Slowly, I relaxed as he walked down the hall. I took a deep breath trying to settle all that happened. He smelled a little like cinnamon. How does he smell like that? Why did I feel pain in my chest? Why do I know that it means she’s dead? Why do I know that?

“Here we are,” he carefully placed me on a bed. Gently pushing me back to lay down, he frowned at me, “Are you okay?”

“I – I think so.”

I watched as he covered his hand with his sleeve and slowly reached to my face. I froze. I watched his face as he gently wiped my cheek. As he pulled back I looked down. Wet? I reached up to my cheek. I cried?

“What can I do for you?”

I jumped as the voice startled me. Looking up I saw a man that looked so stern I thought he might bite.

“She smacked her arm pretty bad because of me. I just wanna make sure that all it is a bad bruise.”

The healer reached toward me with a bare hand. I jerked away.

“Sorry,” he said holding his hand out to the healer, “she doesn’t do well with contact. If you could put on gloves you should be fine. Right?”

He looked at me. I frowned and nodded. How did he figure all this out? Was I in trouble? If he could see, could others?

“Why aren’t you talking?” the healer asked me.

“I – I…” I stopped and swallowed. I couldn’t make a sentence right.

“It’s what happened out in the hall,” Quinn looked at me I could see that same concern in his eyes, “I think she is in some kind of shock.”

I turned away as tears started to fall again.

“Rose,” Quinn reached and turned my head with his covered hand, “You have to remember that that wasn’t human. Those… things don’t deserve to live.”

At this last statement I saw a flash in his eyes I couldn’t identify. Something he felt at such a statement. Slowly, I nodded my head. He smiled and gently wiped my tears. I winced and looked over as the healer began to examine my arm. The healer looked up at me.

“You seem to be better now.”

“Y – Yes, sir.” I answered my voice a whisper. I turned back and watched Quinn’s face as the healer poked and prodded at the injury.

“It’s not broken,” I looked at the healer, “ it's severely bruised. And I mean severely. Its gonna take a bit to heal. I recommend ice and rest.” He looked from me to Quinn.

“I’ll make sure she rests, and I will pay for the ice,” Quinn says answering the doctor. The doctor nodded and walked away to talk to a nurse. It was quite as Quinn and I waited for the nurse.

“Alright,” the nurse approached, “the doctor said you needed ice. The problem is that normally others are not allowed to pay for you.” She said with a scornful look on her face, “I checked with the accounting department and they put a note in the system so that you can pay this time,” she smiled a charming smile at Quinn, “they say don’t let it happen again.” She leaned over, showing Quinn her breast where the buttons were undone just a little too low and held her hand out. Instead of putting his hand in hers he simply held his hand out waiting for her to scan it. He must be immune to women’s charms at this point. I have seen him use them when he wants something. She frowned down at me as she handed me the ice pack. Turning back to Quinn she handed him a piece of paper. Quinn took it and looked at the paper. Smiling a devilishly he simply said,

“Thank you.”

She turned to me again, “You are dismissed,” and promptly turned and sashayed away.

Disgusted, I sat up on the edge of the bed. Quinn handed the ice pack to me and started to help me up.

“I’m okay now. Thank you for earlier.” I felt the temperature rise in my cheeks as I blushed. To hide it, I turned my face away and, taking a deep breath, placed the ice pack on my arm.

“Come on,” he said lightly placing his hand on my lower back, “they will get upset if we linger too long.”

I started walking and raised my eyebrow at him, “been here often?”

He smiled and didn’t answer. He stopped at the doorway and threw the paper the nurse had given him away. Why would he do that? They were a good match. Same status, generation, and looks. Not your problem, Rose. I scolded myself. As we walked back down the hallway. I ignored the looks. Why were they looking? I don’t know, and I don’t care. I am just ready to be back at my residence and read. I quickened my pace. The sooner I get there the better. One of the office workers stepped out and I quickly stepped to the side to allow him to pass. Instead of passing he took a step forward and, placing himself between Quinn and me, turned to face me.

“Hey!” He simply said smiling at me.

“Please, forgive me.” I said slightly lowering my head to acknowledge his status, “I didn’t mean to be in your way.”

He chuckled, “Don’t worry about it. I actually stepped out for you.”

At this, I looked up at him. What did he want with me? I stood waiting for him to continue.

“Would you like to get a drink with me?” He asked.

Oh! My face had to register the shock because a smile stretched across his face.

“I am very sorry,” I smiled at him, “but I have a lot to deal with today.”

I turned and started to walk away Quinn moved alongside me. Did he really intend to see me back to my residence?

“Wait!” I grimaced as the office worker called out to me. As much as I wanted to speed up, according to the rules I had to stop and address him.

“Yes, sir?” I turned toward him.

“Why don’t you let me have your residence? I’ll call on you later for a drink.”

I looked down at my feet clinching my teeth. What do I say?

“I’m sorry. I’ll be busy for a number of days.”

I heard his steps as he approached me, “Well, what troubles you? I might be able to help.”

“It's personal.”

“Please, there is nothing that can’t be fixed with the right connections.”

I looked up and smiled, “I was ordered by the doctors to rest and heal. After that, I have to help a friend who just had her only son taken to the front lines.”

I felt tears start to form and took a deep breath. As Quinn’s hand gently fell on my shoulder I looked up. I felt a strength come over me with him there. Looking back at the worker,

“I’m sorry,” I bowed again, “but I must be going.”

Turning around I quicken my pace. Quinn gently placed his hand on my lower back as I tried to keep my eyes on the floor. Its easier to not draw attention if you are not seen.

“I told you. You needed to be careful.” Quinn whispered. I looked up at Quinn’s smiling face in shock. Wait?! Is that what he meant earlier. Others have asked me for a drink, but it is nothing to be worried about.

“Now hold on a minute!” We stopped and turned around at the outburst. The office worker approached us. O, boy! He wasn’t happy.

“Is this why you decline me?” He asked getting closer to me. His teeth clenched as he pointed at Quinn. I looked up at Quinn as I took a step back.

“I- I'm sorry. I don’t understand the question.” I turned back to the man in confusion.

“Are you with him?” he yelled in my face causing me to flinch.

“I’m very sorry sir.” Quinn stepped in front of me and bowed his head slightly.

“I would like to ask a moment of your time in private.”

“No! Now move! I’m addressing her not you!” Quickly Quinn stepped out of the way.

I looked at him in shock. Why did he try to step in?

“Now answer me!” The worker shouted at me. I flinched and stepped back.

“I- I-“ I felt my heart hammering against my chest.

“That was an order from a superior.” He reached out and grabbed my hurt arm. I screamed and fell to the floor. The waves mixed with the pain made my head start to swim.

“Let go. Please let go.” I gasped.

“Sir,” I heard Quinn’s voice, “she has no stomach for confrontation and your holding her injured…”

“I know that!” I heard him shout at Quinn.

I heard footsteps. I covered my mouth as my stomach started to turn.

“That’s enough, Jacob!”

I heard a shout. I looked up. There was a well-dressed man clearly above this man’s status with Quinn standing beside him. Quickly, he released my arm. I fell to the floor, trying to regain my composure.

“Sir,” he said addressing the older man, “I was trying to get an answer out of the girl. This boy kept trying to interrupt me…”

“Do you really think I didn’t hear all the yelling down the hallway.”

“Rose,” I heard Quinn’s voice beside me quite and gentle, “are you okay?”

I couldn’t answer yes this time. Today was too much. I shook my head as tears fell from my eyes. Quinn gently lifted me into his arms. I quickly buried my face in his chest trying to hide my tears.

“Stop!” I heard the voice of the higher up.

“You know you have to answer his question. Rose was it?”

I could feel myself trembling. Why is this happening today? Without speaking I nodded yes.

“I’m sorry I need you to answer Jacob’s question. I don’t want to have to report you over such a ridiculous thing. Are you with this man?”

“Yes,” answered Quinn. I looked up in shock.

“I’m sorry Rose. I shouldn’t have asked you to keep it a secret for so long. I didn’t know this was happening to you.” He looked down at me tenderly.

“I’m going to count that as an answer.” The big boss said.

“Wait. Why would you want to keep it a secret?” asked Jacob. I turned around looking at him as the big boss glared at him. I looked around. Many people had stuck their heads out to see what the commotion was from. This had become a spectacle.

“That’s enough Jacob. Get back to work!”

“Sir…”

I saw the boss take a threating step toward him.

“Your work hasn’t been all that good lately Jacob. Maybe you need an easier job.”

“No, sir,” Jacob replied bowing a little.

“You two,” the boss turned to us, “you are dismissed.”

Quickly, Quinn bowed slightly and turned still carrying me. I turned back burying my face in his chest again. He just got us in a lot of hot water. There will be people we need to talk to now. For now, I just don’t want to listen to the whispers. From the office workers. It grew quieter as we walked, I felt a warmth on my head that was not near as nice at the warmth surrounding me.

“Rose, we are going to have to have a serious talk about what just happened.”