She blinked away tears, trying to think. She didn't want to call Zagros. He'd make a big deal about it, probably declare Uh'luka a risk to her safety and lock him up somewhere. The small cabinet was all the medical supplies she had, and she didn't even know what half the stuff was. It hurt to sit, to walk, to stand. She had to do something.

Asha hobbled down the porch steps, cringing with every step, and went to Ain's door. She knew it had a weight sensor, but it was a habit to knock. "Please be home."

When she lifted her first to knock again, the door swooshed into the wall, "Asha...you don't look well."

"I need your help."

While he didn't have the right equipment in his house, his ship did, and it was sitting on the roof. He led her into the medical bay to a metal pod. "The Machine" turned on with a hum and unfolded in front of her. She lifted one arm and a leg and rolled onto the table, panting through the stabs of pain. The table was encapsulated like an MRI machine.

Lights danced in the dark tunnel around her torso. The soft gel mat under her moved like she was lying on wriggling snakes. It felt like her skin was covered in spider webs before a prickling sensation took over her lower back.

"It's detected an abnormality with your coccyx, I'm going to start the healing sequence."

Asha nodded as she let out a breath.

The dancing lights blinked out, and she was left in the dark. A burning pain ran down her back, swelling around her tailbone. Another surge of pain made her gasp. There were two more, then Asha began to sweat. She dug her heels into the table, fighting the pain, knowing it wouldn't last long.

After as many times as Mah'ku had strapped her into "The Machine" though, she couldn't handle it anymore. Asha pressed her palms against the top of the machine, feeling like it was shrinking with her inside it. She remembered how she crawled through the pipes, through the grime, feeling like her fear was suffocating her. Her heart hammered in her chest, becoming painful. She couldn't catch her breath.

"Asha, you're moving too much."

"Get me out!"

"The process is almost finished."

"I don't care! Get me out!"

Ain stepped up to the machine and placed his hand on her chest with a purr. Asha grabbed his hand and wound her fingers through his. He purred again, slow and steady, but the machine was already winding down. Asha laid her head back. The machine opened up above her, letting in the light.

"I'm sorry, you can have your hand back."

She released his hand, but Ain caught her fingers and helped her sit up, "Healing can leave you drained of energy. Would you like to sit down and eat something with me?"

"Thank you, but I'm fine. I've already intruded enough."

Ain looked down into her brown eyes, "Asha, you still do not look well."

She pressed her lips into a hard line with a shrug. Even if he wasn't familiar with human body language, yautjas were observant. Her eyes were still red from crying. She wouldn't smile.

"Did Uh'luka do this?"

Asha shook her head as she dropped her eyes.

He was more perceptive than she realized. Ain's posture stiffened with a growl. "He did, didn't he?"

"He didn't mean to. I don't think he even realized that he hurt me."

"If he cannot control himself around you, then he doesn't deserve you."

"I don't need a lecture. Thank you for your help, but...I have to go."

"Asha, this cannot continue."

"I know."

"I'm aware oomans have deep, complex feelings, but you must fight through them to find the logical choice."

"And if those feelings are love?"

"It doesn't matter what you call it--it's not worth the physical and emotional pain he's putting you through."

She wiped her eyes, "He was honorable and disciplined. I know he was...But they took that away. They tortured him for two decades and no one is willing to give him enough time to heal but me."

Ain just stood and stared at her as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I don't expect you to understand."

Ain followed her to the front door. As soon as she spotted Uh'luka outside, she tried to close the door but Ain's palm stopped it. Uh'luka was pacing in front of the house, but looked up and growled when he saw the make behind her. A second growl reverberated through the air from Ain, but that didn't stop Uh'luka from stepping forward.

Ain rose his voice, "You're not welcome here!"

Uh'luka's hands balled into fists. Asha went up to him in order to stop him from approaching Ain, "Uh'luka what are you doing?"

"Waiting for you."

Ain's hands reached over her head from behind and shoved Uh'luka's shoulders, "Get off my property!"

He tumbled backward off the step but rolled with it rather than try to stop his fall. The momentum helped him leap back to his feet. They ran at each other and Asha had barely enough time to slip out of the way. Their chests hit with a thud, then they grappled to the ground.

There were grunts and panting, but not snarling like she would have expected. A growl was a threat. They were past that. Uh'luka and Ain went at each other with the intent to do harm. They locked their legs to immobilize each other, twisted limbs, trying to get in a clean punch.

"Both of you cut it out!"

Neither of them listened. It was as if they couldn't even see her. Asha took one step forward but stopped herself. Last time she'd intervened, she'd got a black eye. They rolled and Ain gained the upper hand.

When Ain's fist drew back, Asha yelled, "Don't!"

His eyes narrowed but his fist remained in the air.

"Ain, don't. Please."

A growl rolled in his throat, but he released Uh'luka and jumped back. Uh'luka shook off like a dog, then rose to his feet puffing out his chest. He threw one punch, then another, but Ain ducked out of the way. Ain turned his face away in a sign of submission. Uh'luka's fist slammed into the side of his head anyway, making Ain stagger.

"Uh'luka, stop!" Asha grabbed his arm, but he easily shoved her back to tackle Ain.

Again, they both went to the ground. Before Ain could pin him, Uh'luka's teeth sank into the male's forearm. Ain gave no indication of pain. His other arm slipped under Uh'luka's jaw and tightened around his neck. Asha covered her mouth and backed away as she watched Uh'luka's eyes turn bloodshot.

"Ain…" Her chest tightened, seeing Uh'luka struggle.

Eventually, Uh'luka's head dropped and his body went still. Asha could see Uh'luka's chest slowly rising and falling. He'd passed out. Ain stood up and lifted his arm to examine the injury. There were two neat rows of teeth marks slowly oozing green blood.

"Ain, I'm sorry."

"It's nothing. I'd let myself get beat up for you any day."

She forced a smile, but it didn't last. Asha crouched down beside Uh'luka, "Help me carry him inside."

"You're going to let him back in your house? After what he just did?"

"He's got nowhere else to go."

"A yautja female wouldn't tolerate such behavior."

"Well, I'm not a yautja!"

Ain was quiet for a moment, then he said, "No, you're not."

Asha bowed her head as her fingers clutched on Uh'luka's arm, "I'll do it myself."

She wrapped both hands around Uh'luka's wrist and heaved. His body moved a couple inches. She held her breath as she yanked again, digging her toes into her sandals, and managed to drag him a few more inches. She slowly took one step back after another, hauling him towards her house.

"You'll never get him up the steps."

Asha glanced up to glare at Ain, but he was already walking forward. He swooped down to grab Uh'luka's foot and drug him next door. Ain didn't bother to lift him up. He yanked Uh'luka's body up the stone steps with an amused chortle.

Once in the living room, he carelessly dropped Uh'luka's foot, "There."

"You couldn't have put him on the couch?"

Ain grumbled under his breath as he hefted the body onto the couch, then turned to leave. He paused in the hallway, "You do realize that you're putting your life at risk to save his?"

"That's none of your concern."

"If he keeps acting like an animal, authorities will put him down like an animal."

"That's not going to happen."

"You're not a pet anymore, Asha. You are a blooded citizen of this clan. If he kills you outside of a challenge, it's murder."

"That's not going to happen."

"Once he's labeled a badblood, I'll be the first to hunt him down."

"Ain…" she clenched her fists, fighting to keep her voice level, "Just leave, please."

Asha sat down on the edge of the couch and put her head in her hands. When she heard the door, she knew Ain had left. She let her fingers slide down her face then turned to look at Uh'luka with a sigh. She stared at the blood on his teeth. Even though his eyes weren't clouded and his skin wasn't scarred, he was still a monster.