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“That’s how I knew you didn’t kill the Elodian. Because I did. I did it after you came out of that room, groggy and stumbling. It followed you down the corridor. I shot it right between the eyes, then I cut off his head. Rest easy. That thing’s death is on me, and I don’t mind one bit.”

“But this one,” the real Maklr jerked his chin toward the alien who lay on the ground, “he’s not dead.”

“No?”

“Mak wouldn’t let me kill him. Something about justice and some such nonsense.”

“He’s not dead?” Nell asked.

“No. I shot him, but the blaster I used was set to stun and incapacitate. I mean, he won’t be waking up for a while. When he does come to, he’ll have a motherfucker of a headache.”

“Good. And you’re sure he’s unconscious?”

Both men nodded. “Out cold,” Maklr said. “I checked before I walked over.”

Nell grabbed Maklr’s hand. They walked over to the downed alien. She shook with rage and started kicking him. “This is for everything you’ve done to me. Fuck you.” Kick. Her foot connected with the alien’s ribs. “This is for everyone you ever hurt.” Kick.

Philtan stopped her. “Here, I’ll make it easier for you.” He kicked the unconscious form onto his back. “Go to town. He won’t know it until he wakes up. I’ll stand on his arms for peace of mind.”

“Phil,” Maklr groaned.

He raised his hands up. “What? She needs it. And don’t tell me you didn’t kick him already. I see traces of your shoe print.”

Phil pressed his boots over the downed alien’s biceps, pinning him to the ground. Maklr spread the alien’s legs into a V. Nell kicked over and over until tears streamed down her face. She chanted names Maklr never heard.

“That’s enough,” Maklr said, pulling Nell away.

“I’m not done yet.”

“You are,” he said. “You haven’t killed him, but you could if you keep going.”

“Is it really over?” she asked, her voice small.

Phil bent and placed arm and leg restraints on the alien. “It is. He’ll be sent to a prison planet.”

“Maklr, tell me you’re not going to heal him. He left me to heal on my own, after he left me for dead.”

Maklr turned away, tossing the re-gen wand toward Phil. “If you use it, press the button in green.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

“Is he going to use it?”

Maklr shrugged. “It’s called plausible deniability. We can assume Philtan will use it. What we don’t know won’t hurt us. We can assume he will, since he is an honorable male.” Maklr kissed Nell’s forehead. “Let’s go home.”

“Home?” Nell asked.

“I figured I’d ask you to move in with me since you probably don’t want to be sneaking me around the center anymore.”

Nell nodded. “Let’s go home.”

Maklr walked up the steps to his house and entered. Nell waited on the porch.

“Hey, Mak?” Nell called.

“Yes?” he said, looking up from his tablet. “Phil’s taking him to the justice complex now.”

“Good, but that wasn’t my question.”

“No?”

Nell winked. “Wanna play doctor? I think we both need a set of mating marks.”