“I can walk,” she stated, glancing at the one holding her.

Slade softly growled. “You two are well matched. Both stubborn and irrational when it comes to each other. Be silent.”

He spun, striding away to a waiting Jeep. He gently placed her in the front seat and she tried to look around his big body to find Tiger. Slade leaned in close to draw her gaze.

“Do me a favor, Zandy Gordon. Understand that Tiger has no memory of hurting your feelings and take my word of total honesty that he didn’t mean whatever he said. He deserves some trouble for some of the things he’s said to males who have chosen human females but I never want to see him sulk again. It was painful to watch when he worried about your safety. Forgive him and maybe he’ll return to his rational, mellow ways again.”

Slade straightened and jerked his head at someone behind her. “Go to Medical. Hurry so she can be examined before Tiger arrives. I doubt he’s in a mood to watch Dr. Harris touch his female.”

The Jeep moved and Zandy spotted Tiger finally. Two officers supported his body between them, carrying him to keep his weight off his legs. Worry gripped her over how hurt he really was. The driver made a turn and she lost sight of him.

“Zandy?”

The familiar voice made her twist in her seat. “Smiley.”

“I’m glad you’re alive.” He glanced at her and then back to the road.

“Me too.”

“Next time you don’t leave Reservation without a full escort.”

She relaxed in the seat. “Not a problem.”

“Tiger will be fine. We’re strong and heal quickly. He shouldn’t have been released from the hospital until his bones had knitted firmly but he went a bit insane when he learned of your kidnapping. This set his healing back but it will be fine. Stop worrying.”

She hugged her chest and fought the urge to cry. So much had happened that she knew it would take time to recover from it mentally. Her emotions were too close to the surface.

“Don’t shed tears. Tiger will heal.”

Tiger claimed to have no memory of the episode in the hospital. Her eyes closed as that information settled in. It left her wondering if, in his drugged state, he might have stated what was in his subconscious. Did he think they shouldn’t be together? That she really was the enemy?

The Jeep halted and Smiley escorted her inside the building. The medical staff was on alert, all of them waiting inside to handle any emergencies sent their way. Zandy was led to an exam room and a female doctor with a male Species nurse followed her into the room.

“I’m Dr. Allison,” the woman introduced herself. “You are?”

“Zandy Gordon.”

“She works here at Reservation,” the male nurse stated quietly. “She was brought in once before to be treated by the younger Dr. Harris after an incident with the protesters at the gates.”

“Thank you for the history.” The doctor flashed a smile. “I’m usually at Homeland but the helicopter crash victims needed my attention so I was brought to Reservation. I’m afraid I don’t know that many of the employees here but it’s nice to meet you. I just wish the circumstances were better.” She put on gloves and gently gripped Zandy’s jaw, turning her head to study her cheek. “Someone hit you?”

She carefully detailed the attack at her house and consequent kidnapping. The entire story of what she’d endured came pouring out. “So that’s all of it. Tiger needs you more than I do. He thinks his leg is broken.”

The woman turned her head to glance at the nurse. “Go make sure Harris has it handled, okay? We’d both like an update.”

The New Species left the room quickly and the doctor smiled tightly. “Tiger is better off in Harris’ care. We had a big argument yesterday. He wanted to leave the hospital but I was adamant he stay there. I’m the last person he’ll want working on him. He’d probably snarl at me if I said ‘I told you so’.”

“He saved my life. He could have burned to death with me if the top of the motor home had collapsed.”

“I’m glad to hear it was worth the pain he must be in. Are you hurt anywhere besides your face?” The woman’s gloved fingers touched her bruised cheek, frowning. “What are these red marks from along your jaw?”

“They put duct tape over my mouth. I used my tongue to wet it and worked it away from my lips but couldn’t do anything about the rest of it. The jerk in charge of that group tore it off right before he tried to kill me. It hurt so bad that I couldn’t even breathe for a few seconds. Ouch! Now it just feels tender.”

“The skin didn’t tear but it’s going to hurt for a while.”

“My ribs and waist hurt too. They had me secured with belts that dug into me.”

“Lie back.”

The doctor carefully examined her. “It’s just some bruising. I don’t feel anything broken. You came out of this ordeal remarkably well. You’re lucky. Any trouble breathing from the smoke you inhaled?” The doctor cleaned some cuts she found on Zandy.

“No. It was windy enough to blow most of it away from me.”

“You can sit up.” The doctor snapped off her gloves. “You were lucky, Zandy Gordon.”

“Can I ask you something?”

The doctor arched her eyebrows. “Sure.”

“Um…” Zandy hesitated. “Something happened that is bothering me. Tiger said some things to me at the hospital when he woke and he claims not to remember it. Do you think the drugs made him blurt out things that he might feel deep down?”