The USS Alliance docked at Starbase 114 at 0324 hours. Everyone was to be off the ship within two hours so that it could undergo a Baryon Sweep.

Dr. Mira Montgomery carried her two bags and three plants off the ship and headed for her husband's quarters. She had not seen Simon in person since he was promoted and transferred in January. He was now the Chief Science Officer of Starbase 114.

Mira paused at his quarters, pressing her thumb onto the panel next to the door for her DNA scan. A few seconds later she quietly entered the apartment intending to surprise Simon since he was not expecting her for another week. The USS Warrior was in worse shape than at first suspected and thereby had to be brought into SB114 under the power of the Alliance which was why she was earlier than expected.

Mira didn't call for lights so as not to wake her sleeping husband. The living area was spacious with sofa, two chairs, coffee table and a computer-comm unit in the corner. To the left was the kitchen area with a bar dividing it from the living area. To the right was a narrow hallway that led back into the bedrooms and bathrooms.

She dropped her bags onto the floor and set her three plants on the coffee table and proceeded into the bedroom. She stripped off her uniform and boots and quietly slipped in beside her sleeping husband, snuggling in close to his back. It was then that Mira knew something was wrong. He sensed her presence and turned over into her arms. Mira managed to get a closer look at the man she was laying naked with as the dim starlight from the windows fell across his face. This was NOT Simon! She screamed which woke the man and he let out a yell, both jumping up out of the bed. Mira grabbed the only sheet, pulling it around her while the man, also nude, pulled a pillow off the bed.

"Lights!" he called. "Who are you?" he asked.

"Who are YOU?" she countered. Both then realizing who the other was. "You're Commander Lassiter?" Mira asked.

"It's Captain actually. I was promoted two months ago. And you are Dr. Montgomery, I presume?" he asked with a smile.

"What are you doing in my husband's quarters?" she asked, pulling the sheet tighter around her body.

"Ah, well, plumbing problems, Doctor. And since Simon's quarters were just down the hall from mine.."

"I see," said Mira.

"Well I DON'T!" came Simon McRaney's booming voice from the doorway. "Tell me this ISN'T what it looks like!", he said, crossing his arms trying to look stern, even though he was about to burst out laughing.

"Simon!" cried Mira. "I thought he was you!"

"Oh, and so you decided to undress for him? Really Mira, he doesn't look a thing like me."

"In the dark he does!"

"I think I resent that," said Captain Duncan Lassiter, still holding the pillow.

"Duncan," began Simon, "don't you think you should put something on behind that pillow before I have to kill you?"

"Oh, yes, of course. You two will excuse me?" he said, grabbing his uniform from the floor and backing his way into the bathroom, still holding the pillow in front of him.

When Duncan had made his exit, Simon could no longer contain himself and burst out laughing.

"This is NOT funny!" shouted Mira, stomping her foot.

"You should see it from over here," responded Simon. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"We had to bring the Warrior in," responded Mira. "That's why I'm early. And why weren't you in the bed instead of your friend there?"

"I just got back from a survey mission on Chrysalis. If I had known you were going to be early, I certainly wouldn't have invited Duncan to stay here."

"Well, I should hope NOT," she said, sitting on the bed.

Simon came to her, putting his arms around her and kissed her. "I've missed you," he said.

"Me too."

>From the bathroom door, a fully dressed Duncan emerged. "Ah, excuse me. I think I'll head on back to my own quarters and let you two get reacquainted," he said tossing the now unneeded pillow onto the bed. "It's nice to meet you Doctor."

"Call her Mira," said Simon. "Now that you two have shared a bed together, 'Doctor' seems awfully formal."

Mira narrowed her eyes at her husband and elbowed him in the ribs. "Very funny."

"You are really in trouble for that remark," said Duncan. "Nice to meet you, Doctor. I hope to see more of you, ah, I mean, I hope to see you later… with Simon, I mean."

"Get out while you still can, Duncan," said Simon, waving him away.

"Right. Later."

"Nice to meet you too," called Mira as Duncan left.

"Oh, it was, was it?" teased Simon.

"Yes. He was very…ah nice."

"Was he now?" Simon pushed Mira down onto the bed, covering her with kisses. "As nice as this?"

"I don't' know," she giggled. "Haven't made up my mind yet."

"Let me know when you do."

"Keep going. Ooh, yes. I think this is MUCH better."

"You think???"

Simon began to tickle Mira in the sides. "Ok, ok! Yes. This is MUCH better!," she managed between laughter.

"Good."

------------------------------------------------------------

Captain Duncan Lassiter laughed softly as he stepped out of the doorway and headed down the corridor towards his own quarters. "Lucky man," he sighed.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Mira turned over and stretched her arm across what she thought would be her husband, but instead was an empty bed. "Simon?" she mumbled. Not hearing anything she decided to get out of bed and search for him. "Computer, time?"

"The time is now 0514 hours," came the computer's soft voice.

Mira pulled on her baby blue satin robe and padded barefoot into the living area where she found Simon staring at the comm terminal on his desk.

"Simon?" she called softly.

"Mira? Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?"

"The empty bed woke me. What are you doing up so early? You don't have to go in until after lunch today."

"I got up for water and then noticed my message blinker, and decided to take the message before coming back to bed."

"Is it something important?"

He held out his hand for her and she quickly walked over to him, taking his hand. "What is it?"

"You know I told you about my friend, Joseph Cantos?"

"He and his wife were killed on Coridan in the same accident that claimed your wife, Sara, right?"

"Yes. He had a daughter at the time, aged 5, Christine. I have always kept in touch with her off and on over the years."

"I know. Has something happened to her?"

"She died last month."

"I'm so sorry, honey," said Mira, hugging her husband from behind. "I know you thought a lot of her. What happened?"

"She died of Rushton's disease."

"That's a nasty one," said Mira. "Once you get it, the life expectancy is only about 5 years, if you're in good health and not too old."

"She was pregnant at the time."

"Oh no. That would surely accelerate the disease."

'Yes. It did. But that isn't all of it."

"What?"

"She had a baby three months ago. A boy."

"That poor child!" sighed Mira. "Left without a mother. What about it's father?"

"She was artificially inseminated."

"Then the father doesn't know about the baby and has no legal responsibility for it. I see."

"No, you don't."

"What do you mean?"

"Mira, sit down here," he said, getting up from the chair. "I need for you to listen to the message she sent me."

"Why?"

"Just listen. I think it will explain everything. After that, we need to talk."

"Simon, you sound so serious. You're scaring me."

"Please just listen." He kissed her forehead.

Mira sat down in front of the vid screen.

"Computer, replay message," ordered Simon, as he stood behind his wife, his hands on her shoulders.

The message began:

"Hello Simon." The picture was one of a woman in her 30s with light brown, shoulder length hair and pale blue eyes. Her face was drawn and she was abnormally thin. She's in the last stages of the disease, thought Mira.

"What I am about to tell you will surprise and probably anger you. First of all, please know that I never meant for anyone to know about this. If I had not contracted this disease, I would be living far away from Earth on a nice planet somewhere where no one knows me and everything would have been just fine. As it is…," she took a deep breath.

"Well, you know how much I have always admired and respected you, Simon. You have always been there for me over the years since my parents died on Coridan. I want you to know that I really appreciate all you've done for me since then. And … well, I've always had a kind of crush on you. But you probably already picked up on that, huh?" she softly laughed.

"Since I was little, I have always wanted a child, you know that. We've talked about it over the years often enough, haven't we?" She grinned. "Well, I finally have one now. A sweet, healthy baby boy with beautiful blue eyes and dark hair, just like his father." She reached out of the view of the screen and came back holding a beautiful little baby in her arms.

"This is my son. He is two months old now." She handed him back to someone off screen.

"I don't quite know how to tell you this, but I'm dying. I have Rushton's disease. As you probably know there is no cure. My pregnancy has accelerated the disease and now I have just a few months left. At least that is what the doctors tell me. They warned me against getting pregnant of course, but I thought I could beat this thing. I wanted a child more than anything in the universe! I do not regret the short time I have spent holding and loving my child. He has been the one bright spot in my universe. I want you to know that." She took another deep breath. She was obviously very nervous about revealing this information, whatever it was, thought Mira.

"I was artificially inseminated so his father has absolutely no legal or moral responsibility for him at all. This was all my doing. Mine alone.

Since with DNA the father's identify no longer remains a secret, of course I DO know who he is. But what I did in getting my son was not exactly legal.

I don't know how to say this, so I guess I will just have to say it outright. I went into Starfleet Medical Cryo Sperm bank and extracted the sperm of the man I wanted to be the father of my child." Mira felt a chill run up and down her spine as she suspected what was coming.

"This sample was supposed to have been destroyed ages ago, but because of some kind of error, it was not. I happened to find it by accident since I was in charge of the Cryo banks at that time.

Anyway, what I am trying to say is…my son's father is…you, Simon. The most perfect man I have ever known. I can think of no better father for my son." Mira felt her heart stop. Time froze and it seemed like hours before she was able to take breathe again. She felt Simon's strong hands kneading her shoulders.

"I know this may cause you problems and I am SO sorry for that. But I am asking you to consider taking my son…your son and raising him as your own. I know you are happily married to Dr. Miranda Montgomery and I believe she would be a good mother to my son as well. From all that I have read and heard of her, she is a good and kind woman. You are lucky to have someone who loves you, Simon.

I know that you have no legal or moral responsibility for him, and I am sorry to put this on you and your wife. But if you can't see your way to taking him into your lives and loving him as your own, then I ask that you please see that he is placed in a home with a loving couple who want children. My aunt and uncle are too old to raise a child now even though they would take him if I asked them to. Again, I am SO sorry for bringing this into your life. As I said before, had it not been for this disease, you would never have known he was your son.

Think long and hard about this decision, Simon. This child was born out of love. I have always loved you, you know." She smiled. "And I always will. I will always love my son too. By the way, his name is Simon Augustus McRaney Jr.

I suppose that is all there is to say, Simon. By the time you read this I will be gone. I have made arrangements for little Simon which are included in the padd I sent you. I hope you have a wonderful and long life. And it is my fondest hope that little Simon will be with you on your life's journey.

All my love. Christie Cantos."

Mira sat stunned, unable to move or speak. She couldn't believe what she had just seen. "Computer, replay message," she ordered. She sat and watched the whole message again before she slowly got up and went over to the replicator without saying a word.

"Computer, Valerian tea, hot," she ordered. She needed something to calm her nerves as she found herself shaking. This was something that she had never expected to happen--Simon having another child without her!

"Mira," said Simon worried about his wife. He had never seen her in this state before. It was like she was in shock.

Mira held up her hand to silence Simon. "I need a few minutes here, Simon, okay?" she asked as she sat down at the kitchen table, sipping her drink.

Simon went to the replicator and ordered Earth whiskey, non-synthahol, then came and sat at the table with his wife.

"I can't believe this," said Mira, finally.

"Neither can I," spoke Simon.

"I always wanted children, but in a few years," said Mira. "I thought we would build a family together. Have our OWN children, not…"

"I know, I know," said Simon, taking her hand. "I thought those samples were destroyed years ago. Sara and I had those stored in case something happened to one of us, the other one could still have children. But they were supposed to be destroyed after she died."

Mira knew this was a common practice among couples who were both enlisted in Starfleet--to freeze sperm and eggs in case of disasters. She had never thought to ask Simon if he had done this with his first wife. She and Simon had never stored any samples, but many couples did she knew.

"Mira, we have absolutely no responsibility for this child, you know that. We can find him a good home with loving parents and think no more about it."

Mira looked at her husband, who was so desperately trying to solve this for her sake. "Simon, you and I both know that if we were to do that, neither one of us could ever forget about him. He would be here between us for the rest of our lives. I know you better than to think you could ever forget about one of your children no more than I could."

"Mira, I want you to know that you are the most important person in my life. I don't want anything to come between us. I would do anything for you, you know that."

Mira patted his hand. "Yes, darling I DO know that. And you know that I would do anything for you too." A few moments of silence hung between them. "Where is the child now?"

"He's here, in the Starfleet Nursery. He arrived this morning on the SS Princeton at 0600 hours."

"She had him brought to YOU then?"

"To the starbase. She knew there was an excellent adoption agency here just in case."

"And she also knew that if the child were here you couldn't resist the temptation to go and see him," said Mira, suddenly feeling a bit hostile towards Christie Cantos, who had changed their lives so drastically. She got up and moved to the sofa. Simon followed her.

"Probably," Simon conceded. "But she was wrong. If we decide he is to be adopted out, then I won't go see him at all. I couldn't."

Mira smiled at her husband. She could see he was hurting. How could anyone be so selfish as to do a thing like this? she wondered. "Christie must have wanted a child extremely badly to do a thing like this.

Simon took Miranda's hands in his. "Mira, you are the most important person in my life and I would never do anything to upset you or our marriage. If you decide that you can't handle this child coming into our lives, then it would be best for him and for us to let him be adopted by a couple who would love him."

Mira sat quietly on the sofa beside her husband, thinking. "I do want children, Simon, it's just that … well, I thought our first child would be both yours and MINE. It's different with him."

"Mira, if you decide that we can handle this, then little Simon WOULD be yours and mine. He hasn't known his biological mother for very long and is too young to remember her."

"Children remember more than we know, Simon. But … I think we need time to talk this out. Let's take this time to think about all the details-- the pros and cons, okay? I'm sure that we can come up with a good solution to this prob--- situation."

Simon smiled. "Sure. I'm gonna call in and tell them I can't come into work today."

"Good idea. Then what?"

"We discuss all the pros and cons."

"Okay. I'll get the coffee and breakfast started while you call in."

"Sounds good."

_________________

Three hours later, Simon and Mira had discussed all the pros and cons of adopting the baby and had still not come up with a decision.

"Simon, let's let this go for awhile. Maybe if we get our minds off this subject we'll see things more clearly."

"Good idea. I need to go into the office and check on a few lab experiments anyway. What are your plans?"

"I think I'll check out some of the shops on the Concourse. Shopping seems to help."

Simon smiled, as he knew Mira loved shopping, whatever way she was feeling.

"Okay. What's say we meet back here in two hours. Do you think that would be enough time to come up with an answer?"

"Sure." Mira went to her husband, putting her arms around him and hugging him tightly. She already knew in her heart what they would do about the baby, but just wanted to make sure it was the best for all of them.

In the turbolift on his way to his office, Simon's thoughts were racing. Could I just go on with my life knowing this child was being raised by strangers? Never knowing if he was hurt or even dead? But then, what if we DID adopt him and it destroyed our marriage? How could I live with THAT? That wouldn't happen, he decided. Mira would love the child as her own, he knew. But …

Fortunately the lift doors opened and thankfully he had his department to think about. At least for a little while.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

TWO HOURS LATER, BACK IN THEIR QUARTERS.

"Simon. It all comes down to one question, doesn't it?" said Mira, sitting on the sofa, Simon beside her.

"And that is?"

"Do you want this baby? Do you want the responsibility of raising this child?"

"That's two questions," he deadpanned.

"Simon."

"Okay. If this is really my son--and I want you to do the DNA testing again--then yes, I DO want him. I can't turn my back on my own son no matter how he was conceived. But if it means trouble between us, or causes you any heartache then--"

"Shhh," said Mira, smiling. "Simon, you know that nothing could ever cause any real trouble between us. But, if we are to bring this child into our lives, then I want it legal. I don't want someone coming up to us a few months or years from now wanting our son back."

"OUR son. I like the sound of that. I agree with you. Right after we get the DNA tests confirmed at the Infirmary, we'll see the JAG officer here on station. We'll make the baby our son in every way."

"Good." Mira leaned back into the sofa. "Wow. I'm a Mom!" she laughed.

"And a beautiful one at that," said Simon, leaning over and kissing her. Suddenly he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her up off the sofa. "Come on. Let's get things started."

"Right now? I think I need time to get used to being a mom first."

"You can get used to the idea while you're buying all the baby things," said Simon reaching for the padd that Christine had sent him.

"Shopping? Oh yeah. I forgot. The baby will need TONS of baby things. Like clothes, blankets, sheets, a crib, a travel carrier, a swing , toys--"

Simon pushed Mira out the door, noticing the light in her eyes. Was it because of the baby or shopping he wondered. "I just hope we have enough credits in our account to cover it all!" he joked.

"Oh, I'm sure we do. If not, we can always borrow, can't we?" she said with a laugh and a wink.

"Hmmm. Whatever you say, mommy."

"Mommy. I like that name. WAIT!" Mira stopped dead in her tracks.

"What! What is it?"

"We have to call him something besides Simon. That would get too confusing having two Simons in the house."

"Mira! You scared me to death! I thought you were having an attack or something."

"I know," she said. "Let's call him Sam."

"Sam?"

"S--imon, A--ugustus, M--cRaney. It's perfect for him!"

"Agreed then. Sam it is. Now, before you think of anything else to scare me with, let's get going, shall we my dear?"

"Yes, lets."

___________________

Mira completed the DNA tests herself and they proved that little Sam was indeed, Simon's biological son. She also arranged for him to have a full physical by the station's pediatrician asap.

Next they visited the Jag's office and completed the adoption papers. With Simon being the child's biological father, the JAG officer didn't see any problems with it going through and assured them that it would all be final in about a week's time.

After that, Mira and Simon went shopping for all the things the baby would need. Then they brought their son home. They sat the crib up in the master bedroom instead of the spare one as Mira didn't want to take the chance of not being able to hear him if he should cry out for something. Simon realized she was acting as if she had been a mother for much longer than a mere few hours. He was happy.

Mira put in for a three month family leave from the Alliance after she verified the results of the DNA scan and it was granted.

_________________________________ ONE MONTH LATER______________

"Simon, it's a good thing we bought all those baby things last month," said Mira while at the supper table one night.

"Agreed, but I'm thinking we need larger quarters. With all of Sam's things, these are feeling somewhat cramped lately."

Mira smiled. "Yes, I agree."

Simon looked up from his plate at his wife. "What's up Mira. I know that tone of voice. It means you have something to tell me."

"I was just agreeing with you that we need a larger place is all especially since…"

"Since what? Spit it out sweetheart. What is it?"

"I said especially since we adding another addition to the family."

"Your sister moving in?"

"No, silly. A child is."

"You've heard from Parker? And why would he be moving in here?"

"No, Simon I haven't heard from Parker. Honestly men are SO dense sometimes!"

"A child?" Simon's fork stopped just before it hit his mouth and dropped on the table. "You mean you're…"

Mira was beaming now. "Yep. I am with child as they say."

"You mean you … me … we're going to have a baby!? The two of us?!"

"That's what I mean, darling. In about five months our little girl will be born."

"A girl. A girl! That's wonderful!" said Simon as the news just began to sink in. He jumped up from the table, almost spilling what was left of their supper and grabbed his wife up from her chair, in a bear hug. "Oh, I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?"

Mira was laughing hard now. "No, no you didn't hurt me Simon. I'm not fragile, just pregnant!"

"We're going to have a daughter!" said Simon. "A baby girl. Sam will have a little sister to watch over."

"Or torment," said Mira, smiling.

"Oh, no he won't!"

"Mira, what about her name? What are we going to name her?"

"Well, I've thought about that already and I think since Sam is named after you, it's only fair that our daughter be named after me. So I thought Miranda Grace McRaney sounded good to me."

"Grace after my mother. She'll like that," said Simon. "And I suppose we'll call her Grace so as not to confuse the household?"

"Of course."

Simon sat back down at the table, his heart pumping fast. Still holding onto Mira's hand he tried to eat, but found he was much too excited to do so.

"Mira, what will you do about the Alliance? I don't want to tell you how to run your career, but I don't like the idea of my pregnant wife on a ship whose mission is to quell the hot spots of the galaxy."

"I don't either, Simon. And I don't think Captain Forrester would appreciate a pregnant Chief Medical Officer either."

"So, what are you planning on doing?"

"Actually I have an idea. Since I first found out about my pregnancy, I have been talking to Dr. Fergerson, the CMO on the starbase. It seems that he has been dying to get off the starbase and onto a ship. He's perfectly qualified to be the Alliance's CMO and I told him that I wouldn't mind being the starbase's CMO either, not telling him why of course. That way I could work almost until my delivery date, which should be in about five or six months. Begin half Bajoran and Terran, I should go about that long."

"Do you think Captain Forrester will approve the doctor?"

"Oh, I think he will. I think he will be relived that he doesn't have to go through the trouble of finding a new CMO. But, of course it will be up to him and to Captain Lassiter too."

"You don't have to worry about Lassiter. I think Duncan will come through for us. Although I'm not sure I like the idea of my wife working on the same starbase as that rogue Duncan," he said with a sly grin.

Mira punched him in the arm. "Silly! If Duncan weren't such a good friend, I would REALLY hurt you for that remark."

"He's a good friend all right, ever since the academy. He saved my butt plenty of times back then."

"Yes, I know. I've heard several of your academy stories."

"Mira, our lives are going to be so different."

"They already are my love."

"True. And they can only get better."

______________________

Later

Captains Forrester and Lassiter approved the exchange of CMOs.

Miranda Grace McRaney was born on Starbase 114 on 40001.01 at 0425. She weighed a healthy 7 pounds 8 ounces.

Both parents and big brother are doing well.