Beginning the Process

Posted on Tue Jun 25, 2019 @ 7:55pm by Major Kasia S'er'in'e & Lieutenant Colonel S'er'in'e & Lieutenant JG Leonardo Francesco MD

Mission: Refits and Reviews
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD 6 || 1100 Hours

It didn't take Kasia long to change out of her uniform, and now she was waiting for her husband to return to their quarters so they could make the journey to sickbay together. She had to admit that she was quite nervous. Not at the thought of becoming a mother, but more at the thought that the treatments might not work. And if that happened, then what would she do? What would S'er'in'e do? Her mind was racing a mile a minute, but at least she wasn't thinking about the horrors that happened aboard the Apollo.

Having finished what he needed to S'er'in'e made a slightly faster than normal pace home where he knew his Wife would be waiting. The idea that he would be a Father still waving high in his mind like a large flag dominating the skyline. When he arrived home and the doors parted he quickly found Kasia, patiently waiting. "Wife." He bowed, as always. "Shall we?"

The second the door parted, she was on her feet. Kasia moved toward him, reaching out to slip her much smaller hand into his. "Yes, but I don't want to disappoint you. What if this doesn't work?"

Leaving home hand in hand the pair walked to Sickbay, they had much to discuss but also much to learn about the risks and many factors that could surround a mixed species pregnancy. "Then we will face that should it arise, not before but more importantly it will change nothing towards how I feel about you." S'er'in'e replied bringing her hand to his lips kissing it.

"You're right," she said, taking a deep and calming breath. "Let's see what the doctor has to say and take it from there."

Leo was standing beside a biobed that he'd just finished using on a medical exam for a new crewmember. Routine stuff mostly but what wasn't, at least for him was the sight of a towering bulk of fur and a strikingly beautiful blonde haired woman. Leo put the tools down and walked to them. "Leonardo Francesco, ACMO, what can I do for you?" He asked them, happy to help how he could.

The nerves were back. Kasia took a deep breath. "I'm Kasia, and this is my husband, S'er'in'e. We're here because we'd like to start a family, and know that conventional means need a little push in the right direction medically."

"Of course, of course. Please right this way." Leo knew that something like this was hardly suited to something spoken in the middle of the open floorspace, his office would suit far better. "Please, take a seat." Then realising that his chairs might be a bit small for the large towering Colonel he smiled, the offer still there though. "So, starting a family, I'll get the basics out of the way first, ask a few questions which I know might seem....sensitive, but its to help me work up a treatment plan for you."

Leo called up the Major's records, and the Colonel's. "So, when did you think about starting or trying?"

Kasia looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking. "My husband and I have spoke about having children before, but never really talked about actively trying until about half an hour ago," she answered honestly. "I've decided to take a leave of absence from my duties for personal reasons, and it seems like the right time to me. S'er'in'e seems to be on board with it also."

The next question while it may be rude came as an obvious one considering the pair of individuals he was talking to, a very large feline and a Human female. "Have there been any complications before in the intimacy department?" Leo meant sex and he asked because he needed to account for any issues they might have.

S'er'in'e while slightly uneasy at the question knew it was best to answer lest not doing so puts his Wife in danger. "We have yet to..." His voice drifted, it was obvious there was a marked hint of embarrassment maybe.

"Thats perfectly fine Colonel. There is nothing to worry about." It was good that Leo knew some things about Caitian ways. "I'll try to be as delicate as I can." Looking at the Major's file then after, the Colonels. He could only trust that the Colonel had at some point informed his Wife of what to expect, at least the first time, and from a medical standpoint the only time.

"Ok, so, I'll start from the beginning and talk you through it." Leo looked at both, a smile on his face trying to be reassuring. "Mixed species reproduction can have its complications but most can be mitigated by medication. Statistically Human/Caitian pairings do have trouble conceiving but there is a synthetic hormone available that the Major can take each day, typically in the mornings, that can help."

He hated to put all of this on the Major instead of sharing the burden between them but this was mostly Kasia's issue to face. "The hormone will trigger a series of....changes within you. Nothing serious but noticeable. Your sense of smell for example will improve, taste will be more powerful, your average body temperature will rise a little. You will also notice your hair will grow more rapidly. You will also go through a Caitian 'Heat' cycle every four weeks and I would strongly recommend you time this with your ovulation date. The um....sex drive will be enhanced, considerably I'm afraid." Leo wondered if all this was sounding a little overwhelming.

"You will notice physical changes too, you may notice yourself firm up somewhat because of the changes, weight loss is common so be mindful of it." Leo was a little uncomfortable talking to the Major about her body with the Colonel who could easily pull his arms off, standing right next to her. "Your um...breasts will grow...." He looked at the Colonel just waiting for the strike. "Considerably, to account for the developing child and its mixed race breeding and lastly you will feel more energetic but be mindful that what you feel and what you can physically sustain are separate." The look that Leo gave the Colonel was very apologetic.

"Statistically a pairing such as yourself pregnancy is longer than the Human norm, while you might expect 9 months Major, the Colonel expects something around the region of 11. I should warn you however, being half Caitian as the baby grows and develops so too will claws. While they would be softer than the Colonel's now, they still pose a considerable risk to yourself during term." Leo explained since there were records of near deaths during pregnancy. "I would suggest but by no means a requirement, you not cut your hair. It will help you with the child once born since it will need to bond to both of you through scent."

That was certainly a lot of information for the Major to take in, and she did her best to process it. Kasia did listen to everything that was said, though. "This is definitely a lot to take in, but it still doesn't change my mind from wanting to do this. I'll do whatever I need to to make sure a healthy baby is born."

Leo nodded at the Major's answer and looked at his monitor. Looking at past medical scans, health checks, blood test results. Everything looked good but he'd need to run a scan of her before he could get the ball rolling. "Ok, I'll need to run a scan on you as I have an initial baseline comparison to monitor you as the treatments take hold, it will help up better detect complications and ask any follow on questions." Leo stood up still looking at the monitor.

"If you'd like to come with me to one of the beds I'll run that scan." He spoke to the Major. "Please, take a seat Colonel we should only be a few moments." Leo spoke still feeling uneasy a little about what he said about the tall feline's Wife.

Walking to a vacant bed he tapped it for Kasia to hop up onto and lay down feeling a little easier now that he was not being stared down by potential death. "I want to apologise about what I said just then about the changes you would face with the treatment, talking about your body like that, the Colonel......"

Kasia went with the doctor, but cast a glance back to S'er'in'e. She had to wonder how he was doing through all of this, but he'd remained relatively silent so far. Was that a bad sign? As she settled on the bed, her attention went back to the doctor. "There's no need to apologize. Everything you've asked and said has been necessary. My husband should be okay, but I'd like it if he were here with us. I want him to be part of the process. All of it."

"Of course." Leo waved the Colonel over through the window of his office before returning to the Major. Once the tall feline had joined them Leo resumed. "Ok, so as I mentioned I'll run a series of test to establish a pre pregnancy base line." Leo ran his tests one by one, ticking off the list of boxes that need doing for his comparison. A blood sample was taken, tests run on that as well, blood pressure, heart rate and discreetly...weight.

Once all was done Leo turned his attention to the pair. "Ok, that's done and nothing alarming or otherwise to report which is always good news." Leo spoke smiling. "I'll go replicate a single months treatment, come back to me the day before the last and I'll replicate more for you."

S'er'in'e stood next to the laying Kasia listening to the Doctor, as best he could with the accent the Dr had. When he departed to replicate the medication he looked down at Kasia on the bed. "With the offspring being of two races, would you choose a Human name, a Caitian one, or a mix?" He asked since Caitians had only one name.

"Keeping with both our cultures and traditions, I think a mix might be better suited," Kasia replied. She took his large hand in hers and brought it to her lips to press a kiss to it. "But, I would like to hear your feelings on the topic, too."

Few would want his hands within striking distance, non would want to feel their touch and yet Kasia feared nor one or the other but welcomed both. His hand resting against her cheek a proud smile on his face as he looked down upon her that would be mother to offspring as a lock or two of her blonde hand hung over his hand.

"I have thought about it since you left my office, briefly I admit, surprised by your declaration. You have in the past told me you sought equality between us, that both our ways matter." He spoke giving a pause. "As you know, Caitians have but a singluar name. What if the offspring had a single name, but you chose it?" He offered.

"I did have another, one..slightly different. Two names, one which is used between family in private and the other in social settings." S'er'in'e went on to explain the latter was sometimes done when families wish to embrace the old ways, as well as the new.

"Would you want to give our children a name like I have? A human name, and give them your name?" she asked, though Kasia was open to all options. They still had some time to make a set decision, also, but it didn't hurt to start the process now.

It could be seen that S'er'in'e was giving that idea thought, considering Kasia was in that very situation now, it would make little to no difference if the offspring shared it. "I would not mind it. If you can find a name suited, I am lead to believe choosing names can be a challenging task for perspective parents."

"Well, we do have a little time to pick the perfect name, plus we'd need to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl," she pointed out. "And... you have to get me pregnant first."

There was that visible wide eye surprise that Kasia had said that and embarrassment. Considering intimacy to that level would be a first and coupled with the goal to do exactly as she said was still something he was wrapping his mind around. "I do." If it were not for his fur coat, S'er'in'e would be flush with red.

Kasia knew he was likely blushing, even if she couldn't see it. Of course, she was glad the doctor hadn't returned yet, though, she did see him making his way back toward them. She'd keep what was just said between the two of them, though. There was no reason anyone else needed to know.

Leo returned with small container in hand which within lay 31 vials and a hypo. "Ok, so there are going to be a few very brief side effects when taking this, and by brief I mean seconds at most. A metallic taste in the mouth, your body will heat up very rapidly then ease off and you will um, feel like you have wet yourself." Leo quickly added. "Don't worry, you wont have but its just the medication flooding your system and obviously given its intent, the reproductive organs and everything in that region." Since the Major said this was what she wanted Leo pressed the Hypo to her neck and activated it.

Oh, this just got better and better, but wasn't it for a much greater purpose? It was a good thing she was currently on a leave of absence, because she saw quite a few daily showers in her future. "How long do I need to take these, aside from daily?" Kasia found herself asking.

"Initially, 3 months. Then once you are pregnant we will change the medication to that to help the developing baby and your body adapts to the needs placed upon it." Leo spoke. "I'll ask you to come in more regularly to monitor the changes and alter the treatments accordingly."

"Sounds easy enough. Will I have to schedule my appointments, or will they be done for me with a notification?"

"Notification, but if anything happens that you are not comfortable with please don't hesitate to contact me and I will be more than happy to see you on an urgent priority." Leo answered as he placed the container on the table next to his computer that had her results displayed. "There is one question that I wanted to ask since its an impending matter. The um...bite mark...I trust you are aware of what I mean? Are you doing that, yes, no? Keeping the scars?"

"Yes, I am aware, and I'll be keeping the scars, of course. I'll have earned them," Kasia replied without so much as a blush.

Leo nodded, he made a note of her acceptance of the risks involved into her medical record. It was good that she was informed, that way there could be no accusation as to her mental state should unknowing eyes roam. "I've entered that into your file, and made a priority note that the wound be treated but the scars to remain. Will you be treated here in Sickbay or at Home?" Leo asked, both were options but Home had the advantage of privacy, following the act.

"I believe at home, would be most ideal, however that choice will have to be decided by my Wife." Wife, even still the term sounding strange since he never expected to say it, now that he could it would take time for it to sink in proper.

"Yes, home would be better suited. While this is considered normal in my husband's culture, it isn't to humans. The less anyone has to see, the better off he and I will be. I don't wish anyone to look at him any differently for something normal," the Major explained, and it was true. Not many people would take the time to understand. If she could prevent negativity, she was going to do it at all costs.

"That's fine." Leo entered the details into the system. "I see no problem with that. I would ask that you have a medical kit close to hand in the room to use at least until medical help arrives." Leo then needed one final measurement and some equipment. "If you bear with me just a moment."

Leo walked away and came back a few minutes later. "Colonel, because of the nature of the injury inflicted upon the Major, could you bite this, as hard as you can please?" Leo was holding out a soft exterior cylinder used to measure the bite strength of Caitians.

While S'er'in'e understood the reason for the request, it seemed that this Doctor was more versed on Caitian ways than he was lead to believe. Looking at the man holding the device in one hand, a recording console in the other he cast a glance at Kasia. Would doing this give her cause to fear him knowing what lay ahead? Resigning himself to the fact it had to be done he took the device from the Doctor, an uneased glance to Kasia then placing it between his jaw bit down on it as hard as he could. He could hear the reader chime as the pressure built up. Once he had no more to give he eased up and removed it from his mouth.

Leo watched the counter rise, and quickly. He expected the Caitian to have powerful jaws. When the device had recorded its final reading and the Colonel removed the device from his mouth he took it from his hand by the end and placed it on the table. "1,096 psi." He spoke, it was an impressive result. "Given that scars are desired, I would suggest sharpening your teeth and fangs. Bones in that region of the body can break with as little as 7-9 pounds of pressure."

Kasia listened to what Leo said. She still had shrapnel embedded in her chest that was far too risky to remove without risking her life. Surviving that explosions years ago, and being able to tell the tale... that was something the Major would never forget, but this... this was definitely right up there with that. Based on the current information, they weren't talking about something as simple as a broken bone. No, they were talking about something as serious as crushed bone based on the amount of pressure her husband's bite had behind it. Still... it had to be done, and she'd face it head on.

"I trust that you, or whichever staff member is assigned, will be fully prepared to handle the aftermath?" she asked, turning her attention to Leo. "As well as be ready to get to our quarters at seconds notice?" The pain was going to be great, but Kasia had had her share of that over the years.

"If one of you could discreetly signal me on the planned night in question I will make sure myself or another is on standby for you." Leo started to put everything away. Then turned his attention to Kasia. "There are a lot of changes in store for you, if at any time, any at all, regardless of hour there is something you are unsure of or worries you then contact me or drop by ok?"

"If anything doesn't seem right, I will come here right away. You have my word," the Major promised. "However, I'm not sure there will be a way to signal anyone given this will likely happen spontaneously. That being said, I'm sure my husband can call through to you directly via combadge."

"Ok, well I think we are done here. Medication." Placing the box of vials and hypo in the Colonel's hands since Kasia would need hers to slip out of the bed. "Good luck, and all the best. I'll be ready and waiting." Leo really did hope for them, a mixed species pregnancy had risks and dangers but he'd do what he could to help them.