This is a prequel to "The Other Parent. It features Da'an and Zo'or's second parent.

                               ****

                               Da'an's hands twisted nervously as he rose from his chair, drifting around the room. Everything in
                               his life was about to change.

                               Since the announcement from the healers that he might be able to bear children, Da'an had known
                               that the Synod would undoubtedly choose a mate for him. It had only been a few weeks... he had
                               hardly had time to adjust to the news.

                               But the Taelon population dwindled with each succeeding generation. Now, the younger Taelons
                               were reaching ka'athaam, among them the earnest young diplomat, whose duties were disrupted by
                               his mood swings and faintness. Da'an knew that it was necessary, though not comfortable, to be
                               assigned a similarly fertile mate....

                               And so the Synod had chosen another fertile Taelon named Ba'rin, one whom Da'an had never met
                               and had never heard of. Though he inwardly rebelled at the idea of choosing a mate that he had
                               never even seen, he had acquiesced to the decision of the Synod. He would attempt to reproduce
                               with Ba'rin.

                               There was a soft chime at the door, and another Taelon entered the room. He was taller than Da'an,
                               wearing a paler jumpsuit. His bright blue eyes betrayed his nervousness, though he attempted to
                               smile. He saluted Da'an, saying in a low voice, "I am Ba'rin."

                               Something tightened in Da'an's chest. He took a step toward the newcomer, and saluted as well. "I
                               am Da'an..."

                               Silence. The two simply stared in uncomfortable silence, Da'an writhing inwardly at the feeling. He
                               knew nothing of Ba'rin save his name, not his caste or position—nothing.

                               Taking a deep breath, Da'an moved back to the sill of his window and looked out at the pale
                               lavendar sky. He beckoned Ba'rin closer, and asked softly, "I know little of you, Ba'rin. Would you
                               tell me of yourself?"

                               Ba'rin sat down beside Da'an, clasping his fingers together tightly and observing the pattern they
                               made. "I am a scientist. I study the nature of the 'skrill' species, and whether they can be adapted
                               to aid in our war with the Jaridians."

                               "A worthy task."

                               "I am honored."

                               Da'an felt a stab of frustration. The discussion was less that of two mates before a joining, than of
                               acquaintances attempting a conversation. He stifled the feeling and announced, "I am a diplomat,
                               newly assigned to the Synod and seeking a position in the future mission to the planet called Earth."

                               "You have risen far for one so young." Ba'rin looked highly impressed.

                               "I am honored," Da'an replied. He glanced down at his slender hands, the fingers twitching
                               nervously. There was the sound of a hand brushing fabric, and Da'an saw Ba'rin's thin hand held
                               before him.

                               For a moment he watched the other Taelon's bright eyes, then slowly raised his hand until their
                               palms brushed.

                               Da'an closed his eyes as the sharing began. He felt the Commonality seem to retreat as his mind
                               and Ba'rin's drew together... but Da'an drew back slightly as he felt the almost apologetic response
                               of his new mate. Ba'rin felt no attraction to Da'an, and he felt the same for Ba'rin.

                               Quickly, he began working to mingle their energies, focusing it into a single point of white light with
                               Ba'rin's assistance. Suddenly the energy flamed outward as the child was conceived, its mind
                               reaching out to the Commonality. Da'an felt satisfaction fill him as the joining ended, but not before
                               he felt the joy of his mate.

                               The hands dropped and slid away.

                               For a moment, Da'an only huddled against the wall, drained by the sharing. Then he heard Ba'rin
                               asking, concerned, "Are you well?"

                               "I am well," he replied quietly.

                               Ba'rin hesitated. "Were we successful?"

                               Da'an smiled slightly and pressed his fingers to his abdomen, feeling the new presence of the child
                               within touch his mind. "We were."

                               Ba'rin glowed slightly, reaching out a hesitant hand before drawing back. Da'an felt slightly unhappy
                               at this motion, knowing that it was a symptom of the problem that they both faced. Though they
                               were mates, they were more on a level of like-minded friends.

                               "May I accompany you to the healers?" Ba'rin asked quietly.

                               Da'an smiled and pushed himself off the sill, walking slowly out of the chamber, with Ba'rin
                               following.