Loving Mary

Chapter 5

Asonia slept like she never had before. Usually she had trouble staying asleep, and often woke up really early, only to fall back to sleep about ten minutes later. It would happen more than once almost every night.

But this sleep, it was different. Her breathing was calm and even, and she felt a warmth from inside her chest.

Pavel stayed up all night, he'd pulled a comfortable chair into the doorway of the bedroom, a butter knife (the only weapon he could find) gripped in his hand.

He was determined to protect his family, no matter what. Sighing, he took out a PADD, and began reading over the recent news.

So far, the attacks on the merchant ships had stopped, but for how long, nobody knew. It was like a game of Russian roulette (hehe, he's Russian), no one knew which one was safe, and which one would end them.

It was very stressful. Asonia sighed in her sleep, and Pavel glanced over at her. She was sleeping on her side, and was facing him. She seemed so peaceful, it made him happy. She'd been way too stressed, and it felt good to know she'd be able to relax until their baby was born.

Pavel's thoughts when back to his child. He could just hear her laughter as she played in the nursery that Asonia spent so much time on. He couldn't wait until he was able to hold little Laila in his arms.

The PADD vibrated in his hands, and he looked back down at it. Captain Kirk was video calling them.

Pavel stood up, and went to the office, he sat at the desk, then, he hit the answer button. The faces of all his friends appeared on the screen.

"Hello." He said, waving. Everyone but Spock waved back.

"Hey Pavel. Just thought we'd check up on you. How are things going there? And why do you look so tired?"

"Well, it's the middle of the night here. But things are going okay I guess. Asonia's sleeping right now, it's been a stressful day."

"How so?" Bones asked, sitting up a bit.

"Well, Zaclyn was attacked a few hours ago, she's the one that found him. It wasn't good, especially not for her, considering...." He trailed off, leaving the others stare in shock, and confusion.

"Considering what?" Jim asked.

"Well, she's pregnant. It's a girl, and we've only got a little less than a month until she's due."

Everyone stared for a moment. Then, Sulu clapped his hands. "Congrats man! I'm so happy for you guys."

"Yeah. Luckily for us, we've been given another mission, this one three years long. We happen to have a bit of free time, figured we'd come and visit." Jim announced, making Pavel smile.

"That would be wonderful. Asonia's been wanting to talk with you guys for a while. Especially Bones."

"Well, we should be there in about three days." Spock spoke up, and the others nodded.

"Okay, I'll alert the members of the council in the morning." He said, closing off the video call. Pavel sat back in the chair and rubbed his face with his hands. It was going to be a long night.

~

Asonia was still sleeping when Caa've woke Pavel. He'd fallen asleep in the chair he had moved by the doorway, and he still had the butter knife in his hand.

"Sir, it's time to wake up. You're late for the meeting."

Pavel gasped slightly, then opened his eyes. He was exhausted, and did not want to get up. "What meeting?"

"We have to discuss what happened both last night, and this morning." He replied, handing him a pair of nice robes to change into.

Pavel walked into the bathroom change, talking as he did so. "What happened this morning?"

"One of our ships heading to Vulcan was attacked. We've lost all contact with them."

"Do they have power?"

"They managed a quick message during the attack. They said they were losing power. Currently they are dead in space."

Pavel walked out from the bathroom, his curly hair (some how) slicked back with hair gel. "Then we must get there immediately."

~

"We must do something!" Kail yelled, his piggish face red. "Who is attacking us? First the empress, then advisor Zaclyn! We must find out!"

"We are trying everything we can, Mr. Kail. But this man is a master assassin." Pavel stated, his hands folded on the table.

"Don't mind me asking, but who is watching the empress now?" Caa've asked.

"Both Dr. Brocklyn, and Fareilah are with her. Fareilah left for some training about a week ago, but has returned."

"Well, what do we do then?" Jillak asked, his white beard almost past his hips. He'd been part of the council for many years, and rarely spoke up unless he had something to say.

"For now, we wait. I have received word from Captain Kirk of the Enterprise, that they are coming for a visit. The extra security won't hurt, and it'll be good for Asonia to have some of her old friends around." Pavel stated, his voice full of authority.

No one argued as they were dismissed, which surprised both Caa've and Chekov.

"You, my friend, have accustomed to the role of emperer quite nicely." He said, clapping the young man on the shoulder.

Pavel stayed in his seat for about thirty minutes after everyone had left. Thinking. The council had decided to halt all merchant ships from leaving Zindaki space until the Enterprise arrived.

Hopefully whoever was attacking them would feel threatened, and back off while a Federation ship in orbit.

There was still no word from the Cailo, the ship attacked that morning. Captain Kirk agreed to check it out before heading for Zindaki, but everyone had their worries.

Pavel more than the rest. But the one thing that bothered him the most, was what Dr. Brocklyn had told him the day before. He worried about Asonia, and hoped their child was alright.

But even then, he was worried something bad would happen.

A/n
Well, guys, what's up? How's life? Just to let y'all know, things are going to really pick up in the next few chapters so be expecting some awesome action scenes!!!!!

But it may take me a little bit to write, but hopefully not longer than two days a chapter.

Thanks for reading, you guys are awesome!

~Clieo