*ashalik – darling
Jim struggled with the Andorian baby.
Why had he volunteered to babysit?
An Andorian ambassador, Jori, was being transported to star base 27, and she had brought her adorable, very fussy, baby boy.
She seemed to be struggling with the one year old, and so Jim offered to help, completely forgetting in the moment that he was absolutely terrible with children.
"Please stop crying." Jim begged, holding him awkwardly.
He screeched and pulled Jim's uniform.
He paced up and down the hall trying to get the baby to cease his wailing, but to no avail.
And then a godsend walked past.
"I see you have a friend." Mac'hla said, pausing as they walked by to look at the baby.
"Friend is not the word I would use." Jim said, exasperated.
Mac'hla seeing him struggling to hold the baby, reached out, "Give him to me."
Jim wasted no time handing him off to them.
She held him to her chest and rocked back and forth, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"Calm yourself, little one." she whispered, rubbing his back.
The small boy almost immediately calmed down and leaned onto her chest.
"There, is it not much better being content?" they asked.
Jim stared in awe at how quickly she had tamed the wild child.
"It is not hard." they said, seeing Jim's surprise.
"I think he just likes you."
"Children are fond of me... for some reason." Mac'hla agreed.
Jori came strolling down the hall, looking for Jim.
"There you are," she said, "I wanted to see if he had calmed down any."
She caught sight of the Vulcan Lieutenant holding onto her child.
"Captain, I gave you permission to watch my child." she said firmly.
Jim paled, but before he could say anything, Mac'hla spoke up.
"Forgive me, Ambassador. I noticed that my Captain was struggling with the small one and I offered to assist. I apologize for overstepping."
She smiled, "I was attempting to joke, however, I am still learning human humor."
"As am I." Mac'hla sympathized.
She watched with adoration as her baby gently played with Mac'hla's twinkling jewelry.
"He just adores you!" she gushed, reaching over to stroke the baby's head.
"What is his name?" Mac'hla looked down, looking down at the baby with affection.
"Ores." she smiled.
"Hello, Ores." Mac'hla said quietly.
"Lieutenant, you are very good with children- do you have any of your own?" she asked.
"No, but I do hope to have some in the future."
"Oh, you will make a wonderful mother!" Jori doted.
Jim smiled, agreeing with Jori.
They were always so maternal. Whenever someone was injured, they were the first person to make sure they were okay.
