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might work so well would be similarities in our genetic makeup,” the old Cymtarran said. “But what I found-“
    “You’re awake!” Bran said, bursting through the doorway into the room.
    I turned toward him, unsure if I was glad to see him or not. He and his people had saved me from horrible injuries. I could still remember his cool hands on my skin during the worst of the agonies I’d suffered. But I couldn’t forget the pain they’d put me through. Or put out of my mind the fact that if they hadn’t come here I’d never have been injured in the first place.
    “Commander Bran,” I said, inclining my head. “I feel well, thank you.”
    “You were injured fighting to save me,” he replied, arching an eyebrow. “Seeing you healed was the least I could do to repay you. But if you are awake, you are needed. Your ship is being problematic.”
    “What happened?” I said. Were they all right? I hoped no one had done anything rash. How long had I been out?
    “After you were gone six hours, they began to demand to hear from you,” Bran said. “We assured them you were hurt and receiving medical care. They were not happy with this explanation. They have just departed the area, on a vector to return to your planet.”
    “Shit,” I said. “How long was I out?”
    “Two of your planet’s days,” Bran said.
    That made sense. They figured I was dead, and they were booking for Earth. But I wasn’t dead, so this ought to be pretty easy to solve. “Let’s go call them, then?”
    “Please,” he replied. “I have brought you something more suitable to wear, if you prefer…?”
    I looked down and saw my clothing for the first time. It wasn’t clothing. The ship suit I’d been wearing when I came aboard was gone, replaced with a translucent bit of gossamer cloth that reminded me of a hospital johnny. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks. The garment - calling it that was a bit of stretch - didn’t leave much to the imagination.
    Bran handed me a packet, sealed with something that resembled plastic. Was the damned male smirking at me? I couldn’t tell, but that looked like the hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. If he was, I was going to plant him up against the wall next…

Chapter Ten
Bran
    T he Terran glared and me , and I struggled with a smile. It wouldn’t do to humiliate her when she was clearly uncomfortable already. I had too much respect for the woman to do that to her. But her face had changed color, turning a bright crimson, and the way her eyes flashed dangerously was incredibly attractive.
    Attractive? Perhaps I’d been in space too long. But I couldn’t deny the sense of wonder I felt every time I looked at her while she was asleep. This had gone to something deeper than the respect I’d felt for her before. I shrugged away such feelings. It wouldn’t do for me to display them. How would my men trust me, if I was addlepated with some female?
    “Idris, I trust you have somewhere for our guest to change her clothing?” I said.
    “Yes, this way please.” He guided her into a small lavatory off to one side of the medical bay.
    She came out a few minutes later, awash in gold. I’d had the ship’s manufacturing unit tailor a set of armor specifically to her size. Our armor was a great technological achievement. The scales would resist a plasma blast or turn aside most blows with a blade. If the wearer was injured, medical systems within the suit would attempt to aid our nanites in repairs. The system would automatically extend over the wearer’s head in the case of lost atmosphere - allowing the wearer to survive in space for a time without any other protection.
    The armor was very dear, the resources required extensive. But it seemed a small gift to add to the one I’d already granted from my own body. I thought of it as a protection for the investment I’d already made. The fact that the armor hugged her body from neck to heels was an added benefit, nothing more.
    “This