by Donna Steele
Leonard chuckled. “I guess she did. How about you, Dee?”
“I’m getting there. The last few hours are . . . hazy.”
“No doubt. When do you think you can come home?”
“Probably in a few hours,” she said, her eyes on the baby in his arms.
Dusty blinked at Sherry in alarm.
“I wouldn’t count on it,” Sherry said smoothly. “Give yourself some time.”
“I need to be home.”
“Yes, but do you want to ride in a car for several hours right now and with a newborn? Would you let a patient of yours be discharged so quickly under the circumstances?”
Dee scowled at Sherry a moment, then sighed. “Soon, though.”
“Yes, soon, probably not before tomorrow afternoon.”
“Sherry, how are you getting home?” Dusty finally thought to ask.
“Leonard.” Sherry smiled over at him. “A two-birds kind of thing. I figured Dee would want some of her things, and there was no car seat in your car. You can install yours when they bring Dee’s car back.”
“Back?” Dusty echoed.
“I sent it to be cleaned for you.”
“Oh, thanks.”
“It’s going to be a great story to tell your little girl in a few years. Maybe by then I’ll have quit shaking from your driving.” She leveled a look at him.
“Hey, I didn’t have any problems.”
“Yeah, let’s not do it again, ever. How fast were you going?”
Dusty shrugged; there was nothing else he could have done. “I saw it hit a hundred-ten once.”
“Are you fuc—are you kidding me?” Leonard asked.
“I was in a hurry.”
“No shit.” Leonard cringed slightly at his language. Dusty understood. Why hadn’t he been pulled for his actions or his car disabled from the traffic computer? He wasn’t complaining, but damn . . .
With a lengthy drive back, Sherry and Leonard didn’t stay long, which Dusty appreciated. He and his new family needed time together to bond.
Both sorry and pleased to see them leave, Dusty resumed his seat. Those two had become good friends, as good as Marcus and Elizabeth were in 1891.
Now exhausted took him as the adrenalin dissipated, and he wanted alone time with his women.
~ ~ ~
No longer able to keep her eyes open, Dee let go of the fight. Dusty would watch over Erica.
To Dusty’s chuckles, she had nursed the baby successfully, Erica more than eager to participate in the process.
Exhaustion from giving birth made sense, although this felt like more, as though her body wanted or needed to catch up on all the sleep she’d missed over those last few months. She felt safe to do so now, as strange as it sounded.
No, that could be added to the list of things she would think about later. She allowed a restful, dreamless sleep to pull her under.
Chapter 4
Washington, D.C.
Dusty knew this trip home should be a time of joy. His wife and daughter were healthy and safe. However now, the circumstances were beginning to intrude on his elation. Dee had put herself and Erica in extreme danger, and he still didn’t know why.
He’d asked for Erica to remain in the room with them. That way he could keep an eye on both of them and ensure they were where they should be.
He had purposely not brought the subject up while in the hospital. That time was spent bonding with Erica. He lamented his strategy now. They should’ve talked it out, but they hadn’t. His emotions were still too raw, too close to the surface, his fear still with him. As well as a growing anger he wouldn’t be able to keep pushing aside forever.
If Dee needed help, he would get it for her. Her father was a psychologist. Ben would be able to recommend someone. Of course, that would lead to more secrets. No therapist could be told about their time traveling to 1891. They wouldn’t be believed in any case.
It was enough their two fathers knew of their journey into the past. Ben and Evan were probably a few too many, but they’d had to explain their relationship to her father. At Dusty’s first meeting with her father, Ben learned of the pregnancy and in this timeline, the two of them had only been seeing one another for less than two weeks. Only the months spent in the past could explain their close relationship.
Their closeness wasn’t helping now. Something had happened to cause Dee to run from him, from their home, at such a critical time. Dusty hadn’t found the courage yet to ask what.
Would he ever?
~ ~ ~
Dee felt Dusty’s distance grow as they approached home, and her mood sank lower. The euphoria of Erica’s birth and safety waned as reality set in. Dusty avoided talking to her. This distance between them needed to be fixed, but she still had no idea herself what happened, though she didn’t know how to admit it.
No one could say why she was in Braddock’s Crossing. Obviously, Dee had driven herself, regardless that it wasn’t something she would ever do. It would have been deemed too dangerous.
Well duh, I gave birth in my car.
She needed to know why, but Dusty had set an emotional barrier between them, and who else could she ask?
Dusty disengaged the car seat to carry Erica inside. When he also took her arm, she thought she felt a slight hesitation there. He settled her on the couch and placed the carrier on the coffee table.
Although glad to be home, the peace she’d always found here with Dusty felt distant now. She should say something, but everything sounded stupid in her head. Dusty wasn’t helping. He wouldn’t meet her eyes, instead watching the baby.
“I should change her and get her settled.” Dee began to rise.
“I’ll do it.” Dusty deftly extracted the baby from the carrier with more competence and confidence than Dee would have believed and left the room.
Rather than joy, despair flooded her. Dusty was angry. She could feel it coming off him in waves though she could tell he tried to hide it. And he had every right to that anger. She and she alone had put their daughter, and herself, in grave danger.
Why?
Chapter 5
When Dusty returned to the living room without Erica, Dee glanced past him to the door of the nursery. “She didn’t wake up, so I put her down. She’s in the tilt thing and seems content.” He sat the monitor on the table beside the carrier. The video of their daughter, sleeping peacefully in her new crib, came through clear and crisp.
“Thank you.” The words were inadequate for what she felt, but she couldn’t seem to find any better.
“You should probably go rest too. She’ll want feeding in an hour or so.”
“Dusty . . .”
He shook his head, cutting off the communication. Dee wanted to curl in on herself. On one hand, he was right. What happened needed to be talked about, but she wasn’t ready for it, physically or emotionally. Dusty seemed willing to give both of them time.
She couldn’t wait too long.
Rising from the couch, she smiled at him, then headed for their bedroom. Her body needed rest, in their bed, where she was safe.
~ ~ ~
Watching her go, Dusty was caught between wanting to pull her back and have this out with her and fearing what such a confrontation might unleash in him.
Dee wasn’t physically ready for such a discussion. He wasn’t entirely sure he could handle it now. He couldn’t allow himself to lash out at her, and he greatly feared that’s what would happen. He needed to get himself under control first.
What he could do was finally call their families. They’d decided to wait until they were home. Explaining why she gave birth in Braddock’s Crossing would be difficult, much less that it occurred in her car. Maybe the whole location thing should be left out for now. Her f
rantic run wasn’t something he ever planned to bring up with either of their fathers. Let them draw their own conclusions about the location if they found out.
Dusty had good news to impart. Now he needed to sound like it.
He called Ben first and was put through immediately.
“Dusty? Is everyone okay?”
“Everyone is great, Ben. Or should I say, Grandpa?”
“They’re good.” It wasn’t quite a question.
“Yes, we’re home. Dee’s sleeping now. She’ll call you when she wakes up. Erica’s asleep too. I think she’ll have red hair.”
“Dusty—”
“I know. For the record, she weighs six pounds two ounces, seventeen inches long. I figure we’ll be seeing you in the next couple of days and you can see for yourself.”
“You better believe it. Have you talked to Evan?”
“He’s out of the country. I’m calling him next. Screw time zones.”
“Meredith?”
“I may wait and let Dee call her.” The thoughts of a conversation with his mother-in-law was not what he needed right now.
Ben’s chuckle caused an answering smile on Dusty’s face. “Smart move. I’ll let you call Evan. Give my girls a kiss for me, okay?”
“Will do and I’ll have Dee call you shortly.”
The conversation with his father went as smoothly, and Dusty relaxed back on the couch. Fortunately, neither father wanted any gruesome details. Meredith might, in which case Dee would have to handle her.
Should he check on Dee and Erica? He didn’t want to wake either, but the need to see them with his own eyes, not through a monitor, and safe in their own beds, overcame him.
Dusty tiptoed to the nursery. It didn’t appear that Erica had stirred, sleeping peacefully in her burrito outfit. He’d have to unwrap her and let her stretch soon. He wouldn’t appreciate such restrictions, however she didn’t seem to mind.
His smile faded as he stood at the door to their bedroom. Dee’s sleep wasn’t as peaceful, and he feared disturbing her. Backing away silently, his anger easily overcame his guilt.
He wasn’t the one to cause this rift between them. He hadn’t driven off, manually shutting down all safety devices. Damn it, he could think of no reason for her to run away from him. Dusty would have sworn things were good between them.
He needed to get his act together.
Chapter 6
Home World of the Malveks
Mind Talker One, now known to his coworker as Axal, spotted Warrior Braxal and fell into the ritual cringe as he recognized the leader of his clan entering his work area. The position caused pain after the trauma he suffered earlier, however Axal ignored any discomfort. His warrior was alone this time. From the beginning of the assignment of this project, Warrior Gsark always accompanied him.
“Report.” The order was crisp yet not threatening.
“There has been no change, Warrior. The planet is shielded beyond my ability to penetrate.” He bared his throat, expecting a blow or a gash, and hoping it would not end his life.
Instead, Braxal nodded. “Continue your surveillance.”
“Warrior.” Axal cringed lower. “May I ask a question?”
After a slight hesitation, the Warrior inclined his head.
“Do you have any word on my associate?”
“Warrior Gsark transported him to a medical facility. The last I heard he had not awoken.”
“Would it be possible for me to attend him?”
Again, a slight pause. “I see no problem with your request.”
“Thank you, Warrior. And I will redouble my efforts to monitor the planet.”
Braxal nodded to him and left, leaving Axal stunned, relieved, and more than a little curious about what had occurred between them. There had been no punishment. He bore no wound. The Warrior had allowed two questions. Unprecedented. And unsettling.
Warrior Braxal’s anger over the Guardians’ interference with the planet he monitored, the one known as Earth to its inhabitants, had been massive. The fact he and Warrior Gsark were in attendance when the shield came down, abruptly severing the connection, might have influenced his mood. The trauma could not be feigned. Sark, as Axal had come to refer to his associate, was gravely injured when the Guardians abruptly shielded the planet.
Why had the Guardians delayed in lowering the shield? Surely, they were aware of the surveillance. They were the reason for the monitoring in the first place.
The plan was to draw the Guardians out to parlay for other planets due to the fact they were the ones to ruin the atmosphere of Earth for the Malveks. Had the two Warriors abandoned their plan?
There was nothing Axal could do about Earth at this time. He would keep part of his mind in tune with the location, in the event any change occurred to the shield. That prospect did not seem likely.
For now, he would attend Sark, who was a good associate, and if his mind could still be reached, such an endeavor would be a worthy goal.
~ ~ ~
Guardian Enclave
Cael smiled and approached when the Elder beckoned her. “How are you, my child?”
“Much better and rested. I meditated for some time and I think I have regained most of my balance.”
“It has been a stressful time,” the Elder conceded. “Have you been able to communicate with the Essence?”
“No. I am aware of her. I believe she is aware of me as well but has made no effort to contact me. If it were not for my familiarity with the humans, Dusty and Dee, I do not believe I could penetrate the shield she has erected around the planet. She must know I am there. The transition to a corporeal body has slowed and possibly confused her temporarily.”
“This does not surprise me. As powerful as the Essence is, this is new to her.”
“Powerful? You are also aware of her?”
“Attend me, Cael.” The Elder led her away from the communal room toward her private chambers. Cael had been there before, when she rushed to inform her of the appearance of the Malveks observing the planet Earth. And again, when Dusty contacted her himself.
Now the Elder led her inside and indicated she sit.
“There is much of which you have no knowledge regarding the Essence. That omission now needs to be remedied.”
Chapter 7
Home World of the Malveks
Approaching the medical facility, Axal hesitated. He was not of Sark’s clan. Hopefully his presence would not cause a problem. As he drew closer to the area, he spotted Warrior Gsark himself, exiting the building, and fell into the ritual cringe.
Gsark approached and spoke to him. “Please, rise. Are you injured?”
“No, Warrior. I wished to visit my colleague.”
“Of course. He is still unresponsive. I have just left him.”
A warrior had come in person to check on the health of a mind talker? Gsark was indeed a very different kind of warrior.
“Is he allowed visitors?”
“Normally, no. I believe you should be allowed to attend him, as the two of you worked closely together. You know his mind better than the personnel attending him here.”
“I wish to be of assistance to him. You are correct. I am familiar with his thought patterns.”
“An excellent idea. Come with me.”
Stunned into silence, Axal followed Gsark as he returned to the hallway. They approached a clump of what appeared to be medical personnel, who made obeisance to Gsark.
“This is Warrior Braxal’s head mind talker. He needs to attend your patient.”
The head medic bowed respectfully. “Warrior, he is not trained for—”
“He is familiar with my mind talker’s thoughts. I wish him to examine your patient.”
Witho
ut another word, the medic motioned for Axal to advance.
Axal bowed low to Gsark and waited until he exited the facility, then followed the head medic at the proscribed three steps back. The medic was a professional from another clan and therefore outranked a mind talker. Within his own clan, Axal would rank higher.
Led to a private alcove, Axal observed Sark. He lay on a padded shelf and showed no sign of conscious thoughts. In fact, no thoughts at all emanated from Sark. Even at rest, Axal should have been able to discern some activity from Sark’s mind.
Sark had been gravely damaged in the event. Such damage might be irreparable.
Axal made himself comfortable beside the platform where Sark lay. After a long moment, when he could detect no mental activity, he allowed his dominant forearm with its stunted claws to rest on Sark’s shoulder. Physical contact might assist in this case.
Darkness. Total and complete darkness.
Sark still breathed, though his mind remained blank. It could be dangerous to search for him in such darkness. For Sark he would attempt this. They had become close, now friends, during the work for their warriors.
Bonding over the knowledge they acquired during the exploration of the humans’ minds meant Axal had no choice but to try.
~ ~ ~
Turning toward the communal hall, Gsark left the medical facility. Braxal should be there now. There was much they needed to discuss.
Spotting Braxal, Gsark made his way to him.
“Warrior, may I attend you?”
Braxal nodded, more formal in this public area. “Of course. Would you care to share meat?”
“Thank you, yes.” Together they moved toward a feeding station.
“I have recently visited my mind talker.”
Braxal nodded.
“Your mind talker arrived while I was there. He wishes to assist in the healing. Do you have objections?”