This is the second time this year that I've been a hospital patient. You would think that my stint in Sickbay 5½ months ago would have prepared me for this. But this time, it's different. This time it's not my life that's at risk, but the life of my child.

Hope, Gregg, and the boys have come to sit with Jean Luc and Wes during the procedure. Since we moved to Yakima, Hope and her family have been a constant force in our lives. Gregg is a history teacher at the Yakima high school so he and Jean Luc have plenty in common. They've become friends and I grateful for that. Since Jack died and Walker disappeared from our lives, Jean Luc hasn't had – other than Will to a limited extent – any true male companionship. Now, though, he and Gregg are able to discuss their students, texts, history, teaching methods… Hope and I have a good relationship as colleagues and friends. She's a lot like Deanna, when I think about it. We have plenty in common and conversation is easy.

The boys find Wes fascinating. They always ask about him. I had only seen Wesley with the children on the Enterprise. Very early in our journey, all the children on the Enterprise were abducted by a non-fertile alien species that planned to "adopt" them and integrate them into their own families. Wes was the oldest 'child' in that group of children. I remember being so proud of him with the way that he watched over everyone. He risked his own safety to bring them back to the Enterprise and their parents. He's always loved children and I can't wait to see him with this little one. I know kitten here is going to adore his big brother and I know for a fact that Wes will be a good influence.

I smile to myself; what strange experiences we had on the Enterprise! That time in our life is so far removed from what we're living now. But, even in the midst of its excitement and the first contacts, I don't miss that life. I don't think that Jean Luc misses it either. It was good for a time. It enriched our lives at the time, molded us as individuals, broadened our minds, and made us wiser. But now, now we're happy to live a peaceful life. We're happy to simply enjoy the other without worrying that the next mission could cost us our lives. And, we're content not to have to hide our love for one another.

I see Hope round the corner and enter my room, "I just spoke with Jim and I basically threatened him and told him that if he didn't do a good job, I'll tell Hal he cheats at Parrises Squares!"

It's good to have Hope here. Jim Portland's allowed her to be present during the procedure. I wont be aware of her in the room, but knowing that she's there gives me a modicum of comfort. Not before long, I'm being transported into the OR.

I'm a sucker for medical history and I love juxtaposing ancient medical practices with newer ones. Anesthesia is of particular interest to me. Before 2350, being sedated was a relatively big deal that involved large machinery, tubes, and masks. In extreme cases, it still is. But now, especially with smaller procedures, the drugs that are being used do not cause respiratory depression, negating the necessity for a breathing tube.

I enter the familiar room and I feel the squeeze of Hope's hand. Without much preamble, I feel the cool metal of the hypospray at my neck and with a familiar hiss my world fades to black.