Disclaimer: Gundam Wing is owned by Bandai and Sunrise. Star trek was created by Gene Roddenbery, I think Paramount owns it.

Deep Space Noin
Episode 6: Labor's a Pain

"Contrary to popular belief, vulcans do have physical needs, which humans may think of as desires. They can be distracting at times. I find the best way to eliminate unwelcome thoughts is to engage is some sort of physically exerting activity. I enjoy practicing an ancient vulcan hand to hand fighting style known as Junjung."

"I see. What activity do you think I should try?" Heero nodded, he enjoyed exercising. It did clear his mind.

"Well, both you and Trowa could use some more physical exercise. Now that you no longer have the Borg implants, you must learn to maintain your muscle tone. Perhaps something like tennis, racketball or even basketball. There are holodeck programs available for all these sports."

"Thank you Officer Chang, I will suggest these sports to Trowa. I did have one other matter I wished to discuss with you." Heero took a deep breath. He had learned after his 'discussion' with Relena, that not everyone on the ship approved of his assisting Dorothy.

"Proceed."

"Well I don't know if you've heard about Dorothy's condition."

"You mean her pregnancy and your involvement. I have heard." Wufei motioned for Heero to continue.

"Yes, well what should I do about it?"

"You must be more specific in your request."

"What should I do about the baby?" Heero asked.

"What do you want to do about the baby?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?" Wufei questioned.

"I really didn't plan on getting involved."

"I see, how does Dorothy feel about this?"

"I don't know, I haven't talked to her about it. When she asked for my help, I was not made aware of the fact that it would extend beyond our one night together."

"So you feel no responsibilty towards the child."

"Should I?"

"Perhaps not, however I have two children myself and although they are far away and old enough to be on their own, I still think of them often. When I think of them it comforts me. Children allow us a way of passing on our ideas and experiences. They provide one with an illusion of immortality and many people find great joy in raising children."

"Hn. Well I do not think that I will find any joy in such a task."

"Perhaps not. It is something that cannot be answered easily. I cannot counsel you any more than I have on this matter." Wufei broke eye contact with Heero, letting him know that the discussion was over.

"I understand." Heero said as he left. He was still confused though, and he really didn't want to talk to Dorothy.
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"I think that you should take it easy Duo. Give me a few minutes. I am sure I can find someone else to help me move this screen." Quatre was begging Duo now. He really hadn't intended to move the screen, but when he mentioned that he thought it would look better on the otherside of the room, Duo insisted.

"No way Quatre. I've been sitting on my butt for too long now. I mean I'm pregnant, not crippled. It's not like this screen is that heavy, it's just cumbersome. I think we need to move the couch or else I'm gonna have to crawl over it." Duo put his end of the screen down and started pushing the couch away from the wall.

"Duo stop! You're gonna hurt yourself!" Quatre dropped his end of the screen and rushed to Duo's side.

"I'm just pushing it out of the way Quatre, calm down." Duo pushed Quatre away, then went to place his hand on the couch's arm. He missed and fell to the ground. Pain shot up through his shoulder. Then something inside him broke. It wasn't that painful, it was just a feeling that everything was wrong. There was a lot of movement in his belly and he began to feel nauseous and queasy. The room was spinning even though he was lying down.

"Duo are you okay? Answer me Duo!" Quatre was frantic. "Ensign Winner to sick bay, I have a medical emergency in my quarters!" Duo was just staring up at the ceiling, ignoring Quatre's cries.

"This is Dr. Po, I'm sending someone there now Quatre."

"Hang on Duo." Quatre squeezed his friend's hand, trying to illicit some kind of response. He heard the door to his quarters slide open and two crewmen set a stretcher down on the ground and lifted Duo onto it. Quatre followed them to sick bay, but was instructed to wait outside.
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"Officer Chang, am I to understand that these transmissions have been going on for some time now?" Zechs had to keep himself calm, he was angry, but he knew trusted Wufei's judgement in such matters.

"I believe that, that is the case captain."

"And you have not been able to discover, just who on the ship is sending these transmissions?"

"No sir."

"What course of action have you taken to try to remedy this?"

"Well sir, we have been actively monitoring all communications since the illegal transmissions were discovered, but I think our perpetrator is on to us, because no transmissions have been made since Officer Peacecraft began her investigation."

"Relena is in charge of this?" That surprised Zechs. He liked Relena, she was very good at her job, but he was surprised to find Wufei placing his trust in her.

"It is her area of expertise sir."

"True, but she has no experience in security issues."

"I know that sir. I have teamed her with Trowa Barton and Chief engineer Lucreiza Noin, in order to make sure that all necessary protocols are followed completely." Noin working with Trowa and Relena. He couldn't wait to tease her about that.

"I see. I expect to be informed as soon as any new information arises."

"Yes sir."
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"Are the babies okay?" Duo asked, his voice tinged with worry.

"Oh yes Duo, they're all fine. In fact, I think that they are ready to come out." Sally smiled down at her patient, who was currently lying flat on his back on one of the tables in the sick bay.

"What?! But it has only been five months!" Duo was not ready to be a dad yet.

"Well they are half alien, this could be their normal gestation period." Sally was still smiling, which was just freaking Duo out more. She turned around and began filling her syringe with some colorless liquid. Duo jumped off the table and tried to amble over to the door, but Dorothy Catalonia stood in his path.

"Now would not be a good time to take a walk, Mr. Maxwell." Dorothy smiled sweetly, but there was a definite threat in her voice.

"Look lady, now is not a good time to get in my way." Duo glared at her. He had to get out of here.

"Considering that you have managed to get yourself knocked up by an unknown alien, I would think that you would want to preserve what little dignity you have left. So why don't you let me help you get back on that table." Dorothy held out her hand helpfully, while smiling down at him. It sent shivers up Duo's spine.

"Oh you really know how to charm a guy snake-babe."

"I know that human women tend to be weak and easy to push around, but I am half Romulan and half Cardacian and I assure you that if the need arises, I can pick you up and put you back on the table myself. So why don't you be a good boy and turn yourself around so Sally can began the operation."

"The operation?!"

"Well of course Duo. How were you expecting me to get those babies out of you? Now, I have an anastetic ready, so please come back here. I must warn you, Dorothy is not making any idle threats. She has proven to be quite the enforcer when patients become uncooperative." Duo turned around and looked at Sally. Even though she was smiling sweetly, he knew that her programming wouldn't allow a sick patient to leave the sick bay without proper treatment. He lowered his head in defeat and walked back to the table. When he went to hop up, Dorothy reached across the table and grabbed his underarms, lifting him. She really was strong!

"Now Duo I know you're scared, but when this is over you're going to be a father surrounded by six little babies that you can love and take care of for the rest of your life." Sally inserted the needle into Duo's arm and he immediately began to lose conciousness. The lights faded out and he began to dream of a beautiful green skinned woman with warm hands and a lilting voice.
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"Duo can you hear me? How do you feel Duo?" As the light crept in Duo was able to make out a pair of soft blue eyes partially covered with light blonde hair. Quatre was leaning over him. He had something in his arms that was making a soft humming sound.

"Quatre, is it over? Are they all out?" Duo put his hand on his stomach, pain shot through his belly.

"I would be careful Duo, the incision I had to make is still new. And to answer your question, yes we got them all out." Duo turned to look at Sally. She had a bundle in each arm, but she looked sad.

"What's wrong?" Duo asked as he gingerly began to sit up. He saw Dorothy sitting down at the foot of the table. She was also holding a pair of blankets.

"Oh Duo, I'm so sorry. I'm afraid that one of the babies didn't make it." Sally said. Duo felt a pang of sorrow, but he was still feeling pretty happy looking at the two babies that Sally was holding.

"We don't know what happened, but it was the last one to come out. I think that the stress was too much for it." Dorothy added.

"Yes it was smaller than the others, it just wasn't strong enough to survive." Sally walked over to Duo. "The incision has been closed, but it will take a couple of days before the pain is gone. Your shoulder was just bruised. It should be fine. Would you like to hold one of your girls?" Duo looked at the two babies that Sally was holding. They looked like normal babies except that they were really small, probably only 4 pounds each and they had a green tint to their skin. They looked exactly alike. Duo was nervous, but he'd have to do it sooner or later.

"Okay, sure. So these two are girls? What's the overall breakdown?" Duo asked as he held out his arms.

"Well actually they're all girls, as far as I can tell. I'm not 100% sure. They have a very unique physiology." Sally placed one of the babies in Duo's arms. It immediately started to hum, like the one Quatre was holding.

"They only hum like that around men. When Sally and Dorothy hold them, they are quiet." Quatre said. He nuzzled the baby he was holding and it hummed louder. Duo wondered just how long he'd been out. Quatre looked really comfortable with that baby. "So do you know what you are going to name them?"

"Well I know that I want to name at least one of them Hilde, after their mother. I don't know about the others though. Do you have any suggestions?"

Quatre laughed at that. "Well, I do have 29 sisters. So I can think of quite a few names."

"Okay, let's hear them." Duo said as his face cracked into its usual smile. He looked down at the baby in his arms. He began to hum softly himself.