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illness or injury, and let your body heal itself. A cut, scrape, cold, hell - even the
measles, were ignored for normal life, and they all went away. Never slowed me down,
at least. Even the bullets and thermchem I took during the Divide didn't slow me down
long. Dug out the bullet, drank a lot of water, patched up the wound best I could, and
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kept on going - stayed on the actives. I learned to live with the pain - reminded me that I
was still alive."
Rick shook his head in wonder. "Really worked, huh?"
"Yeah, most of the time." She shrugged. "There was no time to think about how
much it hurt, at least. Now, I just lay here and think about it, and it hurts like hell when I
do. I ve got to get out of here and back on my own two feet."
Rick squeezed her hand. "I'll see what I can do."
She smiled at him. "Thanks, Rick."
He gave her a wry smile. That s what I m here for. He rose to his feet, then.
Be back soon, babe.
As true to his word as always, Rick was back ten minutes later, Maria Matnes in
tow. The blonde woman smiled as she looked at Tamia.
I hear you ve been calling me names again, Captain.
Tamia cast an amused look at Rick, then grinned at the doctor. Nothing personal,
Doc.
Maria laughed at that. Probably nothing I haven t been called before, either. I
was also told you re angling to go home, again.
Tamia nodded. I m not going to heal any better here than there. I want out of
this place.
Dr. Matnes mouth curved in another wry smile, and she glanced over at Rick.
She s not an award-winning patient, Commander. She s been angling to go home
almost since she woke up. She scanned Tamia s chart for a moment, then looked up at
her patient with a smile. You might just get your wish, Tamia. I was consulting with
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the rest of your case surgeons this morning, and they all agreed that if the toxicology
report this afternoon was satisfactory, you could be discharged today.
Tamia grinned. That was the best news she d heard in days.
According to these charts, the toxin levels in your bloodstream are normal,
Maria continued. I ll go down and sign the discharge forms, and you can go. If, she
added severely at Tamia s widening grin, you can promise to stay off your feet. No
excessive movement, no lifting, no muscular stress for at least another week. And I want
to see you back in outpatient care in three weeks to have the cast on your arm removed.
Rick looked sombrely at the doctor. I can guarantee she won t do anything you
don t expressly allow, even if it requires tying her into bed and posting an armed guard.
Dr. Matnes grinned wryly at Tamia s mutinous scowl. Looks like I ll be leaving
you in good hands, then, Captain. Good luck!
Tamia smirked at Rick. We ll see. Thanks for everything, Doc.
Twenty minutes later, Tamia was safely ensconced in the passenger seat of Rick s
jeep, heading toward the Underground. With a contented sigh, she leaned her head back
against the headrest. It would be lovely to get back to life.
Rick glanced at her in worry. You okay, babe?
She smiled wearily. Yeah. Just worried.
He frowned. About what?
Carey Feldar came to see me, last week.
I heard. What did he want?
She turned her head to study him as she said, He traced the blackmail letter for
me.
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Even expected, Rick s grim concern made her want to smile. He worried so much
about her; it was nice to have someone who cared. And?
It was Panfild.
He nodded, his expression severe. I can t say I m surprised. So far, a lot of
things seem to be leading back to that bastard.
He thinks I m dead, you know.
Rick s smile was grimly satisfied. Good. That s exactly what I was hoping for.
She blinked. She hadn t expected this. Why?
Because I want you safe, he said tightly, his expression unrepentant. I want
you off of the War Department s radar completely.
Eventually, they re going to figure out that I m not dead, Rick, she pointed out.
And the later that happens, the better.
Rick&
He pulled off to the side of the road and jammed the jeep into park as he slapped
on his emergency flashers before turning to look at her. Tamia nearly gasped at the
wildness, and fear, there. Look, Tamia, it s really simple. If Panfild finds out you re
alive, he s going to know that you didn t knuckle under to his bullshit tactic. He s going
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