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

17. Chapter 17

Riis contacted Dare the next morning to meet him for breakfast. The empath woke at his usual early hour, determined to stay on schedule. Meeting his friend at oh seven hundred wasn”t a hardship, as he”d been up for over an hour.

Riis was his usual bright-eyed self, giving Dare a big smile after the empath inquired about how he was feeling. ”I feel so much better. Slept hard, but then I usually do. I contacted the captain, and he”s fine with you doing the check-ins, so I can focus on catching up on all the damn paperwork. The captain told me to tell you he”s thankful that you”re willing to help outside your field of expertise, and that he appreciates it.”

Riis bowed his head before glancing back up at his friend. ”I appreciate it, too. I think you”ll get a better reception from the officers, not to mention Mr. Stravetta. The captain suggested checking on everyone, starting tomorrow at the earliest. I think he expects the officers to complain directly to him, but hopefully not about how I treated them. He”ll shut down any problems, especially since he”s camping in his office. To be honest, I”m more concerned about Mr. Stravetta.”

Dare nodded, keeping his expression bland. ”I”ll check on everyone anyway, in the interest of ship harmony. I”m more concerned about Stravetta, too, so I”ll be more solicitous with him.”

Riis wiggled an eyebrow at him, causing the empath to shake his head. ”Not going there, Mr. Sorenson, so stop trying to fish information out of me, not that you could. I can keep a secret forever and have.”

The younger man frowned, giving Dare a look of mock outrage. ”As if I”d do that. I know about confidentiality since I work with sensitive information for the captain.” Outrage fading, he ducked his head. ”I was mostly hoping for gossip, but then realized who I”m talking to.”

Dare stared at him for a moment, then took a drink of his coffee. ”Sorry to disappoint, but I don”t gossip…much, and never about the people I care for.”

Riis looked dismayed as he shook his head. ”I”m not disappointed in you, laconic Scot that you are. Like I said, I understand. Nice play on words there, too. No, I”m not intimating anything. Sheesh, calm down, Mindset. It”s too early to get pissed off.”

The empath took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. He eyed the younger man sternly. ”I don”t know what it is about you that can get me going, but I swear, you”re very good at it. You sure you don”t have any gift talent swimming around in your head?”

”Pretty sure. I was tested years ago, and came up null, thank every God known. I think you”re confusing being very observant and intuitive with having a gift. Basically, I”m just nosy and don”t know how to take a hint, often. I”m not special like you are.”

Dare relaxed, chuckling softly. ”Having a gift doesn”t make me special. It”s mostly a burden, really. Now, you are special with a talent for bringing people together, and organizing everyone, as well as being kind and thoughtful. Never think you”re anything other than a gift to those you know.”

Riis gave him a genuine smile, with none of his usual snark. ”Thank you, Dare. I appreciate that and hope it”s true.”

The Mindset nodded, smiling in return. ”It is my friend. Mindsets see very clearly, and that is what I see in you.”

The younger man”s expression radiated happiness. ”I don”t know what to say, except you”ve given me a wonderful start to my day of unending paperwork. Thank you for being such a great friend.”

The Mindset grinned. ”It was my pleasure, as is knowing you, with some exceptions.”

”You had to say that, didn”t you? I can”t be too perfect, or it wouldn”t be fair to anyone else.”

Dare nodded agreeably. ”Of course, that”s the reason, Riis. Of course, it is.

Everything remained quiet for several days. Dare checked on the officers and was thankful to hear no complaints. They were all subdued, so he was sure the captain had shut down any criticism before he”d done his check-in. The Mindset tried to see Jason Stravetta, but he did not answer his door. Lewis heard him attempting to see his boss before opening his door to invite Dare in.

”I think the boss is working. He doesn”t like to be interrupted when he”s in the middle of something. Is there a problem?”

Dare looked up into Lewis”s concerned eyes and shook his head. ”I”m doing routine check-ins for Riis. I can”t sit around like a passenger when there”s something I could be doing. Are you, Derek, and Mr. Stravetta settling in alright? Do you need anything I can provide?”

Lewis managed a smile, showing that Dare should sit in the room”s only chair while he took the couch. ”Derek and I are doing fine. Mr. Stravetta is too, although he likes more privacy than the crew deck can give him. I don”t think there”s anything to be done about that until we can move back up to our deck.” The big man frowned, giving the empath a concerned look. ”I think he”s having more of a problem with this than any of us know, but he has said nothing, so I”m…worried a bit, I guess.” The Mindset gave him a questioning glance. ”I can”t talk about Mr. Stravetta’s business, Dare. Not without his consent.” Lewis managed to smile with a little effort. ”How are you doing with all this?”

The empath shrugged. ”I”m used to living around a lot of people, plus my room is bigger than what I had on Earth. I have very strong shields to contain my gift and prevent bleeding over from everyone here. That”s day-to-day stuff for me. This shutdown has everyone off schedule and that”s a stressor. Fortunately, it”s not caused any problems so far. Hopefully, we”ll have less than a week to go before we get back to speed.” He shot Lewis a keen glance.

”Please let Mr. Stravetta know I came by to check in with him. If he needs me to assist him with anything, let him know I”m available to do so.” He made eye contact with the other man. ”Lewis, I know about not talking out of turn and getting consent. I”m willing to help if something comes up. I don”t know if that will help you or not, but I mean it.” The empath nodded, giving the other man a warm smile. ”Take care of yourself, and I”ll hopefully see you at the next poker game, whenever that is.”

Lewis smiled as he stood up. ”I will pass that message along, Dare, and thank you. It”s good to know that you”re willing to help if that”s needed. If you want to play a few practice hands, let me know. I”ve got lots of time to kill right now.”

Dare grinned. ”I might take you up on that, although I don”t think anyone really wants me to win, given I”m a Mindset, and all that. I don”t need luck to win, you know.”

Lewis nodded shortly. ”Yeah, I know, but I also know you”ve got integrity that prevents cheating like that. The offer stands.”

”Thanks, Lewis. I mean it. If you need me, call me. I can only sleep so much each day, and even reading is beginning to pall.”

Lewis chuckled. ”I hear you. Take care and don”t run all over the ship checking on people.”

”It”s keeping me out of trouble, and that”s a good thing.”

At the end of the first week in shutdown, trouble arrived. Dare was sleeping deeply, dampers on board. It took him longer than usual to wake, hearing the heavy pounding on his door. Stumbling out of his bed, he walked to his door on legs that felt like wood, palming it open.

Lewis stood at the threshold, visibly upset. The empath felt a frisson of fear from him, even through the dampers. ”What is it, Lewis? Mr. Stravetta?”

”He needs you, Dare. He had a nightmare and called out. I can handle that, but now he”s not letting me into his room. I”m worried about him. I don”t know what else to do.”

Dare scrubbed his face with his hands, taking deep breaths to help clear the dampers from his system. Lewis watched him hopefully as the empath straightened up. Dare gave him a nod of understanding. ”I”ll come, but I need to get my shields in place first. And get dressed. Go back to your room if Mr. Stravetta won”t let you in now. I”ll be there in fifteen minutes or sooner.” He paused, looking up at the taller man. ”You know I can”t help if he won”t let me. He has to consent first.”

Lewis nodded; his expression worried. ”I know, but I”m hoping he will. Or maybe open the door for you.”

The empath shook his head. ”We can hope. Okay, get going. I”ll be right there.”

The bodyguard turned, leaving as the door swooshed shut. Dare stared at it for a moment, before going to the couch to bring his shields up to full strength, repelling the rest of the damper medication. Doing his inner work calmed his heart and cleared his mind. He would help if he could, as he always did.

Dare met Lewis at Stravetta”s door exactly fifteen minutes later. Lewis shook his head at the Mindset”s questioning look. ”I tried to get in, but he locked the door on me, yelling at me to go away. I…I have a key, but I”m not supposed to enter without his permission.”

Dare gave him a steadying look. ”Do you think he might try to hurt himself?”

Lewis looked miserable. ”I don”t know. I thought he was getting better…he doesn”t like to talk about it. Everybody thinks he”s an asshole, but he”s really not. I don”t know the right thing to do.”

The Mindset nodded decisively. ”Unlock the door and let me in. I don”t want him to harm himself, and I can help him if he”ll let me. I”ll take responsibility, Lewis. I”ll tell him I made you do it if I need to.”

”You wouldn”t do that.”

”No, I wouldn”t, but I think I can sell it to your boss if I need to. That”s for later. Let me in now.”

Lewis leaned in, unlocking the door quickly. The door opened, and the empath slipped into the darkened room. He could barely see Stravetta, hunched over, sitting on the deck, his back to the door.

”Lewis, I told you to leave me alone. Get out of here before I fire you.”

Dare took a quiet breath before answering.

”It”s Dare. Lewis is still outside. I made him let me in.”

Jason scrambled to his feet, backing away. ”What are you doing here? I don”t want your help. Get out!” his voice raised in a shout.

Dare remained at the doorway; his expression shadowed in the dim light. He kept his voice soft and low. ”Lewis is worried about you, Mr. Stravetta, and his worry was strong enough for me to feel it without trying. I know you don”t want me here, but I also know you need my help. I will not force you to accept it.”

”You mean like last time? You forced your will on me–you frightened me. Just get out. I don”t want you here. This is hard enough without you interfering in my mind.”

The empath”s heart clenched, feeling Stravetta”s fear again. ”Circumstances were different. You were going to hurt me, attack me. I defended myself. I did not enjoy doing that to you, despite what you think. I know I am asking a lot for you to trust me after that. But I am asking Mr. Stravetta–Jason. I can help you. I will not treat you as a client, but as a friend. No notes will be done, and whatever you tell me will never be repeated. I can feel your pain, Jason. Let me take some of it from you.”

The older man turned, falling onto the couch. ”Why won”t you get out? Aren”t you supposed to leave if I tell you to?” Jason gave him an irritable glance. ”You think I haven”t received treatment before? Nothing worked. VA Mindsets are not strong or ethical enough to trust, and regular therapy was only a flimsy band-aid over my trauma.” He laughed mirthlessly. ”I know you can help, but at what cost? Scaring the hell out of me again?” He was silent for a moment before slumping back into the cushions. He covered his face with his hands, sighing deeply. ”Yeah, why not? Treat me. I can”t stop you, so I may as well give you my consent. Maybe that incredible mind of yours will take over and end me, and that”s fine by me. I can”t go on like this anymore. I”m so tired, and it never stops hurting.”

Jason leaned over his knees, arms hugging his waist, as he finished speaking. Dare walked slowly into the room until he was in front of Jason. Sitting next to him on the couch, he was close enough to feel his body heat and smell the faint aroma of an expensive, woodsy scent.

”Give me your hands, Jason, so I may help you. You are safe with me, and always will be.”

Jason turned, seeing Dare”s caring expression. His resistance was gone, and he no longer had the strength to fight on his own, but his fear remained. Raising trembling hands, he placed them in Dare”s. The empath held them gently, his touch warm and dry to Jason”s cold, moist palms. ”Take a deep breath and let me in, Jason. I will not hurt you.”

Jason stuttered in a breath before closing his eyes, and, with a surprising suddenness, he let go.

Only Dare”s ability as a Mindset One kept him from being overwhelmed by the amount of trauma and hurt Jason carried. Wave after wave of trauma washed over and through him until he began to form a coherent picture of what this man had experienced. War seen at first through idealistic eyes, turning into a horror of death, loss, and destruction. Seeing friends killed, blown up, body parts everywhere. The loss of his left arm, the ongoing pain, the knowledge that he was no longer whole. Finally, the rejection of his family, promises not kept, exile his only option, knowing he was unloved and unwanted.

Dare felt it all, as he worked to first clear the trauma left by Jason”s experience in war time. He lessened the memories, helping them to recede as time would eventually, even as he washed away most of the nightmares, leaving those with positive memories intact. He knew, as he worked, that it would take more than one session to heal Jason enough. His prosthetic wasn”t seated correctly, causing near constant pain. The doctor could see to that. As for his family, Dare felt a pang of loss in himself as he felt Jason”s. That trauma could wait a little longer and would take more time. The empath took a cleansing breath, compartmentalizing Jason”s memories away from his own consciousness even as he did so for Jason. He then began to disengage. They had been in rapport for thirty minutes. He could feel Jason”s fatigue, hopefully this would allow him to sleep.

The empath firmed his grip on the older man”s hands, then carefully released him. Jason slumped onto Dare”s shoulder, drawing in a deep breath before looking into the Mindset”s eyes, his own much clearer, albeit exhausted.

”Dare, I”m so tired, but I feel…my pain…it”s less. So much less now. I don”t know how to…it”s been so long.” His eyes pricked with tears. He tried to move away but Dare held him close.

”You will feel overwhelmed for a while. You carried so much pain, Jason. Some of it”s gone now, some still need work. Let”s get you into your bed so you can rest. I”ll help you sleep, if you wish.”

Jason nodded as the Mindset helped him stand, pulling the berth down from the bulkhead. Jason managed to climb into it, then Dare covered him warmly. Laying a hand on the older man”s forehead, the empath smiled gently. ”Sleep now, Jason, without nightmares, and wake up refreshed. I will check on you later today.”

Jason blinked, turning his face towards the empath. He smiled faintly, sighed, then uttered a breathy, ”Thank you,” before falling into slumber.

Dare bowed his head, noting Jason”s relaxed, serene expression, and felt an upwelling of joy that his gift had helped one so hurt. Walking stiffly to the door, he found Lewis sitting in front of it, keeping guard. He gave Dare a hopeful look as he stood, receiving a nod in return.

”Mr. Stravetta will be alright now, Lewis. I”ll check on him again later today. Let him sleep as long as he wants to–he”s earned it.”

Lewis sighed in relief, finally smiling. ”Thank you, Dare. I don”t know what you did but thank you so much.”

The Mindset bowed his head. ”I followed my calling, my friend. I could do no less. Get some rest yourself, and I”ll see you later.”

Lewis nodded, watching Dare slowly walk to his berth. He knew there was a cost when a Mindset worked. He also knew there was no treasure large enough to pay for peace of mind.