Macy stood at the kitchen counter chopping a head of lettuce for lunch. For those wanting to eat, there would be shrimp and or grilled chicken to put on the salad, as well as other goodies like onions, peppers, different seeds, freshly made garlic croutons, and a whole host of salad dressings.
Abby and Alaina talked with each other as they prepared the meal, but Macy couldn't seem to concentrate on the conversation. She worried about Titus, and she had from the first time Justice brought him into the bunker where they resided since they’d first landed on Earth.
She'd never forget that day as long as she lived. She'd been terrified that Justice had brought an outsider into their home where they’d been waiting for the Six Saviors, as if being on a strange planet hadn't been scary enough.
Yet, he’d come through the door with Titus slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
"What the heck is that, Justice?" Kade had asked.
Justice had wiped the sweat from his brow, his shirt drenched. "I found him in the desert. I couldn't let him die."
"You brought a human into our home?" Chance had asked incredulously. "What were you thinking?"
"You're going to get us killed!" Roman had yelled.
Justice had closed his eyes. "I've walked at least fifteen miles with him on my back. I'm exhausted. I'm going to put him down in one of the rooms, and then we can discuss things."
He’d turned and headed to the last room on the right. Macy had followed at a distance, curiosity getting the best of her despite her fears. Although she resided in a human body, she'd never actually seen a real human up close.
The rooms were carved out of rock, as were the beds. A thin mattress sat on the bed, and Justice had lain him down. She’d stepped into the room behind Justice and studied the new arrival. His hair had hung in long, greasy strands, his handsome face filthy and red from sunburn.
Despite her fear of being discovered by the humans, she’d appreciated that Justice hadn't left him out in the desert to die. It went against every fiber in her being as a Healer, and the need to help him had overwhelmed her.
"I should try to heal him," she’d said to Justice.
He’d shaken his head. "We don't know what that will do to a human body. You could kill him."
As she’d looked over their visitor, felt his forehead and noticed his dry, cracked lips and drawn skin, she’d known he lay close to death, anyway.
"I think I should try, Justice. At least go in and see if I can find any internal damage."
"I think he's been shot," Justice had said, pointing to his left leg.
She’d gently pulled on the pant leg and found a tear. The wound had been oozing puss.
She’d shaken her head. "He's not going to make it. Not with the infection in his leg and his dehydration. I need to try to heal him, Justice."
He’d stared at her for a long while, and then had nodded. "I defer this decision to you, Macy. You're the Healer."
She’d knelt next to the bed, her heart pounding in her chest as she’d prayed she wouldn't kill him. Closing her eyes, she’d taken some deep breaths, reminding herself that he would most likely die anyway if she didn't intervene. His body had been too battered by the elements and his wound held a deep infection.
When calmed, she’d laid one hand on his leg, and one on his forehead. As she’d channeled her energy inside him, she’d concentrated what she felt. Definitely dehydration, and fever from the infection. His systems had also seemed to be shutting down as his kidneys barely functioned and his heart beat irregularly.
Something else had caught her attention—the energy inside of him. She’d gasped, recognizing the markers of an SR44 male.
"What's wrong?" Justice had asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
She’d looked up at him. "He's not human. He's SR44ian."
"Macy?" Alaina said, bringing her back into the present. "Are you okay?"
She smiled and nodded, still finding it odd that Alaina had become one of her good friends. With her Colonist genes, Alaina represented everything Macy hated and feared, but somehow, the female had wormed her way into Macy's heart.
"Where were you?" Alaina asked with a chuckle. "I can tell you it wasn't in this kitchen!"
Macy grinned. "You're right. I was far away, my mind in another place and time."
"You sure you're okay?" Abby asked, absently rubbing her swollen belly.
Macy grabbed both their hands and grinned. "I'm wonderful. I have amazing friends like you who care about me."
"You're so sweet." Alaina took her into a big embrace.
They held each other for a moment, and then Abby spoke. "I'd like to join in but I'm afraid it's impossible with this belly."
They laughed, and Macy stepped back from Alaina.
"Should we get lunch on the table?" Abby asked.
Alaina nodded, and Macy reached for a bowl. She made Titus a salad, then one for herself. She'd skipped breakfast and her stomach roared with hunger.
"I'm going to go make sure Titus eats." She placed the bowls on a tray.
"What's going on with you two?" Alaina asked.
Macy's cheeks burned at the question, and she looked down as she grabbed the tray. "Titus is a sick male, and I'm a Healer. I'm tending to my patient."
She didn't meet either woman's eyes as she hurried to the elevator, and she certainly didn’t want anyone to think that something was going on between her and the male. Frankly, he resided in such a bad place, a small jolt of surprise went through her each time she went to his quarters and found him alive.