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“True.” Her brows drew together in an expression he’d come to identify as contemplative. “Maybe once I got used to your being an alien I wasn’t afraid because you were so good to me. You helped care for me.”

“Affirmative. Ikept you safe and brought you to my ship for healing.”

“And maybe I wasn’t afraid because you’re so handsome.” She brightened at that. “I’m sure that was a big part of it. You’re disgustingly gorgeous. And muscular. And you have a truly fine ass.”

He gave her bare bottom a pat. Such a sweet bottom. “Not as fine as yours.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled against him. “Does that mean I can get my translator to connect to Rory?”

Jo’Nay slapped a hand to his face. “I am not going to win this argument, am I?”

“Nope. But at least you know it without my having to make a fuss.”

He opened his mouth to retort then compressed his lips, giving up. “Come,” he said through gritted teeth. “We will get this done.”

He led the way to the med bay and released an exam table from its compartment before having her lie down on it. “Turn your head to the side. The translator goes behind your ear.”

“Will it hurt?” she asked nervously. “How big is it?”

“It is very tiny. And it will not hurt. There is a slight pressure when the anesthetic is applied.”

“Okay.” She turned her head and squeezed her eyes closed. “Do it. Do it fast.”

He cupped her head to keep her still and applied the device to a spot behind her ear. “It is in. The computer needs to download languages and create a direct connection to you. Lie still while this occurs.”

“Oh-kay. Will this part hurt?”

“It will not give pain. But it might feel—”

“Oh, jeez!” she cried out. “I think my brain is going to explode.”

“Computer! Halt download.”

“Download is complete. And my name is Rory.”

“Your name is whatever Ivexxingdecide to call you,” Jo’Nay roared. “Run a scan on my mate immediately.”

Fortunately, the computer decided to bring its misfiring circuits under control and run the scan. Aluminous green light flowed up and down Winn’sbody.

“Results,” he bit out testily.

“Scan complete. Winn is in perfect condition.”

“And the baby?”

“Also in perfect condition.”

“Oh!” Winn murmured. “I can hear Rory now.”

“What is she saying?”

Winn lifted an eyebrow. “She?”

Zitz. Why did he bother? “What is the computer saying to you?”

“She thinks you’re a bit of a grumpasaurus.”

His brows drew together. “What is a grumpasaurus?”

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