Page 19 of Attraction

“Well, I don’t have a lot of options. After our clash this morning, Jackson got my security clearance blocked. and now I’m not authorized to do anything without his say-so. Hanging around here reading is about all I can do. That and straightening out the storeroom, which I already did. Did you know there’s an awful lot of blood-bags in that refrigerator? Did no one ever think to organize that place before?”

“Guess it’s never been a high priority, not without a Medic. But don’t go movin’ too much shit around in there. Darius won’t be happy”

“When is Darius ever happy?”

He smiles, folding his arms across his chest. “So, he closed you down… yeah?”

“It would appear that way.”

“Well, I did warn you not to piss him off.”

“Yeah, well I didn’t think that doing my job would have such an effect, but I guess I don’t know him. So, want some of this coffee or not?”

“Yeah, sure, but I’m gonna take a quick shower first.” His phone rings and he answers it.

“Sorry, I have to take this,” Digby says. Then, he talks into the phone. “Hey… Oz, what can I do for you, man?”

Kat sighs, staring at the screen as she shuts down her laptop. She was so sure the info sounded like black-ops. Looking up, she frowns as Digby rushes back from the hallway. He strokes his head and Kat can see his concern. He paces back-and-forth, talking while staring at her.

“Okay! Yeah…. Okay, I’m on my way…. Yeah! Yeah, she’s here… all right. Yeah, I’ll bring her.”

Kat frowns, wondering who and what he is talking about as he continues. “Yeah, yeah, I trust her.” He hangs up, shoving the phone in the back pocket of his pants.

“Trust me? What’s that all about? Trust me about what?”

“Have you got a medical kit here?”

“Medical kit? Yeah, a basic one, just some stuff I keep in a bag for emergencies. Why? Ryan, what’s going on?”

“Get it… We need to go—I’ll explain on the way. C’mon.”

* * *

Ozzie is waiting in the hallway when they walk in. Kat looks at him and frowns. He’s a similar shape and build to Digby, but unlike Digby’s natural-toned physique, Ozzie’s errs on the side of plump. From a medical standpoint, his weight would be of concern if he didn’t work-out so much. Raking his hand through his shaggy blonde hair, he gives her the once over and Kat can see the worried look on his face. “You sure we can trust her?”

“Yeah, she’s good.” Digby smiles and looks at Kat. “Oz, I trust her.”

“What? You mean, ‘cause you fucked her? You know that doesn’t necessarily make her trustworthy.”

“She’s solid, and I already filled her in about the situation.”

Kat sighs, embarrassed. She wishes they wouldn’t discuss what happened between her and Digby in such a casual manner. “So, where is she?” she asks, gripping her medical bag tighter. The situation is less than ideal, and it makes her nervous.

“Through here.”

They follow Ozzie to the bedroom. There, on the bed, is a pretty twenty-something girl with dark hair.

“Ellen…?” Kat asks, concerned by the amount of blood coating the girl’s thighs and the towel laid beneath her. “I’m Kat. Is it okay if I take a look at you?” She smiles, attempting to reassure her.

Ellen’s frightened, and her eyes flit towards Ozzie, looking for permission. He squeezes her hand tight and smiles. “Hey, it’s okay. Kat works with me, she’s the team’s medic.”

Kat swallows nervously. Something here doesn’t feel right. “You know, Ozzie, she should really go to the emergency room. She needs blood, antibiotics and fluids, I won’t be able to treat her here.”

“You’re going to have to!” He turns and stares at Digby. “You said she was good. You said she could sort this.”

“Oz…” Kat takes hold of his hand. “Please, let me get her to the hospital. They will help her. That’s my professional advice.”

“No, we can’t go to the hospital. Shit… Digby, you said—”

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