“You really need to take better care of yourself. You lost a lot of blood. Not enough to need a transfusion but enough to make you feel weak and wobbly for several days. The pain meds will make you a little groggy until they wear off. Especially since you haven’t eaten enough, nor gotten much sleep, and you’ve been so focused on Moon that you’ve ignored your health. Your body was already worn down and now you’ve gotten hurt on top of it. I’m ordering you to stay in bed and food is on the way. Eat, then sleep, in that order.”
“Okay.”
The doctor finished and stepped back. “Now that we’ve dealt with the physical side of this, we need to discuss a few things.”
That piqued Joy’s curiosity. “What do you want to talk about?”
Trisha pulled over a stool and sat next to her bed. “I wanted to prepare you for what is to come.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re involved with a New Species. I don’t know the specifics of your relationship with Moon but what happened in your home is going to—”
Joy stopped her right there. “I appreciate you taking the time to explain his elevated levels of aggression but I’m not afraid of Moon in any way. Are you worried that I would be after he attacked my client? It was self-defense. I’m very impressed that he was able to avoid killing him. It showed great restraint.”
“That didn’t even cross my mind. I’m glad to hear it though.”
“Oh.” Joy felt a bit foolish. “Okay. Sorry.”
“No need for that. Moon called 9-1-1 when you were shot and that means it hit the news as soon as they heard the police and ambulance respond to the call. Those bastards seem to have scanners glued to their ears so they can overhear all the emergency responders’ communications. I wanted to prepare you for how they work.” She paused. “I won’t sugarcoat it because I know what you do for a living. By now the reporters have probably spoken to all your neighbors, dug through your trash, and are trying to locate any friends or family they can hit up for interviews.”
A ball of anxiety formed inside Joy’s stomach. “You’re sure they know?”
“It has already hit some of the internet sites. The major television news stations will run the story on their first broadcasts in the morning and you can be sure there are some very busy newspaper employees scrambling to get it to print for the morning edition. The reporters had the address of the shooting to work with to discover your name. Moon stated he was New Species because the dispatcher thought it was a prank. He said a human had shot you and she naturally assumed he wasn’t quite…” She floundered for a description.
“She thought he was nuts.” Joy sighed. “The average person doesn’t describe another person as human.”
“Exactly. I was sent a copy of the 9-1-1 call and listened to it. I got the impression she believed she was dealing with someone who believes in UFOs.”
The ramifications of what Trisha was telling her sank in and she panicked for a moment. What had happened in her condo would be major news. Breathe. A hundred thoughts streamed through her head at once. She forced them all back to focus on her first priority.
“Can you please give me access to a phone? I would rather my parents hear about Moon and my being shot from me than some stranger knocking at their door or seeing it on television while they eat breakfast. I need to call them.”
“They didn’t know you worked with New Species or were seeing one?”
“No.”
Trisha stood. “I’ll get you one of the disposable cell phones we keep on hand in the reception area. You need to stay in that bed and this room doesn’t have a landline.”
“Why do you keep any at all?” She was glad for the distraction.
Trisha flashed a grin. “Let’s just say Species play and work hard. They come here for treatment when they get hurt. Their personal phones don’t always survive whatever brought them in so we keep a batch of spares to lend out until they get replacements. It’s how they keep in contact with Security in case they are needed somewhere.”
Joy was left alone to make a mental list of who she needed to call after her parents. Meg was a given. She would leave it up to her mother to contact other family members. The woman loved to gossip and was the artery of information that kept everyone linked.
Trisha returned.
“Here you go. I’ll give you some privacy and see if I can hurry them along on bringing you a hearty meal. Eating something will also help keep down nausea caused by the drugs.”
“Thank you.” She accepted the cell phone. “Where is Moon?”
“He’s in a meeting.”
“Is he in trouble for what happened at my condo? He had no choice but to take my client out of commission.”
“I’m sure he’s fine. This proves my point. He’s a big male who can take care of himself. Right now focus on yourself.” She left before Joy could ask any more questions. She dialed, flinching over the lateness of the hour. Her mother answered on the third ring.
“Hi, Mom. I’m okay. I’m sorry I woke you but there are a few important things I need to tell you. It can’t wait.”
“Who is it? What do they want?” Her father sounded groggy and annoyed in the background.
“What’s wrong?” Her mom’s voice sharpened. “What do you mean you’re okay? Why wouldn’t you be?”
She took a deep breath. “A client had a meltdown. I was hurt but I’m fine.”
“Oh my god, Joyce. I knew this would happen. Did he hit you? Stab you?”
She bit her lip. She couldn’t try to downplay it because they’d hear the details on the news.
“What happened to our girl? Is she okay?”
Her father sounded much closer, as if he were right up against the receiver. She could almost see them huddled together in the middle of their bed with the phone held between them. It would never occur to them to hit the speakerphone button. They never used it despite her taking the time to buy them an updated system for Christmas.
“I’m fine. I only needed a few stitches, okay? It’s going to sound much worse than what it really was.”
“What did one of those nutballs do to you?” Her father was worked up. “I told you to become a chef. Cooking is much safer. I warned you how dangerous it is to work with crazy folks.”
Oh boy, not this again. He always thinks everyone I deal with is a serial killer. She sighed.
“Enough,” her mother ordered. “What happened?”
“I’m fine,” she repeated, knowing they’d overreact when she gave them the rest of the details. She was their only child and they were very protective. “I was grazed by a bullet.” That sounded better than stating she’d been shot. Silence. She winced. “It’s a scratch.” Another lie but she could live with it.
“What hospital are you at? Honey, get dressed.”
“Dad? I’m not at a hospital.” Medical at Homeland wasn’t technically one, at least not that she was aware of. “I don’t need you to get out of bed and rush to my side. I wanted to tell you that I’m fine before you see it on the news.”
“The news?”
Joy pulled the phone away from her ear. “Don’t yell, Mom. There’s one more thing I need to tell you. I’ve been seeing someone recently that you don’t know about. Our relationship is kind of new so I wanted to wait until we figured out where it was going before I introduced you to him.”
Joy hated feeling as though she was fifteen again but she did. It was her job to counsel people on how to relate to others but her parents had a way of negating all her training.
“Kind of new?”
Dad had to pick up on that, didn’t he? “Well, we only started spending time together recently,” she hedged. “He was with me when I was shot at.” She chose her words with more care. “His name is Moon and he saved my life.” She was pretty sure Douglas would have taken more shots at them if he hadn’t ended up unconscious and bleeding on her living room carpet after Moon was done with him.
“Moon? What kind of name is that? A
re his parents hippies?” Her dad didn’t sound happy.
“Tell me he’s not some rock star or actor,” her mother pleaded. “They always pick odd stage names and I read about them getting divorced all the time. Your father and I want you to have what we do.”
She bit her lip, muffling a groan. They seemed to have forgotten she’d been shot at but that wasn’t necessarily a good thing. She knew them too well.
“Marriage is a serious commitment so you make sure the boy is going to treat you right,” her dad stated. “Does he have a good job? Are his parents still married?”
“He didn’t ask me to marry me. Why are you even talking about this?” Joy kept her tone calm. “I called to tell you that I was hurt but I’m fine. I also wanted to tell you about Moon. He—”
“Are you having intercourse with him?” Her mother whispered the words. “Are you being careful? Are you using condoms and did you have him tested for those diseases you young people get these days?”
“Oh my god.” Joy wanted to bang her head on the bedrail. “I’m not pregnant if that’s what you’re going to ask next. I’m a responsible person and my sex life isn’t up for discussion. Will you let me talk? Please?”
Their silence indicated they would.
“Thank you. He saved my life,” she repeated, hoping they’d focus on that. “He’s really nice,” she rushed on. “I think you’d like him if we keep seeing each other and you get to meet him.” She paused. “He’s New Species.”
Her father responded first, sounding stunned. “What?”
“Moon is a New Species,” Joy explained. “He’s super sweet and not scary at all.” She tried to imagine what concerns they’d have to address before they spoke again. “We’ve been seeing each other and I’m hoping you’ll be okay with that because I’m serious about him. I know you don’t know much about them but I do. They are really good people. I love him.” She waited to see how they’d take the news.
Her mother surprised her. “I like them. Is he handsome?”
“Very. I think so anyway.”
“What kind is he?” Her father didn’t sound upset.
“Does he have those cat eyes?” Her mother sounded excited. “Those are so pretty.”
“Canine,” Joy offered. “So no, he doesn’t.” They were taking it way better than she expected and she was grateful for that.
“Dogs are very loyal. That’s really good.”
“Dad!” She was aghast that he’d said that.
“I didn’t mean anything by it, honey. It’s a compliment.”
“I know. Please don’t ever say that if you meet him,” she pleaded.
“We want to meet him. Isn’t this wonderful?” Her mom laughed. “Our baby is dating a New Species.”
“I can’t wait to tell the guys on my bowling team. I’m so sick of hearing about Bob’s son dating some author. This is way better.”
Joy did groan then. “Come on, Dad. Really? You’re going to use Moon to impress your bowling buddies?”
A familiar deep snarl came from somewhere down the hallway of Medical.
“I said no! Get out of my way!”
Joy almost dropped the phone when a loud crash followed. Moon was nearby and he sounded furious. She remembered her parents then.
“Let me call you back. I love you both.” She hung up before they could protest, shoving at the covers to free her legs so she could swing them over the edge of the bed.
“You are not going to ignore me, Moon.” She knew that voice and he sounded equally as angry, minus the snarl. “I am ordering you to my office.”
“No. Stop blocking the hallway or the next thing I throw will be you.”
“The only place you’re going is to my office. I’ve called for officers. You can walk on your own or they can take you there.”
“Not now.” Moon was worked up. “I don’t want to hurt you but I will. Get out of my way.”
“Help!” the man yelled. “I need assistance!”
“What is going on?” That was Trisha’s voice.
“I’m going to see Joy,” Moon declared.
“He’s not going anywhere but to my office.” The guy had a whiny tone now. “Nurse? Bring a sedative. He’s having a psychotic break.”
Joy slid off the bed and her bare feet touched cold tile. A wave of dizziness hit, reminding her she still hadn’t eaten, but she wanted to get to Moon. She used the bed and then the wall to keep her balance to reach the door. She paused in the doorway, staring down the corridor.
An average-size man had planted himself in the middle of the hall about ten feet away with his back to her. Both his arms were outstretched so his fingertips almost touched the walls to keep Moon from getting past him. A cart lay on its side between them, the source of the crashing sound.
Moon glared at the guy, his hands fisted at his sides. His lips curled back as a deep snarl tore from him. Trisha stood at his side, looking equally angry, minus the show of teeth.
“Why are you here, Kregkor? No one called you to come in. You’re not on duty.” Trisha didn’t hide her anger as she spoke.
“I got a call about what happened. He ran away from Homeland, attacked someone, and had to be brought back by force.”
Trisha frowned. “That’s not what happened. Someone from Homeland called you? Who? I want a name.”
“A friend of mine read it on the internet and knows I work with New Species. He gave me the heads-up. No one here bothered to inform me. I’m going to be speaking to my supervisors about that, and Justice too. I’m sure the president will be very concerned when he hears that you’ve got a Species running around a major city on a rampage and you tried to cover it up. This is my patient and he needs treatment. I’m tired of being prevented from doing my job.”
“Your information is wrong.” Trisha attempted to calm the situation when she used a professional voice. “Moon is fine. He—”
“This isn’t any of your concern. You’re not qualified to tell me how my patient is. You’re out of your league, physician. I’ll send him to you if he gets a broken leg or a cut but right now you’re out of line.”
Paul rushed from the reception area, looking as if he’d just woken. “What’s wrong?”
“I need a sedative and restraints,” Kregkor demanded. “Call for more officers in case he puts up a fight. My patient is having an episode.”
Joy resisted rushing forward, even though she wanted to. It was hard enough to stay on her feet when her knees wanted to collapse but she refused to return to bed.
She needed to assess the situation before she proceeded. It was tough to even pretend to be emotionally detached when the jerk blocking the hallway was threatening the man she loved. She knew Dr. Kregkor was the resident psychiatrist at Homeland but he was an idiot if he honestly believed Moon could have done any of the things he’d accused.
“Get out of my way,” Moon snarled, his gaze landing on Joy.
Trisha gripped his arm to draw his attention. “He’s not worth it, Moon. I get it. Trust me. He’s an asshole but are you really going to make me patch him up?”
“I told you to get me a sedative and call for orderlies to help us restrain my patient, nurse. Do your job,” Kregkor snapped.
Paul shook his head as he took a few steps back. “I don’t take orders from you.”
“You’re fired.”
Trisha released Moon. “You can’t fire my nurse. You’re the one totally out of line here, Kregkor. You’re making a big mistake if you believe that bullshit you just said. Your friend shared information with you from some story on the internet? Are you serious? Moon didn’t run away and he sure didn’t go on some rampage attacking humans. If you will be reasonable and lis—”
“I’m calling my supervisors.” He dug into his pocket and jerked out a cell phone. “You people are harboring a danger to society. They were justified in sending me here to keep an eye on how things are run. I’ll call a news conference if that’s what it takes to force you to allow me to treat
these unfortunate souls. Allowing them loose on society isn’t acceptable. He could have killed someone and you’re trying to cover it up!”
Joy’d had enough. She kept her hand on the wall to steady herself as she moved closer to the son of a bitch. He was pushing buttons when she reached out and snatched the phone from him. He started and spun, gaping at her. She canceled the call with her thumb and tossed the phone Moon’s way, assuming he’d either catch it or let it hit the floor. It didn’t matter to her either way.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Hello, Dr. Kregkor. We met at the front gate, remember? I assume you know by now that we’re both in the same field of medicine.” She struck out her chin, giving him a chilly stare. She didn’t offer him a hand to shake. “You are going to close your mouth and behave like a rational, functional adult or I’m going to kindly ask the nurse to bring me a sedative to give you.”
“How dare you!”
She leaned in closer. “How dare you!” Her temper flared and she barely managed to retain her composure. “I have been assessing the situation. You admitted that you came here with preconceived notions from information you obtained from an unreliable source, prepared to act upon it, without even bothering to actually do your job, which would be to calmly speak to the client to determine mental status before formulating the best course of action to assist him.”
She had to shove her hip against the wall to remain steady. She was still shaky from the adrenaline rush as well as the drugs she’d been given. “The fact that you’re using your authority to threaten someone with the use of drugs and restraints justifies my assessment of you. You’re agitated, causing a scene, and purposely attempting to provoke others into committing violence.”
“Do you know who I am?” He thrust out his chest, his eyes gleaming with outrage.
She didn’t feel well and was tired of dealing with him. “I can tell you what you are. Incompetent. I’ll be more than happy to speak to your supervisors to let them know it as well.” She waved a finger toward the ceiling. “You forgot about the cameras. I’m positive that the security office here at Homeland will be happy to send your boss a copy of you storming into this building to accuse someone of being psychotic without any foundation for that diagnosis.