Page 18 of LeX

Ican’t talk toViN, he has enough on him right now.EvO’srelationship is too new, and they have enough issues to work through.Icould callFatherand ask to talk toKira, but they have their hands full with an entire ship full of humans to deal with.Mymind drifts through all my brothers realizing none of them have dealt with anything like this.

Foronce, the med bay door sliding open is a welcome disturbance from my dark thoughts and helplessness.

“Brother, is she supposed to squirm around like this?”ViN’sbooming voice almost has me concerned untilIsee a rare, but disturbing smile on his face as he points toward the fetus stretching on his side.

“Iwould be more concerned if she was not moving.”

“Doyou know how hard it is to rest with her rolling around like she is having the time of her life in there?Justearlier,Ihad laid my arm against her, and she reached her little foot out and kicked me!”

Irun my hand over the hardened area, amazed at how much softer it is now than it was originally. “Hasyour hunger increased?Areyou craving anything in particular?”

“Meat, lots of it.Ifeel likeIam always standing in front of the replicator looking for something else to devour.”

“DidEmberexperience anything similar?”

“Hersustenance intake did increase, andIrecall her telling me that anything sweet seemed to upset her stomach.Ido not knowhow she rested for even a moment.ThesecondIsettle down, she gets all riled up.It’slike she wants to move all the time.”

“Welcometo motherhood, brother.”

Hegrowls andIcan’t help but laugh, especially when you can see the little one push on his side again. “Doesshe react to your voice, or possibly music or particular sounds?”

“Iwas playing some ofEmber’sobnoxious music earlier, simply becauseIhave become used to it always being on.Thesilence in our quarters was bothering me, but she did actually seem to settle once it was on.”

“Itis likely that you are not the only one missingEmber.Eventhough you are now the one making sure she survives,Emberis the original vessel that created this life.Itis possible she is restless because she misses her voice or even something else we cannot comprehend.”

“Well, that is one thing me and the little one can agree on.Sincethe momentIfoundEmber, we have not been apart.Iache to simply hear her voice again.Ihad not realized howIhad taken some of the small things for granted.Likefeeling her cold feet in the darkness as she snuggled up to me, seeking out my warmth.Orher excitement over things thatIconsider mundane.Iam thankful to be given this opportunity of having a young one, butIprayIwill not lose my mate because of it.”

“Emberis strongViN; she would have to be in order to put up with you.Notto mention the pain and suffering she was experiencing while carrying your child.Aweaker being would not have lasted that long.”

“Thankyou brother,Ineeded your reassurance.Iknow this has been a trying time for us all.Howis your own mate?Yourstress is physically apparent to me.”

“Ihave found a way to interact with her, or at least part of her active mind.Butwhen she became confused, she asked me to leave.Ihave no path forward or anyoneIcan ask for guidance.”

“Canyou be there without her permission?”

“Yes.”

“Well, make her curious.Leadher out of that place, make her seek you out.Ifyou have found one way to get her attention, then find something else that she enjoys.Doyou have any information about her life before the pod?”

“Iam sureANDIwould have something.”

“Thendo what you do best … research.Imust go;Ihave been away fromEmberlong enough.Iwas simply hoping a change in scenery would help calm the little one down, but it is not like she can see what is going on around her yet.”ViNgrasps me in his huge arms, hugging me tightly before turning to walk out of the med bay.

Witha smirk on my face,Istand there, surprised to find the angriest among us is secretly a softy. “Destroyer, can you contactANDIdirectly?”

“Ican.”

“Pleasetell himIam in need of his council aboutRylie.Iwould like any and all records he might possibly have of her previous life.”

Momentslater, a small form appears on the side ofRylie’sbed. “ANDI, thank you for coming personally.”Hetakes his ridiculously large gray top hat off and bows to me.

“GreetingsMedicLeX.Youwere in luck with your timing.Iwas about to check on myLittleRayofHolographicSunshine,Destiny, just as she contacted me for you.However,Ishould inform you that at this point,Iwill use any excuse to converse with her.Nevertheless,Iam running out of inquiries, andIdo not want her to thinkIam being pushy.”

“Destiny?”

“Well, you all assigned her that horribly aggressive name of theDestroyer.Thankfully,CommanderDaRis allowing her to change it to something more appropriate when she drydocks withFalcor.Shehas picked the nameDestiny, and that is howIwill address all this metal sexiness from this point on.”

Ibite my lip to keep from laughing. “Iwas unaware of this, butIdo agree with youANDI, her name does not suit her personality.AsIam sure you are aware,Iam in need of your assistance when it comes to my mate.Sheseems to have created a world within her own mind that she is in no hurry to leave.Canyou provide me with any information about her previous life that might help me lure her out?”

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