3013: FATED (7 page)

The silence went on for a few seconds and then Ciara fixed her pretty hazel eyes on him. “You’re not telling me something. What is it, Doc?”

Fuck. What was she, a mind reader?

“Uh, there’s a small chance your friend has invited all of us to a formal dinner party for her father while he’s in town.”

She groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. “A small chance, huh? Is it too late to have a relapse? She can’t make me go if I’m in the med-center, right?”

“The only way I’m going to let you readmit yourself is if you let me have the bed next to yours. I have a strict policy of only donning my dress uniform once a year, and I had to put it on for Nikolai and Colin’s claiming ceremony. If I have to go to this thing I have every intention of dragging you with me. It’ll make the evening bearable if I know I’m not alone in my misery.”

She shot him a sideways look he couldn’t quite read. “You won’t be alone. You’ll have Dane for company.”

“Dane is a social butterfly. He’ll make the rounds, charm everyone, and completely forget I’m there until it’s time to go home. I swear the man was a socialite in a past life.”

Ciara snickered. “And you hide in the corner with a drink and a plate of appetizers and pray for it to end quickly?”

“Exactly.” He nodded.

“Then you have yourself a date in the corner. I’m no good at these sorts of functions. My parents used to throw lavish parties and invite anyone they thought might be able to improve their social standing. The second my sister tested fertile they started putting her on display in hopes of snagging a pair of rich, influential bonded. My brothers both have chosen from powerful families, too.” She shrugged her slender shoulders. “I was their sole disappointment.”

It bothered him to hear Ciara speak about herself that way. She was kind, giving, and smart enough to survive in a hostile land. “If your family can’t see your value, Ciara, it’s their loss. Danny and Kyle owe you their lives. Their father told me about what you’ve done for Black Springs over the years. The people you’ve helped and the lives you’ve saved. People think you’re a hero.”

“I’m no hero. I’m not even a real doctor.”

Ciara had lost too many patients over the years to ever count herself a hero. She’d done the best she could, but with limited equipment, only basic medications, and incomplete training, there was only so much she could do. Under the rubble of what had once been her home was a ledger holding the names of every man, woman, and child she’d successfully treated. At the back of the ledger was another list, this one containing the name of every patient she hadn’t been able to save. On the bad days, the ones when she questioned everything, Ciara read the ledger as a reminder she was making a difference. Out of everything she’d lost, it was the one thing she couldn’t replace.

Vance brushed a hand across her arm, startling her out of her thoughts. “You don’t have to be a doctor to save lives, and not even the greatest doctor in the galaxy could save everyone. We all lose sometimes. How you deal with the loss is what truly matters. You’ve lost everything, and you’re still standing. It may not be heroic, but it’s pretty fucking impressive.”

“In point of fact, I’m not standing. You made me sit in that dumb wheelchair because I don’t own shoes.” She stuck out her feet and wiggled her slipper-clad toes to emphasize her point.

“Well, I can promise you there won’t be a wheelchair waiting for you at my place.”

“No? You’re going to let me walk in on my own steam, bare feet and all?”

Vance chuckled. “I don’t think you’re going to have that option once Dane sees you shoeless.”

Ciara crossed her arms over her chest and gave him a warning stare. “What’s he going to do, carry me in like a sack of potatoes?”

“Something like that,” was his cryptic response.

“I’d like to see him try,” she muttered and turned her head to stare out the window again.

They headed into the bases’ housing sector, continuing up into the hills, high enough she could see glimmers of light from the town that was slowly growing up around Fort Saken. The houses here were newly constructed, with fresh paint as yet untouched by the elements, and carefully landscaped yards. Even the roads were newly paved without a single pothole or crack. Alayna had mentioned her bonded were arranging for new, family oriented housing to be built for Alliance officers, but Ciara hadn’t been back to visit since construction had finished. It struck her as funny that Alayna, who had been a homeless nomad for most of her life, now lived in one of these elegant homes. Fate was a strange thing.

Vance parked the shuttle outside one of the nicer homes on the street. The front porch light was on, casting enough of a glow she could see her temporary home was painted white with a bright blue trim. Cheerful light spilled out of countless windows, adding to the sense of welcome. This wasn’t merely a house—it was a home. Ciara could feel the difference before she even left the vehicle.

“Brace yourself, I do believe the welcoming committee is about to be unleashed,” Vance murmured as the front door opened and a small figure darted out.

“Ciara! You home.” Annie called out, waving her hand as she ran to greet them as fast as her pudgy legs could carry her. It had taken her a few days, but she’d finally learned to say Ciara’s name. Vance hopped out and intercepted his daughter, scooping her into his arms as she squealed with delight. “Daddy home!”

Ciara’s heart warmed at the image before her, and for one brief moment, she felt a sharp pang of regret for all the things she could never have. Children, a family, even a home like this one, full of people who loved each other. There’d been a time she’d thought this would be her life one day, but fate had other plans.

Dane followed his daughter outside, and his heart beat a little faster as he saw Ciara. She looked stronger than she had only yesterday, and even more lovely than he remembered. When Vance had agreed they should get to know her better, Dane had been thrilled his partner was onboard. When Vance had suggested that they invite Ciara come and stay with them for a few days, Dane had jumped at the chance.

Ciara opened the door and started to climb out, keeping half an eye on Vance as if she expected him to stop her. Dane took a good look and immediately knew why. The damned woman wasn’t wearing shoes, only a pair of disposable paper slippers. Dane didn’t think, he simply reacted, unwilling to let their guest set one foot on the rain-soaked ground. She floated out of the shuttle with a startled yelp, and he belatedly remembered he’d yet to mention his abilities to their house guest.

Oops.

“I told you he wasn’t going to let you walk,” Vance said, struggling not to laugh and failing miserably.

“What the hell is going on, and why am I floating?” Ciara demanded, kicking her feet for emphasis as she hovered several feet above the ground.

“Sorry. I should have given you fair warning. I’m a telek, and I didn’t want you to get wet feet, so….” Dane crooked a finger as he levitated her closer, trying not to laugh at the mixture of annoyance and enjoyment displayed on her face.

“A little notice would be nice before you go sweeping a girl off her feet,” she muttered. “At least Vance asked permission before he picked me up.”

“Sorry,” he said, but the truth was he wasn’t sorry at all. She hadn’t so much as flinched at the revelation he was a telekinetic, despite the fact not everyone was accepting of gifts like his. It made some people uneasy, but not Ciara. He placed a steadying hand on her shoulder as he set her carefully on her feet. He was pleased to note she didn’t protest the contact. Being this close to her gave him an opportunity to admire her once more.

She was even prettier when she was irritated. Maybe it was the way her eyes flashed, or the flush of color appearing on her normally pale cheeks. Whatever was going on between the three of them, it was getting worse—or better. He wasn’t sure yet which one it would be, but he was looking forward to finding out.

“Interesting talent you have there. The Alliance sure got their credit’s worth when they enhanced the two of you. None of my siblings manifested any new abilities after their enhancements. Well, apart from the standard ego enlargement.”

“That’s not standard issue, you have to ask for it specifically,” Dane replied, earning himself a grin. “Come on in, Ciara. Annie is dying to show you her room, so we’ll start the tour there if that’s okay?”

She peered inside. “Does this place come with a map? It’s huge!”

“You won’t need a map, I promise. If you get lost, you can ask one of the bots for directions.”

“Please, tell me you’re kidding.”

“Mostly.”

“Come. See!” Annie reappeared between them and grabbed hold of Ciara’s hand, tugging her inside before she could protest.

Vance arrived next, and Dane couldn’t help but chuckle as his partner turned and activated the security system, locking all the doors. “Not taking any chances, huh?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. All I did was secure the house for the night, same as I always do.”

“Only you’re about four hours earlier than usual. Do you think there’s really a chance she’d want to leave?”

“I think if she wanted to leave, nothing on the planet would stop her. All she has to do is call Alayna and they’d have her out of here before we could blink. Alayna’s very protective of her.”

Dane understood the feeling. “I noticed. She seems to inspire that in people.”

“She does. I spent some time talking to Tanner today. He’s the father of the two boys she pulled out of the rubble. Ciara’s saved countless lives out there using nothing but ancient equipment and black market or outright stolen meds. She’s something of a hero to them. She never charges for her services, eithers. She actually worked as a laborer in the hydroponics bays to earn enough credits to get by.”

Dane glanced up the stairs, taking a long look at Ciara as she followed Annie, still holding the little girl’s hand. She couldn’t be more than five-foot-six or so, with long legs and a slender build so unlike the tall, statuesque bodies of enhanced females. It couldn’t be easy for her out there, leading a life of hard work and sacrifice with little material reward. “She’s one of a kind,” he said in agreement.

“She might be once in a lifetime. Or in our case, twice in a lifetime,” Vance spoke softly.

They’d once thought that Christine would be their once in a lifetime chance at happiness. Maybe they were going to get a second chance. Ciara chose that moment to turn and look down at them. Her gaze met his, and for one brief, perfect moment, Dane’s world was complete. Before he knew it, the moment was gone, shattered by Annie calling for them to join them.

“Come Daddies.”

Still stunned by whatever the fuck had just happened to him, Dane headed for the staircase, only a few steps behind Vance. “I have a feeling you’re right, Doc.”

Ciara let Annie lead her deeper into the house, trying to take in the general feel of the place as she went. The entranceway was large and airy, and the entire house was painted in soft, neutral tones. The carpet beneath her feet was thick and sinfully soft, a far cry from the packed dirt floor of her clinic. Doors lined the hallway. They were almost all closed, no doubt to stop Annie from wandering where she shouldn’t be.

Annie kept up a constant, cheerful babble as they walked, though Ciara only understood a third of what was said. Hopefully, she hadn’t missed anything important. It was hard to focus when part of her mind was still playing over the moment she’d looked back at Dane and Vance and found them both watching her with an intensity that quickened her pulse. There had been desire in their eyes, and a predatory hunger that stirred feelings and needs she normally kept buried deep inside. She’d known she was attracted to them from the beginning, but now she knew for certain the attraction went both ways.

Alayna had sworn they were good men, and Ciara believed it. For a few days, she could rest here and hide from the stark truth. She had lost everything and would have to start over yet again. For a few days, she’d give herself permission to forget. When she left this place behind, it would be to rebuild somewhere new, with whatever supplies she could find, and whatever happy memories she could make in the meantime.

Annie stopped outside the last door and pointed excitedly inside. “Dis my room.”

Ciara stepped inside and found herself in the middle of a wonderland. She’d expected a traditional pink bedroom filled with dolls and glitter. Instead, the room had been decorated to look like a forest, with the furniture crafted to match. A toadstool chair, a fallen log that was actually a bed, even the shelves holding her things were made to look like the branches of the trees lining the walls. The carpet was plush and patterned in shades of green and brown to mimic a forest floor, and overhead was a twilit sky that showed a sprinkling of stars.

“This is some room, Annie. You’re a very lucky girl” she declared, looking around with amazement.

“Lucky is one word for it. Spoiled is another,” Dane said as he and Vance arrived, both of them grinning down at their little girl as she toddled about her room, pointing out her favorite things.

“What little girl doesn’t hope to be spoiled by her daddies? You’re the first men she’ll ever love. You might as well set the bar as high as you can for anyone who tries to win her heart later.”

“She’s never dating,” Vance grumbled, looking pained at the thought.

“It doesn’t work that way, and you know it,” she teased him. “But you do have a few years left before you have to worry about it. I’d say you’re well on your way to making sure she has high expectations.”

Both men raised their eyes from their daughter to look at her, and once again Ciara’s pulse started to race as she found herself caught in their heated gaze.

“Every woman has the right to have high expectations. If a man can’t meet them, he should step aside and let her find someone who can,” Dane said.

“High expectations are a luxury only some women can afford to have. The rest of us have to make do.”

Vance folded his arms across his chest and gave a slow shake of his head. “You’re wrong, Ciara. You deserve the best of everything. And while you’re staying here, we intend to treat you that way.”