A thousand apologies that there has been such a long delay. Life got in the way.
It had taken Scott half an hour to get Sarah to a state in which she could be reasoned with, but the crying had not stopped. She kept sobbing like her heart was shattering until Drack, of all people, sat down on the floor of the medbay with Sarah in his lap. Wrapping his heavy arms around her, he sang a really weird song about a baby thresher maw who wanted to eat rocks. It took two repeats, but eventually Sarah was quiet. She was not calm, but her wails had stopped and now there were just silent tears as Drack rocked her like a child.
After an eternity, she spoke into Drack's breastplate.
"They're making me hurt Scottie" she whispered.
"I know" Drack agreed. "And it sucks, little one. But you can't do anything about it. So you better put your chin up, recharge your gun, and get back into the fight, because the clan needs you."
Suvi approached carefully, unsure of her welcome.
"You must be very upset, Sarah" she said quietly, "would you feel better, if you sang a song or two? The path- Scott says you have loads of songs from earth. Maybe you could teach me one?"
Sarah looked up. Her face was tear-streaked.
"I can't think of any happy ones" she whispered.
"That's alright" Suvi smiled, "sing me a sad one." she knelt slowly, so she could look straight at Sarah. The young woman gave Scott a questioning glance, as if only just realising that he was there, and he smiled back at her. No matter what, the worst pain of all was the thought of her crying. He could handle his own heartbreak, but he didn't know how to deal with hers.
"E ku'u lei" Sarah hiccuped, her voice echoing sorrowfully through the medbay. "e hele mai 'oe… A 'ike i na waiwai…"
In the same hushed tones, Scott answered her.
"o ke kai 'uli iho. Mai 'uwe 'oe…"
"e ku'u lei hiwa" he fell to his knees, as she unwound her arms from around Drack's neck and reached for him.
"E aloha wau... ia 'oe na kau a kau." they finished together, both looking like a pair of lost children. With a small sob, Sarah fell from Drack's lap into Scotts like a broken ragdoll. They held each other close.
"You're my ohana" she whispered into his neck.
"And I will never leave you behind" he answered, like had always done.
"I'm sorry, Scottie."
"I know. And you have nothing to be sorry for. Drack is right. Chin up and back into the fray."
Sarah was as usual completely exhausted after her meltdown, so Scott escorted her back to their room and tucked her into bed.
"I don't want to marry him Scottie" she whispered, miserable. Scott sat down on the edge of her bed.
"Would you want to marry him if I wasn't in love with him?"
Sarah's brow furrowed in thought, then she nodded slowly.
"Then I'm not in love with him anymore." he said, gently.
"It doesn't work like that Scottie."
Scott leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"It has to, this time. Now get some sleep."
"I understand you've had a rough morning, Sarah" Avela said carefully as she examined her student. Sarah was unusually pale, and her hands kept worrying the hem of the over-sized hoodie she wore. Probably belonged to the pathfinder, she figured.
"I'm going to hurt Scottie." Sarah replied unhappily.
"I am sorry to hear that. How do you know this?"
"I'm marrying his sweetheart."
This was news to Avela. But to be honest, it made a lot of sense considering the pathfinder's behaviour. She had met him before, and the past few days surliness and avoidance had not been something she expected from him. If he had romantic feelings for the male that was for his sister, his behaviour became rather obvious.
"This will be difficult for you both" Avela said compassionately. "But it has been decided, and you must serve your people to the best of your ability. And in time, you and Jaal will grow to love each other well."
"But what about Scottie?" Sarah wanted to know.
"He will learn to love Jaal as a brother, and then you will all be content." Sarah seemed to accept this; a bit of colour returned to her pale cheeks.
"Now, we must discuss something important." Avela went on, not looking forward to the conversation she knew she must have with the human female.
Sarah looked up, curious.
"What is that?" She wanted to know. Avela hesitated. But then she figured that the direct approach would be most effective.
"Sarah, How comfortable would you be in speaking of your body with me?"
"Why?" Sarah squeaked, almost looking frightened.
"Your brother has informed me that you have no experience in sexual matters. You are also going to mate with a male from another species than yours, and I have determined that the best way for you to know what to expect is if you know the differences between your body and that of a female of one of his species. The best way to explain is by demonstration."
She pulled out a data pad, sitting down next to Sarah on the floor.
"On this pad, I have many images of male angarans in different stages of nudity. Some are aroused. I have also asked Lexi to join us for this, so she can explain to you how your body works. I am confident that together, Lexi and I will be able to answer all your questions and put your mind at ease."
Sarah had paled as Avela spoke. Now she looked at the pad with the same apprehension as if she was facing a poisonous snake and was being asked to pet it.
"I've never-" she whispered, eyes haunted. Avela gave her an encouraging pat to the hand.
"I've never seen anyone undressed" Sarah finally said, "except for mother."
Avela nodded in understanding. This was a very weird, probably awkward situation. But if Sarah managed this, she'd be a lot calmer when Jaal brought her to their mating nest.
"Then I understand that you are anxious. But this is important, Sarah. You and Jaal are expected to lie together shortly after your arrival, and I think it would be best for you both if you were aware of what that entails beforehand."
Avela powered up the pad, loading the first picture. It showed an angaran male, tall and strong with soft purple skin and strong stomach muscles. He was only wearing a pair of loose slacks, covering him from the waist down.
"Is that Jaal?" Sarah wanted to know.
"No, it is one of my brothers. He consented to let me use some of his and his partners private pictures to show you."
"Is he married to a female?" Sarah wondered, the fear in her eyes turning to curiosity.
"No, his mate is male. I have pictures of him, too."
Just then, the door opened to admit Lexi, also armed with a pad.
"Hello Sarah, Avela. I see you have started."
"Yes, we have. Come, sit with us" Avela invited.
"Is that alright, Sarah?" Lexi asked, turning to the human woman, who nodded slowly.
Lexi knelt on the floor.
"Where would you be most comfortable with me sitting?" Lexi asked kindly. Sarah thought about it for a few moments.
"Next to me" she finally decided, "I think I would feel calm if I could feel both of you on either side of me."
Lexi scooted over so she sat next to Sarah, hip to hip and knee to knee. Sarah took the pad from Avela.
"Easier this way" she said, looking back to the picture of Avela's brother.
"The first thing I see that's different" Lexi said, "is that his chest is completely flat. A human male has nipples, but I don't see any on him."
Avela shook her head, "Males cannot nurse, so they're unnecessary" she explained, seeing the bewildered look in Sarah's eyes.
Avela clicked the pad, loading the next picture.
"This is my brother's mate" she explained, "and as you can see his shoulders are broader-"
The song Sarah sings is 'Always' from "Lilo & Stitch 2". Loosely translated to english, the lyrics are:
"O my beloved child, come and see the riches of the deep blue sea. Don't cry, oh my precious one, I shall love you forever"