((There's a Star Trek … quote in there. Except it's not a quote, just close to. The chapter heading is a fragment from Senzafine by Lacuna Coil and would mean A doomed fate.))

Chapter 9
Un destino segnato

'Why did you take a blood sample from Garrus before he left?' Iris asked Mordin's shadow. The rest of him was invisible, since he'd darted into his kitchen. Lab. Whatever.

His face popped out from behind the door frame. 'Interested in long term exposure.' He vanished again, and Iris followed the energised salarian. 'Hmm. Practically no response to L5, L7, and L15. Clear reaction to L13 and L14 but 78,4% less than expected. Obviously did not listen. As for you, ran test in clinic. Similar result.'

Iris leaned against the wall with her hands behind her back. 'I haven't the faintest idea what you just said.'

'Lowered immune response to wrong chirality suggests regular exposure. Advised against consumption of tissue but prescribed medication as safeguard. Expected hormones to overrule common sense.'

'Consumption of … Mordin, please stop talking as if I had taken a bite out of Garrus's arm.' She raised her hands. 'No, don't tell me about correct technical terms, I don't care. And I did listen to most of your advice.'

'Oh?'

'Yes. I did watch the video material you sent me. You made me nervous when you talked about chafing.'

Mordin's expression was too triumphant for Iris's liking. 'Did not mean internal. Should have been more precise.'

'Oh, you wanted me to be a bit concerned because you knew it was the only way I'd pay attention at all.'

'Perhaps.' Mordin directed his full attention to his terminal for all of three seconds. 'Turian mucous membrane as delicate as other species', therefore hidden behind plating prior to stimulation. External skin significantly rougher, might cause minor lesions, similar to carpet burn. Matter of time before natural adjustment occurs. Figured that out by now, presumably.'

Iris watched her friend work with a smile she couldn't help. 'I am much harder to rattle than Garrus, Mordin, don't even try. But … are you saying we don't need to take anything to avoid a reaction to, as you said, tissue?'

'Not yet. Might try again in a decade or two. Tolerance should increase over time but may never be total.' He finally left his Omni-tool alone. 'Fascinating specimens. Lasting turian/human relationships still very rare. Not many opportunities to observe closely. Will be interesting to keep track.' He guided her back to his office and his smile faded. 'Iris. Please lie down. No need to undress fully, but need access to abdomen.'

'Mordin, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm frightened. Perhaps more of this than of the Reapers. They were an enemy I could tackle. This is your world, not mine.'

The salarian gave her a lingering look. 'Will take care of you. Not going to die today. Or this week. Might even be here to bring this to conclusion. In whichever way you wish.'

'Thanks.' She closed her eyes. She felt some cold tool touch her exposed skin and chose not to want to know what exactly he was doing. It didn't hurt, but she wasn't afraid of pain. Someone had taken control of her while she was helpless and now she was entangled in secrets and conspiracies.

For a while Iris heard Mordin pottering around, here and in the kitchen, followed by unusual silence. She opened her eyes and saw him staring at a terminal full of numbers. It meant nothing to her. 'Mordin?'

The salarian didn't react at all. Then he turned slowly to face her. 'Impossible.'

Sitting up, Iris covered her belly and glared at him. 'I'm going to hit something if you don't speak up. I really have no nerves for playing a guessing game with you.'

'No.' Mordin sighed and sat next to her. 'Need to run data through computer in clinic. Can only tell you one thing: Embryo isn't human. At least not all human. Nor anything other full-blooded.'

'Okay. I'll ask again. Is it at all possible that I'm pregnant from Garrus? Because then I'd stop being worried and might actually have a fit of joy here.'

'Turian DNA very conspicuous. Not present here.'

'The fact that you checked is worrying.'

'Yes. Most hybrids not even be viable, but this one clearly alive. Also seems to grow very fast. Perhaps intentional? Shorter gestation period – less time for rejection of foreign DNA. Cerberus implants might have reduced risk as well. Perhaps reason why implanted in you.'

'Are you telling me this … whatever it is, isn't going to make it past the pregnancy anyway? Because that would really make this easier.'

'Unknown. Need more data to make accurate prediction.'

'Any guess what species or … hybrid I'm carrying? At all?'

'Results currently contradictory. This embryo cannot exist.'

'Wonderful.' She shook her head. 'At least you are enjoying this.'

'Enjoying the challenge. Not your situation.'

'I just wish I knew what Garrus thinks about this.'

'Ah. Garrus.' Mordin smiled. 'Need not worry. Have seen many relationships break from uncontrollable circumstances. Have seen some survive. Can usually predict outcome by observing partners. Not certain about embryo, how it got there, what it is or why. Certain about one thing: Rarely saw such high regard in any couple. Garrus will be there. What you share will last.'

'Are you becoming a romantic in your old age, Mordin?'

'No. Simply observing data and extrapolating outcome. When dropping hammer on earth, need not see it hit the ground to know it will.'

'Thanks. That … helps.'

'Will return to clinic. Need to run tests. Shepard … should eat. Or wait for delivery with Tali. Find distraction. Rest will unravel. Eventually.'

Iris balled her fists. 'Oh, I'll distract myself. I'm going to have a chat with Miranda.'

'You believe that she …'

She pointed a finger at Mordin. 'Tell me something, Mordin. You and she looked after me. Was it your idea that it's mainly her?'

'No. Logical conclusion due to implants and my other duties. Not many here able to tend to injured quarians and turians.'

'How very convenient. Because you'd have noticed from the start, if you'd been in charge. Look, Miranda might be involved. I don't think so. But I bet you my right hand she's not entirely clueless. And I'm going to put the squeeze on her until I know all that she does.'

Mordin's lips twitched. 'Might want to do this with Tali. She could be … ah, good cop.'

'Meaning I'm the bad cop?'

'Should be. Would be more convincing.'

'Well, thanks a bundle.'