Page 15 of Captain's Companion

Gwyn held her hand out, felt a pinch, and lowered her hand. “How soon will you know,” she asked hopping off the table.

“It will be a couple days,” Doctor Shifleman said. “Is your mother available?”

Gwyn shook her head. “She passed five months ago,” she said blinking rapidly to hold back the tears. “If you need access to her records, I can give it to you.”

“I’d appreciate it,” Doctor Shifleman said. “It will help to see if the anomalies are inherited.”

“I had them removed but still have them,” Gwyn said.

“Why did you have them removed,” Doctor Shifleman asked.

“My mother died on the job,” Gwyn said. “I wanted to respect her privacy.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Doctor Shifleman said, he locked eyes with Ulrik. “If you need to send them to me…”

“May I,” she pointed to the comp.

“Of course,” Doctor Shifleman said.

Gwyn typed in an address in privacy mode, asked Doctor Shifleman to provide a voice sample. “This should give you access,” she said.

“I’ll get back to you as quick as I can,” Doctor Shifleman said.

“Do we need to be careful,” Ulrik asked. “Should she rest?”

“I don’t believe she’s in any danger,” Doctor Shifleman said. “There’s some slight differences between her heart and a typical human heart.”

“Anything else we should be aware of,” Ulrik asked.

“She needs food and water,” Doctor Shifleman said. “I’ll see to it a regular supply is sent to your quarters over the next two days.”

“I’ve already put in an order,” Ulrik said. “It will be waiting for us when we return.”

***

“Why was he so careful,” Gwyn asked as Ulrik hurried her back. He took a different route back, along nearly empty corridors.

“It’s the Sinivite thing,” Ulrik grumbled.

“You didn’t want him seeing me,” Gwyn said. “You know you don’t get to choose my doctors.”

“No, I know,” Ulrik said. Looking up and down the corridor, noting no one, he pushed her against the wall, sank his mouth on hers and drank her in.

Her hands cupped his face, wrapped around his waist, and held him close to her. “I’m fine,” she murmured when he leaned his forehead against hers.

“Why did you take the meds,” he asked. “You’re beautiful.”

“Not everyone shares your opinion,” she said. “I wasn’t really given a choice.”

“I want to tear them apart,” he growled.

“I’d rather you focused on me,” Gwyn said. She rubbed her hand down the front of his hard groin. He moaned and pressed her against the wall. “Can you focus on me?”

“Fully,” he said. “I want to throw you over my shoulder and run back to my quarters.”

“You can’t,” she said grinning. “You’re the captain. What would people say?”

“At this moment, I don’t care,” he said against her lips. He inhaled her. Her scent, her touch, all of her aroused him. He needed to be immersed in her.

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