Page 36 of Obsessed

"Well, yes, but?—"

"I'll get them."

I blink up at him. "You would? But you don't know what to look for."

"I've watched you work for weeks now. Red flower, tiny, little spines, grows in holes." He shrugs. "Unless you'd rather hobble down there yourself and fall into another pit?"

"That was one time."

"One time too many." His fingers brush my cheek. "Tell me what you need, and I'll get it. You focus on the science."

"Fine." I pull up my mapping software. "There's a ravine about two kilometers east. The conditions should be similar to where I found the first specimen. Just be careful of?—"

"The carnivorous vines, the poisonous spores, and the territorial carnivores. I remember your safety briefings." He grabs my field kit. "Anything else?"

"Try to get ones at different growth stages. And soil samples. And?—"

"I'm beginning to see why you talk to yourself out there." He kisses my forehead. "Stay put. Doctor's orders."

"You're not a doctor."

"No, but I'm the one who carried you back, so I get a say."

The quiet of the lab starts to get to me after Davrik leaves. My skin prickles, and I can't shake the sensation of being watched. I glance over my shoulder for the third time in as many minutes.

"This is ridiculous." I push away from my workstation. "I need company." It's weird, after months of solitude, I thought I'd never get used to being around another person again. But now that he's been here, being lonely feels like the worst thing in the world.

The walk to the kitchen takes longer with my ankle, but I manage. "Navi? You awake?"

"I don't sleep, Dr. Watson. Though sometimes I wish I could, especially during Davrik's karaoke sessions."

"He sings?"

"Terribly. Please don't encourage him." Navi's interface glows softly. "Just kidding. Could you imagine that guy singing? I don't think he even hums. Anyway, did you need something?"

"Just company. Mind if I bring you to the lab?"

"Anything's better than sitting here counting dust particles."

I disconnect Navi's portable interface and head back. "So, how long have you known Davrik?"

"Three years, four months, and seventeen days. Though it feels like centuries."

"That bad?"

"He's actually one of the better pilots I've worked with. Don't tell him I said that."

"Do a lot of pilots have nav systems like you?" I ask.

"Oh no, we're usually too expensive. My first pilot had me programmed with his ex wife's personality so he could boss me around and feel like a big man. But my, um, abrasiveness made me worth way less on the resale market. By the time Davrik got his hands on me, I was a steal."

"Wait, he didn't actually steal you, did he?" I ask, feeling nervous.

"Oh stars no, he found me in a dumpster."

The lights flicker, then die. Darkness floods the station.

"That's... not normal." My heart rate picks up. "The backup generator should have kicked in."

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