"Clones?" he whispered.
Sheena looked into his clouded, pain-filled gaze. "Yes. I assumed you had the clearance to know. That's why Nate and I told you."
"Right. Sorry. Terrible headache."
Sheena patted his shoulder. "It's no problem. Good thing you have such a hard head."
"When can I travel?" he asked.
Nate narrowed his gaze on a grinning Sheena before shifting it to his father. "A few hours more, so long as you have a pilot. You're in no shape to pilot a vehicle yourself."
"You sound like a healer."
"I am a healer, Father. I have a degree and everything," Nate said.
"Right. Always forget that. Figured being an Admiral was enough of a job."
"Well, it has been up to now. I hired a new Captain. Mom thought it was a great idea, though I'm sure it broke a few alien hearts. First time in nearly 500 years that a woman left the program before making a match."
"You're not making any sense."
"Brianna MacNamara. She's been assigned to the AAS ship with me."
"Your mother … "
"Mother was thrilled. She's hoping Sheena and I reconcile and give her a grandchild. Would you like that too?"
"I guess. I need to talk to your mother. We've let things go too long. Need to divorce."
Nate nodded as he held his father's gaze. "I always suspected you weren't really a couple. She never said, but you were never around when I visited her. It's been over 50 years since I've seen you."
"Can't see you if you never leave this fucking ship."
Nate glared when Sheena crossed her arms. "Well, I used to-before I became Admiral."
"I know. You'll never leave this flying can now. You're just like your mother, married to your damn job. Why do you think I left her? I wanted a real life."
Nothing else the man could have said would have felt more like a verbal slap. Nate patted his shoulder like Sheena had done. "Okay. Rest now. Let the meds work their magic. You'll wake up feeling better in a few more hours."
Leaving word to be contacted when his father woke again, Nate and Sheena walked silently to his office.
Nate picked up her hand and tugged her with him to his chair. He sat in it and pulled her down into his lap. He hardened beneath her wiggling ass but ignored his arousal. They had way too much to settle first.
"I need you to tell me the truth, Sheena. Did you do to me what you did to my father?"
Sheena patted his cheek. "Yes."
"Just like that? You can be all matter of fact about brainwashing me?"
"Yes. Just like that, and it wasn't brainwashing. I merely planted suggestions in your subconscious mind. I'd pretty much figured out what Angus and Erin were, but I needed confirmation. I couldn't regret my actions after I discovered the truth about Scott. Enemies were surrounding me and Bri on all sides. You weren't coming over to my side fast enough. For a little while there, I was afraid you never would."
Nate pulled her head to his shoulder. "I'm still pissed at you. Maybe I have no right to be, because I know everything you said is valid, but I'm still going to be mad for a while. I hate being used, even when I can see I gave you no other choice."
"It's okay. We're used to being mad at each other. I can deal, if you can. Just hurry and get over it. I would really hate to spend another century drifting from lover to lover looking for someone to replace you."
"I'd hate that too," Nate said, hearing the resignation in Sheena's answer. She would do exactly that if he made the wrong decision-something he had no intention of doing. "So what now, Dr. MacNamara, Super Spy?"
"First, we tell the Guardians about your father and the director Novus Prime. I'll have to make a trip personally to do it. This is not something to be done over a com line, no matter how private."
"Maybe you can go when Angus and Erin do. John said the Guardians have agreed to see them."
"Sounds like a plan," Sheena said.
"The Guardians might decide to kill my father," Nate said sadly, realizing the truth of his words.
Sheena nodded against his neck. "They might. Or they'll watch your father and my boss once they know. Either way, your father didn't die at your hands when he could have-or at mine-or even Darcone's hands. That pissed alien really, really wanted to kill the man."
"Darcone," Nate said, thinking about it. "He's started speaking to me. A hundred years of silence, and now he's chatty every time I see him. I guess people really can change."