Mysterious Circumstances (pm to discuss joining)

[Othermoose]

David grinned as he heard Kate's orgasmic moan. He gave her soft folds a final taste before crawling up and kissing Kate deeply. After a moment David pulled away and lied on his back. "You don't have to return the favor. You can just go to sleep, you get a free pass tonight." David joked, before snuggling into Kate's side. Of course he wanted to keep going, but he didn't want Kate to be over strained.

=============================================================

"Yes! Please!" Adrianna moaned desperately. Even the tinniest touch from Natalia sent electric shivers through the mermaid's body, and Natalia's tongue only increased the already amazing amount of pleasure. She tried to return the favor to Natalia, but she could hardly focus through the pleasure Natalia was giving her. "I think... I think I'm mooooohhhh more sensitive out of the... The water." Adrianna said between moans and gasps. "Please don't stop!" She begged trying not to squirm too much.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate lie there in a near blissful state, announcing, "I think you found an even better pain reliever than morphine." She joked. "Thank you, love. I owe you some creative solution to make love with all this stupid shite on me..." She trailed off, biting her lip in frustration. "I think it's been more than a half hour since dinner finished. Could you perhaps pop me one of my pain pills from Yuet? They hardly do anything to help but it's the highest dose they can give me because of the wee one in here...I'll take my medicine and go to sleep like a good girl."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yuet and Aziz kissed for the remainder of the film. Finally, as she noticed through her lightheadedness that the credits were rolling on the screen, she sat up, smoothing her dress, and cleared her throat, blushing deeply. "Aziz, I...I should go to bed now. Thank you for a wonderful time."

Aziz was disappointed the magical spell had been broken and held out a hand to Yuet as she rose from the sofa to leave. "...Yuet...if your father were here on this ship with us I'd ask you if you'd mind me going to him...to discuss a courtship..."

"But, my family is far away." She lamented sadly.

Aziz pursued his topic. "I know, dearest Yuet. I was thinking, though not traditional in either of our cultures, in this rare instance, we could guide ourselves in courting...If you are interested in me, that is."

Yuet put her hands on her hips and made a face showing Aziz how ridiculous he sounded to her, "I just let you kiss me, I mean, really kiss me...in a way no other has before and I didn't do that for nothing, Aziz. Of course I interested. Otherwise, I never do such things. What kind of girl you take me for?"

He laughed, "Sorry, you're right. That was foolish of me to say...So..." He stood, crossing to her, taking her hands in his as his hopeful gaze sought hers, "...May I officially court you?"

Yuet smiled and nodded, "Yes."

"You are my...girlfriend?"

She nodded.

"In my culture we'd already be betrothed." He commented.

She just laughed. "In my culture stranger things have happened to people even less acquainted...But, I think we wiser to date first, nice courtship...I want see how we do in transition to planet living before making permanent decisions."

"You're so logical. I love that!"

"I..love..." Yuet paused for a long time, blushing. She looked up into Aziz's eyes and kissed him on the lips, whispering, "I love being around you. You make me feel calm when I should be scared. I love your smile. I love your long, curly, dark eyelashes. I love...kissing you..."

This led to a passionate kissing interlude before she finally retired to her bedroom.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Natalia giggled against Adrianna' s moist folds as she lapped at her and had two fingers, knuckle deep, massaging a spongy area within she was certain was the mermaid equivalent of a G spot.

 

[Othermoose]

David got off the bed carful not to jostle Kate. "I'll give you that pain killer anytime you want it." David said with a wink as he crossed the room. He picked up the bottle of pills and deposited one into his hand; he then grabbed a glass of water and returned to Kate. He handed her the pill, which she popped into her mouth, before handing her the glass of water. "Do you need anything else while I'm up?" David asked Kate, taking the glass of water from her hand once she finished drinking, and setting it down on the nightstand on her side of the bed.

================================================================

Adrianna's voice hit a note that Austin's program couldn't translate when Natalia touched her G spot. Adrianna felt her canal twitch and squeeze around Natalia's fingers, as a powerful orgasm ripped through her body. "Fuck Natalia! Don't stop! Please please please don't stop!" The mermaid screamed in pleasure as she tried her best to hump Natalia's hand.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate paused and considered. "Well, oddly enough...I haven't had a chocolate milk since I was a kid but...yeah, I kind of feel really thirsty for chocolate milk." Her puzzled expression became one of excitement. "Is that?...I think I'm having my first...craving! No...Yes?...Yes, yes, definitely. If you could get chocolate milk I'd be forever grateful." Kate said, astounded to actually be reminded by her own body that someone was alive inside her and making a strong request.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Not stopping....mmmm...not for all the tea in China. I want you to cream for me, Adrianna, come on...Let go!" She urged, sucking gently on Adrianna' s clit as she fingered the g spot some more.

 

[Othermoose]

David smiled at Kate's excitement. "I'd be honored to get you chocolate milk." He said, giving Kate a quick kiss before leaving the room. He quickly made his way to the kitchen and ordered two large glasses of chocolate milk. He quickly returned to his and Kate's room and gave her one of the glasses while placing the other on the nightstand. He sat down on the bed next to Kate and gently rubbed her belly. "So... Do you think it will be a boy or girl?" David asked her quietly.

=============================================================

Adrianna whimpered in pleasure as Natalia sucked her clit. Her orgasm hit her like a storm, one huge wave after another continued to wash over her. She felt Natalia's tongue hit a particularly sensitive spot, and squealed in pleasure as her orgasm sprayed on Natalia's face. Natalia continued to lick and suck Adrianna's sensitive folds, giving the mermaid another powerful climax. "It feels so good!" Adrianna practically sobbed in pleasure, her tail writhing from the sensation. Adrianna grabbed Natalia by the hips and brought the blonde's wet folds closer to her face. Adrianna began to lick and suck at Natalia's womanhood, moaning at the taste, and at Natalia's returned stimulation.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate chuckled, "Thank you so much! You have no idea how amazing this tastes to me right now!" She said after her first sip. She drank more somewhat greedily and watched him rub her still mostly flat belly, wondering at their child's gender. "I hadn't thought about it." She admitted. "I think my sister was able to see the sex of hers on the echogram photo. When was it?...I think at around 16-18 weeks. I'm at week four and a half so I guess we've still got a while to wait. I don't know...there's nice things about each gender. What are you hoping for?" Kate asked David just before finishing the rest of her chocolate milk. "That was so delicious! I hope there's cocoa plants on the planet. I hope we could bring some with us..." But, she let her chocolate side track drift off, more interested in David's gender preference.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now, Nat was beginning to squirm and whimper as Adrianna began on her in earnest. "Oh, yes! This is so fucking crazy awesome!" Nat cried out, thinking Erik would lose his shit when he awakens to find out the fun he'd missed.

 

[Othermoose]

"I don't really know which I'd prefer." David said thoughtfully while he handed Kate the second glass of chocolate milk. "Before we knew with Molly, I was certain I wanted a boy. When we found out she was a girl I was crushed. But once she was born, it didn't matter. She was my little girl, and I loved her." David said smiling at his memories. He brought himself back to the present and looked at Kate lovingly. "Whatever it is, we're going to love them." David said, a strong certainty in his voice.

=============================================================

"I know! It feels so good to be touched again!" Adrianna moaned before diving back in between Natalia's legs. The mermaid's tongue gently parted Natalia's folds moving deeper into her core. Adrianna moved her tongue as deep as she could and wriggled her tongue around inside of Natalia's canal.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate was surprised she'd consumed nearly two glasses of chocolate milk so fast, but she had and she was growing drowsy. "I'm sleepy." She announced. Slumber came soon afterward.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Natalia had been so close to cumming anyway because of getting carried away by Adrianna' s enthusiastic reactions to her touch so it didn't take her long to get there herself at all.

Once they'd both finished each other off, Natalia rolled onto her side next to the mermaid, panting happily. They moved so they were facing each other, two blondes caressing in the moonlight, drifting off to sleep on the rock with tail and legs dangling in the water.

-SATURDAY MORNING-

Announcements of the day's itinerary flashed on the arm computer screens of every crew member at exactly 07:00 hours.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin awoke to the sound of a loud beeping. He tried to swat at the source of the sound, but soon realized it was coming from his arm. After blindly poking at his arm for a few moments the beeping stopped, and Austin snuggled closer to April's warm body next to him and fell back asleep.

=============================================================

David groaned as his wrist computer began to beep. He quickly silenced it, and sat up. He looked over at Kate's sleeping form, and shut off her wrist computer's alarm before getting out of bed. He left the room quietly and walked to the kitchen. He ordered two plates of scrambled eggs, home fries, and sausage, along with two glasses of orange juice, a cup of coffee, a cup of tea, and a large glass of chocolate milk. He gathered up all the food and drinks on a large tray and carried them back to his and Kate's room. He set the tray on Kate's night stand and woke her with a gentle kiss. "Morning, beautiful. I got us breakfast." David said quietly as Kate's eyes fluttered open.

=============================================================

Erik's head pounded at the loud beeping coming from his arm. "Shut up!" He growled punching himself in the arm. "Ow! Fuck!" Erik cursed as he realized that he'd punched himself. After a moment he figured out how to stop the alarm. He gripped his pounding head and looked around the room for Natalia. After he saw no sign of her he decided he'd search the ship for her. He got out of bed and cursed his pounding head, as he left the room and headed for the park.

=============================================================

Adrianna squirmed and wrinkled up her face at the loud beeps coming from beside her. She opened her eyes and panicked when she saw no water. She quickly sat up and looked around. She saw a naked Natalia sleeping next to her, and her panic lifted as she remembered her wonderful night. "Can you shut that off please? It hurts my ears." Adrianna said, gently shaking Natalia awake.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate first felt groggy, then kind of queasy...But before her brain had time to panic over how hard it would be to successfully make it to a safe place to vomit in her current, broken doll, situation...thankfully, the feeling passed as quickly as it had come.

David watched the show of various emotions pass over her face before she settled on a sleepy smile and working to sit up, pulling her body up yo do so by grabbing the headboard with her good arm and pulling herself to sit. He seemed impressed. This made her laugh.

"Oh, good! More chocolate milk! Junior seems to be a milk monster already."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yuet awoke and showered and found herself emerging, dressed, from the ladies bathroom at the same time as Aziz. "Touchdown training in one hour." She said to him.

"Yes, I know, my dear." He replied. The term of endearment made her smile shyly as he crossed to her and pulled her close for a continuation of the night before' s kiss.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Erik stumbled through the park and Nat and Adrianna we're alarmed to see him drunkenly fall forward, into the water at the lake's edge. He floated, face down.

"Erik!" Cried Nat.

Adrianna moved quickly, swimming towards him.

 

[Othermoose]

David smiled and handed Kate the glass of milk. "Take it slow, you looked a bit queasy a second ago." David said sitting down next to Kate. "Do you think I should get a bag or bucket or something? In case morning sickness starts to hit you?" David asked Kate while gently rubbing her back.

=============================================================

Adrianna shot through the water like a bullet. She swam as fast as she could, and reached Erik in less than a minute. She pulled him onto the beach, stranding herself in the process. "Natalia! His nose is bleeding! What do I do!?" Adrianna yelled desperately as Natalia swam towards them.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate made an irritated expression as she thought about having to have assistance even in being sick. "Oh heaven's, no, not that! I don't want to vomit in front of anyone, least of all you, if I can help it!" But, as the sensation continued in the background of her consciousness, she nodded, "Alright, Junior, stubborn little mite...trash can, please!" She insisted, tapping David's arm with an urgency indicating she was barely able to control herself at the moment.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Natalia swam to them, she held Erik' s head in her hands, trying to get him to look at her by calling his name. He opened his eyes but she wasn't sure if he was focused at all. He gurgled and mumbled something unintelligible. She tapped her ear and called out, "Med Bay: Yuet or MeRP, Erik needs help in the domed park, now! We're at the lake!"

Yuet' s kissing episode was interrupted by Natalia' s panicked voice in her left ear. She moved quickly away from Aziz, explaining. "Urgent call from Natalia. Erik needs first aid. I must go!"

Aziz nodded solemnly, understanding she had a duty. "I'll come with you."

She had already grabbed her doctor's bag and was running toward the newer, detachable area of the ship. Aziz caught up with her quickly, running alongside the woman he so admired. Her sense of duty and loyalty were wonderful qualities which endeared her to him even more as he watched her quickly get to work on Erik, not even a notice of the nudity of the trio before them. Aziz tried not to notice too but...well...two beautiful women with no clothes on was especially hard not to gawk even a little bit at, even if one was disturbingly fish like in places he preferred human flesh to be...

 

[Othermoose]

David quickly grabbed the trash can and brought it over to Kate. He sat down next to her, holding the trash can under her at her chest level, while pulling her hair back behind her head with his other hand. "If you need to throw up, just do it. You have no reason to be embarrassed in front of me." David said, stroking Kate's back while still holding her hair.

=============================================================

Erik didn't remember the walk to the lake. One moment he was leaving his and Natalia's room; the next he was on the beach staring up at a concerned looking Yuet and a naked Natalia. "Hey beautiful." Erik slurred reaching out for Natalia. His vision began to blur again and his head hit the sand as he passed out again.

"There's so much blood coming out of his nose! Can you save him!?" Adrianna squealed in concern looking at Erik. After a few moments a pair of MeRPs floated over and loaded Erik onto a hover stretcher. They carried carried Erik off with Yuet, Natalia, and Aziz following behind. "Wait!" Adrianna called out to Aziz. "I don't know your name, but can you help me get back into the water, please? Once I'm in I can get to my ball and follow Erik." Adrianna called in desperation to the Indian man.

 

[slippedhalo]

Kate didn't need to be told twice. She felt absolutely green. She threw up three times in the space of five minutes, suddenly hating chocolate milk and everything chocolate related as it repeated on her.

After that was finished and she sat, head over can, just in case, catching her breath, she sighed. "I'm sorry. I think that's done for now. I'm sorry you have to do this." She apologized as he moved the can, wiped her mouth gently, and handed her the tea, suggesting she take a sip and swish it around in her mouth, then spit it into the can. She did so, feeling sheepish and grateful simultaneously.

He left for a moment, probably to get rid of the can of sick, and she sipped at the tea, pushing the full glass of chocolate milk away. For the moment, even the sight of it was gag worthy. When David returned, she thanked him again. She felt much better almost immediately and as she ate, she felt not just better but even more energetic than usual. "Oh, thank heaven for breakfast!" Kate commented as they ate and discussed the coming day's training.

 

[slippedhalo]

Yuet was able to stabilize Erik' s falling blood pressure and staunch the bleeding, but just when she'd gotten the bleeding to stop, it gushed even harder than before within a few seconds. She cursed in Chinese as she struggled to save Erik from shock.

The MeRPs rushed in by then, to Yuet' s great relief, and they helped her get Erik onto a hover stretcher and she and Natalia followed the MeRPs rushing him to Med Bay.

 

[slippedhalo]

Aziz was like a deer caught in headlights at first. He really didn't feel right about touching this naked woman's skin anywhere but he felt a civic duty to help her. After a chagrined moment of hesitation, he finally nodded and walked to her, careful to pick her up under her tail where he imagined knees would be on a human woman, and his other hand supported her torso by gripping her under the armpit. It was a delicate procedure to wade into the water carrying her this way and just look ahead and at her face and not down at her bared breasts, but he managed it. Once he deposited her in water deep enough to swim and watched her fill her ball with water and climb inside, he waved farewell and departed, feeling he needed a cold shower, quickly.

 

[Othermoose]

David and Kate ate in a comfortable silence; both of them enjoying each others company. After a few moments David broke the silence. "You know that you don't have to apologize for getting sick, right? It's natural, you don't need to be embarrassed about it, especially around me. And besides, it's my fault you're like this at all." David joked before taking a sip of his coffee. He moved closer to Kate and gently leaned his head on her good shoulder. "You don't have to be proper or girly or anything like that for me, Kate. I love you, and you don't have to explain or apologize anything you do. We're in this together." David said intertwining his fingers with Kate's.

 

[Othermoose]

Erik opened his eyes onto a strange place. He sat up and looked around, but saw nothing but black. He was sitting on something cold, like a stone floor. He looked down and saw nothing but grey fog beneath him. "Where am I?" He spoke aloud. "Limbo, my sweet." Said a familiar voice behind him. Erik stood and turned around to look at the owner of the voice. Before him stood Natalia, but also a stranger. The woman had Natalia's face, and Natalia's voice. This woman had Natalia's hair, her eyes, her breasts, her body, every detail was perfect, yet something was off.

"Who are you?" Erik asked the woman. "Don't you recognize me, lover?" She asked swaggering closer to Erik. The Not-Natalia wrapped her arms around Erik and pulled him into a deep passionate kiss. Erik returned the kiss, but realized it too was unfamiliar, and pulled away. "What's wrong my strong warrior? Is my mouth not to your liking? Maybe you'd prefer to be kissed somewhere else?" The woman smirked sinking to her knees.

"No!" Erik shouted quickly stepping back. "Who are you!? What is this place!?" Erik shouted at the imposter. The woman sighed and stood, her naked skin now covered in silver armor, her golden hair crowned with Valkyrie wings. "I'm here to escort you to Valhalla. You have kept to the old ways as well as you could, and you deserve to live with your ancestors. I will be yours for all of eternity, I chose this form because it is the most pleasing to you."

Erik shook his head. "No. I don't want you. Just the woman you're imitating. Take me back." Erik said with a quiet but forceful tone. "Back? But why would you want to go back? All that you've ever dreamed of lies at your feet. All you've ever wanted and more awaits you in Valhalla." The Valkyrie said spreading her arms wide to reveal an ancient wooden door behind her.

"I know. But I don't want to go. Not yet. Take me back to my body." The Valkyrie said nothing; she only gave Erik a strage look. After a moment she finally spoke. "As you wish, Erik Hegg. Valhalla's gates will remain open for when you return." She said before drawing a silver sword and spreading a pair of white wings that seemed to just apear on her back. She flew forward and plunged the sword into Erik's heart. "Live well." She whispered into his ear as Erik's spirt disappeared.

=============================================================

The med bay was filled with a tense silence. No one spoke or moved. Natalia, Yuet, and Adranna all just waited silently around Erik, who was unconscious on a hospital cot. The MeRPs had given him brain surgery three hours ago, and he still hasn't woken up. Natalia sat as his bedside, her face pale as she watched his large chest move only slightly with his shallow breaths.

As Natalia watched Erik she almost missed his body shudder. After a moment his eyes opened up and he looked at Natalia, a wide grin on his face. "That's the best thing I've ever woken up to." Erik said quietly reaching out for Natalia.

 

[Othermoose]

Adrianna and Yuet silently left the med bay, giving Erik and Natalia a private moment. "Um Yuet?" Adrianna asked the woman next to her, hoping she got the name correct. "The one with the dark skin? I don't know his name. But um, Is he..." Adrianna paused trying to find the right words. "When I was trapped on the beach he helped me, but he seemed odd. Like he didn't want to touch me. Or even be close to me. I don't think I did anything to him, so is he... Okay?" Adrianna finished lamely, not even sure what she was trying to ask.

 

[slippedhalo]

David and Kate ate in a comfortable silence; both of them enjoying each others company. After a few moments David broke the silence. "You know that you don't have to apologize for getting sick, right? It's natural, you don't need to be embarrassed about it, especially around me. And besides, it's my fault you're like this at all." David joked before taking a sip of his coffee. He moved closer to Kate and gently leaned his head on her good shoulder. "You don't have to be proper or girly or anything like that for me, Kate. I love you, and you don't have to explain or apologize anything you do. We're in this together." David said intertwining his fingers with Kate's.

Kate was grateful for David's understanding. As they ate, a wall of the room began displaying "detach pod schematics", basically, the floor plan and design details of their landing section of ship which was a controllers pilot chair with a row of chairs in a semi-circle behind it. She noted, one spot where a seat should be had already been modified with bungee straps to hold down something large from rolling about (such as a mermaid ball) and as they ate Kate studied the computerized piloting system and the emergency manual mode procedures. She wanted to be prepared for anything. This was a woman who used to get nervous driving on the right side of the road outside of the U.K. and now she had lives depending on her landing both pod and their future livelihood contained in a dome, safely and soundly onto unseen topography. Nothing would be "too much preparation", in her view. One thing which bothered her was that the manual ops controls required possible use of both wrists and shoulders from both arms. She used the vocal recorder to file this concern with the android command crew. They sent a request to the MeRPs for a quicker solution than her current casts and neck brace because of the possibility that The Commander's limited movement could endanger the mission. They also sent all of the information for Kate's study to her understudy...April was informed she had to learn to pilot as well and was signed on for a Sunday "crash course" in not crashing the pod, just in case Kate would require assistance.

April studied diligently while Austin snored in his sleep, tossing and turning. April suggested they age Kate another month or two so the healing would be complete before Monday. She was prepared to take command if necessary but really would much rather Kate do it.

After a set of immensely inhumanely quick communications over this fresh idea were bounced back and forth between android command and MeRP Medical, it was decided that the best course of action would be to delay the day's rehearsing for a few hours and get Kate to Med Bay for an ageing. They wanted her to be ready for work on planet as well so they prescribed four months to be on the safe side. Not too heavily pregnant to comfortably work and build, but far enough in bone and tissue healing that no permanent damage would result in possible over use or strain to come. This directive was passed along to everyone at once.

"Change of Today's Events: The Landing Rehersal Simulation is being postponed until thirteen-hundred hours this afternoon. Commander MacHugh is to have another healing procedure to better prepare her for Command and for planet life before we can properly proceed with further training...Commander Kathryn MacHugh, please report to Med Bay for one final ageing at 08:10hrs. Thank you."

Kate followed all of the computerized communications and turned her eyes to David. "I know it sounds vain...But, four more months...They've just cut my whole life shorter by almost half a year to save it now. Women don't normally seek ways to age, they seek youth. Oh well, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one, I guess. Hey, the bright side is maybe I'll be lucky and be aged past morning sickness...Oh...I'll be starting to have a little bump by this afternoon!" She realized half happily and nervously.

 

[slippedhalo]

Erik opened his eyes onto a strange place. He sat up and looked around, but saw nothing but black. He was sitting on something cold, like a stone floor. He looked down and saw nothing but grey fog beneath him. "Where am I?" He spoke aloud. "Limbo, my sweet." Said a familiar voice behind him. Erik stood and turned around to look at the owner of the voice. Before him stood Natalia, but also a stranger. The woman had Natalia's face, and Natalia's voice. This woman had Natalia's hair, her eyes, her breasts, her body, every detail was perfect, yet something was off.

"Who are you?" Erik asked the woman. "Don't you recognize me, lover?" She asked swaggering closer to Erik. The Not-Natalia wrapped her arms around Erik and pulled him into a deep passionate kiss. Erik returned the kiss, but realized it too was unfamiliar, and pulled away. "What's wrong my strong warrior? Is my mouth not to your liking? Maybe you'd prefer to be kissed somewhere else?" The woman smirked sinking to her knees.

"No!" Erik shouted quickly stepping back. "Who are you!? What is this place!?" Erik shouted at the imposter. The woman sighed and stood, her naked skin now covered in silver armor, her golden hair crowned with Valkyrie wings. "I'm here to escort you to Valhalla. You have kept to the old ways as well as you could, and you deserve to live with your ancestors. I will be yours for all of eternity, I chose this form because it is the most pleasing to you."

Erik shook his head. "No. I don't want you. Just the woman you're imitating. Take me back." Erik said with a quiet but forceful tone. "Back? But why would you want to go back? All that you've ever dreamed of lies at your feet. All you've ever wanted and more awaits you in Valhalla." The Valkyrie said spreading her arms wide to reveal an ancient wooden door behind her.

"I know. But I don't want to go. Not yet. Take me back to my body." The Valkyrie said nothing; she only gave Erik a strage look. After a moment she finally spoke. "As you wish, Erik Hegg. Valhalla's gates will remain open for when you return." She said before drawing a silver sword and spreading a pair of white wings that seemed to just apear on her back. She flew forward and plunged the sword into Erik's heart. "Live well." She whispered into his ear as Erik's spirt disappeared.

=============================================================

The med bay was filled with a tense silence. No one spoke or moved. Natalia, Yuet, and Adranna all just waited silently around Erik, who was unconscious on a hospital cot. The MeRPs had given him brain surgery three hours ago, and he still hasn't woken up. Natalia sat as his bedside, her face pale as she watched his large chest move only slightly with his shallow breaths.

As Natalia watched Erik she almost missed his body shudder. After a moment his eyes opened up and he looked at Natalia, a wide grin on his face. "That's the best thing I've ever woken up to." Erik said quietly reaching out for Natalia.

Natalia was in tears but grinning madly as she bent to kiss Erik. "I thought you were dying." She whispered. "I was so worried!"

 

[slippedhalo]

Adrianna and Yuet silently left the med bay, giving Erik and Natalia a private moment. "Um Yuet?" Adrianna asked the woman next to her, hoping she got the name correct. "The one with the dark skin? I don't know his name. But um, Is he..." Adrianna paused trying to find the right words. "When I was trapped on the beach he helped me, but he seemed odd. Like he didn't want to touch me. Or even be close to me. I don't think I did anything to him, so is he... Okay?" Adrianna finished lamely, not even sure what she was trying to ask.

Yuet took a moment to consider this and then carefully explained, "Asian culture is more structured in formality and tradition. One thing he and I both share is our not being as comfortable with...how you say...men and women in non traditional roles? He is courting me as of yesterday. He probably feels it wrong touch anyone else female because of this. He feels he must only touch me and even with me there is a certain...a certain traditional way to go forward. One step at time. Very polite. We like things slow and deliberate and polite until marriage. It was probably nothing to do with you, Adrianna. We just a little more...reserved than the others." Yuet explained. She hoped that was it. The idea of Aziz touching any other woman in places he hadn't even touched her was a little disturbing to her.

The announcement from Android Command redirected her attention. "Adrianna, I sorry but you must go and I must return to Med Bay. I have to perform surgery in fifteen minutes."

 

[Othermoose]

David smiled and kissed Kate. "Don't worry, four months isn't that long of a time. You'd still look gorgeous if they aged you four years, or forty years. And I'll be waiting for you when you wake up. Maybe then we'll be able to see if the baby is a boy or girl." David said lightly stroking Kate's belly. "To be honest I'm excited to see what pregnant you will look like." David said leaning in and pressing his forehead to Kate's. "I... I don't have anything else romantic to say." David laughed, "I'm just happy we have each other. I love you." He said leaning in to kiss Kate.

 

[Othermoose]

"It takes more than that to kill me." Erik joked happily returning Natalia's kiss. After a few moments of kissing Erik pulled away. He sat up with a groan and looked at Natalia his mood growing somber. "Natalia, I..." Erik stopped as he looked at her. He wanted to tell about his dream. Tell her about his newfound feelings for her, feelings he'd never had before, for anyone. But he was afraid of what she'd say. "I'm just happy to see you." He said after a few seconds. He scooted to the side and pulled Natalia into the bed with him. "So I'm pretty sure I saw you naked in the lake with Adrianna. Please tell me that wasn't a dream." Erik said settling Natalia against his side and wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

 

[Othermoose]

"Oh, ok. I wasn't trying to do anything, I was just stuck. Thanks for explaining that to me." Adrianna said to Yuet. Yuet smiled and walked back into the med bay, leaving the mermaid alone in the hallway. Adrianna gave a sad sigh as she was once again left alone. She began rolling back towards her lake when she heard a door open behind her. She turned around to see a tired looking Austin emerging from his room. "Hey Austin!" She called excitedly rolling over to him.

================================================================

Austin woke up with his usual coughing fit. He groaned and rolled out of bed, stretching and looking around the room. He saw April reading something at the desk, checking his wrist computer for updates. "Wow, I've missed a lot." Austin said leaning against the desk next to where April was sitting. He studied April's face for a few moments before leaning in to give her a quick kiss. "I'm going to take a shower, I'll be back in a little bit." Austin said standing up and leaving the room.

He wasn't out of the room for two seconds when he heard someobe call "hey Austin!" From down the hall. He turned to see Adrianna roll up to him, a happy smile on her face. "Hey Adrianna. Why aren't you at the lake?" He asked before yawning. "Erik was sick, so I was waiting for him to wake up in there." She said pointing at the med bay. "I've missed a lot today." Austin said scratching his head. Adrianna nodded in agreement. "Where are you going right now?" She asked him curiously. "I'm going to take a shower." He replied hiding his slight annoyance at having to talk to someone who wasn't April. "What's a shower?" Adrianna asked him her face scrunched in curiousty. "It's like... Where people go to get clean. We drop water onto ourselves to wash off the dirt. And no you can't join me, there's not enough water for you to float, you'd just be lying on the floor." Austin said answering Adrianna's next question before she could ask it. "Oh. Ok." Adrianna said in disappointment.

Adrianna was about to turn away when her face lit up in excitement. "Can you take a shower in the lake? There's water there, and I could help you." She said excitedly. Austin shrugged. "Maybe. Let me ask April, I don't want her to get jealous." Austin said turning around and going back into his and April's room. Adrianna waited in the hallway; she wished her ball could fit through the bedroom doors.

================================================================

Austin walked back into his and April's bedroom and walked over to April who was still reading. "I saw Adrianna in the hallway, and she wants to give me a bath. Are you alright with that?" Austin asked April. "Or better yet, do you want to join us?" Austin asked, a hopeful note in his voice.