Victoria's Challenge Read online

  “Good, go to Lucas’ quarters, in the bathroom is a box of gloves, I need them. The code is…”

  “I know the code, back in a minute.”

  Nodding Victoria turns back to the crewmember and goes to work. After closing numerous cuts and one nasty gash on Ensign Pat’s forehead, she deems him stable.

  “You’re going to be fine Ensign. I want you to stay here, to make sure there are no side effects. I’ll be back to check on you in a little bit.”

  Turning, she sees Dodge standing by a cot. Walking over, she picks up the chart. Shrapnel had done a lot of damage, the major one being the artery. Lorre is in stable but serious condition. There would some extended recovery time needed.

  “She’s doing okay, Dodge. Surgery went well. She’s stable.”

  “Why isn’t she waking up?”

  “She’s heavily medicated. She’s going to be in a lot of pain when she wakes. The longer she’s under, the better it will be for her. Grab a chair. Sit with her. Talk to her. She’ll hear you.” Putting the chart back, she leaves the two alone.

  Finding his hatch open, Lucas frowns, entering he finds Barek coming out of the bathroom. “What are you doing here? Where’s Victoria?”

  “She’s in medical.”

  “Why? What happened? How badly is she hurt?”

  “Stop!” If Barek ever doubted Lucas’ feeling for Victoria, he doesn’t now. “She’s fine! She’s working on the injured. She needs gloves.” Barek holds up the box he’s carrying.

  “Shit!” Lucas has to take a deep breath. “She’s really okay?”

  “Was when I left. She was working on an Ensign. How are you doing?”

  “Fine, I’m fine.”

  “So when are you going to tell her you’re in love with her?” Lucas just stares at him. “Shit Lucas, it’s been coming for cycles.”

  “It’s between us, Barek. Stay out of it.”

  Barek gives him a considering look. “I will. For now. However, if you hurt her Lucas, I’ll kick your ass. I need to get these to her.”

  “I’m going with you.” The two men leave together.

  Looking up, Victoria sees Barek and Lucas enter medical. Oh, thank the ancestors. Closing her eyes briefly, she takes a deep breath. He’s okay and looking only slightly worse for wear.

  “Make a path!” Both men jump out of the way, as a gurney rushes in. Running over, Victoria does a quick assessment.

  “I need help over here! Barek! Gloves! Gabor, scan his tags for non-meds!” Catching the box Barek tosses her, she yanks on gloves before ripping open his shirt, discovering he’s full of holes. Lucas and Barek watch her attack the wounds, quickly and efficiently closing them.

  “He’s crashing!” Looking at the monitors, Victoria verifies.

  “Get me the resuscitator!” Not waiting, she jumps up on the cot, starting manual chest compressions. Getting her first look at her patient’s face, Jager. “Fuck! Get Magnes! Get him now! Come on Jager, hang in there!”

  “What have you got?” Magnes demands.

  “Shrapnel, throughout the torso, punctures everywhere, massive blood loss. I need a line put in.” While Victoria gives her assessment, Magnes does his own. The man is more holes then flesh, both lungs collapsed.

  “He’s gone, Chamberlain, call him.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why the fuck not?”

  “It’s Ensign Jager.” Victoria continues compressions as she meets his eyes. Magnes watches as she tries to save the life of a man who assaulted her just last night.

  “Move over.” Magnes takes over the compressions. “Stand back. Gabor! I want 3mg of adrenaline!” Standing out of the way, Victoria watches helplessly, blood dripping from her gloves. Magnes works him for another five minutes before calling it. Ripping off her gloves, she turns away, throwing them in the bin.

  “You did everything you could,” Magnes tells her. “He never had a chance.” Assessing her, he reaches a decision. “You’re done. Thanks for the hand, get out of here!”

  “What? There are still patients.”

  “And we’ll handle them. Major.” Magnes turns to Lucas. “Get her out of here.” Turning, he heads for his next patient.

  “Well shit.” She’s never been kicked out before.

  “Victoria, come on, you’ve done enough.” Both men can see the strain around her eyes.

  “He still needs help.”

  “He has his staff, come on.” Barek assures her as he and Lucas flank her, leading her out of medical. The corridors of the Retribution are busy as repairs are being made, damage cleaned up. Making a turn, Victoria comes to an abrupt stop.

  “This isn’t the way to my quarters.”

  “No, we’re going to mine,” Lucas tells her.

  “I’m going to my quarters!”

  “Victoria,” Barek steps, in sensing the rising fight. “E deck took a hit during the battle. You won’t be allowed back until hull repairs are complete.”

  “What?”

  “There was some minor decompression. It should be fixed in twenty four hours.”

  “Well damn.” She runs a hand through her hair. She wants to be alone, to decompress herself. “I’ll get other quarters.”

  “You will not!” Why is she being so stubborn about this! Lucas is ready to blow.

  “Victoria, let’s go to Lucas’,” Barek’s voice soothes. “It’s only twenty four hours. It’ll take that long for them to find you temporary quarters.” This time, Barek puts a hand at the small of her back. “Come on, sweetheart.”

  “No.” She can’t go there, not now. “I have a change of clothes in my locker in maintenance.” Turning in the opposite direction, she leaves them staring.

  “What the fuck did you do to her?” Barek rounds on Lucas, the look in Lucas' eyes stops him.

  “Go after her, Barek.” The pain in his voice unmistakable. “She’ll talk to you.”

  Barek finds her sitting in a window seat in observation, looking at the stars. She must have showered in record time since she’s in workout clothes and her hair damp. He watches as she reaches out, touching one of the stars flickering on the other side of the glass.

  “They’re beautiful aren’t they?” she asks, not looking his way.

  “Yes,” he agrees sitting down next to her.

  “How is this going to affect the investigation?” Distant green eyes look at him.

  “Victoria, you did all you could.”

  “You and I both know that doesn’t matter. It could be argued I let him die.”

  “You didn’t call it. Magnes did. You turned over care as soon as you realized who it was. It’ll stand.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes, not only did Lucas and I witness it, so did Gabor. It’ll stand.”

  Nodding, she leans her head back. “Shit, I’m tired.”

  “I’d say you have the right to be.” He looks at her, wondering if he should ask.

  “Ask your question, Barek.”

  “You know, I’m known for being unreadable.” That gets him a slight smile. “What’s going on? Between you and Lucas?”

  “Nothing. I’m treating him.” She looks back to the stars.

  “Why isn’t there? You’re of age.”

  “Because that’s the way he wants it. Leave it alone, Barek.”

  “Victoria… Lucas has waited nine cycles for you.”

  “He’s stayed away from his family for nine cycles because of me. There’s a difference.”

  “His family… it’s your family too.”

  “My family died on Earth. The Major’s is on Carina.”

  “The Major’s…” Barek’s mind is racing to comments she made during the interview. About her not being Carinian, about being different and that it made people uncomfortable. She couldn’t really believe that mattered to Lucas, could she?

  “What the fuck did he say to you?” he demands enraged.

  “Just the truth. He made me face the truth. It is something I should have done cy
cles ago. Let it go.”

  “I won’t. He had no right.”

  “He has every right when it affects his life.” She sees he’s going to argue. “Have you really considered what he’d have to put up with if I was in his life? The looks, the comments, the snide remarks and that’s just within the fleet. His career would suffer because of it.”

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “It’s not. What would your father do?” She’s going to drive this home. “If we were involved?”

  “My father adores you.” Nevertheless, Barek has a sick feeling in his stomach.

  “And it’s mutual, but if you and I were to become involved, he’d set that aside and advise you against it. He’d put what’s best for the House of Protection first. That’s what a King does and someday you’ll be King.” Barek wishes he could argue with her, but he can’t, she’s right.

  “Involvement with me is more trouble than it’s worth.” Victoria sighs.

  “I’ll never believe that’s what Lucas thinks.”

  “It doesn’t really matter what you believe, Barek.” Leaning back, she closes her eyes.

  Barek looks at the fatigue on her face. She’s exhausted and here he is arguing with her. “Victoria, you need to sleep.”

  “I know.”

  “Let me take you to Lucas’. It’s where you need to be.”

  “Yeah, I need to check his hands anyway. I shouldn’t have made such a big deal about it. Sorry.” She gives him a sad smile then moves to stand.

  “Victoria…” Barek puts a hand on her arm. “No matter what anyone else says or thinks, you are Carinian. You may not have been born there, but you are what we all want to be.”

  “Thank you, Barek.” However, he can see she doesn’t believe him.

  Outside Lucas’ hatch, Victoria puts a hand on Barek’s arm as he moves to enter the code.

  “Knock. He may not be alone.”

  “Of course he is.” Barek frowns down at her. “He’s waiting for you.”

  “Please.” Finally nodding he knocks. The hatch immediately opens and the look in Lucas’ eyes leaves no doubt in Barek’s mind about his feelings for Victoria. Saying nothing, Lucas steps back letting them enter.

  “Victoria needs to sleep.” Barek breaks the silence.

  “I need to check the Major’s hands first.”

  “They’re fine.” Lucas’ voice is rough. His eyes following her as she goes to gather up her supplies, ignoring him.

  “Let her do what she needs to do, Lucas.” Barek’s eyes pin him. Walking over to Victoria, he gently rubs her arms. “I need to go write up my report so you can put this behind you. You’ll rest?”

  “As soon as I’m done. Thank you Barek.” Meeting his eyes, she gives him a slight smile.

  “Anytime.” Turning, he looks at Lucas. “I’ll talk to you later.” Then he’s gone.

  Lucas watches the interaction between Barek and Victoria. She called Barek by name, she considers him a friend. Him, she still calls Major. He’s losing her. He can feel it, just as he feared he would and it is all his fault.

  “You need to sit so I can check your hands.” Victoria walks up to him her face blank. Saying nothing, he turns and sits.

  Sitting across from him, she reaches for his arm. “No cramping or pain?” she asks, carefully removing the bandages.

  “No.”

  “Did you hit them on anything?”

  “No.”

  Inspecting them, she can find no new tears or bruising. They look good, the deep healing nearly complete. There wouldn’t be much more she needs to do for him, treatment wise, unless they started to cramp.

  “They look good. Dr Magnes will need to verify, but you should be able to go back on light duty. No flying, not until your hand strength is built back up, a week or two I would think. Magnes should have some protective gloves you can wear. That way, you won’t have to be bandaged all the time. They’ll let your skin breath while keeping dirt and debris out.”

  “You’re serious? I can go back to work?” He’s shocked.

  “As long as you’re careful, I don’t see any problems. You’ll still need to do rehab. The keys are you’re best option for dexterity. I’ll see if Magnes has any strength balls. You can use them anytime. You know what it feels like it when the tendons get too tight, if that happens, let me know and I’ll give you a treatment.”

  “No more treatments?”

  “Not unless you feel you need one.” Serious eyes look at him. “Don’t let it get that far, not if you want back in a Blade.”

  “Victoria…” He looks from his hands to her. “I never thought it would be this soon.”

  “You didn’t fight the treatments and listened, mostly, makes a big difference. I’d like to wrap your hands, loosely, if that’s okay, it will keep the dirt out.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Watching her, Lucas is in shock. She’s gotten him healed in record time. He knows that. From talking to Dodge, he thought it’d be months.

  “You’re good to go. I’d like to wait until tomorrow to talk to Magnes, but otherwise…”

  “Victoria…” He waits until she looks at him. “Thank you.” Gently, he touches her bruised cheek.

  “I owed you.” She pulls away.

  “No!” God, could anything hurt as bad? When she stands, he sees her pale. “Damn it Victoria!” He catches her as she falls.

  “Your hands!” she protests.

  “Are fine, you’re not.”

  “I just need to sit down for a minute.”

  “You need to lie down, come on, let’s get you to bed.”

  “The couch is fine.”

  “No.” He’s putting her in his bed. Supporting her, he leads her across the room. When she stumbles, he scoops her up in his arms.

  “Lucas, put me down.” Her voice slurs from exhaustion. She doesn’t realize she’s called him by name.

  He does, and to hear it from her lips again, brings him to tears. “Shh.” He whispers hoarsely, laying her down as he works her boots off. “Sleep Victoria.” He slides her legs under the blankets as he pulls them up, tucking them around her. Watching her, Lucas can’t stop himself from leaning down, gently kissing her bruised cheek. She’d gotten that bruise because of him, because she hadn’t wanted to damage her hands.

  Rising, he secures the hatch, dims the lights and changes into his sleeping bottoms. Returning to bed, he slides in next to her, putting himself between her and the hatch. Propping himself up on an elbow, he indulges himself and just looks at her.

  She is the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen, even bruised and exhausted. She’s eighteen… could that truly be? There will be talk. She’s half his age. Does he care? No. He’s just spent a moon cycle with her close but out of reach and this time, it was his own doing. He’s caused her to doubt him, his father and herself. All because of his fear. A fear that she was too young to know him as a man.

  She’d proven him wrong. Time and again. He hurt her and still she helped him. She’d been attacked and still tried to save Jager’s life, honestly upset when she couldn’t. His father had been right. He’d gone to the extreme in trying to stay away from her and in doing so, he was the one who didn’t know. Didn’t know her, what she’d had to go through to get to this point. He’d made them strangers. He’d correct that. He had too. He couldn’t live without her any longer. He wouldn’t.

  Lying down, he puts an arm around her waist and frowns. She’s too thin. She’s always been small, but this… carefully he scans her face and realizes her cheekbones are more pronounced, her eyes sunken. Resting his forehead against hers, he sighs. He needs to take better care of her.

  “Lucas…” She mutters in her sleep. “What’s wrong?” Green eyes, more asleep than awake, search his.

  “Shh… sleep baby. I’ve got you. I love you, Victoria.” Kissing her sleep softened lips he pulls her close.

  “What?”

  “Sleep.” With a sigh, she rests her head on his chest, wrapping an arm around his waist
. Feeling her go lax, Lucas’ eyes fill. Here, in his arms, is everything he’s wanted for nine cycles. He is holding on tight, trusting her. Closing his eyes, he sleeps.

  Waking slowly, Victoria’s slides her hand along the bed and frowns, since when does a bed move? What’s that sound? Opening her eyes, she discovers she’s lying across Lucas’ chest, her hand caressing his side. What’s going on? How had she gotten here? Better question, how did she get out?

  “What’s wrong?” Sleepy violet eyes look into hers as she lifts her head, arms tightening around her.

  “I… I need to get up.” She pushes against his chest then quickly removes her hand. Oh God, he doesn’t have a shirt on.

  “You need to rest longer.” He pulls her back down.

  “I want up.” Hearing the growing panic in her voice, Lucas’ grip instantly relaxes.

  “Okay, wait.” Sliding out of the bed, he raises the lights then holds out his hand.

  ‘God, look at him.’ Is all she can think, he’s the most beautiful man she’s ever seen but he isn’t hers, ignoring his hand, she rolls out of bed.

  “Victoria…”

  “I’m going to my quarters.” He can sense her withdrawing from him.

  “No you’re not. It’s not safe yet.” He steps close, boxing her in. “When did you last eat?”

  “What?”

  “You’ve lost weight!” She hears the anger in his voice.

  “Not your problem,” she fires back.

  “It so is,” he informs her. “We’re going to go get something to eat, together, so I know you do.” Turning to his closet, he pulls on a shirt. When he whips off his bottoms, Victoria quickly turns her back. Damn! He has a fine ass.

  “Victoria…”

  “Look, Major, I don’t know…” It’s as far as she gets before she’s back in his arms.

  “Do not start that shit again!” Her eyes widen at the rage in his. “I know I’ve hurt you, but damn it Victoria, don’t shut me out! I can’t take it!” Pulling her up, he captures her lips for a hard kiss. “I’ve got a good grip and I’m trusting it.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You… and me.”

  “There is no you and me.”

  “The fuck there isn’t!” He gives her a shake. “I know I’ve given you no reason to trust me but I’m asking, begging, you to give me a chance.”