Chapter Twenty-Eight
One week later
“I’m going with him,” Michaela insisted. They were back at Luturna Med to find out the results, and a new nurse-tech person, following the same policy stipulated Michaela had to wait in the misnamed comfort station. Not this time, lady! Mister. Whatever you are.
“The scanner is very large, and space is limited in the medbay.”
The patronizing tone got on her last nerve. “I know how much space there is in the medbay!” she snapped. There was enough room to squeeze into the corner.
“The rules—”
Fuck the rules! This situation didn’t fall under any rules.
“I’m going with him. If you have a problem with that, take it up with Dr. Kurur.
” It had been a trying week, her internal pendulum swinging between optimism and dread.
If Ruyn got bad news, he would be devastated, and she needed to be there for him.
If the news was positive, she wanted to share in it.
“I certainly will,” sniffed the unidentified alien nurse-tech of unknown gender who obviously disliked the challenge to his or her authority. “Wait here.” He, she, it disappeared, returning ten minutes later with a scowl. “Follow me.”
The disgruntled nurse marched ahead, and Ruyn whispered in her ear, “Remind me never to cross you.”
They both chuckled, laughter providing a brief respite from the worry and tension.
In the medbay, there being no chair, she leaned against the wall. After the blood draw, the nurse-tech had him climb into the scanner. “This could take a while,” she/he/it hinted.
“I’m in no hurry.” Michaela crossed her arms.
The scan process took about half an hour. The nurse-tech tapped into a medtab the whole time while Michaela’s nerves stretched taut. Finally, the flashing lights went out, the lid rolled back, and he sat up.
“When will we get the results?” she asked as Ruyn climbed out of the scanning bed. For god’s sake don’t say another week!
“I don’t know,” came the reply with a smug inflection.
Hold a grudge much? “In an hour? Today? A week from now?”
“You must understand we have our processes. You can wait in the comfort station. Dr. Kurur will summon you when he’s ready.”
So, today, anyway, she surmised, and they returned to the waiting area.
“I don’t think the nurse-tech likes you,” Ruyn said.
“The feeling is mutual.”
They sank into chairs and clasped hands.
Neither of them spoke. She wished she could reassure him everything would be all right, but she hated to put forth anything that might shortly be proven wrong.
The window of ambiguity allowing for all possibilities had closed.
There was only one answer, and they were about to find out what it was.
If they’ll hurry the fuck up.
“Michaela, if it’s not good, I want you to go—”
“That can’t be what you want.”
His face twisted with pain. “I want the best for you.”
“We settled this,” she replied calmly, although her heart raced with alarm. “The best for me is to be with you—”
“If you’ll follow me, Dr. Kurur will see you now.” A different nurse-tech, clearly female, entered the comfort station.
Michaela’s heart pounded in her chest. Please, please. Holding hands, they strode behind the nurse-tech who ambled with no sense of urgency. Don’t you know how important this is!
“That solar storm we had a while back was something, wasn’t it?” the nurse-tech said.
“Something,” she replied, attempting to discourage conversation.
“Do you live in the area?”
“Close enough,” Ruyn answered as she bit her lip to keep from snapping the woman’s head off. She almost preferred the disgruntled nurse-tech. At least he/she/it had moved faster than a lame turtle and didn’t try to engage them in chitchat.
Ruyn squeezed her hand, shooting her a sympathetic smile. About to get answers, he was unruffled, while her nerves were stretched to the breaking point. She felt like she was going to throw up.
Dr. Kurur was at his desk when they entered. “Ruyn, Michaela, have a seat.”
They took their places, still holding hands. Hers were clammy, sweaty, and cold at the same time. His were dry and warm. He radiated calm. This is how he is in an emergency, she realized. This is the deadly calm, badass alien warrior. He’s at his best when the heat is on.
A twisted bundle of anxiety, she was not at her best right now.
“The test results have come in,” Dr. Kurur said. “As you recall, Ruyn received four doses of the experimental nanocyte neutralizer delivered by injection a week ago. The serum was developed by Dr. Stratos on Oberia—”
“For god’s sake! Did it work or didn’t it?” Michaela burst out.