Chasing Constellations (The UGS Constellation Series)

by HA Fortman

  The rugged good looks of the officer were dark and brooding from his nearly black, brown intense eyes to his dark curly hair that was cut short to his head. While her eyes traveled up and down the long length of his body, the officer fiddled with a few pieces of paper before stepping forward enough to pass them to her.

  “I need you to fill this out as much as you can, Miss Jones.” When he stepped back Elisa looked down at the pages and sighed, “It’s just a standard report form. Fill it out as best as you can with as much as you remember and I’ll go and file the report for you. You might need to come back to the station in a day or two if one of the Detectives has any further questions for you.”

  “Oh! Detective Tanner knows me. Um, could you please have someone call him and tell him I’m here? I’m sure he needs to know and I have no idea where the card he gave me is. I don’t even know where my purse is.” Elisa wasn’t really paying attention to the others in the room as she looked about her for a pen which the Doctor passed to her. With a smile of thanks she pulled the rolling table closer and began to fill out the form, shuddering as she remembered yet again what happened. She hoped she didn’t have to relive it again, but something told her that she would have to at least tell David about it.

  As she was passing the report back to the officer the curtain moved once more. This time it was the welcome sight of Chase coming to stand on the other side of the bed from her that drew a relieved and grateful smile from her. “Chase, what’re you doing here? I thought you were being grilled down stairs?”

  With a chuckle Chase leaned forward and carefully placed his hand on the side of her face, cupping her cheek tenderly before saying, “I couldn’t stay away from you Anare. I needed to make sure you were ok.

  “When can she come home, Doctor? I will stay with her until she’s back to her beautiful self.” Chase leaned forward and brushed his nose lightly against her forehead before placing a gentle kiss on her brow. His eyes, however, turned quickly towards the doctor as he straightened back up.

  Elisa closed her eyes at the soft touch as she lost the battle against the soft moan his touch brought to her chest.

  Her breath had caught in her chest when she first saw him walk through those curtains like he owned the placed. She had never seen anything sexier than the tall, well-built man with the predatory gait walking towards her and knew she looked like an idiot as she all but drooled at what she witnessed.

  He was wearing tight black slacks that hugged every inch of his waist and thighs, tucked into the waist was a brown silk shirt that stretched decadently across his chest. She nearly swooned when his warm hand touched her, and she just knew when she became lost in his piercing blue eyes that he had seen the way she shifted on the bed as she clenched her thighs together.

  “I’d like to keep her overnight but I don’t think that’ll happen. Since all of the other tests came back as good, if bruised, then she can go home, but… “ The doctor paused as he gave them both a stern look, then cut his eyes over to the officer still standing in the front corner, “I don’t want anything strenuous and you’re to take at least twenty four hours to rest and relax. Don’t lift anything, make sure she stays awake for the next twelve hours at least or at the very least wake her every few hours. If she starts to slur her words or can’t remember how to count to ten, then I want you to bring her back here with no excuses. Understand? No lifting, no cooking, and certainly no… extra activities! And I want you to see your normal doctor in a few days. I’m going to send some pain medication with you and I want you to take it if the pain becomes too much ok? I’ll go start the release papers and the nurse will bring them to you in a moment.”

  The doctor watched both of them, only continuing when he received a nod from both of them. With a smile and a nod of his own he patted Elisa’s shoulder once more before saying, “I hope I never see you like this again in my Emergency Room young lady.” With that he turned and left the little exam room.

  “We need to talk Elisa, but not here. I’ll stay with you because you don’t need to be alone tonight and I won’t hear anything about it. Is there anything else you need on the way home?”

  Elisa shook her head and smiled, still reeling over the soft brush of his lips against her forehead and the fact that the doctor was releasing her so suddenly when he seemed so adamant about keeping her over night before. Wondering if Chase had something to do with that, she was about to answer when his hand slid from her cheek to her lips, a single finger pressing them together as he nodded towards the opening before moving to trace her lips. Seconds later the same nurse as before walked in with a frown marring her kind face.

  “I don’t understand why, but Doctor Evans said you can go home since there’s nothing we can do other than observe you.” She said as she passed Chase a stack of papers and a bottle of medication already filled.

  “Don’t leave town Miss Jones, Detective Tanner wants to talk to you, but he’s unable to meet you here. He said he would meet you at your house in an hour or two if that’s alright?” as he spoke the officer stepped forward, interrupting the two others before they could talk further. “Here’s my card and the report number on it in case you need it later. If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to call. Have a good evening.”

  Watching as the officer nodded to them and the nurse, she was slightly concerned as the officer left so easily. Elisa sat dumbfounded by the soft concern she had seen in Chase’s eyes, the nurse proceeded to unhook the various monitors and IV from her. While the nurse worked explained the various papers she had given to Chase. Telling him what signs to watch her for, how he was to wake her every few hours and when to give her the medication. She repeated the doctor’s orders, by telling her yet again to make sure she went to her normal physician in a few days for a checkup. By the time she had finished both, Elisa was free of the various cords attached to her and being helped into her shoes by Chase.

  “Did you do that Chase? Get them to let me leave without being badgered, without having to stay overnight here?” The whispered words barely left her lips, soft enough that only Chase could hear them.

  Once the nurse left Chase, after cutting her another spine tingling smile, gathered the papers and medicine, then helped her out of the bed, leaving one arm wrapped carefully around her shoulders. He gave her a slight squeeze against his side as he led her out of the little exam area and through the hospital to the main doors where a car was waiting.

  Elisa gasped as she saw that it wasn’t just some clunker that Chase was leading her to but a long sleek black limo. She didn’t recognize him, but the man holding the back door open for them seemed to know Chase. “Commander, it’s good to see you out of there. You must be Elisa, I’m Palee Stalvik but you can call me Tracker.”

  Elisa paused as she gazed at the man holding the door. While he wasn’t as tall as her Chase he was definitely just as good looking, his nearly white eyes held a slight amber hue to them that twinkled with hidden mischief. She glanced at the hand the man held out to her and paused for just a moment before she realized that he wasn’t holding it out to shake as was customary, instead he held it palm up and when she placed her own into it she gasped as he lifted it to his lips and placed an almost reverent kiss to the back of her knuckles. Amazed at the act she stepped back to take the man in.

  His long hair silver was loose and swirled about them in the warm wind off of the ocean, on any other man it would look too feminine as it reached past his waist, but Elisa noticed that on him and Chase it only added to their rugged appeal. His lips teased a smile that flirted with outright laughter at her shocked look.

  “Um… Hi?” She wasn’t sure what to say to such a man and instead turned to look at Chase for direction on how to handle the overwhelming situation.

  With a chuckle that sent electricity skittering over her every nerve, Chase removed her hand and guided her into the car. “Go easy on her Chase, she’s had one tarsu of a day and needs to rest. I’m sure she’s not prepared for your
flirtations just yet.”

  Another dark chuckle followed that Elisa knew didn’t belong to Chase as she climbed into the limousine and scooted over to allow Chase to climb into the back seat with her. As the door was closed, she noticed that the windows were so dark she couldn’t see the night around them except for small pinpricks of light from the street lamps.

  “Don’t let Tracker intimidate you Anare, he means no harm with his actions.” Chase said as he slid closer to her on the leather seat, once more pulling her into his side and draping her in his warm embrace.

  She didn’t even think of the consequences, wasn’t even really aware of what she was doing as she curled herself into his warm side. She was only aware of his entrancing scent of raw leather and sage, of how soft and warm his chest was as she brushed her cheek against it and became comfortable.

  *~*~*

  Chase gazed down at her and smiled. She was instantly comforted in his embrace and he couldn’t resist pulling her even closer. As Tracker drove them to her house he smiled when she sighed and slowly drifted into a restful slumber, her hand clenched in his shirt. Elisa felt safer than she had since the death of her parents and didn’t know that she had swung her body until her legs were draped across his, she only knew darkness and comfort as drifted off with the help of the medicine the doctor had given to her while she was already unconscious.

  Silently Chase lifted her out of the car when they finally arrived at her abode, waiting for Tracker to open the door of the car before sliding out of it. Still slumbering away, Elisa wrapped an arm around his shoulders while pressing her face into his neck. Her dreams were sweet and tender, curled into his warmth and embrace as they rode the seas.

  Once they were inside the house Chase paused and looked about, his superior eyesight letting him move about in the darkness as he orientated himself before moving off to the bedroom. Elisa sighed when she was placed on her back and her shoes removed, not knowing that Tracker had pulled the blankets back so Chase could lay her down. In her sleep, she looked peaceful and angelic, her full lips curling into a faint smile when she felt the press of warm lips against her temple and the blankets tucked up under her chin. Curling to her side, she muttered a soft, “Thank you mom. Love you.”

  Chase stood over the sleeping Elisa with fisted hands, watching as she curled over onto her side and rested a hand under her cheek. He vowed to catch Mestrock before he was able to hurt her again, no matter how he had to or what he had to do. One way or another, the male was going to pay for harming his Anare.

  “Are you sure you want to do this Commander? It’s a huge risk to her.”

  “I know it is Tracker but it’s a good idea and there’s a good chance that he’ll come back for her once he realizes she survived.” Said with a soft sigh, Chase turned to his longtime friend with a sad look on his face.

  Tracker rested his hand on Chase’s shoulder and gave it a tight squeeze. “I’ll go set a perimeter guard and get the recorders set up. We’ll only have a few hours to get things set up before their Detective shows up.”

  Giving a nod to Tracker, Chase started to disrobe as he walked to the other side of the bed. As he climbed in beside Elisa and turned out the light, he paused, his gaze lingering on the woman. With a smile Chase turned off the light and climbed in with her, his smile getting larger when the woman curled into his side in her sleep.

  Chapter 13

  Tracker paused at the threshold of the bedroom door to watch Chase stare at Elisa. Tilting his head, he pondered his Commander and best friend, wondering what it felt like to feel that instant attraction to another. He knew he would never be blessed enough to find his own Anare but he was happy that Chase had found his at last. It was normally every warrior’s dream to find that one woman made for them, even if they were found on some backwater primitive planet. With his own smile he turned and headed out to the main room of the dwelling, closing the door softly behind him.

  As he made his way into the living room, he picked up the various items that had been knocked over or broken in Elisa’s struggles to get away. He could tell by the damage and marks against the walls that she did everything she could to escape. Someone had brought the woman’s things into the house and set them by the front door, he wasn’t sure who had but he gathered them up and set them on the counter in the living room before calling for transport to the ship.

  After stopping to check for any reports that needed his attention, Tracker made his way to his quarters and packed a small bag of personal items. Making his way towards the shuttle bay, he paused and backtracked, heading instead towards the Commander's quarters and collecting gear for him as well. He had a suspicion that the Commander would be staying with the female for at least a few days and as such set up the schedule on the bridge to run without either of them there. Finally returning to the shuttle bay, he loaded the bags onto a small four person craft along with the various surveillance items he would need later that night.

  The sleek craft looked like nothing the humans had ever seen. Its dull black sides seemed to eat the very light around it, creating a slight haze that made it difficult for many to see distinctly. While many thought it looked ugly because of the harsh square lines, Tracker loved it. He’d taken the time to add a cloak to it as well as boost the engine so that it would out fly most fighters.

  Climbing on board the vessel Tracker smiled as he flew back to the females domicile, and landed in the back yard. He was looking forward to this hunt more than any other for the way Mestrock hurt such an innocent beauty.

  After he stowed all of the gear and items in the strange dwelling, Tracker watched silently as he engaged the cloak and watched in satisfaction as the ship turned into a large square building to mimic the one in the yard already. “Orion, lock down mode.” Nothing would be able to detect what it truly was, if they looked they’d be able to open the back hatch and climb into the back compartment by just sliding the door to the side, the very same door that appeared to be the front door of the shed.

  As Tracker made his way back into the home and started to sort through the various electronics, he jerked his head upright. A feeling started coursing through him, one he had learned to not ignore. A feeling that raised the hackles on the back of his neck and caused him to crouch while withdrawing one of two phase guns from the holster wrapped about his upper chest.

  After he had searched the house and grounds outside and found no one else he shook his head and returned to the pile of items left on the living room floor. Sorting through them, he slowly began the tedious task of setting up the camera’s and recorders, the items so small only his enhanced vision allowed him to notice them.

  Not one inch of the house and grounds outside did Tracker leave unprotected. After he spent time setting the recording devices, he went back through and set various traps; stingers meant to knock a person out, gas traps set to confuse someone into running into the other traps, light flashes to blind them. He refused to leave this woman and his captivated commander and brother in arms defenseless ever again.

  Just as he was placing the last light bomb to one of the kitchen windows that feeling returned with a vengeance, now he knew someone was definitely watching the house. But as he dropped into a hunting crouch and withdrew both guns from beneath his arms where they rested, there came a knock at the front entrance.

  Chapter 14

  The abrupt knocking on the door brought him up short, yes the feeling was still there, but he was sure it wasn’t coming from whoever was at the front door. Avoiding all windows as he made his way to the door, Tracker peeked through the curtain at the window beside it before sighing and thrusting his gun back in its holster.

  “It is too early for visits, Detective. Both Chase and Elisa are sleeping yet and I will not have them awaken for at least a few more hours yet.” Said Tracker as he slid the deadbolt and slowly opened the door for the officer.

  “That’s fine, but who are you?” Already on edge, David glared at the man that stood a good foot taller
than his five foot nine height. Chase knew he was intimidating with his large build and tall height, standing nearly a foot taller than David, but he was impressed at how the detective refused to show it as he stepped into the house.

  “I am Chase’s best friend and first officer. He asked me to come help guard his woman until the perpetrator was apprehended. He does not feel she is safe.” As he gave a negligent shrug of his shoulder and shut the door behind the Detective, he knew the man would not leave until he assured himself that the woman was indeed safe in their care. “What are you doing here Detective? Do you not have someone to catch?”

  One of those steely white brows of his arched high as he asked the question while he moved to block David’s path through the house, leaning to the side against the wall of the hallway, he crossed his arms over his chest and made it quite clear that the man wasn’t going to budge an inch.

  “Just let me peek in and see that she is ok. Once I know she is then I’ll go wait out in the car if I have to, but I’m not leaving until I know exactly what happened.” And can assure myself that it wasn’t really Chase that did it! She could have Stockholm syndrome for all I know and not be admitting to anyone that he’s the one that beat the snot out of her! Even the doctor said it was bad and the fact that he released her isn’t right. Something’s going on and I’m going to find out what!

  While David had these thoughts, he glared at the tall man before him, mimicking his pose of crossed arms. Tracker could tell the man would refuse to budge even one smit unless they checked in on the woman, but what he wasn’t sure of was why the man even cared in the first place.