N-Vorl gently deposits Teresa on the bed in her new home. Teresa adjusts her weight painfully on the mattress, one hand resting against the side of her swollen belly. N-Vorl lowers himself to the edge of the bed and leans over so that he can kiss Teresa's forehead.

  "It will be okay. Vor'taalnis is in the next room and Elder Scar has gone for Yau-tala. You will be fine. I am here."

  "Oh, N-Vorl. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you coming. Last I heard, you were preparing to engage a human ship in battle. I feared something might have happened to you. I should have known better. I missed you...Tremendously. I'm so glad you're here."

  N-Vorl caresses the side of Teresa's face. He studies her very carefully, looking for signs that she is unwell.

  "So am I," N-Vorl replies, a wide grin altering his previously worried expression.

  Teresa raises an arm to encircle N-Vorl's shoulders. N-Vorl draws closer and lowers his mouth to Teresa's lips. He uses his mandibles to keep her face in position, while slowly opening his teeth to part her lips. The taste of Teresa's saliva excites him and he kisses her deeply, one hand tenderly stroking her enlarged stomach.

  A cough from the doorway causes Teresa's eyes to open, and N-Vorl to put a stop to his love seeking. Teresa drops her arm and allows N-Vorl to rise to his full height. Yau-tala strolls confidently into the bedroom, carrying her large medical pouch. She brushes past N-Vorl and reaches out a hand to check Teresa's forehead.

  "Hmmm. More than likely overexertion. Or too much excitement. I can tell from her scent that it is not yet time for expulsion of the childling. I suggest you hold off on certain activities...Until after she has given birth."

  "I...We had no intention of--," N-Vorl begins.

  "I never suggested you did. I was simply making a medical recommendation. Let me know if anything changes."

  Yau-tala throws her thick dreads over one shoulder and exits the bedroom. N-Vorl offers Teresa a sheepish grin.

  "Well...I did consider it. Once."

  "Oh, N-Vorl," Teresa says with a soft chuckle.

  She reaches for him again. And once again, he takes her into his arms.

  -

  -

  Yau-tala exits the bedroom and strides down the short hallway. She enters the main living space and goes for the front door. Mau-Nis' left hand gripping her elbow halts Yau-tala's progress. She whirls in order to see who has dared grab her.

  "What are--?"

  Mau-Nis presses a clawed finger to Yau-tala's mouth and she grows silent. However, she is anything but happy. When Mau-Nis lowers his finger from her mouth, Yau-tala shoots him a fiery glare.

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  "What do you mean by grabbing me in such a way? This is not Yautja Prime! You cannot do as you please!"

  Mau-Nis takes a step closer to the mercurial settlement leader. She eyes him warily. The disarming smile which explodes onto Mau-Nis' usually solemn face catches Yau-tala by surprise. She finds herself wanting to return his smile, but manages to restrain the impulse.

  "I did not mean to offend...Or frighten you," Mau-Nis says, purposely adding an innocent barb to his genuine apology. "I simply wished to know...The details of the ooman female's condition. Is she well?"

  Yau-tala rolls her brown eyes toward the ceiling and places her free hand on her shapely hip.

  "The ooman is fine. It is not yet time for the expulsion of her offspring. It will be soon, but not today."

  Mau-Nis studies Yau-tala for easily the fifth time that day. The female is at least forty or fifty Earth cycles old. Her mottled skin is of a brown similar to Teresa's, but with subtle hints of green, and the leathery texture of yautja flesh. Her brown eyes are more ooman in their shape, and her mouth lacks the mandibles, tusks and large mouthfolds of a yautja. Her mouth folds are much smaller, drawing out the corners of her strangely ooman mouth at the edges, and her sharp teeth are covered by a thin pair of lips. Lips nearly perfect for kissing.

  "Where did you learn your healing craft, Yau-tala?" Mau-Nis questions in a warm voice.

  "My mother. Mostly. What she did not know, I learned from those who have been here for many years. My father taught me the rest. He is also the one responsible for many of our technological advancements. Such as they are. You can only do so much...With so little."

  "Hmmm. Your mother...She was ooman?" Mau-Nis inquires, already knowing the answer.

  "Yes. Her name was Alexa Woods. Although, the oomans later changed her name to Laura Mattley. She and my father met on something they called the 'frozen continent'. My father was killed by a creature called a keinde amedha...Or a black serpent. A hard skin. He was later resurrected using a secret ooman technology. One even my father thought they were incapable of possessing."

  Mau-Nis listens to Yau-tala's narrative as if he is hearing most of it for the first time. In truth, this is a story he has heard before. Mostly. Except, in the usual version, Scar dies a second tragic death. How odd.

  "My parents came to this planet several cycles of a season before my brother Vildif was born," Yau-tala continues. "They were happy together. They learned much from the original inhabitants. Many of the oomans have since passed on. My mother died giving birth to my second brother. He died as well. My father says she was older than the typical ooman female which carries offspring. Her body could not handle the strain a third time. Even after the administering of our most powerful life-saving elixirs. I would like to believe...She died peacefully. But I don't think so. She would not have wanted to die...And leave my father. She had hoped they would grow old together. They were in great n'fiis."

  Yau-tala suddenly clamps her mouth shut, staring at Mau-Nis with wary eyes. Why had she felt the desire to share so much with a complete stranger? An elder's eril'k no less.

  "You needn't fear me," Mau-Nis says. "Nothing we speak of...Will be told to any whom you do not wish to hear it. You have my word...As a true yautja."

  At this, Yau-tala becomes incensed. Her brown eyes flash with anger and the folds around her mouth tighten.

  "A true yautja?! Would a true yautja leave his vil'par and his childlings to fend for themselves on a desolate world? Would a true yautja abandon his most basic duties...To explore ambition and save face? My father is a true yautja. Because he stayed. I do not want to hear about true yautja!"

  Yau-tala turns to stalk away, but Mau-Nis halts her with a soft plea.

  "Please wait."

  Yau-tala turns back to Mau-Nis, impatience etched into every feature.

  "What?"

  "Do you not want to hear what I have to say?"

  A small part of Yau-tala whispers: 'not really.' The other part is extremely curious to learn about this warrior who wears the mark of one clan, but serves the elder of another. She lowers her medical pouch to the floor and crosses both arms over her chest. From her manner, Mau-Nis is able to ascertain her level of receptiveness. He offers her a wide smile.