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She chuckled, for once not shutting down when he mentioned their relationship.

And to Ash, what they had was a real relationship. His feelings had grown to an intensity he’d never experienced before. These new emotions terrified him, but he couldn’t help but let them develop. She’d given him a reason to keep fighting. She’d made him feel again.

And maybe Georgia was finally softening to him. She’d even opened up a fraction about her time with the Siblet. It had taken every ounce of his self-control not to pound his fist into the wall at the thought of her being held captive by those evil scum suckers.

Sybil walked in, just as Georgia was climbing out of bed. “I see my favorite patient is up and about. Are you ready to be discharged?”

“More than ready,” Georgia said. “And thanks for helping me.”

“It’s what I’m here for.” Sybil smiled at her, then the expression faded. She ducked and looked under the bed. “I don’t know why I bother trying to keep this place sterile. How do these banty keep getting in here?”

Ash chuckled. “They insist on seeing Georgia.”

“Hmmm, there have been studies done to show animals speed up recovery time, but this is ridiculous.” Sybil shooed the banty outside.

She returned and nodded at Ash. “Your super protective partner here made sure I kept you alive. He threatened me with death a few times if I didn’t keep your heart beating.”

Georgia shook her head. “Why am I not surprised to hear that?”

“These gorgeous Apexians, they love to throw their substantial muscles around and get all growly and intense.” She flapped a hand in front of her face. “It works for me. Although Doctor McKenna has been absent without leave ever since Ash almost broke his nose.”

“He deserved it. He was trying to inject Georgia with something. I wasn’t letting him anywhere near her. The guy was drunk on his ass most of the time,” Ash said.

“Quite right too,” Sybil said. Her mouth twisted to the side. “But don’t be too hard on Doctor McKenna. He used to be an incredible doctor. Then... well, let’s just say life got in the way. We all know how messy that can be.”

Ash got it. But that didn’t mean a screw-up doctor got to mess with his woman.

“I’ll do a quick check of your vitals, sign you off, and then you’re out of here,” Sybil said.

Georgia reluctantly agreed, and Ash stood by her side as they waited for the all-clear.

Ten minutes later, they collected their new gaggle of banty and were walking away from the medical unit.

Ash placed an arm around Georgia’s waist, even though she tried to sidestep him when he caught hold of her. She couldn’t get away from him that easily, and he wanted to make sure she didn’t push herself and pretend everything was fine.

“Let’s take it easy,” he said. “The ship’s not going without us.”

“I just want to get back to the familiar,” Georgia said.

“And we will.”

She slid him a glance. “I won’t mess up again. And I’ll be out in the field as soon as I can.”

“I know you will. It’s what you live for.”

Georgia looked up at him. “Don’t say anything to Cleo about my injury.”

“Too late. It’s already been said. I had to keep her up-to-date. But she knows you’re healing.”

Georgia scowled at him. “Thanks for nothing. Cleo won’t let me out until I’m back to full strength. She worries too much. Just like you.”

“You’re welcome. And we worry because we care.”

Georgia muttered curses under her breath, making Ash smile. She may not speak like a lady, but she was all fiery, passionate woman. And he loved that about her.

She gave him a purpose and made him want to keep on fighting. He’d always fought for a cause, but every kill had hardened him. As a warrior, he expected to take lives, but he’d lost so many people, allies, family members, and friends. For a long time, Ash figured those dark times had screwed with his ability to care. That all changed when he met Georgia. She let light back into his life, even if it was dazzling and sometimes too harsh to look at.

“What are you staring at?” she said.

“The woman I care about. The woman I’ll make sure looks after herself from now on. And if you don’t, I’m here to fulfill that role.”

“You’re such a big idiot,” she muttered.

He smiled, not missing the way she blinked tears out of her eyes. Georgia cared. She was just terrible at showing it.

But Ash was breaking through her defenses, and once those walls were down, he was never letting Georgia go again.