by Lauren Dane
Nothing. Like it didn’t happen.
“I need …” To be alone? It might be what she thought she needed, but she sure wasn’t ready to face the reality of it.
“You need to let us help you.” Vincenz spoke from his place at the table.
“Sleep in our bed tonight,” Julian added. “Safer. Warmer and you can snuggle between us.”
Hannah had been gazing at Vincenz as Julian had said that. Vincenz nodded. “We’ve got room.”
“I don’t want to interrupt anything.”
Julian’s laugh puffed her hair a little, tickling her ear. “You aren’t.”
She blushed then because of course she knew that. Had seen it and it still made her knees a little rubbery to remember it.
“It’s all right to let yourself lean on us. Been a hard day for you.”
That kindness was more than she could stand and the hated tears came back. “I won’t even be able to look back on photographs if they got rid of everything.”
Julian led her back to the table and Vincenz pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her and rocking slowly. “They can’t take your memories.”
“Eat.” She pointed at Julian, worrying about him.
She tried to get off Vincenz’s lap, but he held her tight. “I can eat one-handed. Julian is already shoving food into his face. How about you eat too? Just a little more soup. The tea too?”
Chapter 7
Vincenz eased from bed, pausing to look at Hannah all bundled in the blankets, Julian’s arm over her. Her hair was over her face but she was beautiful anyway. The house was still very quiet. Even in the middle of a war it was quiet but for the soft hum of all the electronics in their communications hub.
He needed to check on an algorithm he started running before bed the night before. They’d brought back so much raw data on so many different things over the last four months. Each time one of the Phantom Corps teams went out they brought back more data. The picture began to fill in and it wasn’t good. Not that they’d expected anything else.
He’d been deep in his head when her hand landed on his shoulder. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
The treatment may have been experimental, but it had been miraculous nonetheless. The shadows he suspected would always be in her eyes remained, but they were nothing like they had been. Her words were no longer halting, though she did get flustered at times and lost her train of thought, which frustrated her. That’s when he and Julian would simply hug her, or grab her hands and look into her eyes to get her back on track.
While he could pretend it was only because she needed their help, he couldn’t lie to himself. He liked to touch her. Liked the way she felt in between them in bed at night. Found himself eager to learn more about the Hannah beyond the injured woman he’d freed from the lab.
She was no longer the injured victim he first brought back. The Hannah beyond that had surfaced. The woman. The woman who held a lot more appeal than he ever could have imagined. The way he felt about her was changing, had been for some time. He wasn’t sure of everything it meant just yet.
“Good morning.” He smiled, taking her hand and kissing it. He’d opened his mouth to say more, but she was staring at his logbook. He moved to close it when she pointed at something he’d scribbled down.
“This is wrong.”
“How so?” She didn’t even know what it was. How could she know if it was right or not?
“You see here”—she pointed to the string of code just above—“it’s correct. But here these three should be in a different order.” She took a spare pencil and worked on a blank sheet of paper nearby. “Like this.” She quickly revised the figures and he looked them over, intending to pacify her but realizing she’d been totally correct.
“You’re a genius.”
She laughed. “Many have this exact reaction when they meet me these days.”
Beneath that mask she’d had on when he first brought her back to Mirage was a very dry sense of humor he really enjoyed.
“I’ve been working on this coding for a month. It took me a week just to get the section above this to work. I’ve been hung up for a week now and I guess I know why. I didn’t know you did programming.”
She pulled up a nearby chair. “This is a formula really. Chemistry and biosciences have always been something I connected with. It comes to me easier than say, creative writing or public speaking.” She paused. “Numbers have always settled my thoughts. Further evidence of how crazy I am.”
“You’re not crazy. You’ve suffered trauma, but you’re not crazy. Stop hurting yourself with that.”
She paused and cocked her head. “You’re very good to me.” And then just as quickly she changed the subject. “Julian will be up soon to make me sweat.” She grinned, referring to the workout regimen Julian had designed for her. “Would you like anything from the kitchen?”
He got up to follow her into the other room. “Let me get it.”
“I’m not that horrid a cook. Julian’s been giving me lessons with that too.”
Big, tough Julian, who was incredibly patient with her, seemingly delighted by each thing she did. Though he didn’t brook laziness, he clearly had a soft spot for Hannah. Which was all right with Vincenz as he had one as well.
“How are you … after the debrief?” He had no idea why he suddenly felt so shy around her. No, not shy. But … something had changed. Not in a bad way. At least he didn’t think so.
They’d waited until after she finished her treatment before they did the brain scan debrief. He and Julian had been with her the whole time. It had been difficult for her and she’d been set back a week or two, but that had been a month before already. Ellis was on his way to them; he wanted to meet Hannah in person to talk with her about what they’d seen and learned. Julian had told him only the night before that he’d only allow it if she was ready.
Vincenz agreed.
“My brain … my thoughts aren’t so jumbled. I can think about things I couldn’t bear to before. I know you’ve all been waiting for the next step in debriefing me. You should just get it over with. Or try. All the time we waste is time you don’t have. I know Ellis is on the way here.”
“Julian and I won’t let anything happen if you’re uncomfortable with it. Wilhelm Ellis is a good man, but he’s intense. You have nothing to fear from him though. I promise you.”
She took his hands. “Thank you.”
Julian sat in the sunshine, watching Hannah work in her garden. He’d gone through her workout that morning and as usual, she amazed him with how she never gave up. Even with sweat pouring from her and exhaustion in her muscles, she would finish her reps and turn to him, asking what was next. Her stamina could put many in the corps to shame.
He wanted to make her strong. As strong on the outside as she was within. Wanted to give her a measure of control, and in doing so, he supposed, he found some as well.
Being with her quieted all his rage. Soothed him. He wasn’t sure why, but it was true anyway.
She was beautiful there on her knees, the big brim of the hat shading her face. Her constant chatter seemed to quiet out here in the open air. She hummed to herself and would occasionally speak to him, apologizing for interrupting and then he’d laugh and tell her he liked her interruptions and to stop telling him she was sorry. He didn’t want to be something she apologized for and that in and of itself was curious.
He was debriefing her on his own schedule. They had a brief time before the rest of the world would come down around them, and he wanted to savor it. Wanted to unravel this for her and make her safer.
Things were heating up. Before long the war would consume him and Vincenz. They’d be sent off somewhere as a team. Somewhere away from her. Until then, they’d do their level best to keep her protected.
“You’re distracted.” She continued to work after she made the statement. Hannah had this way of seeing him right down to the bone and understanding him. And she did not r
ecoil. Instead she accepted. Let him be.
“I’m debriefing you,” he teased. “I have to pay attention.”
“More than that. You don’t have to talk about it. But if you want to …” She lifted her shoulders and they continued talking.
He’d learned that in the very beginning when they’d first brought her to the labs that they’d had her go over her notes multiple times. She didn’t remember any specific emphasis on any one thing, but Julian figured the most obvious thing was that there was something she’d seen or touched on that they wanted to know more about. She just didn’t see it at the time.
The brain scan was accurate of course. Took a print of sorts from her memories of her time in the labs. But because she’d been so mentally harmed, the impressions weren’t as clear as they would have been otherwise. So it was his job to untangle it all and help her make a coherent history of what happened there.
“Were there any other people there from your offices at the foundation?”
She looked up from the earth she’d been digging in. “At first they had my research assistant, James. But then he went away. I don’t know where.” A shadow passed over her features and he knew she blamed herself.
“Was there a particular project you were working on with James?”
“He was my assistant. He worked on several projects with me.”
“What was his specialty? Why did you choose him to work for you?”
“He had many of the same interests I did. Disease vectors. How different viruses spread. Speed of transmission. I chose him because I liked him best when I interviewed for the position. He’s very personable. He’s finishing up his degree and his advisor contacted me on his behalf. Not my favorite from my time at the institute, but he’s well respected. A recommendation from someone that accomplished goes a long way.” Hannah paused. “Am I saying too much? Not enough? I want to help.”
“You’re doing just fine, beautiful Hannah.”
“Is this how you always do your interrogations?”
He frowned, thinking of the way he’d had to interrogate prisoners after Parron. “No.”
She got up, brushing her knees off and tossing her gloves to the side before coming to him. It was when she went to her knees and put her head in his lap that he began to accept the way she brought so much comfort and solace.
“I’m sorry to have brought that memory to you.”
He brushed a palm over the shiny black silk of her hair, so soft against his skin. “You didn’t. My job isn’t usually this pleasant. I’m not interrogating you at all. Just helping you get the story out. It’s yours; I can only help you find a way to tell it. Interrogation is for people who don’t want to help.”
“Do you think that makes you bad?”
He snorted. “Not precisely.”
“There are villains in the world, Julian. You are not one of them.”
He leaned down and kissed her temple, pausing to take a deep breath, drawing her into his lungs and holding her there for long moments.
“I’m not a character in a children’s story.”
She laughed then, a real laugh, and he joined her there, on his knees in the dirt, getting face-to-face. “I love your laugh.”
She paused and he hugged her. She seemed to melt into his embrace and that only made his … whatever it was with her … deeper.
Vincenz chose that moment to come outside. He paused and then smiled. Julian felt a twinge. Maybe guilt? No, he hadn’t done anything wrong. But it wasn’t that simple.
“Ellis is here.”
Hannah froze in his arms and turned to Vincenz. “Do I have to leave?”
Julian stood and helped her to her feet, and Vincenz was with them in seconds. “No, baby. He’s our boss. He wants to talk to you, but he’s not going to take you anywhere.”
Her eyes wide as saucers, she visibly pulled herself back together, taking a deep breath, brushing the soil from her clothes. “Will you be there?”
“Would you like that?” Vincenz asked.
She nodded, and Julian wanted to grab her and run the other way.
But Ellis wasn’t a bad man. He was a good man and Julian knew, probably better than Vincenz did, that Ellis would instantly take to Hannah. He’d see her hurt and want to fix it. It was what made him such an effective leader.
That, and he had a soft spot for wounded birds. Hells, the entire Phantom Corps was made up of broken people Ellis had collected and given a purpose to.
“We’ll both be there then.”
“May I change my clothing and get cleaned up first?”
Her hands shook just a little and Julian took one, kissing it. “Go on. No rush. He’s here and we’ll need to have multiple meetings on all sorts of things.”
She darted inside, avoiding the front room and headed toward her bedroom to change. Though most of the time she slept in their bed, she kept her room and retreated there when she needed to.
“How did it go?” Vincenz asked as they headed toward Ellis.
“She remembers more than she gives herself credit for. I’m beginning to think the reason they kept her so long was something to do with her work. Which is obvious and all, but I’ll keep working with her.”
Ellis was on a comm with someone when they entered the situation room. He signed off and gave them his full attention. “Operatives Haws and Cuomo.” He looked around them. “Where’s Ms. Black?”
“She’s been in the garden. She went to clean up.” Julian looked around the room and found a spot he thought she’d be most comfortable in. “She’s asked to have me and Vin present when you debrief her.”
“In case I attempt to ravish her like a rake?”
“She’s fragile. People hurt her. She’s wary.” Vincenz sat at the table.
“I know. Julian, I think you should continue with your debrief. I’m sure it’ll be better than mine anyway. It’s your gift.”
Julian had long since ceased to be surprised when Ellis said exactly the right thing. He just did and everyone in Phantom Corps accepted this fact.
“When we finish with Ms. Black, we have another series of meetings. Daniel is at Roman’s and they’ll comm in from there.”
“And how is the babe then?” Abbie was Daniel’s sister and the wife of Roman Lyons, the leader of the Federated Universes. She’d had a baby only two months before; in the midst of so much chaos, there had been joy. It was important to remember that.
“Mera is thriving. Not hard when every single person she sees dotes on her. As if Abbie would allow anything else.” Wilhelm grinned as he shook his head.
“Sounds like her.” Vincenz had a great deal of admiration for both Roman and his wife. They’d made a great deal of good in the Federated ’Verses, had brought them forward so much when it came to the extension of basic rights to their people. As a leader, Vincenz felt that Roman was peerless. He made hard choices and he did it well. He was courageous and intelligent and hard when he had to be.
“Ah, you must be Hannah.” Wilhelm stood and Vincenz watched, amused, as Hannah’s eyes widened when she took in nearly seven feet of Wilhelm Ellis, Comandante of the Military Corps. “I’m Wilhelm Ellis.” He held his hand out, and she took a deep breath and returned his handshake. “Please, come in and join us.” Wilhelm put her hand on his arm and led her to the chair Julian had put out for her.
“You’re very large.” She clapped her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
Instead of anger, Wilhelm laughed as he sat across from her. “Not rude at all, Hannah. I’m told my father was very tall as well. Must be where I got it.” Ellis sobered. “My condolences and those of Roman Lyons and House Lyons for the loss of your family.”
She blinked several times and nodded. “Thank you.”
Ellis studied her intently but she held up under scrutiny. Vincenz had to clamp down on his instinct to rush in to protect her. He wanted to defend her against this, but he knew she needed to do this on her own. Knew it meant someth
ing to her and it definitely would with Ellis. Vincenz trusted Wilhelm Ellis more than anyone else he knew. He had to continue to do so.
Finally Ellis leaned forward. “I’m here … well, I suppose you must know one of the reasons I’m here. I wanted to thank you in person for submitting to the brain scan. I know it was … difficult for you, especially given your history with the Imperium.”
“Julian told me the scan works better when—well, when the person’s brain isn’t murky and sort of broken. I understand you need more from me.”
Ellis flicked his gaze to Julian and Vincenz knew understanding passed between them.
“Broken seems an inappropriate word for what your brain is, Ms. Black. To be blunt … as brains go, it’s quite impressive. But yes, because of the mental trauma you endured, the scan was less than conclusive. So the real question is—they had you for some time and yet they didn’t kill you. This is a good thing, obviously, as you’re alive and we like that. But it’s a puzzling thing. Do you know why?”
She sat straighter. “Why didn’t they kill me? Why did they keep me alive on this side of the ’Verse line? You think I know something. Or that I’ve been implanted with something that poses a danger to the Federated Universes.”
Ellis smiled and nodded approvingly. “You’re very smart.”
“I am if all the letters behind my name and the certificates I’ve earned aren’t counterfeit. The treatment I underwent with Dr. Pesch mapped my brain. He tells me that while my brain has damaged spots, there’s no evidence that I’ve been implanted or altered.” She took a shaky breath and Vincenz handed her a mug of tea. After a few gulps she looked back up to them again.
“He made the same report to me. I was glad to hear it. But the puzzle remains, doesn’t it? Killing you would have solved the problem if it was that you’d seen something you weren’t supposed to. They killed nearly everyone else; why not you?”