Chapter Six: Alex
Alex's eyes squinted under a bright light. He felt weightless, his body covered umder some soft material. His head swam, it was hard to think.
"Am I dead?" he rasped.
He heard a disembodied voice to left, a woman's. "Worse, you're experiencing juice withdrawal," she said plainly.
He sat up and groaned from the pain. His head throbbed, with a hangover-like sensation. He saw the outline of his body under the bed sheets. He was in one piece at least.
He turned to the source of the voice. The Terran woman wore a white, skintight singlet. Her blonde hair was done up in a top knot. She waved a medical scanner over him, taking readings. The interstellar medical symbol was emblazoned on her breast pocket. A metallic utility belt wrapped around her hourglass shape.
So he was in a hospital ward. Presumably Tycho's. The doctor gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"Relax, you're in Tycho's sic bay. I'm Doctor Karsten. You'll be happy to know you and your crew mates are fine."
"How long was I out?"
"About a day, station time. You and the others took the gravitational forces hard. Fred and his top officers reviewed the ship's recording. Frankly, we're surprised you guys are alive."
"Guess we're just some tough hombres," Alex said, smiling weakly.
"Indeed. Anyway, you and the others slipped in and out of consciousness on the way home. Captain Holden and Amos had a speedier recovery. Being from Earth, their bodies took the stress better."
"Naomi?"
"She's recovering quickly. My staff and I can't figure it out. Not to be too graphic, but if most other Belters went through that, their bones would be ground to dust."
"None too graphic at all," Alex replied, a hint of sarcasm.
Karsten chuckled. "Okay, maybe that was a little blunt. We've chalked it up to her excellent bone growth simulators. Fred sends his complements. Your handling of the battle will be the subject of many a space warfare lecture."
"Yay," Alex replied.
Karsten smiled and handed him a container of pills.
"This will numb the headache. I've determined you fit for medical discharge. But go easy. We need you back in fighting shape before long."
Alex took the container, twisted off the safety cap and swallowed a pill dry. "Doctor's orders."
"Doctor's orders," Karsten repeated.
Alex took a few moments to recover his strength. Eventually, he pulled himself up, got out of bed and found his footing. He changed out of his medical gown into a fresh jumpsuit. Then he collected his things from a storage container by the receptionist's desk, including a belt pouch. He clipped it to his tactical belt and stumbled out of the ward.
There was something he seemed to forget, but couldn't place what. He searched his mind, but it was still foggy.
Passers by gave him funny looks, because of his stupor. He ignored them, determined to remember what he was to do. Needing to rest, he flopped down on a bench, next to a station directory. His hand went idly to his pouch, ensuring everything was there. He pulled out Tan's missing coin.
"Tan!" he thought.
Finding a second wind, he sprang up with renewed vigor. He tore through corridors and levels, heading to the Blauwe Blome bar. If there was an infinitesimal chance to see her again, it as there. He skidded to a stop at the bar entrance, and looked into it. There were a few patrons, but no Tan. His heart sank. Having spent the last of his energy for awhile, he figured he'd take a seat there anyway.
He grabbed the same stool by the bar top as before. He supposed he'd better regroup with the crew. Figure out what to do next.
"Alex?" a familiar voice called.
He turned to see Tan at the entrance, dressed in a silk collared shirt and trousers. Her presence healed him more than any drugs could. He sprang out of his seat and hurried to her.
"Tan, I can't believe it!"
"Me either. My freighter just docked, so I ran straight here and hoped."
Alex fished for the coin and showed it to her. "You left this last time. I tried finding you, but it was too late."
Tan's eyes widened at the coin. "Alex, thank you so much. That means a lot to me."
Alex gave it back, grinning with satisfaction. "My pleasure darlin'."
Tan looked him up and down, concern on her face. "Look like you've been through Hell."
"I've really got to stop worrying you like this," he said, trying to sound jokey.
"Right? Guess this is where I ask you if everything's okay again," she said, laughing.
"I...had to burn hard to get a station VIP to an emergency meeting. Needed a little more recovery time than usual. The uh, location was confidential."
Tan shook her head. "Say no more, I know all about keeping confidentiality with clients."
"Much appreciated. Can I get you anything?"
"No thanks. The bar's nice, but I want to stretch my legs. Want to go for a walk?"
"Sounds lovely."
Alex and Tan walked arm in arm through the station, making conversation. There wasn't much to see, except the occasional shop, bar or club. Potted plants scattered around where practical, adding much needed greenery to the sterile environment. Alex swore some of them were even real.
"The florescent lighting sure is beautiful tonight," he said. "And the drones are out."
A quad-copter whirred overhead, to some destination.
Tan picked up on the tongue-in-cheek tone, laughing softly. "How'd you get so funny?"
"Can't survive long in a confined space with the same people every day without humor."
Tan nodded. "I know all about that, heh."
They stopped at a balcony overlooking a lower level. They people watched in companionable silence.
"So, you did your time in a transport fleet?" Alex asked. All Martians had to serve a term in the military.
"Not very glamorous, I know."
"Hey, don't feel bad. I was a glorified bus driver. Trucked marines here and there. Put in some tours, before honorably discharged. Stayed busy with an ice hauler after that. Then somehow I wound up doing contract work for Tycho, been here ever since."
Alex felt a little terrible inside, for not being entirely truthful about his past. But he knew the dangers of telling the truth. He considered it a gray lie, and forced it from his mind.
"Guess we think alike," Tan replied. "Spent a lot of time flying the same runs over and over. Could have gone career if I wanted. Guess I just wanted to see the rest of the system."
"I hear that."
After a beat, Tan broke the silence. "Hey, we're actually right near my place. Want to come in?"
Alex's heart leaped in his chest, his breath felt short. He felt like a schoolboy again, but forced himself to stay calm. "Yes, yes I would," he said, putting on his warmest smile.
Tan returned it, leading him to her quarters by hand.
Tan's quarters greeted Alex with a floral scent. Like most living spaces on a station, it was minimalist and spartan. Tan opened a cabinet and took out a tall bottle, filled with an amber liquid. She set it on a counter top, by two small glasses. She poured a little in each, and handed one to Alex.
"Scotch, imported from Earth," Tan said proudly.
Alex's eyes went wide at the precious liquid. The amount in his glass alone would cost more than his month's income. "I'm not worthy."
Tan glanced at him amorously. "Tonight you are. To us."
He clinked his glass with hers, in quiet disbelief that this was happening. He downed the glass in a gulp, and let the strong drink warm over him. Feeling emboldened, he set down the glass and got closer to Tan. She looked up at him longingly. Feeling no more words were necessary, he led her to the bed.
Her eyes locked onto his, with devastatingly cute look. He helped her out of her silk shirt. He loosened his grip on the garment, letting it fall to the floor. He stopped cold at the sight of medical gel smeared over her shoulder, mending some grievous wound. The worst of it was obscured by fresh bandaging.
"Tan, what hurt you?"
"I'm sorry Alex. I almost said something, but didn't want to ruin the mood. There was an accident on the Arsia Mons, a chemical fire. I was burned helping to put it out. But I'll be okay. I understand if you don't still want to..."
Alex hugged the small of her back. "No, I want to. I very much want to."
Tan looked pleased, her eyes misting over with emotion. She pulled him onto the bed sheets...
• • •
Alex woke first. Tan slept, head rested on his shoulder. He lay in the bed, savoring the moment, hoping it would last forever. His hand terminal beeping softly. He eased himself out of bed, made his way to the kitchenette and answered it. It was Holden.
"Jim, what's up?"
"What do you mean what's up? We've been searching the station everywhere for you. Did you forget the mission?"
Alex held up a finger and shushed him. "Alex?" Tan called, from the other room.
"Aah, I get it," James replied. "You don't waste any time do you?"
"Holden!"
"Okay, okay. We brief with Fred in five, need you there. Cleaned up and get your butt to the conference room."
The captain abruptly cut the call, jolting Alex back to reality.
Tan leaned against the doorway, clothed in a night robe. She suppressed a yawn and wiped the sleep from her eyes. "Everything alright?"
"I want to stay," Alex blurted, the first thing coming to his head. "I really do."
Tan walked up to him and squeezed his arm. "I know, I want you to stay too. But you got a job to do don't you?"
"I do, an important one. It was great while it lasted, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was. Wait one minute."
She retrieved her hand terminal and came back. Her finger deftly swept across the touchscreen. She made a pointing gesture toward Alex's terminal, transferring information from her device to his. Alex looked down at his terminal. She had given him her contact number. Alex did the same.
"So, see you again?"
Tan hugged him and patted his broad chest. "Bet on it."
Alex headed to the door, turning to see her one last time.
"Good luck out there," Tan said.
"You too."
Alex exited the quarters and ran toward the conference room.