Teresa and the twins are roughhousing on the floor. Vor'taalnis, playing the part of big brother, looks on disapprovingly. Teresa crawls on her hands and knees on the dirt floor of the main living space. Erilnis and Enilka follow close behind, crawling at a childling's unsteady pace. When Teresa stops, the twins catch up and begin climbing on top of her. She pretends to be under siege, toppling over and emitting a soft yelp. The twins chitter-giggle and clamber all over their mother.

  "No. No. Stop. Please, stop. Help!" Teresa says in a shrill softened yell. "Help me, please."

  This makes the twins more excited. They chitter even louder and cover Teresa's face and neck with wet childling kisses.

  "Oh no. They're attacking me. They're using their venomous saliva to dull my senses. I'm a goner. Mifbon, save me."

  "Save yourself!" Mifbon chuckles, glancing up from her handheld device. "I'm reading."

  "Thanks for the help," Teresa retorts sarcastically.

  Shooting a raspberry at Mifbon, Teresa goes back to playing with the twins. Their play is interrupted when Yau-tala and Elder Scar enter the cabin. Teresa is lying on her back, holding Erilnis up in the air, Enilka sitting awkwardly on her stomach.

  When Scar enters, Teresa's laughter abruptly stops. She peers up at Elder Scar from her position on the floor. Repositioning the two childlings, Teresa quickly sits up. Erilnis excitedly wriggles free. He climbs to his feet and runs on chunky legs to Yau-tala. She swings him up and into her waiting arms. Elder Scar's eyes are fixed only on Teresa.

  Vor'taalnis makes his way to Elder Scar's side and offers the larger yautja male his hand palm down. Scar acknowledges the childling's greeting with a head nod. He places his massive palm against the back of Vor'taalnis' tiny hand.

  "D’oij!" Vor'ti chitters in a voice deeper than his natural voice.

  "Vor'taalnis," Scar replies affectionately.

  By this time, Teresa is on her feet. Enilka is propped up on her mother's right hip. Yau-tala steps forward and appeals to Dr. Boyd.

  "Might the childlings spend time with me this evening, Teresa? I love having them over, and I know Erilnis will enjoy the visit."

  Jealousy fills a large portion of Teresa's heart at Yau-tala's last assertion. Is the female settlement leader relishing in the idea of Erilnis loving her more than his own mother? Another part of Teresa's brain chastises her for doing the same to N-Vorl, allowing Scar to become a surrogate father to their eldest son.

  "Sure. I don't mind. You're like family, Yau-tala. I could never refuse you."

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  Teresa, still wary of Elder Scar, meets Yau-tala halfway across the living space. She brings Enilka to about arm’s length away and smiles uneasily.

  "I want you to go with Auntie Yau-tala. Can you do that and be a wonderful baby for Mommy?"

  Enilka nods slowly, not even halfway understanding what Teresa is saying. All the childling knows is that her mother seems happy.

  "Good. I love you."

  Leaning, so that Yau-tala can take Enilka into her arms as well, Teresa sighs heavily. She kisses both Erilnis and Enilka on their rounded cheeks.

  "Mommy will see you later, okay? I promise."

  Yau-tala turns, childlings tucked safely in her arms and heads out the cabin door. Elder Scar remains in place. Vor'taalnis' arms are now wrapped around the settlement elder's knees. Mifbon senses that her continued presence may be a hindrance. The older hybrid female shifts her gaze and climbs from her seat beside the window. Calmly approaching Vor'taalnis, and unhinging him from around Elder Scar's legs, Mifbon takes him into another room.

  Elder Scar waits a few beats before stepping closer to Teresa. Teresa eyes him warily. When he is less than five feet away, Teresa holds up a hand and shakes her head.

  "Wait. Stop. No."

  Scar simply narrows his eyes and tilts his head to the side. Something about the way he is staring at her makes Teresa want to crawl under the large vildif beast skin rug in the living space.

  "What are you doing? Did you remember something mean you forgot to say to me the other night? Have you come here to mock me?"

  Scar's mouth draws up into his usual wolfish grin. He takes another subtle step in Teresa's direction.

  "If that is your wish," Elder Scar says in a deep voice.

  "No. It isn't. So...If that's why you came here...Please leave. Being insulted once was enough."

  Teresa turns away from Scar, believing she has made her point. She couldn't be more wrong. A startled gasp escapes Dr. Boyd's lips as Scar grips her right wrist and spins her to face him. Bending forward, Scar takes the opportunity to kiss Teresa's partially open mouth, enfolding her in his muscular arms.

  Teresa considers resisting, already thinking up a number of cruel things to say. However, she thinks better of it, melting into the large warrior's embrace. Withdrawing slightly, Teresa grins wryly.

  "That wasn't very nice. The way you left me the other night. I should be very angry with you."

  "Yes, you should. And I apologize. I did not know what else to say. But I did not leave you. I only gave you the impression that I had left. I remained at the river long after you returned to your cabin. I stayed there to think. As you so often do."

  "Why did you say...What you said that night? What did you hear, Scar? Or see?"

  Scar brings their mouths into contact again, temporarily silencing Teresa. Such talk will spoil the mood. He lowers his mouth so that he is kissing Teresa's chin, then the skin under her chin, her neck, and eventually her bare shoulders. One clawed hand caresses Teresa's back while the other toys with the thick left strap of her white dress.

  "I don't think this is a good time, Elder Scar," Teresa says through an approaching mental fog.

  Scar raises his head from her right shoulder and stares deep into her brown eyes.

  "Then...Another time. I will be down by the river. Enjoying a soak in the warm waters. You are welcome to join me. When you are ready. I will be waiting."

  Releasing Teresa, Scar nods once and then strides from the cabin. Teresa grips the strap of her dress and repositions it on her left shoulder. When she goes to the river, she must remember not to wear anything which requires a strap.