by Lace, Lisa
"That could explain it," said Dr. Akar. "If he couldn't get her pregnant because of the contraception, his mating drive…"
"You don't have to draw me a picture," said the captain. "I'm well aware of my species' mating drives. He still broke the law when he attempted to mate Noc Walsh."
"He's a member of the royal family," said Counselor Du. "Do you really want to be the officer to bring charges against the Emperor's nephew?"
"I won't be the officer that's too afraid to do it."
"Gentlemen!" said Tracy sharply. "Where is Rev?"
"Noc Walsh, he is not your concern. The treatment will be finished soon, and you can explore your options then."
"I don't want to 'explore my options.' I don't want treatment. I want Rev! Where is my mate!"
Everyone paid attention to her then, staring at her with incredulous looks for uncomfortable seconds.
"Gentlemen," said the counselor. "Let me have a few words alone with Noc Walsh."
The doctor was relieved, but Captain Sa-Moten seemed upset when they left. The nurse looked at her and smiled. "Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?" she asked.
Tracy's stomach growled as if in answer to the question.
"What sort of things do you like to eat?"
"My species are omnivores. We'll eat anything if it goes down the pipe."
Nurse S’den chuckled. "Sounds efficient. I'll see what I can find."
When the nurse was gone, Ja-Idin took her hand gently. "It appears you have strong feelings for Tracker Ar-Reven."
The counselor seemed so gentle and kind, Tracy relaxed. "In the short time I've known him we've been through a lot."
"Yes, I can see that. Still, you call him your mate."
"He calls me that. I suppose I started thinking about him that way too."
"You don't have to.
Tracy thought about that. "But what if I want to?"
The counselor smiled. "That is a very good question. There would be a number of things to work out, and Ar-Reven's options may be limited."
"I don't care if they are limited. I just want him."
"Are you sure your sentiments aren't the result of the venom?"
"Venom." Tracy shivered. "I didn't know the mating bite had venom, but it makes sense thinking about it now. The doctor said I was resistant to it, right?"
"Correct. The venom does not bind you to Ar-Reven as it is meant to."
"And what about Rev? How much trouble is he in?"
Ja-Idin shook his head. "It would be a mistake to speculate on that. There are factors on both sides. He did break two serious laws: using his mating bite and attempting to mate with a nonaligned world citizen. He may be shown mercy because his work exposed a very large wiver's ring. We were able to rescue a number of abducted women and arrest key members of the ring. He helped many people and put some dangerous criminals out of business.
"If he doesn't get better, however, all of that is inconsequential."
"Wait, he's sick?"
The counselor nodded. "Dr. Akar isn't sure why."
"Take me to him. Take me now."
"Noc Walsh—"
"Tracy. My name is Tracy. Take me to Rev."
"I don't think that’s a good idea."
"I'm asking you to."
"Relax, Noc Walsh! Give me a minute."
Tracy watched as Counselor Du went to the wall and pressed some buttons. Immediately the wall to the cubicle dissolved and revealed another bed.
Rev, his skin a pale green, lay so still Tracy was afraid he was dead. She tried to get up, but the counselor pushed her down. With a gentle shove, he pushed the two beds together. Tracy twisted and took Rev's hand and put it to her cheek.
His hand was cold.
"What's wrong with him?" she asked.
"All we know is that when we found you both, he was in a feral state. He wouldn't let anyone touch you, and when we tried to get close, he growled and tried to attack. You were unconscious, and later we learned you had a high fever. We think this is because your body was working to form antibodies to Rev's venom. The soldiers tranquilized him, and he hasn't woken from that yet. We have many questions ourselves."
"Can these beds hook together?"
"Yes."
"Please do that."
Silently the counselor did as Tracy asked, and she slipped over to Rev's still form. She gathered him in her arms, hoping she could warm him with her body heat. The nurse came with a tray of food, but when she started to say something, Ja-Idin shook his head, so she set the tray down and left. The counselor stepped back and stood without a word, observing Tracy as she kissed Rev lightly and rubbed his hands between hers.
"Come back to me, please. I'm by myself here with these people I don't know. Don't leave me alone with them."
She held him, rubbing her hands over his body and whispering in his ear. Maybe she was kidding herself, but he started to feel warmer. She moved to his ear and spoke softly, telling him how much she needed him. Finally, her efforts were rewarded by Rev moving his fingers against hers.
"Let me sleep a little longer," he said in a hoarse whisper. "I'm so tired."
Tracy looked at Ja-Idin triumphantly. "Did you hear? He spoke."
The counselor nodded, though he looked terribly sad.
"Yes, Noc Walsh, he could not help but return when you touched him. I have witnessed all of this. Now eat, then sleep. You both have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow."
Tracy was so happy she didn't pay attention to the gravity with which he spoke to her or mind when the nurse came to draw blood. She thought nurse S’den would insist that she sleep alone in her own bed, like they would in an Earth hospital, but the nurse did not care where she slept. Tracy settled in next to Rev, feeling content and safe for the first time in days.
By morning, Rev was able to sit up, his color much better. Tracy was happier than she could ever remember being to see the big green guy smiling at her, his hair hanging on his forehead.
"I see you finally got some clothes," he said, one eyebrow raised.
Tracy looked down at her gown.
"Yes, hospital clothes are just as fashionable here as on Earth."
The nurse brought them some breakfast.
Tracy wrinkled her nose at the things on Rev's plate.
"What is that?" She pointed to something green that vaguely resembled seaweed.
"Jamock. Try it."
"No, thanks, I think you'd be better off with survival rations," she said, biting into a yellow fruit. It was very sweet, a little sweeter than a pear, with a little tartness to it.
"Jamock is a man's food anyway. Lots of good stuff for—"
"For making mating venom?" she asked innocently.
He took a sharp breath.
"So you know about that."
"The doctor and the counselor told me. They said you bit me at least six times."
"Six," he said, disbelief in his voice. "Oh gods, Tracy, I'm sorry."
"It is what it is, Rev, but they said the only reason you did that was because ours is a 'failed mating.'"
All color drained from Rev's face then, and he looked as pale as the day before.
"I refuse to believe that," he said sharply.
"You can believe that, Tracker Ar-Reven."
Captain Sa-Moten stood in the doorway of the sick bay.
"Captain," said Rev crisply.
"Sa-Moten of the southern tribes."
"Yes, I know of your family. The Sa family are known for their devotion to the Emperor."
"Yes. It's a shame the Emperor has such a poor representative of his own family."
"Hey!" said Tracy. "Don't speak to him like that."
"Tracy," said Rev, "please. You don't understand what's going on here."
"Well, he can't come in here and give a patient a hard time," Tracy said indignantly.
"What is wrong with you?" she turned on Sa-Moten. "The man has been through hell, and I know that if it weren’t for him, your trackers wouldn'
t have scored against a huge wiver's organization. Isn't that what you are supposed to do? Go do your job, and don't come in here again unless you can keep a civil tone."
The captain's eyes widened. He turned on his heel and left the sick bay.
As Rev stared after him the doctor came in through another door, followed by Counselor Ja-Idin Du.
"You were right," said Dr. Akar.
"Sadly, yes," said the counselor.
"And it seems particularly strong."
"What are you talking about?" said Tracy.
"Noc Walsh, with all due respect, in the limited time you have been aboard this ship you have been irreverent at best and certainly disrespectful. The captain is very well respected and has many accomplishments. You were recently picked up from a nonaligned world. Races like yours are rare, and if your behavior encourages disobedience from other races in the Aligned Worlds, your entire race is considered dangerous," said the counselor.
"Hang on a second. You can't judge everyone on Earth by my actions!" shouted Tracy.
"Dangerous?" protested Rev. "Tracy isn't dangerous."
"Did you not just see, tracker, how Noc Walsh ordered a highly decorated senior officer in the Enforcement Wing out of the sick bay as if he were her servant?"
"Well, he deserved it," said Tracy.
"No, Noc Walsh, he did not," said Ja-Idin. "He has every right to discipline Tracker Ar-Reven for your actions."
Rev and Tracy raised their voices at the same time, each making different arguments.
Ja-Idin Du held up his hands.
"Please, harmony."
Rev fell silent, and with a huff, Tracy leaned back in her bed.
"Tracker, imagine the damage a Terran, any Terran, could do if allowed to move freely through the Aligned Worlds."
"Allowed?" said Tracy. "What does he mean, Rev?"
"It means," said Rev, "they plan to take you away from me."
"What!"
"Tracker Ar-Reven is correct. Of course, it has not been formalized, not until after the trial, but once it is, Earth and its inhabitants will be interdicted, forever banned from galactic civilization."
"They are called ‘counselors,’" said Rev sullenly, "but their real function is as police. They police behavior."
"Well, that's not all we do, but that is part of it. Noc Walsh, we will take you back to Terra after the trials of Jaal and his men."
"You can't do that to her. She doesn't know..."
"Silence, Tracker Ar-Reven. We will help you with your 'love' for the Terran, and you can return to work. There will be no repercussions on your career. This is the best outcome for you."
"No," said Rev. "I refuse any treatment."
"That is your right, Tracker Ar-Reven, but be aware, after the trials, Noc Walsh will be quarantined on her homeworld. You will not be allowed to go with her."
"Get out of here!" ordered Tracy. "Get out!"
The doctor backed out of the room, while Ja-Idin Du stood there, thinking about what to say. Finally, he sighed.
"Do you not see how dangerous her behavior is? Good day to you both."
He bowed and left the room.
Chapter Thirty
Tracy folded up on herself, hugging her knees and then rocked on the bed. Finally, she sobbed, and tears flowed. Rev sat watching her, not knowing what to do.
"Tracy," said Rev, "I will not allow them to—"
"Oh yes you will, Rev. You will do everything they say. Being with me is dangerous. You heard them."
"I don't believe …"
She sobbed more then, and Rev was at a loss.
"Dying would be preferable to being without you," he said.
"No! Never say that. I couldn't live knowing you’d died for me. Rev, I just couldn't. You've got to have your life, work, find a mate, and have children. If you didn't do that, I couldn't live my life."
Rev reached over to Tracy, drew her close, and put his head to hers.
"I have a mate. You. It will always be you."
"They said—"
"I don't care what they said. There is only one thing I know. Before I met you, I was truly alone. You do not know. There are so many people at the palace. I was one relative among a multitude. Aside from my brother and father, no one cared whether I came or went or what I did with my life. But you, you do care. Everything you say and do tells me that you are concerned for my welfare. Even now, you are trying to push me away because you think that is what is best for me. But I know what is best for me, and that is you."
"Rev," she said, tears lining her eyes.
"Shh, don't cry," he said. "I'm never letting you go. Ever. Trust that I will find a way to keep us together."
Slowly, very slowly, he kissed her.
"That," he said when he pulled away, "that is one reason why I always want you." He kissed down her neck and licked at his mating bite where her neck joined her shoulder. She shivered from the tingles his kiss sparked in her.
"And that's another," he whispered.
He let his tongue trail down her breast and took a nipple in his mouth. He sucked on it, swirling his tongue around the pink nub, and she arched her back,
sighing with pleasure.
He licked under her breast and down her stomach to her navel. He swirled his tongue there, and her muscles clenched. She’d had no idea that could feel so good. Soon he tongued her mound, touching every inch of her flesh, around, down between her legs, between the folds that held her clit. Tracy climbed higher with every stroke of his tongue.
"Please, Rev," she said. "I need you."
He rumbled in pleasure as he pulled her clit into his mouth, sucking.
"Fuck!" Tracy trembled. The sensation of his mouth was too much. With each inhalation of his breath and each draw of her flesh into his mouth, she wanted to scream at him to stop, but she didn't. Instead, she grabbed his hair with her fists and guided him to less sensitive folds. His insistent tongue found her flesh slick with her juices, and he pushed inside her, working his tongue all around. Pressure built inside her, and she rocked her hips against his face, wanting more, then flying apart, gasping and pulling him, urging him for more.
She lay in the bed gasping, and Rev kissed her. He put her hand on his cock, hard and needy, urging her to stroke it. He shivered as her touches stoked his heat and the ridges on his cock inflated. Rev breathed heavily now. Tracy pushed his cock towards her entrance, pleasure shooting through her as his glorious head entered her. Rev made a little noise of satisfaction, as if this one act was more than enough to please him.
"Now," said Tracy. "Fuck me now."
With a thrust of his hips he entered, and Tracy shifted her pelvis, urging him to move inside her. He moved slowly, every inch of movement a tease that hinted at pleasure to come.
"Not fair." She pouted. "Fuck me! Fuck me hard."
He pushed hard, filling every part of her, and she whimpered.
"Rev!"
He moved at a steady pace, a gentle rocking that heightened her desire but did not quench it. With urgency, Tracy grabbed his hips and pulled him into her.
"Now!"
He bent his head and kissed her, his tongue filling her mouth. He moved faster inside her. She could only whimper as he built the heat in her, every part of her crying for release. Her heart beat hard in her chest, and she tossed her head, feeling the start of a fire that began where Rev joined with her. She cried out his name, and a few seconds later, he cried out hers as he let go within her.
* * *
The sick bay was quiet. The lights were dimmed. Tracy lay stiffly next to Rev, her hands clenched by her side. Everything she’d learned the past couple days swirled in her head. She glanced over at Rev, who was peacefully sleeping.
He'd do it, she thought. He'd give up everything in his life for me.
Despite his protestations that she was more important to him than anything else, Tracy could not let Rev make that sacrifice.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a movement at the door, and s
he sat up.
"Hello, Noc Walsh." It was the nurse.
"Yes, what do you have there?"
"Clothes for you and Tracker Ar-Reven."
"Thank you." Tracy saw that her clothes were a plain shirt and slacks, while Rev's clothing was an official uniform. She'd like to see him in that uniform. He'd look hot.
"Noc Walsh, let me help you to the showers."
"If you point me to them, I'll go myself."
"It's the sick bay rules. I must accompany you."
Tracy shrugged. "Then let's go." She slid to the floor and followed nurse S'den through the hallways to the showers.
Inside, the nurse handed her towels and soap.
Once the shower had started, and no one could overhear the conversation, the nurse whispered in Tracy's ear. "I'd like to help you."
"I can handle a shower myself."
"That's not what I meant. Counselor Ja-Idin Du's people are more than a little invested in their place in the galactic government. They are very powerful, and some of us believe the Dus are corrupt and do not want another race to usurp them. Your presence is a threat to them, and they will do everything they can to make that threat go away."
"Are you telling me they’re bullshitting me and Rev?"
"The words they say are true. The intent, however, is not honorable."
"All the more reason for me to go home."
"No! Listen, please. Among my people there is a story, a prophecy, if you will. It says this:
One who comes from a distant star
From ancient royalty
Will come to take
The Galactic Seat
So that all people may live
In peace and harmony
"That's very nice," said Tracy, "but that isn't me. I'm just a paper girl, and you folks seem to have things pretty good here."
"For some of us, Noc Walsh. Many people suffer. You've seen yourself how people are abducted and enslaved, and the government does nothing."
"They have trackers, like Rev."
"The trackers are not given enough resources to do their jobs properly."
Tracy shook her head.
"Ja-Idin Du is right. My being here is just stirring up trouble. You folks have to work out your problems; I have enough of my own."
