Once again, she was caught in the nightmare that her alien abductors weaved, as images of the past again haunted her dreams. Benton... Lataro... The child she now carried... She could feel her very mind being invaded as if her very soul were being raped. As her eyes opened, for a brief moment, she thought she caught sight of the aliens. She had never seen them before, and even now, their features seemed hidden by darkness. Just as quickly, she heard a noise and she began to tremble. It was that horrible beam of light that could either transport a person away or be used as a weapon. It was charging up! The sound grew louder with each passing moment. What were they going to do to her? Suddenly, she saw the light coming at her. It was intense and blue. With fear, her eyes flew open and she bolted upright, to find herself in her own quarters... in her own bed. With a deep breath, she steadied herself. Then another noise caught her attention. It was the door sensor. Slowly swinging her legs off the bed and onto the floor, she fought a wave of nausea.
"Enter," she called out, trying to straight her hair, which had become a tangled mane of auburn ringlets.
As the door slid open, the familiar image of Johnny Chee walked in carrying a small bouquet of flowers. As his eyes fell on her, concern immediately filled his dark eyes. Jenara looked pale and haggard, as if she had not been sleeping or eating well. As she stood, she seemed a bit shaky, though had a smile ready for him. Taking slow, deliberate steps, she walked to him.
"Hello there!" she said, "I was wondering when you would come and see me again."
"Well, you know how work can be. Things were a little busy this week. We were running constant simulations and not much time for anything else. These are for you," he replied, handing her the flowers.
She took them and smelled their delicate fragrance. "Thank you!" she replied and led him to the couch to sit down. As he took a seat beside her, she noted his concerned gaze.
"What is it? Do I look that bad?" she asked.
For a moment he studied her. "You don't look well. What happened since the last time I saw you? Is the baby all right?"
"I take it no one told you," she replied.
"No."
She nodded, "I started have contractions again about four days ago," she explained.
His concern seemed to increase immediately as his eyes wandered to her bulging belly. She still appeared to be over five months pregnant. But this had not been the first time it had happened during her pregnancy.
Memories flooded both of their minds. Shortly after Johnny had left for the week-long shore leave before he had ended up in the alternate universe, Jenara had started to cramp. She didn't think much about it, until the pain increased and she started to spot. She had managed to make it to sickbay before she had begun to dilate, but her cervix had started to thin. If Lt. Xianna hadn't administered to her immediately, she would have lost her baby.
It had been one of the worst moments of her life. Though she wasn't happy about the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy, she already loved her child dearly. She had stayed in sickbay for two days under constant monitoring. After that, she was released on bed rest as long as she monitored herself constantly.
When Johnny had finally made it back, he had heard what had happened and spent as much time at Jenara's side as possible. But duty called, and he could not spend the kind of time he wanted with her. Within a few weeks, she was back at work on light duties. She'd had no further contractions... until now, that is...
"The baby's all right. She's just very anxious to be born. But I got to sickbay in time for Dana to stop the contractions. She kept me there overnight and now I'm back on bed rest with a heavier dose of medication to halt any further contractions. But I should be back to work in a few more days. Very light duties anyway."
"Why didn't you contact me and let me know?" he asked, with deep concern.
"I knew you were busy, and I didn't want to worry you," she replied.
He pulled her against him and kissed the top of her head.
"I would have made a way to be there with you. You shouldn't have to go through this alone."
Jenara smiled. "I'm not alone. In many ways you're always with me."
Without further explanation, he understood. It was the connection they shared.
"But why do you look so worn down?" he asked, taking one of her hands in his. "Are you worried about your little one?"
"It's not that, though I do worry about her. I just haven't been sleeping well," she admitted. "When I close my eyes, I have nightmares. They're constant."
"What are they about?"
"The abduction and the tests. I still experience the same fear, as if they could do this again at anytime." Her green eyes, lacking their usual sparkle, turned away to gaze at a far wall.
"Have you been eating?" he asked.
"I've managed to eat a little here and there, but I suppose I haven't been eating as much as I should. I've been getting nauseous lately. Could be the medication I'm now on." Slowly, she sat back up and sighed.
"Then tonight I'm going to make sure you eat well," he replied.
Her eyes returned to his once more as she smiled. "I'm just glad you're here. It wonderful to feel your arms around me again. You know, I was so worried when you disappeared into that alternate reality."
"I was worried about you," he replied.
Tenderly, he placed his other arm around her shoulders once again, as each of their hands still held and caressed the other. As if she were always meant to be there, she leaned against him again, her head resting on his chest. She smiled, and for the first time all week, she felt secure again. Gently, he caressed her hair and back. There was something so right about this. It was if they were always meant to be together. As Jenara listened to the sound of Johnny's heart beating, she could feel herself relax. No one could hurt her. Just as he was about to ask her what she was in the mood to eat, he realized, by the rhythmic sound of her breathing that she had fallen asleep. He smiled and gently kissed the top of her head. If sleep was what she needed, then he was contented to hold her, as long as she slept peacefully.