Disclaimer: Paramount owns ‘em. I play with ‘em. Not for fun or profit.

This is dedicated to listmom, Anne in Chicago, and to Noon who is a lovely lady.

"Bree-op"

[spouses stare at each other from either end of the couch, neither one is willing to move]

"Enter."

"Don't bother trying to get up. By the time you both get to your feet. I'll be gone." [Klingon engineer strides in, makes herself comfortable on the chair opposite the sofa]

[spouses grin and continue rubbing each other's feet]

"How're you two doing? I haven't been seeing much of you since your hours were reduced to quarter shifts."

[engineer stares at both men across from her, shakes her head in amazement at their rounded, distended middles]

"We're OK considering our six children have no names." [pilot mutters gloomily]

[spouse throws pillow at complainer] "We're fine, B'Elanna. Baytart and Foster both moved so we've been working on the extra space for sacs 1 through 6."

[engineer jumps up, suddenly restless] "Can I see what you've done? I'd like to help, but I've been so busy."

[spouse having feet massaged waves grandly] "Sure you can, there's lots more to be done. And it's getting more difficult to maneuver as my middle gets bigger."

[silence from the other room, spouses wait anxiously for verdict]

"I love what you've done. This circular arrangement for the cribs is an efficient use of space."

[massage stops] "B'Elanna, are you channeling Seven?"

[silence again from large nursery off the main room] "Well, it is a good idea and the positioning of the rockers means that you won't be in each other's way if you have to get to the babies." [engineer replies defensively]

[spouses exchange telling glances]

"B'Elanna?"

[engineer walks slowly back to her empty chair]

"Yeah, Starfleet."

[spouse smiles at the use of the old nickname] "What's wrong?"

[visible struggle on engineer's face before expression smooths out] "Tom, Harry?" [engineer sits down on chair and leans foward] "Why'd you both do it?"

[spouses bewildered]

[Chief engineer tries again]

"What made you decide to risk it all and have kids?"

"It was no risk, B'Elanna. We loved each other. We wanted to do this for each other, even though Tom was reluctant at first."

[spouse gifts the other with a stern glare]

"Why're you asking?" [pilot asks baldly]

"No reason, just asking." [engineer stands and walks toward the door] "I'm on duty in a few minutes. If you need help, comm me."

[spouses remain bemused as engineer departs quickly]

"I bet one hand-job it's Seven."

"Nah," [practical-minded spouse puts together clues] "I raise your bet. Foot massages for one week if it's Captain Janeway."

The End

Continued in Parenting 303