1 Echoes of the past

Everything in the body ached at the slightest movement. The silence was the first thing that caught Angel's attention as she opened her eyes in fright. The second and most urgent was the need for a toilet with pressure on the bladder.

It was a room with little furniture. And no windows. The feeling of imprisonment bothered her. Since when does a room have no windows? Was it a prison? She struggled to move her legs and her head spun. Soon afterward she heard a very clear curse. Strong arms held her carefully as she breathed slowly. Was there any part of her body that she didn't hurt?

-Damn it, girl! I left you alone for just a few moments this time. Outsiders are agitated and arguing. -Zorack had the ugliest face he could handle with severity

-Zorack?

Angel looked as if the vision was yet another hallucination. And yet the feel of his warm arms against her body made her gasp.

-Yeah... is it you? Her voice was weak and low. - I need... I need a bathroom. I need... a lot to do... to do...

Zorack watched her appearance carefully.

-I can solve this! - He agreed to lift Angel in his arms and walk towards the half-open door in the corner of the room.

Angel stopped in a daze. It was him. The eternal way of giving orders! Reality came back as a blessing to her. No more hostile spaceships, clones, or aliens. Nor Ravenack. Thinking of him made her shiver.

-I better call the doctor. You didn't have a fever, but still...

-Please, Zorack. I just need ... - She lowered her head, embarrassed to be placed on the floor and more embarrassed to realize that Edriano didn't intend to leave.

- I'm not going anywhere. - he declared categorically. - The way you manage to fix it will end up falling.

Angel looked at him awkwardly.

-Yeah... yeah... Zorack. I have to do... damn it! I need to urinate. I can't find you looking.

Zorack's smile was amused by his embarrassment.

-Is there any place I haven't touched or tasted that is so strange? We don't have hospitals here. Who do you think took care of you these three days? He smiled smugly.

His eyes widened as she sat on the toilet, her mouth tightening. She looked down at her arms, aware that there were still marks on her body and chills from a shiver. The bruises were still purple on her legs and arms.

-You're not serious! I hate you! Angel grunted miserably, unable to stop the pressure in his bladder, and bit his lip in pain to urinate.

For the first time, Angel saw Zorack smile on his haggard, dark face, despite his concern.

-I'm relieved to see you're feeling better. Grant has prescribed an ointment that will help. - He remained amused. - Now we can arrange a bath for you and maybe food. You must be hungry.

She intended to reply that she could do just fine on her own when she noticed Edriano unbuttoning his shirt, swallowing hard. He certainly didn't intend to shower with her, did he?

-I thought I was going to take a shower. - She watched grudgingly.

Even so, her eyes were fixed on every part of her body that was slowly exposed. The defined muscles would make Spike sigh. She even enjoyed running her fingers through them, delighting in their smooth skin.

-Not alone. You'll be able to give me more trouble and the doctor to fall and get hurt. And as for the bath... Better not to risk it.

Angel swallowed hard. Her feeble protests were indifferent as Zorack calmly began to lift the shirt she was wearing. And the shame came back twice. She didn't even want to see how the rest of her body was. The rest would probably be a lot worse with the bruises.

What the hell! I must be awful!

He seriously clenched his jaw.

-I'll take your clothes off and maybe get some painkillers later. Are you still in a lot of pain?

Angel nodded silently. It was strange that Zorack was standing in front of him, careful and worried. Not what she expected after running away and all the fighting.

-I am fine. - And it was worse than lies. everything hurt: arms, legs, and head. She started again hesitantly: Zorack

- Have pity. You will end up getting hurt. There are no nurses around here. ...

He was finally admirably naked and able to take her breath away. A magnificent body carved by hard labor in the mines of N'Tirlay. Angel felt weak in her legs, waiting for the moment when the reprimands would come, promising herself that she wouldn't complain. At the very least, she should be relieved to have escaped Ravenack's clutches.

-You better stop with those leers, girl. - she grumbled decidedly as she turned on the shower faucet, controlling the temperature. -Go back to bed and eat. At least in the ribs… Zorack shook his head hard.

After the exams, old Grant reported admiringly that Angel's system healed his wounds with incredible speed. Just like the K'Aldriants did when they were wounded and the idea was not a pleasant one.

-Zorack, what did Scarlet say about...- Angel tried to find courage.

He looked at her very seriously. He didn't like remembering the crew's reaction to discovering that Ravenack had somehow breached Spartackus' safety. He breathed heavily and was quiet at first.

-What did she say? he asked cautiously.

The truth. He didn't feel prepared for the truth, even more, when he'd almost lost it. Not after Klaus. Carefully, he brought Angel close, hugging her body against his, allowing the hot water to warm them.

-She... she... I'm a... a...

Angel swallowed hard and was terrified as he curled up against his lover.

- Cailin. It doesn't have the slightest...

-A hybrid of those things and that's not important? - her voice was nervous. - I... I ate...

Zorack noticed the low sob sighing again.

-K'Aldriants usually feed on blood. -His explanation was very cautious. - They have great regeneration capacity, which explains the healing of their ribs. Angel, whatever happens...

-It does not matter? she asked finally crying. - What kind of monster do I...

His hands touched her downcast, agonized face.

-That was no reason to run away like that and put yourself in danger. - The reprimand was very mild and Angel knew very well. - Almost killed me with worry. All that matters is that you are safe now.

She didn't ignore the truth of his words. And the image of that other Zorack aboard the ship made her wince in agony. She didn't know how to contain the despair anymore trying to imagine what had happened besides the kisses. It wasn't fair. Zorack might have been suspicious, but so far he hadn't asked any more questions about what had happened.

Angel noticed that his skin tingled pleasantly. It was his scent. All she wanted was for him to kiss her as if she could erase the hateful memories she'd brought with him. And Zorack gently moved away to get the soap.

-Not at all, ma'am. - He was still serious. - I'm not usually so tolerant. You'll find this out with complete abstinence until you're sure it's okay. Grant may have released you, but I'm still taking the diagnosis seriously.

-You will need to use sunscreen. Your skin... It's all red. Sunburn on such fair skin...

Angel pouted in disgust. It wasn't much to ask for a kiss.

-Bothers me.

-I'm sorry about everything...- She cried again with difficulty clinging to him.

-Shhhh. Finished. It was my fault. I should have been more careful with...

-I didn't want to be a problem...