In the Void

by Sheryl Nantus

  “Eight hours?” Catherine squeaked, sitting up too quickly and wobbling to one side. “I couldn’t have slept long. I’d just woken up from a nap before, before—” She waggled her hands as if trying to turn a clock’s hands backward.

  “Here.” He offered a glass of water. “You’ve got to be thirsty.” He studied her as she gulped it down. “Yes, eight hours. And don’t start giving me any lip about it—doesn’t take a blind man to see you needed the rest. Your body knows what’s best for you even if you don’t. You were pushing yourself even before you came on board, preparing for this damned case, and now it’s all catching up with you.” Sean touched her burned arm, studying the pink skin. “And that’s healing nicely, thank you.”

  “I guess,” she said. Her stomach growled and she put her hand to it, blushing. “This clock tells me it’s time to eat.”

  “Well then.” Sean grinned. “Let’s get you something.”

  * * *

  He pulled out the chair for her and waited for her to sit. They’d gone to the galley with Sean insisting she needed to get out of her suite. She refrained from reminding him that was exactly what she had been doing before her panic attack.

  “Now what can I interest you in?” Sean moved to the white panels. “A steak? Lobster? We have some lovely shrimp on hand if you feel like seafood.”

  “What?” She couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice. “Here?”

  “We carry a variety of foodstuffs.” He smiled. “We’re not savages out here on the edge. Everyone likes a good meal.”

  “Maybe a salad.” Catherine felt her stomach protest at the suggestion.

  Sean opened the panel and began tapping the buttons. “You need some serious protein to heal. Rabbit food is not going to do it.” One of the hatches opened. Catherine remembered it as the one leading to the cockpit.

  Sam steadied herself as she stepped over the threshold and into full gravity. She grunted as her boots hit the floor.

  “Captain,” Sean murmured. “I’m making a meal for Catherine. May I convince you to join us?”

  The tone in his voice was amazingly seductive.

  If he could sound that sexy about food—

  “Maybe,” Sam said. She sniffed the air as the delectable scent of a well-cooked steak filled the kitchen. “What are you making?”

  “Steak and scrambled eggs.” He threw Catherine a wink as he extracted the first dish from the panel. “Protein central.”

  “I can’t afford that.” Sam watched him deliver the plate, her eyes following every move. “Not on my salary.” She swallowed hard as Sean returned to the panel. “Maybe another burrito.”

  “Go ahead, Captain. It’s on me,” Catherine said.

  Sam wavered, pressing her lips into a tight line.

  Proud and strong. Catherine knew her type all too well.

  “Tell you what.” She cocked her head to one side, watching for any reaction. “I’ll split it with you. That’s only fair.”

  “More than.” Sam moved toward the table like a predator pouncing on fresh prey. “Thank you.”

  Sean placed a set of metal cutlery in front of Catherine with a cloth napkin. “Hot sauce?”

  Her stomach answered with a welcoming growl.

  He chuckled before going back to the preparation area and programming the food dispenser for a second plate.

  She couldn’t wait for the hot sauce and began slicing into the steak, the scent of the perfectly cooked meat making her mouth water.

  Sam settled in the chair across from her with a groan, stretching out her legs.

  “Too long in the chair?” Sean asked.

  “Maybe.” Sam grunted. “Still nothing from Daniel.” She glanced at Catherine. “Marshal LeClair. He’ll be here soon enough.”

  Sean placed a duplicate plate in front of Sam and handed her the cutlery. He put a bottle of hot sauce in front of Catherine. “No news might be good news in this case. He’ll be here as soon as he can manage it. You know that.” His tone was soothing, as if he was reassuring a female friend that her boyfriend was going to show up for their date.

  Sam didn’t say anything. Instead, she dug into her meal with obvious enthusiasm. Her calloused fingers dissected the meal into small fork-sized stacks ready to be eaten in sequence.

  Catherine felt very slow as Sam emptied her plate with quick efficient moves.

  Sam Keller hadn’t been a desk jockey during her time in the service. This woman had fought in the field—no one ate like that unless they were on the clock.

  Sean returned with his own plate and brought three water bottles with him. He smiled at Catherine. “I’d suggest a lovely red wine but I think that wouldn’t be wise given the situation.”

  “This is fine. Thank you.” Catherine worked on the steak, finding it fork-tender. Despite her hunger she ate slowly, savoring the experience.

  Sam finished first and carried her plate to the disposal panel. She scraped off a piece of whisper-thin fat into the incinerator before sliding it into what Catherine assumed was the dishwasher. The cutlery followed.

  “Thanks.” Sam sat back down. Her face had a bit more color in it. “I hope you’re feeling better.”

  “I am.” She scraped the last bits of scrambled egg onto her fork. “I don’t recall thanking you for saving me.”

  Sam shrugged. “It wasn’t a choice. We couldn’t leave you out there.”

  A gentle beep went off overhead, interrupting the conversation.

  “I have Daniel on the line,” Belle said.

  “Great.” Sam grabbed at the cloth napkin and wiped her mouth before stuffing it in a side pant pocket. “Put it on speaker.”

  “Hey, love. You still sitting there all alone in the dark, handling yourself and thinking of me?”

  Sean snickered as Sam scrambled to her feet. “Marshal LeClair. Thank you for calling.”

  “Marshal? Why are we getting all formal? You making up a new game?” The laugh rolled out of the speakers.

  “I’m in the galley with Ms. Rogers and Sean,” Sam growled.

  “Ah.” Daniel cleared his throat. “Yes, Captain. I’m calling to let you know I should be there within the next three hours or so. Got that other situation resolved and I’ve worked a slingshot maneuver to get me topped off speedwise. Three hours and I’ll be there.”

  “Thank you, Marshal,” Catherine said, suppressing a smile. If the marshal and the captain were hoping to keep their relationship secret they’d have to try a whole lot harder.

  “No problem. We’ll have you in protective custody soon enough,” Daniel continued. “Captain, may I have a few words with you in private?”

  Sam jogged toward the hatch and pulled the door open. “Of course.” She glanced back at the pair. “Excuse me.”

  She stepped through the hatch and back into zero gravity, her boots lifting off the ground.

  The door closed behind her.

  “Not so much of a secret,” Sean mused as he finished off his own meal.

  “It’s pretty obvious.”

  “Quite. But no one’s supposed to know.” He grinned. “It’s rough but they make it work. On the Belle we’re family,” Sean said as he put his plate in the dishwasher. He returned to gesture at her own empty plate. “We take care of each other. We support each other no matter what.” He smiled. “Including Sam and Daniel.”

  She couldn’t stop staring as Sean took her plate and cutlery away. “Thank you.” She had to say it. “Family? On a Mercy ship?”

  “There’s more to us than just sex,” he murmured.

  She shifted in her chair, suddenly self-conscious. “How long can they keep this up?”

  Sean chuckled and she felt her cheeks burn.

  “As long as they need to. Sam’s contract as captain is for fiv
e years, give or take a few thousand credits. Daniel’s a lifer so he’ll stay in the Service until he retires. But they’ll make it work.” He smiled. “True love always manages to find a way.”

  “You think this is true love?”

  “I think it’s what they make it. And right now it’s what they both need.” Sean cleared the table of the empty water bottles. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

  Catherine chewed on her bottom lip.

  If those two had faith in their love to make the relationship work...

  She let her mind wander over the possibilities in her own life.

  Starting with the man standing right in front of her.

  She rolled her shoulder. “I’ve still got a few tender spots. Can I get a reapplication of that cream?”

  Her pulse pounded in her ears as she waited for his response.

  He arched an eyebrow and studied her.

  “Of course.” He offered his hand to help her up. “Let’s go back to your cabin.”

  * * *

  He might not be a certified doctor or nurse but he knew enough to tell when burns were healing properly.

  Catherine Rogers was just fine, thank you.

  He followed her down the hallway to her suite, willing to see this game to the end.

  She began to strip down as soon as they entered the receiving room. Sean caught her glancing over her shoulder as she moved into the bedroom, checking to see if he was watching.

  “One minute.” Sean put the medical satchel down on the table. A few seconds of digging and he had the tube of burn gel.

  He pursed his lips when he saw the tiny amount left.

  On a whim he grabbed another tube, this one filled with regular aloe cream. “Coming,” he called out.

  She was already wearing the white robe when he entered, sitting on the edge of the bed.

  “Tell me what you’re feeling as I put this on.” Sean knelt at her feet, enjoying the sight of her bare ankle.

  He squeezed some cream into the palm of his hand and rubbed them together to warm it. “It’ll help me judge how the healing is going.”

  She moaned as he stroked her leg. “It’s numbing the pain again. Lovely.”

  Sean kept his head down, smirking. She wanted his hands on her.

  And he was willing and eager to oblige.

  “Then let’s continue.” He moved his hand further up her leg, resting on her hip. “And your shoulder?”

  “Still stiff.” She winced as she rolled it forward.

  “Not surprising. You slept pretty soundly.” Sean continued to apply the cream to the healing skin. “The important thing is that you’re doing better. You’ll be in fine shape for the trial.”

  “Yes.” The stress in her single-word response made him cringe inside. She sighed as he moved up her arm, lifting it to allow him easier access.

  He looked at her exposed breast.

  Perfect.

  He was sure the other one was as well.

  Sean had seen breasts before of all sizes. Some women had none, lost to disease. Others enhanced theirs. He’d treated them all equally.

  But these...these he wanted to love. To worship. Unlike any he’d seen before.

  Because they belonged to Catherine.

  He shifted his position and moved on the mattress behind her as he’d done before, forcing his eyes elsewhere.

  If she wants something, she’ll ask.

  After putting the cap on the cream, he ran both hands along her shoulders.

  “Not as bad as before but still pretty tight,” he murmured.

  That part was true.

  He began to massage the soft skin, digging his fingers into the knots and forcing them out.

  Catherine groaned and rolled her head forward to expose the back of her neck.

  Sean swallowed hard.

  Very kissable.

  Not for you, boyo, not until she asks.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “Much better, thank you,” she whispered.

  Sean moved to look at her face.

  She looked relaxed, calm.

  Sated.

  He finished up the massage with his own internal sigh and moved off the bed.

  “Hmm?” Catherine watched him with half-lidded eyes.

  “I’ve got to go check on the captain.” It was a weak excuse but it’d have to do. He couldn’t stay any longer if she didn’t want anything more.

  He couldn’t initiate it no matter how much he might want to. She might have started this but he wasn’t going to take it to the next step until she gave permission.

  “You’re very good at this,” she mumbled as she climbed under the quilt. “You should be a doctor. Or a nurse.”

  Sean smiled. “I’m happy here.”

  She shook her head. “Could be helping others get well. So many more—” Catherine yawned. “You deserve more.” Her eyes closed.

  He pulled an errant strand of hair from her cheek, savoring her responsive hum.

  You deserve more.

  Maybe he did. Maybe he’d done as much on the Bonnie Belle as he could.

  A sigh bubbled up in his chest, an old idea catching flame from almost-dead embers.

  I’m too old to be a doctor. But a medical assistant—

  Sean pushed the thought down and headed for the door. He had a contract with the Guild and no way to get out of it before his time was up.

  Besides, he had a report to finish reading.

  * * *

  The soft chime went off, bringing Catherine to full wakefulness within seconds.

  No dreams at all.

  “What’s happening, Belle?”

  “Marshal LeClair’s ship is arriving within the next half hour.”

  Catherine cursed herself as she threw back the covers. “I’ve got to get ready.” She wondered where Sean was.

  As if reading her mind another chime went off. “Catherine? Are you awake?”

  Sean.

  “Now I am.” She looked up at the ceiling. “Belle woke me up a few minutes ago.”

  “Ah.” There was a pause. “Shall I come over?” Sean cleared his throat. “To check on those burns?”

  “Sure.” Catherine heard the click as Belle cut the link.

  She rubbed her arm, feeling no pain. Mentally she berated herself for dozing off in the middle of Sean’s last visit like a teenager on her first drinking binge.

  She liked him. A lot.

  Despite what he was.

  She wanted to forget he was a Mercy man.

  She just wasn’t sure if she could.

  Within a few minutes the front door opened and a familiar voice called out. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.” She stood up and fumbled with the tie, pulling the robe tightly around her. “I’m fine.”

  Sean poked his head around the corner. “Do you want to go to the landing bay or wait here?” He smiled. “I’m sure he won’t mind meeting you here.”

  In a Mercy woman’s cabin?

  When hell froze over.

  Catherine put her hands on her hips. “Let me tidy myself up a bit and we’ll go see this marshal. If he’s coming all the way out here to save me the least I can do is welcome him on board.” She rubbed her eyes. “I’ve had more than enough rest. I need to get presentable.”

  “You’d be presentable in a garbage bag,” he mumbled under his breath.

  “What?” She stared at him, not sure she’d heard him properly.

  “Are you okay? I mean your burns,” Sean asked.

  She nodded. “All healed up. That last application did the trick.”

  “So you’re okay,” he replied. “You don’t need me t
o check them?”

  He sounded like a little boy denied a trip to the candy store.

  “Yes. No.” She realized they didn’t have the time for her to enjoy another “treatment.” “I think it’d be a good idea for you to wait in the outer room until I’m ready to go to the landing bay.” She glanced at the bathroom. “In case I fall in the shower or feel faint or something.”

  “Or something,” Sean deadpanned.

  “Yes. Thank you.” Catherine headed for the shower as fast as she could, not daring to look back.

  * * *

  They made it to the landing bay with minutes to spare.

  Sean looked around as Catherine fussed with her hair. She hadn’t needed his help, although he’d caught her peeking around the corner of the bathroom to make sure he was still there.

  Harry guffawed as he chatted to April who murmured something under her breath causing him to laugh even more. Bianca stood off to one side, frowning. He couldn’t begrudge her any mixed feelings on seeing LeClair again—the first time the two had met was to investigate her lover’s death at the hands of another courtesan. She’d made a point of avoiding Daniel when he’d made his visits to the Belle.

  Jenny had even pulled herself away from dealing with the salvage to see the marshal’s arrival, though she hadn’t bothered to change out of her oil-stained jumpsuit.

  Sam stood to one side, arms crossed. She’d changed into a fresh T-shirt and camo pants and her wet red hair signaled she’d taken at least one hot shower at Global Transport’s expense.

  She wasn’t smiling. If anything she looked bored and annoyed.

  Kendra nudged Sean with one elbow and nodded toward the door where the marshal’s ship would be docking. “Should be interesting to see this reaction. It’s been a few weeks since they got together.”

  Despite the situation Sean couldn’t help smiling. “Ah yes. The last inspection.” He looked at Catherine. “I expect they’ll try to play it cool with a civilian aboard.”

  “What do you mean?” Catherine asked.

  “You’ll see,” Kendra replied.

  A soft beep signaled the safe docking of the UNS ship.