Captain's Log
Stardate 2261.7.27

For the past month the Saratoga has been conducting her survey/research mission on the outer edges
of known space. We have been charting the Scarlet Expanse, an incredible region discovered by
the Valiant during her historic Five Year Mission.

The area is aptly named. Every star in this region is either a red giant or a red dwarf and the incredible
nebulas and gaseous formations are red as well. The Valiant only spent a few days here before moving
on, but we plan to be out here for two months, taking a real look. We've already gotten several treasure
troves worth of data, starting with the red hyper-giant that we encountered when we first came,
to the stunning open cluster that we are currently examining.

Coming out here has taken us further than most ships in the Fleet have ever traveled and we're past
the range of Starfleet's subspace arrays. Being out here it's easy to imagine that we're on a Five Year
Mission too. We have another month to go before we head back toward familiar space. Part of me would
like to keep going and never turn back. But another part will be glad to turn back because we have
precious cargo to protect and one can never have too much help in protecting them.

James T Kirk

Matthews' Quarters

"He's beautiful," L'Naym whispered as she gazed down at the four day old baby in her arms.
She then looked at his brother who slept in his mother's arms. "They both are."

Danielle Matthews, wife of Petty Officer Greg Matthews and the Saratoga's best meteorologist
smiled. "Hey you're going to have one of your own very, very soon!

L'Naym smiled. "I know it's hard to believe sometimes,' she whispered. Nothing in life had affected
her so much as knowing that she would become a mother.

Matthews looked down at the son in her arms. "Well, feel to help with David and Jonathan as often
as you like." Her expression turned rueful. "I'll certainly need the rest."

L'Naym chuckled. "And I can use the practice." Since coming to the Saratoga she had become very
popular with the children on board and was much in demand as a babysitter. But the youngest child
on the Saratoga until now had been five year Trisha Deerhorn. Little David and Jonathan Matthews
were the first babies that had been aboard in a long time. They were of particular interest to Kirk
since they were the first children born under his command.

And in a few months Jim, another will be born under your command too, she thought happily.

She glowed with joy as she recalled how she'd felt when Dr McCoy had informed her and Tuskaro
of their child's gender.

*Flashback
7/1/2261
Saratoga Arboretum*

L'Naym moved joyfully among the plants of the arboretum. Today during her regular pre-natal exam,
Dr McCoy had told her the gender of her child. She would have loved her child no matter what gender
it was but knowing it had somehow made it seem even more real. And now her heart was bursting with joy.

As she moved lightly, almost dancing among the green, a joyful song burst from her lips and it wasn't
until she was nearly done that she noticed that Commander Filars and Lieutenant Patariki had entered
the room.

"Well somebody's very happy today," the Chief Engineer remarked with a smile.

Patariki, Filars' second in command, chuckled. "And a little bird is singing a happy song."

"Because my heart can't contain what it knows," L'Naym said dreamily. She reached out and clasped
both engineers' hands. It may not have been proper on other ships but the Saratoga was informal and
she had already given the blustering CMO a hug.

"A son. My Beloved and I are going to have a son!"

*End Flashback*

"You're doing it again," Matthews pointed out.

L'Naym jerked back to her awareness of the present.

"I know that look," Matthews went on. "That glow of happiness. It was all over me when I was carrying
Elizabeth years ago. It looks good on you."

L'Naym blushed. "Thank you."

Later after the two women had put the babies to bed, Matthews turned to L'Naym. "There's something
that I've wanted to say a long time, Shylea. Thank you. You've been a good friend to Elizabeth over the
years and I know you'll be a big help with the twins." She took a deep breath. "You were also a big help
to me during…" she paused.

L'Naym nodded not needing her to say more. The twins had been a healing balm to their mother.
Early the year before Matthews had suffered a miscarriage. Although L'Naym hadn't been among
the meteorologist's close circle of friends, she had offered comfort and support and it had been her
suggestion that a memorial be held for the unborn baby.

Matthews went on. "I also want to say that from the care and compassion that you've given to everyone
on this ship- I know that you'll make a wonderful mother."