Lt. Commander K'Lara paced the floor of the living area as she held her week old son in her arms. He had awakened crying and she scrambled to find out what was wrong with him. She finally learned that he needed changing. Now, she was trying to get him back to sleep and was barely succeeding. Each time she was about to lay him in his crib, he would begin to cry again. She finally decided on just letting him fall asleep in her arms.
I wish Jon would help me out, K'Lara thought as she paced the room. Maruu keeps him so busy I hardly ever get to see him unless we're on the Bridge at the same time. It's getting frustrating.
K'Lara sighed and patted her son's back. She noticed that he had finally fallen asleep. She smiled and went to put him in his crib. That time, he hadn't cried. She smiled at him and smoothed the growing hair on his head. She then silently went back to bed.
The next morning, K'Lara took her son to the Day's End Lounge. She had already fed him and she thought that this would be a good way to introduce him to the rest of the crew. She stopped when she realized that her mother must have done the same thing. She stared at the doors to the DEL and smiled.
I guess I get to be in my mother's shoes after all, K'Lara thought as she walked through the doors. I just hope T'Lan is as well received.
K'Lara went to a replicator and ordered herself a meal. She could feel the eyes upon her back as the crewmembers looked at her son. She turned and walked toward an empty table and sat down.
She could feel T'Lan begin to squirm. He was getting restless with all the new people and sounds going on around him. She didn't want to let him go, though. She was afraid that he might get lost or stepped on.
"T'Lan," K'Lara growled, and he stopped fidgeting. He looked at her with glowing eyes, and she knew he was about to throw a temper.
"We'll meet all the new people in a minute, T'Lan," she said with a hint of her own temper in her voice.
"I see you have a hand full there, K'Lara," a voice said, breaking the tension.
K'Lara looked up to see Dana Maruu standing over her. She had a smile on her face that showed she was amused by what she saw.
"He's just curious about all these people. He wants to go meet them all."
Dana smiled as she saw the concern in the half-Klingon's eyes. "I'll take him on a tour while you eat, K'Lara. I'm betting that the crew is curious about T'Lan as well."
K'Lara smiled, "That would be great. I'll pick him up when your shift starts again."
Dana returned the smile as she took T'Lan in her arms. The baby was already pointing in the direction he wanted to go. The doctor laughed as she took him to see Lt. Commander Benton.
K'Lara shook her head and returned to her meal. She closed her eyes and sighed. It was nice to take a break for awhile, but it was even better to return to work.