Page 12 of LeX

“Destroyer, will you see ifQwinandEmberare available?Andif they are, inquire if they have a moment to come to the med bay.Icould use their assistance.”

“Connectingnow …MedicLeX, they will both be here momentarily.”

QuickerthanIimagined,Ihear the med bay doors slide open and in walksEmber, holding her belly as a very animatedQwinmotions to the sudden size of her stomach.Themoment they see meIam granted with two beautiful smiles.

“GoodRising, you both look lovely as always.”

Qwinreaches over to pat my arm. “WhatchaneedLeX?Iwas shocked to hear you were actually asking for help.”

“Metoo!Lord,Ialmost ran out of the room when theDestroyernotified me.Iswear,Ifeel likeViNhas made me a prisoner in my own home.Heprobably would have packed me here himself if the call had come when he was still home.Fortunately, he had just left to relieveEvOat the helm.”

“Ember, you seem to have grown substantially in the last rising.Beforeyou leave,Ithink it would be best if we got you scanned again.”

“That’sfine with me, but please don’t callViNfor a basic scan.WhenIgot up this morning,Ifelt like my stomach was going to tip me over.Itruly thought this was all just in my head, butIfeelfine other than the sudden waddling.Anyway, we can deal with me later, what can we do for you for a change?”

“Iam uncomfortable dressingRyliemyself.Anyother, it would not have been an issue, butIdon’t want her to feel uncomfortable with me when she wakes up.

Wouldyou two care to do this for me?Themed bots will help with the lifting, but they will need help to dress her properly.I’vehad theDestroyerdesign her several outfits based upon the choices your race normally chooses so that she will have some of her own things when she is no longer comatose.”

Embersmiles big at me. “Seemslike chivalry is not dead after all.Iam sure she would have understoodLeX, butIthink it’s sweet that you are turning away from the temptation.”

Qwinstarts going through the garmentsIhave laid next to the bed. “LeX, why don’t you step out and get something to eat?EmberandIcan handle this.”

“Thankyou,Iappreciate you both more than you realize.”

AsIwalk out of the med bay,Ican hear the girls talking between themselves and it makes me smile whenIrealize how close they have become in such a short time.

Chapter Nine

LEX

Afew marks later,Ifind myself walking back to med bay and nodding out of habit at the few crew membersIpass in the halls, hoping no one stops me on the way.Themoment the doors openIsee that theDestroyerhas removed the hover bed, replacing it with the adjustable oneRylienow lays on.

QwinandEmberare standing at the foot of her bed deep in discussion.Bothturn around when the door slides open.Withher hands suddenly on her hips,Qwinasks me, “Haveyou not noticed she’s turning yellow?”

“Yes, shortly beforeIasked for your assistance.”

“No,Imean like come here.”Qwinpulls the light covering offRylie’sarms before pushing up the loose sleeve gently. “Thecolor is not just here, it’s all over her.Itseems like it’s worse on her joints, but the change in coloring is not the worst of it.Sheis getting scales.OH-MY-GOD… they match yours.Ember, why didn’t we connect the dots?Ofcourse, if we all took on something of our mates, it’s easy to see she’s going to do the same.Buthow, if you guys have not done the dirty?Pleasetellme you are not some pervLeX?Thatwould really tarnish my high opinion of you.”

Ifeel the scales on my neck flutter as her words sink in. “IfIwas dishonorable, wouldIhave asked for your assistance?Eventhough it is neither your concern nor your business,Ibelieve it’s my blood that has done this to her.Shewas dying, andIhad no other options.”

“Ok, that was out of line, andIapologize,ButLeX, did you even think of the consequences?Shewas probably forced to get inside that pod, a choice that should have been hers, but being yours …Yourmate?Eventhat decision has been taken away now.Unlessshe is just super easygoing, this is not going to be all puppies and rainbows, honey.Sheis either going to be livid or destroyed, and neither is a good way to start a relationship.”

“Aww,Qwin, it may not be as bad as you think.Hell,Iwas on the verge of being sacrificed and aLavagod reached out of the darkness, literally grabbing me from the hands of death and it all worked out.”

Qwinjust shakes her head with a frown on her face.Ember, on the other hand, just stands there rubbing her belly with a smile on her face.Suddenmovement on her abdomen has me highly concerned.Walkingto her quickly,Irun my hand down her side.

“Ember, are you alright?”

“Ikeep getting these twitches all over; they don’t hurt, it just feels odd.Iswear she is getting heavier every moment.Thispregnancy just started, andIalready feel likeI’mgoing to burst.”

“Sofar, this pregnancy is not reacting normally.Let’sget you scanned again so that we can see what the little one in there is up to.Doyou want me to summonViN?”

“Absolutelynot!Qwinis here she and can hold my hand.”

Imotion forQwinto takeEmber’shand whileIraise the bed so she can lay down more easily.Onceshe settles back,Ilower the scanner down asImove the material of her shirt out of the way.Aggravated,Iturn it off, then back on again. “Destroyer,Ithought you said the machine was working correctly?”

“MedicLeX, it is.”

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