Free Polar Reaction by Claire Thompson Page B

using a small stepladder, climbed up to the vent and found it was completely blocked by snow, which would explain the carbon monoxide buildup from the enclosed generators. Tuck must have fainted and hit his head on the engine on the way down.
    “Give me something. That broom.” He pointed and Brendan obliged, handing it to him. Using the handle, Jamie pushed out as much snow as he could and climbed down. “The fans are working again. That should clear the air some.”
    Brendan tried once more to rouse Tuck, but he remained limp, his eyes closed. Brendan’s lips were pressed into a hard, straight line, his brow furrowed. Jamie had the uncomfortable feeling he was trying not to cry. Not that he blamed him. He felt like crying himself at the thought of Tuck lying unconscious in a pool of blood while they sat resting in the lab before coming to find him.
    Carefully they lifted him between them, Jamie carrying his body, Brendan his legs. As fast as they could, they took him down the hall and back into the warmth of the living quarters.
    After passing through the kitchen, they settled him onto his cot. While Brendan removed Tuck’s jacket and gloves, Jamie undid Tuck’s boots and pulled them from his feet.
    “Shit.” Jamie looked up at Brendan’s epithet. “He’s bleeding again.”
    Jamie knelt beside Brendan. A red circle of blood had seeped through the gauze and surgical tape covering the wound. Using two fingers, Jamie applied pressure to the wound, silently willing it to stop bleeding.
    “Tuck.” Brendan shook his shoulder. “Wake up. Come on, man. Wake up.”
    To their relief, Tuck stirred and opened his eyes. His gaze was unfocused until it lighted on Brendan’s face. “Brendan.” He smiled and Brendan returned the smile. Jamie flinched inwardly at the piercing barb of jealousy ripping through his guts. They only had eyes for each other. He didn’t stand a chance.
    He forced his feelings aside. “How do you feel, Tuck? You took quite a fall. Can you remember what happened?”
    Tuck turned his gaze from Brendan’s face and looked at Jamie. He squinted, his expression confused.
    “Do you know who I am, Tuck?”
    “Sure. You’re Jamie.” He bestowed a smile just as warm as the one he’d given Brendan, and despite his trepidation that Tuck had suffered a concussion, Jamie’s heart softened with longing.
    “We think you were poisoned by a CO buildup in the shed. The ventilation ducts were blocked.”
    “That’s right.” Tuck tried to sit up. He sank back, the color draining from his face.
    “Take it easy.” Brendan’s voice was ripe with concern.
    Tuck continued, “There was a high CO reading on the screen when I ran one of the diagnostics. I still didn’t get the generator running though. I must have passed out.” He felt the gauze covering the still-bleeding wound.
    “You took quite a fall, looks like, and must have hit your head on a sharp corner on the way down.” Brendan touched his shoulder. “We found you unconscious when we got back from the expedition.”
    “What happened out there? Was the dish intact?”
    “It had been blown from its coordinate position. I set it in place, so we’ll have to see. We haven’t had a chance to check yet if we’re back online.”
    “Man, I’m really sorry about this. I should have recognized the symptoms sooner. I thought I just had a hangover.” He grinned weakly. “Jesus,” he whispered, his skin pale and waxy. “I don’t feel so good.”
    “I’m sorry we didn’t find you sooner.” Brendan stroked Tuck’s hair. “You need stitches to close that wound. I’m pretty handy with a needle. Let’s get you sewn up and get that bleeding stopped once and for all.”
    Jamie stood and turned away, annoyed by the lovey-dovey tone of Brendan’s voice. “We’ve got oxygen too, in the clean lab. It wouldn’t hurt to get some pure oxygen into your bloodstream to counteract the carbon monoxide. That’s what’s making you feel like crap.” He