Page 290 of Every Almost

"Ow," Charlie said, dragging out the word.

"You'll survive," Kess replied. Then she stopped again and looked Charlie right in the eye.

"Go to her quarters," she said. "I'll have her meet you there."

Charlie blinked.

"Whose quarters?"

Kess didn't take her eyes away.

"The Captain's."

REYNA

Med Bay was practically empty.

There was one lone technician at the far counter with a tray, and the three colonists were in the beds along the wall. One had his arm in a field brace and was asleep sitting up.

The table in the middle of the room had a light over it with nobody on it.

"Where is she."

The technician looked up and found Reyna standing next to his console. To his credit, he only took about a second and a half to give her an answer.

“Who, Captain?”

“Wickett,” Reyna said, the strain in her voice evident.

It was clear the technician heard the anxiety in Reyna’s voice. "She's cleared,” he said gently. “Doctor Pheras walked her out."

"Where."

"I don’t know, Captain. The Doctor went with her."

Reyna turned for the door and nearly walked into Kess coming through it.

“Where is she, Kess?”

Kess looked at her, and seemed to take in the whole state of her. Her chest was heaving, her hair was in her face, and she’d spent nineteen hours on her feet.

But then Reyna witnessed a genuine smile spread across Kess’s face.

“You finally figured it out, huh?”

“Figured what out?”

“That it’s mutual.”

Reyna’s mouth opened. “How did you—” She stopped. “What makes you think?—”

And Kess laughed, out loud, the sound filling the Med Bay.

“Kess, where?—”

“Your quarters.” Kess jerked her chin toward the door. “She’s waiting for you, Rey.”

Reyna didn’t move.