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He returned to the nest, sinking down to his knees outside it and resting his elbows on the pillow rim.

“I know you’re in pain and scared, but we’ll figure out what’s wrong. You’re not going to die.”

I blinked, overwhelmed by these guys' reaction to a headache. I mean, sure, there were instances that a headache meant something much worse was going on, but statistically, I was probably fine.

Mieshorum returned with something that looked like a bucket that ended in a short tube the size of my fist.

“She could use a bathing converter,” he said, handing it to Tolly before sinking down to sit outside the nest.

Both men were purring as Tolly set the bathing converter, whatever that was, down next to me and urged me to use it if I needed to purge.

“I’m not dying,” I said, feeling the need to reassure these worried Talins.

Lexarit and Narmuna came bursting through the door, arms full of items. They slid into place on either side of Tolly.

“I’ve got the scanner,” Narmuna said, dumping out one of the bags and searching through the pile.

“These are the rest of the med supplies we have,” Lexarit said, opening up the boxes he’d brought to rifle through them. “We need to get better kits. There isn’t even a body sterilizer in here.”

“This thing is useless,” Narmuna said, tapping at the tiny display on a cheap handheld scanner. “It doesn’t have a human biology program.”

“Nothing is programmed with human biology,” I said with a snort. “That’s why I keep the program on a data crystal.”

They all stopped talking and looked at me.

“You do?” Narmuna asked, sounding a loud purr.

“Not with me,” I said, the sarcasm dripping from each word. “If I’d known I was going to be abducted, I would’ve packed that along with some spare clothes.”

None of them responded to my sarcasm. I doubted they even noticed.

“We should’ve been better prepared,” Narmuna said, tossing the scanner aside and getting up. “I’ll find the nearest station with a full medical facility.”

“Make sure they have human physiology data for their scanners and diagnostic machines,” Lexarit said as the door slid shut behind Narmuna.

He left before what they’d all decided fully registered.

“You’re going to divert to the nearest station?” I asked. Maybe I’d be able to escape sooner than I expected.

“Yes, but only if they have a proper medical facility,” Tolly said. “I want you to focus on staying calm. You’re not going to die. We’re going to find you the best care.”

Despite the headache, I laughed.

“That’s a sound of amusement,” Tolly said, sounding more worried rattles as he looked over to Lexarit. “Could the tumor be affecting her ability to process thoughts or control her emotions?”

“I. Do. Not. Have. A. Tumor,” I said, slapping my hand down on the nest next to me with each word. “It’s a simple headache because I’m stressed, dehydrated, and maybe a little hungry.”

I leaned over and rifled through one of the boxes Lexarit brought. I found a familiar packet of mild pain relievers and held it up. “This is what I need.”

Before I could open it up and take one, Tolly snatched it from me. I sighed, wishing I’d been faster.

“Give it back,” I said, holding out my hand.

“Let me read the label," he said. I tried to be patient, but now that I wasn’t being entertained by the guys doing all kinds of extreme stuff to cure me, my headache was killing me.

“The label won’t tell you anything,” I grumbled. “Trust me, I know I can take it. I have the same exact one back home.”

Tolly looked up. “It doesn’t say if it’s safe for you.”