The Deviants, part twenty-six

After a few more days of hiding in her room, Ava finally felt like herself again and was ready to see everyone else.

The only person she'd seen during that time had been Nash, who didn't really speak outside of small talk and asking if she liked whatever sexy thing he was doing to her.

Of course, she didn't blame him; Ava hadn't been in much of a talking mood either.

However, she knew three of her friends had been kind enough to drop off food and drink to them, and she could tell who was who by their steps. And Sometimes, Jessica would mumble something she couldn't quite hear.

But today, whatever day it was, she had lost track, she planned to explain everything to her friends.

Ava stood in front of her mirror, rubbing her pendant between her thumb and index finger. Her brown hair fell past her shoulders.

She wore black leggings, a blue t-shirt, and the new boots her new mate decided to give her. They were comfortable too. Her entire outfit was comfy, though.

Would they ask her what happened? Give empty sympathies? Try to comfort her? Or simply carry on as if nothing happened?

Exhaling loudly, Ava turned away, walking to her door. It didn't matter. She couldn't—no, wouldn't hide forever. It wasn't in her nature.

Locking her door, Ava meandered down the hallway, seeing the other closed doors. Who all lived there? She would make it her mission to find out.

And when she made it outside, she found all her friends, Olsen, Christina, and Nash, waiting for her.

"Umm," Ava waved, "Hi."

Both Jessica and Skye practically tackled her to the ground with their hugs, inciting a low growl from Nash and a chuckle from Galen.

Ava couldn't help the laugh bubbling out of her, squeezing them hard. "It's good to see you too."

"Yeah, you have a lot of explaining to do," Mara crossed her arms, obviously displeased with her.

Opal nodded, "Ditching us is not cool, girl."

Ava felt terrible for ignoring those two. She valued them too. She just got so caught up in her own shit that she'd forgotten about those who weren't directly involved.

But she wanted everyone to know her whole story.

Pulling away from Jess and Skye, she began pouring out everything that had happened. And she meant everything, Galen and Nash filling in some of the blanks.

They all stared at her.

Blush crept into her face. Ava hadn't intended to info dump on them. But she couldn't have stopped herself anyway.

Then Max whistled, "Wow, and I thought my life was complicated."

She laughed, "I think we're at a tie."

He grinned.

Mara nodded, "Well, at least we now know it wasn't personal."

Ava walked over, grabbing the teen's hands, "No, never."

Jessica looked at her, "Just next, please don't go all hermit on us."

"How about not getting captured," Nash crossed his arms, a slight twinkle in his eyes. "I don't wanna rescue you all the time."

Galen snorted but didn't comment.

"No promises." But she couldn't hide her smirk.

Suddenly, Christina and Olsen were ushering her to the infirmary. Ava let them. After all, she wanted to ensure her concussion was healing correctly and that there was no other damage.

Skye, Nash, and Galen were the only ones to follow her, which was fine with her. The infirmary wasn't that big anyway.

But when they reached the tent, horror washed over her.

There, laying on one of the beds, all broken and bruised, was Evan. The guy who tried fending those attackers from her. And she had totally forgotten about him. She was such a jackass.

"Oh my God!" Ava cried, tears sliding down her face as she rushed to his bed, despite some protesting.

Evan turned his head, "I was wondering when I'd see your pretty face again."

She heard Nash growl outside the tent but ignored him, "What happened?!"

"I was outnumbered," he chuckled, wincing, "by a lot."

"I am so sorry."

Evan lifted a brow, "What for?"

Ava opened her mouth, but Skye walked over, "He will be okay, although there will be lots of PT for him."

"I'm not mad."

Ava turned away, more tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Ava, look at me."

Sighing, she did, guilt flooding her.

"I don't regret what happened and would do it again." There was a fire in his pale blue eyes, one that eased her a little. "I'd do it for any of my friends."

Skye tugged her, "C'mon, there will be plenty of time to chat, but you still require an examination."

Ava stood, Evan giving her a thumbs up as she was guided to the front. God, he was awesome, and she loved him dearly. And any guy would be lucky to have him.

She let her mind drift as Olsen tested for concussion side effects while Christina and Skye checked her body for any other injury, ensuring she answered their plethora of questions.

Nash looked relaxed, hands in his pockets, but Ava knew better. He was worried that he might have accidentally hurt her during sex. But she felt fine.

Christina moved curtains around, enclosing them as Olsen finished and left. "Okay, remove your pants, shoes, and underwear."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I need to do a pelvic exam."

"Umm, okay."

But Nash walked in, "Oh hell no!

Christina held her ground, "It's a routine thing for human females to make sure there's nothing wrong."

Ava touched his arm, "It's fine, really."

He didn't seem convinced but relented, "Fine." He went back outside.

"Let's go," Galen urged, "Dae'lon wants a meeting anyway."

Nash growled but followed his friend as Ava stripped down and hopped onto the table. She was curious how alien sex would affect her reproductive organs, especially since she had no human partners beforehand.

"Okay, I'm ready."

***

"Nice to see you back to yourself again, Commander," Dae'lon stood at the opposite end of his desk.

Nash nodded, "It's good to be back." And he meant it. "but why am I here now?"

"Simple. I need to know what happened during your last trip and at the compound."

Taking a deep breath, he began sharing everything, including what the general said and the fact she clearly had dealings with the compound leader.

And it took a great deal of effort for him to keep a level head.

Galen repeated much of the information, although there were details Nash couldn't recall or wasn't present to witness.

When they finished, Dae'lon was sitting, leaning back in his chair. "Do you think she knows about you two?"

Nash shook his head, "It's highly unlikely." He took extra care not to look suspicious. "But, sir, I'm not sure I want to return to the mother ship anytime soon."

After what happened to Ava, he never wanted to leave her side again.

His general eyed him. "As much as I understand and want to respect your wishes, we simply don't have anyone else with your expertise."

Galen lifted a hand, "That's not exactly true."

"Oh?"

"I feel I can adequately pilot one of our ships now, thanks to my former student," he sighed, turning to Nash, "although it would be more suspicious if you didn't return soon."

Both Wanderers had valid points.

"However," Dae'lon raised his index off the desk, "I can give you one more week before sending you off again." Then he focused on Galen, "Are you certain you can do a solo mission?"

"Yes, sir, but I want my own ship first."

"I believe I can arrange that," Dae'lon stood, "follow me."

Standing, Nash and Galen followed their general to the hanger.

He was surprised Galen had volunteered to go on missions alone. He usually opted to stay on Earth whenever possible.

When they reached the hanger, Nash felt his jaw drop slightly.

In front of them was the most beautiful ship he'd ever seen. It was in the same ship classification as his but was larger, sleeker, more aerodynamic, and appeared to have pre-installed passenger seating.

Galen stared, "You'd just give me this ship, sir?"

Dae'lon moved his head, "Everyone else already has a ship, and it's not designed for human use."

Nash suppressed his snort.

With humans, if there's a will, there's a way. Ava had shown him that, and she could probably pilot the ship better than most of the Wanderer pilots on the base.

Not him, of course, but Nash was created to fly.

"Does she have a name?"

"No."

Galen scanned his brand new ship, Nash seeing the joy radiate off his friend and former instructor, "I think I'll call her the Defiant."

"Very well."

Nash laughed. It fit him perfectly.

Then he glanced at the Deviant, watching it being repaired. He imagined the ships flying side by side, which brought a grin to his face.

Galen moved his arms, "All I need now is a copilot for when one is needed."

Nash nodded, "Me too."

"You already have one, and she'd be pissed if you chose someone else."

Nothing more true had been said. And even though he didn't like the idea of putting her in danger constantly, Ava knew how to handle herself in crises and would refuse to be side-lined.

Dae'lon lifted a brow, "Your new mate has flown your ship."

"Yes, sir."

"Quite well too," Galen added. "Ava's a great copilot," he grinned wickedly, "I might use her."

Nash growled, but he ignored it. "Well, if I'm not needed anymore, I would like to be dismissed." He didn't need to watch his friend ogle over his new ship.

His general dismissed him, and Nash headed back to his mate. There was much to discuss.