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“No! I…” Light flashed before Jace’s eyes and he was blinded for a moment. It was his light sensitivity coming back. Panic started to build in his stomach. He could not have an attack here and now. For god’s sake, he could not!

Again, there is no physical reason for you to be experiencing these symptoms, now the Osiris was sounding alarmed.

No, physical reason, but an emotional one, Gehenna piped in. Jace and Khoth are having their first fight! And with all the pressure of needing this to go well…

She didn’t finish the sentence. She didn’t have to. Jace fumbled in the front pocket of his jacket and slipped out the sunglasses he’d had the Osiris fabricate for him. They were very dark and immediately the bright sunlight streaming in from the windows was eased.

“You believed I would have an emotional reaction and would put our mission in danger so you choose to act illogically to protect me.” Khoth had turned his back so that he was facing away from Davies and Dr. Hayter.

“No… okay, maybe a little. But why should you be exposed to that guy? There are a million ways to make this work. He doesn’t have to be a part of it!” Jace had to steady himself by putting a hand on the back of the seat. The headache was wrapping around his skull like a vise.

If Commander Khoth is going to cause this kind of distress in the Pilot then he should not be allowed--

The Osiris got no farther as Jace found himself screaming internally at the AI, NO! WHATEVER IT IS: NO! Khoth is essential the mission--

He is not essential. We could find you another--

No! He’s essential to me, Jace answered almost viciously.

Though the Osiris did not articulate it, he knew the AI was wondering if there wasn’t someone else who could play that role.

Khoth is the only one, Osiris. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand. It is what it is. Do I make myself clear? Jace asked.

Yes, Pilot. But if your body continues to be impaired at this rate, you will not be capable of exiting this vehicle under your own power, the Osiris stated.

Jace swallowed hard. He tried doing the breathing exercises that he used to when this would happen before. Khoth must have been emotionally upset because it took him a moment to recognize Jace’s distress.

“Pilot… Jace?” Khoth’s blue on blue eyes were focused on him.

“I know you think what I did was foolish. I should have told you. I shouldn’t have hid it,” Jace got out through gritted teeth. “But I’m human. I’m still human and I care about you and I didn’t want you to be hurt anymore by this guy than you have already. And here he is again to save the day. I want them all to see how noble you are, that your mother’s wrong and you’re right. That you did the hard thing and… and I don’t know.”

Khoth blinked, but then he shook himself. “I accept your apology. But you are unwell.”

Jace’s headache had receded a little bit with Khoth’s concern. “It’s just stress, I think.”

“You faced down a whole Hive without issue, but now you are quite unwell,” Khoth pointed out.

“You being angry with me does that,” Jace admitted.

Again, those elegant eyebrows rose. “Even if I was upset with you, Jace, that is not permanent. It does not affect the feeling in my Xi for you.”

Khoth’s voice was so soft. None of this was professional. But he just couldn’t care enough to hide this. Khoth was his rock.

Davies and Dr. Hayter had reached the door. It wasn’t open yet. Both men were looking back at him with confusion. Davies was as alert as a rat terrier in front of a burrow. Though Dr. Hayter appeared vague and was blinking a lot, Jace was now sure that nothing got past the linguist.

“You mean a lot to me, too,” Jace whispered and looked up into Khoth’s face.

There was such tenderness there that Jace’s breath hitched in his chest. He forgot the headache.

“You must not compromise the success of our mission because of me,” Khoth said.

“Sorry, can’t help it and won’t stop,” Jace said with a helpless shrug. “I’m not built like that.”

Khoth grimaced faintly. “Then… you must trust in me that when I tell you that I have no feelings one way or the other regarding Typhon that I am telling you the truth. And you need not be concerned for me if using him will advance our position.”

Jace’s breath caught again, but this time in pain. “We can do this another way.”

“But we may not need to, depending on what Typhon wants for this act of… selflessness.” Khoth looked distant again.