Chapter 40

"Tessa, do you want to take the stairs or the lift? I know the lift makes you uncomfortable."

"After the marathon sex scene in that awesome tub, and all the excitement of the last couple of days, we are taking the vacuum hose. ZoD, the tunnels are quieter than they were the first time I came here. Where is everyone?"

"A few are out scouting the caverns the Waldrin were using. The others, I believe, are resting for a change. I need to rethink what my guards should be doing and reevaluate training schedules. The list in my head seems to go on and on especially now that I can concentrate on my people."

ZoDstops at a door I had not noticed before and puts his hand on a scanner. When it slides open, there is no missing, it's an infirmary. We walk quickly down a hallway lined with rooms on each side. I hear Elexa's voice as we get closer. So, I know we are approaching Taze's room.

"Hey, you guys decent in there?" I yell out before sticking my head in the door. WhenI do, I am shocked to see Taze sitting up in bed. Elexa is busy walking around, checking the monitors and bandages on his legs.

"Tessa, is that you? I almost didn't recognize you cleaned up."

"Hell, me … Look at you, Taze. You're right handsome, and it looks like you got a few new parts."

"Tessa, thank the Lord of Light you are alright. Elexa told me that they found you, but because she was here, she wasn't sure what condition you were in." The moment he realizes ZoD is behind me, he tries to get up.

Elexaputs a hand on his stomach and pushes him back down. "Taze, stop it. You are not getting out of this bed until Tordan says that arm is fully healed."

"Young male, you giving my daughter a hard time?" ZoD says this playfully, but I can tell Taze isn't sure if he is serious or not.

"CommanderZoD, I am honored that you have taken the time out of your busy schedule to check on my comforts and to answer your question, sir, I have been on my ass for rotations. I would do just about anything to simply stand up for a moment. Don't get me wrong. I have the prettiest nurse in the compound, but looking and feeling like an invalid is not the way to get a female."

Elexaturns on him, her hands on her hips. "Taze, if you tear those stitches out because you are trying to be the tough guy, I swear when I put them back in, I won't numb them beforehand."

"Elexa, sweet thing, don't be like that." I have to hide my smile when I see Taze's eyes following Elexa's every step.

"Don't you sweet thing me, Taze," she fires back.

"Elexa, I know under all that sternness, there is a female just waiting to be swept off her feet."

"Guys, we can come back later, if this is a bad time."

Elexaturns back towards us. "No, please stay, I apologize for the both of us, we are acting like younglings. The meds are making him feel better than he actually does. Not to mention the stress his body went through when Tordan and SCOUT spent half a rising rebuilding that arm the Waldrins cut off. Taze's leg muscles have been repaired mostly, but he will need help walking the first few times. For the love of the Lord of LightTaze, you need to rest."

Idon't think anyone else sees the tears in Elexa's eyes but me. She is trying to keep up a strong face, but is failing miserably. I walk over without thinking and pull her into a hug, instantly she breaks down sobbing. Taze and ZoD both look completely bewildered at her actions.

Tazereaches for her. "Elexa sweet thing. I am ok, please don't cry. You are tearing my heart out." Just when he grips her arm, she turns on him in full force.

"Your heart, Taze! What about mine? Do you know how devastated I was when Onyx told me you were taken? Then having to wait and watch with a heavy heart every rising he left only for him to come back empty-handed. In the beginning, I prayed to the Lord of Light to save you. ThenI prayed when you were gone longer than any of the others, that you had not suffered horribly. Even with a broken heart I had to make myself focus on everyone else's needs. I didn't have time to fall apart. Then the day of the attack. I hear a rumor that you were miraculously found. That they were doing their best to get you out of there, only to be stuck behind a wall of roots, with no way of getting to you.

"WhenI finally got here, the med bots even refused my entry until you were stable. Now you are determined to reinjure yourself, frack Taze. I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"Elexa, your face and that smile was all that kept me going when I had nothing left. I had no idea you felt anything for me. My heart has always been yours since we were younglings and you bandaged my first skinned knee."

WhenTaze pulls Elexa up into the bed with him, I grab ZoD's arm and we slowly back out of the room. WhenZoD starts to say something, I shake my head no and we leave much quieter than we arrived. When the outer door closes, he looks down at me.

"Amori, I was not expecting that. I have always liked Taze, but I don't know if he is the male I would pick for Elexa."

"ZoD, my dear. It's not your choice to make, it's hers. I have a feeling things are going to be a little rocky for those two, but it's apparent he truly cares for her. As a father, that should be one of the top things on the list for eligible suitors."

"I didn't realize there was a list, but now that it's been brought to my attention. I will think on this further."

"So, now that you have me up and about, what are we going to get into now?"

"Are you up for a ride on the speeder? I had Elexa make a cloak specifically for you after the one I had you in previously damaged your skin. She had just brought it to me the rising you were taken."

"ZoD, I have always been a very independent woman, but you know. I think I am starting to see a new side of myself now. BecauseI will ride behind you anywhere big guy. It's nice to no longer have to be tough on my own."