“Mr. Paris commed me when he noticed the egg was– growing. I had him bring it to sickbay and ran some scans on it. And now it appears to be hatching.”

            As if to prove the Doctor’s point the egg cracked down the middle and split. Revealing a squalling baby girl. A whip-like tail curled around her legs. She was faintly purple in color. Her teeth were pointy and her eyes were silver. But the most noticeable thing about here were her large, reptilian wings.

            “She’s beautiful.” Tom murmured in an awed voice. The Doctor, Captain and Commander looked at him in surprise. Tuvok was, as usual, impassible. Tom picked up the baby in his arms and she abruptly stopped crying. “Gaga.” She cooed at him. He smiled brilliantly back at her. “Hello Sweetheart.” he murmured, cradling her.

            “Tom?” Janeway questioned.

            “She’s amazing isn’t she?” He asked.

            “Lieutenant Paris, do I take it you wish to have custody of this- child.”

            “Yes, yes, I can do it captain, it’ll be no problem, I’ll take great care of her.” He rushed to assure her.

            She held up a hand to forestall him, “I’m sure you can. And I see no reason to deny your request.” She smiled, “What are you going to name her?”

            “Arianna.” he murmured, staring at her with the look of the besotted.

****

            “Captain.”

            “Yes Commander?”

            “Are certain that was such a good idea?”

            “Giving Tom custody of Arianna?”

            “Yes, parenthood is a large responsibility. Frankly, responsible is not a word that pops into your head when you think about Tom Paris.”

            “He may just surprise you. After seeing on his face, how could I refuse to let him care for her?” She chuckled, “A woman has finally tamed Tom Paris. How could I separate them?”

            “Still, I have a bad feeling about this, it seems rather questionable.”

            “What seems questionable?”

            “This whole thing with the egg growing, and hatching. C’mon that’s not normal.”

            “Why Chakotay? Are you worried about Mr. Paris?”

            Chakotay shifted uncomfortably, “He’s a member of the crew, and thus my responsibility.”

            “Of course.” Janeway responded blandly

**Unbeknownst to our besotted hero**

            In a shadowy room a group of cloaked figures gathered together, nodding in satisfaction.

            “The Hatching was successful.”

            “The One Who Will Become Many has come.”

            “The Bonding has begun already.