Free Dana Cartwright Mission 1: Stiletto by Joyz W. Riter

of them strapped to the kite glider, and then they were soaring, together.
    Hours passed. Kieran snored. Dana stayed awake, wondering what those three little words, “I love you,” meant to both their futures.
    No one had ever said them to her before, not even in jest. Certainly not DOC Cartwright, though he provided an amazing life for her and a very large trust fund that paid for medical school and beyond. She wondered why.
    Why did he become her guardian? Who were her parents? Did she have siblings? She wondered, also, why her birth records were sealed. Why?
    Kieran asked quietly, “Why?” echoing her thoughts.  
    She squeezed his hand a little tighter. “Nothing… Are you feeling pain?”
    He nodded his head. “I don’t want any more drugs.”
    “Planning to tough it out?” She sighed. He clearly didn’t realize the consequences. “Some medications cause tremors. We can find one that…”
    “No drugs.”
    She got up to check the diagnostic scan on his back. “Let me at least give you an anti-inflammatory.”
    He consented to that. “Can I turn over?”
    She helped him, tucking the thin blanket about his lower body. While he played with the controls to sit up, she went over the drug options compatible with Alphan physiology.
    “I almost feel human,” he chuckled. “My Academy buddies always said that after they shaved.” He unconsciously stroked his minuscule beard and then his closely cropped head. “What happened to my wig and beard?”
    “During decon, the androids removed it.”
    Kieran grinned. “Pretty good disguise, don’t you think?”
    Dana shrugged.
    “Cray thought so.”
    “The assassin did, too.”
    That thought slammed Kieran hard. “Yes, it did.” He stiffened, “I wonder who is handling the investigation.”
    “Regis,” Dana announced, as she administered the anti-inflammatory drug via a DIA-dermal injector.
    “He’s an ass.”
    “I concur.”
    Kieran scowled and caught her hand. “Has he questioned you?”
    “I was first responder so, yes, of course. He had many questions about the shuttle arrival and who was on the scene.”
    Kieran pulled her closer, looking up into her eyes. “Who was on the scene? What did you tell him?”
    “I don’t remember everything. I’m too exhausted.”
    “Close your eyes.” Kieran massaged the back of her neck with his fingertips, under her hair braid. He closed his eyes, too. “You are exhausted.” He could barely establish a mental link. He caressed and cajoled, finally getting a clear image — through her eyes — a replay of the events at the Observatory that night. He also knew her innermost thoughts and was somewhat taken aback by the emotions — and the notion she should never have become a doctor.
    Startled and somewhat ashamed, she pulled away. There were thoughts intermixed she would not have shared, but he so easily had culled them.
    He patted her arm. “I will never tell a soul.”
    “That’s not the point.” She drifted away. “Is that what it is like to be mated?”
    Kieran smiled. “Actually, I’m not sure, since I’ve never… I think it’s far deeper; and it’s permanent.”
    She changed the subject. “Would you like something to eat or drink? You’re not hooked up to the C-FIIN. Need to stay hydrated.”
    He asked for juice and wondered, “Coconut? Is there coconut?”
    “Coconut milk,” she responded.
    “I can still taste it from your hair,” he chuckled.
    She went to a digitizer and requested coconut milk for him and coffee, black, for herself.
    He muttered, “Fascinating,” after the first sip.
    “Needs rum,” Dana teased, and he laughed.
    “The last two days have been a nightmare,” he admitted, watching her for a time. “Dana? You need to sleep. Why don’t you TP home? I’ll be fine.”
    “I can’t, Kieran. That would be medical malpractice.” She lowered the table near his and moved it so she could watch the diagnostic readings above his head.
    “I love you,” he