Page 9

Chapter Eight

LEX

Somehow , I know the moment she pulls away from me and I jerk the sensory monitor off with a huge smile on my face. She saw me, even though she was nothing but a shadow to me, I knew the moment I connected with her in her mind.

Although I could sense her confusion and weariness, she still understood what I was saying. I feel like I want to run through the ship, yelling like a youngling. I had no idea how much I needed this connection, and despite the inconvenience of my hardened shaft at this moment, this is a major breakthrough. My body’s instant reaction to the sound of her voice was unexpected, but a relief at the same time. She is in there; I just have to give her a reason to wake up.

Putting the holo pad down, I disconnect the transfusion machine only to notice when I am taking the needle out of her port, that her skin around that spot has turned yellow. My first thought is that this is just a sign of bruising until I notice it in other places.

In between her fingers, the crease of her elbows, all around her collarbone, up the back of her neck, and around the edges of her face near her hairline is turning a pale yellow. A couple of dark spots I don’t remember her having on her cheek has me reaching up to wipe them away, only to find that they are hard. Gently , I rake my fingers over what appears to be old skin and become horrified when I see what looks like two small scales.

“ What have I done?”

In a panic, I start every test I can perform non-invasively. What is happening to her? Is this reversible? If not, when she rouses, how will she react to the changes I can clearly see upon her? The hover bed alerts me that she no longer requires its advanced services and that she can be moved to a normal medical station. I am slightly confused, because just this rising she still had multiple injuries that were still healing. What has accelerated her healing? Is my blood doing this to her? The list of questions keeps multiplying in my mind.

Lifting the bottom of the warming pad, I make myself concentrate on what was a broken ankle and not the feel of her skin in my hands, as I refuse to take advantage of her unconscious state. Even though she was naked when I brought her in, I was so focused on her injuries, I truly didn’t see anything else. The current scans show her completely recovered; this leaves me in amazement. I’d become so focused on getting her out of that coma, I neglected the few broken extremities she obtained in the pod other than putting them in a healing cast. Technically , there should still be several rotations before they are fully healed, and all this new data has me puzzled. Releasing her cast from the pulsators, I stand there for a moment pondering what the correct process is moving forward.

Now that I have found a way to connect directly with Rylie in the world she has created for herself, I am fighting the urge to push her to awareness or even to the realization that where she is … isn’t real. Would it damage her mind if she was to discover that it was all make believe? Would she turn from me forever, refusing to rise from her perpetual stasis? Running a weary hand across my face, I step back, trying to look at this situation professionally and not personally. Technically , I need to get her physical form comfortable first.

“ Destroyer , will you see if Qwin and Ember are available? And if they are, inquire if they have a moment to come to the med bay. I could use their assistance.”

“ Connecting now … Medic LeX , they will both be here momentarily.”

Quicker than I imagined, I hear the med bay doors slide open and in walks Ember , holding her belly as a very animated Qwin motions to the sudden size of her stomach. The moment they see me I am granted with two beautiful smiles.

“ Good Rising , you both look lovely as always.”

Qwin reaches over to pat my arm. “ Whatcha need LeX ? I was shocked to hear you were actually asking for help.”

“ Me too! Lord , I almost ran out of the room when the Destroyer notified me. I swear, I feel like ViN has made me a prisoner in my own home. He probably would have packed me here himself if the call had come when he was still home. Fortunately , he had just left to relieve EvO at the helm.”

“ Ember , you seem to have grown substantially in the last rising. Before you leave, I think it would be best if we got you scanned again.”

“ That’s fine with me, but please don’t call ViN for a basic scan. When I got up this morning, I felt like my stomach was going to tip me over. I truly thought this was all just in my head, but I feel fine other than the sudden waddling. Anyway , we can deal with me later, what can we do for you for a change?”

“ I am uncomfortable dressing Rylie myself. Any other, it would not have been an issue, but I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable with me when she wakes up.

Would you two care to do this for me? The med bots will help with the lifting, but they will need help to dress her properly. I’ve had the Destroyer design her several outfits based upon the choices your race normally chooses so that she will have some of her own things when she is no longer comatose.”

Ember smiles big at me. “ Seems like chivalry is not dead after all. I am sure she would have understood LeX , but I think it’s sweet that you are turning away from the temptation.”

Qwin starts going through the garments I have laid next to the bed. “ LeX , why don’t you step out and get something to eat? Ember and I can handle this.”

“ Thank you, I appreciate you both more than you realize.”

As I walk out of the med bay, I can hear the girls talking between themselves and it makes me smile when I realize how close they have become in such a short time.