19: More Company

Midday the following day, Everant is sitting on a log eating a meal of nuts and berries he gathered. He hears someone speak in very bad Malyon, but he understands what the deep bass male voice is saying.

"[Do not be alarmed. No trouble we want. Searching for my daughter, Eve.]"

Everant turns to look at the person speaking and sees a familiar face. It is the face of one of the very few humans Everant respects highly.

"First Commander Johnson," Everant greets him almost smiling, "We should use English. Your Malyon rough and I would like practice with your language. Eve, your daughter. I am honored."

"Malvoreckt Eknor," Ben recognizes the Malyon male and is leery of his friendly behavior, "You've seen Eve, my daughter?"

"Yes, but please, call me Everant. We need not be formal."

"Then call me Ben."

"Ben," Everant repeats patting Ben on the shoulder and a bit teary eyed.

"Are you alright?" Ben has never seen an emotional Malyon before.

"Fine," answers Everant, "Your companions, this your healer."

"Dr. Robert Matos," introducing himself.

"Doktour Maytos, very good," Everant shaking hands with the dark haired dark eyed physician, "And you are?"

"John Phillips," putting out his hand.

Everant takes it and shakes it, "John Fillips," and moves to Ben's final companion.

"Charles Chan," introducing himself, "self-defense instructor and counselor."

"You teach Eve defense of herself," Everant making the connection. To Everant's Malyon eyes he initially wasn't impressed with what he saw. Mr. Chan is the shortest of the four men being only average height for a human male. But after seeing Eve in action, Everant is definitely impressed.

"Yes," Mr. Chan looking at the others for their reaction to Everant's last statement.

"You excellent instructor," Everant compliments. Then he moves back to Ben, the tallest of the four men, "You large male for such small female daughter."

Ben is well over two meters tall and eye-to-eye with Everant, "Eve takes after my mother. She was actually a few centimeters shorter than Eve."

"Fascinating," Everant had thought tiny people could only make more tiny people, "Was your father small also?"

"No," Ben answers as he wonders what's with all the personal questions, "he was a few centimeters taller than myself. But my daughter, Eve, you said you've seen her."

"Yes," Everant nodding, "with my son, Evan. I will take you to them, but you should be prepared first. I came searching for Evan, I saw where he cross river and join someone on other side. But I had no idea…Suffice to say my reaction was negative. I made a large..." searching for the word, "fool of myself. She my new daughter and she will probably never wish to see me again."

"I'm a bit confused," Ben scratching the four-week growth on his jaw, "Evan, your son is with Eve, my daughter. They're together."

"Correct," Everant confirms.

"Why?" Ben asks, "What are they doing?"

"Constructing a dwelling," Everant answers.

"For what? Why?" Ben asks.

"Sit please," Everant gesturing toward his log.

Ben sits, "Well," waiting for answers.

"Did Eve look different before she departed," Everant asks, "perhaps fuller?"

Ben shakes his head, "No, she just looked over tired."

"There were changes in her behavior," questions Everant.

"Nothing unusual," Ben thinking, "Over tired, some nausea, said she ate some bad fruit. But overall, she'd been quite happy."

"Very happy," adds Mr. Chan.

"Usually she's quite serious," Dr. Matos remarks, "Her face stony and her brow furrowed in deep thought."

"Ben," John Phillips remembering something that just seemed amusing at the time, but seems important now, "you told me something Nate said about Eve before she left."

"Yeah," Ben remembers, "Jude was upset. We were worried Eve was spending way too much time alone. And I asked him what he thought. He said Eve wasn't lonely anymore. He was sure she had made a new friend," Ben pulls his hand over his face, "My seven year old had this figured out months ago. She wasn't going off to be alone." He stands, "Please, show me to her."

"Yes," Everant nods, "But you should know she fuller." Ben shakes his head in misunderstanding and Everant searches his mind for a better word, "She…swelling," putting his hands out in front of himself to clarify.

Ben looks at Dr. Matos questioningly, "Bob?"

Dr. Matos takes out his medical scanner. He copied all the pregnancy data to it before he left. He punches up information on conception date and how far long Eve should be, "She'ld only be about 13 weeks. Unlikely she's showing at all. Possibly a little, nothing noticeable."

"Not little," Everant emphasizing with his hands, "Fuller, very noticeable." Then he starts to walk toward the river. Ben and his companions follow. They could be walking into a trap. But Ben has a good nose for such things, and Everant's sincerity seems genuine. Anyway, he's certain Everant has come in contact with Eve and the worst would be to be led to her dead body, but then he would know where and how she is.

It doesn't take them long to reach the small clearing. Across from them between two trees is a tent. To the right of the tent is a mostly constructed dwelling. Ben knows it came from his old ship. It explains why the shuttle bay door was open when they passed by it. Then next to the dwelling is a range rover with attached cart full of wall panels for the dwelling, solar panels and some other parts.

A Malyon woman is sitting up against a tree. Ben can see Maw and Girdy wandering around. He takes that as a good sign. They never wander far from Eve and they're not behaving nervously. A squine is drinking from the river. A Malyon male brings the female a cup of water and she drinks.

"My friend, Veioray," Everant pointing, "and his daughter, Vor." He steps into the clearing and Ben and his companions do likewise.

Veioray sees them and walks over and greets Everant. Everant introduces everyone saving Eve's father, Ben, for last.

"You Eve's father," Veioray wide-eyed and smiling, "She has your eyes and strong will."

"Is she nearby," Ben asks.

"Yes," Veioray freely displaying his natural cheery disposition, "she and Evan are practicing for its arrival."

"Its arrival," Ben repeats wanting more information.

"Yes," Veioray clarifies, "for the new life within Eve."

"I have to admit, I'm not sure how to behave," Ben nervous, "I or rather we suspected she might be pregnant, but I was kind of hoping there was some sort of mistake."

"I know what you are feeling," Everant empathizing, "but at least you were not totally surprised, as I was."

"Well," Ben managing a nervous smile, "at least it's not as bad as I thought."

"That's something to be thankful for," John Phillips is more than a little disappointed, but he hides it well.

"I knew she would never have become involved in an inappropriate relationship," Mr. Chan never lost faith in her, "I never doubted her strong character."

"I show you to your daughter and new son," Veioray in his usual pleasant and ready to please demeanor.

"Give me a minute," Ben rubs his face and does a slow pacing back and forth. He takes off his backpack and sits it near the mostly constructed dwelling, "It's nearly finished," pointing to it, "They chose to have three sleeping rooms… They (whispering to himself)… I don't know if I can do this."

Everant puts his hand on Ben's shoulder and takes one of his hands, "My advice: be calm and trust your daughter's judgment. Remember you and your mate raised her. Remember how much you care for her. And know this about their happiness, not our stubborn selfish pride."

Ben nods as he looks at Everant's hand holding his own. He was listening carefully to Everant's words, "OK," he gives Everant's hand a gentle pat. Then rubbing his hands together, "take me to my daughter."

Veioray nods, turns and walks past the incomplete dwelling. As they pass between the tent and Vor sitting on the fur against a large tree, Ben pauses.

"What happened to your daughter," Ben asks.

"She lost," Veioray's smile disappearing.

"She lost," Ben's voice questioning.

"To Eve," Veioray clarifies.

"Eve did this," Ben shocked with disbelief. "Eve did this to you," asking Vor.

"Yes," Vor explains, "protecting herself. To protect new life within and bond with Evan."

Ben shakes his head, "Why?"

Veioray explains, "My people custom to arrange their children's life-mate. Everant and I with our life-mates intended Vor and Evan for each other. Great shock to find Evan had bonded with human. Everant did not react positively."

"Yes," Ben listening carefully, "he said he had a negative reaction."

Veioray continues, "It has been life times before anyone has tried to break a bond. Everant insisted on trying. One of old ways requires for intended to fight current for bond. If intended defeats current, it is supposed to break bond. But I can explain more later time."

"Yes," agrees Ben, "I'm going to need this bonding thing explained…Bob! Take a look at her." Dr. Matos nods affirmatively. "Would you two check on the progress of the dwelling?" John Phillips and Mr. Chan smile and nod to Ben. Everant sends his own smile and nod of encouragement.

"They are just around here," Veioray showing Ben to Eve and Evan around a clump of trees and fern-like bushes, "There," his voice quiet, "they are the happiest pair I have ever seen."

Ben pauses to stare at them. They're sitting on a large rock near the river's edge. The waterfall, hot spring shower and small reservoir can be seen and heard clearly. Ben wishes he had a camera. The scene before him seems to have come to life from a fairy tale. Evan is sitting behind Eve. His fingertips are gently messaging the sides of her swollen abdomen. His chin rest on top of her head while his tail swishes slowly from side to side with one of Eve's hands catching it and letting it slide gently between her fingers. Their eyes are closed as they slowly breathe in through their noses and out through their mouths.

Even sitting down Ben can tell Evan is tall. Not as tall as himself, but not short by human standards like Eve. He has the lean muscular build of a young man in his prime, well-muscled calves and thighs, broad shoulders, well defined biceps and triceps and eight-pack abs. It's no mystery to Ben why Eve would find Evan attractive. John Phillips isn't out of shape for a man his age. But his six-pack abs are weak compared to Evan's eight-pack abs. And despite differences in facial features like sinus tubes that rise up from the nose, slide between dense eyebrows to separate at the top of the forehead and run across the forehead to slide over as part of the tops of the ears to rap behind the ears and slide down and around to disappear into his neck at the base of his jaw; even being a man, Ben would categorize Evan's face as beautiful. Poor John never had a chance.

Evan whispers something into Eve's ear. She smiles the biggest most contented smile Ben has ever seen on his daughter's face. Then she tilts her head back and off to the side while he draws his forward and they kiss.

Ben slowly walks past Veioray and stops not quite two meters away from them, "Hope I'm not interrupting an intimate moment."

Evan looks over to see a tall mature brown skinned human male. The male is well over two meters tall like his own father. Making the male a few centimeters taller than himself. The male has short wooly black hair with distinguished gray at the temples and a hairy face with eyes the same color and shape as Eve's. Evan also feels a sudden rushed mixture of love, admiration and anger from Eve. Eve recognized her father's voice immediately; and even though part of her is elated to see him, she is mostly angry.

Eve hops off the rock, she teeters a bit from hopping off too fast for her new center of gravity caused by the pregnancy, and walks right up to her father, "You never listen to anything I say."

"What? No, hi, Dad. How are you? Or, by the way, I'm sorry I didn't tell you I'm pregnant."

She side steps him and walks past.

"What did I fail to listen to now," Ben turning and following her, "And how's your face? It looks like it hurts."

"Veioray," Evan looking for answers he actually already knows, but just wants to make sure, "[Who is this male? His presence has quite angered Eve. I have never seen her behave like this.]"

"My face is FINE! Thank you!"

"First Commander Benjamin Johnson," Veioray answers, "[Her father. And I never saw anyone behave in this manner, quite interesting.]"

"What's Doc Matos doing here? Did you bring half the village with you?!?"

"[Her father, Commander Johnson]" Evan repeats in awe as he trails Eve and Ben listening with Veioray right alongside listening too.

"Of course not," Ben answers, "just Bob, John and Charles."

"John," Eve repeats not pleased, "You brought John." Eve turns to see John and Mr. Chan standing by the dwelling with Everant. John and Charles wave at her. Eve gives a weak wave in return. "You brought John Phillips with you. Next, Adam will walk out from the trees," her voice a more normal tone to keep John from hearing. Eve's not insensitive to the feelings of others. "In my ERL I said it wasn't your cue to come looking for me."

"You left a letter," Ben doesn't know anything about the letter. He was well on his way to find Eve when it was found.

"Of course I left one," Eve responds.

Ben raises his hands and shakes his head. He doesn't have a clue.

"If you didn't see my ERL, what are you doing here?"

Ben looks at Dr. Matos, "Bob found a positive pregnancy scan in his medical scanner."

"I forgot to erase it," Eve was sure she has erased it.

"No," Dr. Matos confirms, "but there was no identifying data. I didn't know who had been scanned… I scanned every menstrual girl in the village thinking one of them was hiding a pregnancy."

"You scanned Erin for possible pregnancy," Eve is amused.

"Yes, I did," Dr. Matos confirms unamused.

"And I missed it," Eve a bit disappointed, "So, what sent you all tracking after little ole me."

"Ben was telling me about your mother's concerns," Dr. Matos explains, "Said you'd scanned yourself and found nothing wrong. But you never consulted me, which made me concerned. So, I opened your file…Ouch!"

Eve pinched him, "You opened my file without my permission."

"He said it couldn't hurt," Matos pointing at Ben. Matos simply can't take a direct assault from Eve.

"I did not know human females were so volatile," Everant to Mr. Chan, "Seeking a mate must require much courage from your males to face such danger."

"We were concerned," Ben explains, "and rightfully so," pointing at the bump.

"Very volatile and dangerous," Mr. Chan confirms for Everant, "we are especially helpless against them when they are with child and they are more dangerous than normal while in this condition."

"Our Bump is not an illness," Eve's voice firm.

"Of course not," Ben remaining calm for once, "But just how bumpy are you?"

Eve can't contain a laugh at her father's question, "Just over 13 weeks, Daddy."

"Impossible," Dr. Matos interjects, "you look to be at least 6 months."

"Malyon pregnancies only last 18 to 20 weeks," Eve explains, "Evan and I have estimated our bump will arrive between 22 and 26 weeks."

"May I," Dr. Matos wants to scan Eve.

"No," Eve firm, "I've been scanned twice already today. I'm sure Veioray will share his scan with you."

Dr. Matos isn't going to try to argue. He simply joins Veioray, who has taken a safe position standing next to the tree Vor is sitting under.

"Well," Ben feeling the timing is right, "when are you going to introduce me to your fella?"

Eve glances around her father at Evan, whose eyes look as if they may pop out from the tension. Eve's heart pound's in her chest in time with Evan's. She can feel his nervous anxiety. He's hoping Ben will find him worthy of Eve. The fact that Ben hasn't yet tried to pound him into the ground is a good sign. Everant has taken a few steps back and is watching quietly.

Eve looks up at her father, "No time like the present."

Evan's eyes soften as Eve walks around her father and takes her place by his side. He feels her confidence in him and it eases his anxiety. He puts his right hand up and Eve places her left hand over it.

"Evan," Eve's voice proud, "This is my father, Benjamin Johnson. Father, this is my life-mate, Evan Eknor Ayah." Then they kneel down before Eve's father and bow their heads. Evan starts to speak, but he's speaking in Malyon. Ben's Malyon is terrible.

"What's he saying?" Ben asks, "Something bout my daughter, mate, life, forgive."

"English," Eve whispers to Evan, "In English," and gives him a wink.

Evan starts over in English, "I took your daughter as my life-mate without permission. For this I beg your forgiveness. I ask you to accept our bond with your blessing. Our bond is strong and cannot be broken." Evan looks up at Ben, "I would tell you that before I met Eve, I was lonely. I was not unhappy, yet I knew not true happiness. I was incomplete and only existed. Now with Eve, I am complete, happy beyond words to tell, and living, not just existing." Evan re-bows his head.

Ben is touched by Evan's heart felt word, but there's a problem, "I'm expected to do something now, right?"

"Yes," Veioray explains, "you are to accept their bond with your blessing or reject it." Then he looks at his daughter, Vor, sitting under the tree looking miserable, "I suggest you accept and bless their bond. Things could get unpleasant if you do not."

"Agreed," Ben glancing at Vor, "I know my daughter and it would get ugly. So, how do I show I accept and bless their union?"

"You simply stand before them and say you accept the bond and give your blessing," Veioray explains and Ben notices for the first time, Malyons make deliberate hand movements when they speak.

"Well, don't leave me," Ben request, "I don't want to blow this."

Ben tries to incorporate the gestures when he speaks, "I accept the bond between my daughter Eve and Evan Eknor Ayah. Evan you have my forgiveness," watching Veioray and copying his gestures awkwardly, "and my daughter as your life-mate with my blessing." Ben takes each of their up raised hands and they rise. As Ben brings their hands together, they turn and face each other. Ben continues, "Let all who are present be witness to my acceptance and blessing of this bond. (Pausing to watch Veioray) So, I present my daughter, Eve, and her life-mate, my new son, Evan."

Evan is over come with joy. He whirls Eve around and gives her a big kiss. Then he gives Ben a big hug. Ben has no choice but to hug him in return.

"You make my daughter happy," Ben tells Evan, "and that's all I want for her."

"Thank you, Daddy," Eve grateful her father didn't overreact. Ben noting that Eve uses the Malyon gestures and hand signals now even while speaking English. Now, he realizes she began to use these signs months ago.

But Ben forgets these things for now, as tears well up in his eyes at a new thought. He puts his hands on his future grandchild, "I guess this means I can't call you Pixie anymore." A tear escapes to trail down his brown cheek into his facial hair.

Eve tilts her head, "You didn't see my ERL," wrapping her arms around her father's neck and kissing his stubble covered cheek, "I love you, Daddy."

Everant has been watching from a distance and is starting to feel out of place. Shame is clouding his pride for Evan. Now he understands why his son was suddenly smiling so much. When one is experiencing great happiness, they just have to smile. The way he himself smiled the first time he held Evan. He just couldn't help it.

Eve returns to Evan sliding her arm around his waist. The way they look at each other says it all. It even causes John Phillips sense of loss to disappear. After all, he never really had her and accepts this fact now.

"All this company," Eve unconsciously gesturing with her free hand, "We better start planning the evening meal early." Then she stands on tiptoe to whisper into Evan's ear, "[Go get your father before he disappears back into the forest.]"

Evan smiles and complies. Eve never tells her father how Everant tried to kill her with his bare hands and at one point might have shot Evan with her. It would serve no other purpose to discuss these things than create an unnecessary tension. Everant doesn't feel worthy to be in their company, but he's happy to be made welcome. And Eve keeps her distance just the same. Better to be safe than sorry.

Eve approaches Dr. Matos, "The com-panel in the shuttle bay says the medical center is intact. It should have a bone knitter," glancing at Vor.

"Yes," Dr. Matos confirms, "I'm sure it has."

"Could you get it for me," asks Eve, "Evan worries when I go exploring in my present condition."

"Are you allowing another person to tell you what you can and cannot do?" Dr. Matos smiling amused at Eve.

"No," Eve shaking her head and rolling her eyes as if his question were absurd, "I just don't like to feel him worry," she walks away and sits with Vor.

Dr. Matos chuckles at Eve. Then something she said strikes him as odd. He wonders what she meant by "feel him worry."

"Working together," Ben smiling, "I bet we could have this dwelling completed in a couple of day."

"Sure could," agrees John, "They have it over half complete now."

"We'll also need to dig a trench for piping to the river for its water source," adds Mr. Chan.

"Is everything we need to finish here," asks Ben.

"No," answers Evan, "there are more panels and other items still in the shuttle bay."

"Then we better get busy," Ben says unloading the rover cart. Everant assist him without being asked. Soon the cart is empty and John, Charles and Veioray are working on the dwelling. Dr. Matos is asking a myriad of questions concerning the medical scans Evan has performed on Eve. Eve is still sitting with Vor with Eve doing most of the talking. Vor isn't much for conversation. Eve has assumed Vor isn't up to doing much talking. After all, she has hairline fractures in her cheek and jawbone.

Ben climbs in the driver side of the rover, "Everant, you with me?"

"Yes," Everant nodding as he climbs in the passenger side. And the rover is full, it only holds two people.

"We're coming along," Dr. Matos leaning on Ben's side of the rover, "We're going to ride Evan's squine. I want to get Eve into the medical center. I'm sure there's usable equipment. Plus, I want to give Eve a complete once over."

"Anything wrong?" Ben concerned. Everant leans closer. If this little human woman is everything to Evan, he wants her to be well.

"Evan doesn't think so," Matos answers, "When I point out abnormalities he says 'this is normal for us."

"Their bond," Everant starts, "I am not sure of correct words for explanation. It makes changes, adapt…adapta..a..tions. Male body makes most changes, but female body needs make changes also. Makes some things same while other things makes different."

"By the time I leave here," Ben informs Everant, "I want to understand this bonding thing."

"Evan and Eve explain better than I," Everant admits.

"So, how are you going to get Eve to let you examine her," Ben asks Matos, curious.

"Simple," Matos explains, "I'm going to use her own craving for knowledge to my advantage."

Ben laughs, "You're good."

"With Eve," Matos smiling, "I have to be. She'll know what I'm up to, but for the opportunity to learn anything new and useful, she won't care or rather, she'll over look it."

"How does Evan feel about this," asks Everant.

"He's as anxious to see the medical center as Eve, especially the lab, and he's much more cooperative," Matos answering Everant, "But, he's more concerned with her safety and well-being. How accurate the old ship systems are at detecting damage and stuff." He sees Evan help Eve up from her seat next to Vor. "We'll, see you there."

"Good luck," Ben laughing at the idea of riding a squine. He's not planning on ever sitting on one of those huge things.

Evan whistles and his squine comes clomping out of the woods from the others and kneels down.

"Well trained," Matos comments to assure himself about riding this animal. Eve and Evan smile at Matos. Evan helps Eve mount, as he always does. Then mounts behind her and puts out a hand to assist the doctor, who mounts behind Evan.

"Hang on Doc," Eve calls back as Evan nudges the squine with his toes and she rises.

"Oh my, Lord," Dr. Matos exclaims as the squine rises grabbing Evan's shoulders.

Eve giggles, "It's nice once you adjust." She leans back into Evan's arms. A content smile on her face as she hums softly.

"How do you steer this thing," Dr. Matos has noticed there are no reins.

"With my feet," Evan answers as if it were self-evident.

"Oh," Matos' first question answered, "So, there's no saddle?"

"Yes," Evan smiling, "It's behind our tent," a few seconds later a soft purr issues from Evan's chest that matches Eve's hum.

The purr combined with the hum is the most soothing thing Dr. Matos has ever heard, but he can't help interrupting with a question, "The music is for?"

"We are expressing are content," Evan unannoyed. "Content," Eve repeats exhaling.

"It's very nice," compliments Matos, "Sorry I interrupted."

Eve picks her hum back up. About a minute later Evan's purr joins it. They beat the rover to the ship. On squine they can take the direct route through the trees. The range rover needs a clearer path.

The range rover pulls up to the open bay door in time to see Eve shooing her shadowing shoats out of the shuttle bay. Maw gives an angry bray and stamps the ground. But it doesn't take Maw and Girdy long to make themselves content to graze outside with the squine.

Ben pauses at the bottom of the steps up the shuttle bay door. So long ago, but the memories flood his mind as if it were yesterday. Everant's hand gives Ben shoulder a reassuring squeeze. An old enemy made into a new friend. Ben takes a deep breath and trots up the steps with Everant behind him. The shuttle bay is dusty from the door being left open.

The doctor, Evan and Eve are at a com-panel mapping out a route to the ship's medical center. Eve looks tired as Everant and Ben join them at the panel. Dr. Matos shows them the route he plans to take with Eve and Evan. He'll be able to contact Ben and Everant via the com-panel if they are needed. Then the doctor and the expecting pair are off to the medical center. Ben and Everant busy themselves loading the rover's cart with the last of the panels and other equipment needed to finish Eve and Evan's dwelling.

The medical center is a bit of a mess. Loose instruments were thrown towards the front of the ship. A couple of exam tables broke free and headed in the same direction. They have to push one from over the entrance in order to enter. The lab is locked down because containers of hazardous chemicals were broken. Evan's only slightly disappointed. He knew it was likely to be locked tight. There is a working bone knitter, which makes Eve happy. Plus, some other useful instruments Eve pops into her bag with the bone knitter.

Eve reluctantly submits to an exam. Evan also allows himself to be examined. The doctor is perplexed by his findings. Eve's not normal for a human and Evan's not normal for a Malyon. Yet they match each other, and both keep telling him this is normal for them now. Dr. Matos is confused. He wants to treat Eve for a slight fever and Evan for being a bit hypothermic. As for all the different metabolic changes in the two of them, he just wouldn't know where to begin.

They're in the medical center for at least a couple of hours. Eve actually dozes off for a time while lying on the exam table. When they get to the shuttle bay, Everant and Ben are gone. The shoats and the squine hop up off the ground as Eve, Evan and the doctor come down the shuttle bay doorsteps. Eve dozes more in Evan's arms during the ride home.

"How can she sleep on that thing," Ben asks as they ride into the clearing.

The squine kneels down onto the ground and the doctor slides off. Ben walks up and looks at Eve in Evan's arms. "Unbelievable," Ben amazed at her ability to sleep while riding atop the squine. Evan kisses her forehead gently. Eve opens her eyes and smiles up into Evan's face. She looks around and sees her father, "Hi, Daddy."

"Welcome back Sleeping Beauty," Ben smiles. He wonders if she has any idea how beautiful she is. Sleeping she looked simply angelic. He doesn't think she knows. She doesn't have the air of a woman who knows she's beautiful.

Evan dismounts. Then assist Eve off of the squine. Eve doesn't hesitate to go to Vor with the bone knitter. Evan joins the men in constructing the dwelling.

Eve knits together all of Vor's fractures with the bone knitter. It's as if the fractures never existed. Vor will have to live with the scrapes and bruises until they heal. Vor stands up. A little stiff and shaky, but she's glad to be on her feet.

"Thank you," Vor to Eve.

"[It is the least I could do]," Eve feeling responsible for the damage.

"[Why did you not leave me to suffer]," Vor ask, "[I would not have been concerned for you if the outcome had been in my favor.]"

"[Good thing I won]," Eve means that, "[But to answer your question, I am not heartless. It is not my nature to leave someone or something to suffer needlessly.]"

"[You think I am heartless]," Vor questioning.

"[No, I think you must have misplaced it. You are not the warmest person I have ever met]," Eve sitting on a rock by the river, "[Just because you believe one should always appear sober outside, does not mean you have to be cold inside. Your father is a very warm person.]"

Vor is quiet a few moments, "[You speak of having passion.]"

"[Yes]," Eve smiles hoping Vor understands.

"[My mother says it is best to be indifferent]," Vor says, "[It helps one endure and in indifference there is no sadness.]"

"[But without sadness]," Eve serious, "[there is no happiness. Do you not desire happiness?]"

"[Happiness is irrelevant]," states Vor.

"[Is it]," Eve asks and continues, "[Your father does not think this. He desires happiness for you.]"

Vor's reply is a question, "[He does?]"

"[Yes]," Eve's brows furrowed, "[Do you not speak with your parents? Do you not tell them what you want?]"

"[What I want is irrelevant]," Vor states, "[My parents require obedience from me.]"

"[You are adult now, correct?]" Eve reaching for an unknown something within Vor.

"[Correct]," Vor nodding affirmation.

"[Then your parents no longer require obedience]," Eve firm, "[It is time you think for yourself. This is why your father left decision to fight me to you…You made bad decision. Veioray was disappointed, but it was yours to decide.]"

"[He would not be disappointed if I had defeated you]," Vor states, "[My defeat was a fluke.]"

"[I think you should ask him about being disappointed. But the outcome of our competition was no fluke.]"

"[It had to be]," Vor insist, "[You are too small and weak.]"

Eve interrupts Vor, "[Your first mistake. You underestimated your opponent. I am small. Yet small does not always equal weak. My present condition is no weakness either. Slows me down somewhat.]"

Vor takes this constructively, but she has doubts, "[Possible.]"

"[Mistake two]," Eve putting up two fingers, "[Your hearts were not in the fight.]"

"[I do not understand]," Vor shaking her head.

"[You did not believe in what you were fighting for. You do not want Evan. You do not feel anything for him.]"

Vor states, "[My feelings are irrelevant.]"

"[Your lack of feeling is the main reason you lost]," Veioray coming with clothes in his hands, "[I thought you might like to change]," handing Vor the clothes.

Vor bows her head as she accepts the clothes from her father, "[Many thanks.]"

"[I hope you were listening carefully to Eve]," Veioray only smiling slightly, "[She is as wise as she is strong.]"

"[How is she strong]," Vor stuck on the physical Eve, a woman who is at least a head shorter than herself and not as muscularly defined as a Malyon woman.

"[You see Eve only from the outside]," Veioray explains, "[Her outside is deceiving. Her strength comes from inside. Her strong feelings for Evan, for their bond, and for their new life within her]," putting his hand on the bump, "[These things you consider irrelevant are where she derives great inner strength she is able to focus outside of herself.]"

"[Father]," Vor wanting Eve to be wrong, "[Are you disappointed with my defeat?]"

"[No, not with your defeat. You lack the inner strength Eve has. I was disappointed with your decision to fight. Your lack of inner strength led you to that decision. It is finished now. Learn all you can from it and move forward.]"

"[Can I find this strength inside me]," Vor asks, "[How do I obtain inside strength?]"

"[It is not found]," Veioray answers, "[It is developed. Start by spending time with Eve. Ask questions. Listen carefully to her answers. If you do not understand, ask more questions. Also, feel free to come to me. Try to forget your mother's 'irrelevant' nonsense. Mother means well, but she is wrong about many things.]" Then he returns to join the other males.

"[Come along]," Eve calls Vor, "[I know where you may take a nice hot bath.]"

It's a short walk to the hot spring. Yet Vor is quiet with thought during the walk there. Although, Vor being quiet is nothing new, Eve is quiet too. Eve is not even humming to herself. Maw and Girdy are in a noisy mood and make more than enough noise for the two quiet women.

"[Here we are]," Eve states.

Vor looks up to see the hot jade-green water jutting out of the cliff side next to the waterfall. The spring showers down onto a nice wide shelf with natural steps up to it. Then the water runs off the shelf into a small reservoir, which in turn runs over on one side into the river.

"[You have your choice of a shower]," Eve motions to the water showering down onto the shelf, "[or a bath]," motioning to the swirling water in the reservoir. "[My people would call this a] Jacuzzi."

Vor opts for the Jacuzzi, saying the word awkwardly. Disrobing is difficult when one is covered in bruises. So, Eve assist Vor without being asked. Eve sits near by quietly while Vor soaks in the soothing warm water. When Vor has trouble washing her hair, again without being asked Eve assist. Finally, Eve has Vor sitting on a sunny rock while she blots excess water from Vor's hair.

Vor breaks their long silence, "[Will you answer any question I might ask?]"

"[To the best of my ability.]"

Vor asks her first question, "[Where does your inside strength come from?]"

"[There is no one person, place or thing it came from. It comes from the combination of my different life experiences: my parents, my teachers, and their expectations of me… I was always encouraged to pursue my interests. My mother never told me anything was irrelevant. She told me my heart would guide me through life as long as I listened to it.]"

"[How does one listen to their hearts.]"

"[It is actually quite simple. Do what you know is correct. If it is wrong, do not do it.]"

"[What if you are not sure if it is wrong?]"

"[That is when you have to listen very carefully. Did you want to fight me yesterday?]"

"[No, I did not.]"

"[But you fought me anyway. You ignored your hearts. You had a choice and you choice to do what you did not want to do.]"

Vor casts down her gray eyes, "[My choice disappointed my father.]"

"[Yes]," Eve nodding, "[your choice, but not you. We all make mistakes. It is as he said, learn from it and move forward. It reminds me of an old human saying, 'that which does not kill you, makes you stronger.']"

Vor finds some comfort in that, "[Very wise.]"

Eve admits, "[The originator is unknown. Yet I am sure it was a person who lived a long life, enduring many hard times and much loss.]"

"[Why does Evan want you instead of me]," Vor's not jealous, merely curious, "[You are small with hair under your arms like a male. Your eyes are strange, your face round, your lips fat, and your ears…I know you are stronger than you look. Yet, is this all one needs for a male to be attracted?]"

"[I think different people are drawn together for different reasons. By Malyon standards, I am not desirable as a mate. But Evan does not hold me to those standards. You should ask him. As for myself, I certainly do not use human standards of desirability…During my first encounter with him, I was afraid and excited. The more I got to know Evan, the more things we had in common. And the things that make us different became… irrelevant as you would say.]"

"[Interesting. What do humans look for in a mate?]"

"[It depends on the individual. Different people want and need different things. And parents are not always helpful. They believe because they raised you, they always know what's best. But sometimes they are wrong. Take my father; if he had his way, I would be with] John Phillips."

"John Phillips," repeats Vor, "[he approached me today. Your father thought he would make a good mate for you, but you found him inappropriate. What makes him an undesirable mate?]"

"John Phillips [is a very nice man. I have known him my whole life. By human standards his looks are appealing. I think most human females would find him desirable to mate with. But I have nothing in common with him. We have none of the same interests… He approached you. What did he want?]"

"[He introduced himself. He asked if I needed anything, could he get me anything, was I comfortable. The last thing he said was strange. He said], 'I bet you have a beautiful smile.'"

Eve smiles, "He flirted with you… [He must find you desirable. He is also probably correct about your smile. I have not seen it, but he is most likely correct.]"

"Thank you...for...assisting me," Vor still sitting as Eve combs out her hair.

"You're welcome. I enjoy helping other people. It's satisfying. What do you enjoy?"

Vor is quiet with thought as Eve sits next to her on the rock. Eve is patient.

After a long pause Vor answers, "[You are the first to ask me. It is hard to answer. I never thought about it before. I know I am relieved not to be Evan's life-mate. I did not enjoy the thought of him touching me.]"

"That's a start. [Half of knowing what you want is knowing what you do not want. But, why did you agree to be his life-mate?]"

"[I did not agree. I was told what I would do and I was to obey.]"

"[I am glad I learned early how to open my mouth and protest]," Eve raising her eyebrows.

"[Do you enjoy it?]"

"[Protesting? No, sometimes you have to or nobody will know what you want or how you feel about something.]"

"[Mating]," Vor clarifies, "[Do you enjoy mating with Evan?]"

"Evan," Eve smiles, "[Yes, I enjoy, love and desire mating with Evan. I cannot get enough of being with him.]"

Vor's eyebrows raise up to her sinus tubes, "[I do not think I could enjoy mating. My mother does not. She says it is a chore she must perform for my father.]"

"That's horrible. [When mating is with someone you want and care for and he wants and cares for you, it is wonderful. Your parents should have had this. And you deserve to live your life with someone who is special to you and who you are special for.]"

"[I would like to have that choice]," admits Vor, "[I want to be happy. I do not remember the last time I smiled or even how to do it.]"

"John can be funny sometimes. [Maybe talking with him will help you remember how to smile]," Eve gets off the rock and stretches, "[Ready to return to the clearing?]"

"[Yes]," Vor standing up, "[I thought of something I enjoy.]"

"[Excellent]," Eve smiling, "[What?]"

"[Conversing with you.]"

Eve takes Vor's arm and they start walking back, "[Then we will have to talk more.]"

The males are making a lot of progress on the dwelling. There's a lot of talking and laughing. Except, Eve notices Mr. Chan is unusually quiet. She decides she needs to begin preparing the evening meal. She thinks something from the river would be nice tonight. Especially since that's what she's craving. Eve grabs a large basket and motions for Vor to accompany her.

"[Where are we going,]" asks Vor curious.

"Fishing," Eve positive and confident, "[I know the perfect location. And it will not be an all-day event like my father's fishing trips.]"

"[I do not think I have] fishing [before.]"

"[It is obtaining food from a body of water by catching it.]"

"[Yes]," Vor understands, "[The males in our community do this at the river.]"

"[I probably do it differently from them. I certainly do not use my father's method. Using the whole day waiting for a water animal to bite a steel hook with an insect on it. A person could starve to death. My goal is to eat.]"

Vor shrugs, "[Sounds reasonable to me.]"

"[My father insist the wait makes the animal taste better. I say, when you are starving, even dirt taste great.]"

Vor seems perplexed, "[I would not know. But I am curious…you do not hesitate to speak your mind to your father. Does he not find it disrespectful?]"

"[Sometime, yes, he does. My parents taught me to be open with them. Said they wanted to know how I felt and they would be there to encourage me. Yet many times I found they did not take me seriously unless I became vociferous. And at first my father would become angry, tell me I was being disrespectful. It was very frustrating. I finally became so frustrated one day, I just exploded. I was screaming and crying, 'What do you want from me? You tell me to come to you when I need to talk. Then you act like what I say is insignificant. And when I bellow to get you to see how serious I am, suddenly I am being disrespectful.' I threw my hands in the air, 'To hell with it.' I said, 'I give up.' I threw some things in my backpack and walked out. I was fourteen and it was the first time I camped by myself.]"

"[You quit]," Vor shocked.

"[Yes, I quit]," Eve nodding her head, "[I did not see any point in reaching out to them when they were not reaching back.]"

"[How long were you gone by yourself?]"

"[My father came for me the first night, which was a mistake. We were both still too angry. I had not gone far. Only far enough to be alone, and he came expecting me to be obedient and come home. He ended up losing his temper and slapped me. I had a huge handprint on the left side of my face. Needless to say I did not come home that night and I started to spend a lot of time by myself. I camped by myself for a week when Dr. Matos came after me. I came back to the village, but I stayed with Dr. Matos and his mate.]"

"[You must have had great fear of your father.]" Vor states thinking about the size difference between Eve and her father.

"[I was too busy being angry with him to be afraid. Took my mother over a month to talk me back into our family dwelling.]"

"[I have always obeyed]," Vor responds, "[My father has often asked my opinion on different matters. My mother discourages any self-expression from me. She never asks, only orders.]"

"[Sometimes we need orders. But the older we get, the less we need them…We are here. I do not know why, but many fish congregate in this area.]" Eve grabs what appears to be a thick straight branch leaning against a tree. Then Vor notices the whole branch has been rubbed smooth and one end has been honed to a sharp point.

Vor asks, "[What is that?]"

"My fishing pole," Eve proud, "Forget the string with a hook with a bug on it. When I decide I'ld like to have fish for a meal. I get fish."

Eve wades into the water up to her knees and sits the basket atop a rock sticking out of the water. She asks Vor to gather certain herbs and roots that grow in the area. As Vor gathers the items Eve requested, she watches Eve. Eve is standing knee deep in the river as still as a statue staring down into the water. One of Eve's hands is poised in the air with the pole firmly gripped. Suddenly, with one fluidic movement, Eve plunges the pole into the water with next to no splash. Then she pulls the pole out with a decent sized fish on the end. Eve leans over slightly to push the slightly twitching fish off the pole into the basket. Vor is amazed. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, Vor wouldn't have believed such a feat were possible. Clearly, Vor was wrong to assume this small human female was nearly helpless. Judging someone merely on what one can immediately perceive is obviously a mistake. Vor wonders what else her mother is incorrect about.

It takes Eve about an hour to spear all the fish she thinks she'll need for the evening meal. Then she helps Vor finish gathering the other items she wants for the meal. During the return walk, Vor has more questions for Eve.

"[You do not need anyone to survive?]"

"[To survive]," Eve solemn, "[No, I do not need another's assistance to survive.]"

"[You do not need Evan]," Vor starts.

Eve interrupts, "[I do need Evan. Not to survive, but to live. I need him because with him I experience a level of happiness I am unable to achieve alone. There is no one else for me.]"

"[You could not have mated with another male?]"

"[Yes, I could have.] John Phillips [would have been delighted to mate with me. Yet, the person one chooses to spend their life with should be someone who makes you happy beyond your most imaginative dreams. Evan could never do this for you. Yet he does for me, which makes him the only one for me.]"

"[I have no dreams for happiness.]"

Eve has hope enough to share with Vor, "[Maybe it is time for you to start having some. You are a good person. You have been a good obedient daughter. You deserve to be happy.]"

Eve sounds so positive. Vor wishes she had the same self-assurance and confidence as Eve.

Vor assist Eve with the preparation of the evening meal while the males take turns going to wash. During the evening meal there is a lot of talking and laughing. Everant and Veioray have both discarded the usual solemn Malyon demeanor. But Vor has retained hers, she's never seen such laughing and carrying on before. Topic of conversation: Eve, Evan and Vor as children. Vor not having much to say isn't unusual. But Eve finds herself concerned for Mr. Chan. He's been unusually quiet all day.

"Mr. Chan," Eve finally voicing her concern, "you've been very quiet today."

"I don't mean to darken the mood," responds Mr. Chan, "but going by my son's grave this morning made me sad. I haven't visited his grave since you were a tiny girl. Your father asking me to be your godfather ranked up there with my marriage to Lulu and the birth of our son, Mason."

"Your mate and child were on your vessel with you," Everant asks with his eyebrows furrowed over his black eyes. The light blue streaks in his black hair show he is nearing the middle age of his life cycle.

"Not my wife," Mr. Chan explains, "She died in a shuttle accident when Mason was a toddler."

"Why was a child on a war vessel," ask Everant.

"[Erra]," Evan getting his father's attention, "Their vessel was an exploration vessel, not a war vessel."

"We did not know," Veioray in obvious surprise, "Do you think Malvoreckt knew?" asking Everant.

"I hope not," answers Everant, "It has long been rumored Malvorecktorion has kept the people uninformed when they think it required."

"At least you're not the blood thirsty people we thought," Mr. Chan managing to smile, "That's the important thing. I was worried for Eve. But I can see the love in Evan's eyes when he looks at her."

"Sometimes it's nice to be wrong," John Phillips smiling, "What do you think, Vor?"

Vor looks up from her plate of food. Concentration for the correct words is obvious on her face, "I think loss of helpless, innocent life is tragic and shameful. Our community will be shocked by this information. I am curious to know if Malvoreckt had this knowledge. It is clear we have been wrong about you as a people…Yes, it can be nice to be wrong sometimes," looking John directly in his hazel eyes. And for the first time in Vor's life she feels a connection to another person.

"Enough of such sad talk," Mr. Chan wishing to brighten the mood, "Let's focus on the living and happier times."

"Here! Here!" Ben agrees.

"Evan," Mr. Chan starts, "I met Eve when she was just seconds old. The doctor and his wife were tending her mother. I was the second person to hold her after she was born. I love her like she is my own child… Now, tell me how you two met."

"I'm curious about this myself," Ben leaning in close to listen.

"This should be interesting," Everant leaning closer too.

Everyone focuses their attention on Eve and Evan. Little Eve is sitting off to the side between Evan's long muscular legs. One of her short well-muscled legs laying over one of his legs. Her other leg folded in half creating a nook that's holding hers and Evan's plate of food. Eve's mouth is full, so she motions for Evan to begin.

"I fell on her," Evan a little embarrassed.

"You fell on her," questions Ben.

"Nearly drowned us both," adds Eve.

"You nearly drowned," questions Everant.

"I get the feeling we're missing some details," John Phillips scooting seemingly closer to Eve and Evan, but actually closer to Vor.

"I agree," Mr. Chan, "start with when this event took place."

"Nearly a year has passed," Evan begins, "I went to the river to observe a small human female I had been observing for some time."

"Observing," Ben repeats, "for some time. Exactly how long is sometime?"

Eve points a warning at her father.

"It's just a question," Ben's response to the accusing finger.

Evan answers, "That day I told Eve many days, but I left out those days amounted to a few months."

Eve cocks her head to look at Evan. Evan waits to see if he's going to be chastised. Eve smiles and shakes her head. She's surprised, but not angry with him.

Evan continues, "She had been followed that day by a human male. And while she was speaking with him, I climbed a tree, which over hangs the river to have a better view. The male departed and the female lay reading in the sun for a time. She finally decided to swim. And while she was swimming, I decided to reposition myself in the tree. Fortunately, the branch I chose wasn't strong enough to hold me. It broke under my weight and as I fell things went black."

"Things went black because he hit his head as he was falling from the tree," explains Eve.

"What was occurring from your point of view," Veioray asks Eve.

"I was swimming when I heard a loud crack above me," Eve starts, "I looked up. There was more cracking. I realized too late to get out of the way something was falling. It hit me and I was pushed all the way to the river bottom. After I resurfaced, I realized what fell was a man. But I didn't see anyone. Something touched my foot. I dove and came up with Evan. I towed him to the closest side. Carried him over my shoulders to the grass where I collapsed with him. I was checking him. He had a small cut on his forehead. He was unconscious and I couldn't just leave him like that. But the next thing I knew, I was on my back with him over me holding me down."

"It was reflexive. As I regained consciousness, I saw an image over me. I didn't know who or what it was. I panicked. Then I heard her voice as my vision cleared. It was she. Many times I had wished for a way to meet her. And suddenly I had her right before me," Evan lightly runs the back of a finger over Eve's cheek, "And the first words I heard from her to me were trembled out in fear…[Ar ort kar neista.]"

"I not your enemy," translates Vor.

"I felt horrible," Evan continues, "I apologized and let go expecting her to run from me. But she did no such thing, she stayed with me. She took care of the cut and talked with me. She spent the rest of the day with me talking, asking and answering questions. And when she agreed to come back and spend more time with me, I thought I might be dead in heaven"

Dr. Matos asks, "What were Evan's exact first words to you."

Eve answers, "I sorry. I not wish you fear I," leaning sleepily against Evan. His hand slips over the bump and her hand slips over his.

"Why were you observing Eve," Ben asks.

"At first it was just out of curiosity, taking advantage of the opportunity to observe a human," Evan answers, "But as time passed I longed to speak with her. I could see she was just as lonely as I was. I wanted to ease her loneliness, as well as my own. Plus, I came to admire her as I watched her. She was intelligent, independent and strong. I once saw her pin that young male that fallowed her to the ground." He leaves out that at the time he thought the young man may have aloud Eve to pin him.

"Adam," Mr. Chan says, "Without Eve to follow around, he doesn't know what to do with himself."

"Erin's gonna punch him in the nose," Eve yawns, "She's not as patient as I am."

"Your sister," Evan questioning, "Why?"

"Next closest thing to me," answers Eve.

"Why did you choose Eve for your mate," asks Vor.

"I could no longer imagine life without Eve," Evan answers, "With her I could be myself. There was no loneliness, only happiness and contentment. Vor you are an obedient daughter and a good citizen that never smiles. You keep your hair an appropriate length. But in your company there is an emptiness because there's no connection. I can tell my mannerisms make you uncomfortable. I chose to bond with the person who made me feel full of life and glad to wake up every morning. I do not wish to spend my life feeling empty and alone. I was overjoyed when she agreed to be my life-mate." He kisses Eve's cheek and wraps his arms around Eve.

"Why did you agree," John asks Eve.

Her eyes start to well up with tears, "He makes me feel happier than I ever imagined I could feel… And he… he washed away my loneliness."

"Then why did you keep running off to be by yourself all the time," Ben asks, his voice raised with parental frustration.

"Please, do not raise your voice to my life-mate," Evan offended by Ben's tone. He hugs Eve who's glaring at her father.

"Because," Eve answering her father, "there's nothing worse than being surrounded by smiling happy people when you're miserable." Eve turns into the most comfortable place she knows, Evan's arms. He strokes her hair and places tender kisses on her face.

"I'm sorry," Ben apologizes, "for raising my voice. I'm also sorry because I did not realize the extent of your unhappiness. I could have been a better listener and barked at you less."

"What's done is done," Eve's voice just above a whisper, "Besides, for the past several months before we left, I wasn't going off to be alone. You will never fully understand. I didn't realize how lonely I was myself until after I met Evan. There was only a constant feeling I was different from everyone else, that I didn't quite fit in. I always felt I was on the outside looking in."

"This is how no smiling became law," Veioray is a historian.

Everant nods his head, "Yes, none who are bond shall smile when outside their own dwelling."

"I break a law when I smile," asks Evan.

"On our home world, son, yes," Everant answers, "Here, no. You are free to express your happiness."

Vor had thought this just a custom, "How did such a law come to be?"

Veioray explains, "There are many unhappy life-mate matches. There was once even physical conflicts cause by the unhappiness. But when the unhappy matches came to outnumber the happy ones, they demanded it become law because they could not stand to see the happy ones smile."

Eve clings to Evan, "I never would destroy happiness for another. Others should not suffer just because I suffer."

"This not your nature to let others suffer if you can help," Vor states, "I am grateful for this."

"I am grateful you found each other," Everant sincere, "and I am glad we are in a place where my son may express his happiness freely without penalty."

Eve hugs Evan tightly. She doesn't plan to ask what kind of penalty there is for smiling in public. Evan whispers into Eve's Ear, "[Nothing could stop me from smiling at the sight of your face.]" They smile and a deep kiss occurs.

Vor shivers with disgust at the sight of them kissing, "[Do you not consider the possible transfer of bacteria?]"

Evan slowly pulls his lips away from Eve's. "No," he answers not even bothering to look up. His gaze transfixed upon Eve's face. "Tired," he asks Eve. She nods yes.

"Eve did not get a good nap today," Evan standing and helping Eve up, "So we're going to sleep early tonight."

"Goodnight," Eve smiling broadly.

She gets goodnight responses returned. Evan holds the tent open for Eve. She enters and he enters behind her. Inside, they tune out the outside voices.

"Why is pressing lips popular with humans," asks Vor.

John Phillips answers, "For humans it's a display of affection. That particular display was from a couple that know each other intimately. Kisses will be different according to relationship, how well acquainted the individuals are with each other, and what your family and cultural traditions deem appropriate. It would be considered inappropriate for me to attempt to kiss Ben or Bob in the fashion you observed, not to mention dangerous."

"You got that right," Ben interjects firmly.

"But mostly," John continues, "humans kiss because it's pleasurable and we like to do things that make us feel good." John leans close so only Vor will hear his invitation, "If you're ever curious, just ask." He gets up leaving Vor with a perplexed look on her face. The other men weren't really paying close attention.

"It's been a very long time," Mr. Chan raising his voice, "and I'm probably rusty at reading the signs. But I don't think we want to sleep anywhere near their tent tonight."

Dr. Matos and Ben look at each other, "Agreed," they say together.

"Let's wash the dishes for them," Ben more than suggesting. He gets Vor's assistance as well as Everant's and John's. Dr. Matos is discussing a scan with Veioray with Mr. Chan standing by and listening in intently.

"I not understand why we should not sleep near their tent," Everant needing clarification.

Ben explains, "It looks like they may be intimate tonight. Young couples are often intimate frequently."

"Intimate," Vor repeats, "You think they may mate tonight?"

"Yes," Ben confirms, "highly probable."

"Why?" ask Everant, "Mating is only required for bonding and…" searching for the correct word, "and pro-cree..ate..shun."

"They are bonded," Vor states, "and expecting new life. There is no need to mate."

"True," Ben has his own question, "But don't Malyons ever mate for pleasure?"

"No," Vor answers quickly and firmly.

Everant clarifies, "Not very often and certainly not while a new life is forming."

"No wonder your people never smile," John Phillip's humor is only appreciated by Ben.

"My mate does not enjoy mating as I do," Everant feeling a little defensive.

"No harm intended," Ben laying a hand on Everant's shoulder, "We humans have a tendency to use humor to assist us with the assimilation of new data or to deal with stressful situations. But you and I need to get acquainted on a different level. These two can handle this. Let's take a walk and talk."

"Yes," Everant nodding, "this is good idea."

Vor and John are silent a few minutes as they wash and dry the dishes at the river.

Vor can't believe a woman would desire mating outside of her fertile time, "My mother says mating is a chore. Talking with Eve, she does not see it as such. It is hard to conceive of a female enjoying mating as much as a male."

"I can't speak from personal experience," John scrubbing out a pot, "But I've read about it and I've listened to couples talk about it. Human females appear to enjoy mating just as much as males. I would hope that if I ever have a mate that she would enjoy the experience as much as myself. It would make me feel bad if she didn't. It's supposed to be a beautiful experience for both, especially when they love each other."

"You hoped to experience these things with Eve, this pleasure and this happiness. The emotions you call love." Vor trying to comprehend all the new information, "Disappointed you must feel."

John nods his head, "Yes, part of me is disappointed. Mostly, I'm happy for Eve. She deserves to be happy, and as much as I wanted to, I couldn't give it to her. But it doesn't necessarily mean there's no hope for me to still find someone to be happy with." He smiles at Vor, "When was the last time you smiled?"

Vor takes a deep breath, "I do not remember."

John feels sad for Vor, "Well then, we're going to have to work on that."

Vor is the first that night to say something about hearing strange sounds, "[What are those noises?]"

Veioray thinks he knows, "[I believe Eve and Evan are mating.]"

"[It sounds as if she is in pain]," Vor listening. She and her father both hear Eve say, "Yes. [Ahda, ahda.]"

"[She is not in pain]," Veioray tells Vor.

"Both you are awake also," Everant whispers to Veioray and Vor.

"Yes," Veioray answers.

Ben whispers, "We're going to find a quieter spot. Care to join us?"

Veioray stands, "We will join you."

Vor stands up, "You and Mother never make sounds as this." She follows the others.

"A father should never have to hear such sounds from his daughter," Ben yawns.

Dr. Matos yawns, "So, Ben, who's the screamer? You or Jude?"

Ben's not going to answer the question, "Shut up, Bob. Just, shut up."

"I see," Mr. Chan reading between the lines, "Eve gets it from you. You're the screamer."

Ben's response is, "If you ever tell anyone, I'll deny it."

John is giggling almost beyond control.

They all resettle down for the night in a spot where all one can hear is the waterfall.