Scar turns over on the massive bed and stares at the empty space beside him where Teresa had previously lain. His senses tell him that dawn is rapidly approaching. He will have to get moving.

  However, even with his knowledge of the trying day to come, Scar finds himself daydreaming about both the past and future. While Teresa is no replacement for his vil'par, she has helped to fill a void in his soul. Her passion, and the ability of her body to both give and receive pleasure, was a welcome change to his usual routine. She has made no promises. Yet, Scar is certain Teresa feels the same way. What they'd shared the previous evening had been special.

  Sitting up on the bed, Scar stares out of the window. The tiniest glimmer of light has appeared on the horizon. Time to get down to business.

  -

  -

  Teresa steps out of the tub and wraps a towel around her damp body. She crosses to the large ornate mirror and stares at her reflection. Some of the fading scars on her chest are barely visible over the top of her towel.

  Like N-Vorl had done, during their tryst aboard Weyland Station Thirteen, Scar had inquired about her wounds. Unlike N-Vorl, he did not try to convince her of the bravery associated with such scars. He had simply listened. Before attempting to kiss every scar he could accurately count.

  The difference in the two elder's personalities, and approaches to the situation, is stark and undeniable. Even so, worry settles into Teresa's heart. She leans forward, pressing her cheek against the mirror's cool surface.

  The brazen yautja rescue aboard the Weyland station. How happy she had felt, seeing N-Vorl after so many years. How wonderful it had been, making love to him upon Wessinger's oversized couch. Despite all of the torture and the time apart, she still loves N-Vorl. She always will. However a part of Teresa's psyche screams at her that she is a fool.

  "He's not coming back," Teresa says to herself. "It's too risky. There's too much at stake. Would you come back, if you were him? Besides, the time it takes to travel back and forth...It wouldn't be worth the effort. He's gone. It's like Elder Scar says...We don't have to love each other. It doesn't have to go any deeper than where we are right now. But Vor'taalnis loves him. And my son needs a father. If Elder Scar is willing to be there for him...I can't think of a better choice."

  Standing up straight, and turning away from the mirror, Teresa removes her towel. She reaches for her clothes. A bell begins to toll and Teresa accelerates her movements. The tribunal will soon be starting.

  -

  -

  Mifbon arrives at Teresa's cabin just as the sun starts to peek over the horizon. The older hybrid female smiles her usual half-yautja smile. The lack of tusks on Mifbon's mandibles makes her smile slightly more agreeable and less menacing than the average male yautja's.

  "You look very pleasing," Mifbon says, her smile widening. "Elder Scar will certainly think so."

  Teresa immediately looks down at herself self-consciously. Maybe she should have gone for something a little more modest? After all, a tribunal isn't like a wedding or a dinner party. How does one dress for such a somber occasion, when the weather is always so humid and sticky? This is one of her better dresses.

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  "Thank you, Mifbon," Teresa says, shrugging off her anxiety.

  Too late to change now. Mifbon reaches and adjusts the thin sleeve on the right side of Teresa's dress. Her smile does not waver.

  "Don't worry, dear. Your secret is safe with me. Although, I don't know how long before others figure it out. The way the two of you spend so much time together and carry on."

  "What do you mean?" Teresa gasps, a shocked expression on her face.

  "I've been alive longer than Elder Scar has been elder. In fact, longer than he has been on V'Daha. I have shared n'fiis on occasion. We don't have a very good selection here. Due to a lack of a true gene pool. But when it happens, few can keep their emotions contained. Scar's behavior has been markedly different since you came to live with us. Even more so, after your vil'par elder left our settlement. He feels great emotion for you. As he did for his previous vil'par. Many are already aware of this. But suspicions are suspicions. I will not disclose the truth. That is for you...Or he...To do."

  Teresa's face grows hot and she covers it with both hands. Tears of shame run down her cheeks. Mifbon's smile fades and she hugs the former scientist. Stroking Teresa's hair, Mifbon forces Dr. Boyd to look at her.

  "There is no shame in feeling love for another. It is what we do with these feelings that matters. Do what feels right."

  Teresa wipes her tears and nods agreeably. Mifbon's smile returns to her face. She also wipes the younger woman's face.

  "Now...They're expecting you. Don't keep Elder Scar waiting."

  Teresa offers Mifbon a knowing smile and turns to look into the house. Vor'taalnis stands in the doorway to the main living space. His green eyes search Teresa's face questioningly.

  "I'll be back Vor'taalnis. Mother has something to do. But I'll be back. I promise."

  Seeing the bruise on Vor'taalnis' left cheek, where Ronnie struck him, causes tears to well up in Teresa again. How could anyone think to hurt her tiny son? How could another child be so cruel?

  "See...Later...Mother!" Vor'taalnis says with a small wave.

  "See you later, Vor'taalnis. Be good for Mifbon."

  Offering Mifbon a smile and a wave, Teresa heads for the center of town.

  -

  -

  Teresa enters the tribunal tent and slides into her assigned chair. The addition of her name, on the chair's high back, is a thoughtful touch. Not to mention, quite helpful. She still feels lost about the whole situation. Why ask her opinion? What mother would not want justice for her child? What exactly does the council have in mind for little Ronnie?

  Halyiis is already seated when Teresa arrives. The archiver nods respectfully at Teresa and then goes back to glancing around the tent. A steady stream of bodies into the tent has caught the older hybrid male's attention.

  Ronnie and his mother are led into the tent by two thin male hybrids. One, Teresa believes, is named Verhef. Or something close to that. For a few weeks after her fateful landing on V'Daha, she'd constantly mixed his name up with that of Elder Scar's son--Vildif.

  Come to think of it, she has seen very little of Vildif. He no longer finds excuses to come to her cabin. Once, he had brought her water. Another time, he'd brought salve for her feet. The last time he'd stood on her doorstep, he had brought plants and herbs for various ailments. All very sweet gestures. Teresa has a suspicion as to why the young settlement leader has backed off from his loving attentions. However, she chooses to keep those suspicions at the back of her mind.

  As if on cue, Elder Scar steps through the entryway to the tent. His eyes settle on Teresa and she swallows a lump rising in her throat. Adorned in full elder garb, Scar looks every bit the part of an elder. Memories of stern Elder Glandis causes Teresa to smile inwardly. Halyiis notices her change in expression and grins as well. However, he quickly drops the grin and stares straight ahead. Now is the time for all seriousness.