Laurann Dohner - Fury

“That’s not true,” Director Boris finally sputtered. He pointed a finger at Ellie. “Have her escorted out of here now and I want her removed from Homeland permanently!”

Justice glared at one of the security guards who stepped toward Ellie. She nearly backed into an NSO officer who’d inched closer to her. She realized all the NSO officers had surrounded her again protectively. Ellie froze in place and so did the security guard intent on removing her from the room.

“That is a good point,” Justice’s coldly stated. “Do you have a problem with my teams, Director? Unless someone lied to me, this place has been set up so we may structure our own community, create a real home for New Species, and that includes training our own security teams. Ms. Brower informed me about the conversation that took place between the two of you the day you fired her. Speaking of which, you had no right to do that in the first place without my consent. You really overstepped your bounds and here you are repeating that offense. This woman is under New Species protection yet you dare order her removed by force?”

An older man sporting a suit stood suddenly and moved around a table. He walked toward Director Boris, a deep frown creasing his face. “Jerry?” He obviously knew the director on a first-name basis.

“It’s not true,” Director Boris sputtered. “One of his men, that Fury she’s living with now, carried Ms. Brower into a bathroom and stripped her naked. He gave her his underwear to put on. She washed up at the sinks and he had to have watched her strip and bathe. I just tried to protect the woman by making her tell the truth and come forward about the abuse she suffered. We can’t have security forcing women into bathrooms to take advantage of them.”

The older man arched his eyebrow at Ellie. “Is this true?”

“No,” she ground out. “Yes, Fury took me into the bathroom since blood covered me. He stepped into a stall, removed his underclothing to lend me something to wear, while I washed myself privately. I had blood caked on my skin. The only other option involved walking around naked or putting my wet, bloody clothing on again. We were in lockdown and no other clothes were available. I told the director this clearly but instead he made horrible accusations that I’d been sexually molested or was some kind of mega slut who would do a guy inside a bathroom after the most traumatic experience of my life. Director Boris ordered me to write the report accusing Mr. Fury of horrible things but that’s not what happened. I refused to make up sick things like that just because it really angered him when the NSO security team saved my life.”

The older man studied Ellie silently with icy blue eyes. He finally nodded and turned to face Director Boris. “Jerry, I hate to do this but I’m replacing you immediately. There seems to be a conflict and this is too important a project to allow for any kind of misunderstandings.” The man addressed Justice. “I apologize. Obviously we’ve been given some incorrect information. I am the new director.” He paused. “Of course, only if that is acceptable to you.”

Justice nodded. “Fine, Tom. I have a telephone conference call with the president in ten minutes. I’ll be leaving now.” Justice nodded to his men. He held out his arm to Ellie. “Shall we, Ms. Brower?”

Ellie shot one last glare at Director Boris. Ex-director , she reminded herself, and linked her arm with Justice’s. The NSO security team surrounded them as they left the building.

“Remind me to never piss you off, Ms. Brower,” Justice softly chuckled as they walked outside.

She glanced up at him. “That wasn’t about being pissed off. I admit I’ve been a little angry but I was mostly scared.”

He stopped and peered at her with curiosity. “Of what? We wouldn’t have allowed any harm to come to you. They weren’t going to allow you to be tossed outside the gates again.”

She didn’t say a word. She couldn’t be sure if she could trust him.

He watched her for a long moment. “You thought they were going to take you from Fury? That was the source of your fear?”

Hell , she thought. Am I that transparent? She looked away from him to glance around the parking lot. Cars were jammed along the street that usually didn’t allow parking. She nodded.

Fury had been such an important part of her life since she’d first laid eyes on him. She’d have done anything for him. She’d dreamed about him, continued working undercover at Mercile despite her terror of being killed, and even taken a job working for the New Species in an attempt to right the wrong she’d done to him. She’d walked away from her family and her friends after the life-altering event of seeing Fury. Now her world centered on him and his people. They were together, a couple, and she didn’t want to lose him. It would tear her apart inside.

“Let’s take you back to him then,” Justice stated softly.

Ellie met his gaze. “Thank you.”

They’d made it a few steps when a snarl of warning sounded behind them. Justice spun, grabbed Ellie, and put her out of harm’s way. She stared at Justice’s wide back when he shielded her with his body. She peered around him.

Ellie recognized Slade, the NSO officer, and he had the woman doctor from inside blocked from getting any closer with his outstretched arms corralling her. The doctor had a frightened expression on her pale face due to being snarled at. Slade looked tense and a softer growl rumbled from his lips. Justice relaxed his stance.

“What do you want, Doctor Norbit?”

Slade glanced back at Justice. “You know her? She ran after us.”

Justice nodded. “Slade, it’s all right. Let her pass. She’s no threat.”

Trisha Norbit edged around Slade when his arms dropped. Her gaze locked on Ellie. “I just wanted a private word with Ms. Brower.”

Justice shoved his thumbs into the front pockets of his jeans. “What is it you wanted to say, Doctor?”

The doctor still looked frightened. “I wanted to give her my card.” She pulled one from her skirt pocket to offer it with a trembling hand.

Ellie hesitated to take it. “Why would I need it?”

“In case you need me. You have to know how important this is. I would be your doctor. It would be strictly confidential if we spoke. If you and Mr. Fury are being intimate please think of what this could mean if you allow me to examine you and be in charge of your medical care.”

“That you’re nosy? That’s what it would mean.” Slade snorted. “Leave her alone, Doctor. She would have mentioned it inside if she wanted your help.”

Trisha Norbit ignored Slade, keeping her focus on Ellie. “I’ve seen the medical reports on their physiology and they are slightly different from us. There is so much that is unknown.”

“What is different?” Slade frowned but then a grin split his full lips. “You mean we’re bigger than your men.”

Doctor Norbit flashed an irritated look at Slade but her attention refocused on Ellie. “Don’t you want to know if you could get pregnant? Wouldn’t you like to know if it’s possible if the right treatments are applied?”

Justice frowned. “I’ve had many talks with doctors and they’ve assumed it’s not. We’re incapable of breeding children.”

Doctor Norbit cocked her head at Justice. “We don’t know anything for certain but we’ve never had a mixed species couple to do a case study on either. If this woman and one of your men are engaging in intercourse, don’t you think it would be a good idea to see what could result from it? It’s not just pregnancy that concerns me. Think about it, Mr. North. More of your people might want to get involved with mine. Wouldn’t you want to know if there are any adverse affects? Your men weren’t able to get your women pregnant but she’s totally human.”