, and learned mostly stuff having to do with medicine and sickbay, rather than getting out of harrowing situations.

"I'll think of something," I promised both myself and the child inside me.

I had to. If I didn't, both of our lives would be hell.

"That went better than expected," Thomas muttered as Khan paced his quarters. "At least no one tried to throw a knife at you."

It'd happened before; lucky for him, Khan knew how to catch blades in midair. "That would have been preferable to them staying so quiet." Open hostilities, he could deal with –quiet, hidden ones were much more complicated to see to.

"I think half of them are on your side, and a good number of them aren't sure what to think," Thomas went on, as though Khan hadn't spoken. "The others are firmly against having a woman like Miss Drake carrying your child. You could have chosen any one of them for the task, and I think they would have happily done it."

When Khan had escaped his frozen prison for a second time, he'd briefly considered having one of his female crewmembers bear his child. After all, they were determined, in prime physical condition, highly intelligent, and in some cases, quite attractive; all were qualities most men looked for in a mate. He also knew that many would have simply done it out of loyalty to him.

A commander taking one of his own as a mate, or simply a means to produce a child, had been a typical thing in his century –in fact, many leaders had done it, either with a single chosen wife, or a harem of women, to produce as many offspring as possible to secure the strength of their bloodlines and people. After all, with his created race, inbreeding wasn't much of a problem.

But in the here and now, he needed Ria to be the one to help his people. The child she carried was important, and it had to be kept safe from those who would try and harm it.

"I want a guard of my most loyal and skilled officers at Ria's door at all times," he ordered, his tone causing Richards to straighten up. "And make sure that Miranda Isaacs keeps a close eye on what is being produced by Ria's replicator. I don't want someone catching her unawares with some type of poison."

Taking a seat, Khan began drumming on a nearby tabletop. "I want you to keep a close eye on her health as well -she may have been altered, but her physicality isn't perfect. If something even remotely changes in her health or appetite, notify me immediately. Nothing can happen to my child."

Hearing the dismissal in Khan's voice, Richards saluted and left to carry out his orders. 'At least I know I can trust him,' Khan thought, eyes drifting to look at the floor. 'He will ensure that my child arrives safely.'

Right now, it was the group of doubters that troubled him most. They likely thought that they could go on as they once had, using their strength and wits to overpower their enemies and rule them by force. At the height of his power, Khan had ruled many, and his soldiers had everything they wanted thrown at them, all of it a reward for their hard work. Now they wanted the luxurious life back, along with the fighting and killing of those who dared oppose them.

That was not possible in this time. They needed a new way of life, and his child would be the one to bring it to them. It would take much longer now, to achieve the wealth and luxuries they had once possessed, and much more hard work. Diplomacy did not come naturally to his fighters –it was a skill that they would probably never learn, but Khan hoped that their offspring or descendants would adopt it, for the sake of survival.

But how was he to deal with these doubters? 'I'll have to show them that this will work. They will watch Ria teach our child the skills it needs, and they will see that we need a new path to follow.'

It would be a long and difficult process, but it would work. It had to, if they were going to thrive.

AN: Review?