Coalescence (Dragonfire Station Book 3)

on the table before meeting Fallon’s eyes again. “It sounds like, between him and me, you have everything you need.”
“Maybe. But I married you. You were supposed to be everything all by yourself.” Fallon couldn’t keep a touch of bitterness out of her voice.
“And you were supposed to be the person you said you were when I married you.” Wren’s words held no accusation.
Whose wound was worse? Fallon couldn’t measure hurt against hurt, and she was tired of trying. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too. And I’m glad you have him. Someone who’ll have your back when you’re out there, doing who knows what.” Wren was quiet for a long moment, then she bounced to her feet. “I think dinner’s ready. Shall we eat?”
“Seriously? You still want to have dinner after all this?”
Wren shrugged as she placed a basket of bread on the table. “The only way through life is by forging through it. Let’s just move forward and let whatever happens, happen.”
If it meant she could avoid having more talks like this, Fallon was on board.
When Fallon returned to her quarters and climbed into bed, she was as alone as she’d been the previous night. But thinking of Wren and Raptor and how complicated relationships were, she was much more content to be that way.
She’d become a PAC officer because she wanted to serve and to fight. She needed to shake off the other stuff and focus on that.
Fallon woke up ready to attack her full schedule. She ran through her normal morning routine, then went down to Docking Bay Five to meet a new arrival. The Onari had returned.
Jerin and Brak arrived through the airlock first, followed by Demitri, Kellis, and Trin. After a moment, more friendly faces spilled forth. Dr. Yomalu, Corla and her baby, Ben Brooks, and Endra. And they kept coming. Fallon felt a spark of pleasure at seeing each face that emerged. Most didn’t even bother with the bows that protocol indicated. They stepped right in and gave Fallon a hug instead. She found it all overwhelming, but in a good way.
As usual, the boardwalk teemed with activity. The residents of Dragonfire held the crew of the Onari in high regard and delighted in their visits.
“How was your trip?” Fallon asked Brak and Jerin as she escorted them down the concourse to their respective quarters.
“Elective procedures on Dineb are always a pleasant experience,” Jerin answered. “Not only do we earn a good deal, but some of the crew also get to enjoy some shore leave.” As the captain and chief medical officer of the hospi-ship, Jerin took great care in seeing to the needs of her crew.
“Were you working, or living it up on Dineb?” Fallon asked Brak, knowing perfectly well her friend was not likely to pass her leisure time on the party planet.
Brak chuckled, a soft growl of a sound. Fallon smelled the sweet musk of Briveen amusement. “No cybernetics were needed, so I spent the time in my lab. I wouldn’t exactly fit in at the Dinebian dance clubs.”
The three chuckled. No, a tall, scaled woman would definitely stand out. Not that Dinebians would mind that. Brak would probably have found herself a short-term celebrity. But Fallon couldn’t quite imagine Brak breaking out some dance moves among a crowd of strangers.
“So long as you had a good time,” she said.
“I did.”
Fallon stopped at a door. “These are your quarters, Jerin. Let us know if you need anything.”
“I’m sure I won’t, but thank you. I’m eager to put on my pajamas and have a good, long sleep.”
It was barely midday. The doctor must have been exhausted. She disappeared inside, while Fallon and Brak stopped at the next door.
“And these are yours,” Fallon said.
“Thank you for walking with us. You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to. It’s a pleasure to have you all back.”
“It’s nice to be back,” Brak said. “I’d like to take a brief rest and eat, but I know you’re eager for me to give you the medical all clear. Do you want to meet me in the infirmary at the end of your shift? We’ll get that examination out of the way.”
“I’d love to. I’ll let Brannin know to expect us.”
“I’m sure he’s anticipated our arrival already,” Brak said, amused.
“I bet you’re right.”
The good Dr. Brash was a highly astute fellow. He would know Fallon was eager to get back to pushing her physical limits in the gym.
“I’ll see you this evening.” Brak entered her quarters and the door closed behind her.
With renewed enthusiasm, Fallon went back to the security office for an afternoon of work.
“Just relax,” Brak advised.
There wasn’t much else Fallon could do, lying on a techbed. She tried not to fidget, wondering if Brak would give her brain a clean bill of health. Fallon needed to know if her head had healed enough for her to go with her team to make contact with Colb.
She stared up at the ceiling, counting the tiles and making spatial-relations patterns out of them. The great thing about having a fantastic memory was that she had a lot inside her head to keep her entertained during times of boredom, such as this. That didn’t keep her from feeling itchy with anticipation though. She was far better at action than being still.
“One more thing,” Brak said, sounding distracted. After a couple more minutes she said, “There we go. You can sit up.”
Brannin stood alongside Fallon in case she needed assistance, but she didn’t. He smiled at her encouragingly, clearly knowing that waiting for Brak’s pronouncement had her on edge.
“By every measure I can conjure, you are in perfect health.” Brak pulled her lips into a smile.
“No issues you foresee with the inducer?”
“It’s doing everything I’d hoped it would. You’ll still need to get regular checks—monthly, ideally—and let me know immediately if you have any confusion or issues with your memory. But otherwise, you’re cleared for duty, as well as all physical activity. Though I’d