Free Victoria's Challenge by M. K. Eidem Page B

the shot, she turns away.
    “That’s not an answer.”
    “It’s the only one I can give you. It depends on how many more treatments you need. Once you no longer need treatments, your meds will be lowered considerably. You’ll still need some for rehab and strength training, but that shouldn’t be much.”
    “When?”
    “When you stop treatments. That’s the only answer I can give you because that’s all I know. Sit.”
    Turning she picks up his unwrapped hand to start the treatment. Hissing, Lucas has to stop himself from swearing at her.
    “Swearing helps. ” Lucas ignores her.
    “Why does it hurt so much ?” He asks through gritted teeth.
    “What? ” Momentarily distracted, she looks back at him.
    “It feels like the first time.”
    “You’ve started using your hand again.” She looks back to her task. “Stressing the tendons and muscles, they’ve tightened back up. Think about it like you haven’t exercised for a cycle, then you going running, when you stop, your muscles tighten up.”
    “You knew this would happen ,” he accuses.
    “Yes. ” She starts to work the most sensitive spot.
    “Fuck Victoria! ” This time he can’t hold it back.
    She has to bite her tongue not to say she’s sorry. She’s not sorry. This will get him back. All the way back. She feels him lay his head against her back looking for comfort.
    “Talk Major , talk to me. Tell me something I don’t know.”
    “You know everything.”
    “No I don’t. Tell me about your men. Are they really the best in the fleet?”
    “Damn right they are. ” The pride is easily heard in his voice.
    “How’d they get that way? ” As he tells her about his men, she continues her work. She originally been worried she’d let him do too much, that the tendons had tightened too far but they were relaxing, allowing her to finally manipulate them easily. Lifting his hand, she carefully dries it, seeing no new breaks in the skin. Wrapping each finger, she proceeds on to his hand and arm.
    He’s been leaning against her the entire time, turning she finds his jaw clenched and the muscle under his eye twitching.
    “Damn it ! Have you learned nothing! There’s no reason for you to be in this much pain.” Reaching behind him, she grabs the second syringe giving him the shot.
    “I wanted to see how much I could take . See if I’d scream like Hot Dog.”
    “What?”
    “He was screaming… on the comm.”
    “Oh God… ” She has to close her eyes.
    “I needed to know.”
    “You needed to know…” Her eyes are blazing when she opens them. “Fucking men! Everyone’s different. Every burn is different. It depends where it is, how deep it is, how long before treatment is started, and fuck it, the person’s will.” When she goes to step away, he puts out an arm, stopping her, knowing she won’t want to hurt him.
    “Victoria . Look at me. Please.” Angry eyes meet his. He’ll take it over cool, impersonal politeness any day. “I needed to know if I would say the things Hot Dog said, about you , if that anger was in me. I don’t know what I’ve been saying in my sleep but I know it’s hurt you. I never meant to do that.”
    “Of course you didn’ t, Major. Believe it or not I do know the kind of man you are.” Victoria’s eyes flash before going flat again. “But everything you’ve said is also the truth, your truth. You have the right to say it. Now let me get the sink ready and we’ll finish the treatment.”
    “Why do you insist on doing that? ” Frustration tears through his voice.
    “Preparing the sink ? It stops infection.” She looks away.
    “Not that , damn it. Calling me Major! You know my fucking name!”
    “I’ve always felt the use someone’s first name should be reserved for family and friends.” Her eyes are shuttered when they meet his. “You’ve made it clear we are neither. I’m your doctor.”
    Lucas is stunned, she can’t really believe that can she ?
    Carefully unwrapping his left hand,