My brow furrows with concern. “How is she?”
Elunara smiles. “Phee’s doing very well and receiving some of the best medical treatment around. Thanks for asking. For the time being, they believe they can use their medical technology to address the issue without having to perform any invasive heart surgery. It’s a best-case scenario for now.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “That’s wonderful news. I’m so glad.”
Elunara’s expression sobers. “Both the medical staff at Cosmic Kingdom and here have confirmed that your immediate action played a pivotal role in keeping my granddaughter from suffering any ill effects from her episode.” She bows her head at me. “My family and I owe you a great debt.”
I wave both my hands awkwardly at the screen. “Oh, no, that’s quite all right. I was only doing what I’ve been trained to do.” Cue awkward laugh. “Honestly, I wasn’t sure if my human medical training would be enough to help, but I think it’s hard-wired in me to respond to any emergency situation where someone’s in distress.”
Elunara gives me an approving, grandmotherly nod. “You are a most refreshing Earthling ambassador for your people.”
I shoot Luna a mildly freaked-out look and mouth, “What the hell does that mean?”
Elunara chuckles. “There have only been a handful of humans to leave Earth and travel the far reaches of the universe in recent years. Most of them encountered intergalactic visitors to Earth and went along when those visitors departed—some more willingly than others.”
“Yeah, that whole alien abduction thing is kind of real,” I admit.
Luna pokes me in the side. “Hey! Our abductions are always friendly and mostly consensual.”
I scoff at her. “Sure. From what Sasha has told me, he had no interest in being abducted by Christmas-obsessed aliens. He was embracing his whole Ebeneezer Scrooge era.”
Luna lifts her chin and harrumphs. “Well, we changed his mind and converted him to the Christmas-side pretty quickly.”
Elunara clears her throat. “Ahem. I’m calling because I wanted to repay you for what you did for Phee.”
Ordinarily, I wouldn’t expect payment for stepping in during a medical crisis. But I have no intergalactic cash to my name and if she’s willing to thank me monetarily, I’d be an idiot to turn that down.
I flash her a mercenary grin. “What are you offering?”
“This side of you turns me on,” Luna whispers.
Elunara steeples her fingers under her chin and leans back in her office chair. “Space currency is always an option. Intergalactic credits are fairly standard throughout most of the universe.” Her shrewd gaze remains focused on me. “Why don’t you tell me, Dr. Taylor? What is it that you want?”
“Money doesn’t sound bad.” I chuckle and joke, “But I think the biggest thing I’m working on right now is trying toget into the Intergalactic Alliance’s medical school. The whole experience with your granddaughter taught me that I need to learn more about different extraterrestrial species and get up to speed on the latest medical technology in the universe if I want to be an emergency responder for others.” I shrug. “But I don’t know much about this Alliance. I’ve only heard a little about it from Luna.”
A slow smirk of satisfaction spreads across Elunara’s face as she studies me. “Well now, isn’t this a delightful coincidence?” She waves a hand airily. “There was no need to mention it when we met, but I’m a Chief Commanding Officer of the central Intergalactic Alliance Space Station Headquarters.” She winks. “And I just so happen to be very good friends with the head of the medical school.”
My breathing turns rapid and shallow, and I worry for a second that I might pass out.Hyperventilating is not an option right now, Gemma!
Luna gushes, “How fucking perfect! We’re actually going to be visiting your space station quite soon. Perhaps we could set up a meeting with you and the head of the medical school.”
Elunara nods with satisfaction. “I would be happy to arrange that. Dr. Taylor has my personal endorsement and lifelong gratitude.”
Is this really happening right now?Talk about being dazed and confused.
Luna and Elunara coordinate all the details, then we say our goodbyes and Elunara signs off. At which point, my green-tentacled love tornado excitedly jumps into my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist and her hands resting on my shoulders.
I automatically steady us to keep from falling and then cup my hands under her lovely ass. For stability, of course.
“This is no coincidence.” Luna chortles gleefully. “It’s got to be fate. Sweet Thekmis, we thank you!”
At this moment, it’s hard to deny her reasoning. After all, what are the odds that the person I rescued at the theme park happens to be connected to powerful people like the head of the medical school I want to get into? Even I’m getting chills.
“Thekmis has clearly blessed us both,” Luna declares with unwavering certainty. “We’d be idiots not to take advantage of this opportunity she’s throwing in our laps.”
I peck a quick kiss on her lips. “Don’t worry, babe. I have no intention of looking a gift horse in the mouth, as we say on Earth. This could be my golden ticket to making my dream come true.”
Luna’s eyes sparkle brightly. “Now that’s what I’m talking about!”
