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IV, looking satisfied.
    “I can’t even tell I’m attached to my body, doc.” She tried the smiling thing again. Probably she was doing okay at the smiling. She had enough practice. Didn’t your muscles just retain the memory of stuff you did all the time? “You’re doing a great job,” she encouraged Doctor Karakis. He really was a nice man. She wondered why she’d never met him from her volunteer work. She remembered to thank him for his time.
    A choked noise drew her attention. Her father had started to cry. Why was he doing that? She was fine. Couldn’t he see?
    “It’s okay, Pop,” she tried to reassure him. “Don’t cry.” It made this whole thing really awkward.
    Andra had tears running down her face too and Andra never cried. Even at sad movies. She usually served as Hero’s human Kleenex as she was a big ole’ baby. Her brothers just stood around and looked grim. So business as usual, then.
    She missed Knox. He would have smiled at her. He was the only other one that was also as good at smiling.
    “I need a number,” Doctor Karakis gently prodded, “for your chart.”
    “Oh, of course.” Why hadn’t she thought of that? “ Liiiiiiike, a two, and mostly because I just poked myself in the eye. Also, my throat is sore.”
    “That’s because of the breathing tube,” the doctor explained patiently. “It was difficult to keep you breathing on your own, at first, and you needed it during surgery.” Hero found it hard to ignore her families’ horrified reaction. She didn’t want to hear this stuff yet. She just wanted to ride out her sweet drug-induced mellow.
    Motioning him closer with her head, mostly because her hands were still refusing to work, she was pleased when he bent down to her.
    “Why don’t you take everyone out there and tell them how okay I’m going to be,” she suggested in a conspiratorial whisper. He hadn’t yet told her she was going to be okay. But, likely someone would have mentioned it if she were dying. “Also, you can tell them exactly how to pamper me while I get better.”
    She attempted a wink, but her eyelid just trembled and she had to blink rapidly.
    Dr. Karakis patted her on the shoulder and offered her a warm smile that deepened the attractive brackets around his mouth. “I’ll be in the consultation room to the right. How about you tell them to meet me there? Maybe they’ll listen to you.” His wink was successful.
    Show off.
    “It’s very important that you don’t strain your abdomen, understand? I’ll leave the rest to tell you later.” He nodded to the room at large and strode out the door and to the right.
    “Mama…” Hero blinked up at her mother.
    “I know, Malyshka .” Her mother kissed her forehead and nuzzled her cheek. She felt warm and soft and familiar. She stood and threw her statuesque shoulders back and regarded her brood. “We’re going to get information from the doctor,” she commanded. Coming from Mom with her husky voice reinforced by steel, it sounded like there might be water-boarding involved during the procurement of said information. But there wouldn’t be. Mom was smooth.
    “We’ll be right back in, wee one.” Pop kissed her. His graying ginger bristles didn’t tickle her cheek like they usually did. Stupid numb face. But he smelled like Irish Spring soap, engine grease and Guinness. All was right with the world. He followed Mom out the door.
    Demetri held his glossy, black, shoulder-length hair back from his face and bent to kiss her. His jacket clinked and creaked. He smelled like leather and asphalt and nighttime. “You’re such a bad ass,” he murmured, pressing his broad forehead against hers.
    Hero ignored the darkness and vengeance lurking in his eyes. “I had you for an example,” she whispered.
    The corner of his mouth lifted in his signature devastating half-smile. “I’m glad you’re going to be okay.” He slapped Connor’s shoulder as he passed him on his way to the door. “C’mon,