"That was more a question of her control," you argue, though you're beginning to appreciate how tricky this can get.
Dr. Hoyt isn't amused. "I could put you on eunuxene. That would be sure to deaden any sexual response in your body for the next several hours -- that is, under usual circumstances."
You consider how Tina got pregnant despite precautions. If one body chemistry could go crazy ... "All right."
After administering eunuxene, Dr. Hoyt offers a silvery elastic band. "And I'd like you to put this around your wrist. Think of it as a tricorder link. I'm officially not able to hold you, but I'd like to track your readings."
You snap it on. "Anything else?"
The doctor winces slightly. "You've heard of Antarean yetis?"
"Large, humanoid, used as beasts of burden."
"You are not, as the crude saying goes, 'hung like an Antarean yeti,' but that area of your body has grown considerably and I'm not sure you've stabilized just yet. There are diapers on hand to help keep ... everything in its place."
As you consider this, you realize that you are tending to bulge more in that area than you would aesthetically prefer. You agree, and truck and strap yourself accordingly before getting back in uniform. "Can I see Tina?"
"I'm afraid that's not the best idea right now, at least not until I can figure out how to quiet her down, along with my nurse. For now you may as well return to the bridge, and please try to steer clear of sexual situations. Besides, it looks like I have another patient."
"Sorry to hear that."
"So much for T'Van's 'single node' theory. Engineer Matheson was found having preposterous-sounding sex with a yeoman. This is really troublesome, since I think T'Van really depends on Matheson. And if it's you and now Matheson ... who's next?" He half-smiled. "At least you're being well-behaved about all this."
All in all you feel good about returning to the bridge. You and the doctor seem to be taking the right precautions -- although the urgency with which he first suggested that vas brachytomy procedure did startle you at first.
Sexual situations ... As you walk down the corridor, you recall how Captain Li offered to "relieve tensions." You also recall an instance when some tall slim blonde amazon of a security officer had briefly flirted with you, identifying herself as Lieutenant York. Hopefully, flirtation was all that had been intended each time.
Just then you hear a female voice down the corridor call "Lieutenant !" and you reflexively turn around. |