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

11. Chapter 11

After the excitement of a late-night blood donation, life settled down into its usual monotony. A week later, Dare heard via the ship grapevine that Jason Stravetta had been released from the infirmary and sent back to his suite to finish recuperating. He didn”t give that a second thought until he had lunch with the doctor, Peter Highland.

Dare usually ate his midday meal with Riis, Mike, and occasionally, Artie. Peter”s schedule was unpredictable, to say the least, so trying to set up a time to meet was more problematic. He just showed up when he was free and hoped to see someone he knew. Dare was lingering over his meal when Peter slid into the chair across from him with a huff.

”I thought I”d never get away today. One clumsy engineer, and the entire group shows up.” He took a long swallow of his flavored water. ”How are you, Dare? You must be healthy because I haven”t seen you in the infirmary.”

The empath nodded, smiling. ”I”ve been vaccinated for absolutely everything, and it”s hard to get injured when sitting and listening. Hopefully, you won”t see me at your place of work unless I’m an angel of mercy again.”

Peter grinned, shaking his head, then met Dare”s gaze. ”We can only hope. Before I forget, Jason knows you donated blood for him. He didn”t ask me but caught a tech to question. The tech knew it wasn”t a secret, so they told him. Apparently, he was outwardly fine with it. Who knows what went through his mind with that information, but hopefully, nothing nasty. I think he”s going to count his blessings and let it go.”

Dare shrugged, finishing his soda. ”I”m not worried about him visiting me or giving me trouble about it. It would be great if he was grateful, but I don”t need his thanks for doing the right thing. I heard he was discharged from your tender care, so I”m assuming he”s doing alright now.”

Peter shook his head. ”I would have discharged him sooner if I could have gotten away with it. He wasn”t happy to be under my care and didn”t mind telling me every time I checked on him. When he”s unhappy, he wants everyone to join him in feeling miserable.”

”From the little I felt from him, he”s not a happy man, so that”s not surprising. How”s the rest of your day shaping up?”

”You mean once the cadre of engineers believe that one of their own will live to rejoin them doing whatever it is they do?” Dare chuckled as Peter rolled his eyes. ”I”ve got staff reviews to complete and physicals to schedule when I have time. Usual doctor stuff.”

The empath nodded, giving the doc a smile. ”I”ve got to get my notes done from this morning, then I”m heading to the colony deck to check in before my next round of clients. It”s good to see you away from your lair, Doc.”

The doctor swallowed a bite of food before answering. ”Same, Dare. You going to make it to the poker game this week?”

”I hope so, barring any client problems. Enjoy the cadre, Peter, and I”ll see you later.”

The doctor nodded agreeably as Dare left, realizing that just talking to the Mindset had relaxed him. Empaths were amazing.

Dare finished his day, made his preparations for the next, then took a shower since it was his designated time. His trip to the colony deck always made him smile, but today”s trip had provided a bonus. He was sure he”d found another Mindset, a young man named Chance. He had no training, but when Dare spoke with him, he could feel his senses being calmed by his presence. He”d arranged to meet with him later in the week to talk. He”d have to open to him to be sure, but Dare was almost positive that Chance was an untrained empath. He would have to verify it, then set up a training regimen for him as well as teaching him the protocols needed to help others.

Luckily, Chance was already an open, caring young man. Hopefully, he would utilize his gift. If not, Dare would leave him as he was. He would not force him to accept his talent as he had been. Dare shook his head, shaking off the memories, then sighed, deliberately thinking of his meal with the colony.

He”d had an early dinner there, enjoying the vegetarian stew and fresh bread, as well as the company. Feeling renewed by the happiness that permeated that deck. They were an easy people to love and care about. A lifetime spent with them would not be difficult.

Glancing at the time, Dare nodded. He had a few hours to relax and read the novel he was enjoying before going to bed. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he stuffed pillows behind him and was soon engrossed in his book.

He was at a particularly tense spot in the book when his door chime sounded. He jumped, startled, eyes wide, before realizing it was only the door. Shaking his head, he slid off the berth, pulling his sleep pants up and his tee shirt down, before unlocking the door and opening it.

Jason Stravetta was staring at him from the corridor, Derek behind him. Dare took an involuntary step back, his shields raising automatically. Composing his expression to one of polite disinterest, Dare stared back at his visitor before speaking.

”Mr. Stravetta, I”m surprised to see you this late. Can I help you with something?”

Stravetta grimaced, then gave the empath a poor excuse for a smile. ”I want to talk to you. May I come in? Derek will remain outside.”

Inwardly cursing his good manners, Dare nodded. Leaving five feet between them, Stravetta came inside, glancing around quickly at the tiny space. The empath gestured for him to sit on the only chair that had been liberated from an unused berth while he jumped back up onto his bunk, tucking his legs under him.

The older man sat down stiffly, one hand on his incision, but made no sound. He watched Dare get back on his berth and settle himself. His gaze heated.

Dare returned the stare, then gave the man a patently fake smile. ”I have no idea what you wish to talk about, Mr. Stravetta. You made yourself very clear about how you felt about my gift the last time you saw me.”

Stravetta”s hands clenched on his knees. Then he struggled to take a deep breath, his gaze becoming a glare. ”I”m here to thank you, empath, for your blood donation. Dr. Highland indicated it saved my life. I want to know why you did it.”

Even with his shields as high as they would go, Dare could feel Stravetta”s conflict and confusion. His inner pain was palpable. The young man let his expression soften, then shook his head. ”I did it because it was the right thing to do, regardless of how I feel. Are you worried about being polluted by my blood or changing somehow? If that”s the case, then we can end this discussion right now.”

Stravetta expelled a forcible breath. ”No, I want to know what you want, what you got out of this. It must be something.”

The empath frowned. ”You think I did it to gain something, or get something from you?” He slid off his bed to his feet, done with this conversation. ”I did it because I would not willingly let anyone die, not even you. I”m sorry that you feel everybody has to be paid for doing a good deed, but then that says more about you than me. You have nothing I want, and I suspect, carry more than you can handle. If you ever want my help, I will help you, but otherwise, I think you should leave now. I”ve got an early morning.”

Stravetta got to his feet far more quickly than Dare thought he could. ”I know you want something. Everybody does. Tell me, or…” He took several steps toward the empath, reaching for him, his anger causing Dare to recoil.

The empath stepped back, hitting his bunk. There was no place to go, no escape. Panicked, Dare reached out with his mind, then grasped the hand reaching out to strike him.

Ten seconds after Dare touched him, Stravetta stopped moving, his eyes wide. The empath could feel his pulse pounding in fear instead of anger.

His voice soft, Dare guided Jason back to his chair, helping him sit, still holding his hand. ”I will not let you hurt me, Jason, out of anger or fear,” he whispered. ”I will stop you, but not harm you. Now you know I am not an ordinary empath. Feel free to share this with whoever you wish. We are in the black. I will leave this ship at the end of our voyage with the colonists, and doubt anyone will think it is worth a two-year trip to retrieve me.” He gazed at the other man, noting that his pulse had steadied.

”I am going to let go of your hand and step back now. I am sorry I had to do this, but I think you needed to know what I am, and how little you can affect me. Do not be afraid. I have never harmed anyone and have no plans to start. Please give me the same courtesy.”

Dare gently let him go, before pulling himself onto his berth again. Stravetta sucked in an audible breath, blinking a few times to clear his eyes.

”What are you?”

The empath fixed him with a cool look, then bowed his head. ”I am a Mindset One, newly escaped from Earth. My gift far outreaches that of a two or three, but fortunately for all, I am a trained therapist with ethics I will not override for any reason other than self-preservation, as I did with you. I mean no harm to anyone and wish to live out my life helping others, and otherwise being left alone. You may think of using me for my gift, but that is not possible without my agreement.”

Dare sighed, shaking his head. ”I know your anger arises from a place of deep pain. I could help you if you allowed it, and would do so, even after your attempt to hurt me. I can see from your expression that you do not wish to avail yourself of my gift.” He slid off the bed again, coming to stand closer to the older man. ”The offer of help will remain open. Please leave now, and rest. I can feel your discomfort and must sleep soon myself. Remember this, Jason, so take care. I do not want to show you what else I am capable of while defending myself.”

Stravetta stood up stiffly, and in obvious pain. He stared at Dare, his expression caught between anger and hurt, then turned without speaking to leave the room. Dare trailed him to the door, locking it after he went through, thinking to himself. He knows what I am and what I can do. I had no choice but wish it had never happened. The young empath sighed again, as he straightened his bed for sleep, his last thought circling. Where is my safety now?