trouble, Mother ‘San,” Synclare said.
“And I don’t wish you to go through this alone. As long as I am near, you will have me to care for you,” Mee'ta said.
“And me, too,” Ph’eel added.
“I don’t know what to say,” Synclare admitted.
“Just say that you will allow us to care for you. Lo'San does his best I’m sure, but he is not female, there is no way he can actually understand all that you go through,” Mee'ta insisted.
“Alright then, I’ll tell Lo'San. I can’t guarantee that he’ll agree, but I will try,” Synclare promised.
~~~
Synclare sat across from Doc as he went over the details of her chart and all the treatments she’d undergone. She held a cotton ball to the crook of her elbow where he’d just taken a small blood sample.
“I must be honest, Synclare. I am very concerned that you’ve not yet responded to treatment. With Cruestaci women, the response is almost instantaneous. Even with women of other species, I’m not aware of more than one week between the onset of treatments and the harvesting of a healthy ovum for fertilization.”
Synclare sat speechless across from Doc. She’d been under the impression that it was routine to have to endure many treatments before finally being successful. When she recovered enough to speak, her shock was evident in the tears she attempted to hide. “Are you telling me that my course of treatment is not standard? I should have been finished with all this and pregnant by now?” she asked.
“You must understand, Synclare. I have never treated one of your race. All I know of your people, I have learned while working with the females brought aboard. Your response to our treatment could very well be normal for your race,” Doc explained.
Synclare let his words roll around in her head. “And the pain that always plagues me afterward?” she asked.
“I have not seen it before,” he admitted.
“What if we called in human physicians and got their input?” she asked.
“We could, but, they are completely unfamiliar with our medical practices and success in fertility improvement in our own people. We would be speaking two different languages — in more than one way. But, if you wish, we can try.”
Synclare shook her head. She understood what he meant. The human doctors didn’t know the procedures he was trying to do to the human body to encourage fertility, any more than he knew the human body and the responses that it would have to the Cruestaci procedures. They couldn’t help each other. “No. Let’s just try a little longer before I give up.”
“I will not give up, Synclare. I will continue my research and perhaps with any luck at all, I will find the piece we are missing to enable you to have younglings,” Doc promised.
Synclare nodded. “Thank you,” she answered. She stood when Doc did and followed him out of his office and into the examination room next door. While Doc turned his back and prepared the injection, as well the instruments to swab her, Synclare stripped down and donned the disposable gown waiting for her. She climbed up on the table and when he turned to her, she raised her hand to swipe at the tears that streamed silently down her face.
“Do not give up hope, Synclare,” Doc encouraged.
“I haven’t. I’m just surprised to find out that what I’m experiencing is not the norm.” She swiped at another tear and huffed a laugh. “You’d think with all these damn emotions I’m fighting lately, I’d already be pregnant!”
Doc extended the stirrups for her feet and she allowed him to place her where he needed her. He took a swab, then gently returned her feet to the table and extended the table end to allow her to rest comfortably. “Ready for your injection?” he asked.
“I’m here!” Lo'San said, as he opened the door and rushed inside the room.
“Lo'San,” Synclare said tearily, reaching for him.
“I am sorry I’m late. But I made it,” he said, going to Synclare’s side and holding her hand in his.
“All is well. You made it in time,” Doc said. “Now, if you could turn to your side, Synclare…”
Synclare turned and Lo'San pulled the gown aside so that Doc could give her the injection. Once that was finished, Doc stood there looking down at Synclare.
“What is it?” Synclare asked.
“Just something you said. I have some more research to do, and if you will allow me to take another sample, I would like to perform another test.”
“Whatever you think might help,” Synclare