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Episode Synopsis
Tragedy strikes the Janeway & Stuart family when an old condition of Jessie's threatens her and the baby she's carrying. Tom and B'Elanna meanwhile attempt to celebrate their wedding anniversary but their infant son gets in the way.

Written
8th, 10th, 13th, 21st, 27th & 28th June 2004

Edited For Reboot
27th November 2012

Episode Based In
April 2380

The Enterprise, bridge:
Some of the usual bridge crew were sitting around waiting for something to happen, Tom looking more impatient than everyone else.

"What is supposed to be happening right now?" Foster asked.

Faye shrugged, "beats me."

Tom groaned, "guys, this is another character development episode."

"Why am I not surprised?" Angela muttered.

"Stop complaining, that is more important than fights and stuff," Faye muttered.

"Yeah sure, take the writer's side," Angela groaned.

"Wait, how do you know this is a character development episode? We never know what's going on," Faye asked.

"I think she was just making me say her lines for her. Well I suppose it's better this way," Tom replied, grinning.

The turbolift doors opened, a pair of huge heels skipped in. "New helms person reporting in!"

Everyone glanced around to stay at the newcomer.

"That can't be good," Tom nervously said. He leaned over his chair's arm in Angela's direction, "should I prepare the escape teeth?" His jaw dropped as he noticed she was now very snuggly fitted into a double across the chest seatbelt. "What the...?"

"I panicked," she stuttered. Everyone else turned their chairs or just themselves to look at her. "I didn't know what the button was, ok!"

As usual Annika ignored the feelings of everyone around her, or just hadn't noticed it, and headed towards the helm. "Now where's the joystick?"

Everyone's eyes widened. "Yep I'm taking my chances with the plot," Tom stuttered. He pressed a button on his own chair. The doors to the escape pods lowered to the floor, and everyone but Angela quickly scampered for them.

Angela struggled to break free, "hey, don't leave me! Hey! This is the bloody flagship, you can't just abandon it. Hello!" Her hand reached to press the same button. As the chair leaned back and started to vibrate, she realised it was the wrong one.

Noticing that Annika had sat comfortably down at the opps station instead, she relaxed slightly. The vibration may have helped with that though.

"Aaaw, I was looking forward to the vroooom, vrooom!" Annika complained, as her hands gestured the manual steering, that was luckily for the Enterprise still hiding in the floor. "Pow!" This time pretending to press a button on the imaginary stick, where the red button was.

They both heard banging from the escape pod doors. Angela could only turn her head. "How do you make this thing go!" Foster's muffled voice yelled. Angela then looked forward, her eyes rolled at the sight of the teeth shaped escape pods flying towards Voyager.

"Whatever next?" she could only groan. "At least the ship is not going to follow the D into a planet anytime soon."

"Vrooom, pew pew!" Annika giggled, still playing with an invisible joystick.

The turbolift doors opened again. "Oh, this bridge brings back memories," a familiar voice sighed.

Angela's eyes widened. As the chair was slightly tilted back, she could just see the top of the newcomers head. "Oh god... um, I'm not going to be out of this chair anytime soon." She waited for the seatbelt to let her go, but it obviously didn't. "God damn, jinxing never works the other way around does it!"

"Hmm, I sense fear. I wonder why," the newcomer said.

Meanwhile, the Enterprise's Mess Hall:
Completely unaware of the danger the ship was now in, everyone continued with their daily routine without a care in the world.

Neelix headed over to Craig and Triah's table holding a tray. He handed two slices of cake to them. "There you go, double chocolate fudge cake slices."

"Thanks," Craig muttered.

Neelix smiled, "why do I think you two are people who need their morale officer?"

"Because he is, I'm just hungry," Triah replied. She happily cut into her slice with a fork.

Craig rolled his eyes, "I'm fine, really."

Neelix sat down, "I'm here to help."

"You can't really, he's pretty heartbroken," Triah said. Craig glared at her. "Lena and Zare both dumped him."

"You were seeing both at the same time?" Neelix questioned, bewildered.

"No I wasn't, I was seeing Zare," Craig grumbled.

"She dumped him, so he just proposed to Lena," Triah said with a mouthful of cake.

"Triah, shut up," Craig snapped.

Neelix frowned, "I see, I take it Lena rejected it."

"Well obviously," Triah muttered.

"I have an idea, why don't you just concentrate on being her friend for now. Maybe in the future," Neelix said.

Craig quickly interrupted him, "sorry Neelix, but I don't want any advice."

Triah cringed, she placed a hand on her stomach. "Oh that's not good."

Craig stared at her, "what is it?"

"What do you think!?" Triah snapped.

"Oh right," Craig stuttered. He tapped his commbadge, "Anderson to Sickbay, medical emergency."

Sickbay:
"Labour's just begun, it'll be a while yet," Doctor Jones sighed.

Triah stared at him, "but that's not really fair."

"Don't worry, sometimes labour is over with quickly," Doctor Jones said.

"Not in our experience though," Nikki said.

Doctor Jones frowned, "aren't you supposed to be on the Leda?"

"This is a much sexier ship," Nikki replied.

"What?" Craig muttered with his eyes wide.

Nikki looked at him as if he was the insane one, "bigger crew equals more cute men, duh! What did you think I meant?"

"Uh... that, obviously," Craig stuttered.

Triah groaned, "I don't care."

"Do you want me to get some of your stuff? You'll be more comfortable," Craig asked.

"Actually, I really want my blanket. Maybe even my favourite pillow, something better to wear, a duster to get rid of the dust," Triah replied. Craig and Doctor Jones glanced at each other as she went on.

Meanwhile, Voyager's Engineering:
Tom snuck up behind B'Elanna near the core, like nothing had happened, "hey gorgeous."

She turned around rolling her eyes, "hi Tom."

"What would you say if I told you I booked a holiday in Cyprus for one week?" Tom asked.

B'Elanna smiled, "I'd say, why wasn't I invited?"

"Hmm there's only one bed, we'd have to share if you came," Tom replied, smiling in cheeky manner.

"Are you sure there's room for me?" B'Elanna asked.

Tom put his arms around her, "I'll make the room."

B'Elanna raised her eyebrow, "what about Johnathan?"

"Don't worry I planned ahead. I can get dad or Bryan to look after him," Tom replied.

"I doubt Bryan can handle it, he's only a child himself," B'Elanna said.

"Ok my dad then," Tom said.

"Good, so it's just you and me then?" B'Elanna said.

Tom grinned, "yes, just you and me."

Durham, Shield Row:
Jessie folded her arms, "I don't believe this."

James sat down next to her, "it's just to make up for last Friday."

"You promised us that we'd have a family trip," Jessie muttered.

"Well we did have a trip out with the wedding and all," James said. "Next weekend I'll be free."

Jessie groaned, "it's ok, better get it over with I suppose."

James got back onto his feet, "I promise to make it up to you. How does a whole weekend away sound?"

"Depends where," Jessie replied.

"I'll leave it up to you," James said. He started to head for the door, he stopped to kiss her on the forehead. "I'll be back but later."

"I know, Saturday's usually start and finish later than normal days," Jessie muttered.

"Like I said, sorry. I'll bring you guys back some pizza, ok," James said, he left the room.

"Ooh pizza," Duncan giggled. He got up to rush after his dad.

Sarah walked into the room, "is he gone?"

"He just did," Jessie sighed.

"Oh," Sarah said.

"What's wrong, not got another lecture prepared or something?" Jessie grumbled.

Sarah just rolled her eyes, "I haven't bothered you about that ever since you moved here. There's no need for the attitude."

"You bother me every time we're alone," Jessie grumbled.

Duncan ran back in, "we're having tuna pizza mum."

"Just for you or..." Jessie said.

"Well I wanted a large one for me but dad thought I couldn't eat it all, he's getting an extra large for us two. Sasha is having a small crappy margarita, whatever that is," Duncan replied. He headed back the way he came.

"Where are you going?" Jessie asked.

Duncan stopped to look at her, "I told you, two guys from school wanna play something called football."

"Oh god," Jessie groaned. "Make sure you don't play near any windows, or anything breakable."

"Why?" Duncan frowned.

"If you ever see Tanfield comp's gym you'd understand," Jessie muttered. "Your dad left a hole in the wall. It's probably still there."

Duncan smirked, "I like this game already." He rushed out.

"I didn't know James ever played football," Sarah said.

"I think it was that football cricket crossover game," Jessie said. She nodded her head, "yeah it was, he hit the ball too hard."

Sarah rolled her eyes, "I didn't hear about that, I only got told that somebody got a bat in their face."

"Yes and we all know what happened to James after that. Absolutely nothing," Jessie muttered.

Sarah stared at her, "why did you say that?"

Jessie stared at her, "he must have gotten every guy in our class to see the nurse at least once. I got into one fight and I got chucked out."

"You chucked yourself out Jessie. You got expelled, James didn't," Sarah said.

"He would have eventually. I just don't get why you didn't care about him getting into trouble, all the time," Jessie said.

Sarah groaned, "he's a guy, it's in their nature. Yelling at him or grounding him wouldn't have helped."

"No it's not, a lot of guys I know couldn't even smack a fly hard enough to kill it," Jessie muttered.

"Jess, is there a point to all of this?" Sarah asked.

"You've had plenty of chances to rant and rave to him about us being together, but you haven't even tried. Obviously I'm glad that you haven't, but I don't get why after all this time you still favour him over me," Jessie replied.

Sarah stared blankly, "I am not the kind of parent to have favourites, I loved you all equally."

"I don't believe that," Jessie grumbled.

"Oh please. You know about my feelings for men, why on earth would I choose James to be my favourite?" Sarah snapped.

"I dunno, you felt sorry for him maybe?" Jessie said.

"That's probably one of the reasons why he was made an equal with you girls. I definitely did not have favourites, I assure you," Sarah said.

"Then why did you treat Ali and I so bad when we got wrong at school?" Jessie asked.

Sarah shrugged, "because you two were the good ones. I admit Ali had her troublesome moments in primary school, but you and her always were the ones I could trust the most. I guess I was so mad because I expected better from the both of you."

Jessie sighed, "I see."

"Jessie, I know you very well. You always used to do this when you're upset about something else entirely," Sarah said.

Jessie frowned, "what?"

"I think I've only seen you smile once since you moved here. What's wrong?" Sarah asked.

"You've never been pregnant, you won't understand," Jessie muttered.

"No I haven't, but I had friends who've been. Neither one were as unhappy as you are," Sarah said.

"She wasn't this bad when she was last pregnant," Duncan commented near the doorway.

"Thanks Duncan, you haven't broken something already have you?" Jessie muttered.

"No and you're welcome," Duncan grinned. He quickly replicated a can of coke, then left again.

"Something besides the pregnancy is bothering you, what is it?" Sarah asked.

"Nothing," Jessie replied as she climbed off the sofa. "I'm going upstairs."

"Jessie you can't keep this from us," Sarah said.

"Can't keep what? I haven't been miserable the whole time I've been here," Jessie grumbled. She headed out of the room.

"But she is moodier than usual," Duncan commented.

Sarah glanced over at him, "what do you want now?"

"A straw for my coke, jeez," Duncan groaned. He headed for the kitchen.

Meanwhile, the Enterprise:
Foster fell out of the escape pod, panting heavily. "Oh god, its like a coffin in there!"

"Well at least you won't have to worry about being in one again," Angela huffed. She winced a bit as the chair had found its way into massage mode.

Foster winced with her as he could see it poking her in the back, "you're still in there?"

"You should be more surprised we haven't crashed yet," Angela grumbled.

Foster cast his eyes over to the helm, all he could see was a brunette woman in a blue/grey uniform sitting there. Then he noticed Annika next to her.

"Ohno, they haven't swapped Opps and the Helm over again, have they?" Foster stuttered.

"No, it's much, much worse," Angela complained.

The helmsgirl turned her chair around, Foster's eyes widened so much his face felt sore. "Ohno, it can't get any wor..."

"No!" Angela yelled at him just as the chair pulled out its own foot rest.

The turbolift doors opened yet again. This time the helmsman from Nemesis walked in. "I heard we're without a pilot, I'll take the helm."

"Damn it Foster, don't tempt fate!" Angela yelled.

Foster shrugged, "it's ok, I'd rather have the guy who only flies in a straight line in a fight, than a woman with two Enterprise crashes on her record."

The ship shook a little, the red alert lights and siren came on. "Son of a bitch!" The look on Angela's face made Foster shrink a little. "What did I just say?"

"Sorry," he squeaked. "Oh yeah um, shields up then," he said while rushing to Tactical.

Angela groaned, "they should always be up. Who's attacking us?"

"The Cardassians," Foster answered. "Should I fire back or something?"

"Do they have a member of the crew onboard?"

"No."

"Do they know some mad sun hating scientist?"

"Er, no."

"Are their hits going through our shields?"

"No."

"Warp core breach?"

"No."

"Planets nearby?"

"No."

The helmsgirl burst into tears, "you'll never let me live that down, will you? It only happened once!"

Angela ignored her as the chair went into a lying position. "Then override the helm and get us out of wherever we are, warp two."

"I'll try," Foster stuttered.

"Make sure you don't hit the enemy ship on your way out, either," Angela grumbled.

The helmsgirl got up and ran into the Conference Room in floods of tears. Before Foster could react, the other visitor sat down.

"Warp? It's my time to shine," the man gleefully said.

Angela could only sigh to herself, "why don't we activate the warp core forcefield while we're at it."

"You're crazy woman, crazy!" Foster gasped.

The turbolift doors opened again, both Foster and Angela didn't dare look. "No!" they both screamed.

"Jeez, ok," Bryan commented, he stepped backwards back into the lift.

The next morning:
Sarah was lying on the sofa, resting a cup on her chest. James came into the room, also holding a cup. "Morning," she said, looking uncomfortable.

"Um morning, are you ok?" James asked.

"Yes it's just, kinda monthly problems, if you catch my drift," Sarah replied.

"Aren't you in your fifties?" James muttered.

Sarah's eyes shifted, "yes. You never used to be so direct and insulting."

"I'm still not, I'm just confused," James said. "Sorry."

Sarah sighed, "it just feels like that, nothing to worry about."

James put his cup on the nearby table, "maybe we should call the doctor."

"No it's nothing," Sarah said.

"I said it was nothing when I had a cold for a week, but you took me anyway. I insist," James said.

Sarah shook her head, "yes you had a cold for a week, it's unheard of these days. Anyway I do see the doctor regularly."

"You do, why?" James questioned.

Sarah sat up slightly, "well I wasn't completely lying to you before, monthly stuff is what's causing this. Did I ever tell you why I adopted children instead of having them myself?"

"Because you hate men," James replied.

"Kinda," Sarah groaned. "I was thirteen when I went on my first and only date. The boy thought it would be amusing to bring his friends on it. One confronted me, and stabbed me. The doctor's all told me having children would cause a lot of damage and internal bleeding, and it would obviously kill me."

"So if you never got pregnant, how come it's bothering you now?" James questioned.

"You should have guessed it by now, but then again you're a man and don't understand pain like this," Sarah muttered.

James raised his eyebrow, "yes well I do understand it. You have those regular pains and stuff, we get girls kicking us whenever it suits them."

"Fine, fair enough but some guys do deserve it," Sarah said. "Anyway the doctors obviously didn't predict the damage it would do. Just going through the rest of my life like a normal girl has caused an awful lot of damage on it's own."

"That's stupid, you'd think the doctors would have known that would happen and stopped it. They said you shouldn't have any kids after all, what was the point?" James muttered.

"Believe me I have told them that for years, but they didn't believe it would be that bad. A few years ago I went to a better doctor, he couldn't believe it either," Sarah said.

"It is weird though, Jess was stabbed there during her second pregnancy, nothing like that happened. The doc just told her that she'd have less chance of having anymore kids for a while," James said.

Sarah looked rather worried, "she probably had the same problem as me. Obviously she or the doctor just told you that. I bet that doc knew what he was doing, unlike mine."

"Well he's supposed to, medical hologram after all," James said.

"Cool," Sarah said. She lay back on the sofa, "oh by the way, that reminds me, I have been meaning to talk to you about Jessie."

James groaned, "for god's sake, you really should get used to us being together, it's driving us both crazy."

"No no," Sarah rolled her eyes. "I'm just worried about her."

James frowned, "why, what's wrong with her?"

"You haven't noticed? I suppose that's part of the problem," Sarah replied.

James sat down on the nearest chair to the sofa, "notice what?"

"She's really unhappy James, I don't know why and she won't tell me," Sarah replied.

"What makes you think that, she always seems fine to me. Except when she snaps at me for leaving at weekends," James said.

"Hmm I don't blame her," Sarah raised her eyebrow. "She probably does seem fine when you see her because you barely do. I'm guessing you not being around is the reason."

"That Manchester problem has been keeping me away from home a lot longer than before," James muttered. "Don't tell her but I have got a week off this week, as long as I work it off later. I don't get why she'd be unhappy though, I would have noticed if she was."

"And how would you? You work for eleven hours, hang around for an hour or so and then go off to Manchester," Sarah questioned. "The only time I see her just looking ok is when you're here, which isn't much time."

"Oh, I wish you told me a few days earlier. It's our anniversary tomorrow and I don't want her mad at me," James said.

Sarah looked uncomfortable, "you booked the whole week off for her, maybe that'll help a little bit. Just talk to her today and sort it out."

Later, in Cyprus:
Tom and B'Elanna were sitting at a bar with cocktails.

"This resort is very nice," B'Elanna said.

Tom grinned, "it is the best one on the island."

"Too bad this was all last minute," B'Elanna muttered.

Johnathan rushed up to them holding a colourful drink, "can I go and play in the pool mum?"

"No it's way too late, wait until morning," B'Elanna replied.

Johnathan pouted, "is that cos of that guy."

"What guy?" B'Elanna questioned.

"The guy outside, he looked like he was peeing in it," Johnathan replied.

"That's great," Tom muttered.

B'Elanna rolled her eyes, "Tom, he just wanted to go in the pool, he's making it up."

Johnathan groaned, "fine, don't listen to me." He walked away.

B'Elanna sighed, "what are we going to do about him? We can't have an anniversary holiday with our son hanging around all the time."

"I don't know. There might be a kids club or something, but he is very young for that," Tom replied.

"We'll try tomorrow anyway," B'Elanna said.

A few girls ran into the room looking disgusted, Johnathan followed them. "It's true you know."

"Why would anyone do that," one girl moaned.

B'Elanna rolled her eyes, "you can talk to the kids club leader now."

"Me, why?" Tom stuttered.

"Because he's gotten that rumour loving thing from you, not me," B'Elanna replied.

Shield Row:
"I don't get it," Duncan moaned.

Jessie groaned as she pointed a pen at a part of the notebook, "you're supposed to carry the one."

Duncan glanced at it, "oh right."

James walked in through the main living room door, "ok who wants McDonalds?"

"Me me," Duncan giggled as he rushed over to him. James handed him one of the bags he had.

"Where's Sasha?" he asked, handing another bag to Jessie.

"Upstairs," Jessie replied.

They both heard a loud knock on the front door. Duncan rushed towards the main door, and left the room.

"Just his friends from school, probably," Jessie said.

James nodded, "don't go anywhere, I'll be back." He left the room.

"Uh, ookay," Jessie muttered as she looked down at herself. "No chance of that happening right now." She heard a small bang coming from outside.

Duncan ran back into the room, "mum!" Two other boys that looked the same age as Duncan does, followed him. "I uh, Darren broke a window already."

"I did not, it was you," one boy grumbled.

Jessie groaned, "which window?"

"The one in the door," Duncan replied.

"It was Duncan, Mrs Stuart," the boy called Darren blurted out.

Duncan slapped the back of his head, "Darren, it was you!"

"But you hit it towards the door," Darren moaned as he rubbed his head.

"Yeah but you threw it towards me even though I told you not to," Duncan grumbled.

James came back into the room, "uh what's going on?"

"Duncan and Darren broke the glass part of the door," Jessie replied. Duncan and Darren glared at each other.

The other boy laughed, "ha ha, you're going to get wrong and I'm not."

Duncan moved his glare over to the other boy, "you're asking for it Johnny."

"Asking for what?" the boy muttered. Duncan continued to glare at him, Johnny then ran out of the house. Duncan and Darren quickly followed him.

"I'll call someone to fix it," James muttered.

Jessie just sighed, "maybe we should just introduce Duncan to a game that doesn't involve footballs."

"Oh, that's what he was doing," James said.

"Yeah, people like you and Duncan should play football and other games in the middle of nowhere," Jessie said.

"And far away from annoying bully wannabes," James said. "You not hungry or something?"

Jessie looked at the bag she had, "yeah just forgot. Where did you go anyway?"

"I had to take care of something," James replied.

"Fine," Jessie groaned.

James sat down next to her, "Jess, is there something bothering you?"

"Ugh, not you too," Jessie groaned. "Did Sarah tell you to talk to me?"

"That's not really important," James replied.

"Look I'm fine ok, why does everyone assume something is wrong with me?" Jessie grumbled.

"Because I think there is," James replied.

"I'm going to go for a lie down," Jessie grumbled, climbing off the sofa.

"Jess come on, what's wrong?" James asked.

"Nothing, I just need a lie down," Jessie moaned in response.

"That's not what I meant," James muttered.

"That's nice," Jessie said as she left the room.

Enterprise Sickbay:
"How long now?" Craig asked.

Doctor Jones glanced at him, "it'll be another couple of hours yet."

Craig glanced over at Triah's biobed, "why does it take so long?"

"It varies from person to person Mr Anderson," Doctor Jones replied.

Craig groaned, he walked back to the biobed. "Triah sweety, do you want me to contact, you know at least one of the dads?"

"No why?" Triah snapped.

"Because one may be a dad, they should be here," Craig replied.

"Uh, this child won't really have a dad," Triah muttered.

"Ok but maybe you should," Craig said, but Triah interrupted him by groaning in pain.

"Craig please, just shut up about the bloody dads," she snapped.

Doctor Jones rushed over to her with a tricorder. He did a quick scan, "hmm maybe I was wrong."

"Really, when will it end?" Craig asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon," Doctor Jones replied quietly, he rushed away.

Triah's eyes widened, "for god's sake, can't you speed it up?"

"It's not recommended," Doctor Jones replied.

"Ugh," Triah groaned.

The next morning, Cyprus:
Tom and B'Elanna were sitting near the pool, on the same sunbed.

"I thought you didn't like too much heat anyway," B'Elanna said.

Tom shrugged, "no but I know you do."

B'Elanna smiled, she leaned into kiss him.

Johnathan walked up to them, "mum."

"What?" B'Elanna groaned, turning her head.

"Can I have an ice cream?" Johnathan asked.

"Fine," B'Elanna grumbled as she got up.

Shield Row:
Kathryn and James came into the living room. "It was very nice there. Lovely weather, lovely hotel, lovely pool."

"And?" James raised his eyebrow.

"And the hotel had a nice coffee shop," Kathryn muttered. "Am I that predictable?"

James shrugged as he sat down, "just a little bit."

"Not that I'm not ok with it, but why did you want me here?" Kathryn asked.

"I need someone to babysit Duncan and Sasha all day today," James replied.

"Oh," Kathryn said. "Doesn't Duncan go to school today?"

"Yes, I'll take him, you just need to pick him up from there at twenty to four," James replied.

Kathryn frowned, "from where?"

"You may as well come with me when I take him," James replied.

Duncan ran into the room, "ugh dad, I don't feel very well."

"Uh huh, you felt well enough to run in here," James muttered.

Duncan's eyes shifted nervously, "um I got ill just now, as soon as I stopped running I got sick."

"Right," James rolled his eyes. "Well what's wrong with you?"

"Um, I'm tired and weak, yes," Duncan replied. "Ok fine I'm not ill."

"Good, you've got time for a small breakfast. What do you want?" James asked.

Duncan grinned, "chips and bacon, oh and beans."

"That's not quick," James muttered.

"And that's not a breakfast meal," Kathryn added on.

"Says the woman who eats caffeinated bacon and eggs for breakfast," James commented.

Duncan pulled a face, "eew that's gross."

Kathryn tried to ignore them, "what about a bacon buttie, they're nice and quick."

"Oh ok," Duncan said. James shook his head as he left the room.

"You really like chips for breakfast?" Kathryn questioned.

"Yeah, do you really put coffee in every bit of crap you eat?" Duncan asked.

Kathryn frowned, "coffee is a morning thing though Duncan."

"Whatever coffee woman," Duncan muttered.

James came back into the room holding a small plate, he handed it Duncan. "So do you want to babysit them?"

"Sure why not, Duncan, Sasha and I haven't spent much time together, have we Duncan?" Kathryn said as she knelt down in front of Duncan.

He looked nervous, "huh? I didn't mean to break that window, it was Darren and it was an accident."

Kathryn stared at James, he just shrugged it off. "Remember, he has a mind of his own and you only made up with me."

"Yes I suppose," Kathryn sighed. "That won't matter after today, once we get you back from school we can go out and have some fun."

"Oh, day with grandma is today? Let's get it over with," Duncan grumbled, he walked out while eating his buttie.

"Sasha was up before him, she's packing a 'few' things," James said.

"Why did you say few like that?" Kathryn asked.

"She inherited over packing skills from her mum, problem is so has Duncan," James replied.

Kathryn sighed, "oh dear."

Meanwhile in New Manchester:
Kevin strolled into Lena and Sandi's flat without knocking, "morning girls."

"Morning Kevin," Lena and Sandi muttered.

"Where's your cute sister Lena?" Kevin asked.

Lena rolled her eyes, "asleep, it's only nine in the morning."

"We're up early and we are usually up all night slaying, what's her excuse?" Kevin questioned.

"She's not a Slayer, that's her excuse," Lena muttered in response.

Daniel appeared on the doorway but unlike Kevin he decided to knock on the door itself.

"Come in," Sandi called.

Daniel walked in, "hey everyone, I have some bad news."

Lena glanced at him, "let me guess, mum's back from her honeymoon and she's keeping an eye on us?"

"No, but she is supposed to be back today," Daniel replied.

"True," Lena said.

"What is it?" Sandi asked as she headed for the replicator.

Daniel sighed, "I had another vision thing."

"Where is the game going this time?" Lena groaned.

"No it's not a game," Daniel replied. "Old Manchester has some new guests."

"Oh, who?" Kevin asked.

"Some vampires who can go out in the daylight," Daniel replied.

Sandi stared at him with wide eyes, "what?"

"You didn't let me finish," Daniel grumbled. "I saw one of them with a normal vampire guy, he seemed familiar, that guy had a hold of Duncan."

"What else did you see?" Lena asked nervously.

Daniel shrugged, "a large group of them were in a tattered hall, it seemed like a school hall actually. The daylight loving vamps were carrying something while heading for a shuttle, that's all I saw."

"Holding something, what did it look like?" Sandi asked.

"It was blurred at that point, I can't tell," Daniel replied.

"Sounds like the telepathic vampire goons decide to pay a visit to Earth, that's just great," Lena muttered.

"Yeah but it doesn't make any sense. They wouldn't be here unless they had to kill Slayers, but it's too late to kill us and it's too early to kill off the next generation," Sandi said.

"What do you mean?" Daniel asked.

"Those guys are responsible for killing any new Slayers if the Masters can't do it. They're dead so they'll have to do it all," Lena replied.

"And they don't usually strike until one of the potentials is Chosen, we've got several years until that happens," Sandi said.

"When Duncan's ten, right?" Kevin questioned. The girls nodded their heads. "Right got it, how long's that? It's hard to know with that kid."

Lena rolled her eyes, "all the potentials are born on the same day, he'll be Chosen on his tenth birthday, not when he just looks it."

"That's if he's Chosen," Sandi pointed out.

Lena groaned, "I know, it's unlikely considering this generations were humans. I doubt humans will be chosen again for a few centuries."

"Well we could do with an extra hand," Kevin muttered.

"I doubt it works that way," Sandi muttered.

"I thought it did. In that other reality where Jessie remained dead, Sasha and Duncan were the Chosens. They were only Chosen to protect Voyager once James was gone and we had constant demon attacks," Lena said.

"Make up your mind there Lena," Kevin said.

"I have, god," Lena groaned.

"Dan, do we have any idea when this will happen?" Sandi asked.

"Not exactly. Duncan is the same age as he is now in the vision. It could be today, or it could be in a few months," Daniel replied.

"Great, what do we do?" Lena asked.

"All we can do is warn James and Jessie, I guess," Daniel replied.

"I'll take care of that," Lena said.

"Don't rush, everything in my vision happened near sunset, at the earliest," Daniel said.

"Ok but did you see Duncan getting kidnapped?" Lena asked.

"Uh no," Daniel replied.

"Then I had better rush then," Lena said. "I hope I remember the right co-ordinates of their place."

Shield Row:
Kathryn and James walked back into the house, James was carrying Sasha. "So you went to that school, it was pretty old," Kathryn was saying.

"It's not really a bad place you know," James said.

Sasha started pouting, "daddy, we walked straight passed that ice cream shuttle, can we go back?"

"I'll tell you what, I'll replicate some ice cream on the way to our place," Kathryn said.

"Where is your place? The fleet is away right now," James asked.

"That hotel in Durham," Kathryn replied.

"You must really like that hotel," James said.

Kathryn smiled innocently, "it's nearby a Costa Coffee."

Sasha looked rather scared, "uhoh."

"It's ok honey, if she gets hyper just throw icecream at her, you know like Duncan showed you once," James said.

Sasha giggled, "ok."

Kathryn frowned, "hey, it better not be coffee icecream you're talking about."

Sasha giggled again as she looked up at James, he tried not to laugh, "damn, she ruined the surprise."

"Ok fine, I'll try to avoid going to Costa Coffee as much while I'm babysitting, just don't throw my coffee icecream," Kathryn said.

James smiled, "good, now you'd better get going." He picked up a few bags with his only available arm. Kathryn quickly took them off him.

"You just carry her," she said as she headed out of the house.

"Now you do remember the other thing, don't you?" James whispered to Sasha.

Sasha nodded her head, "yeh, after her second cup, empty the jar contents in the bin."

"Good girl," James said.

Meanwhile in Cyprus:
"So, what do you say we go to the Italian restaurant tonight?" Tom questioned.

B'Elanna smiled, "Italian, sounds nice. It's just an excuse for pizza, isn't it?"

"Mmm pizza, you read my mind," Tom said.

"So food's the only thing on your mind after all," B'Elanna said.

"Now what gave you that idea?" Tom said. He leaned in to kiss her.

Johnathan walked up to them, "mum, some kid just splashed me. I hit him and now he's threatening to sick his dad on me. Can you beat him up?"

"Damn it," Tom groaned.

"The kid or the dad?" B'Elanna questioned, ignoring Tom.

"Either, I don't care," Johnathan replied. He headed back over to the pool.

"This is a nightmare," B'Elanna groaned as she climbed off the sunbed.

Shield Row:
James walked into the living room, Jessie was nearby busy staring out of the window. "Morning," he said.

She glanced at him briefly, "hmm."

"Do you want some breakfast made?" James asked.

"Not hungry," Jessie replied.

"Jess," James said. "What's wrong?"

Jessie groaned, "nothing is wrong, stop asking."

"Something is bothering you though, why won't you tell me?" James questioned.

"If you are so sure that I'm bothered about something, why don't you just use your telepathy on me," Jessie muttered.

"Well I shouldn't have to use it," James said.

Jessie turned slightly to look at him, "why are you still here anyway?"

"I got a day off," James replied.

Jessie frowned, "why?"

"Actually I got the whole week off, mum's babysitting just today though," James replied. Jessie stared blankly at him. "You do know what day it is, don't you?"

"Stupid question," Jessie muttered, turning back to the window.

"I don't get it then, I got a day off for our anniversary and you're asking why," James said.

"I was just surprised, I didn't think you'd even bother," Jessie said.

"What does that mean exactly?" James snapped.

"Well you always like to leave at every opportunity you get," Jessie grumbled. She turned around to face him.

"Sarah was right, that is what's bothering you," James muttered.

"That's not it. You had no idea, and you thought everything was ok," Jessie said.

"I didn't think that," James said.

"Oh you have noticed. That doesn't stop you nicking off whenever you want. You can't blame me for thinking you don't care," Jessie muttered.

"You're wrong, I do care, I just have no choice," James said.

Jessie rolled her eyes, "sure, you were complaining that your twelve hour work days were taking time away from us. Now I think you were really just thinking about your Slayer duties."

"I never thought about it, something came up," James said.

"Oh so what!" Jessie snapped. "We have three Chosen Slayers down in Manchester already, that's more than you can get in one generation!"

"So what do you suggest I do, huh? You didn't see how many vampires are in that city, and Kevin isn't exactly a good Slayer, I can't just leave Sandi and Lena to take care of it themselves," James grumbled.

"I think they can handle it fine without you. This is just an excuse to, you know get some kicks or something. You have to get it from somewhere," Jessie said.

"That's not what this is," James muttered.

"Well why is it so important that you have to leave your family all the time, you were never the type to put us last," Jessie questioned.

"It's important because lives are at stake here," James replied.

"That resistance you mentioned is long dead now, there's nobody in that damn city and it's surrounded by a shield so nothing can get in or out. Stop making excuses," Jessie snapped.

"I'm not. I don't want to be away from you and the kids all the time, but I have no choice. You know more than anyone that I'd have to have a very good reason to do that, or you should know that," James said.

Jessie groaned as she sat down on the sofa, "I do know that, that's why I don't get this." She cringed as she placed a hand on her stomach. "Sandi and Lena can han... handle it."

James stepped closer to her with concern in his eyes, "are you ok?"

"Yeah it's just the usual," Jessie replied. She looked up at him looking a tiny bit nervous, "um, where were we up to, oh yeah fighting weren't we?"

"The usual? What are you talking about?" James asked.

"It's nothing, really," Jessie sighed. "It happens all the time, more so since I'm pregnant."

"Is this because of that idiot who stabbed you when you were pregnant with Duncan?" James muttered.

"Um, yeah, the Doctor did warn me when I found out about Sasha," Jessie said, cringing again.

"I thought he just told you that it would be mostly impossible for you to get pregnant," James said.

"Yeah he did. I didn't really want to worry you," Jessie said. Once again she cringed.

"You're doing a good job of that now," James said.

"It'll stop in a minute, we'll get back to the argument afterwards," Jessie said as she tried to get back up. She quickly sat back down. "That's different."

James took a step closer to her, "what?"

Jessie gasped, "oh god, what was that?" Her other hand grabbed a hold of the side of the sofa. James knelt down, he put both of his hands on hers. "It usually doesn't hurt this much." He took a hold of the hand that was attached to the sofa before, his other hand moved to her back.

"You'd better lie down," he stuttered.

"Good idea," Jessie muttered, she turned slightly so she could lie down.

James let go of her hand and stood up, "I'll get a doctor or something." He rushed over to where a computer was sitting, he quickly keyed a few things in.

Jessie tried to sit back up, "no it's ok, it'll go away." She cringed and quickly lay back down, "ok maybe not."

A young woman appeared on the monitor screen of the computer, "this is North Durham hospital."

"You have to send somebody here, quickly," James stuttered.

"Ok, checking the signal. 12 Idene Road, Shield Row, right?" the woman said.

"Yeah that's it, tell them to be quick," James replied.

"Don't worry, they're always quick," the woman said. "In the mean time, what's the emergency, there might be something we can do right now."

James glanced back at Jessie, "it's my wife, she's having sharp pains, at least I think they are, she's pregnant, that's where the pain is."

"I see, try to keep calm," the woman said. "If it's pregnancy related I doubt there's much you can do right now, except keep her comfortable until help arrives."

"Is there no ship in orbit that can transport us to a hospital or something?" James asked.

"Hospital? Oh no I'm not going to one of those," Jessie muttered.

"I'm sorry, it appears that all the ships are on assignments. Help will arrive in a few minutes," the woman said.

"Right, thanks," James muttered, he pressed a button on the computer, the woman disappeared off the screen. He headed back over to Jessie.

"I don't want to go to a hospital," Jessie groaned.

James knelt down nearby her, he took a hold of the hand that was on her stomach. "I'm hoping we won't need to."

"What if we do, can't we go somewhere else but North Durham?" Jessie stuttered.

"Durham's the closest Jess, that's better, you know that," James said.

"Would it have killed them to have put a hospital in Stanley," Jessie muttered. She closed her eyes and bit her lip. "It's getting worse."

James used his other hand to stroke the side of her face, "it's ok, they'll be here soon." The hand he was holding tightened its grip. "Jess stay strong for me ok."

"When it comes to pain I'm not strong," Jessie muttered, still with her eyes closed.

They both heard a loud banging outside. "That's them, I'll be back," James said as he climbed back onto his feet. He rushed out of the room. A few seconds later he came back in, two guys followed him, one holding a med kit.

They both knelt down in front of her, one of them pulled out a tricorder. The other one opened up the med kit, he fiddled with a hypospray. "How long has she been like this?" he asked.

"About five, I dunno ten minutes," James replied.

"It's nothing right, you can treat it here?" Jessie stuttered.

The man with the tricorder used it to scan her, he shook his head, "no we can't. Tim, get the stretcher." The other man handed him the hypospray, he got up and rushed back out. The remaining medic pushed the hypospray into her neck. "That'll help with the pain but we can't risk giving her a high enough dosage to get rid of it all."

"I can't, I don't want to go to the hospital," Jessie muttered.

James knelt back down next to her, "it's either that or put up with the pain. We don't know what this is, we can't risk staying here."

The medic glanced at him, "she's got an infection, that pain she keeps having is the baby moving against it."

"Oh not again," Jessie groaned.

James' eyes widened, "again?"

"I got an infection while with Sasha, luckily it was in the early stages and the Doctor..." Jessie muttered, she bit her lip again. "He treated it, it wasn't this bad."

"You really should tell me," James said.

The medic called Tim came back in carrying a basic stretcher, he put it down. "We'll have to hurry," the first medic said.

Tim nodded as he moved over to where James was kneeling, "sir, we need to get her on the stretcher."

"It's ok, I can carry her," James muttered, glaring at him.

The first medic put his arms underneath Jessie's legs, "ok then. On the count of three."

James put one arm underneath her back, and one around her shoulders. "Fine, three." They both lifted her up easily and put her onto the stretcher.

The two medics grabbed both ends of it and walked out of the room with it, James followed them. They all got outside, and went inside a small shuttle. They carefully placed the stretcher onto a biobed. Tim headed for the front, he sat down in the pilots seat.

"Ok it'll take a few minutes to get to North Durham," Tim said.

"All right sweetheart, how's the pain?" the other medic asked carefully.

"It's still there, and don't call me that," Jessie groaned in response.

"I gave her a safe dosage, it should last until we get to the hospital," the medic said. He looked back up at James. "I know it seems inappropriate but I need to get some details so the hospital can add it to her record."

"Ok, what kind of details?" James questioned.

"Well firstly full name so the hospital can get access to her record," the medic replied.

"Full name? I don't know if the record from our ship is the one the hospital's got, or an old one," James said.

"I wouldn't worry about, they're very thorough so they'll have the recent records," the medic said. He glanced back down at Jessie. "Ok what's your full name?"

"Jessie Stuart," she replied.

"It's Jessica," James muttered.

Jessie frowned, "yeah whatever."

The medic got a PADD and fiddled with it, "I take it you prefer Jessie then, at least now you won't bite my head off." He smiled, "now then, this is just so I know cos I don't have access to her records now, but this is her second pregnancy right?"

"Actually fourth," James said uneasily.

"Oh, we're telling everyone about the first one then," Jessie muttered.

The medic raised his eyebrow, "ok, she mentioned she had an infection with the child Sasha, was that the last or..."

"That was the third yeah," James replied.

"Can you think of anything else that may be related to this?" the medic asked. "For example did the other two pregnancies go ok, or has there been anything else wrong with the current?"

"Oh boy, we'll be here a long time," Jessie groaned.

"Well the first one can't be related, recently I've found out it was during the second one that this happened," James said.

"Can you be specific?" the medic questioned.

"Some guy, he stabbed her there, our son had to have a surrogate mother to survive," James replied.

"Our doctor said that I'd have less chance of having kids because of that, but I got pregnant again really easily," Jessie said quickly. "Well kinda easily. He found the infection during a check up so he treated it, he did warn me I may get pains every now and then."

"And he didn't mention that the infection could come back?" the medic questioned.

"No, it shouldn't have," Jessie replied. She closed her eyes, "I don't get it."

James looked uncomfortable, "I think I do though. You died during the third pregnancy, stabbed again."

"Yeah but it was too high up, it couldn't have affected me like that," Jessie muttered.

"Um, she died?" the medic questioned.

"Yeah well the baby was put into somebody else, and then in stasis until she was revived, and then they put her back in her," James replied.

The medic stared with wide eyes, "I don't get it, who on earth was your doctor? Why was she put into stasis, she could have stayed with the surrogate right?"

"I was dead a while ok," Jessie grumbled.

"It's hard to explain ok. She died because of some ritual, the one who performed it became the surrogate. She was evil so we had to take the baby away from her. The stasis units were damaged once during an attack, we couldn't risk keeping her there," James said.

"Ok, her record's going to be a very interesting read," the medic muttered. "How long was she dead?"

"Two months, I think. I didn't want to keep track," James replied.

"And when was the child put back in her?" the medic asked.

"A month or so after she was brought back," James replied.

"Well, I see the problem then," the medic sighed. "I don't get how she survived after being dead for two months, actually I don't get a lot of it, but I do get why this is happening again."

"Well?" Jessie groaned.

"Well her body was dead during a certain part of the pregnancy, it was obviously in the same state when she was brought back and when the baby was put back in. The baby was three months ahead of her," the medic said.

"We're here," Tim said.

"I'm hoping that the baby was still young when she was put in her," the medic said.

"Um, seven months," James muttered.

"Oh god," the medic groaned. The shuttle shook a little as it landed.

Tim made his way over to them as the shuttle doors opened. "Well let's get her in."

"Please," the medic sighed. They both picked the stretcher back up and headed out of the shuttle.

The Enterprise Bridge:
"Surely we should be back at Earth by now," Angela complained. She was now free of the chair, but she could still feel the imprint marks on her shoulders.

"Of course, we've been here for hours," the new helmsman said.

"Um, nope... not even close," Foster commented. He switched the viewscreen on, all anyone could see was a green mist. Before anyone could say anything a Cardassian ship flew into view from the starboard side. Sitting nose to nose with the Enterprise, they fired a shot.

"I knew I should have stayed on the Leda," Foster whimpered.

"That wasn't my fault this time, you all saw it," helmsman stuttered.

Angela rolled her eyes, "hail them."

Foster did as he was told, "they're not listening."

"Fine, keep the comm channel open. Deanna, take the helm," Angela ordered with a cringe on her face. Everyone gasped at her.

The woman from before stepped out, blowing her nose. "Oh sure, now you want me." She made her way to the helm anyway.

"Now we're being hailed," Foster said.

Angela smirked, "on screen then."

Gal Satai appeared on the viewscreen looking pretty terrified, "no, anything but that!"

"Don't tempt me any further. I have something a lot worse than Deanna Enterprise-Crusher Troi at my disposal," Angela threatened. She shook Annika's chair a little, "say hi to the nice lady."

Annika smiled, "is it nanoprobe time? It's been a while."

"Enough!" Gal Satai bellowed. "What's the meaning of this Enterprise, we weren't planning an attack until next week."

"Then why did you?" Angela asked.

"Your most powerful starship flew straight into our secret..." Gal Satai explained.

Foster butted in, "oh good for us, we did something right."

"Secret space station!" Gal Satai shouted directly at him.

Everyone's eyes went straight to Deanna. Luckily the other helmsman was hogging his station still. She looked rather sheepish.

"I said it only happened once," she commented. Everyone, including the Cardassians on the screen raised their eyebrows. "On purpose." She fidgeted as the staring continued. "By accident I mean."

"We're on the Enterprise E, might I remind you," Angela muttered.

"Right, aren't I supposed to be on the Titan, or something?" Deanna nervously stuttered. She ran into Foster's old escape pod. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, that ship got Fire At Will'd just last week," Angela commented.

Meanwhile Annika had moved to sit in the Captain's chair. The seatbelts attempted to go around her and fasten, but they couldn't get across her chest.

Gal Satai cleared her throat, "about our secret space rubble."

"At least you can still keep it a secret," Foster said helpfully. He winced as the Cardassian woman growled at him.

"Hang on. I don't remember hitting anything, surely I'd have noticed," Angela grumbled.

"Aaaah, that's nice, get those kinks," Annika's voice vibrated. Everyone turned to look. They had to quickly turn back as the chair was already in full vibrate mode.

"Oh," Angela could only say.

"Oh don't worry, you won't miss this," Gal Satai grunted. The viewscreen switched back to space view, the ship flew away.

"Oh phew, they're gone," the helmsman said. The ship shook a few times. "Huh, that's weird. I don't see anything."

Foster shook his head, Angela stared at him with a look that could kill on her face. "Um, shields holding at 90%."

"Fine. She said we're powerful, its her funeral," she grumbled. "Arm the quantum torpedoes."

Annika giggled, "oooh yes, that's the spot."

Even the Enterprise herself shuddered at the thought.

Sickbay:
"Why must something happen when someone's in labour?" Craig grumbled as the ship shook again.

Doctor Jones sighed, "it wouldn't be half as interesting then I guess."

Harry walked into the room, "it's ok, I'm here now."

"Did you call him?" Craig asked, glancing at Jones.

"No and obviously you didn't either," he replied.

Harry walked over to them, "I overheard it from Neelix, of course because of that stupid Nemesis helmsman I had to get a shuttle here from the Leda."

Lee walked into the room, "hey everyone."

Craig groaned, "oh god, she's going to kill me."

"I thought I'd better be here cos as soon as that kids born I'll know it's not mine," Lee said.

Harry nodded, "that's kinda the same reason."

Craig rolled his eyes, "right so if he's not black or Chinese you'll think you're not the dad. You're idiots."

"Um, we are?" Lee stuttered.

"Well Triah's white so the baby may be white still even if you were the dad, and well I've always thought Chinese and Japanese people look similar," Craig muttered.

Harry looked annoyed, "are you being racist?"

"No," Craig groaned.

Doctor Jones walked over to Triah who was staring angrily at the newcomers, "keep those freaks away from me."

"Try to stay calm," Doctor Jones said.

"Calm? How long have I got left?" Triah snapped.

"A few hours," Doctor Jones sighed.

"God at this rate Jessie will have her kid before me," Triah groaned.

"What in a few hours, that's one fast growing kid," Lee said.

Harry shrugged, "well at least it and Duncan will have something in common."

Craig stared at them, "I really hope you two are not the dad."

"Well I'm glad you haven't got a kid yourself," Harry said.

"I probably will someday, and I'd be a better dad than you any day," Craig grumbled.

Harry laughed, "right! Will you teach your son how to humiliate himself in the worst possible way, by proposing to a girl who doesn't like him, after being dumped by another girl?"

Craig stepped really close to him staring angrily, "oh yeah, well at least I had a girlfriend."

Doctor Jones shook his head as he opened up a tricorder, "will you stop arguing, this is hardly the time."

Triah grabbed the tricorder off Jones and threw it at the pair, it hit Harry in the arm. "You two either shut up or get out!" She looked down at the tricorder on the floor, "for god's sake, look what you reduced me too, littering. Someone pick it up for me."

Doctor Jones knelt down to pick it up, "no problem." He walked back over so he could scan her.

****TO BE CONTINUED****

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