Page 21

Nell

Nell walked around the rehabilitation center, her senses on high alert. She jumped at every shadow and every sudden sound. Her heart thudded at every bit of movement out she believed she saw out of the corner of her eye.

“What’s wrong?” Maklr asked.

“Nothing.”

“You seem off.” Maklr sighed. “Don’t take this wrong. I know I’m not always the most tactful person, but you seem like the old Nell, prior to our time away.”

Nell plopped on the two-seater couch in Maklr’s office, propping her legs up over the armrest. “Yes and no,” she said. “Something feels off, but I can’t explain the feeling I have.”

“Can you describe it?” Maklr’s demeanor changed to medic mode in an instant. “Have you talked to Charlotte about it? Maybe it’s not a physical issue, but a mental health one?”

“Do you think maybe I’ve pushed myself too far? Or gone too fast? I mean, I’ve been helping you here every day since we got back.”

Maklr scratched his chin. “Perhaps.”

“Do you think I could be sick?”

“Doubtful, but to be on the safe side, let’s check.” Maklr pulled out an assessing scanner. “One moment. Let me calibrate it for human physiology.” He handed it to Nell.

She passed the wand over her body slowly, concentrating on the area around her temple and eyes.

“What’s wrong with your eyes?” he asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe I need glasses. Vision correctors,” she said. “How’d I do, Doc?” She handed him the wand.

Maklr stared at the screen. “Based on these results, you don’t need glasses. Your eyesight is almost perfect. Everything else seems fine.” He put the wand away. “What made you think you needed glasses?”

Nell huffed. “I’ve been seeing shadows everywhere. It could just be my mind playing tricks on me.”

“Shadows? At what time of the day?”

Nell nodded. “Yeah, shadows. All different times. Morning, evening on my way home. Sometimes when I’m here walking in a corridor. But we have a lot of construction going on, and there are building materials all over. When I walk past a pallet of supplies, the shadow disappears.”

“Hmm.” Maklr made a non-committal sound. “Maybe it’s something to worry about. Maybe not. I’m glad you mentioned it.”

“I’m safe here. Nothing’s out to get me, especially not with an entire building full of Klagan warriors around me.”

“What about when you’re not here?”

Nell shrugged. “I don’t go anywhere alone.

I’m always with people, even when I walk from here to the transition center or the park.

” She kicked her feet. “Security is tight at the center with all sorts of biometric scanners, checkpoints, and its proximity to the palace with the Royal Guards. No one in their right mind would try to get in.”

“You have a point.”

“When’s your shift over?”

“In an hour or two.” Maklr glanced at the clock on the wall.

“Don’t forget you have a watch on your wrist,” she said.

“My first gift from you. How could I forget?”

“Is it set?” Nell asked. “Well…” Maklr winked. He sighed. “I can’t tease you any longer. It is. After I’m finished for the evening, would you like to stroll in the park? Maybe we could get some of that dessert humans are fond of… creamed ice? No, ice cream.”

“Ice cream? I love ice cream.”

“I really like the white with speckled colored one.”

“What? Vanilla?”

Maklr shrugged. “I don’t know. It has crunchy brown speckles in it.”

“Chocolate chip?”

“That’s it!”

“Have you ever had chocolate on its own?”

“Not that I know of.”

“It tastes like frozen corul.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely!” Nell’s face lit up. “There’s a reason humans call that drink hot chocolate.”

“Sounds delicious. I’ll have to try it,” he said, glancing at his watch. “My break’s over. I have rounds. If you want to stay here and wait, you’re more than welcome.”

Nell tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m going to head to the family area. Our first family patient is scheduled to arrive for therapy today. He’s bringing his mate and child.”

“Celvhon’s appointment is today?”

“Yes. Charlie asked if I could explain how to work some of the more human apparatus to them.”

“Fantastic. I’ll meet you there when I’m done?”

“And we can get ice cream after?”

“Sounds like a plan.” Maklr bent to kiss the top of Nell’s head. They walked to the elevator, took it to the first floor, and went in opposite directions.

“Good evening,” Nell greeted the family. She walked over to shake their hands.

“Was this family center your idea?” the Klagan woman asked. “My name is Hannie. This is my mate Celvhon, and our daughter, Stella.”

“Stella?” “Yes, it’s a human name. She’s named after the human female who helped save my mate’s life,” Hannie explained.

“It’s a beautiful name and a touching tribute.” Nell smiled. “I’m sure the adult Stella felt honored. Aren’t you beautiful, little Stella?” Nell said to the child who couldn’t be over two revolutions old.

“Stella is a bit too young for some things here, but I bet you’d like the swings, right, sweet girl?” Nell guided the family to the swing set. “Do you mind if I demonstrate how to use it?” she asked, seeing the confusion on the Klagan couple’s faces.

“Please,” Hannie said.

“First, we’ll place Stella in the bucket seat and fasten the straps over her shoulders. I’ll show you how to do everything. Don’t panic. Then, we’ll push her together, then I’ll show your wife and the two of you will push Stella, and then you’ll be able to do it on your own.”

A look of determination settled on Celvhon’s face. “What if I hurt her?”

“You won’t.”

“I admire your confidence,” he said.

Nell laughed wryly. “It’s taken me a long time to become this confident.

I still have a lot of work to do myself,” she said.

“Here, place your hands in this position and give Stella a gentle push like so.” She demonstrated.

The little girl raised her arms in the air, giggling and babbling contentedly.

“I think she likes it,” Hannie said.

“Probably. Most human children do. I’ve never met any Klagan children. Stella is my first. I assumed all children would like the concept of a swing.”

“Where do I put my hands again?” Celvhon asked.

“Here.” Nell pointed.

“I can show him,” the little girl’s mother said. “I have an idea. Do you feel comfortable on your own for a few minutes?” Nell asked.

“Yes,” Hannie answered.

Nell rushed into the supply room. She rummaged around, looking for a small can of white paint.

When she found it hidden behind the much larger cans, she grabbed it by the handle and raised it up in triumph.

“Thanks Maklr, for wanting things in clinical white,” she said to the sky.

Nell walked through the corridor toward the family therapy area.

Halfway to the young couple, the hair on the back of her neck and arms stood on edge.

She hustled toward Celvhon who was pushing his daughter in the swing using his knuckles.

“Are you all right, Nell?” he asked. “You look more pale than you did before,” he said.

“I’m fine. I was just startled by something.”

Celvhon growled. His horns lengthened and his claws extended. “Is there a threat?” he asked. “My daughter is here.”

“No, not at all. I’ve been jumpy lately, that’s all. It was just a shadow.”

Celvhon gave her a look that she interpreted as he didn’t believe her, but he dropped the topic. “What’s with the paint?”

“It’s to help you remember where to put your hands.

” Nell opened the lid, dipped her hands in the paint and pressed them against the swing seat.

“The paint will be dry almost instantly. Maklr, the chief medic, made sure to order this specific brand because of its ability to dry. Sometimes, I’m grateful for his impatience. ” She grinned.

“Impatience or efficiency?” Maklr said, strolling into the family therapy area. He wore his civilian clothing of black pants and a loose black vest cut solo and showed off his sculpted pectoral muscles. “How is our patient doing?”

“I’ve been pushing Stella in the swing.”

Nell smirked. “Not the way I taught you.”

Celvhon huffed. “Fine, I’ll do it your way.” He placed his hands on the now dry paint and gave a light push. Stella screamed in excitement. “This is actually fun,” he said.

Another medic, one Nell didn't recognize, walked over. “Leaving early tonight, Maklr?” he asked. “I am. I finished my rounds earlier than expected.”

“That’s good,” Nell said.

“Oh?” the second medic questioned.

Nell looked at Maklr and winked. “Yes, someone owes me ice cream.”

They headed toward the exit. Hannie called out. “Before you go, I have a quick question for you, Maklr.” Nell waited by the door. Maklr trotted over to answer her question. “See you soon. You’re making good progress,” Maklr called once back at Nell’s side.

“Thank you,” the family replied. Stella, still babbling, waved her fists in the air.

“Time for ice cream?” Maklr reached for Nell’s hand. “Let’s go to the park and get a cone.”

“I’m not super hungry. We can share a cone.”

“If that’s what you want.” He paid for the treat, and they headed to a bench overlooking the city. Nell licked one side. “Hits the spot,” she said.

“Weird humans. I know that’s just a phrase.” Maklr licked the other side at the same time as Nell. Their tongues met, mouths forming into a kiss.

“It’s getting late,” Nell said. “I should get back, but I don’t want tonight to end. It’s been perfect.”

Maklr nodded in agreement. “As much as I agree, I should get you back home.”

Nell clung to Maklr’s arm, heading out of the park toward the transition center. “Maybe it’s autumn in the air and the cooler weather causing me to see things that aren’t there.”

Maklr stopped under a street light near Dorbound’s most popular club, Club Vortex. He leaned in, pressing his lips against her ear. To any passers-by, they’d appear to be a couple enjoying an evening out, taking a breather from the pulsing music of the nightclub. “You’re right. Something’s off.”

“I am?”

“I’ll get you home, but I’m staying with you tonight.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“Okay,” Nell said, her voice small. She jumped as a boisterous, drunken couple stumbled out of the club directly into their path.

“Watch where you’re going,” Maklr called. “Nell, do you mind if I carry you? I can make it to the center faster,” he said.

“Please.”

He scooped Nell in his arms, his stride sure, quick. Maklr didn’t stop until he made it inside the center, grateful every guard on duty knew him and didn’t force him to let Nell go. Once inside the center, he marched to the communal living area and put Nell down.

Nell started for the stairs. She was halfway up when she realized Maklr was no longer next to her. “Why are you standing there?” she asked.

“The guest rooms are on this floor. I should have asked first, but are they in use?”

“I know, but my room’s upstairs.” Nell walked back down the stairs to Maklr.

“Are they in use?”

“The guest rooms?”

“Yes.”

“Who cares?” She took both his hands in hers and stood on her toes to press a chaste kiss to his lips. “I’d sleep better knowing you’re with me like we did at the resort,” she said.

“If you’re sure.”

“Well, either you stay in my room with me, or I stay in the guest room with you. To be honest, my room is a bit more comfortable.”