She glanced at the clock. “What is taking so long?”

“I don’t know since I’m not there. They are using Species nurses with Moon now. He tried to kill me a few times so I’m not complaining. He’d want me to avoid him.”

Joy stood and paced. “I want to know what is going on.”

“We’ll find out when they come upstairs.”

The nurse’s nonchalant attitude drove Joy a little nuts but part of her envied him. Moon’s well-being was all she could think about. Had he lost touch with reality again? Was he talking and sane? She should be with him.

Footsteps sounded and she spun, watching as Justice, Ted Treadmont, and a few tall Species nurses entered the reception area. It took control not to lunge forward to demand answers. She didn’t bother glancing at the white-haired doctor, sure he wouldn’t tell her anything. Justice North held her full attention.

He met her gaze. “Moon needed to be sedated. His state of mind deteriorated.”

Pain sliced through her. “Did he attack anyone?” She glanced at all the men, not seeing any visible signs of an altercation.

“His headache grew worse until he stopped talking altogether.” Justice paused, running a hand through his hair. A grim frown marred his mouth. “It became clear that he didn’t recognize us anymore when he snarled and tried to take a bite out of Ted. I called it quits at that point. He needed rest.”

The older man scowled. “Moon’s condition is improving. His moments of lucidity are growing more frequent and lasting longer.”

“I’ll send these samples to the lab.” One of the nurses left the room carrying a case. The other two followed him.

“Blood samples?” Joy knew they took a lot of those.

“And hair.” Ted threw himself into a chair and sighed loudly. “I wish we could find the chemist who brewed whatever Moon was given. I’d love to know how he did it.”

“I only want to know how to cure him,” Joy added, trying not to take offense at Treadmont’s line of thought. He was not emotionally invested, as she was. The method of how something was done would be important to him, as well as how to reverse the effects. “May I go downstairs?”

“He’s sleeping.” Ted shook his head. “She’s not necessary, Justice. We should send her home.”

Outraged, Joy opened her mouth to protest but Justice spoke first.

“No, Ted. Moon responds to her.”

“Of course he does. Sex is a basic need to any man. Like food. Sleeping. Urinating. Any woman would do. We should use Species females instead of having her underfoot.”

Joy felt as if he’d slapped her. “It’s not only about sex. He’s talking to me. He—”

“Enough.” Justice’s voice deepened. “Ted, you’re being rude. I don’t believe he’d struggle to find his memories if just any female was sent to him. He had no coherent moments before her arrival. We were able to speak to him and carry on a lengthy conversation.”

“They had sex.” Disgust lined the doctor’s face. “Spare me the pretense that they didn’t. I don’t have your hyper sense of smell but even I could tell by the state of his bed and what remained of his sweats what went down.”

“I don’t care what they did. The results matter.” Justice’s hands fisted. “It’s not your call. It’s mine. She stays.” His gaze slid to Joy. “You may return to him but the door remains locked. Moon had me promise to keep bars between the two of you from now on. He was deeply upset that you were hurt. Keep out of his reach.”

She started to argue but he didn’t give her time to utter a word.

“That’s the rules. Accept them or leave. I gave my promise that he wouldn’t be given the opportunity to harm you a second time. I was willing to allow you to risk your life to save his but he made it clear that wasn’t acceptable. I have to respect his wishes.”

It was obvious that Justice had made up his mind. She nodded in agreement. It was better to be near Moon than to be asked to leave Homeland. “Okay.”

Justice’s cell phone rang and he withdrew it from his pants. “Hello?” He listened a moment. “Good. How far out are the SUVs?” He paused again. “I’ll meet the team when they arrive. Prepare an interrogation room.” He hung up, depositing the phone in his pocket.

“What happened?” Ted straightened in his chair.

A cold smile curved Justice’s mouth as his gaze hardened. “We couldn’t get the one who invented the drug Moon was given but we have someone almost as good.”

“Who?” Joy was curious.

“For the past few days the prison guards have questioned the Mercile employees we arrested. It took some convincing but we have just picked up one of their research team leaders. Four different prisoners gave him up. He will know what drugs they were developing.”

Ted stood. “I want to be there.”

“Of course.” Justice glanced at Joy.

“I want to see Moon.”

“Go ahead.”

She didn’t need to be told twice. She almost ran from the room. There was no guard at the elevator. The ride down was fast. When she entered the dim basement a New Species male she hadn’t met hovered just inside. He inhaled and waved her by.

“He’s been tranquilized. It will be a few hours before he wakes.”

She crossed the room to the bars. Moon had showered. His hair was wet and a new pair of sweats had been given to him. He lay on his side facing her, appearing too large for the cot with his knees slightly over the edge. His steady, slow breathing assured her he was fine.

She wished she could touch him. It wouldn’t happen any time soon, according to Justice. He’d made it clear she had to stay far enough away that there was no chance of any physical contact.

“You’re too close, female,” the male rumbled from behind. “Justice said you are to stay five feet from the cell at all times.”

Her shoulders sagged as she glanced back. “Moon is still sleeping so he can’t reach me. My name is Joy.”

“Smiley.” He walked closer. He had pretty eyes. She studied his face. Primate. She knew the feature distinctions. They weren’t as aggressive as the canines or felines, in her experience.

“Were you here when they were talking to Moon?”

“Yes.”

“How was he after I left?”

“Very clear that you aren’t to be put in harm’s way again.” He paused, his gaze slowly wandering up and down her body. “I agree that you’re fragile enough to easily be hurt. He was frustrated and angry over what was done to him. His headache grew worse until he became completely disorientated.”

She hated hearing that. Every time she grew hopeful that he’d recover, he relapsed. It was disheartening. “It’s my decision about what risks I’m willing to take.”

“It was…until Moon stated otherwise. You are to be protected from him.”

She hated feeling helpless but she’d have to live with it. Justice had a valid point and he made the rules. She’d either follow them or be escorted off Homeland.

“We’re going to get him back. Moon is a determined male. No one here will give up hope.”

“Are you close to him?”

“Everyone loves Moon.” He shifted his stance enough to get a good view of the sleeping Species. “He’s closest though to Brass and Harley. They are like brothers but then, we’re all family at the NSO.”

“I’m sure you are.”

His gaze jerked back to her. “You’re the head shrink?”

She nodded and turned back toward Moon. The peaceful expression on his handsome face did little to alleviate her worry about what the future would hold for him. “May I ask you a favor, Smiley?”

“I refuse to allow you inside his cell.”

“You said he’d be out for hours. I just…” Emotion choked her voice. “I don’t know when I’ll be allowed near him again. I won’t stay long. I just…need to touch him.”

“I can’t do that.” He reached out and touched her shoulder gently, turning her to face him. He watched her eyes carefully. Whatever he saw there made him wince. The Species lowered his voice to a whisper. “Shit. You care deeply for him.”