Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

QWIN

Voices , and the feeling of gentle hands, seem to be all around me, but far away at the same time. My fingers and toes start to tingle painfully as the air around me must be warming up.

“ We need to get them both in the Mineral waters, so that I can bring their body temperatures up slowly. This poor female has been through so much already. I refuse to lose her now.”

I need to tell them that EvO is hurt, but I can’t seem to say the words. My face is so cold that my skin is hurting.

“ Brother , we are lucky both of them survived in such extreme temperatures. I am simply relieved to find them breathing, everything else can be fixed.”

“ I’ll lift this side, ViN . Then you grab that one and take it slow. Her skin was thin before all this happened.”

Even half frozen, I scream out when they try to move me.

“ Stop , stop. I have no way of knowing what damage we are doing to either of them. Looks like we are going to have to do this the old-fashioned way. Destroyer , turn the heat up another degree every five ticks.”

Something warm is laid on my back and the voices fade away, as I drift back off to sleep. That is, until something under me goes to move. Still covered from head to toe, but now warm and cozy, I rub my face against the chest beneath me. EvO’s low laughter moves my entire body up and down just before his large hand curls around the back of my neck, holding me still.

My legs are numb where I have been straddling him all this time. They tingle angrily when I try to stretch out. EvO gently turns us both over onto our sides and I whimper, as it feels like every joint is stiff and aching.

“ Do you feel as rough as I do little, Qwin ?”

My eyes fly open, and instantly I reach for his head. “ EvO , you’re ok?”

“ Thanks to you. Your quick assessment of the situation is what saved us. I am sorry I was not available when you needed me.”

“ Lord have mercy EvO , why would you think that? I don’t know what happened, but something knocked the shit out of you. I was terrified you were going to bleed out on me. Dammit , you’re bleeding again. Where is that brother of yours?”

“ I am standing right here, if you two would like to grace me with your presence. I can help with all the discomforts and see what damage EvO has once again done to himself.”

“ Go away LeX , I am enjoying myself.” I can’t stop giggling when EvO winks at me and I hear his brother sigh wearily as he waits patiently for us to uncover.

Suddenly EvO jerks the blankets off us, but doesn’t relinquish his hold on me. “ What the frack are you doing in here, LeX ?”

“ Welcome back to the world of the living, brother. For a moment there, I thought the cold had frozen your brain. We have cleared the Nebula and successfully purged the gasses from this room. Before you turn into the captain again. I need to look at that head of yours. Can you guys get up on your own or do you need assistance? I’ve had new beds lowered into the room a few steps away.”

EvO looks down at me and to my astonishment, he lifts both of us at the same time. “ Whoo , big guy, put me down now. You have a head wound, the last thing you need to be doing is lifting anything.” He completely ignores me as he pulls me close, looking around.

“ I have her bed ready over here, EvO .”

EvO doesn’t seem to walk more than a few feet before lowering me down gently. When he pulls his arms out from under me, he tenderly pushes a few stray hairs off my face before leaning down to kiss my forehead tenderly. Standing up, he gazes down at me with my shirt still tied on to his head as he pulls a light warm covering up over me.

“ You can look at me once you’ve verified she is alright, LeX .”

“ I knew you were going to say that, so I am already one step ahead of you, Brother . Mistress Qwin , the Med Bots are going to run a scan over you, are you hurting anywhere?”

EvO hesitantly steps back, and this is the first time I have gotten an up close look at the brother slash doctor LeX . I have no idea what to gaze at first. He is like a bright Rainbow doll.

“ Your hair is beautiful, LeX .” I make myself grip the covers as all I want to do is run my fingers through its ridiculously long length, exploring the multitude of colors hidden within.

“ Thank you, Qwin . I appreciate your kindness.”

EvO growls something under his breath, but I can’t make out the words. A small smile forms on LeX’s lips and I can tell he is enjoying annoying EvO .

“ I will say that your coloring is quite unique as well, Qwin . Humans seem to be created in quite the variety.”

“ I never looked at it that way, but that’s true. How long have you been a doctor?”

“ Not long enough when it comes to your people. I will forewarn you in advance. I’ll be asking a lot of questions about your kind.”

“ I have no objections and there is no such thing as a stupid or bad question, LeX . Simply asking sometimes is the best course.”

LeX looks over at EvO who has sat down in a chair just a few feet away holding his head in his hands.

“ Look doc, there isn’t anything wrong with me now, that wasn’t before. What would make me feel better is you looking at my purple mattress who graciously allowed me to be draped over him all night.”

“ Purple mattress? I can’t say I’ve ever heard that reference. However , I am sure he has suffered worse, but if it will relieve some of your stress. I will come back to you in a moment.”

When EvO starts to object, I point my finger at him. “ We are not discussing this EvO . You were unresponsive and I’ve lost enough already. I will not have this on my conscience as well.” Seeing his face and neck covered in the dried substance I am simply assuming is blood brings tears to my eyes. Closing them I can’t help the whimper that leaves my throat. Even though I am trying not to fall apart. His voice right above me has me jerking when his hand wipes the stray tears off my cheek.

“ Forgive me Qwin , I was supposed to keep you safe and we both almost perished.”

LeX must be sick of chasing him around the room, so while EvO is focused on me. He pulls a chair up behind him, slowly pushing him down so that he can look at the wound on his head while EvO’s eyes are on mine. He doesn’t even flinch when LeX applies something that seals the wound shut. Suddenly everything is just too much and I can feel myself slipping away. “ Don’t leave me.”

“ Never .”