Nikhil immediately scooped Mackenzie up in his arms and moved to sit on the exam bed. "Do it," he ordered.
Mac couldn't believe she was falling apart like this. Again. What was wrong with her? She'd never been like this before.
"It is understandable, Little One," Nikhil murmured in her hair, making her realize she'd spoken out loud. "You have been through a great deal, and handled it all with grace and strength. Let me be your strength now. I have more than enough."
Mac found herself chuckling as she rubbed her forehead against his chest before gazing up, giving him a wobbly smile. "You are rather strong, aren't you?"
"I am," he agreed.
"That's one of the things I like about you," she said and found herself sinking into her True Mate's warm, glowing gaze.
"Do you?" he quizzed quietly.
"Yes."
"Ahem," the sound of Luol clearing his throat had Mac pulling her gaze from Nikhil. "I believe you just need rest, Mackenzie. Your system just hasn't had the time to absorb everything it has been given."
"Then that is what she shall have." Nikhil rose with her still in his arms.
"Wait!" Treyvon's exclamation had everyone freezing. "I need to know why the length of your hair tells you how long ago you were taken."
"Does your hair really not grow at all?" Mac asked, reaching out to touch one of Nikhil's braids. "Is that why you were so upset when I suggested cutting mine?"
"You did what?!!" Both Luol and Treyvon exclaimed, drawing Mac's gaze.
"On Earth, hair comes in varying lengths. Some even prefer to have it all removed."
"What?!!" This had all three males exclaiming.
"I know for you that is a sign of disgrace, but it's not that way on Earth."
"Your hair continues to grow even after you mature?" Luol asked carefully.
"Yes. I take it yours doesn't."
"No. Our hair reaches its final length around our sixteenth year. From then on, it only grows enough to maintain that length."
"And if it is intentionally cut?" she asked.
"It will eventually grow back, but very slowly. How fast does yours grow?"
"I'm not exactly sure. I was hoping one of the guys knew, but didn't have time to ask."
"Why?"
"Because other questions were more important. What I do know is that I used to get my hair trimmed every four to six weeks, and had it done right before we were taken."
"And how long was it then?" Nikhil asked gently fingering the ends of her hair.
"Up to here." She put her hand even with her collarbone and watched Nikhil's eyes widen.
"That is a great deal longer, Mackenzie," he whispered.
"I know, I've never let it get this long before."
"So how fast does your hair grow?" Treyvon asked.
"My beautician would usually cut a quarter inch off ever four to six weeks."
"That means...” Treyvon frowned unable to believe what she was saying.
"That we were taken five to six months ago," she said and was greeted with a stunned silence.
"But that... that's impossible. No species could survive that long under such harsh conditions," Luol said, looking aghast.
"But you've never met my species before now, have you?" she challenged.
Luol looked to Treyvon. "General, if this is true, then I must insist that I begin treating the humans immediately, and for you to send for the other deep-repair unit. Mackenzie was highly deficient in many of the vital vitamins and minerals that are essential for every known species. I assumed it was because a human’s requirement was different, but now that I am aware how long they may have been held, I realize it is because they were just that extremely depleted in the struggle to survive. They need immediate treatment."
"That's what I've been saying!" Mac exclaimed.
"Nikhil, take your Ashe to your quarters and make sure she rests," Treyvon ordered.
"But...”
"I will see to it that your fellow humans are treated, Ashe Mackenzie," Treyvon informed her, "but not unless you allow Nikhil to take you back to his quarters and rest. I can't have my Squad Leader distracted."
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
"I could have walked, you know," Mac told Nikhil even as she settled deeper into his arms.
"I am strong, remember?" he said, shifting her slightly to press his palm against the access panel of his quarters.
"I remember."
"You need to rest, but first you will eat," he informed her, setting her down on the couch before moving into what looked like a small kitchen area to retrieve a packet.
"Why is there a kitchen in your quarters?" she asked. She'd learned from the educator that Kaliszians didn't cook, because only the wealthiest had fresh food stores that required might require it.