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Nell didn’t give a damn what she looked like. She hurried alongside the stretcher as the medic pushed it skilfully along the corridors, dodging other staff and patients as they headed into the medical bay.
A warm amber glow lit the medical bay as they entered the assessment area.
The medic settled Rane on a bed. He looked up, scanning the bay for someone. “Doctor Raven, you’re needed in bay five.”
Nell grimaced. This doctor had better be legit. She’d just about had enough of flunky fake doctors messing with her.
“When am I not needed?” A tall, slim dark-haired female walked over. “What’s the situation here?” she asked the medic.
“This patient experienced mental trauma when engaging in a dispute with a Passista.”
“What are his vital signs like?” Doctor Raven asked, not sparing a glance for Nell as she looked at the readings on the medic’s scanner.
“Stable. His pulse is rapid and jumping out of rhythm.”
“Let’s get him a brain scan and take it from there.” Doctor Raven finally glanced at Nell. “You are?”
“Nell Saunders. I’m Rane’s mate.”
“Well, Miss Saunders, you can’t be here. Go to the end of the corridor where there’s a waiting room. I’ll call you when we’re ready.”
“Rane will find it comforting if I’m here.” Nell grabbed Rane’s hand and squeezed. He didn’t respond to her touch.
“Your mate has no idea where he is. From the looks of these initial readings, he’s in a self-induced coma.” Her gaze ran over Nell. “The best thing you can do is get cleaned up from whatever that mess is and come back in an hour. I’ll have more information for you then.”
Nell nodded, still reluctant to leave. She placed a kiss on Rane’s cheek before walking slowly to the door.
She turned back to look at him. It had been so long since she’d felt anything other than anxious or panicked. What she felt for Rane made her heart hurt.
“I have got it so bad for this guy,” she whispered.
“Did you say something?” a passing medic asked.
Nell shook her head, her gaze still on Rane. He had to be okay. She couldn’t have him taken away from her, not now she knew the truth. Not now she knew she could have a life with an alien and be happy.
As she looked down at the congealing remains of the Passista on her skin, she shuddered. She’d have to answer for what she did. Nell had been defending herself and protecting Rane. Maybe she hadn’t needed to be so brutal, but Rane would have died if she hadn’t pried that bitch off him.
She lifted her fingers to her nose and grimaced as she smelt the sour tang of Passista. A shower was a great idea.
Nell opened the door and walked away. There was no way she would give up on Rane. No matter how ill he was, she would make sure he got better.
***
THE LAST TWO DAYS HAD felt like the longest of Nell’s life. She’d barely left Rane’s side, other than for comfort breaks and enforced naps by their equally concerned friends.
He wasn’t waking up. The tests and scans Doctor Raven had run showed he was in a deep sleep, and that was where he wanted to stay.
Nell laced her fingers through Rane’s as she sat by his bedside. “I’m not wearing any underwear.”
There was no reaction.
“I’m sitting here totally naked and ready for you to ravish me.”
Still nothing.
“I’m covered in your favorite chocolate dessert and waiting for you to lick it off my body.”
Nope, that had zero effect. Maybe he didn’t want his pudding smeared on her skin.
