Dare: A M/M Sci-Fi Romance (Mindset Duet Book 1)

10. Chapter 10

Dare made a few more poker nights in the next few months. Derek did not make an appearance. When asked, Lewis shrugged, saying he”d taken the night shift and couldn”t make it anymore. Dare could feel his uneasiness but didn”t press him for more. Lewis obviously knew what Derek had been doing but had no problem with how the empath had shut down his questions. That was all Dare needed to know.

Time passed differently in the black. Some days went by very quickly, while others dragged on and on. Dare tried to spend a day or evening each week on the colony deck, taking the time to get to know and meet most of the colonists. They were a diverse group with artists, scientists, and administrators. Everyone was cross-trained and capable of working multiple jobs. That made sense, as they would be left on an alien planet to live out the rest of their lives, far from the assistance of Earth. The thought made the empath shiver a little, wondering what it would be like to literally start over while building a society. He would find out in a little over a year and a half, and was moved to ask Vida if he should learn another skill to assist the colony.

She had looked at him with surprise, then smiled. ”Thank you for asking, but I”m sure you”ll be busy as a Mindset once we arrive. There will be a high level of stress once we disembark, and your skills will help defuse that. Otherwise, since you are willing to work, I”m sure you could help in the kitchen or infirmary if you want to with no additional training. My advice is not to worry about that, since any able-bodied person will be called to help wherever they can.”

Dare had thanked her and let it go. She was right, after all, and his skill wasn”t transferable to anyone else. He enjoyed his stays on the colony deck as he would a vacation. That deck was full of color and positive emotions, as well as being far less structured than his work life on the Gambit. That change was welcome once the sameness of life on the ship became obvious.

Despite the monotony, Dare was content. He”d put on some weight and muscle by having a regular diet. He”d grown an inch to his now five foot ten, to his own surprise, thinking he was done growing. The doctor explained he”d needed the added calories in order for his body to do that, but now that he was almost twenty-five, he was probably as tall as he would ever be. The empath was fine with that. Being as tall as Lewis was an issue on a starship where room was at a premium. He needed nothing else to overcome and was happy to feel truly healthy for the first time.

Dare integrated into his schedule on the Gambit, and his time on the colony deck, keeping ennui away with a good amount of socializing which included meals with Riis, or Mike, working out daily in one of the gyms, and keeping a watchful eye on those he cared for. He read, kept a journal for his own insights, and slept well. He felt happy and safe for the first time in his life and was grateful for it.

He received a call late one evening, six months into the voyage. The sound of it startled him, but he shook that off as he got up to answer it.

”This is Dare. How may I help you?”

”Dare? Thank Gaia you”re home. Please come down to the infirmary as soon as possible. Jason Stravetta has been injured. I need to do surgery but don”t have his blood type on hand. You and he have the same type, so if you”re willing to donate, please get down here.”

The empath stared at the doctor for a moment, then shook his head. ”He”s AB negative? Of course, I”ll do it. Be there as soon as I put my shoes back on.”

Dare walked into the infirmary quickly, seeing Peter talking to one of his techs, before the doctor hurried over to him.

”Thank you, Dare. Jason fell while on the treadmill and hit hard enough to rupture his spleen. It”s got to come out and he”ll need a transfusion to make up for the blood loss. Have you given blood before?”

Dare nodded. ”I”ve given blood fairly often. That happens when you have a rare blood type. You know I”m clean of any disease, so let”s do this.”

Peter gave him a quick smile, then ushered him onto a gurney where one of his techs was standing. ”Harry will get you set up. Just remember not to run out of here the minute you”re done donating. Have some juice and an awful cookie, then go home, drink water, and go to bed. You might feel tired tomorrow, but you already know that, right?”

Dare made a shooing motion with his hands. ”Go take care of Stravetta. Harry and I will get this done, so stop worrying.”

The doctor gave Dare”s forearm a warm squeeze. ”Thank you.” Dare settled himself on the gurney, smiling up at Harry. ”Pick a vein, Harry, and we”ll get this over with.”

The empath followed the doctor”s orders, making sure he drank several glasses of juice and choked down a protein cookie. When he felt steady enough, he made his way back to his berth, drank some more water, then went to bed, remembering to take his dampers before falling asleep instantly.

The next morning, Dare rose at his usual time, feeling only a little tired. Washing up in his little sink, he figured he”d stop by the infirmary to check in with Peter since seeing Jason was out of the question. With that thought, he dressed and headed to the mess for a quick meal.

When Dare came into Peter”s office, it was obvious that Peter was far more tired than the empath. Nevertheless, the doctor gave him a smile, waving him into the chair in front of his desk.

”I”m way too old to pull a night shift, but there you go. You look a bit tired, too, Dare. Do you feel okay?”

”No offense, Peter, but I look a lot better than you do. I only feel a little tired, but that should pass quickly. How”s Stravetta doing? I know I can”t ask him face to face.”

Peter nodded. ”That’s very true. He”s doing as well as he can, having just had major surgery. Your donation made the difference in how well he”s doing right now. Thank you for being willing, despite his behavior towards you. By the way, he does not know it was you who gave him the blood.”

Dare shrugged. ”I didn”t think you had time to ask him, and it doesn”t matter to me if he knows. I hope I”ll never be petty enough to withhold something like blood just because the recipient is a dick. I didn”t do it for thanks. I did it because it was the right thing to do, not that he”d see it that way.”

Peter sat back in his chair, sighing. ”If he asks, I”ll tell him. Otherwise, I”ll let it go. I don”t think it would change his mind about you, or I”d tell him right away.”

Dare unexpectedly grinned. ”I don”t think he needs the excitement of knowing some of my blood is in his body keeping him alive, despite his shitty attitude towards me. I think the cosmos has a sense of humor, and this joke is definitely on Mr. Stravetta.”

Peter chuckled quietly. ”You”re right, and at least we both know that. I”ve got to check on him one more time before I take a nap and pass his care to my techs. Take it easy today, alright?”

Dare stood up, giving the doctor a pleasant smile. ”I will, Doc. Get some rest. This has been hard on you, too.”

Peter rose slowly, using the desk to steady him. ”It”s a doctor”s life, just like being a Mindset is yours. Neither is an easy path, but at least we”re both good guys.”

”That we are. Rest well, and I”ll see you later.”

Dare left quietly to attend to the rest of his day and to care for his clients. Despite Stravetta”s attitude towards him, he was glad he would heal and be back to his usual unpleasant self soon, still wishing he would accept his empathetic help.

Sighing, he shook his head, thinking of the irony of his blood keeping Jason Stravetta alive, causing him to give an unwilling smile.