7. Know Nothing
"Open a little wider for me, honey. That's it." Ruby shined the light down Sera's throat and made a note on her chart. "Have to wait for some lab work to see just what we're dealing with, but it's an aggressive infection. A bed's ready for you to lie down and rest, even if you can't sleep. Sound good?"
"Yes," coughed Sera. She only agreed to stay when she learned she'd have her own room away from the crowds in the common area. The few Octarians she'd seen on the way in paid her no mind, but she never went too long without a glance over her shoulder.
Ruby showed her out into the hall where a smiling nurse waited. She looked back into the exam room at Goji.
"Go on," Goji coaxed. "I'll stop and see you in a few minutes."
Sera let herself be led away, tempted by the promise of hot tea and medicine.
As soon as Ruby shut the door, Goji knew she was in trouble. "I wish you'd brought her in right away," said the doctor, "instead of making up stories and trying to treat her yourself."
Goji tugged a tentacle. "It took a few days to earn her trust."
"Can't you tell she's hiding something? Did it take until somebody broke into your house looking for her?"
"There's no proof they were looking for her."
"There's no proof they weren't, and don't give me that coincidence crap. You don't live in a neighborhood where that happens all the time. I don't expect that kind of bad judgment from you. You put yourself and your brother in danger. It's a total miracle neither of you were there."
"I knew it was a risk. That's partly why I didn't bring her here right away."
"We can deal with risks here!" Ruby didn't yell much, but when she did, it cut straight to the core. "We have security! You invited trouble right into your house trying to play hero."
"I… I'm…sorry."
"No – you'd be sorry if Kiyoza got hurt, or worse. All three of you could've been murdered!"
Goji felt a vibration in her coat pocket. Someone was calling.
"Ever since I've known you," Ruby went on, quieter now, "you've wanted to drive all the suffering from the world. Sacrifice for others is admirable, but what you did was stupid. Downright foolish. What would your mother say?"
"It doesn't matter. She's not around to say it." The words left Goji's mouth before she could stop herself. Her eyes snapped up from the floor to Ruby. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"
Ruby sighed. "No, no, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone there."
Goji wished whoever was calling her would stop. She wished she could tell Ruby everything so she would know she wasn't a fool. She wished none of this were happening at all. At least the borrowed shirt hid her bandaged arm. That would be impossible to explain away.
"I know you don't want lectures," Ruby said. "But I've got no kids. Everyone here is my family, and I love you all like family. If you got hurt – especially if I could've stopped it – I'd be a wreck. Promise me you won't do anything like this again. Don't put yourself in danger when help is just a call away."
"I promise."
"That's my girl." Ruby smoothed Goji's mantle. "I'm sorry I lost my temper. Are you allowed to go home yet?"
"I don't think so."
"Will you let me take you and Kiyo out for dinner tonight?"
"I couldn't…"
"Of course you can. And you will. Take care of whatever you have to take care of, and meet me here around four."
"Thank you. Really. I appreciate it."
"It's no problem at all." When Ruby left to attend to other patients, Goji answered the persistent phone call.
"Where are you?" Marie asked.
"I couldn't pick up," Goji gritted back. "Is it done?"
"Package is on its way to HQ. What's the Octoling's status?"
"Sera will be fine once treatment starts. I hope."
"Can you come outside?"
"In a minute."
"Make it fast," Marie said. "Debriefing in two hours, then I have a place to show you. Afterwards, we can get Kiyo."
"A place to move? Already?"
"I'm efficient. Be out here in ten, though. We're on a schedule."
Goji hung up and made her way down the hall to Sera's quarantine room. She knocked before letting herself in.
Sera was curled under the covers with a mug of tea on the table beside her. She looked up when the door opened.
"It's just me," Goji said. "How are you?" She took the shrug to mean not good. "I have to go for a while. I wanted to let you know before -"
"You're leaving?"
"I have to get my brother," she explained. "And try to handle the rest of this mess. You're safe. I promise."
"I heard that before."
"I wouldn't have brought you here if I didn't think it was the best thing," Goji said. She wrote her phone number on a notepad and left it on the bedside table. "You can call me anytime from that phone on the wall. Just press 9 before dialing the rest."
"You never said you'd leave me alone. You'll be back soon?"
"I can't say for sure. Maybe this evening. I'll see you as soon as I get in." Sera didn't return her smile when she left.
Marie waited outside, leaning against Goji's car. "You drive back to my place, and we'll take my car from there."
"What difference does it make?"
Marie swung into the passenger seat. "I drive faster."
The ride to Agency headquarters from Marie's apartment felt like an eternity. Goji stared out the window until Marie asked her what she was thinking.
"What do you think? I don't want to do this."
"I know, but it'll all be over in a few minutes. We're only reviewing what happened. You're not on trial."
"That's not the point," Goji said. "They'll pressure me to rejoin – or he will, at least. If we have to move, what choice do I have? I can't afford that."
"You leave that to me."
"I can't ask you to buy us a house."
Marie shrugged. "It's not a house, and I won't wait for you to ask me."
"Marie! I'm not a leech. Don't make me feel like one."
Lime eyes narrowed at the road. "I won't see you pushed back into this. End of story. Don't mention it in there; don't ask for help. You know nothing; just say what happened last night and I'll work out the rest."
Last night. It felt like another lifetime. Goji frowned and said no more until they reached their destination. Marie flashed a badge to pass the security checkpoint.
You've been here before. You know this place, you know the game they play. Stay strong. Get through it… She felt a firm hand on hers.
"Let's do this," Marie said. "I'll be beside you the whole time."
"You better be."
