- Good morning. - You're in a good mood.
- It's another beautiful day. - What did you have for breakfast?
I'll see you tonight.
- Here you are, Lieutenant. - Thank you.
Nice job, Ensign.
You keep the warp field that stable, you might get us home a few years early.
The Starfleet Manual allows for a variance of 0.3.
That's only a guideline. You can do better.
I don't remember giving you permission to work here.
I'm sorry, Lieutenant.
- I'm helping him with warp mechanics. - You should have notified me.
- It's a busy day, and I... - Lieutenant?
I'm fine.
I'm detecting another lifesign.
- Where? - Inside Lieutenant Torres.
It could be a parasite.
- Seven to the Doctor. - Go ahead.
- I'm accompanying Torres to sickbay. - What's wrong?
I believe she's pregnant.
The foetus is about seven weeks old
and doing well. So are you.
Why did she faint?
Klingon and human metabolism clash.
Tell me about it.
Pregnancies can cause fluctuations.
Is that serious?
You can expect behavioural volatility,
increased nutritional needs.
Creating new life is a big job.
Creating new life.
I can't believe it.
Weren't you trying to get pregnant?
Well, of course. I mean...
We knew we wanted a family.
The odds against it were so high.
You've beaten them. Congratulations.
When is the baby due?
Klingon pregnancies run 30 weeks but with mixed species, maybe sooner.
- Is it a girl or boy? - No. Don't tell.
- I want to be surprised. - We've already been surprised.
I don't see a reason to label the baby. I don't wanna have to pick a name yet.
OK. Mommy knows best.
Mommy?
I wonder if the holodeck has child-rearing programs.
- Some things you can't simulate. - I need some help.
- We should get our quarters ready. - I could replicate a crib.
- We need to rearrange the living area. - We need to do a lot more than that.
- You're happy about this, right? - Of course I'm happy.
- Just a little overwhelmed, that's all. - Me too.
- Can we keep this to ourselves? - Absolutely.
I need to get to work.
See you later. Dad.
- Congratulations, Tom. - Thanks. How did you find out?
Icheb.
He wasn't supposed to tell?
We were hoping to keep it private for an hour or so.
As they say on Talax...
"Good news has no clothes.”
Thanks, I guess.
My good news would be learning I'm the godfather.
I do have experience with Naomi Wildman.
I can't think of anyone more qualified.
In that case, I've been making up a list of names. Tell me...
Have you checked the warp core for radiation leaks today?
- No. Why? - You have a certain glow about you.
- OK. Who told you? - I just heard. Congratulations.
- Thanks. - Seven said you were dizzy.
- I'm fine. - Not even the Cardassians rattled her.
- Would you like some time off? - To do what?
Adjust. This is a big change.
I'll work in the day, sleep at night and have the baby when it's time.
If you need to cut back on your duties, I'm sure Seven will fill in for you.
I think I can handle it.
Congratulations, buddy.
Where did you hear? On a datastream from Earth?
I think it was a transmission from the Borg. It's all over now.
No late nights in the holodeck, racing the Delta Flyer.
Aren't you exaggerating just a little?
I've seen it happen. You get tied down with family. Old friends drop away.
- It's fatherhood, not exile. - If you say so.
Kidding aside, how's it feel?
It's... It's not quite real yet.
Maybe that's what pregnancy's for. Time to let reality sink in.
Before your life spins out of control.
Do you need any help?
This may be the first time you've ever volunteered to assist me.
Really? Well, we've got to change that.
We've known each other a long time. Let's work more closely.
I'll keep that in mind.
So, I guess you've heard. B'Elanna and I are going to have a baby.
I was unaware.
Finally, someone who doesn't know.
- Allow me to extend my best wishes. - Thanks.
You know, a baby is... It's a big responsibility.
But I'm ready for it, not that you can ever be completely ready, can you?
Lieutenant, are you asking me for advice about fatherhood?
Well, I don't know anyone else who's been through it.
My parenting skills are dormant. It's been years since my children were young.
Then you've had a long time to think back on it. Any helpful hints?
Offspring can be disturbingly illogical,
yet profoundly fulfilling.
- You should anticipate paradox. - I'll remember that.
If you'd like my counsel on more specific issues...
Something tells me I'm going to be working with you on a regular basis.
- So? - Looks nice.
Well, I figured quiet romantic dinners may soon be a thing of the past.
Tough day?
The captain practically relieved me of duty,
as if I couldn't be an engineer and be pregnant.
If you ever need a babysitter, godfather Neelix is ready to go.
- Chakotay wants to be godfather. - Neelix has a list of names.
I don't mind people suggesting names.
What annoys me is all the free advice about feeding, discipline.
Folk wisdom is my favourite.
Bolians believe if you give birth near a warp core,
it'll improve the baby's disposition.
Why is everyone entitled to give advice? This is our child.
People shouldn't interfere with a Klingon mother.
- What's that supposed to mean? - Nothing. It was a joke.
- What's being Klingon got to do with it? - Take it easy.
I don't want to. I want everybody to back off and let me...
The Doctor said I might experience some behavioural volatility.
I guess this is it.
Forget about the Doctor.
Forget the captain or the godfathers.
- Maybe you're right. - I know I am.
This isn't about their expectations or hopes
or... doubts.
- None of this belongs to them. - It belongs to us.
All of it.
Lucky us.
Lieutenants Torres and Paris, please report to sickbay.
It's a holographic extrapolation of your child's spine,
ten months after birth.
- It's deviated. - A pronounced curvature to the left.
- Can it be corrected? - I had surgery when I was a baby.
- You never told me. - My mother had it too.
It tends to run in Klingon families, especially among females.
- Are you saying this baby is a girl? - No. I didn't say that.
- But it is a girl, right? - You cannot infer that.
It's OK, you might as well just tell us.
Yes. It's a girl.
And aside from the deviated spine, she's healthy.
- Will she need surgery? - We've advanced beyond that.
Genetic modification is the treatment of choice.
If you can project an image of the spine,
can you use the genetic data to show us the whole baby?
I could. It would only be an approximation.
- Let's look. - I don't know.
Come on. Aren't you curious?
OK.
She's beautiful.
- Forehead ridges? - Yes.
But she's only quarter Klingon.
Klingon traits are dominant for several generations, even with one ancestor.
She looks just like her mother.
You are so much like your mother.
She's perfect.
Isn't she?
What a day.
Nothing has scared me as much as hearing our baby had a problem.
- It's not much of a problem. - We didn't know that at first.
Now we know.
And we also know that the Doctor is going to fix everything tomorrow.
I'm sorry. It's a lot to take in all at once.
- And I'm really tired. - We could both use some sleep.
Computer, dim the lights.
Someone make sure those coals are out.
I'll get it, Dad.
Kids, be careful. Be back before sunset.
- We're having fish for dinner. - If you can catch any.
I increased the field strength of the targeting lure.
Those fish don't stand a chance.
You'd better go. Your cousins aren't gonna wait forever.
I was thinking. Maybe I could go fishing with you and Uncle Carl.
I thought you were looking forward to the hike. Just kids, no dads to slow you.
- They don't like me. - Why would you say that?
- Because it's true. - Come on. Let's go.
See?
Go on. Have a good time.
- Dad? - What is it?
Nothing.
- Relax. We're not that late. - We were scheduled for 0800.
Still time for a gourmet breakfast, peanut butter toast.
- I'm too tired to eat. - Wait till those 0200 feedings start.
- You'll be in charge of those. - I can't wait.
Look. You don't have to come with me. It's a minor procedure.
Wouldn't you like some moral support?
I'm not an invalid.
In that case, you're on your own. That goes for breakfast too.
I've been expanding my paediatrics database.
- There's another problem? - Not at all.
I have made a pre-natal enrichment program.
- Why am I not surprised? - Let's start with abdominal vocalisation.
- You'll sing to my foetus? - Through a diatonal amplifier.
- It'll enhance her mathematical ability. - Can we talk about this later?
- At our first parenting class. - Parenting class?
Birthing, feeding options, bonding.
- It's not all hard work, though. - Could we get on with it?
Certainly.
Computer, dim lights.
- I hope you don't expect me to sleep. - Of course not.
The darkness encourages vascular dilation. You may feel a tingling.
Please remain as still as possible.
- Come and have lunch. - That's OK. I'm not hungry.
Eat while you can. You know our dads won't catch any fish.
- Here. - Thanks.
- Your mum wasn't sure you'd come. - I had school work.
- Glad you made it. - That's nice of you to say.
- Can you hand me a drink? - OK.
Thanks.
My teacher said Klingons like live food.
- Stop it. - It was just a joke.
It was a stupid joke. He's always doing stuff like that to me.
- Don't be mad. - Wait.
Computer, raise lights.
Your daughter's spinal column is perfectly aligned.
- Is she going to be all right? - If her parents are any indication.
Computer, access B'Elanna Torres' medical file.
File accessed.
Project a holographic image of the baby.
Now extrapolate what the child's facial features will look like
at 12 years old.
Display the foetus genome.
Delete the following gene sequences.
Extrapolate what the child will look like with those genetic changes.
Delete the following sequences.
Extrapolate.
Save changes.
Restrict access to this file. B'Elanna Torres only.
There's no valid medical reason to do what you're proposing.
- I disagree. - You want to delete DNA sequences.
- Genes that create redundant organs. - Superfluous.
They are there for a reason.
- Does my daughter need a third lung? - Strictly speaking, no.
But it may be beneficial.
Some say the extra lung evolved to give Klingons stamina in battle.
She is not going to be a warrior.
You have no idea what your daughter is going to be.
What if she's an athlete? Greater lung capacity is an advantage.
There's no reason to arbitrarily remove genetic traits.
It's not arbitrary. It's preventive.
- How so? - That third lung could become diseased.
I suppose.
It's like removing an appendix before it's inflamed.
Why tamper with systems that have evolved over aeons?
Like curvature of the spine?
If I make these changes, it'll affect her appearance.
I'm aware of that.
Are you also aware that some genes influence behaviour, personality?
None of that's as important as her health.
- What does Tom think? - I wanted to see what you thought first.
As you can see, I'm very dubious.
Look, I've done statistical analysis, epidemiology.
- At least review my work. - All right. I'll look at it.
But in the meantime, I suggest you have a talk with your husband.
- Absolutely not. - We're talking about our child's health.
It's more than that. You want to change who she is.
Her individuality, her...
You don't want her to be Klingon.
That's what it's about. You're trying to protect her from being Klingon
because you had a rough time.
- I was treated like a monster. - That isn't going to happen to her.
Everyone on Voyager will accept her for who she is.
- Easy for you to say. You're human. - Meaning what, exactly?
Meaning you don't understand what it's like.
OK, then. Tell me.
When the people around you are all one way, and you're not,
you can't help feeling like there's something wrong with you.
Voyager isn't just one way.
We've got Bajorans, Vulcans, Talaxians.
And 140 humans.
Our daughter is going to have a mixed heritage just like her mother.
It's something you'll have in common, to be proud of. Why destroy that?
I'm not destroying anything. Gene resequencing isn't a weapon, it's a tool.
She's not a machine. She's our daughter.
I'm not sure what you want me to do.
I want you to order the Doctor to genetically alter my child.
See what I'm dealing with?
What you're asking for is ethically questionable. Your husband is against it.
I only want to do what you did.
- For Seven of Nine. - I beg your pardon.
- Her implants were removed. - I don't see the connection.
You changed who she was.
- I was acting in her best interests. - So am I.
Seven was born human. The captain just restored her physiology.
- And gave her a better life. - Our child isn't even born yet.
I don't want her to start at a disadvantage.
The Doctor said you'd have mood swings.
- That's it, dismiss my argument. - I didn't mean that.
Stop it. Both of you.
The biggest problem you two have isn't ethical. It's marital.
I'm happy to offer advice as a friend, but I won't overrule my chief medical officer.
You two need to work this out.
- B'Elanna? - What?
- You heard her. We have to work it out. - You're getting what you want.
What I want is to have a civilised discussion with my wife!
Maybe a change of scenery would help in the holodeck.
- That's your solution to everything. - I'm trying.
- I don't care where, but we have to talk. - I am tired of talking, all right?
- Do I need a reservation? - What happened?
- B'Elanna and I need some time apart. - My couch is your couch.
She's barely pregnant and already we're having a major crisis.
- You'll make up. - That's what worries me.
Fighting and making up. How will that affect our daughter?
She's going to have a great life. Piloting a ship on your lap, battling Dr Chaotica.
Unless B'Elanna thinks battling is too Klingon.
She's always been sensitive about being part Klingon.
It shouldn't turn our child into a science experiment.
But it does explain why this is so important to her.
What am I supposed to do?
- Why not tell her you understand? - What good would that do?
It might make her less defensive, and maybe she'll see your point of view.
What if she can't?
Like I said, my couch is your couch.
She should be back by now.
Nobody knows where she went?
- She just ran off. - I'm gonna go and look for her.
- Uncle John? - Yeah?
I...
- B'Elanna, where have you been? - I'm sorry. I got kind of separated.
- It was our fault. - Dean put a worm in her sandwich.
I was just kidding. I'm really sorry.
Forget it.
Come on. Let's get dinner started.
- You wanna talk about it? - I just wish...
- I wish I weren't Klingon. - Why would you say that?
- Everyone makes fun of me. - Who's everyone?
Dean. The kids at school. They all hate me.
Did I ever tell you what the kids at my school used to call me?
I used to fall asleep in class all the time,
so instead of John Torres, they called me John "Snorez".
- It's not the same thing. - Of course it is.
Kids tease each other. They can be very cruel.
It doesn't mean they hate you, or Klingons.
You don't understand!
I think I do. You have to learn to be a little less sensitive.
Fine.
Now come on. Uncle Carl is going to tell one of his famous fish stories.
I'd rather just read.
Suit yourself.
Did you know there are fish around here with wings?
- Flying fish? - It's true. I'm telling you.
- Really? - Didn't we see a flying fish today?
We sure did. It jumped five feet in the air.
- Everybody asleep? - They were exhausted.
- Coffee? - Sure.
- Listen. I'm sorry. - For what?
The way Dean treated B'Elanna. I talked with him.
He was just doing what 11-year-olds do.
I'm sure B'Elanna overreacted.
What makes you say that?
- She's too sensitive. - What? She's a great kid.
I haven't been around her much recently.
She's gotten moody, unpredictable.
Argumentative. Just like her mother.
I thought you loved Miral's... intensity.
Everything's a fight with her. The older I get, the less intensity I can handle.
It's funny how Mom and Dad always turn out to be right.
- What do you mean? - Mom warned me not to marry Miral.
- Mum loved Miral. - Sure she did.
But she never thought I had the constitution to live with a Klingon.
And now I'm living with two of them.
- Taya. - What?
Taya. It's the feminine form of Chakotay. What do you think?
I'll add it to the list right after Floxia. Neelix suggested that. It's number 32.
On second thoughts, you and Tom ought to come up with your own name.
I knew there was a reason I always liked you.
You look like you've been up all night. Wanna get some coffee?
That's the best offer I've had all week.
- Morning. - Hi.
Join us for breakfast?
You know what? I forgot my padd. You go ahead. I'll meet you in the mess hall.
So, how are you today?
I haven't changed my mind if that's what you mean.
What I meant was, how are you?
I've been better but I'll get over it.
Harry has the lumpiest pillows on the ship.
He snores, keeps the room way too hot.
- I missed you. - Me too.
I still owe you that slice of peanut butter toast.
Why don't we go to our quarters, fire up the toaster?
Sounds nice.
Lieutenants Torres and Paris, please report to sickbay.
I reviewed the data you gave me and did my own analysis.
Skip the details. You've already made it clear what you think of my proposal.
- Actually, I've changed my opinion. - What?
The genetic alterations you suggested are necessary.
On what grounds?
The clash I mentioned between Klingon and human metabolism.
- It's more extensive than I realised. - How extensive?
It could lead to complete metabolic failure.
- But you can fix it. - By eliminating her Klingon genetics.
- Are you sure about all of this? - My analysis was thorough.
In different circumstances, you could seek a second opinion.
No offence, Doc, but I am just trying to understand what's going on.
You're welcome to review my findings, but let me stress,
it would be unwise to delay too long.
- Why? - The foetus is at a critical stage.
Antibodies have begun to form.
- How long do we have? - The procedure is tomorrow morning.
With your permission.
Thank you for helping B'Elanna when she fainted.
I'm glad it wasn't a parasite.
There may be some problems with the pregnancy.
I'm sorry to hear that.
The Doctor suggested a treatment
but his findings are very confusing to me.
You have expertise. Would you mind looking at this?
Of course not.
Whatever the problem is, I have no doubt the Doctor will solve it.
- I hope you're right. - Your confusion is understandable.
There's a computational error.
It's not like the Doctor to make a mistake.
That's not possible unless there's a glitch in his program.
- I'll run a diagnostic. - Thank you.
Tell Lieutenant Torres if there's anything I can do.
I'll let her know. Thanks.
It's more than a glitch. The Doctor's program has been tampered with.
This is Tom. Respond.
Computer, locate Lieutenant Torres.
Lieutenant Torres is in sickbay.
Frankly, I'm relieved you didn't wait to the last minute.
Once this is behind us, I'm sure we'll all feel better.
Someone's blocked communications.
See if you can deactivate the Doctor.
- Access has been restricted. - Keep trying.
Paris to Tuvok, meet me in sickbay.
- Why would she alter his program? - To change his mind.
- Computer, open sickbay doors. - Unable to comply.
Override authorisation. Tuvok pi alpha.
Authorisation denied.
- Stop what you're doing. - You're interrupting a procedure.
- Your program has been altered. - What do you mean?
- Ignore him. - This is completely irrational.
Will someone tell me what's going on?
Your first duty is to me and my baby.
Tuvok to bridge, there's a force field in sickbay.
I can't deactivate it. Cut power to the relays around the surgical bay.
Access has been restricted. I'll have to bypass them.
- You said it was dangerous to delay. - She's manipulating you, Doc.
If something's wrong with my program...
There's nothing wrong.
Cutting power to the surgical bay, now.
We will deactivate you till we determine the extent of the alterations.
I understand.
- Computer, deactivate EMH. - You had no right to interfere.
Would you mind giving us a minute?
I never thought you would go this far.
- I don't know what you mean. - Reprogramming the Doctor?
I upgraded his program so he could understand what had to be done.
To reconfigure our baby so she wouldn't be treated like a monster.
It's not just about the way she'll be treated.
What else is it about then? Come on. Tell me.
- Forget it. - No, we're not gonna forget it.
- We're gonna talk about this right now. - Stop it. You're not my father!
What are you talking about?
Look, my father...
What? What about him?
We were inseparable.
He spoiled me and I worshipped him.
But the older I got, we just grew apart.
He ended up organising this camping trip with my cousins.
I guess he just wanted to... I don't know, make things better again.
- But it didn't. - It was awful.
I ended up trying to run away.
B'Elanna... what are you doing?
It was so stupid.
I mean, where was I going to go?
You probably just wanted him to stop you.
Well, he did.
- Don't touch me. - B'Elanna, what's wrong?
- You know what's wrong. - No, I don't.
Maybe I'm just being moody and unpredictable.
- What are you talking about? - I heard what you said to Uncle Carl.
You shouldn't listen to private conversations.
You shouldn't say what you did about Mommy.
Listen to me, your mother and I are having problems but...
- You don't love her any more. - That's not true.
Yes, it is, and you don't love me either. You don't like Klingons. You said it.
You are twisting my words.
- Maybe you misunderstood. - No. I know what I heard.
- It made me so angry. - You had a right after what he said.
It's not what he said. It's what I said.
If you can't stand us, why don't you just leave?
And that's exactly what he did.
12 days later. And he never came back.
- You can't blame yourself for that. - Why not?
Because he was obviously unhappy about his marriage.
- He didn't leave because you told him. - You don't know that.
Look, whatever the reason was,
I'm sure it was a horrible thing for you to live with.
Wait a minute. You don't think...
- I am never going to leave you. - You say that now.
Think how hard it is to live with one Klingon. Pretty soon it'll be two.
And someday I hope it's three or four.
I mean it. And I hope that every one of them is just like you.
I am not your father and you are not your mother.
And our daughter is going to be perfect just the way she is.
- You really think so? - I know so.
Medical officer's log, stardate 54452.6.
Lieutenant Torres has deleted the alterations she made to my program.
It's a relief to be back to my old self again.
Good morning. You're not feeling ill, are you?
No. I'm fine.
I just wanted to apologise for violating your program.
Apology accepted. Not guilty by reason of biochemistry.
Nice of you to let me off the hook.
But biochemistry isn't an excuse. I knew exactly what I was doing.
- Is something wrong? - I don't know.
Your baby's kicking.
- So soon? - Well, she is part Klingon.
There it is again.
May I?
Feisty little thing, isn't she? I wonder where she gets that from.
Speaking of the baby, I have another request.
Yes?
I wonder if you'd like to be her godfather.
Neelix wants the job but he's got Naomi.
Chakotay knows less about kids than Harry...
I accept.
Thanks.
Thank you.
I was also wondering...
...do you think I could see her one more time?
- The holographic projection. - I don't see why not.
She is cute, isn't she?