Jewels waited until she was close to the Command Center before letting any pain show on her face. Her mind was being scoured from the endless barrage of thoughts. Each one became a stab of torment pulsing along her blistered neurons. Whatever the Gatoans had done during the telepathic exchange had exposed her one weakness and turned it against her. She wanted to believe it an accident, but nothing could be ruled out.
The door opened and Jeremy ran out and scooped her up in his arms. "Jewels, you're trembling and you're burning up! Why did you let them touch you like that? Why didn't you run?"
Jewels didn't try to contradict her anchor. She couldn't have outrun two giant cats. Jeremy was talking too fast. He only did that when he was worried or extremely angry.
"Sorry," she whimpered, too tired to diffuse his ire.
"You should be! I swear if you were my kid, I'd tan your hide for that stunt! You almost gave me a heart attack. And when our bond was severed...." He ground to a halt, his gaze haunted.
She winced. That had been a scary moment. To know that it had affected him too, made the pain in her mind more bearable. He muttered under his breath and took her inside. She was shivering uncontrollably by the time she was put on the med-scanner table.
"I feel so cold. My fingers are numb. Doc, was wrong wit me?" Jewels shook her head. "My wods are slurring. Help me." She heard her funny speech, but the voices clamoring inside her skull wouldn't shut up enough for her to concentrate.
"Jer, ake stop. Ease?" Jewels moaned and curled into a fetal position. The pain was excruciating and she closed her eyes. She could hear whispers. They were so far away....
An alarm blared and two more followed. The monitor screen lit up in several sections.
"She's flat-lining!" Elenora yelled and the medical crew sprang into action.
Jeremy was shoved back and brusquely ordered to a corner. He didn't wait to be told anything else. He stood at a safe distance, watching as Elenora fought to save Jewels' life.
He still couldn't forget the moment the Gatoan Prince had broken his bond to Jewels. He hadn't thought such a thing possible. Why Jewels? Did the Cats do it as a test of some sort? If they did, why? Or was there another motive?
The abrupt silence caught his attention. Jeremy glanced at Jewels on the table. It took a moment for him to notice the reason for the quiet. Prince Dex LoudRoar stood by Jewels' side, blatantly ignoring the weapons trained on him.
"Human healer, let me help her," the Prince offered.
Jeremy strode over and glared at the giant Gatoan. "It's your fault she's in this condition! If you hadn't broken my bond to her and left her sensitive mind unshielded, Jewels would be okay!"
"Colonel!" Elenora hissed, panic in her eyes.
Jeremy wasn't backing down. He tried to ignore the erratic beeping of the monitor that showed Jewels' falling vitals.
"He needs to know that his touch caused her injury. She didn't hurt him or the King. You didn't have to be so violent. She was just curious."
"I have been inside her mind, Human. You lie. But that is no reason to leave her in torment." Dex placed his paw on Jewels' head. Nothing happened at first, but then she convulsed and the sensors went crazy, blaring warnings.
Elenora moved to stop the Gatoan, but at a hiss from Dex, she halted.
"No closer, Healer! I am almost done." His eyes glowed and Jewels screamed, her eyes wide and glazed. The alarms stopped and a quiet tension filled the room when her body went limp. Her eyelids slowly closed.
Dex removed his paw and stepped back. "Reach her now, Human," he ordered.
Jeremy bristled at the alien's tone. He gently touched Jewels' mind and felt the familiar bond fall back in place. Her mind stirred sluggishly and he thought a little humor might get Jewels attention.
::Hey, Kid. You almost gave me a heart attack.::
::Jeremy? Is it really you? Am I dreaming?::
::Yes, it's really me, so open your pretty violet eyes and see for yourself.::
Anxiously he waited until her eyes opened. Jeremy felt a tremendous load lift from his shoulders. Then she smiled and he gave a rueful laugh. He tousled her hair and squeezed her hand.
::Don't ever scare me like that again! Sheesh, Jewels. I swear you have no sense and I've gained at least a dozen gray hairs.::
::Hey, don't fuss at me,:: she groused.
Jeremy turned to the Prince. "Thank you, for her life." He didn't understand the sharp glance the giant Gatoan threw his way. Didn't these aliens know how to take a compliment? It made Jeremy wary.
Dex shrugged. "It was only right. I must go now. Let her rest. Until the next crossing of our paths."
Dex vanished so smoothly that Jeremy had to blink twice to make sure the giant creature was gone. He whistled. "Neat trick."
"Yes, it was."
Jeremy looked down at Jewels and gaped. The expression on her face...if he didn't know any better he would've sworn it was one of longing. He shook off his unease and patted her hand. "Yes, rest would be great."
Jewels grimaced, started to object, but Jeremy stopped her by placing his hand over her mouth. He pointed at Elenora's folded arms and angry posture.
"You're right," Jewels replied meekly and Jeremy smothered a laugh.
"I'm glad you find this amusing," Maussey snarled as he stormed into the room. His entrance stifled all sound and the tension level rose.
Jeremy fought down his temper. Jewels did not need this pompous idiot harassing her. Not right now, after almost dying. "General, I was just about to take the Lieutenant to her quarters to rest as Dr. Cosmit ordered."
"Good, she's going to need it."
Jeremy stiffened, not liking Maussey's tone or gleeful expression. "Why is that, Sir?"
"The Lieutenant endangered the mission and almost caused an interstellar incident. Her orders were to be discreet while gathering intel. I didn't see that happen today. As base commander it is my job to maintain discipline."
"Sir!" Jeremy tried to interject, but Maussey bulldozed ahead.
"Special Lt. Enbran, you will appear in front of the MDC tomorrow at 1800 for a hearing concerning today's events."
"On what grounds?" Jeremy demanded, incensed that Maussey was taking advantage of their orders from the higher-ups.
"Insubordination, failure to comply with orders and intent to harm a foreign dignitary."
Maussey's smug smile enraged Jeremy. "None of those charges will stick and you know it!"
"Perhaps, Colonel. Nonetheless, she will stand before the MDC. Now," Maussey turned his attention to Jewels. "Get plenty of sleep. You're going to need it."
The command center occupants were eerily quiet after Maussey's speech. No one moved as he stalked from the room.
Jewels looked up at Jeremy with resignation and he felt his heart clench. Even if she wasn't convicted, it would still go on her record. He ground his teeth and cursed Maussey's childish need for payback.
"Come on, Kid." He scooped Jewels up. He made a note to have her eat more. She was too thin for his peace of mind. "I'll carry you to your room." He ignored Jewels' faint protest and set out toward the crew quarters.
By the time he made it to Jewels' room, she was asleep in his arms. Once again Jeremy studied her and thought how fragile she looked. Almost losing her today, and having Maussey decide to send her before the MDC, made him feel worse about the news he needed to tell her. "Two more days and then I'll do it," he muttered.
He palmed open the door and went to her bedroom. Carefully he laid her on the bed and pulled the well-worn panda bear quilt over her. "Sleep well, Kid."
He dimmed the lights and locked the door on the way out. He had to speak to Elenora about his test results.