39: Human Skin

An Hour Later

"Now remember, Dr. Black," Dr. Matos pausing, "Doctor Patient Confidentiality." Then they step out into the corridor together. The waiting loved ones, friends and family, pull themselves up from the floor where they were sitting.

"They're stable," announces Dr. Black.

"Excellent," Commander Bigbear giving Dr. Black a pat on the back, "I'll inform the captain."

Dr. Black shakes his head, "Dr. Matos deserves all the credit. It was an honor to assist him."

"Bob, are you OK," Ben asks Dr. Matos.

First Matos nods yes. Then he shakes his head no. Finally, he begins to cry. Andon steps forward and puts a comforting arm around her life-mate. Dr. Matos lays his head on his life-mates shoulder and quietly allows tears to escape his eyes. The sight of Andon with their baby girl, Donna, is welcome. The flashbacks to his wife's death while treating Eve are fast becoming a bad memory.

"Can we see them?" a now calm Jude.

"Yes, of course, but don't be alarmed. They're still unconscious at this point," Dr. Black answers and leads the way.

Eve and Evan are lying on parallel beds. Both have wireless electrodes attached to monitor their vitals, saline solution drips to combat dehydration and Eve has an extra drip of synthetic oxygenated plasma to help treat her blood loss. But presently there's no one who can donate blood or a blood substitute to give her.

Sudden synaptic spiking, and sitting up, Evan opens his eyes. He looks directly at his still unconscious life-mate. The fact that he has regained consciousness so soon, also means Eve will be fine with a little more proper medical care and a lot of rest.

"How are you feeling, son," asks Ben.

Evan's quiet a moment before answering, "Intact and fully functional."

"Does that mean you're OK, Daddy," asks Ashton.

"Yes, Ashton," Evan taking his son from Ben for a big hug, "I'm OK."

"What about Mommy?"

"She's resting," Evan answers, "and she's probably going to need to rest for a while."

"Mommy's not dying," Ashton direct with his concern.

"No," Evan answers firmly, "she's just very ill. She didn't get enough rest after giving birth to your sister is all."

Then family and friends come forward to hug Evan. Glad to see him awake and alert. His still unnamed infant daughter starts to cry an unmistakable newborn wail.

"Someone's unhappy," Erin trying to console her new niece with a gentle bounce.

"Here," Evan taking his daughter. He checks her diaper, "We're definitely very wet. That must be uncomfortable."

"Here's her bag," Alma handing the bag of baby needs to Evan. And cheerfully, Evan exchanges the wet diaper for a dry one. Except, being dry doesn't help. The baby continues to release loud shrill angry wails.

No one notices Eve's eyes pop open. "Evan," her voice a low unheard whisper.

Even the sharp Malyon ears don't hear because of the baby's cries, but Evan feels Eve's fear, confusion and concern. So, he climbs out of bed and walks over to her bed and she smiles up at him. She reaches up and gently touches his face, "Evan, I hear the baby crying."

"Yes," Evan smiling, "I have her right here."

"We're still on the ship," Eve unsure.

"Yes," Evan confirms touching her cheek.

"Where's Ashton?"

"I'm here, Mommy," announces Ashton.

Eve can see his face from her medical bay bed. "There's my sweetheart. I love you."

"I love you too, Mommy. I was scared. I was afraid you were dying."

"I'm sorry. Mommy didn't mean to scare you."

"Could you look at me please, Eve."

Eve turns her head slightly to the side, "Hello, Dr. Black."

"How do you feel," asks Dr. Black.

"Very tired and weak," answers Eve, "I need to nurse my baby."

"Don't try to sit up," Dr. Black laying a hand on her shoulder, "Let's have the bed do it for you." He presses a button and the head of the bed slowly comes to a sitting position.

Eve can finally see everyone in the room, "I suddenly feel a bit foolish. Must have given you all a good scare."

They all start talking at once. Then they all get quiet at once.

"We're all just glad you're going to be fine," Dr. Matos more himself.

Evan helps Eve get adjusted so she can nurse the baby. And as the baby begins to nurse, Eve notices a red circle on the upper left hand side of her chest.

"Dr. Black," Eve concerned, "this looks like a paddle burn?"

"Yes, it is," Dr. Black nods.

"I see," Eve understands how close to dying she and Evan came, "When can I go home?"

"For now you stay put," Dr. Matos firm.

"For at least twenty-four hours," Dr. Black adds.

Eve and Evan both nod. If anyone were going to argue, it would be Eve. But she's too tired and weak to fuss. She's starting to doze back off.

"I know all of you want to be here for Eve," Dr. Black, "But she really needs to rest."

They all nod and one-by-one they say their good-byes. But Ashton doesn't want to leave, and it's uncharacteristic of him to protest so aggressively. The boy is too strong for Ben to handle alone, and Everant has to take Ashton.

"No, I want my mommy!"

Eve motions for Everant to bring her Ashton for a moment. And between both his parents reassuring words and soft touches, Ashton calms.

"Is this any way for a big brother to behave," Eve stroking Ashton's face.

A very sad teary-eyed Ashton slowly shakes his head no.

"And you don't want to scare your baby sister do you," Evan stroking Ashton's head lovingly.

Again Ashton slowly shakes his head no.

"Now give us a kiss," request Eve, "and we'll see you tomorrow."

Ashton nods sadly. He kisses his father and then his mother, "Can I kiss my sissy good-bye?"

"Of course," Eve smiles and holds the baby up for Ashton. The baby is a bit perturbed to be removed from her meal, but Ashton places a delicate loving kiss on her forehead. Then Evan walks to the door with his father and son.

"I'm sorry I was bad, Daddy."

"It's OK," Evan responds, "We understand." He waves good-bye and Ashton's short fingers open and close back at him.

"Poor baby," Eve as Evan comes back to her, "this must be terrifying for him."

"Him," Evan leaning over Eve for a kiss, "What about me?"

"You," Dr. Black putting his hands on his hips, "What about me?" throwing a flamboyant hand in the air. It elicits the desired entertained response.

"You are no worse for wear," Eve points at Dr. Black. "But you," grabbing Evan's IV pole, "In case you hadn't noticed, I was taking you with me," angry with herself.

Evan smiles, "Better to be with you than without you."

Dr. Black senses he's not needed at the moment and busies himself elsewhere in the medical bay.

"But the children would have been left without either of us," Eve doing too much contemplation, "We haven't even chosen a name for the baby yet."

"Well, we need to choose one," Evan deliberately guiding the conversation, "'My sissy,' that was so cute of Ashton."

"It was precious," Eve smiling, "his sissy."

"I like it," Evan states brightly.

"Like what?" Eve curious.

"Cissy," Evan states.

"Cissy," repeats Eve.

"Yes, yes," Evan excited, "Cissy."

"Cissy," Eve looking at her now sleeping baby girl and smiles, "Then Cissy you shall be."

"Here's a bassinette," Dr. Black returning, "We only have a couple. Not much use for them on a war vessel. Had to clean it out. We were using it for storage."

Evan takes the sleeping baby from Eve and places her in the bassinette, "There we are Cissy."

"Looks good with a baby in it," Dr. Black smiling.

"Not just any baby," Evan proud, "This is Cissy."

"Cissy," Dr. Black tickled, "that's cute. What's her middle name?"

"Uhooh," Eve letting her head fall back into her pillow, "I thought we were finished. We always forget something."

"Eve," Evan decides, "Cissy Eve Ayah Johnson, agreed?"

"Agreed," Eve with a firm nod.

"Now that it's settled," Dr. Black putting Eve's bed back down, "I want you to follow Cissy's example and sleep like a baby."

"I hope I sleep better than that," Eve yawning, "If I slept like a baby, I'ld be awake, wet and hungry every two hours."

"Just rest," Dr. Black laughing, "I'm going to be around for a few more hours. Then a very trusted nurse will come on duty. But my quarters aren't far if you need or want me. I'll make her aware of how independent and private you both are. This is the lavatory. When Eve needs to go, bring her over in the wheel chair. I really don't want her on her feet for the next twelve hours."

"She will not need to go," states Evan, "Her body is conserving to facilitate the healing process."

Dr. Black doesn't comment on that. He's still the student when it comes to their physiology. He continues with his little tour of the medical bay, "OK, here next to the water dispenser is the food dispenser. It's simple to operate. You scroll thru the menu like this, and when you find what you want. Tap dispense. Disposal will recycle the leftovers and dishes back into the system."

"Efficient," Evan comments.

"Any questions?" Dr. Black.

"Yes," Evan curious, "What is Chick-en Noodle… Soup?"

Several hours later the nurse is checking Evan's vitals as he's changing Cissy.

"Well, going by what Dr. Black has informed me," the nurse to Evan, "everything's normal for you, and you don't need this IV anymore." She takes out an antiseptic wipe and a Band-Aid, "Seems strange to see an IV in someone's chest… How pretty."

"Yes," Evan agrees, "Just like her mother."

"No," the nurse's brow furrowed, "I mean, yes, she's pretty. But she's not what I was talking about. This is going to sound silly, but I meant your blood," looking at it on the antiseptic square, "It's a beautiful shade of purple. I bet if they made a crayon this color, it would be called Royal Purple."

Evan's not much of a conversationalist except when talking with Eve. He smiles at the nurse, "I never thought about it." But he's curious, "What is a crayon?"

"It's a coloring tool," the nurse answering while checking Eve's vitals, "like paint, except not a liquid, a solid."

Evan just can't picture it, so he shrugs it off.

"Mmm," the nurse bewildered, "Dr. Black said he wants her to have another bag of plasma, but it looks as if she doesn't need it to me."

"I will look," Evan hopping off his bed. He bounces gently as he looks over Eve's vitals hoping the baby will go back to sleep, "You are correct. She doesn't need more. Her IV maybe removed also."

"I'll wait till she's awake," the nurse wants to let Eve sleep.

"No need to wait," Evan offering the nurse the baby and she takes her. He gets an antiseptic wipe and a Band-Aid as the nurse did. Then ever so gently, he slides the IV needle out of Eve's arm, wipes the site clean and puts on the Band-Aid.

"You're good," the nurse smiling as she rocks the baby, "She didn't even twitch."

"She knows my touch," Evan leaning over and kissing Eve's forehead.

"You love her very much," the nurse thoughtfully.

"Yes," Evan smiling at Eve, "Here is wear the universe begins and ends. I live and breathe for her and our children. They are my whole life. And when the children are adults with lives of their own, we will still have each other."

"I don't know much about your people," the nurse touched by Evan's words of dedicated love for Eve, "But most of my people believe yours are heartless, unfeeling and soulless. Besides, beautiful babies like this can't possibly be made by monsters. By the way, my name's Trista."

Evan shakes her hand, "Nice to meet you Trista."

Except, monsters do exist. A few walk the corridors of the War Cry. They sneer happily to themselves as they think their wicked evil thoughts and plan their secret vile deeds. They nod their heads in greeting as they flick a two-fingered hello at their crewmates as they pass by. They seem so comfortable in their human skin, but what lies beneath is unspeakably twisted, repulsive and empty except for sinful, hateful intentions.

The fussing of a hungry baby girl awakens Eve. She erects her bed and lifts her daughter from the bassinette. "You must be hungry. But let's be quiet, Daddy's sleeping… That's a good girl… Well, you are hungry. We'll have to let you take your time… Hello."

"Hi," the nurse smiling, "I heard a voice. Hope I'm not disturbing you?"

"Not at all. How long has Evan been sleeping?"

"About two hours."

"How long have I been sleeping?" asks Eve.

"Since I came on almost four hours ago."

"No wonder you're so hungry," Eve to her daughter, Cissy.

"Hungry or thirsty?" asks the nurse.

"Yes, I am."

"What would you like?" the nurse asks walking over to the food dispenser.

"Ice water's fine to drink. What's available to eat?"

"How about chicken noodle soup? Everyone likes chicken noodle soup."

Eve makes a face, "Chicken noodle soup?"

"What kinds of foods do you like?"

Eve answers, "Fruits and vegetables, fish and beans."

"Well, let's try bean soup and fruit salad. Here we go," setting up the food and ice water on a tray/strand for Eve.

"Thank you."

"Can I get you anything else?"

"Her bag," Eve pointing to it on the floor by Evan's bed, "She'll need to be changed after she's finished nursing."

"Here," putting the bag at Eve's feet, "She's a beautiful baby. What's her name? I didn't think to ask your husband."

"Cissy," Eve just answers the question. She doesn't push the life-mate issue. She understands referring to Evan as her husband is the nurse's way of acknowledging and accepting their relationship.

"Cissy, that's cute. If you need me for anything, I'll be in the other room, just buzz me."

"Thank you," Eve says as she runs a finger over her nursing daughter's cheek.

The nurse, Nurse Bearden according to her tag, reseats herself at her desk and returns to updating medical files. The doors to the medical bay slide open and three men walk in, "Do you have a medical emergency? The medical bay is off limits except for medical emergencies." These men make her nervous. She's familiar with all three men from medical exams. But two particularly stand out in her mind. She was in the observation lounge the first time Eve and Evan came aboard and she caught part of the conversation. And she heard very clearly what the tall handsome blue-eyed one said on his way out, "She needs to get some from a real man, and I'm just the man to give it to her."

"No emergency," the handsome one with a devilish grin, "We're just curious. We just want to take a peek at the baby. (One of the other men locks the door after it closes.) It won't take a minute. They won't even know we're here. No one will know."

Standing up and coming from behind the desk, Nurse Bearden nonchalantly, but deliberately, sweeps her hand under the desk and activates the emergency silent intruder sensor. Then boldly walks up to the men, "My orders are very clear, 'No unauthorized personnel, medical emergencies only.' You'll have to leave." The nurse reaches to unlock the door, but her hand gets shoved away. "Leave," quite firmly.

"Listen," the tall handsome one standing over the nurse with his hand on the wall, "Don't get in our way for them. There's no need for you to get hurt. We'll lock you in the lavatory over there. And when they let you out, you'll say you were grabbed from behind and didn't see anything."

"What about the digital recorders? They run twenty-four hours a day."

"They're malfunctioning tonight," he answers the nurse with a confident smile that gives her goose bumps.

Nurse Bearden feels an unimaginable terror welling up within herself. Looking into the handsome man's cold, empty, soulless blue-eyes just makes her feel more helpless. So, she closes her eyes and slowly shaking her head saying, "No, I'm responsible for everything that happens here tonight. I can't turn a blind eye. I couldn't live with myself."

"You may not have to," he replies.

The nurse makes a brave leap for the door and it's lock, but finds herself thrown to the floor. (Eve hears an unidentifiable noise, a sort of thump, but assumes the nurse must have dropped something.) The nurse finds three laser pistols pointed at her face makes her a little more cooperative.

"Let the fun begin," grabbing the nurse by the arm and pulling her up. When the door to Eve and Evan's room slides open, the handsome man shoves the nurse into the room. Evan is startled awake. Evan recognizes the nurse, but the three men holding pistols have him feeling as if he's stuck in the middle of a nightmare.

"Don't move, Evan," Eve's voice firm.

"I'ld listen to your whore," the tall handsome man, obviously the leader of this triad, steps around to the end of Evan's bed, "if I were you, Evan." Eve and Evan don't know what a whore is. But they're both sure it's some sort of insult.

"I remember you," Eve studying the lead man.

"Is that so, Eeeevve."

"Yes, you are the rude man who came up to us in the observation lounge our first time aboard."

"I'm flattered. I didn't think you'ld remember," amused and pleased with himself.

"You made an impression," Eve cool.

"I was hoping I had. You impressed me as well. You don't seem to be afraid of anything."

"I'm afraid of many things."

"I hope I'm one of those things."

"State your purpose," Eve request.

A confident sly smile, "No sense wasting time. I like that. You've been on my mind ever since I first met you. Had a discussion with my associates and decided what you need is some time with a real man," grabbing the blanket covering Eve and yanking it off revealing Eve's short tan muscular legs neatly folded.

Eve doesn't even flinch. She puts Cissy on her shoulder to pat her tiny back for a burp, "And you're a real man," Eve raising an unimpressed eyebrow.

"Oh, yeah," the lead man grabbing one of Eve's ankles.

Evan clears his throat and raises his hand.

"What," the lead man asks irritated.

"I'm confused," Evan hoping to bring some logic into view, "It's customary for males of your culture to demonstrate their manhood in this fashion?"

"No," the nurse chiming in, "real men don't rape unarmed women while they lie in a hospital bed holding a newborn baby."

He let's go of Eve's ankle. "Take the baby," motioning the nurse with his pistol. Cautiously, the nurse takes the baby from Eve.

"Now, you stay over there out the way with the baby," he orders the nurse. "You keep that pistol on her and the baby," to the third very nervous man. To the second man with the crazed smile, "Keep your pistol on him. We don't want him getting heroic on us. Don't want to kill him before the end of the show." Then the lead man touches Eve's cheek with his laser pistol.

"A real man needs a weapon to tame a woman in a hospital bed?" Eve asks running a petite finger up the lead man's arm and glancing at Evan. Evan gives Eve an unnoticeable nod. He's ready for whatever she has planned.

"No," the lead man wetting his lips, "I can handle you without it," and he tosses his pistol to the third increasingly nervous man.

"Come on, Mike," the third man to the lead man, "Hurry up."

"I'm next," says the second man.

"We'll see," Evan whispers to himself.

"Let's get this party started," Mike excited. He reaches to grab Eve by the hair and she smacks him.

"You're not going to make this easy are you?" rubbing his stinging cheek.

"No," Eve looking him in the eyes, "I'm going to make this very difficult."

"Fine with me," he smiles, "I like it when they fight back."

But Eve's next blow isn't just another slap; she backhands him down to the floor with her fist. He sits there a moment, touches his broken lip and gives a little laugh at the blood on his fingers.

"You alright, Mike," the second man ask without taking his gun off Evan.

"Fine," Mike answers popping up from the floor.

"If we walk away now," the third man, "we'll probably get probation is all."

"He's right," the nurse adds, "It's not too late to walk away and call it a dumb idea."

"I don't have dumb ideas," Mike insulted. "She wants me," pointing at Eve, "She just doesn't want to admit it like the others." He then attempts to beat Eve into submission. But he finds himself unable to put a hand on Eve as she blocks all his attempts to punch and slap her. Enraged at his failure. He rushes Eve. Then suddenly, he finds himself in a headlock gasping for air.

"I wonder what we do now," asks Eve.

"I'm confused again," Evan not really asking a question, "I thought parties were supposed to be fun."

"Let him go," the second man demands.

"Why? I thought we were having fun," Eve not smiling.

"Let him go or I'll put a big hole in your hubby," the second man threatens.

"You're going to kill us all anyway," Evan responds.

"Look," the third man, "I still think we can walk away from this." He squats slowly and puts both laser pistols he's holding on the floor. "See," standing and showing empty palms, "I don't think anyone has to die."

"What are you doing?" the second man letting his guard down. Which is what Evan's been waiting for. Evan leaps off the bed grabbing the second man and the arm holding the weapon. The weapon discharges and hits the third man. The discharge of the weapon startles Eve to her feet on the bed. Mike finds his feet are no longer touching the floor.

"Drop the weapon or I'll snap your neck," Evan promising the second man.

Suddenly, about a half dozen armed security guards rush in with Commander Bigbear.

"Sorry we're late," Commander Bigbear apologizes, "We've been monitoring through the wall. They sabotaged the digital surveillance for the medical bay. I didn't want to rush in too soon."

"This one is dead," a female security guard announces.

"You plan on joining your friend," Bigbear asks the second man. His response is to drop his weapon.

"All secure Captain," Bigbear calls.

Captain Kilani enters with Dr. Black.

"Take him," Kilani pointing to Evan's man. Evan releases him to two MPs.

"Someone take what's left of this one," Kilani referring to the dead man. An MP drags him out by his feet.

But Eve fails to release her attacker. Instead, she holds him out with one hand so she can see his face. His hands grasp Eve's forearm and his feet search the air for the floor.

"We were talking about being afraid," Eve speaks to the man, "I think at this moment you're very afraid. And the only thing I fear now is myself."

"Eve," Kilani's Voice soft, "we'll make sure he's never able to bother you nor your family ever again."

"There will be others like him," a tear runs down Eve's cheek, "It will never be over."

"Eve," says Evan softly, "you don't want to be like them."

Eve's legs start to tremble and she can feel cramps in her lower abdomen. She drops the man to the floor. Not because she wants to, but because she has to. She watches on her knees from the bed as they pick him up from the floor.

"Are you OK," Evan running his fingers through Eve's hair and missing its previous length.

Eve nods yes, "The baby…"

"She's right here," the nurse handing Cissy over to Eve, "She's fine."

The baby is sleeping soundly. Eve finds that absolutely amazing and can't help smiling a little. Evan smiles too for the same reason.

"What's your name," Eve asks the nurse.

"Trista," The nurse answers.

"Thank you, Trista," Eve grateful.

"You're welcome," Trista not sure why she's being thanked, "But you're a better person than I am, I think I would of broke his neck."

"Are you sure you're alright," asks Dr. Black.

"Yes," Eve nodding, "I just want to go home. Evan, take us home."

Evan doesn't need to be told twice, "Of course." He grabs the diaper bag and scoops her up with the baby. Then without any hesitation, he walks out of the medical bay carrying Eve with the baby. Dr. Black, Captain Kilani and Commander Bigbear follow them. Evan's long legs glide down the corridor to the MTR (Molecular Transport Room). "We need to go home," he tells the ensign on duty.

Captain Kilani nods yes to the ensign and the ensign molecular transports Eve, Evan and their baby back down to their village.

"That must have been some adrenalin rush," Captain Kilani to the doctor and commander, "To hold a full grown man like that in the air with one hand."

"Not necessarily," Dr. Black explains, "I'll go over her readings when I get back to the medical bay. But the process that binds them together and allows them to reproduce together happens at a genetic level. Previous tests I've done show that she is physically strong than you or I. So, once she got him to put his weapon down, he didn't have a chance."

Commander Bigbear is curious, "If we had to fight Malyon's hand-to-hand, how would we do?"

"They'ld slaughter us," Dr. Black responds, "The only advantage we have over them is we out number them. We need peace with these people. If they ever figure out own much physically weaker we are than them, they may decide to pursue war and start invading our colonies and use hand-to-hand combat. We'll either become an endangered species or extinct."

"We just may have information that will persuade our leaders to be friendlier with Malyons and open negotiations for a more secure peace," Captain Kilani hopeful, "because this tentative treaty isn't good enough. We need to be big enough to apologize to these people. We were just as responsible for the war as they. In some ways more."