Chapter 16

"How are you feeling, dearie?'

Maraj smiled at Lauren as she came bustling into the cabin. She's stayed with them since Felicity's birth the previous day and she had been an absolute godsend, soothing their nerves and explaining everything that they needed to do for the baby. She might look tiny and fragile but she had no problem ordering Krestar around as if he were no more than a gawky teenager.

She's just sent him out to make a list of what he needed to complete his repairs. He'd growled at her but he'd gone, leaving her side for the first time since the baby was born, and she felt oddly bereft. Still, she pasted a determined smile on her face.

"I'm fine, thanks. How's Fliss?"

Felicity just seemed like too much of a name for such a tiny infant.

"She's sleeping peacefully - as you should be doing."

"I'm having a hard time getting comfortable," she admitted.

Glowing blue eyes studied her thoughtfully for a moment, then Maraj perched on the bed next to her, stoking her forehead and humming that nameless tune. As always, the song was accompanied by a deep sense of peace and she allowed herself to sink into sound, her lids growing heavier and heavier until she finally drifted off.

But even though she slept, it wasn't a restful sleep and she woke up feeling even more tired and achy. Krestar had returned by then but even his comforting embrace wasn't as soothing as usual.

"What is wrong, d'jeri?"

"Nothing."

"That is not true. Tell me or I will have Maraj ask you - I know she will get the truth out of you."

That made her laugh, smiling up at him.

"It's really nothing. I just feel kind of restless and achy."

He frowned, his tail tightening around her.

‘I'm sure it's nothing," she added hastily. "It takes nine months to prepare to give birth. You can't expect all those changes to be done as soon as the baby is born."

He seemed to accept her argument, but the next time she was trying - and failing - to sleep, she heard him having a low-voice conversation with Majari. Under the circumstances, she wasn't entirely surprised that after her rest period, he insisted on carry her to the scanner. Majari accompanied them, reviewing the screens, her face entirely expressionless. Somehow that was even worse than an obvious expression of shock or sympathy.

"What's wrong?" she asked. "And don't tell me it's nothing."

"Your chemical balances are somewhat off," Majari said calmly. "Somewhat more than I would expect two days after birth. But I'm sure they will even out."

Krestar didn't say anything so she waited until they were alone in bed, then grabbed his tail.

"You're both worried, aren't you?"

"I will always worry about you, d'jeri."

"That's sweet but not what I meant." She squeezed his tail. "Talk to me."

"Majari told you the truth. Your chemical levels are not what they should be. You are not recovering as quickly as she expected." He put his hand over hers, stilling her restless fingers. "We have discussed it and she thinks I should take you to the hospital on Trevelor. It has an excellent reputation for maternity care."

"A hospital? Do you really think that's necessary?"

"It is simply a precaution. Do you not want to be at your best for our daughter?"

"I suppose." She didn't like the idea, but neither did she enjoy feeling so weak and helpless. "But what about the engines?"

"They are close to being functional. If I focus on them all day tomorrow, I believe I can get them running. It means I will have less time to spend with you and Fliss."

He looked so regretful that she didn't have the heart to object.

"We'll have the rest of our lives together," she promised. "And maybe we can find some trace of Felicity on this planet."

"Perhaps. It is considered a desirable location, little touched by the Red Death and open to many different species."

"I hope you're right. But if you're going to be busy all day tomorrow, I want extra snuggle time tonight."

He laughed and drew her closer.

"I am always happy to oblige."

He kissed her, then slid his hand up and down her back in long soothing strokes. She sighed happily, wiggling closer and accidentally brushing against his thick shaft, already stiff and erect.

"I can't believe you find me sexy when I feel like death warmed over," she muttered.

"I will always find you sexy. But it is of no importance. I will wait patiently until you are ready and enjoy being close to you until then."

"Even if it takes a month or two?"

"D'jeri, I waited my entire life for you. A few more months is nothing."

She laughed and snuggled close again.

But the next morning she found it harder to smile. Between the baby's feedings and her increasing aches, she'd barely slept. She felt worse than she had the previous day but she managed to conceal it from him well enough that he proceeded with his plan to work on the engines. Majari was not fooled, studying her face when she brought Fliss to her to nurse.

"It's not getting better, is it?"

"Well, no, but I'm sure it will." She smiled down at her daughter then had a sudden terrible thought. "She isn't going to catch anything from mem is she?"

"No, the baby is fine - healthy and strong. Nursing her is the best thing you can do." A cool hand briefly touched her forehead. "Even if you're running a fever, you will pass antibodies on in your milk."

She gave a relieved sigh and concentrated on her daughter. But Majari's words were prophetic. As the afternoon wore on her temperature soared and by the time Krestar returned, she was lost in a feverish dreams.

Krestar sworewhen a stubborn bolt refused to loosen. He was not generally driven to impatience by inanimate objects, but he was growing increasingly worried about Lauren. He was sure that Majari was as well, although she had a tendency to give his nerves a curt dismissal.

"I've always found swearing helps," Zythrak said from behind him and he swore again.

He'd been so intent on his repairs and his concerns about his mate that he hadn't realized the other make was approaching - a foolish and potentially deadly mistake.

"What do you want?" he growled.

"Oddly enough, I've come to help."

"Why?"

"Perhaps Majari… encouraged me to offer. Perhaps I want your Patrol boat off my station. Perhaps I am sympathetic to your plight. Take your pick."

Zythrak gave a theatrical shrug and Krestar wouldn't help smiling.

"I could use an assistant."

‘Then I am at your service, Commander."

Despite his air of mock deference, Zythrak knew as much or more than Krestar abut the engines and needed little direction. He had a somewhat annoying habit of talking constantly about anything and everything, but he had a caustic sense of humor that Krestar found surprisingly amusing.

"Majari tells me you are going to Trevelor," Zythrak said when they paused briefly for a protein bar and a bottle of water.

"Yes. I have heard their hospital system is excellent."

"Have you heard anything else about it?"

"I heard a rumor, some years ago now, about a Cire who had a non-Cire mate and I believe Trevelor was mentioned."

The other male shot him an amused look.

"Did you not know that there is an entire colony of Cire on Trevelor? A small colony anyway."

His tail gave an annoyed flip.

"I did not. Any discussion of leaving Ciresia and discovering other alternatives was strictly discouraged."

"Bureaucrats are always so short-sighted. I think you will find that it wasn't a rumor at all."

"Really?"

The thought pleased him - and hopefully it would please Lauren. Until they could find her friend, he suspected she might enjoy the company of other females.

Zythrak was still looking amused and he gave him a suspicious frown.

"Is there something you are not telling me?"

"There are many things I am not telling you, but if you mean am I concealing any unpleasant surprises then the answer is no."

He decided to accept that and they returned to work. It wasn't until close to the end of the day that another question occurred to him.

"Have you spent time on Trevelor?"

Zythrak shuddered. "Fuck, no. It's far too tame and civilized for me."

"Then how did you know about the Cire colony?"

"I wondered when you'd get around to asking that."

Why was the male incapable of giving a straight answer? Zythrak laughed at his annoyed expression.

"I know because one of my fellow captains is also a Cire warrior."

"A Cire warrior has become a pirate - I mean a Corlonian trader?"

"I suspect you actually meant the first, but yes. He is one of us. He told me once that if he was going to be given a bad reputation, then he intended to enjoy it."

"What is his name?"

Zythrak hesitated, then shrugged again.

"He calls himself Luxor, although I don't know if that's his actual name."

Was the name familiar? Before he could decide, they managed to weld the final relay in place.

"Time to give it a try," the other male said cheerfully. "Not that I haven't enjoyed your company, but it is time for you to move on."

He agreed - with both sentiments. With a quick silent prayer to Granthar he pressed the ignition button. For a terrible moment nothing happened, but then first one, then the second engine hummed to life. They sounded a little rough but the diagnostics panel assessed them at ninety-five percent capacity - enough to get them to Trevelor in less than a week.

"Thank Granthar," he sighed and Zythrak raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't see Granthar wrestling with that relay. Just me. But I'm not the sort of egotistical bastard to argue with your gratitude."

"Nor I with your modesty."

They grinned at each other but then he clapped the other male on the shoulder.

"I do appreciate your help very much. I owe you."

"Be careful, Cire. I may come to collect."

"And if you do, I will pay. Thank you."

"Safe travels, Krestar."

Zythrak bowed and left and he headed back to his ship. His muscles ached, and his hands were covered with dirt and scars from the welder, but he was delighted that they would soon be on their way.

His delight faded when Majari met him at the top of the ramp, Fliss tucked against her shoulder and a grim look on her face.

"Lauren is worse?" he asked, his heart skipping a beat.

"Yes. She's running a high fever. I used the scanner to synthesize a formula and added some of my own ingredients. It is enough to help, but it will not cure it. Give her a dose every eight hours - no more, no less." She handed the baby to him and he cradled her carefully against her chest. "She can continue to nurse but she will be able to do very little else. You are going to have to care for both of them."

"Of course," he said immediately, even though fear tingled down his spine. "But would - would it be possible for you to come with us? I know it is a lot to ask when you have already helped us so much."

She clicked her tongue dismissively.

"I was happy to help. If I could, I would accompany you, but it is impossible."

"May I ask why?"

Her mouth twisted.

"Let's just say there is a reason we are living on an abandoned space station keeping our existence a secret. I trust you will remember that."

"Your secret is safe with me. Thank you, Majari."

Making sure Fliss was secure, he gave the old female a deep respectful bow. Surprise flashed across her face for the first time since they met, and then she grinned.

"Such a smooth talker. I hope - I believe all will be well with your mate. Elora be with you."

She nodded briskly and disappeared down the ramp.

"It is just the three of us now, baby girl," he told Fliss and she blinked at him knowingly from big dark eyes, so like his mate's.

He tucked her against his shoulder and headed for the control room, determined to get to Trevelor as quickly as possible and praying that he would be in time.