Page 71 of The Alien's Private Redemption

Angela yawned and Dr. Phillips stood.

"I think we should call it for today," the doctor said. "We've made significant progress and everyone is exhausted."

Ae-cha looked like she wanted to protest so Zoric stood and scooped Angela up in his arms. He was done with the cold, semi-sterile room, and the intrusion on his Bond. He could still feel Ae-cha probing for a way back into Angela's mind.

"Agreed," he said. "We've found a way forward and Angela needs to rest. I'll talk to Colonel Schuh about tomorrow's schedule once she's laying down."

"Zoric, you can't just-" Angela started to protest.

"I can and I will," he argued. "And if anybody wants to complain, they can take it up with me later."

Ae-cha shook her head and sighed. "You're right, Dr. Phillips, we're all tired. And I need some time to research what I saw in Private McBride's brain. If you'd like to go with me to report to Colonel Schuh, we can get it over with sooner rather than later."

Something in the way Dr. Phillips stiffened told Zoric she hadn't expected the invitation, and she may not have wanted it. After a moment of deliberation, she nodded.

"Very well," Dr. Phillips agreed. "The Colonel had asked for my observations and this is as good a time as any to give a verbal report."

She walked to the door and knocked, nodding to the soldier who opened the viewing hatch when he asked if they were done.

"Less to clean up today," Dr. Phillips said with a laugh in her voice. "And the room can be left as it is until tomorrow."

Zoric was shocked by the humor Dr. Phillips displayed. It was the most human thing he'd seen from her and he wasn't sure he believed it.

The door opened and he stopped worrying about the human doctor. His only focus was getting Angela to their room so she could take a shower and get something to eat. As much as she might want some alcohol, he wasn't going to allow her to drink before she had something on her stomach. She might not be able to feel how hungry her body was, but it was beating at him.

Without waiting for their escort, he followed his nose through the hallways, retracing his path to his room while Angela cuddled against his chest. Every step increased his urgency to get her away from everybody else and where he could take care of her.

She hadn't protested being carried like this, he thought, and that could only be another sign of just how drained she was. A brief probe at their Bond told him he was right, and that she was fighting to stay awake, now that they were out of the interrogation room.

Zoric didn't care that there were guards following them, and he didn't notice when they took up positions outside just as he closed the door behind him.

"Shower or bed," he asked. When she took too long to answer, he set her on the bed and started with removing her shoes. They were a slip on pair that did not put up any resistance.

"Wait," Angela protested. "Zoric, stop. I can take my own clothes off."

"Yes, but you didn't tell me what you wanted to do and you have conflicting desires when I try and read them."

"Which is why I hadn't answered you yet," she told him. "For now, just stop fussing and let me think."

The irritation that flowed down their Bond felt like a slap. He took a step back from the bed and held his hands out at his side. "Your exhaustion is beating at me, and so is your anger, and your confusion. I can't fix much but I can offer you some comfort and a chance to sleep."

Angela took a deep breath which turned into a yawn. "I want a proper shower but I don't think I can stand up long enough to take one. I'll settle for washing my face and taking a nap but I don't need you to hover over me while I do either of those things."

"We need to talk about some things before you sleep, as well," Zoric said. "And I can feel you flinching from the conversations."

She sighed. "Can they wait? You recognized something during the interrogation and I don't want to take the chance that-"

"Do you object to me sleeping in here?"

It wasn't his first choice of the questions he needed to ask but it was an important one. And it seemed to throw her out of her intended objections.

"Of course I don't," Angela said. "It's your room. I'm only allowed in here because of our Bond. Otherwise, I'd still be in a cell."

"Do you object to sharing the bed?"

She shook her head and blushed. Desire and embarrassment mixed with confusion flowed down their Bond and he took the opportunity to press.

"Do you want me to share the bed?"

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