Victoria and the Alien Doctor (Intergalactic Brides 2) by Jessica Coulter Smith

for a while longer. Hopefully long enough for them to cure her.
    “Where am I?” Evie asked in a hoarse voice.
    “You’re at the clinic, Evie.” Xonos smiled. “But you’re going to be all right. You had a nasty virus, but it will be gone by morning.”
    “Can I go home?” she asked.
    “If that’s what you want, I don’t see why not.”
    Evie nodded and tried to sit up, but she was still weak. Xonos lifted her into his arms and carried her out to the waiting limo. When they reached the hotel, he tucked her into bed and turned on the TV for her. He handed her the remote and let her pick whatever she wanted. Something told Xonos that Victoria would remain by her side for much of the night. He’d enjoyed their time together the previous night and had hoped for a repeat.
    Resigning himself to a meal alone, he ordered room service, enough for three, and then turned on the TV. As much as he’d like to be near Evie right now, he figured she needed her mother more. They would have plenty of time to spend together later, when she felt better and when he’d had some rest. He was exhausted, his adrenaline finally having dissipated. He’d never been more terrified than the moment he’d walked into the empty hotel room and hadn’t been able to reach Victoria. He hoped he never had to experience that again.
    The food arrived and he carried a plate to Victoria and Evie, but when he went to leave, the little girl patted the bed.
    “Please stay, Daddy.”
    His heart warmed at her words and he smiled. “Just let me get my plate.”
    When he returned, he pulled a chair near the bed so he could be close without taking the chance of hurting her. He’d spent the morning talking to Syl about Evie’s condition and had done a bit more research on it. Syl thought there was a chance he could cure the little girl, but he wasn’t positive. It depended on how far the disease had spread. Victoria had mentioned that it had traveled from Evie’s leg to her arms and lungs and from what Xonos had seen on the scan tonight, the damage was extensive.
    They ate quietly, watching the program Evie had selected, and when they were finished, Xonos carried their plates into the living room and called room service to pick them up. He stretched and contemplated going back into Evie’s room, but he thought she might like some time with her mother.
    He called Syl on the Vid-Comm, wanting to discuss his latest findings.
    “Are you calling about your daughter?” Syl asked.
    “Yes. I ran a scan on Evie tonight. The damage is… I’m not sure we can reverse it. I took some of her blood today and there was a little left over. I saved it in case you needed it to study, or to help with the serum.”
    “Is the clinic code still the same?”
    Xonos nodded.
    “Then I’ll swing by tonight and pick up the sample. I think I can have a serum ready in a few days that will delay the disease. Curing it though… that could take me a year or more.”
    “As long as you can prolong her life and keep her breathing until you find a cure, the timetable doesn’t matter. I don’t want her to feel pain and I don’t want her to get worse. If we can take care of those two things, I think her mother will be pleased.”
    “I’m going to try to cure her, Xonos. You know I’ll do anything I can. In fact, I called a scientist on Mirabar. He’s traveling here to help with my research and to see if he can speed things along. It’s Kronk. You know the male is brilliant, even more so than either of us. If anyone can help cure Evie, it’s Kronk.”
    “Tell Kronk I’ll pay for a suite at the hotel for him and make sure a driver is available to him. It’s the least I can do.”
    Syl laughed. “I think the man can afford his own accommodations, but I’ll let him know.”
    “Thanks, Syl. When I can pry Victoria away from Evie, I’ll give her the good news. I’ll let her decide how much she wants to tell Evie. I’d hate to give false hope.”
    “I’ll contact you