Free Enemy Overnight by Robin L. Rotham

checking you out or anything.”
    Jasmine smiled weakly. “I didn’t think you were.”
    “You were smart to go for tasteful over spectacular.”
    Spectacular looked like it was working out pretty good for her , but Jasmine bit her tongue. If she drew any more comparisons between them, Monica might start putting two and two together.
    “Yeah, I kind of thought anything bigger would be false advertising,” she said instead. Pulling the bottle out of her pocket, she forged on. “Anyway, that’s kind of related to reason I was looking for you. I was asleep when the Garathani did their beam-up routine so of course I didn’t have a chance to grab anything. It was just by the grace of God I had my nasal spray in my pocket. I really need to have it replicated, but I just wasn’t comfortable approaching the Garathani doctors.”
    “Understandable.” Monica held out her hand and Jasmine passed it to her. “What is it? There’s no label.”
    “It’s a hormone replacement that hasn’t even been approved for human trials in the States yet,” Jasmine said. “I may not be able to have kids, but at least I don’t have to deal with hot flashes, my skin is still firm, and I’m not at high risk for osteoporosis.”
    Monica shook the bottle and her eyes widened. “Shit, there’s hardly any in here.”
    “Hopefully there’s enough left to replicate.” Jasmine shifted uncomfortably.
    “Jesus, Jasmine, why don’t you wait ’til the last minute next time.” She shook it again and frowned. “It would have been better to do it right away. There’s a reason they have you shake it before you use it. Who knows what kind of concentration is left in here?”
    “The computer told me you were unavailable.”
    Monica’s eyes narrowed. “Empran, why did you tell her I was unavailable?”
    “Lieutenant Shauss’ orders.”
    Relief bloomed in Jasmine’s chest. Monica hadn’t blown her off.
    Shauss had, the bastard.
    “Well, from now on, I’ll set my own availability, if you don’t mind,” Monica snapped.
    “That will require the clearance of Commander Kellen.”
    “I’ve got your clearance right here,” Monica muttered as she stood up. “Okay, Jas, I’ll see what I can do. Maybe Ketrok or Tiber can help me get—”
    “No!” Jasmine jumped up too. “I don’t trust Garathani doctors.”
    “Hey, I resemble that remark.”
    Though her ironic comeback held no heat, Jasmine hurried to say, “No, you were Terran first and I know I can trust you to do everything in your power to get it right.”
    Monica’s features softened. “You can trust them too.”
    “Please, just do it yourself. I don’t want to take any chances.”
    “I can’t promise you that,” Monica said with a shake of her head. “I’ve barely begun my training with their technology. But if I have to ask for help, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure they get it right, okay?”
    Jasmine swallowed. “I guess I can’t ask for more than that.”
    “It’ll be all right, Jas. Hey, you doing anything for lunch?”
    A bizarre, inedible sandwich alone in my room again. “No. Why?”
    “Kellen’s locked up with the dusty old guys all day, so I’m eating with Shelley and her husband. Why don’t you join us?”
    She hesitated. “Shelley was kind of mad at me after…”
    “The Pret-napping?” At her nod, Monica rolled her eyes. “She just gets really pissy when she’s scared. Kellen said she practically screamed the place down until they brought Mark up here.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Positive. Come on, have lunch with us.”
    Jasmine was torn. She really should stick to her quarters until her supply of nasal spray had been replenished, but after almost a week of relative isolation, a casual lunch with friends sounded heavenly.
    “Sure,” she finally said with a tentative smile. “And who are the dusty old guys?”
    “The high council. Well, except for my father—it’ll be a few years before he fits that description.”