Page 50 of Irene

He bit his lips together. He let them go and drew a deep breath. “What we share before? When we made love? It was special, most special night ever.”

“Itwasthe most special night ever.” She poured her heart into the words, so he’d know she meant them.

“I don’t want it to be just once. You have to go home, but I want you while we have the time. I know you can’t be pregnant because Earth will kill you…so I bought this.”

He pulled a box from a pouch on his belt. Irene blinked at the package with alien writing on it. “What is it?”

“The trader say he find it from same medical supply he buy pregnancy test. Many Earther men use when they go home to stop women from pregnant. If you say yes to make love, I have Rusp check if sources promise it is working. Then we can be safe for you to not get pregnant.”

They could make love again? She could give in to the urges keeping her awake at night, the desire to be held and touched as they had before? To be joined to the men who shared her passion for music and living life on their own terms?

Jemi took her stunned silence as dismay. “I’m sorry. I knew I shouldn’t—”

“No, it’s okay. I once saw Fausto talking to a couple of Beonids in the back corridor behind the theater, and they handed him a box that resembled this.” He’d been red-faced when he’d caught sight of Irene watching him, and he’d slipped the box in an inner pocket of his jacket, casting a nervous glance at Dolores. She hadn’t appeared to notice the exchange…looking at Fausto as little as possible had been among her biggest goals in life.

Later, Fausto had whispered to Irene, “You don’t have to mention me making such private purchases, right? It’s to keep everyone concerned out of trouble, our careers on track.”

Irene had been mystified, clueless as to what he might have bought. She’d shrugged and told him, “Your business is your business. I mind my own.”

To which he’d beamed at her. “If only all had your wisdom.”

Irene understood now. He and Valentina were focused on their work and hiding their marriage. Valentina had been known to laugh at other sopranos who’d left performing to have children. “I have no time for diapers and nursing. My art is what I wish to leave to the world!”

If Irene hadn’t discovered the truth of their marriage but understood what Fausto had been buying, she’d have assumed it was to hide his supposed affairs. And he would have known she’d have guessed it was the case. No wonder he’d been so embarrassed.

“Will it work for Kalquorians?” she asked Jemi.

“We create babies the same. We can stop them the same, I guess. I should ask Rusp?” His hopeful smile was tremulous.

Joy filled Irene. She could be with the clan, really with them, for the short time they had.We die anyway…

“Let’s see if the chance is worth taking.”

* * * *

“Plasian study say birth control injection is good medicine for Earther men to stop breed babies. Much swear to happy results.” Rusp read the conclusions he found to the rest as they sprawled on the main cabin’s vast, stained lounger. He tried to ignore the hope warming him.

“No study on us,” Sherv pointed out.

“There is. Because the researchers couldn’t develop with Earthers, they take Kalquorian volunteers to test. Effect was correct, no fertility in most cases for a week. Then man go to normal again.”

“Nothing bad for Kalquorians.” Jemi appeared pleased for having bought the injectors behind their backs. Sneaky, smart Imdiko.

“Why did Plasians manufacture it? It isn’t as if they could get pregnant by humans.” Irene was puzzled.

“Plasians eager all people to have fun sex and no worries. Plasians always think about sex. They make money from it, even better.”

“It worked for me.” Jemi’s grin was pure evil.

Rusp laughed, but he was full of admiration for his clanmate.Trust a former sex service provider to have thought of birth control options.

“It is up to you, Irene. The risk is yours, though we know options to help you if we make embryo,” Sherv said.

They hadn’t told Irene of the other medicine that would terminate a pregnancy. It was among those awkward issues Earthers had, and Sherv had decided to remain quiet until they knew her situation. The negative test had solved any need to inform her of the choices open to her.

Irene looked at them in turn, her gaze so warm, Rusp’s heart lurched. Mother of All, he wished she could stay with them.

I’m falling in love. I don’t want to, it’s impossible to keep her, but she’s perfect.

---