You Don't Have the Right

Writers: Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 25th January 2014

Characters: Pierka, T'nom
Description: T'nom joins Pierka for her check-up and things get a bit interesting
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 2 of Turn 7

Pierka

T'nom

Pierka was tired. She was tired all the time now it seemed but when
the proper candlemark came around she swung her feet over the edge of
the bed where she'd been taking a nap and took the short walk out to
her ledge and Liddith.

"Alright," she smiled as she threw the strap over and buckled it on.
"Time to go see the healers. Why don't you let Taldeth's know we're
going for a checkup."

**Liddith's wants you to know they are visiting the healers for a
checkup,** Taldeth informed his rider. T'nom knew Pierka was due for a
healer visit soon as she'd mentioned it to him, but with all his
duties, he'd forgotten _when_ she'd said it would happen.

Quickly trying to finish bagging the firestone he'd been helping with,
and satisfied he'd done his share, he hurried towards the healers to
join Pierka. He was glad she had allowed him to be more a part of her
life and the life of the babe. He knew it was not easy on her and he
wished he could have the best of both worlds. But for now he was just
happy to be a part of things. It was more than he had hoped for.

Pierka had checked in at the front desk and was in the waiting room
when they called her in. She'd just stood to follow the Journeyman
when she caught sight of T'nom and motioned him over to join her.

"This way please," the healer said beckoning the couple behind the
curtain and into one of the examination rooms.

T'nom hurried to her side. He was nervous and anxious at the same
time. This was the first visit he'd been part of and he truly had no
idea what to expect. What _did_ the healers do at such a time? He
smiled at Pierka nervously and whispered, "I'm glad I could be here."

She nodded and turned to follow the healer into the exam room. She
took a deep breath and when she turned back around she'd fixed a
pleasant expression on her face. The easy comfort they'd had before
his involvement with Meledei was gone, at least for her, and in its
place was an awkward acceptance that she had to endure because of her
promise to allow him to be part of the pregnancy and the baby's life.

"If you can change into the drape," the healer said. "The midwife will
be with you shortly."

"Right," she said.

T'nom just stood there uncertain what to do. "Um, I can turn around I
guess," he said and did just that. He'd seen her naked before and
recalled fondly those times, but things were different between them
now. He hated that things had to be different, but they were and he
didn't know if things could ever be comfortable again. He frowned
sadly at that thought, and waited.

She quickly stripped and put on the drape all the while feeling
awkward about the whole thing. But then she slid up on the table ready
for her exam. "Ok," she said so that T'nom could turn back around.
When she saw his face again she half smiled. "I'm moving to a lower
weyr on the inside so I won't have to fly to get anywhere as I get
bigger." Her hands were mindlessly running over her rounded abdomen as
she talked. "Oh, it moved." she looked a little startled.

"Oh that will be good....wait what?" He looked at her startled. "Is it
_supposed_ to move?" His eyes were large as he stared at the rounded
part of her abdomen, wondering if he'd be able to _see_ the baby move
somehow.

"Right here," she said reaching for his hand to place it on her
abdomen where the baby had kicked just moments before. "Of course they
move, more and more all the time," she smiled at him.

He felt an intimate connection with her and the babe the instant she
put his hand on her abdomen. He froze, waiting, wondering what he
would feel. Then he felt it. A shift, a push, something different. He
gasped, his eyes opening wide. He gazed at her in wonder. "I..I felt
it. I felt it. My baby. Our baby." Before he could even think about
what he was doing he pulled her close and kissed her in his
excitement.

She held her breath and stiffened in his arms. She couldn't believe it
was real. Her brows drew together in a frown. "Unfair," she breathed
when she could turn her head away.

He realized then what he'd done, and he knew he couldn't change what
had happened. In truth he didn't want to, but he was sure he had just
hurt her again. Dropping his hands and his gaze, he stepped back and
let his own remorse wash over him.

"You're right. I'm sorry. Not for the kiss, for I have wanted to do
that for some time, but for stepping across a line that has been in
place between us. I didn't mean any harm by it." He let out a
frustrated breath. "I was so excited, I didn't think, and now I'm
afraid I've hurt you again." He was preparing himself to hear whatever
burst of anger she wanted to throw at him for he knew he deserved it.

Ears buzzing and heart pounding she stared at him in mute pain.
"You've already made your choice," she murmured. "You don't have the
right to do that." Balled her fists and glared at him. "Don't do it
again."

He dropped his gaze. Disappointed with himself. After a moment he
looked up at her, a new resolve in his eyes. "You are right. I don't
have that right, and I'm sorry. I won't let it happen again. I will be
here to support you and the babe in whatever way I can, but I will not
cross that line again."

Right then the healer came back into the room and Pierka laid back on
the table for her exam eyes hooded and turned resolutely away from
T'nom.

Last updated on the February 1st 2014

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You Don't Have the Right