Page 45 of Star Defenders (My Alien Mates 2)

"I'll go check on that," Zarex said. "Edie, see to J'avet's arm." He trotted off before I could nod. So much for sticking close.

I frowned, but it wasn't as deep as the one on J'avet's face.

"I don't need help," he snapped.

"Let me look anyway," I said. "Medic's orders."

"That only goes for doctors." But he lowered his hand and let me get a good look. His skin was burnt as was the light fur around it, but it was shallow.

"You'll need to get that cleaned up and bandaged," I said, "but you'll live." Gently, I brushed away a corner of tattered fabric. When I did, my fingers touched his fur. A jolt of electricity passed through me, along with surprise at how soft he was.

"You're—"

He jerked away. "I'm fine, as you said," he growled. There was something in his eyes though, something which suggested he felt the jolt as much as I did.

I held my hands up in surrender and stepped away. "I'm going to see if Zarex is okay."

"You should stay here," he said. Before I might actually think he cared, he added, "You'll only get in the way and get him killed."

The second part was a good point, at least. I didn't want anything bad to happen to Zarex.

I nodded and looked away, but I was fuming. Partly because J'avet was such a jerk and partly because he was so confusing. He could be… Okay, maybe not nice, but something close to it. And then he could be a total ass a moment later. He changed so fast he gave me whiplash. Some part of me wanted him to whip me, but not like that.

I remembered what Zarex had said about the guys all giving me something different. J'avet gave me a challenge as much as he gave me a headache. Life was never dull with him around. He'd probably prefer to take a blaster shot to the head than be interested in me though.

"It's just us." Zarex's voice came out of the room before he did. He was followed by a haggard looking security officer. "And who knows how many nanobots who might search for a new home any moment now."

"We no longer need to go to engineering." J'avet gave me an accusing glance, which I ignored. "We should check the bridge." He accepted a blaster when Zarex handed him one.

Zarex nodded. "I can't guarantee that blaster is bot-free. Nor this one." He held up the weapon held in his hand. "But we might need them to save our asses. And Edie's." He offered me a warm smile.

I gave one back. "Does Edie get one?"

"You should return to the infirmary," J'avet grunted. "It's safer there."

"Safer, or out of the way?" I asked sweetly.

"Both," J'avet said coolly.

"We'll need her if anyone is injured," Zarex said in a tone which settled the matter. "Come on, we've spent enough time here."

J'avet turned on a heel, apparently done with us both, and started toward the bridge.

"Should we try to evacuate?" I asked.

Zarex looked rueful. "We could, but I can't guarantee we'd leave the Iri behind. None of the shuttles is equipped with a scanner. Not like the infirmary has at least."

I nodded. "Right, they aren't. I guess we're on our own to deal with this. Unless the IF decides to blow us up."

"Yes, unless that," he agreed. He looked rueful.

"Is…that likely?" I asked.

"If I was them, I would have laseredHalcyonto pieces by now," he admitted. "The threat to the IF is too great. What's a few hundred lives compared to that of every Freytaurian, or anyone the Iritauri might kill?"

"Not much, I suppose," I said. What a cheerful thought. "Still, it's my job to try to save lives until there are no other options. I prefer we do it that way first."

"Me too," Zarex agreed.

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