The New Crewmember

[Maria Zier 0]

Commander MVess "Left Ear" JoNs quietly entered the main sickbay, and after speaking with and being cleared for entrance into the maternity recovery area by the lead medical technician on duty for the shift, the feline entered the area and started to make her way over to the ships newest mother.

 

Maria was laying on one of the biobeds. She was sitting up, holding her newborn in her arms. The baby was wrapped in a soft pink blanket. She looked up as the Caitian entered, and smiled. "Come to meet your newest crewmember?"

 

A happy grin brightened the normally serious brown furred face of the panther-like feline. "Aye. How is the new officer?" A powerful paw gently grasped a corner of the blanket, and her soft purred voice was pitched even lower so as not to alarm the baby.

 

The new mother looked down at the baby. Little black eyes looked back up at her, and then at the large furry thing. "She's awake for now. Say hello to Julie Alexandria Zier."

 

The large furry cat-thing was behaving, and not projecting any thoughts or feelings that were remotely predatory or evil "you will listen to me" executive officer; all little ones no matter the species had a knack for sensing feelings, and at times were almost as sensitive as a cat. Purring could be heard. From the feline officer, not the baby. "She is so pretty. Hello little one ...."

 

Julie didn't react either way to the Caitian. She just simply stared. Maria smiled as she too looked to the Cait. "Would you like to hold her?"

 

"Thank you Maria, but no. She is much too little.... it would make me to nervous." Miss Straight Arrow? Nervous? Wonders would never cease. The feline sat at the foot of the bed and contented herself with running a furry paw digit over the baby's small arm. "And, I did send off an information packet as you requested to Lieutenant Zier at the starbase regarding the birth. He and his boy should be very happy."

 

"Thank you, MVess, but..." Maria leaned forward a little, careful to support Julie's head. She then moved the baby into the Caitain's arms. "I'm not going to take no for an answer." Satisfied that Julie was secure, she let go and laid back. "I'm sure Alex is running around in excitement, and Martin is the calm one."

 

Left Ear sat stiff backed, holding the baby, and gave Maria a "oh my gods, are you trying to make my pressure go up". Eventually, the executive officer settled, relaxing a bit, and brought the little bundle in closer to her chest. "It's been a long time since I held a baby. My brother's wife is due, so I will look at this as pre-training."

 

The Caitian officer purred at the baby.

 

"See that wasn't so bad," said the mother as she smiled at the two of them. "I am glad you stopped by, cause there was something I wanted to talk to you about."

 

"And that is?"

 

"Well I wanted to do this with Alex, but since he's on Camelot...We want you to be Julie's god-mother."

 

JoNs's tail tip quivered with happiness, and she smiled a big fanged smile. "I would like that. I’m honored. Thank you."

 

Maria gave a joyous smile over her exhausted face. "I'm so glad you said yes. You can never have enough god-children. Speaking of, how's little M'rrrett?"

 

A wry look answered the question. "Well ... she's being a typical sixteen year old. Not rebelling exactly, just some attitude toward her parents."

 

Maria gave a playful sigh. "Ah...I remember those years. My parents threw a fit when they found out that I was joining Starfleet."

 

"Mrrett would very much like to join the Fleet, and her parents are aware of her desire to do so. Many of my family currently serve as well, so it is definitely a family thing. The kitten however has no idea yet what she would like to major in." Left Ear adjusted her hold on the gurgling baby.

 

"Well it's not always a clear cut decision. You have to go with what is right for you," Maria said as she yawned a little. It was that time when the nurse stepped into the maternity ward. Politely she stepped up, gently taking Julie from JoN's arms. "It's time to let the mother rest. She needs her sleep." She held the baby close to Maria as she gave her one last kiss before the nurse left the room, taking Julie to her crib.

 

Left Ear bid Maria farewell, squeezing the woman’s shoulder in a paw, and then left the maternity recovery area as quietly as she had come in.

 

Maria smiled as the Caitian left. She then laid back in the bed, giving another big yawn. Slowly the young mother began to drift to sleep.