I NEED A HERO (𝓒𝓞𝓜𝓟𝓛𝓔𝓣𝓔)

CHAPTER EIGHT

Nemera woke slowly. The ache in her shoulder prodded her memory of the previous day, but try as she might she couldn't remember going to bed. She was sure that she had fallen asleep on the couch. In a way she was glad that she hadn't stayed there - her shoulder would have been stiffer if she had. All the same, she had told Orr the last time that she didn't want him hauling her around.

It seemed, she thought as she washed up in lieu of a shower, that she needed to reiterate her stand on the issue with her partner. She dressed in a loose shirt and made a mental note to ask Orr to check her bandage - once she was done chewing him out.

She had finished her breakfast, called her Mom and Elian and was tying her shoes when her comm signaled a message. Orr was waiting down in the garage for her. Grabbing her jacket, she headed for the elevator. As she exited downstairs, she saw Zuberi in the back and had to grin. Had Orr told him that she always got the shotgun seat? She opened the door and slid in.

"Morning, partner," said Orr as he drove off.

"Morning." She slanted him a severe look. "It seems I went to sleep on the couch," she said brusquely, "and woke up in bed. Any idea how that happened?"

"See?" said Orr over his shoulder. "I told you."

"Yeah, you did," said Tau mildly. "It wasn't Orr that carried you to bed, Detective. It was me." He was careful not to react when her shoulders stiffened. "There's absolutely no danger of me hurting myself carrying you. You're a lightweight."

"Lightweight?" Nemera's voice was ominously level as she swiveled in the seat to shoot him an icy blue glare. "Did you really just say that, Zuberi?"

"I did," said Tau, still very calm. "I would like to make it clear that I WAS referring to your actual weight, and NOT referring in any way to your job performance or physical abilities."

"Well," she said sweetly, "once my shoulder's back to normal, you can see for yourself how ABLE I am."

"That's quite an invitation," replied Tau, unable to hide a small, pleased smirk. "I believe I'm looking forward to it."

"Wow," said Orr with a chuckle. "You're just a glutton for punishment, aren't you?"

"I look on it as a learning experience," said Tau. "If it costs me a few bruises, it's worth it. It won't be the first time a female has put me on the floor."

"I'll bet how she does it will be original." There was an undertone of amusement in Orr's voice. "But I'm not going to say any more about it. It would spoil the fun."

Nemera didn't know what to think when Zuberi just laughed. He was the most un-Roki-like Roki she had ever met - or even heard of - and time and time again he skewed all of her data and destroyed her preconceived notions. Once again she was put in the position of having to scold herself for jumping to a conclusion that was unwarranted.

At the station she followed in the wake of the guys. Seeing that Connor and Noonan were also there early, she told Orr to go ahead and asked Sheila to check her shoulder instead. Once she was cleared, she wandered out to wait in the training room, somewhat disappointed over having to sit and watch the sparring rather than participating. She enjoyed honing her skills against the others in her team. Sharp skills had saved her from serious injury more times than she could remember. Once Tau and Orr came to the mats, however, she forgot all about it watching them.

Both wore only sweat pants. It was a pleasure at any time watching two skilled fighters spar. When both were well muscled males stripped to the waist, thought Nemera, it was a even better. She swiftly saw that Orr was right - Tau Zuberi was a challenge and had no ego issues. Neither gave the other quarter, and both took their lumps with good grace and it was amusing listening to their banter.