Page 85 of Pets in Space 10

The examining room was crowded with Dahlia, Mike, and the doctor, but he did his best to stand out of the way while Emily did a quick but through exam and applied a healing ray to Dahlia’s damaged knee.

“You’ll probably have post-traumatic stress as well,” the doctor said in a matter-of-fact voice.

“Dreams, hyperawareness, possibly other things. You should have a session with Tyrelle Owen, the empath. She can be quite helpful. And of course I’m available any time.

I’d rather not medicate for this unless we have to. ”

“I understand.” Dahlia shivered, “It’s going to take me a while to get over the whole episode, I know.

I was pretty scared but I tried to keep him — Mr. Beck — talking.

” She looked at Mike. “Petal knew something bad was going to happen tonight. She pitched a fit when I was leaving until I went to see what was wrong and she gave me the lucky scale which I used to placate Mr. Beck. How could she have known I’d need it? ”

He came closer to the table and took her hand. “I’d say don’t overthink it, sweetheart.”

“I adopted her partly because she resembles the wish granting creature from my childhood fairy tale book,” Dahlia said, running one hand through her hair and realizing there was dust and debris in it from the events in the observatory. “Ugh, I need a shower.”

“We’re going straight to my quarters as soon as the doc is done,” he said. Turning to the doctor, he asked, “Do you have clothes here Dahlia can borrow so she doesn’t have to walk through Level A in the uniform?”

“Sure I’ll send the nurse in with a set of clean scrubs.” Emily assessed Dahlia one more time. “If you’re good, I’m going back to the sea of patients in the lobby now.”

“I’m fine, thanks. And I appreciate the loan of the scrubs.”

She ached all over and all she wanted was to lie down and maybe drink a cup of tea.

The nurse brought her a set of fresh blue scrubs and Mike had to help her get out of the uniform because her shoulders were stiff from being tied to the chair.

Mike stuffed the clothes in the recycler as Dahlia never wanted to see them again.

Once she was dressed, the two of them slipped out of sickbay via the crew passage once more and went to a gravlift.

Mike stayed close to her in the silvery stream during the descent to the level where officer’s quarters were located. He held her elbow as they stepped off together.

“I feel so ridiculous in these scrubs and the damn heels,” she said, limping a little. Dr. Shane had repaired her knee but there was residual soreness.

“Not far now,” he said encouragingly. “Want me to carry you?”

“In the worst way,” she replied. “But I don’t want people staring any more than they already are.”

“Fuck them,” he said and hoisted her easily into the air.

Dahlia giggled and relaxed against his broad chest. “Are you all right?”

“A few minor scrapes, nothing to speak of. Here we are.” Mike triggered the portal and got them both inside, taking her to the couch and setting her on the comfortable cushions as if she was made of glass. “What can I do to make you feel better?”

“I’m dying for a cup of tea. And I’d like my own clothes, but I’m not up to going all the way to my quarters and packing.”

“I’d do it, but I don’t want to leave you alone,” he said, going to the kitchenette and setting water to boil. He took Dahlia’s favorite mug from the cupboard and pulled a tea bag from the dispenser.

“I don’t want to be left alone,” she agreed.

He brought her the tea a minute later and sat on the couch next to her. “Did you mean what you said? In the corridor?”

Blowing the tea in a futile effort to cool it faster, Dahlia frowned, reviewing the last hour or so. Remembering she’d told him she loved him, she blushed and couldn’t meet his eyes. “Yes. I’ve known for a while I was in love with you, but I wasn’t sure you felt the same.”

“If that maniac had managed to kill you, the light and purpose would have gone out of my life,” he said. “You’ve become everything to me, sweetheart. I was trying not to rush you or overwhelm you because I know I can be intense sometimes-”

“Sometimes?” She laughed and sipped the tea, which he’d sweetened perfectly for her. “I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

“Good because I love you with my whole being and I don’t intend us to ever be parted. This episode today scared the fuck out of me, the idea of losing you. I want you here with me, in my quarters, I want you to be my wife, I want to see you first thing in the morning and last thing at night-”

“Intense,” she said gently, setting the mug on the table. “Fortunately I want the same things. Yes, I’ll marry you, yes, I’ll move in — you do realize Petal comes with me?”

“I can handle it, even if she has a litter of a dozen pups,” he said brashly.

“I’m not so banged up I can’t be kissed,” she said, moving gingerly into his lap. “Probably nothing else for a few days but-”

There were no more words as Mike adjusted his hold and took her lips by storm.

Dahlia parted them and relished his passion as he plundered her mouth and held her close, mindful of her bruises.

She relaxed into the moment, happier than she could ever remember being before, secure in her man’s love.

Today’s frightening events were a mere blip on the road to the future she’d dreamed of for so long with the man she loved and the job she’d craved, aboard the best cruise ship in the Sectors.

I guess I am Lady Luck today anyway and fate favored me one more time. I’ll take my winnings and step away from the table.