The sickbay was currently a house of gossip.
Shelly, Bell and Bella were sitting on the patient beds when Lessa listlessly entered the room. Her eyes took them in, the wild hand gestures and the shocked giggling. Lessa had never been one to really take part in such things, and as her body unconsciously leaned over against a cupboard the conversation just washed over her.
"He did NOT say that!"
"Oh yes he did! Rich seriously asked if my twin could join us. I mean, can you believe!"
"Men!"
"I mean, I told him, 'you can barely satisfy me much of the time, and you think you can handle Bell too?!?!' I don't think his ego liked that!"
"He just wants to see you and I make out, which will NOT happen!"
"Hell no!"
"I'm surprised you've been with him this long, Bella. I only lasted two months or so and there were fewer options then."
"Well…"
Bella noticed Lessa, and raised a hand to wave.
"Hey, boss! Come over here and join us trashing our men!" There was giggling. Shelly leaned back on her hands, turning to say something to her friend. The comment died on her lips.
"Lessa… what's wrong?"
The twin nurses took a closer look at their "supervisor", leaning by the doorway. Bell jumped off the bed onto her feet and quickly went to her.
"Sit…" She led the unresponsive Lessa over to the desk chair and almost pushed her into it. Shelly and Bella came over and sat on the corners of the desk, Shelly putting a hand on Lessa's shoulder.
"Hey… tell us."
Lessa took a deep breath.
"I'm… I'm pregnant."
Silence.
Lessa looked up at Shelly, her eyes hoping for friendship and comfort. What she saw was surprise, and...
"Oh, you fucking idiot…"
Bell and Bella looked at her, startled. Shelly stood.
"You didn't use anything, did you, Lessa? I thought, I assumed, you two were smart. I thought you'd know enough to deal with this, because YOU HAVE TWO CABINETS FULL OF BIRTH CONTROL IN YOUR OFFICE!!!" Shelly slammed her fist onto the desk, Bella jumping off in shock. The two twins looked on with growing unease. "Gods, woman! We have eleven year olds doing this responsibly, and you can't be BOTHERED?!? Did nothing cross your mind when you stocked up at every planet and station we landed on? What the fuck were you THINKING, besides, hey, this feels good!"
Lessa's head was bowed, arms hugging herself, the only sound a slight sob. Shelly's expression was naked fury… which as the sobs continued, turned to heartbroken compassion. She knelt next to Lessa, putting one hand on her knee and the other on her head, stroking her braided hair.
"Shh… I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Lessa… don't cry…"
Bell and Bella looked at each other. Bell quickly vanished into hall, while Bella grabbed some tissues. She handed them to Shelly, eyes trying to express her displeasure, before kneeling on the other side of Lessa. The two friends gently stroked the teen. Gradually, she got herself under control. Taking a tissue, she blew her nose, then tossed it in Shelly's face.
"You're a bitch," Lessa quietly hissed. Shelly nodded, sadly.
"I know… I'm sorry, my love." She sighed. "Tell me about it."
Lessa took a deep breath, closing her eyes, steadying herself.
"I… I'm over two months late. I've been irregular before, so just… I didn't want to even let myself think about it, so I didn't. But I haven't been feeling well, so I tested…"
"Oh, my Lessa…" Shelly hugged her, and Lessa felt herself sandwiched as Bella did the same. They held that position for a few moments. Bella drew herself back a bit and asked, "Who's the father?"
"Ha!"
Shelly reared back in laughing, Lessa making a fist and swatting Bella in the chest while tears of laughter replaced those of sorrow. Bella grinned, then offered Lessa more tissues as she slowly got herself under control again. Looking around, Bella grabbed two more chairs from across the sickbay. The two girls sat next to Lessa, Shelly turning hers backwards and straddled it.
"So, my friend… you have Don's baby inside you." Lessa nodded, a shy smile crossing her face. For a brief moment jealous anger reared in Shelly's mind, but the good side of her love for Lessa quickly overrode it. "What do you want to do?"
Lessa looked at her friend, as if it was the most foolish question in the world.
"It's… our love made this baby. What do you think I want to do?" Jealousy once again threatened Shelly, but it was more easily put down. She put a hand on Lessa's shoulder.
"I just want to hear you say it."
"I'm having Don's child." Lessa looked right into Shelly's eyes… and slowly Shelly nodded, smiling.
"That's all we need to know."
The door opened again, Bell marching in holding a tray of drinks. Setting it on the desk, she handed a hot mug of tea to Lessa.
"No booze for you!"
Bell handed Shelly a full pitcher of fruity beer, who burst out laughing as she took it. Shelly raised the pitcher in salute, then took a long, long swig. That helped. She gave a belch as she lowered it, and with Bell grabbing another chair the four sat there silent for a moment. Finally, Lessa thought of something and turned to Shelly.
"OK, who's the eleven year old?"
Shelly looked at her in surprise, wondering what she was talking about, then gave a laugh before taking another swig.
"Oh, that. Sirenia has a crush on Ger, so wanted to be ready for when he finally noticed her. I honestly don't think that's happened yet!"
"Isn't Ger doing that mechanic freak who likes to work topless?" Bell asked.
"Oh," Shelly asked, leaning forward, "you didn't hear? You'll like this!"
Lessa took another drink, closing her eyes and letting the hot tea sooth her as the gossip just washed over her. She was among friends...
****
Hanna lay in bed, looking up at the ceiling. Of all the ways she had pictured her life going, of all the twists and turns that had happened, this was the one that still shocked her the most. She wasn't who she thought she was.
Jenny stirred beside her. Hanna sat up, sheet falling off her breasts into her lap, and looked at the young woman laying there.
Hanna wasn't gay.
She knew that. Still knew that. Hanna had always been attracted to guys, had sex with guys, ENJOYED having sex with guys, and she had always looked down on those girls who flirted with each other. Let alone those who went beyond that. It was… wrong.
Yet.
It was her hands.
Those callused, rough, firm hands. The hands of someone who works hard, was strong, who has the power to bend and twist, yet the gentle control to handle something delicate.
And her muscles. Those firm, hard muscles, that Hanna had just ached to caress, running her hands over those shoulders, down and over those small firm breast with nipples hard as…
OK, liking Jenny's breasts was pretty gay.
She hadn't even been drunk. There wasn't even that excuse, and having been among these kids for a couple months now drink was the cause of most of the sex going on it seemed. No, it had been honest, un-enhanced, physical attraction.
The cheap sewing machine they had picked up for her before starting on the long trek between the orbits of Baal and Hikaru had finally died, a loud snap coming from inside the case as she tried to finish the hem on a dress. Cursing, a favorite pastime of hers of late, Hanna had wandered down into the world of the shuttle bay to see if anyone there knew how to fix more than engines. She found all four of the mechanics working under and around one of the shuttles, which had been pulled into the middle of the bay and raised up almost two meters. They were too busy, obviously, especially for a request lives did not depend on (mental well being for a couple of the fashion freaks, though, would be shattered). Considering her options, Hanna began to leave when one of them, wearing just a pair of shorts, put down their tools, put their hands in the small of their back and leaned back, stretching.
Hanna just stared, eyes wide, mouth open. The teen girl's grease and grime coated breasts were thrust out, small but glistening. Every muscle in her back and arms seemed to pulse with strength. Hanna had seen this girl before, naturally. On a ship this small, even if names escaped you every face was known. But, never had she seen the thin girl with the shortly cropped brown hair in this light, as if… she were a man.
The girl, Jenny, must have sensed the change in Hanna. The older woman had been hesitant, unsure, as she shyly asked the half nude goddess for assistance. Jenny had shot a glance at Ger, one tinged with a touch of sadness, regret, before agreeing to come to the dressmaking "shop" once she was done.
She had moved her stuff into Hanna's cabin a week later.
Jenny opened her eyes, looking up in the dim light at Hanna. Sleepily, her hand reached to lightly trace Hanna's spine. Hanna shuddered.
"Are you OK, baby?" Jenny asked. "You said you were sleeping better…"
Having someone almost eight years her junior call her 'baby', was at once incredibly wrong, yet made Hanna's heart race. Derek had never called her 'baby'. She looked down at her lover, mind a mass of emotions.
"Just… thinking."
Jenny sat up, and ran a hand through Hanna's blond hair.
"Wanna talk?"
Hanna closed her eyes, relishing the feel as Jenny's hand caressed her scalp, then she chuckled and looked at her.
"That's another difference between you and a guy: you actually mean that." Jenny smiled, moving so she was sitting facing Hanna. They scooted forward, legs extending and wrapping around behind each other. Eyes locked together, hands wandering and caressing, they talked through the night.
****
How, Amanda thought, could there be weeds.
The Trio sat on the garden path, picking unwanted invaders out of the dirt. It was relaxing, fun work, the three mostly just gossiping with the occasional pulling of unwanted life forms. They probably didn't even have to do it, but any excuse to be among the flowers was a good one.
Once Don had agreed to the garden, the crew brainstormed an ingenious design. The largest cabin had been chosen for the project, the dozen bunk beds removed, and small walls laid out on the floor defining a winding path. Good soil was bought and laid into the large flower beds, stones raising the level of the path so as to make it even with the new "ground"l. Once the flowers and small bushes were in, apart from the walls of the room it was no different than any real park. They even had two park benches, and a small pond with a fountain and fish. It had everything Amanda had dreamed of.
The weeds, though, had not been part of it.
Sitting up and brushing a stray blond hair out of her eyes, Amanda looked at her two friends. They were changing, and she wondered if she was as well. Sirenia now had breasts, jutting out of the black half shirts she liked to wear, and seemed to be growing taller every day. Wendi was getting curvier, and more muscular. They had even caught her in the exercise room. That was just... weird, and she would not explain.
As for Amanda… she had some bumps on her chest, yes, but so far she felt the same as she always had. No sudden rush of hormones, no desire for romance or action. Give her songs, dance, flowers, and a hug from her big brother. Life didn't require more than that.
Wendi held up a strange black something, shuddered, then tossed it into the small bucket they were using for trash. Looking at her hands for a moment, she reached over and wiped them on Sirenia's black skirt.
"Hey!"
"It's not like it'll show up," Wendi smirked. The two growled at each other, before laughing and doing a pinky shake. Amanda just shook her head at them.
"Children."
"Oh," said Sirenia, archly, "look at Miss Mature over there!"
Sirenia palmed a clump of dirt, considering the best moment to escalate things, when the garden door opened. Ger walked up the short ramp onto the stone path. She quickly dropped the clump and sat up straight, making sure all her clothing was in order. She was far too new at all this to have discovered the art of being sexily disheveled. Amanda and Wendi watched with tolerant amusement as Ger made his way over to them.
"Hello ladies. Amanda."
"Hey!" Amanda growled at him, but Ger only grinned back. Sirenia gave him a nervous smile.
"Hi Ger! What are you doing here?" She immediately bit her lip, seemingly going over the conversation so far and hoping she hadn't screwed up already. Amanda just shook her head at the silliness of crushes as Ger turned to her.
"Kine said you'd told him there was a leak in one of the sprinklers. I thought I'd check it out before I head to dinner. Don't want a flood."
Amanda pointed him to the one dripping in a far corner. As he headed off, Sirenia gave a quiet groan and hung her head. The other two gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulders… although not TOO sympathetic. Amanda began to weed again when Wendi spoke up.
"Um, Amanda… speaking of, you know," and she nodded her head at Sirenia, "crushes and such, is… Kine still with that Mel?"
"What? Oh, um, yeah. Well, they spend time together, but I don't think it's…" She suddenly gave Wendi a suspicious look. "Why… Oh come on! Do you STILL have that crush?!" She made no attempt to keep the third party in the room from over hearing.
Wendi hung her head. Amanda couldn't believe it. She'd had a thing for Kine ever since the siblings had first met her and Sirenia. In the early days on the ship, she had been the instigator of being "scared" at night, dragging Sirenia over to Amanda's cabin to be reassured by a sleepy Kine. Apparently, despite everything, nothing had changed... apart, maybe, for now having more emotions and desires entering into the mix.
Sirenia, glad to have attention off of herself, began to chant an old song of theirs.
"Oh, Kine, he's so fine, he's so fine I'll make him mine!"
With a giggling growl Wendi launched herself at her friend. They "fought" while laughing loudly, careful not to roll onto any flowers. Amanda stayed above it, like the older woman she was. Sirenia had just pinned Wendi to the ground, straddling her waist, when Ger came up behind them and paused to watch. The two froze, Sirenia's face and neck turning bright red. Ger just cocked an eyebrow at her, smiling.
"I like a girl who's a fighter." He stepped around them, and in a moment was gone.
The three stayed as they were, still as a stone. Sirenia's eyes suddenly widened, an incredulous smile on her face.
"He said…!"
****
Don was in the weight room, trying without success to add some muscle. He had started to grow a bit: that was something, at least. However, strength was something he still sorely lacked. He badly wanted to start going on missions, getting in on some of the fun, but was too honest to overlook that he just wasn't good at that type of thing. Nobody was going to get killed because of his inadequacies, thus the training.
Letting go of the weight machine, he figured he had about five years worth of work ahead of him.
At least, though, he could burn off some of the fat that was starting to show. It was just wrong for him to have a pudgy tummy. Lessa, too, seemed to be gaining weight. Hard to see how, given how hard she worked, but he was sure she had noticed. Maybe it was why she had been so moody of late.
The door to the weight room opened, and as if called by his thoughts Lessa stood there. Shelly, Bell, and Bella flanked her, almost as if they were backup for a dangerous mission. Don stood up. Shelly could be… unreasonably protective of Lessa, so lacking a posse of his own he prepared his mental defenses.
Lessa walked up to Don, slowly, unsure of herself. This was serious. She was never unsure. The other three moved fully into the room and let the door close behind them, but stayed there as Lessa stopped in front of him. Don raised a hand to brush some hair from her face.
"What's wrong?"
"Don, I… I'm…" She couldn't meet his eyes.
Don didn't know much about women. However, he thought he knew this one. He reached out, tilted her chin up, and kissed her tenderly. Pulling back, he looked into her eyes.
"Tell me."
"I'm going to have your baby."
Don stood before her, shocked. His…
Before Lessa knew it, Don had stepped into her and was kissing her with all the love he could put into it. There was applause from the doorway, two enthusiastic and one moderately so. Breaking the kiss, Lessa broke down crying into his shoulder. Don just held her. One of his hands gently slid around between them, moving up under her shirt to feel her belly. She lifted her head and looked at him, as he caressed her and spoke.
"If it's a girl… let's name her Cindy."
Lessa nodded, Don smiling in return. It would be right to honor his sister Cynthia like that…
"And if it's a boy?"
"Hmm… maybe Jax, but we have time." He leaned in for another kiss. A child! And here he had thought…
Part of Don wanted to make a joke, about thinking Lessa had been getting fat. Another part was very happy Don tended to filter such thoughts, and thus wouldn't do something incredibly stupid.
A third part figured, what's the point in being in love if you can't trade harmless jokes?
"You know, here I thought you were just getting fat!"
Lessa's eyes narrowed.
"You are veeeery lucky I'm going to want more than one baby…"