I met Odum and handed him a bundle of clothing For Ava. As we walked together to Ava's rousing, Odum's gestures were quick and clipped; he was overcharged with silent but enthusiastic energy.

“You seem happy,” I said.

Odum looked quickly my way and answered, “Want Ava.”

I said, “Stand out of the way while I check the stats.” Odum gave me a pained look, so I added, “I'm sure she'll be just fine. We'll lay her on the grass, and I'll check her breathing and pulse. Once I know Ava is alive and well, she's all yours.”

With that, I wrung a grudging nod from Odum. His anxiety made our walk to the tree seem tense. We had bypassed chores to rouse Ava first. Once I was done, I would return to the ranch. I would give them time together, but I confess, my happiness for Odum was qualified with a certain degree of nervousness.

As Kee, Odum, and Ava didn't exactly get along. Then, there was my betrayal. The immediate future, I thought, would without a doubt, sorely test me. I could not see myself hiding on my own ship. I would have to lay down some rules if the three of us were to live together.

As Odum and I entered fourth fourth and walked past the enclosures, I could see him tense physically. He pressed the clothing to his loin and licked his lips as one athirst. I understood; Odum had waited a long time. His was a palpable uncertainty, and it began to rub off on me. We both pinned our hopes on a rousing that went well. The last thing I wanted, personally, was a rousing that played out like Odum's.

Odum ran ahead of me to the tree. He dropped the clothing and placed his hands on the rib. The external light was flashing as I moved the clothes out of my way. I pulled Odum away from the tree noting the strained look on his face.

“It's time,” said the GM.

I said to Odum, “Give me some room.”

I opened the rib and moved the cover to the side. Ava was strapped in place like a sleeping baby. I crouched to scan the readouts; all seemed good. Ava was brown like Odum. Her limbs were long and lithe. Ava's hair was like that of Odum, only longer. I released the head strap and called Odum to my side.

“Hold her head,” said I.

We worked together to pull Ava from the rib, and we struggled to lay her body in the grass. Odum hovered so that I had to push him away. Aggravation spilled from my voice.

“I need to check,” I said.

Ava was breathing; I checked her pulse and was satisfied. I opened one of her eyes and saw the pupil contract. It looked good, as rousings go. It was certainly better than Odum's. I was surprised to be shoved physically aside. I fell to my back.

“Touch too much,” said Odum in a testy voice. “Ava belong to Odum. Odum give. Ava take.”

Odum had his trousers down and was lying atop Ava as I rolled to my knees and turned away. I could hear the desperate noises Odum made as he sated his pent-up desire. I hurried behind a tree and kept my eyes averted; I was embarrassed to hear Odum's animal grunts, embarrassed to be so close. I shifted to my room and fell heavily to my couch, stunned. Very animal, indeed.

I gave Odum time. I also had to give myself time; I was disturbed by what had just happened. I shifted to the ranch to work it off. I fed the cattle and groomed the horses; treats all around. I gathered mushrooms. I picked fruit. I plowed through a couple of turns and thought I was settled.

Hoping Ava had awakened and gone to Thusa with Odum, I returned to the tree to clean up. Odum and Ava were not there; the clothes were missing. I quietly set the tree in order and unplugged it from the wall. It was too late for hindsight; the dynamic now included Ava.

I walked to the falls and was surprised to find Odum there. He sat by the water and cradled a fully dressed Ava in his arms. I sat on the bench and watched as Odum rocked gently back and forth. It soon became obvious that Ava still slept.

“Does she still sleep?” I asked.

Odum turned at my voice, turned back to Ava, and gave a nod. “Still sleep,” he said.

“Can you tell me if she has a fever?” I asked.

He seemed at a loss. He looked into his mate's sleeping face and uttered no response.

I said, “Touch her face with your hand, and tell me if it feels hot.”

Odum touched Ava's face and shook his head. “That's a relief,” I said. “When you came from the tree, you had a fever and died.”

Odum studied my face without speaking. I continued, “I had to bury you in cold clay to save you.”

Odum said, “Ava wake in Odum's lap. Look up in Odum's face.”

I said, “I have to warn you, waking up is difficult in the first moment. When you opened your eyes, you screamed at the top of your voice. She'll be disoriented, afraid. You'll need to hold her and talk to her. Your voice will calm her.”

Odum looked back at the woman in his lap. “Odum do all that,” he said.

I said, “Take as much time as you need. I'll take care of the chores until you're ready.”

I took a deep breath and exhaled. Odum nodded without looking back. When I stood to leave, Odum spoke softly.

“Odum's heart on Ava,” said he. “Afraid to lose her. Only hope for Ava's heart.”

I said, “Give it time. Be as patient as you were with Hay. I'm sure it will all work out.”

Odum looked up into my eyes, searching. I think he saw my sincerity. I sighed, and said, “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”

I turned to walk away and was startled when Ava's scream jolted my nerves. I spun on my heels to find Ava sitting, and Odum hugging her tightly.

Odum spoke to her. “All good, Ava. Odum here. Listen to Odum voice. Be calm. I hold you with all comfort. Give heart.”

Ava shook her body and pulled away. She bent forward, clenched her fists, and yelled. She sat panting. Then she turned to look at Odum. She touched his face. As Odum gave a hopeful nod, Ava sat back and asked, “Monkey?”

Ava had not noticed me. I shifted behind a tree. I guess I felt like I needed to hide from her, but soon found myself peeking around the tree. Ava sat looking at Odum. She touched her face, gaping, then checked her hands and arms. She pulled at her clothing and ran her hands through her hair. All the while, Odum nodded happily.

“Yes,” said Odum. “New Ava. All good.”

Ava scrambled on hands and knees to the edge of the pool and sought her reflection. When the water stilled, Ava gasped. She raised up on her knees, twisted her head from side to side, then came close again.

Odum said, “Long time in tree. Not Kee anymore. Same as Jeez.”

At the mention of my name, Ava spun on Odum. Startled, I ducked behind the tree, and for good measure, I crouched. At that point, all I could do was listen. What would Ava say? What would she do? I felt guilty for not shifting away, but I was overwhelmed with curiosity.

Ava said, “Ava give him a piece of mind.”

Well, that didn't sound good. Would she be a thorn in my foot? I found I was holding my breath, pinning my hope on Odum.

Odum said, “Ava is Odum wife. Nothing do with Jeez.”

Ava gave a short contemptuous laugh and said, “Even like Jeez, Odum still a monkey.”

Odum responded, stress in his voice, “Monkey is Ava husband. Give heart to Ava. Ava beautiful. Odum consummate with wife before wake up.”

I could feel the heat of Ava's response. “What?! No!”

Odum said, “Odum give seed with all heart.”

Ava made a protesting growl. She said, “Ava give knot on monkey's head. Not want monkey seed. Not want baby Odum.”

Odum was adamant. He said, “Ava have seed. Ava make baby Odum. Odum man now. Big man. Boss Odum. Run ranch for Jeez. Make bed in Thusa longhouse.”

Ava spoke in anger. “Ranch is Ava's.”

Said Odum, “Jeez give ranch to Odum. Say Ava be helper.”

“Ha!” said Ava. It was a dire sound.

Odum said, “All done. Ava Odum's wife. Calm down and be good wife. Odum be good husband. Ava help at ranch; see all Odum do. Have horse. Ride with Jeez. You see. All good.”

Ava's voice rose into a feral growl of disapproval. She yelled at Odum. “No! No! Not good.”

“You see,” replied Odum, holding out hope. “All new. New Odum. New Ava. Big life. Do together.”

I should not have listened. I should have shifted away. Odum's voice was desperate, and I felt sad for him. Ava's voice was like a dark stormcloud, threatening disorder. Lightning, thunder, hail, and pouring rain; I felt a little shaky. I heard the sound of physical struggle.

Ava shouted, “Let go!”

“No!” countered Odum. “Ava stay.”

More struggle produced the sound of a slap and a gasp. I was pained, but I could not be a part of it. I was wrong to listen in hiding. I heard Ava howl in rage and Odum grunt. Ava was fighting back. I shifted to my couch and buried my face in my hands. A dark storm gathered; I groaned.

The cattle and horses had received grain and treats. Lamet took his fodder and a pat on the head. I carried a bundle of hay into the new loft and sat beside the ladder. As I dangled my feet, I considered how much hay I would need to cut in the following rotations. It seemed a good job for me as it would keep me apart from the newlyweds.

Suddenly, I heard the voices of Ava and Odum as they approached the barn. I could shift at any time, instead, I chose to make myself invisible. I knew a confrontation with Ava was somewhere in my future, and felt her current state might arm me against her arguments.

Odum was saying, “Odum show bull. Named bull Lamet.”

Ava snorted derisively and said, “Lamet better than bull.”

Odum pointed to the loft and bragged, “Helped Jeez build loft.”

Ava looked then turned away. She took in the rest of the barn with a shrug. With Odum at a loss, Ava spoke into the silence. “Ava do better,” she said. Then she turned to Odum and asked, “True? All Kee gone?”

Odum nodded. “All gone,” said he. “Long time. Now on new world. Odum see. Saved Jeez from bear.”

Ava said, “Odum too chummy with big man. Now Ava back, you step aside. Ava take over. Show monkey how to run ranch.”

Odum then said, “Jeez give ranch to Odum. Ava helper. Jeez say.”

Ava tossed her long curly hair and turned away from Odum. She crossed her arms, and said, “Ava beautiful now. Flash beautiful smile at Jeez and take job back. Jeez better match than monkey.”

Odum's voice was raised, but not quite in anger. “No. No match with Jeez. You with me now. Carry my seed. Make baby Odum.”

Ava groaned explosively. She turned to Odum and said, “Ava bite off its head.”

She turned away, arms still crossed, and stamped a foot in anger. Odum opened his mouth but had no argument. Ava walked to the door and stopped. She turned back and asked, “Sure all gone? How?”

Odum stepped quickly to her side to answer. “Jeez say big fight with brother LUC. Killed Jeez' wife in front of him.”

Ava gasped and searched Odum's face, seeing no lie. After a moment, Ava said, dourly, “Ava talk to Jeez.”

Odum said, “Jeez big boss. Show respect. Work hard. Jeez cross many lifetimes. Suffer much to bring us. All belong to Jeez. Nothing belong to Odum. Nothing belong to Ava. He say we last of kind. Must replenish.”

Ava made another disapproving noise and stepped through the door. There, she stopped and turned to scowl at Odum. Her argument was clipped, and angry. “You not man because you look like Jeez. Odum just big monkey. Ava too beautiful to be stuck with monkey. Big plans. Take ranch back. Show Odum. Show both of you. Ava tall like Odum; tall like Jeez. Not be told no. Ava tell. Jeez give ranch to Ava and make Odum helper. Ava not be on bottom. Ava make own choice.”

Odum bowed his head under Ava's tirade. She turned away and stamped a foot. Odum looked up into her silence. He took her by an elbow and pulled her away. He spoke in a pacifying voice. “Come. See Odum horse.” I heard his voice grow small with distance. “Name Hay. Odum ride horse like Jeez. Tell Hay go, she go; stop, she stop. Hay listen to Odum. Give her peach and she do all Odum tell her. Ava cool tongue, and Jeez give Ava horse too. Just like Odum. We ride together.”

I decided to follow them and hear more. As Odum stood on the fence leaning over, Hay was under his hand searching for the treat that Odum held behind his back. Odum spoke in a comforting manner.

“Hay good girl,” said Odum. “Big lips only for treat.”

“Ha!” said Ava. “Stupid monkey show off.”

Odum gave the challenge. “Call horse,” he said.

Ava climbed level to Odum and leaned over the fence, She extended a hand and made clucking noises. “Horse,” she called. “Come to Ava.”

His voice energized, Odum said, “Ava need treat.”

Ava's response was testy. “Know that. Give Ava peach for horse.”

Odum laughed. He replied, “Only brought for Hay. Have no more.”

Ava turned to Odum in anger and shoved him from the fence. When she came down, they were face to face, and Ava's narrowed eyes were like icy daggers. She complained, “Make Ava climb for nothing. Stupid monkey want fat lip?”

Ava drew back her arm and clenched her fist, but when she swung, Odum easily caught her arm in his hand. Ava pulled free, then turned and folded her arms. Hay reached past the fence to put her nose under Odum's hand. As Ava turned back, she saw how easily Odum handled Hay. She snorted disgust and stamped a foot.

Odum asked, “You do better? Get peach. Be good helper. Bring Odum peach too.”

“No,” said Ava. She crouched in place and buried her face in her arms. From there, she said, “Ava not helper. Odum get peach. Bring Ava peach. Bring Ava stupid horse.”

Odum crouched in front of Ava and said in a quiet voice, “Ava need patience. Be kind to horse. Talk sweet. Horse not take lump on head like poor Odum. Come to longhouse. Odum give Ava treat.”

“No,” said Ava. She remained in place as Odum stood.

“Come home,” said Odum patiently.

“No,” said Ava. “Longhouse not Ava's home. Ava move to small house.”

Odum dropped his extended hand with a sigh. He answered, “Odum take Ava to small house. Bring food. We eat.”

Suddenly, Ava came to her feet and walked away from Odum. She did not walk toward Thusa but toward the fruit trees. Odum immediately followed. Ava tossed her hair indignantly and quickened her pace. I stood still, watching the two of them disappear into the trees. I dropped the ruse of invisibility and watched the mares gambol. The cows, further out in the field, moved slowly, heads bent to the sweet grass.

I turned back to the trees and thought about Odum and Ava. Odum certainly had his hands full with her; I did not envy him. No, my heart went out to him. I had seen his patience, and I hoped he could win Ava's heart. The last thing I wanted was for their instability to rob me of the fragile calm I maintained. I did not want a confrontation with Ava. I thought back to her Kee days and remembered her sweet fawning nature.

Ava had changed. She returned to us in frustration and dissatisfaction. Her new life was obviously a big pill to swallow. For Odum, the woman in his life was a spiky creature with a razor-sharp tongue. For Ava, her new reality must have seemed so much less than the old. Don't get me started on my reality, it was a dark beast I kept in chains out of necessity. I took a deep breath and shifted away from my ruminations.