Yau-tala hurries toward Teresa's cabin with a purpose, her medical pouch clutched in a clawed hand. In her mind, she recounts the procedure over and over again. She has helped birth more than her fair share of offspring over the cycles. However, none of them were the offspring of a known elder. An elder still lurking in their midst. What will he do if one of his descendants should come to harm?

  Elder Scar appears from between two cabins and moves onto a path to intercept Yau-tala. The young settlement leader spies her father's approach, but raises a hand to wave him off.

  "It is the time of the female's birthing. That is all."

  Scar's brow knits and he places one hand on his solid hip. His amber eyes search Yau-tala's stricken face.

  "I thought you said she had some time yet before her expulsion?"

  "It appears I was mistaken. Something has greatly accelerated the time of her birthing. More than likely...The return of Elder N-Vorl. I must hurry, father. Please keep calm amongst the others so that I may work in relative peace."

  Yau-tala rushes off without another word. Binahytu follows in her rapid footsteps, also headed for Teresa's cabin. Scar watches them go with half-lidded eyes. Elder N-Vorl.

  -

  -

  Yau-tala hastens into Teresa's cabin and strolls with purpose to the far bedroom. There, she finds N-Vorl kneeling beside the large bed. One of his clawed hands is on Teresa's abdomen, the other rests against her forehead.

  The sight of Teresa's open shift is enough to send Yau-tala's blood into a rolling boil. She angrily drops her medical pouch on the table and points a clawed finger at N-Vorl.

  "I told you--! Ugh! You males never listen! I told you this is just the kind of activity she didn't need. You reassured me....You would not. Once again...It has been proven...That the word of a yautja means absolutely nothing. As if I did not already have enough to plan for. What, with another female close to expulsion. Now, I may have to perform three birthings...Instead of one. I want you out of my birthing room! Out!"

  Teresa moans painfully and arches upward on the bed. N-Vorl continues to wipe the sweat from Teresa's forehead, while shooting Yau-tala a hateful glare. Yau-tala places both hands on her hips and returns his glare.

  "Did you not hear what I said? I want you out. I don't care who...Or what...You think you are! I am the h'sv-if of this settlement. And, I want you to get out!"

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  N-Vorl climbs angrily to his feet. He goes to stand directly in front of Yau-tala. The female hybrid is shorter than an average male yautja, but taller than an average female ooman. He towers over her, but only minimally.

  "I am not going anywhere. She is my vil'par. And those are my descendants."

  "Oh. Well, isn't that a surprise? Considering you've only just got here. Just in time for her birthing. Not to mention, all of the time you spent away while she was heavy with your first childling. What a great u'hsk you are!"

  Temporarily forgetting himself, N-Vorl growls deep in his throat and leans closer to Yau-tala. The hybrid's eyes grow wide with shock and she recoils. At that moment, Binahytu enters the bedroom, and Teresa calls out to N-Vorl.

  "N-Vorl, stop! Please. Do as Yau-tala asks. Please. I'll be fine. She's only trying to do her job. Don't interfere."

  Shame creeps into N-Vorl's countenance and he takes a step back, averting his gaze. In the bedroom doorway, Binahytu glares at the much larger yautja male. He may not be as strong as a true yautja, but his heart is just as fearless. To threaten a leader of the settlement is an unacceptable offense.

  "I will leave," N-Vorl says. "Because my vil'par wishes it. Do keep me informed."

  The last part of N-Vorl's statement is laced with sarcasm and bitterness, mocking Yau-tala's glib manner from earlier in the afternoon. Bending to kiss Teresa's forehead, N-Vorl caresses her cheek with one hand. He whispers into her ear so that only she can hear, and then hastily exits the bedroom. Binahytu comes to stand at Yau-tala's side. The hybrid leader has not moved since her brief confrontation with N-Vorl.

  "Are you okay, Yau-tala?"

  Yau-tala slowly turns to face Binahytu with a bewildered expression.

  "Do you think he would have attacked me?"

  "I don't know," Binahytu replies truthfully. "Maybe. He is an elder. They are accustomed to a certain level of respect."

  "Father is not like that," Yau-tala says.

  "No. But then again...He is your father. U'hsk are accustomed to a certain level of disrespect from their childlings. And childlings often do not acknowledge the shortcomings they witness in their own kin. Compared to those of complete strangers. You simply have not pressed him far enough. I have seen your father angry. His wrath can often rival that of the other elder."

  Teresa moans loudly, and Yau-tala is jarred from her deep thinking. She crosses to the bed and takes Teresa's wrist in a clawed hand. The pulse she detects is strong, but much too quick.

  "Mok'i Elixir. Please. A few drops on the end of a spoon."

  Binahytu complies and carefully hands Yau-tala the metal spoon. She places the partially filled spoon between Teresa's parted lips, encouraging the distressed woman to drink the small sampling of liquid.

  As Teresa takes the spoon fully into her mouth, Yau-tala uses her free hand to draw open the front of Teresa's clothes. At first, Teresa recoils, her eyes shooting open and shifting in Binahytu's direction. Yau-tala shakes her head solemnly, but matter-of-factly.

  "Binahytu is a professional. He does not lose control of his hormones simply at the sight of a pair of female chest mounds. You are in the best of hands. Trust me. Trust Binahytu."

  Teresa nods agreement, another deep moan escaping her lips. Yau-tala uses her hand to massage the flesh of Teresa's abdomen, starting from the top and working her way all around.

  "The childlings are positioned favorably. You will be fine." To Binahytu, Yau-tala calmly says, "Let us begin."