"I do not snore, Commander," she stated quietly but steadily as they walked across the green field to a rock formation. It was at this rock formation that the council met, under the open sky -- and sometimes the stars -- to greet and confer with travelers.
"Kathryn, you were snoring in turbolift 5. Lord only knows how many poor Ensigns were riding up and down in that lift with you there . . . snoring," he knew she would start to finger her combadge with that thought.
Kathryn moved her fingers to her combadge with that thought, "Chakotay -- why did you have to tell me that? I already can't sleep at night as it is!"
"Sorry," Chakotay mumbled and was rewarded with a soft fist in his chest due to the lack of sincerity.
"Tubtub meet Janeway!" The alien ran forward and bobbed up in down. No doubt it wasn't just an amusing little dance they did but a bodily form of a greeting. "Welcome, welcome. Come sit with Goobaar - we make many discussions on your happiness here here." He turned and started to walk towards the rock formation with Kathryn and Chakotay following from behind.
"Oh god," Kathryn stopped suddenly, her eyes moving frantically around in front of her. "Oh no," she moaned.
Chakotay was worried, "What is it?" He grabbed her arm tenderly and let his eyes follow in the direction of where her finger was pointing.
Off in the horizon Chakotay could make out small forms. He squinted and then felt the muscles of his cheeks start to twitch, growing upward into a large smile and then into uncontrollable laughter. There were animals in the distance that looked amazingly like earth's sheep.
"This is not funny! This is a dire circumstance!" Kathryn protested and grew even more glum as she noted that Tubtub was jumping happily to Chakotay's laughter. The aliens seemed to like it. "You've got to help me!" She was desperate, "Chakotay what do I do?"
"Just don't count the sheep," Chakotay said and knew he had hit home.
'39 . . . 40 . . . for-rrttttyyy . . . oooonne . . .e . .e . .'
"OH MY! OH my goodness!" The doctor dropped the Data PADD. "Well THIS certainly is a surprise." He tapped his combadge, "Doctor to the bridge."
"Yes, Doctor," came Tuvok's stoic voice.
"I need to be patched through to the Captain, immediately! It's concerning some bloodwork I did on her!" he was frantic, pacing this way and that.
"Is there something wrong with the Captain's health, Doctor?" Tuvok questioned.
"Yes, I mean no I mean," the Doctor's voice was rapidly rising and increasing in speed, "Just patch me through Vulcan and just log my harassing language later tonight."
"Noted," Tuvok replied.
Chakotay materialized on the transporter platform carrying one sleep Captain in his arms. He smiled at Ayalya and stepped down. "Don't say a word about this to the rest of the crew. Understood?" he smiled as if to say, 'if you do, though, it still would be okay.'
"Aye, sir," Ayalya nodded and went back to fooling with the console.
"Tuvok to Commander Chakotay," came a voice over his combadge. He rolled his eyes at the Vulcan's voice and looked down at Kathryn. She hadn't stirred. No doubt she was exhausted and nothing would wake her this time. Then again --
"Chakotay here," he stated softly.
"Will the Captain be --"
"No," Chakotay stated and started walking towards Kathryn's quarters. "The Captain is sleep-deprived and the doctor has recommended she not be disturbed for the night," he lied and was happy with it.
"Understood. Status of the Goobaar?" Tuvok persisted.
"You can start sending the crew down from some R&R," Chakotay said as he punched in the override code. "But don't count on the Captain or I joining you. Chakotay out," he cut off the Vulcan and stepped inside. The doctor had stated that the bloodwork showed Kathryn was pregnant with his child. Beyond typical lack-of-sleep, that was why she was so tired. Kathryn . . . . . pregnant. 'He like-a very much-a.'
THE END!!! GO CATCH A FEW ZZZZ's -- YOU DESERVE IT!
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