N-Vorl tenderly kisses Teresa's neck and chin, his mouth trailing along her flesh. Although, he wants nothing more than to take her into his arms and show her immense pleasure, he is mindful of the closeness of her birthing. To come into her now would be reckless beyond measure.

  He only removes his mouth from Teresa's skin to stare down at her face. Teresa's eyes are closed and her complexion has the soft red color he has come to associate with both excitement and embarrassment. Only one of those emotions fits the current situation.

  Unlike aboard the Weyland station, where their activities were seen and overheard, N-Vorl has taken every precaution. Every door and window is secured; and Vor'taalnis has accompanied Mau-Nis to Yau-tala's medical cabin. They are completely alone. For now.

  Teresa's eyelids flutter partially open and she issues a soft sigh. Her scent quickly changes and N-Vorl leans forward so that their foreheads are touching. She is deeply troubled.

  "What is bothering you, Teresa? I am here. Whatever you feel, you must say. I will listen."

  Teresa's eyes brim with tears and she reaches up a slender hand to touch the side of N-Vorl's face. Her voice is soft and full of sadness.

  "After everything I've experienced...On the California, on the Weyland station, and on this planet...I can't help but feel like I am so much less than I once was. I've lost my career, my ambitions, and everyone I cared about. I feel... Different. I don't think the same. I don't act the same. I'm always looking for bogeymen around every corner. And I'm afraid...You'll stop loving me. That one day...You'll leave me. Like all of the others who were abandoned here by their lovers. And I wouldn't blame you. There is something I need to tell you. Something...I don't want to tell you. Because I love you, N-Vorl! You do believe me? I want you to believe me. I need you to believe me."

  N-Vorl exhales sharply and caresses Teresa's left cheek.

  "What you fear...Does it concern what happened between you and Mau-Nis?"

  Teresa's eyes widen and she stares up at N-Vorl, fear altering her countenance. N-Vorl breathes in deeply, sensing the swift change in her scent. He remains silent, not wishing to frighten her further.

  "You know about--?"

  "Yes. Mau-Nis informed me. Before we traveled here. Mau-Nis is a true yautja. His sense of honor would not allow him to continue to deceive me. It was his hope to divide your allegiances. So that you would readily agree with his plan to journey to this planet. Although, he also admits to having strong feelings for you as well. That, I can understand."

  Tears fall uncontrolled from Teresa's eyes and she shakes her head emphatically.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "I'm so sorry, N-Vorl. I made a huge mistake. I was confused. I didn't think about what I was doing. Please forgive me."

  N-Vorl wipes the tears from Teresa's cheeks before pressing his face against the flesh under her chin. He plants small kisses along her chin, neck, and below her ear.

  "I already have," he says in a reassuring voice. "I am my father's son. I am not my father. My father's anger and wrath only served to weaken him. That is not the path I wish for myself. You are my mate. My vil'par. The mother of my descendant. I could never bring harm to you."

  N-Vorl uses a clawed hand to untie the front of Teresa's shift, drawing it open and away from her flesh. Teresa inhales softly and then slowly releases the air she drew in.

  "In truth, even if Mau-Nis had not told me...I would have known. I did suspect. When he returned to my flagship, he smelled heavily of your scent. And not in the way of one who has simply been in close contact. His manner was also markedly different. Mau-Nis has always been a solemn creature. But he was even more so. He could barely meet my eye whenever I spoke of you. I chose to pretend I was ignorant. It would have done me little good to expose him. All I would have gained from it...Was one less ally. Not a wise decision for a young elder."

  "But, what if the childlings--? There is a possibility they might not be yours, N-Vorl. I...I didn't think."

  "It doesn't matter," N-Vorl states in a deep voice. "I will love them as if they were my own. Because I love you. And that is enough."

  "Oh, N-Vorl," Teresa says between a sob and an excited giggle. "You always manage to surprise me. Every time, I think I have you figured out...You prove me wrong."

  "Then, I suppose...I have done my duty," N-Vorl says with a sly grin.

  "Not yet, you haven't," Teresa says, matching N-Vorl's sly grin with a crafty smile of her own. "But I suppose, that will have to wait for another time."

  "Something to look forward to," N-Vorl replies, before planting his mouth beneath the flesh of Teresa's chin.

  Repositioning herself on the bed, Teresa motions for N-Vorl to give her space. Completely shrugging out of her shift, she wraps both arms around his shoulders. N-Vorl guides her back down onto the bed, his mouth finding hers again.

  Rubbing a hand over Teresa's swollen stomach, N-Vorl issues a soft sigh. Short of filling Teresa with his descendants, again, N-Vorl fulfills all of their sensual desires.

  -

  -

  Scar returns to his home, at the back of the temple, in an uncharacteristically foul mood. Vildif knocks on the front door before pushing it open and cautiously approaching his brooding father.

  "Is everything okay, U'hsk? Binahytu informed me that the ooman female...Teresa Boyd...Has fallen ill. Is this true?"

  "Teresa is fine," Scar replies, mildly irritated by Vildif's constant use of Teresa's first and last given names. "The return of the female's lover caused her a great shock. Yau-tala says Teresa will be fine. It is not yet time for the expulsion of her offspring."

  Vildif exhales softly, relief evident on his features.

  "That is good."

  Scar's brow knits and his mouthparts grow taunt. He glances askance at Vildif.

  "Yes. It is good."

  "Father, what is wrong? You do not seem like yourself."

  Scar chooses to remain silent on the subject, loathing creeping into every corner of his mind. Some words are best left unspoken.

  Chef kiss and fist bump to my continued readers. ??????

  Below: When I mentioned bots following my account, I am not referring to actual readers or FOLLOWERs. I am referring to the indexing bots who add views every time I alter a doc. Always in multiples of 3's. Even on stories without followers. I don't have premium. I have to go by gut and instinct. No disrespect. I appreciate you readers. The four followers on this story, the three on another, the one on another, the twelve on yet another, the eight on still another, the zero with avg 20ish reads on still yet another, and so on. You ARE appreciated. Fist bump!!!!!!

  Aforementioned note from before: This was a languishing in self-doubt note. Like a podcast except...Not. Only those with the headspace for my story were meant to see it. But this is the internet. Hahahah. ??????