Chapter 9: Fertilized
Signý paced the floor, perfuming the air with sexual frustration and anger. "How dare they try to impose a mate on me! I am of the new generation of ruling Matriarchs – they are only males. I alone will say who is worthy to Sire my offspring!" Her growls overrode the sound of the door opening, but the movement caught her eye and she sprang into fighting pose, her face opened wide in challenge. She paused in mid-roar, realizing that it was Theron who entered. He mirrored her posture and then as she calmed, immediately huffed at her to signal his interest.
Her eyes dilated fully in response to his attention. Seeing her reaction, he struck another pose in order to let her more fully appreciate his physique. She oozed over to him, reeking of the madness of desire. "You are here!" she breathed at him, running a hand over his broad shoulder and onto his chest.
"I am here, Signý," was his low and tense reply. It had been some time since he had been with one of his own kind, but his memory was not lacking in remembering them. They had been prime specimens of Dor'an femininity – tall and slender, sleek and strong. This young beauty was not yet as tall as they had been; however, in time she would no doubt become taller. Her prominent muscles were strikingly apparent but did not interfere with her flexibility, making her as graceful as she was strong. Theron found the blotchy spot pattern of her skin most delightful and yearned to see her backside again. His own musk swirled into the air as he dropped his cloth, inviting Signý to deliver a substantial push to the middle of his chest as she growled seductively, "Much better than last time, is this not?"
Rather then reply, he moved like the wind to secure her arms and position behind her in the time-honored manner of Yautja mating. This was not an ooman that he must be cautious about breaking - this was a female who was nearly his equal in strength and would eventually be stronger and perhaps just as skillful. This was true Yautja romance – bold, animalistic and even dangerous. He thrilled as she tried to fight back and break his hold, but he was strong and able to leverage against her. Holding her wrists together with his hands, he ripped at her cloth with a great toe talon to sever its fastening. It fell easily from her willing body. Continuing to use her arms as levers, he bent her head and back down and forward to his will, as his member swelled to bursting in eagerness to prod the virgin female.
There was no need to prepare her as her own mind had done that over the past few cycles. In fact, the interaction of the chest push and subsequent flourishes of musk were usually the only foreplay involved between Hunter and Huntress. Theron admired her backside for a moment as he held her bent forward. Welcoming musk and moisture ran down both her thighs as a glistening beacon guiding the way to her entrance. He held her fast, not realizing that the Healer was sneaking into the room behind him. In a blur, Myn'dill rushed forward to grab a handful of Signý's locks and secure her head back while jamming a needle into her throat. Before he could withdraw it, she was sagging into unconsciousness. Theron wide-faced the Healer, growling his surprise and challenge.
"Stand down, Hunter!" Myn'dill ordered, "Or I'll ram a needle into your neck also – or would your extended spear here be more convenient?"
The gray Hunter eased the female to the floor, still growling. "What the Hel are you doing, Healer? You are the one who convinced me that I was the only solution to her predicament."
"The ruse of her pregnancy had to include you, and I humbly ask your indulgence for that. She must think that you took her. She will awaken eventually, and believe herself pregnant and that she fainted during the experience. Had I alerted you to my plot, your desire to breed would not have been as sincere and she might have caught on. Now, her honor and yours will still be intact. She will not be known as the female who bred before her Chiva, and you will not have to worry about being the defiler of an unmarked female!
"I have administered the hormones that will mimic pregnancy and will also cause some forgetting of what has happened. Her recollection of mating will be foggy at best, but as I said, I had to ensure that your presentation was believable in order for her not to suspect what has really happened. After her Chiva, I will present the truth to her. She will be most angry of course but it will be directed at me not you, and she will be alive! And your honor, which I know you value above all else, is secured. If you had gone ahead with this, Theron, I believe it would have caused a great battle within your mind – an unhealthy state for any Hunter.
"I thank you for your consideration of my honor, Myn'dill. Now I excuse myself to go and take care of this," he pointed to his still erect member which acted as though it were listening in on the conversation and bobbed occasionally as if in agreement.
"Return quickly and do not shower!" Myn'dill called after him. "I will awaken her with another injection, before that happens you must tusk her and be here when she regains consciousness." The Hunter hurried away to polish and retract his spear – certainly more than once. Anger, frustration and relief coursed through him that the Healer had stopped things before he had mounted.
When he returned, he dutifully thrust his sharp tusks into the skin of her back in several likely places. "How many times do you think I should mark her?" he questioned Myn'dill.
"Four would be a reasonable number." Theron reseated his tusks in her back twice more and watched the thin trickles of green blood run over her beautifully spotted skin. The Healer administered the antidote and had Theron get in back of her and retake her arms as though the mating had just finished. "It will require a few moments to work."
"Won't she feel – unsatisfied?" Theron wondered.
"Not at all, I have given her the chemicals of satisfaction along with the remedy to awaken her. I must leave now. You must act satiated, Theron! Then tell her that I must come in to check her pregnancy." He quickly left the room just as Signý began to rumble and fight against the Hunter's hold. When he felt that she had regained her balance, he leapt back out of harm's way. Growling in pretended satisfaction, he admired the several sets of tusk marks on her back.
With no grip on her arms to hold her, she turned to him with sudden affection and pulled him close which surprised him. This was a human action, not the behavior of a Huntress of Yaut. She held him close and whispered, "Theron, you have always been for me. I will bear your pup proudly."
He answered by holding her out at arms length, "I have done this in order for you to pass your Chiva. You must remain silent regarding this encounter, or face disgrace for both of us. Will you do this?"
"I will. For you, Theron."
"I must tell you Signý, although you are most desirable, I only did this in order for you to attend your Chiva with all ability to concentrate. I will not have you killed by the Kainde Amheda! You must understand that although this has brought me pleasure, my heart belongs to your Bearer – Melanie. Will you honor me by never telling her of this?"
Signý's countenance fell. "If that is your desire, I will honor it. I know that she would not understand, and she would most certainly hate you. But understand this – you will always be the one who holds my heart."
"Please climb up on the medical bed, Myn'dill will wish to examine you," Theron requested, placing a call to the Healer that they were 'done'. Myn'dill was nearby and hurried inside where the mist of the start of mating hung heavy in the air. Signý was too inexperienced to realize that in a true mating, the musk would have been much thicker.
"Paya! I could paint the halls with this thick musk!" the Healer exclaimed, playing his part well. He went to Signý and ran his scanner over her. "I am pleased to report that all is well. Are you ready to go to your quarters and rest?" She nodded and closed her eyes, threatening to fall asleep right on his table.
"I will bathe her, Theron, and apply medication so none will catch your scent upon her and suspect this mating. Go, use the shower and then the pool in my quarters, before some Hunter tries to bend you to their rod," he half-joked.
Theron walked away, praying – as many males the Universe over have done after their minds and seed-makers have cleared. But his prayer was not the prayer of the guilty. It was the prayer of concern for others. It is done. I pray to you Paya that Melanie never learns of this. I pray that you will see that Myn'dill and I did this out of our concern and care for her offspring. I do not deny that Signý is desirable. Help her to realize that there are many worthy Hunters, not only me, to Sire her pups. I ask you Paya, help her to deal with the fact that she has been tricked when the time comes that it is revealed to her. Guide her on Chiva, may she prove herself worthy to bear the mark.
The unBlood Huntress awaked later in a fur-covered bed. Her arms felt sore. Reaching down to her juncture, she felt none of the wetness and juice of before and realized that she had been bathed. I'm pregnant with Theron's pup! She felt joy in the knowing, until she remembered that in very few cycles she would embark on Chiva. No one must know that she had done this and that she was with a pup. She marveled that she had been successful in obtaining the seed of her preferred Hunter. That he would be willing to possibly sacrifice his honor for her should have affected her profoundly, but she remembered his words that told her of his love for her mother. He had mated her out of necessity, but she would never capture his heart. A tear ran down her face at the thought as pregnancy hormones disheveled her emotions. She would be burdened by this when trying to attain the Chiva, but it would be easier to do while pregnant then when in the heat of mating season. Once again, she vowed to succeed, she would make her Sire and Bearer proud of her! She would make certain that Theron's 'sacrifice' would not have been in vain.
After time to recover his wits, Theron called on Myn'dill, wishing to discuss the possibility of Melanie bearing his pup – a pup manipulated to be ooman. The two sat in the atrium garden of the Healer's dwelling, sharing a drink and talking. "How have you fared since I last saw you?" the Healer ventured.
"I am well. How does Signý fare in her final preparation?"
"She does quite well. Her body has adjusted to the new hormonal burden and of course, no swelling is expected at this early stage. After Chiva, we will line up her mating with the High Elder. After she is told the truth of her false pregnancy, of course."
"Will you be the one to tell her?"
"Yes. It is my burden as Healer, and as instigator of this scenario."
"I do not envy your job, Myn'dill. I wish to ask you about a pregnancy for Mel."
The Healer looked surprised, "I thought she did not wish to bare a pup."
"A pup no, but an ooman child would be most welcomed – by both of us. If the fetus can be changed so that the ooman heritage is nearly hidden, cannot it be done the other way? An ooman child whose Yautja heritage is hidden?"
Myn'dill clicked thoughtfully. "Theron, you are offering your own pup as an experiment! Is this what you intend?"
"Would it really be an experiment, Healer? Or would it be simply the application of things you already know – just in a different way?"
"The results are not known. The procedure is untried. It is indeed an experiment."
"H'ko. I do not wish to offer up my pup then," he said sadly. Then a peculiar look came over his face, "Are you telling me that pups were experimented on to recreate the Yautja female?"
"The concept and process had to be tested, Hunter."
"What became of the pups?" he asked, disgust clenching at his innards.
"Many of the first ones died, or required euthanasia due to gross deformity. As we became more successful, they were whole and lived. Due to their dishonorable parentage, we could not allow them to reproduce. They were sterilized and they now live as protected Aseigan in the households of the High Elders and other ranking Elders."
"It is unfortunate that the first ones died."
"Those of us who undertook this are haunted by those deaths, Theron. If there had been any other way! There was no recourse. Experiments had to take place in order to recreate our females. There is no price too high for that result. Desperate times call for desperate actions."
"Dishonorable parentage? Who were the Sires? What did you do, permit Eta to breed?"
"We did just that. They bred with ooman females that the Blue Planet had offered to us as part of a tribute program. You are familiar with the fact that BadBlood oomans are turned over to us even now? We place them on the game conserves. Some of the BadBloods are females. They were the ones given to our Eta. All very distasteful, I will admit, but quite necessary. You look faint, Theron."
"I did not know that any of the Eta could actually breed! I thought that was taken from them when they became Eta."
"That happens to most. We were able to acquire a few who were on the way to becoming Eta – before they were castrated. After our breeding program proved successful, they were cut."
Theron's hand went subconsciously to touch his cloth. Castration was a horrible procedure for a male to go through. It was considered a humane way to deal with those destined to become Eta, as they were not normally allowed to breed. He could not imagine having a blade pierce the tender skin and reach up to slice through the connecting cords as some huge hand hooked his balls and hauled them out. He found himself nearly shivering with repulsion at the idea.
"Will you be going to the Blue Planet soon?" Myn'dill asked the Hunter, ready to change the subject.
"Yes, the Matriarch's house needs resupply."
"At least Signý will not accompany you this voyage. Hopefully you will have completed your mission and visit with Mel-an-ee in time to welcome her and her sisters back from Chiva."
The gray Hunter nodded in agreement. "Where is it being held?"
The Healer spread his face in a wide smile, "On the Blue Planet!"
"Then I must go and begin preparations to depart, Myn'dill. I will see you when I return."
"I regret that I was unable to assist you and Mel in your desire to spawn an ooman."
"As do I," agreed the Hunter.
It was not long after leaving Myn'dill that Theron again crossed the galaxy to visit Earth. His trip was filled with time to longingly dwell on memories of Mel, and also have plenty of anxious thoughts about the girls going to Chiva. They had all been expertly trained. He had even conducted some of the training! The females had all been certified as ready by the high council, so what was he concerned about? About Signý was the answer that immediately entered his mind. She goes to Hunt thinking she is bearing a pup when she is not. Will protectiveness of her unborn somehow sabotage her dependability on the Chiva team? How much will she hate Myn'dill tells her of this ruse? Will her anger extend to me also? Perhaps anger with me would be a positive thing and drive her to mate the High Elder chosen for her. He brightened at that idea.
The cargo ship pulled into orbit around the turning blue ball while Theron programmed the sequence of short hops to purchase fruit. Seeing that pineapple was again on the list, he clicked approvingly. The warm climate suitable for growing that fruit was always a welcomed visit on this planet which also had sites of bitter cold.
Suddenly, he thought of the Chiva again. It would be held this time in a hidden place near the planet's equator. The former place under the ice in the north having been compromised earlier when it was discovered by oomans. This time, the underground heat bloom would be masked from the site, and not advertise the presence of an ancient pyramid that was capable of spinning its pieces into some huge stone puzzle of life and death. The required ooman sacrifices would probably be brought to the site by the Trainers and released inside, instead of being lured in. Theron wondered if they would be BadBloods or oomans taken or offered from the local populace.
After gathering the appointed list of produce, he landed in his usual hiding place, cloaked the cargo ship and headed for Mel's. He had thoughtfully signaled her when his trip began so that she could prepare for him as they had agreed upon previously.
Cloaked, he rang the doorbell and waited on the front porch. The door opened and he was pulled inside by Melanie's strong arms. "I'm so glad you're here," she gushed, not waiting for him to uncloak.
"You should be glad it is me and not some strange Hunter!" teased Theron, clicking off his cloak which melted away, revealing him in all his alien splendor.
"And what other Hunter would signal me two weeks ahead of time and then ring my doorbell?" she answered. "I'm so happy you are here! How is everyone? How is Signý?"
"Everyone does well, including your daughter. I hope to return in time to welcome all the students from their successful Chiva."
"So it's time finally," she said softly.
"And I have news from Myn'dill about our creating a pup. It is not possible," he said sadly.
"Are you certain? Is he certain?"
"To do it would require the sacrifice of pup lives. It is an untried experiment. I could not allow that just so that we could have a child, Mel."
"No, of course not!" she concurred. "It will be alright, Theron. To tell you the truth, I thought that something like that would be the answer. I'm not all that surprised."
"Where is Mr. Montgomery?"
"Oh, he's napping. He sleeps a bit every afternoon. That's normal for someone his age."
"He continues to function well?"
"He's fine. I don't want to disturb him though. Could we go to your ship?"
"Of course. I would prefer to be alone with you also."
Scribbling a note to her friend, she left the house with the Hunter. To anyone watching it would appear that Melanie was out for an afternoon stroll that included occasionally talking to herself. Only the very sharp-eyed would have noticed a tall blur going beside her, nodding as it traveled along.
They came to the ship's hiding place, and Mel looked around to make certain that she wouldn't be observed walking on air up to the opening and then suddenly disappearing inside. The coast was clear so she led the way in to the now familiar cargo ship. Her Hunter uncloaked inside, his appealing form appearing as the cloaking seemed to melt around him and retreat.
"I've longed for the sight of you again," she said quietly, and found herself whisked from the floor to be carried in his arms. Nuzzling the top of her head, he murmured back, "I have longed for much more than just the sight of you." She was carried to his bedroom, where they both stripped in record time. The rest of the Earth day was spent in exquisite pleasure as they made love. Mel had never felt such gentleness from him, it was as though he were trying to prolong the experience until both of them were begging for release. Such a sweet bond of agonizing pleasure they formed. His unyielding strength and hardness joined with her softness that joyfully gave way to his relentless, yet careful, intrusion. Again and again they came together in the primal bond of male and female. There was no time that passed or concern about anything outside of the metal walls that formed their retreat. Inside the ship, there was only a Hunter and a woman sharing passion in this universe of two.
She stayed with him that night, all next day and the next night too. They spoke of their separate worlds. Mel caught him up on regaining her work, several of the women she had been helping, as well as Mr. Montgomery's health and the small vegetable garden she had started in the yard.
Theron told her of the joy of being in Hawaii to purchase pineapples, and promised that the next visit he would take her along to buy fruit in the exotic places he visited. "I especially enjoy obtaining the fruit of the place called Michigan," he sincerely told her, "but only in the week or two of the warm season." He told her of the upcoming Chiva, and that it was located somewhere on Earth in an equatorial location. He related tales of his own Chiva in the steaming heat of a non-Earth jungle. Mel listened in awe about the turning pyramid that formed one configuration after another to test the skills of the new Hunters. The hard meat prey sounded horrific to her, and a new nightmare formed in her mind of her Signý facing one of them down.
Sensing her fear, Theron told her, "Do not be afraid for her, or any of the Huntresses. They are strong and ready for this. Do you think the High Council would have approved their going otherwise? They are all far too precious to risk."
"Well, if they are so precious, why risk them at all? Why have them perform this ritual killing?"
"They must wear the marks of their Clans before they breed. It is our way, Mel. They must prove themselves strong enough to claim the honor of bearing pups, just as the Hunters they mate must prove themselves before they are allowed to Sire."
"I know. I've heard it and read it. It all sounded so matter-of-fact until my own daughter became involved! Even knowing she has a small chance of being maimed or killed upsets me to no end, Theron!"
"I will contact you right after the Chiva, to assure you of her success then. Would you like that?"
"Yes, it will be a great burden off my mind! Please contact me as soon as you know anything! Uh, Theron? How will you contact me – you don't have a cellphone."
He laughed his clickish chortle, "I can easily tap into your communication system! We have always been able to do that. Even my simple wrist com can do that."
Her face changed expression as she contemplated this. "Then you could call me –even when you are away?"
Theron just stared at her, "Yes, I suppose I could."
"And you never thought about this while you were gone?"
"Well…no, I didn't," he peered sheepishly from below his brow. "We Yautja…I am not one for just talking. I prefer to be with you."
"Well I prefer to be with you, too. But when we can't be together at least we could talk! I'm amazed that hadn't occurred to you!"
"If we conversed on a regular basis, would that not…interfere with your life here? I mean, if you were seeing a human male – would it not make things more difficult."
"It might. But honestly, I've not found anyone I want to be with. I only want you!" she paused as a new thought came into her mind, "Theron, is there, uh, anyone that you have wanted to be with – you know, that talking with me on a regular basis might have interfered with?"
"Did we not agree not to speak of this to one another?"
She nodded her head as accusations boiled up inside her, so, he WAS with someone else. Damned Hunters are just like men – can't keep it in their pants. But who in the hell was he with? Another woman? Sally? No, that would be suicide – as in death by Consort. The girls haven't been Clan marked yet, but Signý was having problems with early rut…Signý? SIGNÝ? You were with SIGNÝ?
He scented her accusation before she spoke it. There was no other logical conclusion to make. "Theron, just try and explain to me. Why in the hell did you fuck my daughter?" Anger and hurt fragranced the air with acrid, sour notes and even though he had only come close to doing the deed, he felt guilty as he replied.
"Upon my honor, I give you my word, I have NOT fucked Signý."
"You haven't," tears welled up in her eyes.
"I have not, nor anyone else," he thanked Paya for Myn'dill's interference. Surely the white goddess was looking out for him. If he had mated with Signý, how could he have faced Mel in this moment? Holding her more tightly, he said, "You are my female, Mel. No other. You have my heart and I give it to no other."
"I love you, Theron," she replied. "I know that what you tell me is pure and true. I apologize for accusing you. It is difficult to be away from you for so long."
"It is difficult for me also. If ever you change your mind about living on Earth, you have only to tell me."
"I know."
In the early morning hours, they left the ship and returned to Mr. Montgomery's house. He welcomed them and offered plates of crispy bacon and freshly scrambled eggs. Theron had never enjoyed the earthly treats before and nearly hummed with joy at the flavor of the bacon. "Even cooked this is delightful!" He sampled the whole wheat toast and found it palatable if layered thickly with strawberry jam. When breakfast was finished Mel wiped traces of jam from his tusks with a paper towel.
Mr. Montgomery happily chatted as they set around the table and Mel sipped more coffee. After scenting the brew, Theron flatly refused to take even the smallest sip of it. "I'm happy to have you for a guest again, Theron! How have you been?" They talked for a time as though it were perfectly normal to have a Yautja guest at your kitchen table. Hugh Montgomery noticed that the Hunter was more relaxed during this visit and wondered if he were feeling more at home around them. He also noticed that Melanie seemed a little sad. He knew her feelings for this alien ran deep, so what was there to be sad about? Or maybe she was just tired. She had been at the alien's ship for a very long visit and he was not foolish enough to think that all they had done was talk. Both of them were probably short on sleep. He looked at the faint circles under Mel's eyes and then to the Hunter. There were no circles beneath his, but they did look red.
"That was a hearty breakfast and you know what? A big meal like that digests best during a nap. Could I talk either of you into a mid-day snooze? That means a short sleep, Theron."
The Hunter looked to Mel for her answer. "You know, that sounds like a super idea. How about you?" she asked the Hunter.
"Yes, a short sleep would be refreshing. Would anyone be upset if I simply lay down on the carpet in the room there?" He pointed to the thick rug in front of the fireplace. "Your furnishings are too small and fragile I fear."
"No problem, young fellow!" Mr. Montgomery led the way to the living room. "Here, use these pillows from the sofa if you like. I'll see you later." He headed back through the kitchen to his own bedroom. On the way, he gave Mel a meaningful look and pulled on her sleeve. She followed him to his bedroom.
"What?" she asked as he shut the door behind them.
"Can he hear us in here?"
"I don't think so, but maybe we should whisper."
"You seem sad to me Mel, what's wrong?"
"Oh, Theron and I were hoping to have a baby. And we found out that we can't. It's no big deal really. I'll be okay."
"I don't understand. Is one of you sterile?"
"Not that I know of. We were hoping that our Healer friend would agree to fix the baby's genes so that it would appear human and I could raise it here. But we found out that would be very experimental, so we decided against it."
"I'm so sorry, Mel. I didn't realize that you wanted a child."
"Not just any child, Mr. Montgomery, but a child from the one I care about – the one I love. I'll adjust to this, and when I have – I can always adopt. There are many children out there who need love."
"And a loving alien father," Mr. Montgomery joked. She gave him a playful smack on his arm and he pretended to be gravely hurt. "Alright then, Mel. I just had to check on you."
"I love you, you know. You're like a Dad to me."
"And I love you, dearest Mel. You are like my own daughter."
They hugged and exchanged cheek pecks. Then, Mel went upstairs to find a nap while Mr. Montgomery climbed into his bed and pulled a coverlet over himself to stay warm. Poor girl. Wish I could do something for her. I remember when my wife wanted a baby. It's a powerful drive.
The Hunter dozed off on the thick rug into dreamless sleep. About an hour later, the acidic ammonia scent of freshly brewed coffee awakened him with a start. Quickly recalling where he was, he rose off the floor and went to the kitchen. There, Mr. Montgomery was puttering around, putting away the breakfast dishes from their earlier repast. "Oh, I see you're awake, Theron. Hope I didn't rouse you making noise here in the kitchen."
"I heard no noise, Sir." Theron answered politely, not seeing any point in raising the issue of the stink of coffee. The human was in fact drinking some from a thick white mug with a round handle.
"I would like to speak of something rather personal to you, Theron. If that's okay with you."
"Speak. I know you to be an honorable ooman."
"I was worried about Mel earlier because I could tell she was unhappy about something. I talked to her, she's like my own daughter you know, and she told me about you two not being able to have a baby."
"It is most regrettable. I would happily have my offspring from Mel appear ooman, seeing as it would add to her happiness to raise them here on Earth. But it is not to be. We will adjust."
"Well, I have an idea. But I wanted to run it by you – you know get your approval of my idea before saying anything to Mel."
The Hunter was inquisitive now, just what had this male thought of? "I would be honored to hear your idea, Sir. Especially as it pertains to having a child."
"Mel told me that it was possible that she might adopt a child – you know one who doesn't have a parent for whatever reason. But she sounded to me like she really longed to be pregnant. To have that experience of growing her own flesh and blood inside her. She also told me that she wanted to have the child of someone she loved. That would be you of course, Theron."
The Hunter listened carefully as the man laid the foundation for his idea. "Well, you know that I love Melanie, in the way a father loves his daughter. And she loves me, in the way a child loves her father. So, I was thinking that perhaps I could be the father of a child for her. I mean, since you cannot."
Theron's forehead actually wrinkled in concentration. "So, do you believe she would allow you to mate her?"
"Wha? What? Oh my God, no. What I'm talking about is artificial insemination, my boy. I would contribute my offering, and a physician would see to it that Melanie became pregnant. I don't really know how it all works, but women have it done all the time. I'm sure it isn't cheap, but I have some funds set aside. It would be my honor, Theron, to gift you and Melanie with a child to call your own. And I'd love to be a grandpa!"
"This is an honorable idea, Sir. I approve of it most sincerely. But it is Mel's decision, as she is the one to bear it."
Later that day, Mel listened closely as Mr. Montgomery and Theron explained the idea to her. She sat for a moment, her face an unreadable blank. Slowly, a look of joy began to form. "You two are the most thoughtful males in the entire universe!" She went and hugged both of them. "Thank you for such an incredible idea, Mr. Montgomery."
"We must find the right Doctor for you, Mel," her landlord suggested.
"Nope. Don't need one. You guys forget that I'm a farm girl. I've watched and even helped with artificial insemination of cattle for years. I know just what we need. But first, I need to start monitoring myself for my most fertile time of the month. Don't want to waste your donation, Grandpa," she giggled.
"I appreciate that," he replied with a smile, "I'm not the young man I used to be."
A few days later, Theron bid Melanie goodbye. He hoped that when he returned it would be to a happily pregnant female. He would need to run at full speed to make it back to Yaut in time to welcome the returning Huntresses. Then he planned to become extremely scarce as Myn'dill broke the news to Signý.
A/N: Muwhahahahahaha!
