Aerglo carries xyr mate through the ship with xyr head held high. Many stop and stare, giant aliens gaping at the sight of their captain seemingly human and carrying one in xyr arms. The tiny human is unconscious and wrapped in a cloth like a babe. But Aerglo isn't bothered by the shocked whispers or the gawking stares following them. Xyrs priority is to get xyr mate to the doctor assigned to the humans that work around the ship and its engine.

Xe doesn't even bother to knock when xe arrives at the doctor's quarters.

"Captain Aerglo," the weary man greets, graying hair slicked back and thin framed glasses placed precariously on the tip of his nose.

Caelum stirs in xyr arms and peers over the edge of the blanket, silently and timid.

"My mate," Aerglo says, "I seek medical attention for him."

Aerglo gently places the small human on the cot, the blanket slipping just so to reveal Caelum's swollen abdomen.

"What seems to be the problem?" the doctor asks.

Caelum doesn't say anything, simply tensing when withered hands feel around his baby bump in concerned curiosity.

Aerglo tries really hard not to get protective over xyr mate and child, especially when Caelum sucks in a sharp breath at a particular touch.

"He is with child," the alien grits, hands clenching into fists.

The doctor pulls away slowly, staring at his captain and waiting for the punchline that never comes.

"With child?"

Aerglo nods, clearing xyr throat a bit embarrassed as xe admits, "my child to be precise."

"Oh," the older man breathes, "interesting."

"Yes," Aerglo huffs, "do you believe you can check them over? Make sure they are both alright and well?"

"I-- Yes, I believe I can," the older man nods, reaching out for a portable ultrasound machine and bringing it to life.

"Thank you, Dr. Vega," Aerglo sighs, feeling relief inside xyr chest cavity as the doctor gets to work.

Finally the doctor turns to Caelum with a kind smile, "Can you lift up your shirt a bit and tug down your pants? This is going to feel a bit cold."

Caelum does as told and flinches when the gel touches his warm skin. However, he bears with the icy sensation and relaxes when it warms up as a probe travels across the expanse of his swollen belly.

He watches with bated breath and blindly searches for his mate's hand, grabbing onto it when a grainy image appears.

Aerglo stares at the image just as transfixed, brows knit together in concentration as xe spot the little being stretching and yawning. Yawning!

"I'm not well versed in pregnancy, human or otherwise, but the foetus appears to be along 18 weeks and healthy, if just a little on the small side."

Caelum can't seem to tear his eyes away from the screen, only focusing on healthy and breathing softly in complete awe, "that's our baby."

"Our child," Aerglo agrees, choking just a bit as well, "is the child... is our child human or an Aixatarieno?"

"It's hard to tell," Dr. Vega admits, "however, the foetus appears to have human characteristics. Perhaps because your mate is human and is the one carrying it. Maybe the child even has the ability to shape shift as you do, sir."

Aerglo nods, still amazed and not at all fazed.

The machine shuts off and Dr. Vega gives Caelum a small towel to wipe off the remnants of the gel.

When he's composed once more, he looks at the doctor as his face heats up, "how will uh... how will the baby be born?"

Dr. Vega stares at the couple with furrowed brows and deep concentration, "conception occurred naturally, correct?"

"Yes," Aerglo nods, "but it should have been improbable, even impossible."

"I'd need to conduct further testing, perhaps perform an X-ray," Dr. Vega hums, "but from the ultrasound, there is definitely a womb that holds and nourishes the foetus along with the placenta. Essentially, your body is fully equipped to carry the child to term. From the look on your face, however, I'll assume that you were never meant to have a womb."

"No, I never... I'm a guy.." Caelum frowns.

"Is there anything you can remember as anything odd happening to you?"

"You mean aside from meeting Aerglo?" Caelum asks.

Aerglo bristles, but let's it go when xe notices the small playful smirk on xyr mate's lips.

"Before your encounter with Captain Aerglo, yes."

"I... don't know... I... Aerglo said I carried the scent of another alien or alien species when we first met, but from what I know, he's the only one I've ever encountered," Caelum answers.

"Is there a certain period of time you don't remember? Any missing memories or, consider the opposite, any memories that you don't remember ever happening?"

"No... well... just, when I was seven, after my dad died I began having nightmares, but when I woke up I never remembered what they were about. It became so bad that I even became insomniac... What I do remember from my first nightmare was the sense of dread, pain, and heat... It felt hot, so hot."

"Where?" Dr. Vega asks, writing everything down.

Caelum looks down at his belly with furrowed brows, hand carefully cupping the underside of the swell, "here."

Aerglo tenses beside the cot where Caelum sits, xe body stiff and fists curled tight.

"Captain?"

"Eno elttil," Aerglo grits, "You were abducted when you were young."

"I.. what?"

"Yes, it does seem like a probable explanation and if this is true, then these aliens experimented on you and were successful," Dr. Vega agrees.

"But what would they gain from doing this? To me? To anyone?"

"The motive is certainly unknown. Our concern now, however, is focusing on you and the child as I am sure you were marked."

"It does not matter if Caelum was marked," Aerglo growls, "I will protect them and the mark is nonexistent at this point."

"Of course, sir. For now, this is all I can offer. We can track the foetus development and keep both of you healthy. I would like to see you often to make sure everything is going smoothly, perhaps even get that x-ray done during your next visit."

Aerglo shakes the human's wrinkling hand before scooping up xyr mate, a quick "thank you" thrown in as a second thought.

Caelum wraps his arms around Aerglo's neck, burying his face in the alien's broad chest, "you're mad?"

"No," Aerglo answers, tone just a bit clipped.

"Liar," Caelum whispers.

"I am not mad, I am concerned" the alien sighs, "Who knows what else they did to your biology, eno elttil, how our child will be born or if you will be able to carry and deliver safely. I am worried. For you and our child."

"I know," Caelum mumbles, "I am too... I'm a bit scared too."

"I will make sure," Aerglo assures, "that you and our child are both safe, and that nothing will happen to you."

Caelum breathes deeply, settling in Aerglo's hold and pressing his forehead against the alien's shoulder, "I love you, Aerglo."

"Likewise, eno elttil," Aerglo chuckles, a bit of tension seeping from xyr body, "I love you as well."