Reunion in Death

«Exactly so. You wouldn't happen to know what size she wears, would you?»

«Huh?»

«Never mind, I'll take care of it. Ready to go home?»

She slid off the table, but didn't object to having his hand support her. «Where's my ice cream?»

«You didn't behave, so there'll be no treat for you.»

«That's just mean.»

She was furious when she learned he'd called Louise in, but when she weighed that against the possibility of Roarke enlisting Summerset as a field MT, it was easier to swallow.

Especially when Louise walked into the bedroom carrying an enormous bowl of double chocolate chunk ice cream.

«Give me that.»

«You get it after I get your word you won't give me any trouble during the examination.»

«I've already had an examination.»

Saying nothing, Louise scooped up a spoonful and slipped it between her own lips.

«Okay, okay. Jeez. Hand over the ice cream, and nobody gets hurt.»

Louise passed Eve the bowl, then sat on the side of the bed, propped her medical bag in her lap. She pursed her lips as she studied Eve's face. «Ouch,» she said.

«That your medical opinion, Doc?»

«It's a start. From the look of it, I'd say you're lucky he didn't shatter your cheekbone.»

«I just knew this was my lucky day. It's not so bad now,» she added over a mouthful of chocolate. «Those cold packs sting like a bitch, but they work. Roarke's being pissy about this, and he's got me outnumbered. So if you'd just clear me so I could get up and do some work-«

«Sure.» Louise gestured.

Suspicious but game, Eve swung her legs off the bed, even managed to stand on them. For about three seconds before her head exploded and began to spin. Louise caught the ice-cream bowl handily as Eve dropped back on the bed.

«Some doctor you are.»

«Yes, I am, and efficient with it. That just saved both of us arguing time.»

Prone, Eve pursed her sore lips. «I don't think I like you anymore.»

«I don't know how I'm going to go on with my life knowing that. You'll stay put until I tell you otherwise.» She pulled a palm unit out of her bag, called up the copy of Eve's chart. «You don't know how long you were unconscious?»

«How the hell should I know? I was unconscious.»

«Good point. I'm going to run some scans, give you a second round of cold packs. I can give you something for the discomfort.»

«I don't want chemicals. Deal's off if you pull out a syringe.»

«That's fine. I'd rather not give you anything with the concussion. We'll use external blockers there to take the edge off that whopper of a headache you must have.»

She went back into her bag, calling out a «Come in,» at the knock on the bedroom door.

«Excuse me.» Sam stepped just inside the threshold. «Roarke said I should come up as I might be of some help.»

«Are you a medical?» Louise asked.

«No, not a medical. I'm Sam, Delia's father.»

«We're okay here,» Eve said carefully, and set the bowl aside. «She's doing whatever she's got to do.»

«Yes, of course.» He backed up awkwardly.

«A healer then?» Louise asked, studying him with interest.

«I'm a sensitive.» His gaze was drawn to Eve's face again, and pity for the pain rose in him.

«Empathic?»

«A bit.» He shifted his soft eyes to Louise, smiled. «Medicals rarely put any stock in sensitives or empaths.»

«I like keeping my mind and options open. Louise Dimatto.» She rose to step off the platform and offer a hand. «It's nice to meet you, Sam.»

«Why don't you two go have a drink downstairs,» Eve said dryly. «Get acquainted.»

«Unfortunately» Louise glanced back over her shoulder «I can't say her rudeness is a result of her injuries. She was born that way. Obviously a genetic defect beyond the scope of medical science.»

«If you can't be rude in your own bedroom, where can you?» Eve picked up the bowl again, sulked over it.

«If I could just have a private word with her?» Sam asked.

«Sure. I'll just step outside.»

When they were alone, Sam walked up to the bed. «You're in considerable pain.»

«I've had worse.»

«Yes, I'm sure you have.» He lowered himself to the side of the bed. «You don't want chemical blockers, and while I'm sure Dr. Dimatto can relieve some of the discomfort externally, I can do more. It won't happen again, Eve,» he said before she could speak. «Because I'm prepared. I know you're not sure if you can trust that, but you can. I don't lie, and I wouldn't offer if I wasn't sure of your privacy.»

She pushed at her ice cream with the spoon. No, he didn't lie. «Will what you can do get me on my feet faster?»

«It should, especially in conjunction with the medical.»

«Okay. Let's just get it done. I've got work.»

It was mortifying as neither the healer nor the medical had bothered to mention she'd have to strip down to the skin for the exam and treatment. They discussed her anatomy as if she were a science droid in a lab, so that she finally shut her eyes in defense. She jerked at the first touch of fingertips, at the spread of cool, then of warmth along the blade of her hip that had rudely met pavement, twice.